The moment Eitan spoke, it was like a bolt of lightning struck through Conan's mind. In an instant, he understood the suicide method.
But how did he figure it out so quickly!?
Conan stared at Eitan, his mouth unconsciously opening in disbelief.
"And then there's the stool next to the body," Eitan continued. "In this otherwise messy space, it was the only thing neatly placed. That's because after setting the knife in place with the ice, the victim stood on the stool and violently dropped his back onto the knife's tip."
"He wouldn't have died immediately from being stabbed."
"So he likely struggled a bit, turning over onto his stomach afterward—creating the illusion that he was murdered."
When Eitan finished, the room fell into stunned silence.
Aside from Conan, most of those present found the deduction a bit hard to believe. But looking at the traces at the scene… none of them could refute it either.
Finally, Ran broke the silence with the question on everyone's mind:
"But why would he go through all this to frame Yoko-san?"
"That, I don't know," Eitan answered softly.
His unusually delicate features held a faint smile, but it seemed more like a habit than any real emotion.
"I've always been more the type to shoot the arrow first, then draw the target," he added lightly. "When it comes to solving cases, I prefer uncovering the how before worrying about the why. Motives can come later… I don't even know the victim's name yet."
"…"
Everyone exchanged awkward glances.
After a moment, Yoko finally broke the silence.
"Actually, his name is Fujie Akimitsu."
"Yoko-san!?" Yamagishi's face turned pale.
Inspector Megure's brows knitted together. "Didn't you say earlier that you didn't know him?"
"…"
Yoko lowered her head.
But after a few seconds, she took a deep breath and confessed.
The deceased—Fujie Akimitsu—was someone she had dated during her student years. She'd recognized him the moment she saw the body.
Eitan had only one thought:
As expected of an actress. When she pretended not to recognize him earlier, she was flawless.
"So… after getting rejected, he chose to frame Yoko-san by staging his suicide?" Mouri deduced aloud.
But Yoko shook her head.
"No. He didn't come to ask for reconciliation. This is the first time I've seen him in years."
"Huh…?"
Suddenly, Conan's voice piped up.
"Hey, hey, Uncle Mouri. I found this weird earring under the sofa."
He held up a single earring.
Yoko's eyes widened in recognition. "That belongs to Ikezawa Yuko. She debuted around the same time as me."
The Police immediately summoned Ikezawa to the scene.
When she arrived—arrogant and visibly annoyed—the truth quickly unraveled.
Yamagishi's missing spare key? It had been stolen by Ikezawa.
Driven by jealousy over Yoko's popularity, she had been sneaking into her apartment, hoping to dig up dirt.
Earlier that day, Fujie Akimitsu had shown up unexpectedly, hoping to reconnect with Yoko.
He'd walked in, seen Ikezawa from behind, and mistook her for Yoko. He hugged her.
Startled and disgusted, Ikezawa shoved him away and fled.
Left behind, overwhelmed by humiliation and despair, he made a final decision—to take his own life and frame the woman he once loved.
After the truth came out, Yamagishi Sakae finally confessed something too:
"Actually… the reason Fujie broke up with you back then… was because I asked him to."
"What?" Yoko was stunned.
"At the time, your idol career was just starting to rise. A public relationship would have destroyed everything. So I begged him to leave you—for your sake."
"…"
Yoko stared at him, her voice nearly breaking.
"How could you…?"
Ran, heart aching from the story, imagined herself in Fujie's place.
This was a tragedy woven from lies, misunderstandings, and cruel coincidences.
But Kogoro scoffed.
"Hmph. Sounds touching. But if he really left for her future back then, why show up now and pull such a stunt, just when her career's at its peak? Either way—romance scandal or murder case—it's a fatal blow for an idol."
"Dad…!" Ran protested, but couldn't find the words to refute him.
Conan glanced over at Eitan.
"Oni-san, what do you think?"
"Me?"
Eitan looked up from the small sketch he was making on a notepad.
He smiled faintly.
"I don't think there's any need to praise or criticize the dead."
Just like that…
He wouldn't seek aesthetics in death either.
By the time the Police wrapped up, it was around 8:40 PM.
Although everyone needed to give follow-up statements, the case was essentially closed.
Eitan and the others had no reason to linger. They politely left Yoko's apartment.
"Oh, I'm telling you," Mouri chuckled on the way down. "Young folks these days are incredible. That brain of yours moves like lightning."
He kept praising Eitan endlessly.
Partly because of Eri, of course. But also because the job Eitan brought him today had earned him something he never expected—
Yoko Okino's personal phone number.
