Even inside the sacred halls of the Milan Church, Conan felt a chill run down his spine.
Because Ran Mouri was looking at him weirdly.
There was confusion in her eyes… concern… distance.
And that hurt more than he expected.
Just then, Hayashi Yoshiki walked over and, with that eternally gentle smile, reached out and patted his head softly.
(Bastard!! What did you say to her?!) Conan wanted to yell, but all he could do was clench his fists.
Before he could act on anything, Sonoko Suzuki returned, waving plastic bags and drinks."I brought water!" she announced cheerfully.
Hayashi took the mineral water she handed him, nodding politely.
"Thanks, Sonoko-san."
She gave a dazed smile, completely red in the cheeks.
At that point, only a few guests were left backstage.The last segment of the recording caught a confident student named Umemiya giving a rose to the bride and flamboyantly tying a ribbon around her straw.
"Oh, Umemiya-sempai. One year ahead of us. He's… yeah."
Even Sonoko looked visibly unimpressed.
Then, the groom, Takasugi Toshihiko, stumbled in—literally. Pushed by his best men and falling awkwardly to the floor, he was clearly nervous.
Thankfully, Sayuri-sensei laughed and helped him up with warmth in her eyes.
Just as Sonoko was recording this tender moment, the camera beeped—and died.
"Guess this is the end of the recording."
"Let's give them a moment," said Hayashi, smiling."They probably want to talk before the ceremony."
Everyone agreed and exited quietly into the corridor.
As they walked, Hayashi Yoshiki checked his watch and opened his phone to check for updates.
There it was—a text from his therapist:
"Mr. Hayashi, your next session is scheduled for 15:00 tomorrow. Please confirm."
He quickly typed a reply.
Just as he hit send, Sonoko leaned close and whispered:
"Brother Hayashi, can I have your number?"
He gave it to her without hesitation.
Her grin stretched ear to ear as she scribbled it down.
The other phone in Hayashi's pocket vibrated.
He casually glanced back: Conan was still trying awkwardly to get answers from Ran.
Hayashi stepped away, took out the second phone, and opened the message.
"Mission update. Details in secure inbox. Deadline: 5 days. — Gin"
He replied immediately:
"I don't have a computer nearby to view it. Might be busy over the next few days. I'll check and follow up soon."
"Busy with what?" — Gin
"Psychologist appointment tomorrow."
"Also, trying to open a detective agency. Still popular, you know."
"Might even have a date soon."
"What's up with the psychiatrist?" — Gin
Just as Hayashi was about to explain, a loud crash came from the bridal room.
Ran and Sonoko, closest to the door, rushed in and seconds later—
Hayashi deleted his message mid-sentence and replaced it with:
"Wait a minute. Going to solve a case real quick. Talk later."
Elsewhere, in the Porsche 356A, Gin stared at his phone.
"…Cointreau is seeing a psychiatrist?"
This was... suspicious.
"Tell someone to find an office or apartment in Beika suitable for a detective agency. For Cointreau."
"Detective agency?! What, really?!"
"And find out if he's been visiting any hospitals for therapy."
Vodka, mid-turn, choked.
"Wait—psychotherapy!?!"
His foot slammed the brake.
The Porsche screeched in place.
"Aniki... you mean... Cointreau?"
Gin didn't even blink."Don't overreact. Just do it."
Meanwhile, in the backroom, chaos.
Sayuri Matsumoto, in her wedding dress, lay on the ground, blood and lemon tea staining the white fabric. Her face was pale; her body convulsing.
Hayashi rushed to her.
He lifted her gently and poured some into her mouth.
Ran and Sonoko clung to each other, pale with panic.
"It's alright. She'll be fine." Hayashi's calm voice cut through the chaos.
"It's sodium hydroxide. Likely slipped into her drink."
Megure arrived with officers.
"We called an ambulance!"
"Good," said Hayashi."She's not out of danger yet, but the milk and orange juice helped neutralize some of the alkaline. We just bought her time."
"Damn it..." Megure clenched his fists."Who would do this to Sayuri-sensei?! Who?!"
The atmosphere chilled.
And for Hayashi Yoshiki, it was time to do what he did best.