The serial bombing case was over.
Procedurally, Heiji was supposed to go in for questioning, but he didn't want to, and Inspector Megure couldn't force him.
The black Mercedes sped down the highway, occasionally passed by a police car with its siren blaring.
"Congratulations, Host, on completing the Special B-Rank Mission. Please select a number."
A virtual numeric dial appeared before his eyes.
[I knew it. This bombing case was the danger Ai was supposed to face.]
Hearing the system's prompt, Heiji was speechless. The system just couldn't get through a day without messing with him.
"Ai, what's your favorite number?"
Ai was spacing out. Hearing Heiji's question, she answered reflexively, "4."
Then, she quickly realized. "Why do you ask?"
Heiji smiled and selected "4" in his mind.
The number "4" flashed, and an item appeared.
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the special item: Intelligent Doll."
[An Intelligent Doll?]
Heiji frowned and quickly read the description.
Item Name: Intelligent Doll (Single-use item)Item Use: The Host can program the doll with a person's settings, allowing it to replace that person for one day. No technology or method can detect the fake.Item Flaw: Has no autonomous consciousness. Can only be controlled remotely by the Host.
[Damn, it's a low-level Shadow Clone.]
That was the first thing that came to his mind after reading the description.
[System, open my status window.]
Items: Concealed Coin Pistol (Permanent), Intelligent Doll (2/2)
[Two uses. That's not bad.]
"What are you doing?"
Ai's cool voice broke in.
"Just thinking about where to take you to have fun," Heiji said, calmly hiding his thoughts.
"I'm tired. I want to go back," Ai said softly.
"Then I'll take you back to your sister's place," Heiji said casually.
"She's not my sister!" Ai suddenly shouted.
Heiji froze.
After yelling, Ai also froze, staring blankly out the window.
The atmosphere in the car instantly became awkward.
"I'm sorry, I..."
After a long moment, Ai's apologetic voice sounded.
Heiji just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
Soon, the car stopped in front of Haibara Mi's villa.
"Ai, Mr. Heiji..."
Haibara Mi ran out, looking at Ai anxiously.
"Miss Haibara, I've brought Ai back. I'll be going now."
Heiji started the engine, ready to leave.
"Are you mad at me?" Ai suddenly asked, looking up.
Heiji met her cool gaze and smiled. "Some things don't need to be forgotten, but don't be so stubborn. Try accepting new people and new things. You might find an unexpected result."
Ai stood there, watching the car drive away.
"Ai, let's go inside," Haibara Mi said softly.
"He still didn't answer whether he was mad at me or not," Ai whispered.
Heiji parked the car at the station, waiting for Kazuha and the others to return.
A pair of headlights approached, and a pink BMW parked next to him. The door opened.
A fragrant scent washed over him as a soft, warm body threw itself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"How was studying? Think you'll finally avoid last place?"
Heiji looked affectionately at Kazuha in his arms.
"What last place! I may not be number one like you, Heiji, but I'm in the top ten, okay?" Kazuha looked up and rolled her eyes at him.
"Sonoko, Ran, hope you both move up one rank in the exams. We're heading out."
Heiji waved to Sonoko and Ran and opened the car door for Kazuha.
"What do you mean, 'move up one rank'? I'm brilliant, you know!" Sonoko shouted from her car.
"Ran, Sonoko, I'm leaving! See you next time!"
Kazuha waved goodbye from the window.
"Kazuha, remember, don't let Heiji bully you!" Sonoko continued to yell.
"Goodbye, Kazuha! Heiji, drive safe!" Ran laughed.
"Sonoko, please thank President Suzuki for me again!"
Watching them leave, Sonoko and Ran also drove off.
What do students love most? Vacation, of course.
Before they knew it, summer vacation was almost here.
Kazuha, not wanting to fall too far behind Heiji, had been studying like crazy. Having a boyfriend who was too outstanding was also a form of pressure.
The last weekend before exams.
Early in the morning, Kazuha climbed out of bed, got ready, and prepared to go to the library.
"Heiji, I'm leaving!"
Kazuha leaned over and kissed him on the lips before walking out of the room.
From downstairs, he could faintly hear her saying goodbye to Shizuka Hattori.
Heiji sighed. He had tried to talk Kazuha out of it several times, but she wouldn't listen...
"Kazuha, you don't have to work so hard. I'll support you in the future."
"No way! I'm going to be a lawyer."
"Why a lawyer?"
"Because you're going to be a great detective, Heiji. A great detective's wife needs to know the law, so I have to be a lawyer."
"I hear being a lawyer is tough."
"For you, Heiji, I'm willing."
That was their past conversation. The result was obvious: he failed.
Oh well. If she likes it, let her be.
It was a rare chance to sleep in. Heiji closed his eyes again.
Noon.
"Heiji, the bento is ready! Hurry and take it to Kazuha!"
Shizuka Hattori's voice called from downstairs.
Heiji finished washing up, went downstairs, grabbed the bento from the table, and headed for the library.
This had become a weekly ritual. Shizuka Hattori doted on her future daughter-in-law, terrified she might go hungry.
Since it was the weekend, the streets were crowded.
"Look! Someone jumped!" a person next to him suddenly shouted.
Immediately after, a dull thud was heard, followed by a series of screams.
"Someone's dead!"
"Someone jumped to their death!"
Heiji glanced up at the building. His eyes narrowed, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. Jumped? That was clearly murder.
He continued walking.
Without a system mission forcing him, and with no connection to him, he couldn't be bothered to get involved.
Just then, a woman in a long black dress, a black hat, and black sunglasses passed by him.
They brushed shoulders.
Killing intent?
Heiji stopped and looked at her. "Miss, black absorbs heat. Aren't you hot wearing all black in this weather?"
The woman's figure paused slightly. A charming smile played on her lips. "I like it. Don't you think you're being a little nosy?"
"Am I? I was just curious. If you like it, fine." Heiji shrugged.
"Curious? Someone just died over there. Shouldn't you be more curious about that?" the woman's voice was tinged with allure.
"It's just a dead body. It's not like I haven't seen one before. I'm leaving."
Heiji walked away.
Watching his back, a foxy smile appeared on the woman's face.
Interesting.
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