Mouri Detective Agency
When Hayashi Yoshiki and Hattori Heiji arrived, Kogoro Mouri was slouched in his chair, leisurely picking his nose.
"Excuse me, Uncle Mouri."
"Hey! Yoshiki, what brings you here?"
He instantly straightened up and flashed a bright, welcoming smile.
Ran Mouri and Conan also greeted him, the latter sneezing as they did.
"What's wrong? Catching a cold?" Hayashi Yoshiki asked.
"Probably. The temperature dropped suddenly, and Conan caught a chill."
"Did he take any medicine?"
"I already gave him some earlier."
Watching the warm exchange between Hayashi Yoshiki and Ran, Hattori Heiji nodded quietly to himself. The man was clearly meticulous and kind.
Heiji frowned at the sight of Kogoro Mouri, who now eagerly sidled up beside Hayashi with a big grin.
Is this really the legendary "Sleeping Kogoro"?
"Shu, what did I ask you about last time?"
"Yoko's autograph? I brought it with me."
"Ah, you're the best!!"
Overjoyed, Kogoro Mouri accepted the theater photo personally signed by Yoko Okino, storing it away with comical care. He then eagerly asked:
"So? How was Miss Yoko's performance on set?"
"She was great, honestly."
"Right?! I keep telling people—Miss Yoko is the definition of charm—"
"Dad! Can't you control yourself in front of Jiashu and the guests?"
Ran, mortified by her father's overexcitement, tried to intervene.
But the middle-aged fan was too far gone, still rambling about how adorable Yoko was and how her new drama would be a smash hit.
Seeing Ran's helpless expression, Hayashi simply smiled and added:
"Uncle Mouri's right—Yoko is very cute."
He wasn't lying. In Hayashi Yoshiki's eyes, Yoko's shy vulnerability—especially when flustered—was irresistibly adorable.
"So... where's Kudo Shinichi?"
Hattori Heiji couldn't hold back any longer.
"Shinichi?" Ran looked at him, confused.
"Hayashi Yoshiki already told me, and if I'm not wrong, your name is Ran Mori, right? He said you might know where Kudo Shinichi is."
"Who's this rude kid?"
Kogoro Mouri asked, frowning at the brash teen.
Hattori quickly introduced himself and revealed his identity.
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't involve himself in their conversation. Instead, he quietly observed as Heiji made some deductions and concluded that Kudo Shinichi might be nearby, watching in secret. To confirm it, he handed Conan a glass of white liquor...
Eventually, a well-dressed woman entered the agency.
"So, to summarize—you want us to investigate your son's girlfriend's character?"
"Yes. Here are her photos and résumé."
The client, Kimie Tsujimura, was the wife of a diplomat. She explained her request, including the payment and background details. She also hoped they could come discuss things privately at her home.
"My husband is a diplomat. If the public learned he consulted a private detective, it could spark a scandal. I hope you understand and will meet us there directly."
"Why don't we go now?"
Hayashi Yoshiki offered smoothly.
"To be honest, I haven't handled many of these domestic investigations, and I'd like to learn from Uncle Mouri's experience."
"Well… since you're asking, Yoshiki, let's go together."
Mouri was clearly pleased with the compliment. He gave Hattori Heiji a quick glance before agreeing.
Conan, though slightly dizzy from the cold (and liquor), also tagged along.
At the Tsujimura Residence
They arrived at a luxurious private residence with a manicured garden.
The butler, Koike Fumio, greeted them, followed by Tsujimura Takayoshi, the son of the diplomat, who appeared with his girlfriend Katsuragi Sachiko. When they entered, Kimie Tsujimura immediately reacted coldly:
"I asked Sachiko to come." Takayoshi draped an arm over her shoulder."Dad didn't want to see her, but I forced him to agree. He's been in the study all this time."
"Mom, are these your friends?"
"This has nothing to do with you. And frankly, you don't have the right to speak for me yet."
Sachiko quickly lowered her head and apologized in a soft voice.
Kimie ignored them both and led the group directly to the study.
Eventually, she took a key from her purse and unlocked the door.
Inside, the bald diplomat was slouched at his desk, propped up by his hands, seemingly asleep.
"Really, now? Not even a word from you? And the stereo's been playing opera this whole time. You just doze off ?"
She walked over to wake him.
Meanwhile, Heiji and the others noticed the music and commented.
"Opera?" Heiji asked curiously.
"A rare choice of music," Hayashi Yoshiki said, smiling.
"What kind of music do you usually listen to, Yoshiki-kun?" Ran asked.
"Me? I like all kinds, but if I had to pick, probably rock."
Ran was visibly surprised—rock music didn't match Hayashi's calm, intellectual demeanor.
Back across the room, Kimie Tsujimura gave her husband a few shakes—and then gasped.
With only a nudge or two, his body toppled stiffly from the chair.
Startled, she dropped down beside him, trying to rouse him.
"What's wrong? Wake up, dear!"
Realizing something was off, Hattori Heiji stepped forward, touched the man's body, and declared grimly:
"It's no use. He's already dead."
Hayashi Yoshiki, who already knew this was going to happen, calmly took out his phone.
He snapped a discreet photo of the scene and sent it to Gin.
A response came back just ten seconds later.
Meanwhile – Safehouse in Beika Town
In a hidden location, Gin stared at the message on his phone.
The timestamp showed it had only been a couple of hours since he'd sent the assignment.
He was quiet for a moment.
Why is this guy—Cointreau—always in such a hurry?
Normally, Gin wouldn't care.
But with Japanese Public Security intensifying surveillance on the Organization, even he had been forced to keep a low profile lately.
Gin: "Clean up the mess. Don't be so hasty next time."