Izakaya
The izakaya opened late due to school events, but by 7 p.m., it buzzed with office workers and returning customers praising the food.
Hayashi Shuichi, unaware of Principal Teitan's scheme, cooked as head chef. Kogoro Mouri greeted guests and washed dishes, while Eri Kisaki handled payments.
Mrs. Mouri checked on them, eyes warm with pride. Hayashi, noticing her presence, wanted Kogoro to escort her upstairs but saw his friend's gloom over the judo club case. He asked Eri instead.
After Eri took Mrs. Mouri away, Hayashi called Kogoro over while wrapping shrimp in noodles. "Still thinking about the judo club?"
"Yeah," Kogoro nodded, downcast. "Yesterday, Doi-senpai encouraged me, and Director Hoshino was kind. Then Doi-senpai died, and Hoshino turned vicious…"
"You met them yesterday," Hayashi said. "One day doesn't reveal someone's true self. Understanding people takes time—sometimes a lifetime. If you want to be a detective, accept this, or you'll burn out."
"Got it," Kogoro sighed, slapping his cheeks to rally. "Thanks, Shuichi. You always help me."
"You help me too," Hayashi smiled. "Didn't you say yesterday that without you and Eri, I'd still be a loner?"
"Heh," Kogoro grinned, then grew serious. "Shuichi, no matter what, we're brothers! Don't end up like Doi-senpai and Hoshino!"
"Never," Hayashi assured. "We won't be like Hoshino."
Kogoro, cheered up, resumed greeting customers. Hayashi watched, reflecting. Kogoro's core—loyalty to family and friends—never changes, even in the original timeline, where he'd snap into action for those he loves.
"Shuichi, table two needs more chicken skewers, table three a salad, table five fried tofu!" Kogoro called, serving drinks.
"Got it!" Hayashi replied, diving back into cooking.
Next Morning
Yukiko Fujimine, hair messy, in bright yellow kitten pajamas, yawned as she left her bedroom. She'd stayed up past 3 a.m., consumed by curiosity about Hayashi, Kogoro, and Eri. The more I think, the less I understand. The less I understand, the more I think.
Her actor parents, often absent for weeks, left her used to solitude. She popped toast in the toaster, warmed milk in the microwave, and turned on the TV for morning news, hoping for updates on her parents while brushing her teeth.
"Gurgle…" She rinsed, then brushed, listening to the TV.
"The Night Baron mystery novel tops sales charts…"
Tomorrow's Saturday—bookstore for Night Baron, Yukiko planned, her love for mysteries rivaling her cat-like curiosity. Also, class committee elections today. I'll be class monitor!
She waved her fists at the mirror, her competitive streak—honed as middle school class monitor—fired up.
"Yesterday, a murder occurred at Teitan High School's gymnasium…"
Yukiko, toothbrush in mouth, dashed to the living room. Reporters swarmed the First Investigation Division's entrance, grilling officers.
"Was the Teitan murder solved by a first-year, Hayashi Shuichi, not the police?"
"Has Hayashi solved other cases for you?"
"Is Hayashi a genius detective?"
No wonder the police let Hayashi, Kogoro, and Eri in, Yukiko thought, stunned. That gloomy creep's a detective? She swallowed toothpaste foam by mistake.
"Ugh!" She rushed to rinse, then returned to the TV.
Inspector Samezaki, brow raised, faced the reporters. "Hayashi Shuichi contributed significantly to the Teitan case. The police also—"
"Inspector, did Hayashi find the murderer?" a reporter cut in.
"…Yes," Samezaki admitted.