Shinichi Kudo studied Akihiko with keen interest.
He wanted to know how Akihiko Tou would dismantle his argument.
Yet he also felt a steady confidence born from years of unraveling mysteries.
Such confidence, tempered by countless cases, could not be unset by a few words.
Officer Megure's face reflected shock at Akihiko's bold challenge.
If Akihiko's claim held true, what fate awaited him standing on that bridge?
The teen had exposed glaring gaps in the investigation at a glance.
Clearly, the boy before him was anything but ordinary.
Was there truly a flaw in this case?
"Ran-chan, Senior Akihiko is too charming—I don't believe he'd kill someone."
"Why not?" Ran asked, glancing at the crowd.
"He has no motive. And if he isn't the killer, what a wrongful conviction that would be."
Ran nodded slowly. "The case isn't closed—only the final verdict matters."
Coroner Kimura stepped forward, offering Akihiko a post-mortem kit and latex gloves.
"Akihiko Tou, don't lose to a detective. Our scientific methods back us."
"Since you said my autopsy overlooked details, prove it to me," Akihiko replied.
He accepted the gloves, determination in his eyes.
Kimura's lips twitched—he never expected such confidence from a teenager.
His defense had given Akihiko the chance to demonstrate his skill.
Now, could this bold youth truly perform a forensic autopsy?
"Don't underestimate me," Akihiko said softly.
Kimura crouched beside him, watching every movement.
In minutes, Kimura's skepticism turned to shock, then admiration.
A true connoisseur reveals expertise in each deliberate gesture.
A layperson might struggle to name half these instruments.
Yet in Akihiko's grip, the tape measure, ear thermometer, and puncture needle felt natural.
His methodical motions carried the grace of a practiced routine.
"Kimura-san, any issues so far?" Kimura cleared his throat nervously.
Akihiko pressed the corpse's bicep to assess muscle rigidity. "No issues—it's homicide."
Bruises on her face, scraped wrists, and broken nails proved a fierce struggle.
"Could she have died during that scuffle?" Kimura murmured.
Akihiko shook his head, eyes never leaving the body. "No."
Fresh drowning victims show uncoagulated blood and petechial hemorrhages.
Foam oozes from the mouth and nostrils—signs of asphyxiation by water.
Akihiko gently opened her mouth to examine the frothy residue.
"Cold water irritates the respiratory tract, mixing mucus, water, and air into uniform foam."
Kimura nodded, realizing his oversight—he treated living patients, not cadavers.
Akihiko studied her ear canal, conjunctiva, and underarms for more clues.
Each step was vital; forensic science demands meticulous attention.
Onlookers fell silent, drawn by his focused intensity.
"Ran-chan, look at his profile—it's so perfect."
"He even looks striking in that white coat, like a lab researcher," Sonoko whispered.
Ran felt her breath catch—Akihiko's poise was undeniably magnetic.
Shinichi's eyes gleamed with renewed curiosity.
Akihiko's forensic prowess hinted at a deeper complexity.
"Akihiko Tou, what have you found?" Officer Megure asked.
He checked his watch. "It's been over thirty minutes."
Kimura swallowed. "The body's waterlogged—many clues washed away."
Akihiko met their doubt with a steady gaze. "Why assume none remain?"
"I've uncovered evidence that proves my innocence," he declared.
Kimura's jaw dropped—he felt as if struck by revelation.
Shinichi's expression darkened—could his own conclusions be flawed?
He prided himself on instinct, yet every suspect had confessed under his questioning.
Now, Akihiko had the chance to refute him.
Silence stretched until Shinichi spoke. "Akihiko Tou, what key evidence did you find?"
Akihiko rose, voice cool and clear. "It's simple."
He looked at the still waters beneath the bridge.
"The crucial evidence lies in the timeline."
Every observer leaned forward, the weight of his words settling over them.
The old bridge stood silently, a mute witness to the mystery.
As the wind rustled through the trees, time itself held the answer.
Akihiko's steady glance challenged them to see beyond assumptions.
Somewhere in those moments between disappearance and discovery, the truth waited.
And with that, the stage was set for the final revelation.
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