Drip, drip... The sound of water splashed onto the bathroom floor, washing away the foam. Turning off the valve, Hayashi Yoshiki casually wr
Drip, drip...
The sound of water splashed onto the bathroom floor, washing away the foam.
Turning off the valve, Hayashi Yoshiki casually wrapped a towel around his waist, phone in hand, as he stepped out.
It was the morning of the second day after Atsushi Uchiyamada's death.
Hayashi Yoshiki was replying to a message from Gin.
Gin: "The operation is about to begin."
Cointreau: "OK, there's not much I need to do on my end anyway."
Cointreau: "Just one question—can Rum be trusted?"
Gin: "Why do you ask?"
Seeing Gin's counter-question, Hayashi Yoshiki didn't hesitate. He called him directly.
Gin answered in an instant.
"I'm going to earn the FBI's trust according to plan," Yoshiki said calmly. "But I'm a bit concerned about Rum. Doesn't he have someone inside the FBI too? And likely in a pretty high position."
"So?"
Gin's tone remained flat.
Rena Mizunashi's location had already been discovered, and Gin was naturally ready to act immediately.
He had spent very little time devising the plan last night. However, considering that Cointreau had apparently infiltrated the FBI, he wanted to take full advantage of that. With Shuichi Akai no longer around, if Cointreau could fully gain the FBI's trust, it would be a huge win.
So Gin had shared his idea with Yoshiki last night. But before he even finished explaining, the entire plan had been reverse-engineered by the latter.
He even began predicting the FBI's next moves.
Just what kind of brain does this guy have…
At the time, Gin glanced at Vodka, who asked, "What's up, Boss?" to which he chuckled coldly.
"From what I've learned, even before becoming second-in-command, Rum had already made significant achievements dealing with the FBI. Back then, he probably couldn't have cultivated a spy who managed to reach mid- to high-ranking FBI positions, right? So I'm wondering—did he catch someone's weakness, or is he trading information and benefits with someone inside the FBI?"
Gin fell silent for a moment.
Compared to Japan's Public Security Bureau, which mostly stayed local, the FBI—chasing the organization across the globe—was their most hated enemy. That's exactly why Rum could rise to his current position.
Thinking about it, the organization hadn't really suffered much in Rum's operations involving the FBI. That could be taken as evidence that Rum had never betrayed them.
"That guy, while always playing little tricks and probably having selfish motives, is still the organization's number two."
That was Gin's reply.
"Alright then," Yoshiki smiled after hanging up.
Whether it'll be useful or not, I'll plant a seed here first.
If Rum's name became too problematic, he could always fabricate a story that Rum was colluding with the FBI and selling out the organization. Then Renya Karasuma would probably issue an order to eliminate him.
From the fridge, Yoshiki took out some milk, poured himself a glass, and paired it with toast for breakfast. After cleaning up and stepping out into the underground garage, he got in the car—only to receive a call from Eri Kisaki.
"Are you out already, Yoshiki?"
"Yes, I just got in the car. Is something wrong, Aunt Eri?"
"Not really. My washing machine seems to have broken down, and I've got an outfit I need to wear tomorrow. Mind if I use yours?"
"Of course not, Aunt Eri. Feel free."
While Yoshiki pressed the gas and drove out of the garage, Eri Kisaki, dressed unusually casual for home, carried a basket of laundry to his apartment door.
She had a key to his apartment.
Opening the door and stepping inside, she switched to slippers and walked toward the living room. She was originally heading straight to the washing machine but suddenly noticed a report sitting on the coffee table.
Instinctively, she picked it up.
[Beika City Central Hospital Physical Exam Report — Date: December 24th]
So he got a check-up too?
Eri Kisaki knew Yoshiki had been going to Beika Hospital frequently to treat a wound on his arm. She always felt a little guilty seeing how much he did for Ran, and that guilt was tinged with concern.
Worried he might be hiding something serious, Eri flipped through the report.
Yoshiki's check-up was thorough.
Page after page, the numbers were all within normal range, bringing her some relief. Just as she was about to feel reassured about his health, she reached the final report.
"…Abnormally high serum testosterone levels?"
It was in the hormone test section. Seeing the red-marked value far beyond the norm, Eri Kisaki froze.
As a lawyer, she was quite knowledgeable—and she knew exactly what that meant.
Her face twisted in slight discomfort as she placed the report back. Then, picking up her own laundry basket, she moved toward the washing machine.
After loading her clothes into it, she glanced at Yoshiki's own laundry basket nearby, which also had a few items inside.
Thinking it'd be more efficient to wash everything together,Eri reached inside...
And paused.
Her mature and refined beauty suddenly flickered with an uncharacteristic expression, like a startled girl.
That child, Yoshiki…?
Right on top of the laundry pile, laid on tissue paper, was a pair of grey underwear—clearly placed deliberately.
And on them, an abnormal stain stood out.
It looked like jelly… and an unusually large amount at that.
So the test result wasn't wrong?
No... on second thought, Yoshikihad been shot in the arm. Though he seemed to have recovered well, maybe some side effects still lingered.
A faint, sweet scent—like winter jujube—drifted into her nose. That intelligent, elegant woman hadn't shown such a confused expression in a long time. Somehow, what she held in her hands now felt dangerously hot.
No… what on earth am I thinking?
She tried to picture Yoshiki, always composed and refined. But now, she simply couldn't imagine him in that kind of situation...
At that moment, Yoshiki was driving toward Beika City Central Hospital.
Midway through, he received a call from Conan.
"Yoshiki-nii, how long until you arrive?"
"About forty minutes. What's going on?"
"Gin has already made a move."
"I see. Can you give me more details?"
Yoshiki's tone became more serious.
"There've been food poisoning reports from multiple restaurants near the hospital. A lot of people are flooding in."
"I understand. No need to panic—just stick to our original plan."
"Got it."
After hanging up, Yoshiki showed a faint smile.
The black side's operation was planned with him.
The red side's operation too, was planned with him.
This time, everyone wins. No losers.
Of course, since Yoshiki is the banker for both sides… he's bound to make a killing.