Chapter 30: An Unexpected Invitation
The room fell silent, all eyes on Kurosawa Hoshino.
"First," he began, his voice clear in the hush, "this was a crime committed by someone the victim knew."
Inspector Yokomizo leaned in. "Go on."
"Think about it. The room is a mess, luggage thrown everywhere, yet the victim was brushing his teeth when he died. If a stranger had been ransacking the place, would Mr. Imatake have simply kept brushing? No. He only let his guard down because it was someone familiar."
"Exactly!" Yokomizo's gaze snapped to Sei Kenichi, whose expression tightened.
"But Inspector," Sei protested, holding up his camera. "My alibi is solid. The photos with the burning mountain script prove I was at the festival when the shot was fired. It's a thirty-minute drive from here to there. I couldn't have made it in time."
Hoshino smiled. "A clever alibi, Mr. Sei. But built on one assumption—that the photo was taken tonight."
Sei's confidence flickered. "What are you implying?"
"I noticed you have a habit of showing your wrist in photos," Hoshino said calmly. "A writer's habit, you said. From rolling up your sleeves."
"So?"
"So, look at your left wrist now."
Sei glanced down. His face paled. A distinct band of untanned skin circled his wrist.
"You usually wear a watch there," Hoshino stated. "You said you forgot it today in your hurry. But if your alibi photo was taken last year… would that same pale band be on your wrist in the picture? Or would the tan be even?"
Sei Kenichi swayed on his feet. The fight drained from him.
"No…" he whispered, slumping to his knees. "I never considered… such a small detail…"
He didn't need to say more. His defeat was complete.
The onlookers erupted in murmurs. Inspector Yokomizo quickly motioned for his officers.
As Sei was led away, Yokomizo shook Hoshino's hand vigorously. "Incredible, Kurosawa-kun! Truly incredible!"
On the drive back to their hotel, the mood was somber.
"I just remembered," Ran said quietly. "The victim, Mr. Imatake, won the Naomoto Prize. And according to Mr. Sei, the winning novel was their collaboration. They were friends… and it ended like this."
Kogoro snorted. "That's the writing world for you. One gets fame, the other gets bitterness. It twists people."
Conan stayed silent, his mind racing. Not about the motive, but about speed. Hoshino had pieced it together in minutes, spotting a clue as subtle as a tan line. Every time Conan felt he was closing the gap, Hoshino pulled further ahead.
And the way he looks at me… Conan thought, a chill running down his spine. It's like he knows.
As if on cue, Hoshino turned and gave him a small, knowing smile.
Conan quickly looked away, heart pounding.
Back at the hotel, Kogoro opened the door to Room 201. "Alright, get some sleep," he said, waving at Ran.
Hoshino returned Ran's goodnight smile and entered his own room.
His optimism lasted about five minutes.
The moment Kogoro Mouri fell asleep, the room was filled with a sound like a chainsaw fighting a motorcycle. His snoring was seismic.
Hoshino sat up in bed, staring at the ceiling. He glanced at Conan, who was somehow asleep on his futon, undisturbed. How?
With a sigh, Hoshino slipped out and headed to the quiet hotel lobby. He scrolled through his phone, finding a video from the crime scene already uploaded. The comments were filled with praise.
He smiled. One more Origin Point. Fifteen to go.
An hour later, a familiar voice broke his concentration.
"Hoshino-kun? What are you doing down here?"
Ran stood there, dressed in her nightclothes, looking concerned.
"Ah… just couldn't sleep," he admitted.
A gentle smile touched her lips. "Was it Dad's snoring?"
"...A little."
"Conan came and knocked on my door. He said you were gone and your bed was cold. He guessed it was the snoring." She shook her head fondly. "That kid is too observant."
"He really is," Hoshino agreed.
"Well, you can't sleep down here." Ran hesitated, then took a small breath, her cheeks tinged pink. "Come to my room."
Hoshino's eyes widened. He swallowed. "Ran, that's… I mean, we…"
"Hoshino-kun!" she scolded, her face flushing deeper. "I'll put a row of cushions down the middle! We'll each have our own side!"
"Oh! Right! Of course, that's… that's what I assumed," he stammered, trying to look earnest.
"You'd better behave," she said, raising a fist. It was small, pale, and looked like it could punch through a concrete wall.
Hoshino's 'Danger Premonition' didn't twinge—it screamed. He held up his hands in surrender. "Wouldn't dream of anything else."
He followed her upstairs, a mix of terror and something else he couldn't name fluttering in his chest.
The night, it seemed, had taken a very unexpected turn.
A Note From the Author:
Hope you enjoyed the case wrap-up and... that ending! 🕵️♂️💖
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— The Author