It was about 8:40 when the police left.
Apart from the need for everyone to make a supplementary report later, the case was considered to have come to an end. Hayashi Yoshiki and the others had no intention of staying and disturbing them, and soon left Yoko Okino's house.
"Hey, I've always said that young people nowadays are really amazing. They think so fast."
Kogoro Mouri praised Hayashi Yoshiki the entire way.
In addition to his relationship with Eri Kisaki, it was also because of the commission recommended by Hayashi Yoshiki that he got Yoko Okino's personal number. When the police left, Yoko Okino was planning to pay Kogoro Mouri the commission fee, but he was too embarrassed to accept it and simply asked for two more autographs with a smile.
"I can only say that part of it was luck," Hayashi Yoshiki smiled. "And judging from Uncle Mouri's expression at the time, he must have noticed something was wrong."
"Hahaha, that's true—we were just a little off!"
(Why are you flattering this foolish old man?)
Watching Kogoro Mouri laugh shamelessly while rubbing the back of his head, Conan Edogawa's mouth twitched.
Conan couldn't help but look up at Hayashi Yoshiki. Seeing his calm and gentle demeanor made him feel slightly uneasy.
This was the first time he had felt powerless while solving a case.
Even though he had clearly taken the initiative and had more time to think—and before he could connect all the dots—this man had taken only two glances at the scene and immediately saw through Akiyoshi Fujie's method of suicide.
Was this really how mystery novelists solved cases? Was it so unreasonable?
Conan felt slightly disheartened by his strong desire to win.
However, he quickly picked himself up and thought that he would be able to turn things around next time.
Hayashi Yoshiki, who was focused on his phone, didn't catch the silent challenge Conan had issued in his heart. He then looked down at the mischievous children who had been following him.
"It's late. Let's send these children home first."
"Yes, their families must be worried by now."
Ran Mouri agreed, resting her hands on her knees and bending down to talk to the kids. "What's your home phone number? Can you call your parents and ask them to come pick you up?"
"Okay, my home number is..." Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya nodded immediately.
"I'm starving... I've got to get home quickly..." Genta Kojima moaned, holding his stomach with a listless look and nearly sitting down on the ground.
At that moment, Ayumi Yoshida quietly took a step back and gently tugged on the corner of Hayashi Yoshiki's coat.
Hayashi Yoshiki looked down.
"Brother, Ayumi's home number is..."
Ayumi whispered, a little shyly.
Conan, who noticed this from nearby, suddenly realized that Ayumi was probably trying to get Hayashi Yoshiki's phone number through this.
(Elementary school students these days are too precocious...)
He sighed internally.
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't pay much attention to it. After hearing the number, he pulled out his phone and called Ayumi's home while she stood by, slightly excited.
After hearing the constant thanks and relief on the other end, Hayashi Yoshiki hung up and looked at Ayumi again. "You stayed out this late without informing your family. Don't do this again."
"Okay, Ayumi won't do this again in the future." The little girl nodded with a well-behaved expression.
"Yoshiki-oniisan is right. We really can't do this anymore," Ran added seriously, looking at the two boys.
"We understand, Ran-neesan."
"I'm still hungry..."
Genta Kojima soon lost the strength to even stand.
Although Kogoro Mouri kept muttering that children were a hassle... he was only grumbling, as he actually waited patiently for the children's parents to arrive.
"By the way, Yoshiki, have you ever thought about switching careers and becoming a detective?"
"I actually have considered it."
Hayashi Yoshiki paused and added, "But honestly, it's also to find inspiration for my next novel."
"Oh! If you ever have questions, feel free to come to me. Haha, I've been a detective for many years, after all!"
"But it seems your uncle doesn't have any particularly notable cases," Conan said, exposing Kogoro's track record without hesitation.
Kogoro Mouri exploded with rage and retaliated immediately with an iron fist.
Glancing at the big bump on Conan's head, Hayashi Yoshiki said without much emotion:
"I do need to ask you something, Uncle Mouri. What do I need to do to open a detective agency?"
"Well, you just need to report it to the police. But even if you don't, it doesn't really matter—just that certain procedures might become inconvenient. For publicity, I recommend putting up a big, noticeable sign like mine, hahaha."
The status of detectives in this world was relatively high—
But that only applied to famous detectives. Ordinary ones mostly helped track lost pets or investigate affairs. Before becoming famous, Kogoro Mouri mostly handled these kinds of cases.
Hayashi Yoshiki nodded, indicating he understood.
Shortly after, the children's parents arrived and took them home. Hayashi Yoshiki declined Kogoro Mouri's invitation to "go grab a drink" and took a taxi back home.
On the way, he received a text message from Yoko Okino on his phone:
"I really appreciate your help today, Mr. Hayashi... If you hadn't come, I don't know what I would've done.""Anyway, if you ever need my help, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Yoko Okino and Hayashi Yoshiki had just exchanged contact information.
Hayashi Yoshiki quickly typed out a reply:
"It was nothing. But are you all right now, Miss Yoko?"
"Yes, don't worry. I'm fine. But I don't think I'll ever return to that apartment."
After all, someone had died there.
It was clear that housing prices in Beika City would sharply decline in the future, and the Grim Reaper known as Edogawa Conan bore much of the blame.
Hayashi Yoshiki had only asked out of courtesy.
Akiyoshi Fujie was likely just a relic of the past for Yoko Okino—she probably didn't have many deep feelings tied to her high school days. But after his earlier confession, even if Yoko Okino could understand that he acted out of concern, she would no longer be able to continue working with her agent, Eiichi Yamagishi.
Suddenly, a buzzing sound came from the inner pocket of Hayashi Yoshiki's coat.
It was the phone that Gin had given him earlier—
"Next Friday night at 21:20, come to the training ground. – Gin"
He paused for a moment.
After Hayashi Yoshiki sent the message, he immediately deleted it.