She'd even tried to pay him for the case, but Mouri waved it off with a laugh—only asking for two more autographs instead.
"I can only say part of it was luck," Eitan said with a modest smile. "And I noticed Uncle Mouri's expression at the time—he must've picked up on something too."
"Hahaha, that's true! I was this close!"
Mouri laughed heartily, scratching the back of his head without a hint of shame.
(Why are you flattering this muddle-headed old man...)
Conan's mouth twitched at the sight.
But despite his sarcasm, Conan couldn't help glancing up at Eitan again. His calm and composed demeanor stirred something inside him.
For the first time during a case, Conan felt a sense of powerlessness.
Even though he had more time, more observations, and even an early lead... he hadn't connected the pieces fast enough. Eitan had only taken a brief look at the crime scene and had already cracked the method behind Fujie Akimitsu's suicide.
Is this how mystery novelists think?
A competitive fire lit in Conan's heart—frustrated, but not defeated.
Next time… I'll definitely come out on top.
Eitan, meanwhile, was focused on his phone and entirely missed the silent challenge.
Then, turning his attention to the children walking with them, he spoke gently:
"It's getting late. Let's get these kids home first."
"Yes, their parents must be worried," Ran agreed, crouching to speak with them at eye level. "What's your home phone number? Should we call your parents now?"
"Okay! Mine is—" Mitsuhiko answered quickly.
"I'm so hungry… I need to go home right now…"
Genta clutched his stomach and nearly plopped down on the pavement.
Just then, Ayumi took a shy step back and gently tugged at Eitan's sleeve.
He looked down.
"Big brother… Ayumi's home number is…"
She whispered it bashfully, barely above a murmur.
Conan noticed. She just wants to get his number in return, doesn't she?
(Kids these days... way too precocious.)
But Eitan didn't seem fazed.
He nodded, pulled out his phone, and to Ayumi's small delight, called her home.
From the other end came a flood of relief and thanks. After hanging up, he turned to Ayumi and gently scolded:
"Staying out this late without telling your parents? That's not allowed, alright?"
"Okay. Ayumi won't do it again."
She nodded obediently, hands behind her back.
"Oni-san's right," Ran added, speaking to the other two boys. "You guys can't do this again."
"Yes, Ran-jie jie..."
"Still hungry…"
Genta's legs wobbled dramatically.
Despite his complaints, Mouri stayed behind with them, muttering how troublesome kids were—but clearly waiting until all their parents arrived to take them home.
"Oh, by the way, Eitan," Mouri said, "have you ever thought about becoming a Detective full-time?"
"I have," Eitan replied after a pause. "Part of it is also for inspiration for my next novel."
"Oh! If you need help, come to me anytime, haha! I've been a Detective for years, you know!"
"But Uncle doesn't have many actual cases to his name, does he?" Conan muttered.
"What did you say!?"
With a growl, Mouri swung an iron fist onto Conan's head, leaving a fresh bump.
Eitan, unaffected, calmly continued:
"Actually, I do need to consult Uncle Mouri. If I wanted to set up a Detective Agency, what steps would I need to take?"
"Oh, that? Just register with the local Police station. But even if you don't, it's still doable. Some things just become a little harder without a license."
"And for business?"
"I recommend getting a flashy signboard like mine," Mouri added proudly.
In this world, Detectives had high social standing.
But only the famous ones.
Most Detectives spent their days chasing down lost pets or uncovering affairs—just like Mouri had, before getting his break.
Eitan nodded in understanding.
Soon after, the parents of the children arrived one by one to collect their kids.
Eitan politely declined Mouri's invitation to "go grab a drink," then hailed a cab home.
While riding, his phone buzzed.
A message from Yoko Okino:
"Thank you so much for helping today, Eitan-sensei… If you hadn't come, I really don't know what I would've done.
Anyway, if you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"
They had only exchanged contact info recently.
Eitan tapped out a quick reply:
"It was nothing. Are you doing okay now, Yoko-san?"
A moment later, the response came:
"Yes, thank you for asking. I'm alright now.
But… I probably won't ever return to that apartment again."
Understandable.
Someone had died there.
With all these death cases, it wouldn't be surprising if Beika City's housing market started tanking soon—and Edogawa, the Shinigami in disguise, would have to take most of the blame.
Eitan didn't press further.
For Yoko Okino, Fujie Akimitsu likely represented a long-forgotten piece of the past. Whatever had happened in high school probably left no lasting mark on her.
As for Yamagishi, her manager…
After his confession, even if Yoko could understand his reasoning, working together again would be out of the question.
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