Seeing Haibara Ai's reaction, Hayashi Yoshiki immediately realized that Vermouth was hiding nearby.
The Thousand-Faced Witch, a perfect actor...
Are you still worried about Ran?
Or do you want to observe me more, even now?
Recalling how she asked at the restaurant who was better at disguise between him and Kaito Kid, Hayashi Yoshiki lowered his eyes, a faint smile curving on his lips.
"Has Sonoko come to play too?"
Looking at Suzuki Sonoko, who was happily waving, Hayashi Yoshiki returned a gentle smile.
"What a coincidence today!" Sonoko said cheerfully. "I was originally here to attend the celebration party at the Red Castle Hotel tonight. When I came here to kill time, I ran into Ran and the others—and then I found Kazuha was here too!"
"It's a coincidence indeed."
"But I just got a call... there was an explosion on the top floor of the Red Castle Hotel. My dad told me not to go anymore."
At her words, Ran suddenly froze.
"The top floor… isn't that the client...?"
She looked at Hayashi Yoshiki, then at her father and Hattori Heiji talking with Conan.
Thinking of how they'd disappeared all day… how staff had suddenly come to replace their ID watches… and now the hotel explosion and all the police—
Ran began to piece it all together.
"Could it be that Brother Yoshiki and the others...?"
"Don't worry. It's over."
Hayashi Yoshiki gave her a soft smile, clearly dodging the question.
"How about some ice cream?"
"Don't try to hide everything from me, Brother Yoshiki!"
"But I really want ice cream now," he answered with that usual warm smile. "I've been busy all day. I deserve something sweet."
At this point... how could she argue with him?
Ran and Sonoko joined him to get ice cream. The other kids were too full from their sweets-filled day to follow.
"Brother Yoshiki, are you going to eat two?" Sonoko blinked.
"No," he smiled. "One's for Ai. She's… a little off. I'll check on her."
"You're so considerate, Brother Yoshiki..." Sonoko sighed.
As Hayashi Yoshiki walked off, Ran watched his back with complicated emotions.
He's always so gentle...
But why does he never let anyone help him?
This isn't how it should be.
Looking at her father—lounging like a beached whale—Ran suddenly turned serious.
"Ran? Where are you going?" Sonoko blinked in surprise.
"What is going on with today's commission?" Ran asked directly.
"Commission? It's nothing. It's resolved—"
"If you don't tell me the truth, you'll be cooking for yourself for the next month."
Mori Kogoro surrendered and spilled everything.
Meanwhile, Hayashi Yoshiki handed the second ice cream to Haibara Ai.
"You'll stand out more if you keep acting ."
"Of course. I was the one who led her here."
That gentle, easy smile reassured her immediately.
She accepted the ice cream quietly.
Hayashi Yoshiki ruffled her hair gently, casually surveying the area.
If only I had the Eyes of Death, he thought. A disguise wouldn't fool me then...
But it didn't matter. Just knowing that Vermouth was nearby was enough.
"Dad told me everything."
Ran's face was adorably serious, her gaze fiercely determined.
Hayashi Yoshiki blinked in silence.
"...As long as you're all safe, that's all that matters."
Bathed in the park's moonlight and neon glow, his elegant features softened.
For once, he let the mask drop.
In that one moment, Ran saw past his calm—
—and into the deep fatigue and genuine relief behind those eyes.
Yoshiki… you're tired, aren't you?
Then, the park's speakers came alive:
[We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused by the suspension of the "Super Snake" ride. It has now been repaired and will reopen in ten minutes.]
Hayashi Yoshiki turned back to her with a smile.
"I'm a little curious. Want to ride it?"
The other children ran toward the attraction, excited.
A woman in plain clothes joined them from behind—Vermouth, sitting alone in the back seat.
She stared silently at Hayashi Yoshiki, Ran, and the others.
So you really do love her, Cointreau...
But that makes you more dangerous than anyone else.
His charisma… that quiet power…
Women are drawn to him—and Vermouth knew that was no coincidence.
Even his scent was intoxicating.
He's real—but he's still not someone for Ran.
She turned to the boy sitting up ahead with Hattori Heiji.
She had already known.
When his name appeared in the APTX4869 files, Vermouth returned from the U.S. to investigate.
It didn't take long to figure it out.
Haibara Ai, standing down below.
She hadn't boarded the ride. She was alone.
And to Vermouth, that was even more dangerous.