Scene: The Department Store — Crime Scene
The entire floor was sealed off by police tape.Officers moved briskly between evidence markers while cameras clicked and murmured voices filled the air.
Detective Miwa Sato cast a complicated glance at Sonoko Suzuki, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and exasperation."Just to confirm again… you're certain you're the one who killed them?"
"Yes," Sonoko nodded firmly, her tone full of conviction. "I killed them."
Sato frowned and looked down at the coroner's preliminary report."So that includes the one with a broken neck, the one with crushed temples, the one with a ruptured kidney, and the one who asphyxiated after a throat strike?"
"Yes. All of them. I beat them to death," Sonoko repeated. To make her lie sound more convincing, she added quickly, "I've been training in boxing lately!"
Sato could only stare at her speechlessly.Yeah, right. As if this pampered high-school girl could take down three armed robbers with her bare hands.She was clearly covering for someone.
"Miss Suzuki," Sato said with a sigh, "you do realize there were surveillance cameras in that elevator—"
Before she could finish, Inspector Jūzō Megure stepped over, looking slightly sheepish."Actually, about that… sorry to say, the cameras were broken. I already checked with building management—they've been out of order since last month."
"Broken?" Sato blinked. That can't be right…She clearly remembered the monitors were working fine when she went in earlier.
Suspicious, she turned toward the elevator.Just in time to see a uniformed officer quietly removing the camera unit… and replacing it with a broken one.
Sato stared, dumbfounded. They're not even trying to hide it.
Megure clapped his hands together and said warmly,"Well, what can I say—heroic youth indeed! Sonoko, I'm impressed. Didn't think you had it in you! Ah, you're good friends with Mouri Ran, right? Did she teach you those self-defense moves?"
"Y-Yes!! Exactly!" Sonoko jumped at the chance, nodding quickly. "I learned it from Ran!"
Sato almost groaned. Ran? The sweetest girl in Japan? She wouldn't beat someone to death even by accident.
Just then, Officer Ninzaburō Shiratori approached with a bright smile."Miss Suzuki, you were incredible. You not only saved lives but also took down the robbers and prevented the department store from being looted. This gentleman here is the store manager—he wanted to thank you personally."
A middle-aged man stepped forward, bowing deeply with gratitude."Miss Suzuki, thank you! Without you, the store would've been completely ransacked. I don't even know how to repay you!"
"Ah—uh—r-really?" Sonoko stammered, caught off guard. She managed a nervous laugh.This is all Ren's doing, not mine! she thought guiltily.
Shiratori continued cheerfully,"Miss Suzuki, we're planning to hold a press conference later today to highlight your bravery. Would that be all right?"
"Really? Of course! Of course it's fine!" Sonoko's eyes sparkled.This was her moment—better than showing off a designer bag or luxury car. National TV!
Shiratori smiled. "Then look forward to tomorrow's news. I'm sure you'll be the talk of Teitan High."
"Really? Hehehe…" Sonoko giggled, already picturing her classmates' reactions.
Meanwhile, the parents of Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko rushed over, showering Sonoko with thanks.
"Sorry my boy caused you trouble, Miss Suzuki. He's such a handful!""Thank you for protecting Ayumi. If anything had happened to her, I couldn't go on living!""Me too! You saved our kids!"
"…" Sonoko could only smile weakly, overwhelmed.
Seeing the heartwarming scene, Shiratori quickly whipped out his phone.Click! Click! Click! He snapped several photos, grinning in satisfaction as he reviewed them.
From a short distance away, Ren Kuroda watched the whole farce unfold.He couldn't help muttering, "Wow… this is some next-level corruption."
He turned to Conan beside him. "If I'd taken the blame like you suggested, I'd be in handcuffs right now."
Conan nodded grimly. Watching justice get trampled so casually made his stomach twist.So this is what power looks like…? Just having money means the law doesn't apply to you?
"Anyway," Conan sighed, "it's getting late. I'll head home. See you tomorrow, Kuroda-nii."
Staying any longer, he felt, would only make his sense of justice crumble further. He turned and left.
Once Conan was gone, Detective Sato walked over to Ren.She gave him a long, evaluating look, then grabbed his wrist and turned it over to inspect his knuckles.Finally, she met his eyes. "You were the one who really killed them, weren't you?"
Ren smiled faintly. "As expected of Detective Sato—the sharpest woman in the force. I couldn't fool you."He pulled his hand back and sighed. "I was too nervous at the time. I just wanted to knock them out… didn't realize I hit too hard."
"Relax," Sato said gently. "I'm not here to charge you. Given the situation, anyone would've done the same."
She'd seen the bodies herself—each one dead from a single, clean strike.Meaning the attacker was both fast and powerful.And if she imagined herself in his place, facing three armed men… she might have done the same thing.
"Get some rest tonight," she told him with a faint smile. "Though I doubt you'll be able to sleep."
Ren watched her walk away and murmured under his breath,"Oh, I think I'll sleep just fine…"
The Next Day, Noon — Teitan High School, Class 2-B
Sonoko burst into the classroom, practically glowing with excitement."Look, look!" she squealed, shoving her phone under Ren Kuroda's and Ran Mouri's noses. "I made the news!!"
She was the star of the day—surrounded by admiring classmates, basking in all the attention.
"Wow! That's amazing, Sonoko!" Ran beamed, genuinely happy for her friend.
Ren leaned in to glance at the article. "Huh? Surprised they didn't give you one of those flashy nicknames."
He knew how the media loved their exaggerations.Just a few solved cases and they'd dubbed Shinichi "The Savior of the Metropolitan Police." The press loved stirring things up.
"Oh, that's because my dad knows the presidents of all the major outlets," Sonoko said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms with a smug grin."If any of them dared write nonsense about me, they'd regret it!"
"…Right," Ren muttered, shrugging.He'd underestimated the reach of the rich. Of course their social circles were all connected. How had he not seen that coming?
They chatted for a while longer before Ran changed the subject."Hey, after school, let's go to that omelet-rice café you mentioned yesterday, Sonoko! The pictures looked delicious!"
Sonoko made a face. "Nah, that place isn't that good. Let's go somewhere else."She glanced at her nails, frowning slightly. "I chipped one yesterday. Ran, come with me to get them fixed?"
"Sure! Shinjuku or Shibuya?" Ran asked brightly.
"Shibuya's closer. Let's go there!"
Ren watched the two girls happily planning their afternoon shopping trip and couldn't help smiling wryly.It was clear he wouldn't be joining them this time.
"Sorry I'm late," he murmured to no one in particular as he sat down at his desk.