"Oh! Isn't this Brother Hayashi!?"
Inspector Megure's booming voice echoed from the doorway, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Heads turned to see the familiar bulky man in a suit, followed by several formally dressed officers.
"What's Officer Megure doing here?"
"Haha, the boss's daughter is getting married. Of course we subordinates have to show our support," he answered, laughing heartily at Ran Mouri's question.
The "boss" he referred to, the sharp-eyed, imposing man known as Matsumoto Kiyonaga, stepped in and nodded toward Hayashi Yoshiki.
"I've heard Juzo talk about you a lot lately—says you're quite the impressive young man."
"You flatter me," Hayashi smiled modestly as they shook hands."But today is Sayuri-sensei's wedding. I believe she deserves your focus today, sir."
"That's exactly what I was about to do," Matsumoto grumbled, catching his daughter's stare.
He waved off Megure and the other officers to wait outside, then stepped forward and placed both hands on Sayuri Matsumoto's shoulders.
"Sayuri, have you really thought this through?"
"Dad—what are you doing?"
"You're marrying that guy. We have plenty of fine young men in the department."
He made no attempt to keep his voice down, causing the others to look at each other in awkward silence.
"This is my decision!" Sayuri snapped back, cheeks red with frustration."I'm not a child anymore!"
Even in a wedding dress, she wasn't about to back down.
Ran and Sonoko looked visibly uncomfortable.
As girls who believed in love above all else, this kind of old-school parental objection clashed with their romantic ideals.
"But it's obvious Mr. Matsumoto cares deeply for his daughter," Hayashi said softly."After all, most of the guests are likely here because of his status. If he were to object publicly, it would hurt everyone involved."
This shifted their perspective.
Eventually, Matsumoto Kiyonaga grunted his reluctant approval, awkwardly complimented Sayuri on her dress, and excused himself to entertain more guests.
"Hey, Brother Hayashi, want something to drink?" Sonoko asked cheerfully.
"If you're heading out, could I trouble you for a bottle of mineral water?"
"Sonoko, could you get me a lemon tea?" Ran chimed in.
Just as Sonoko reached the door, it swung open.
A woman with mature elegance entered.
"Here, Sayuri. I brought your favorite warm lemon tea."
"Ah, Kazumi!" Sayuri's face lit up.
It was her best friend from college—and unfortunately, her fiancé's ex-girlfriend.
"Ah, sorry about today," Sayuri whispered.
"What? Come on." Kazumi gave her a playful smack on the rear.
"I have to reveal to everyone that the groom is my ex, right?"
"Kidding, kidding. Good luck, you lovebird. See you out there."
She exited, leaving Sayuri both exasperated and giggling.
"They seem close," Hayashi commented.Then, glancing at Ran, he added, "I imagine Sonoko would be like that at your wedding too."
Ran's face instantly turned pink.
"W-what do you mean, Brother Hayashi?"
Even Conan, standing nearby, bristled at the exchange.
(Why is this guy teasing Ran?!)
His glare was practically laser-focused.
Hayashi, catching it, raised an eyebrow and calmly stared back.Then, slowly, his expression turned more serious.
Under that intense gaze, Conan began to squirm.
(He's figured it out again?!)
"What's wrong, Brother Hayashi?" Ran noticed too.
"Ran, I need to tell you something."
The two stepped aside, leaving Conan staring after them in growing panic.
(No way. Don't tell me—he's going to tell her something about me?!)
Before Conan could follow, Sayuri grabbed him affectionately.
"Wow, you really look like a former student of mine—Kudo Shinichi."
"Conan might have a crush on you, Ran," Hayashi whispered.
"He's always around you, right? Follows you more than a normal kid would?"
"W-well… now that you mention it..."
"In psychology, it's common for childhood experiences to form the basis of lifelong preferences—especially romantic ones."
"W-wait, what? That's a bit..."
"It's not uncommon. Younger boys can develop crushes on older girls. And Ran, you're kind, pretty, and have a very motherly aura. That's more than enough to leave a mark on a kid."
"I-it's just Conan..."
"Does he ever act secretive? Mysterious? Leave unexpectedly?"
The way Hayashi spoke—calm, analytical, even gentle—made it hard to dismiss.
"He's very clever, isn't he?"
"Smart kids tend to notice things most people miss. Combine that with emotional maturity far beyond their age and... well, the rest speaks for itself."
By now, Ran was staring at Conan in a whole new light.
"He... really might like me?"
Hayashi gave a wry smile.
"Or maybe he's just a good actor."