Just then, a black Mercedes drove into Teitan High School. Three people got out—two adults and one child, appearing to be a family.
"Coming to school on a weekend... you brought this on yourselves."
Seeing the family, Plamya's eyes flashed with a cold, emotionless light.
"Miwako, what time is it?" Heiji asked.
Miwako Sato, clinging tightly to Heiji's arm, looked at her watch. "Twelve-thirty."
"Let's just keep walking like this into the classroom building."
The soft, full feeling on his arm was obvious. Heiji was surprised; he hadn't realized Miwako Sato's figure was so impressive.
Ai, being led by Heiji, looked up and saw this clearly. A cold flash crossed her eyes, and she huffed softly.
The three of them were, of course, just pretending. The goal was to fool the culprit.
"Miwako, pretend to go to the bathroom and check the vicinity for bombs. Be careful, there are listening devices. Watch your movements."
Heiji whispered. Miwako Sato nodded slightly.
"Honey, I'm going to the bathroom. Take Ai and wait for me in the classroom."
After speaking, Miwako Sato stood on her toes and planted a kiss on Heiji's cheek.
"Hmph. A very loving family. Too bad you're walking to your deaths."
Plamya listened to the sound from the bug, his expression sinister.
Heiji nodded calmly and gave Miwako Sato a light pat on her backside. "Hurry back."
Miwako Sato walked away, her back to Plamya. No one could see the fleeting blush on her face.
Heiji led Ai into the school building, where the culprit couldn't see them.
Ai pulled her hand free and shot him a cold glare, which baffled him.
"Ai, use your 'identity' and run around a bit."
No one suspects a little kid running around. That's the advantage of being a child.
Ai nodded, looked both ways, and ran off in one direction.
"Ai, where are you going?" Heiji called out, confused.
"A ball... D-Dad... I'm going to play ball."
Ai came out holding a volleyball, her expression extremely unnatural.
Heiji also felt awkward, but the show had to go on. He said indulgently, "Okay, be careful. Don't break anything."
Ai shot him a look, then replied with an innocent "okay" and walked out holding the ball.
Heiji wasn't worried about Ai at all. Sometimes, she was more reliable than Conan.
On the overpass, Plamya watched the little girl run around the field with the ball and sneered. "Go ahead and play. You won't be able to for much longer."
Heiji walked through the school building, discreetly checking various classrooms. With students moving around for club activities, no one paid him any mind.
1:30 PM!
The three had already regrouped and were talking quietly in a classroom.
"Heiji, I found one in the bathroom," Miwako Sato whispered.
"There's a bomb on several of the support columns in the school building," Ai added softly.
"I've checked all the classrooms. No sign of a bomb," Heiji said with a frown.
"What's wrong? Is something off?" Sato noticed his expression.
"The note mentioned 'clusters of crimson flowers.' If the bombs are just on the building, it will only collapse. It won't create a 'splatter' effect."
"I think there must be another bomb hidden inside one of the club activity rooms," Heiji said grimly.
Miwako Sato's heart pounded. "We only have about fifty minutes until detonation. What do we do?"
"The other bombs are easy. They're hidden from view, which means I can defuse them."
"But the one hidden in the activity room is the biggest threat."
He had no leads. They'd have to search room by room.
Miwako Sato was nervous. "Heiji, what's the plan?"
"Miwako, you and Ai go check the club activity rooms. I'll defuse the other bombs first."
Heiji made the decision quickly.
"Got it. Be careful," Miwako Sato nodded, giving him a concerned look.
"You be careful," Ai said, then turned and walked out.
Miwako Sato hurried after her.
Heiji didn't go to the bombs right away. He stood by the window and observed the nearby buildings.
Outside the school gate was a crossroads. All three roads had an overpass within sight.
On the overpass...
Suddenly, Heiji's pupils contracted. The distant overpass became clearer.
It was an advanced skill used by top snipers, allowing one to clearly see a distant point for a short time.
Slowly, a smile appeared on Heiji's face.
"Finally found you."
He was too far away to see the person's face, but their clothing and features were perfectly clear.
2:00 PM!
Plamya kept staring at the school gate. Whenever a police car passed under the overpass with its siren on, he felt a surge of pride.
"Just as I thought, a bunch of idiots. They can't even read a riddle. All they do is eat and play. A bunch of pigs."
"They really are a bunch of pigs."
Suddenly, a voice spoke right next to him. Plamya whipped his head around.
A fist grew closer...
"But you're even worse than a pig."
Thud!
His vision went black, and Plamya collapsed.
Plamya was a woman wearing glasses, with sharp, cruel features.
Heiji searched her and found a phone identical to the ones attached to the bombs.
In a bathroom at Teitan High, Heiji threw the bomber into a stall and looked at Miwako Sato.
"Miwako, I know why you're looking for her. She's here. Do what you want. I didn't see anything."
A cold light flashed in Miwako Sato's eyes. She pulled the gun from her hip and aimed it at the culprit, her eyes filled with hatred.
The atmosphere in the bathroom was heavy.
After a long moment, Sato rushed forward and buried her face in Heiji's chest, tears streaming down her face as she cried silently.
Ai turned and walked out.
2:25 PM!
At Tokyo Tower.
"What's going on? Did someone already solve the riddle?"
Conan ran, panting, to Tokyo Tower, only to stare in frustration at the group of police officers already there.
At Teitan High School.
Police cars were gathered on the field. Inspector Megure got out of his car.
He had heard the details from Miwako Sato, but he was not happy. His face was dark.
"Hattori, I'll pretend I don't know what happened this time. But this can't happen again. It's a matter of principle."
Heiji smiled faintly. "Inspector, I don't hope for a 'next time' either."
Heiji got off easy, but Miwako Sato received a harsh scolding.
But as the "Belle of the MPD" was being reprimanded, she would occasionally glance at Heiji, her gaze softening.
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