After finishing lunch, the four women, Kazuha and the others, drove away.
In Vermouth's villa, Heiji sat quietly on the sofa, his brows slightly furrowed: Only a day and a half left; it looks like I can't devise a plan that takes too much time.
He took out the emerald-green gemstone necklace from his bosom, his eyes focusing slightly: "Yasakani no Magatama?"
"Magatama?"
He muttered to himself while leaning on the sofa, his eyes becoming unfocused.
"Headache."
His body slanted, and he lay down entirely on the sofa. A faint fragrance wafted into his nose, similar to Yukiko's; clearly, she had lain on the sofa like this before.
His gaze drifted, scanning the entire room without focus.
There were many decorations, many things belonging to women.
Heiji was somewhat speechless: "That woman Yukiko wouldn't be planning to stay here long-term, would she?"
Suddenly, a smear of blue caught his eye.
After being in a daze for a while, his eyes suddenly brightened, and a confident smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "I hope Kudo Yusaku won't take too much time."
Having a plan in his heart, Heiji did not delay; he walked directly out to start preparing the things needed for the plan.
Three o'clock in the afternoon!
"Ai, how about going out to eat today?" Haibara Mei asked softly to Ai, who was sitting on the sofa.
Ai did not speak.
Haibara Mei quickly walked over and crouched beside Ai; her heart tightened.
"Ai, why are you crying?"
Ai's face was covered in tear tracks.
Hearing Haibara Mei's question, she glanced at her: "You don't need to mind me; it's my own business."
Her voice was still calm.
Although she had already treated Haibara Mei as family, Ai still had no way to talk about it. Or rather, except for that person, she would not talk about it with anyone.
Haibara Mei felt a sharp pain in her chest.
She slowly sat on the sofa and gently pulled Ai into her embrace.
"If you won't say it, don't say it. Cry if you want to. I'm here."
Ai's body trembled, and her tears immediately surged again.
"Today is my sister's birthday."
Haibara Mei's body shook, and she held Ai tightly.
"Did Ai's sister not come back to find Ai?"
This was the first time they discussed this topic; Haibara Mei was apprehensive.
Ai's crying gradually weakened, and her voice turned cold again.
"I'm fine now."
After saying that, she stepped out of Haibara Mei's embrace and walked directly toward her own room.
Haibara Mei leaned weakly on the sofa, tears flowing: Ai, sorry, I still can't tell you the truth now.
Thinking of the secret in her heart, she couldn't help but think of that figure hidden deep in her heart.
[I wonder if he knows my birthday.]
The phone suddenly rang.
Haibara Mei's body trembled, and she sat upright, taking out her mobile phone from her bosom.
Ai suddenly walked out from the room. When she saw the mobile phone in Haibara Mei's hand, disappointment crossed her eyes, and she turned back into the room again.
Haibara Mei looked toward Ai's room, then walked outside into the courtyard.
"Hello, you finally remembered me, huh."
After knowing that person's true identity, she suddenly wasn't so afraid of him anymore, even daring to tease him.
The phone was silent for a moment.
"Miyano Akemi, don't act like a resentful woman."
The voice on the phone was still voice-changed, but the way of speaking made Haibara Mei's eyes light up.
"Am I not currently the canary you are keeping? Unable to meet people with my true face, I am a resentful woman."
She pouted and paced lightly in the courtyard.
"It won't be too long. At that time, you and Ai will be able to recognize each other."
Heiji thought Haibara Mei was complaining.
Haibara Mei froze for a moment, then quickly covered it up.
"No need, your plan is most important."
After knowing that "Old Cellar" was the Night Baron, she vaguely guessed that this man was planning something big, and she was part of it.
However, she didn't mind. If it hadn't been for Old Cellar back then, she would have died long ago. Since she had died once, she had no more worries.
"My plan?"
However, Heiji didn't have any plan. The purpose of saving Miyano Akemi back then was simple: he needed an assistant who understood the Black Organization but was inconspicuous.
Haibara Mei quickly changed the subject.
"Do you know the phone number for the Osaka Prefecture Police Department?"
"I know."
Haibara Mei knew the serious business was starting; her face became solemn.
"At five o'clock, make an anonymous phone call there. The content is: The game has begun!"
"Understood."
Haibara Mei nodded. Toward the orders of that person on the other end of the phone, she never had a shred of doubt.
The two of them suddenly fell silent.
Haibara Mei's breathing quickened. She gripped the phone tightly, standing restlessly in nervousness.
"Old Cellar, today..."
"Happy birthday. I'll make up the gift for you next time."
Haibara Mei stood still.
[He... he remembers my birthday.]
Her heart pounded.
"I'm hanging up first."
Heiji hung up the phone directly. After thinking for a moment, he began to dial another number.
At this time, someone else also needed comfort.
Ai lay on the bed, pulling the quilt over her head, her eyes full of sorrow.
The mobile phone in her hand rang.
She threw off the quilt and stared at the name on the screen.
Tears blurred her eyes.
She gently picked up the call, her voice tight.
"Are you crying?"
A stubborn answer followed, but the tears kept coming.
"Then give me a smile."
Listening to the voice on the phone, Ai lay back down on the bed, sobbing.
"Brother-in-law, where are you?"
After such a long time, he once again heard Ai call him "brother-in-law."
Heiji sighed gently: "Cry. I guarantee this is the last time you will cry."
From the incident at the Osaka Sports Arena, Gin had clearly already targeted the Night Baron. At this time, he likely wouldn't have much time to put too much energy into the matter of Sherry.
Perhaps the timing for the sisters to recognize each other should be ripe.
He continued to comfort Ai for an entire hour before she finally calmed down.
After hanging up the phone, Heiji breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the things in his hand, a sharp light crossed his eyes: Next, the game should begin.
Exactly five o'clock!
Toyama Ginshiro walked over to pick up the phone.
"This is the office of the Superintendent of the Osaka Prefecture Police."
"The game has begun!"
A mechanical voice rang out, and then it hung up immediately.
Toyama Ginshiro's brows furrowed. He silently hung up the phone and looked toward Hattori Heizo and Kudo Yusaku.
"The game has begun."