On the pitch-black road, Yukiko's figure gradually disappeared into the night. The sound of her heels grew fainter and fainter until it vanished completely.
Conan looked down at his phone, hesitated for a moment, then dialed Ran's number.
Inside the inn!
Yukiko had just returned when Ran's phone rang.
Ran looked down at the screen, and a trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Yukiko, can you cover for me? I'm going to take a call—sorry."
"Oh my, is it Shinichi?" Yukiko blinked at her teasingly.
Ran smiled faintly but didn't answer. She quickly stepped outside.
"Hello, Shinichi."
"Ran, why did it take you so long to answer?"
The moment the call connected, Shinichi's familiar voice came through, along with that familiar complaining tone.
Ran's expression dimmed slightly. He's still the same. He didn't ask how I was doing first.
"Ran? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Shinichi's tone sounded a little off.
"It's nothing." Ran snapped out of it and steadied herself. "Shinichi, have you been really busy lately?"
"Busy. That case is a huge headache. I can't get away at all."
The same excuse as always.
But Shinichi had no other choice.
"Yeah." Ran's voice stayed gentle. "Then make sure you rest too. Don't push yourself."
Hearing her tone, Shinichi felt relieved. "Ran, I'll finish the case and come back soon. I promise."
"Mhm. It's late. Go to sleep early."
"But Ran, I—"
Click.
"Dammit… why did Ran hang up? I wanted to apologize."
Conan lowered the phone, speechless.
But on the other end—
Ran put her phone away and looked up at the night sky. A faint shimmer moved in her eyes.
From inside the inn, warm laughter drifted out. Every now and then, Heiji's helpless sigh mixed into it, and it brushed against something in her chest.
Ran suddenly smiled—a quiet, radiant smile—and let out a soft breath.
The moon slipped out from behind the clouds, looking like a smiling face.
She had made up her mind.
She turned and went back inside.
"Ran, come look! Heiji is cheating!"
"It sounds like someone's going back on their word," Heiji replied.
"Oh my, Heiji has no manners at all. He's even arguing with a lady."
"Heiji, you're not allowed to cheat!"
Watching them bicker and laugh, Ran couldn't help smiling for real.
It felt easy. Warm. Comfortable.
Yukiko glanced at Ran. Seeing that smile, she finally felt relieved. Looks like Shinichi finally understood what I was trying to say.
Sometimes, misunderstandings are born exactly like this.
Time passed. After Ran heated tea for everyone, she sat down near Heiji and quietly watched him play cards.
In another room—
Vermouth leaned against the headboard, an earpiece in her hand.
"Vermouth, the boss has new instructions. Both the Osaka police and the Tokyo police have started paying attention to the Organization. Stay quiet, and don't cause any major trouble."
Gin's voice was icy.
"Is that so?" Vermouth's tone carried a hint of mockery. "Didn't you cause a serial murder case yourself? And it even involved Osaka and Tokyo. Sounds like you're making a lot more noise than I am."
"These are the boss's orders. If you don't want me to come kill you, behave."
Gin hung up immediately.
Vermouth tossed the phone aside. A cold, sharp look rose in her eyes. "Night Baron… I won't let you off."
Last time, if she hadn't been careful, she would have been caught by the police. With her position, once she was exposed, the police wouldn't let her go—and the Organization wouldn't either. At that point, the only choice would be to run.
She thought for a moment.
Then Vermouth got off the bed. Wearing a loose shirt and shorts, she stepped out into the hallway.
Back in the room—
"Ran, you play. I'm going to rest for a bit," Heiji said.
His face was already covered in paper strips. He looked completely helpless.
"Heiji, are you trying to escape?" Yukiko called out in surprise.
Heiji looked at her, speechless. Most of the strips on his face were her doing.
"Heehee, Heiji's tired. Let him rest," Kazuha said, quickly helping peel them off.
"Exactly. Yukiko, you were seriously brutal just now," Sonoko added, pouting as she joined in.
Sonoko's face reddened as she shot Yukiko a look. "Hmph. Can't I make it up to Heiji tonight? If you're so bold, why don't you join in?"
In an instant, all three girls flushed.
"Sonoko, you—" Ran glared at her.
Yukiko had seen too much to be rattled. She steadied herself fast, then glanced at Sonoko with a cool expression. "A woman like me won't stoop to your level."
Vermouth walked in with an amused smile. "Looks like I walked in at the best part."
"Vermouth, take my seat!" Ran quickly shifted aside to let her sit.
"Really?" Vermouth smiled. "I was just thinking I'd play for a bit. Thanks, Ran."
Heiji glanced at Vermouth, then stood up and headed for the door.
"Heiji, it's late. Where are you going?" Kazuha asked, confused.
"Just taking a walk."
Heiji gave Kazuha and Sonoko a small smile, opened the door, and stepped out.
The full moon hung high in the sky. The road was empty, and the insect sounds felt louder than usual.
Conan came walking toward him from the opposite direction.
"Hey, Heiji. The Black Organization's been really quiet lately."
Heiji stopped by the roadside and looked toward the nearby woods, calm. "First the serial murders, then the Self-Defense Force incident—both are big enough to draw attention. If Gin has any sense, he won't make a move right now."
"But what about me?" Conan's voice grew sharper. "I don't want to stay as Conan forever. I want my life back."
Heiji glanced at him and gave a flat smile. "So that's why you've been pushing so hard on cases? You're trying to build Uncle Mori's reputation until he gets closer to the Black Organization?"
"This is the only way." Conan's face was tense. "If Uncle can get close to high-ranking police circles, then there's a chance we get close to them. Then I can get the antidote."
"But will that really work?"
"Then what am I supposed to do?" Conan's voice rose, turning into a shout. "What am I supposed to do?! Tell me!"
Heiji looked at Conan calmly. "Don't you think this is your own problem?"
After saying that, he turned and walked away.
"My problem?" Conan froze in place.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Heiji's voice drifted back through the darkness. "And even if cats have nine lives… are you sure you even have a second one?"
Heiji vanished into the night, and his voice faded with him.
Conan stood there in silence, his face dark. Then he gave a bitter smile.
"Maybe it really is my fault… but there's no turning back now."