Conan, standing beside him, stared at Akashi in shock.
Did this kid really just deduce all that?
Is this a joke?!
Had he actually investigated the case beforehand?
And this knowledge… It wasn't something an ordinary elementary school student should have.
Especially his understanding of criminal investigation methods—how the hell did he know all that?!
Something's not right!
Before Conan could process his thoughts, he saw Ran suddenly scoop up Akashi and plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Akashi, you're amazing!"
In an instant—
BOOM!
Conan's brain exploded.
What the hell?!
What just happened?!
Ran—why did you kiss him?!
Conan felt his world crumble.
Ran looked at Akashi with admiration and curiosity.
"How do you know so much? You're just a little detective."
Akashi scratched his head, looking bashful.
"No, I just saw it all on TV. You know, detective shows."
At that moment, Conan felt an unbearable pain in his soul.
Those are my words!
Damn it! Something is seriously wrong!
Am I just a stand-in now?!
Meanwhile, Kazushi Nakamichi, who had already confessed, remained silent, making no further attempts to resist.
He didn't even try to escape and simply waited with Kogoro and the others for the police to arrive.
Once the authorities took charge, the deceased and the murderer were both taken away.
With the incident casting a heavy mood over everyone, dinner was rushed and unenthusiastic.
No one was in the mood to linger.
Those who lived nearby left immediately, driving home.
If his house hadn't been too far away, even Kogoro would have chosen to return.
In the end, they all had no choice but to stay another night at the hotel.
However, this left Akashi with a problem—he had nowhere to check in for the third time!
He really didn't want to check in at the hot spring hotel again.
So, without making a fuss, he quietly slipped out.
After wandering around, he finally found a barely recognizable landmark nearby where he could check in.
[Ding! Check-in successful. Congratulations, host! You have received a temporary APTX antidote with no side effects (duration: three hours)!]
Akashi frowned slightly.
Not a great reward this time.
He had hoped for skills or something more useful, but at least he got a working antidote.
Even if it only lasted three hours, it was still a valuable item.
For Haibara, this was a life-saving drug.
Akashi immediately decided—he would give the temporary antidote to Haibara.
As for Conan? Who? Never heard of him.
When Akashi returned to the hotel, he heard Ran's voice calling anxiously.
"Akashi! Akashi, where are you?"
Akashi sighed.
This high school girl is way too clingy.
He had only been gone for a short while, and she was already looking for him.
No way around it, I guess.
Shaking his head helplessly, he stepped forward and responded.
The moment she saw him, Ran rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"Akashi, you scared me! You can't just run off like that."
She pulled back and looked at him sternly.
"I promised Mom I'd take care of you."
Her expression softened.
"If you want to go somewhere, you have to tell me first, okay?"
Akashi nodded silently.
"Alright, let's go back and rest."
Ran smiled.
"Dad said we have to wake up early tomorrow."
She took Akashi's small hand and started leading him toward her room.
But just then—
A certain someone suddenly appeared!
"Sister Ran, what are you doing?"
Conan, looking utterly scandalized, stepped forward.
"Are you going to sleep already? Akashi is a boy! He can't stay in your room!"
His face was all innocence, but his words carried a clear objection.
"After all, boys and girls are different, right?"
Ran hesitated.
"But…"
She had wanted to sleep with Akashi.
She had even planned to have Haibara join them as well.
But now—if she included Akashi and Ai but left out Conan…
Wouldn't that be too obvious?
Before Ran could react, Conan grabbed Akashi's wrist and dragged him toward the boys' room.
Ran stood frozen, watching as Akashi was pulled away right in front of her.
For some reason, an inexplicable disappointment settled in her heart.
Why did that feel…uncomfortable?
Meanwhile, Akashi made no effort to resist.
On the contrary—he smiled.
A pity, really.
Conan had never been on a mission with Akashi before.
He had no idea—when Akashi smiled like that, he was the most dangerous.
The moment Conan stepped into the room, his expression darkened.
This kid… he acts all innocent in front of everyone but does whatever he wants behind their backs!
He huffed and pointed at a bed.
"You'll sleep on the middle bunk."
Kogoro, lying on his futon, didn't even glance at them.
His mind was clouded with grief over the loss of an old classmate.
Sprawled out on the quilt, he paid no attention to the two children.
Conan sat on his mattress, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at Akashi.
"Akashi-san, can you explain how you figured out the real culprit today?"
He couldn't hold back any longer—he had to ask.
But Akashi completely ignored him.
Instead, he turned toward Kogoro, his expression unreadable.
Without hesitation, he cast a Lv2 『Hypnosis』 on the man lying motionless nearby.
It didn't make sense for Kogoro to resist hypnosis—especially when he was practically anesthetized daily!
Sure enough, the spell worked instantly.
A faint red glow flickered in Kogoro's eyes.
Akashi smirked.
"Conan is too noisy. We can't rest at all. Uncle Mōri, please make him quiet."
For a split second, Conan was caught off guard.
Then, anger flared in his chest.
But before he could protest—
A large hand clamped over his mouth!
In a swift motion, Kogoro scooped him up and pulled him into his arms.
Conan's mind went blank.
What the hell?!
Uncle Mōri—why are you listening to him?!
Is it just because he helped you solve the case today?!
I've solved plenty of cases for you!
He thrashed, trying to break free, but the strength of an adult was impossible to overcome.
From the side, Akashi chuckled.
"I didn't expect you two to have such a close relationship."
He grinned mischievously.
"Even hugging each other to sleep? How wholesome."
Conan's face burned with embarrassment.
"Then you two can sleep together. I won't disturb you~"
With another command, the hypnotized Kogoro tightened his grip around Conan.
Akashi casually flicked off the room's light.
Then, without a sound, he slipped out of the boys' room.
Conan's eyes widened in sheer horror.
No, wait—don't leave me like this!
He tried to shout, but Kogoro's hand was still covering his mouth.
He squirmed frantically.
This is bad! I need to get out!
But all he received in return—
Was a series of sleepy pat-pats on the back.
As if he were some restless child being lulled to sleep.
Uncle… seriously?!
After a few more struggles, Conan finally realized—he was completely powerless.
Kogoro, still hypnotized, barely reacted.
Instead, he shifted slightly and—
Crossed his hairy legs over Conan's small body.
Trapping him.
Conan's face paled.
Oh no.
This… this is bad!
Could it be… that the shock from today's case was too much for his uncle?!
Is that why he's acting so weird?!
His thoughts spiraled into pure panic.
If Kogoro made any more unexpected moves, Conan wasn't sure if he'd mentally survive the night!
Meanwhile, Akashi had already returned to Ran's room.
The moment he slid the door open, Ran, who was already in bed, lit up with excitement.
"Akashi! Over here! Your sister saved a spot for you!"
She patted the space beside her invitingly, her warm smile practically glowing.
On the other side of the room, Haibara let out a small huff.
She didn't say anything.
But her large blue eyes stayed locked onto Akashi.
She was watching.
Waiting.
Curious to see where he'd choose to sleep.
Akashi, however, didn't hesitate.
Without a word, he marched straight between the two girls.
He reached over and pulled Haibara's mattress closer.
Then, he adjusted the pillows—aligning them perfectly.
And just like that—
The three of them were snuggled close together.
Akashi stretched comfortably.
"It's freezing tonight," he remarked with a smirk.
"Of course, sleeping together is the best way to stay warm."
He wasn't stupid.
If he had the choice—he'd much rather be sandwiched between two girls.
Double the yin energy absorption?
Highly efficient.