"So you and Kaito Kid are actually in the same group?"
Looking at Kaito Kid, who was standing there with his hands in his pockets like a conspicuous bag, Conan was speechless.
No wonder he had never been particularly active in capturing the Phantom Thief Kid. Hayashi Yoshiki and Kid... it turns out they were in the same group all along.
If that's the case... then the woman disguised as Miyano Shiho on the rooftop of the Haido Hotel... it all makes sense now.
After the incident, Conan had discovered that the person who died under the identity of Miyano Shiho was, in fact, a wanted female gangster.
But right now, his heart was full of unanswered questions.
"Don't get me wrong," Hayashi Yoshiki said, lounging casually on the sofa, "how can a detective become partners with a thief?"
Haibara Ai quietly brought over a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of Hayashi Yoshiki, then handed another cup to Dr. Agasa. The pun-loving old man was still visibly shaken from earlier, his hands trembling slightly as he took the cup.
Thank goodness he didn't have a heart condition.
"I have to say, you're really a ruthless guy."
Kaito Kid clicked his tongue.
Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled. "But to be precise, we're comrades—we help each other because we have the same enemy."
Comrades...?
Kuroba Kaito raised an eyebrow under the brim of his hat.
Although Hayashi Yoshiki could be cruel at times and always liked to threaten him by dangling his true identity over his head, he had provided valuable information. He even helped him on more than one occasion...
Kuroba Kaito said nothing.
Conan thought for a moment, then finally asked the question weighing most heavily on his mind.
"So... why are you part of that organization?"
"Secret."
"..."
"I can tell you some unimportant things, but I'm sorry—for your safety, and for the safety of those around you, I can't tell you the crucial parts."
"Then... it was you who made a move at the Beika Hotel, right?"
"Of course. When Ai told me you had the guts to sneak into Gin's car and plant a bug on him, I was so impressed."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled. "When I saw you actually dared to bring her into the Beika Hotel, I really wanted to knock you on the head just like Uncle Mouri does."
Thinking of Kogoro Mouri's infamous iron fist, Conan suddenly felt a phantom pain in his head.
He let out an awkward laugh.
Eventually, he couldn't help but ask: "Then the woman who died disguised as Haibara—?"
"She was just a female bandit who deserved to die. We planned to have her take the place of the defected 'Sherry' so the organization would shift its attention away from her completely. Unfortunately, Gin eventually realized something was wrong, and the plan failed."
Conan sharply caught the key detail: Hayashi Yoshiki had said "We planned."
Even though Hayashi Yoshiki claimed he wouldn't tell him much, Conan could fill in the gaps himself.
From the sniper who had targeted the surveillance team outside the station last night, to the incident at the Beika Hotel—it was clear Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't acting alone.
He had companions.
What concerned Conan most was that Hayashi Yoshiki and his group had actually arranged for a female criminal, someone they believed deserved to die, to take Haibara's place.
That level of precision... it almost felt like an official operation.
And when considering Hayashi Yoshiki's connection to the police...
As Conan mulled this over, he glanced at Haibara Ai. "So, you've been reporting my whereabouts all along. You're really something, Haibara..."
"You should thank me. If I hadn't tipped you off at the Beika Hotel, your reckless behavior might've gotten you killed that day."
"..."
"It's the same this time. When I heard Yoshiki-nii say you needed to learn a lesson, I agreed without hesitation."
Haibara Ai looked coldly at Conan. "And don't look at him with that suspicious glare—you don't even know who Yoshiki-nii has saved from the organization—"
"Ai-chan."
Hayashi Yoshiki gave her a look.
"..."
The girl pursed her lips and fell silent.
She knew very well that the fact Hiroki Sawada and her sister Akemi Miyano were still alive had to remain a secret. But when she thought about how much Hayashi Yoshiki had risked, how much he had done to protect Kudo, only to still be met with suspicion—it made her furious.
What's with that glare? Did I just step on a landmine?
"I'm not doubting Yoshiki-nii! No, back when we were in Yokohama—"
Trying to change the subject, Conan looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with narrowed eyes. "At that time, you told me that my staying at Ran's house would put them in danger, right? But you're also an undercover agent in the organization—isn't that just as dangerous?"
Recalling Hayashi Yoshiki's cold expression back then, Conan suddenly felt that he might've been a little hypocritical.
Hayashi Yoshiki fell silent.
He didn't answer right away.
Even that usually handsome face revealed a rare, dark shadow.
"You're right. What I'm doing could indeed put Aunt Eri and Ran in danger."
"Hey, wait... I didn't mean it that seriously..."
Seeing Hayashi Yoshiki's expression, Conan suddenly felt awkward.
"Sometimes, I think... if I just die suddenly, maybe I won't have to worry about these hidden dangers anymore."
Hayashi Yoshiki laughed.
He smiled so brightly as if he is free, but the words he spoke made everyone's expressions freeze.
Dr. Agasa was visibly shaken.
"Don't say things like that, Mr. Hayashi!"
The old man quickly put down his teacup, his face serious.
Conan was stunned, staring at Hayashi Yoshiki's radiant smile.
He's not joking...
At that moment, Conan's mind was flooded with memories.
Hayashi Yoshiki risked his life to save Ran in the Twin Towers skyscraper.
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped into the Tokyo Tower elevator to defuse the bomb, in place of the police.
Hayashi Yoshiki faces armed robbers on the bus to protect others.
Could this guy really have a self-destructive tendency? Does he actually think that dying would free him from the burden of his secret and the risk of endangering Ran and the others?
Otherwise... what kind of normal person would keep doing this?
Not just Conan—Haibara Ai seemed to realize this too.
She immediately glared at Conan fiercely.
"Don't talk nonsense. The only people who deserve to die are those who commit crimes and wantonly destroy this society."
Kuroba Kaito finally spoke.
As he did, he turned his back and headed toward the door. When he reached it, his hand on the knob, he turned his face halfway, the brim of his top hat pulled low.
"Where in this world is it right for good people to sacrifice themselves?"
"It's really strange... to be reasoned with by a phantom thief."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled faintly. Then he added, "By the way, you really plan to just walk out the door and leave that easily?"
"Tch!"
In a sudden cloud of smoke, Kaito Kid's figure vanished.
Thinking about how Kid had to scramble to open the door, set off the smoke bomb, sneak out, and then quietly close the door again, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but feel a little tired of him.