"He was born on this island, a renowned pianist," the director explained to the visitors about Keiji Aso.
"Twelve years ago, on a full moon night, he returned to his hometown and held a piano recital at the community center. But after it ended, he locked himself in his home with his family and set it ablaze. They say he killed his wife and daughter with a knife, and in the roaring flames, as if possessed, he kept playing the piano—Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata."
…
Outside the village office, Kogoro Mouri pulled out the letter.
"A letter from a dead man? What a sick prank!" he said, ready to tear it up.
"Not necessarily!" Conan chimed in, starting his usual hint-dropping. "The fees for you and Tsuneo-nii are paid, and the postmark's from Moon Shadow Island. Someone wants you to investigate Keiji Aso."
Conan glanced at Ran and Tsuneo, who were crouched petting a cat.
Ran's fine, but you, Tsuneo, look like you're on vacation!
Even Kogoro's starting to think seriously.
They decided to head to the community center to ask the village chief for clues.
…
"Take care, Kenta. Sleep well tonight," a beautiful doctor in a white coat said gently, waving goodbye to a young patient outside the clinic.
"Excuse me, where's the community center?" Ran called out.
Narumi Asai turned, kindly giving directions and striking up a conversation.
She clearly recognized Tsuneo, subtly tilting her head away while speaking.
What was she thinking, hiring someone who'd seen her true face?
Conan caught the detail, smirking at Tsuneo. "Pretty popular, huh?"
"Yep. Just made Mihama Town's Most Popular Repairman list again last week," Tsuneo said, pulling a sandwich from his tool bag and munching.
"Who even ranks that?" Conan muttered, baffled by the absurdity. Worse, he'd seen the certificate at Tsuneo's place…
"Probably like picking a village chief here—public vote. But the group's secretive, so I don't know much," Tsuneo said, eyeing Narumi as a campaign van blared, "Vote for Masato Shimizu!"
Narumi's figure was meticulously trained—slender fingers, flawless skin, perfectly toned legs. No hint of a man's frame.
Disguise? Even Yukiko and Vermouth combined couldn't make a man wear a hip-hugging skirt this flawlessly.
These days, revenge required serious skills.
Back to business, Narumi shared that Moon Shadow Island had three mayoral candidates: fisherman Masato Shimizu, incumbent chief Kuroiwa, and wealthy Hideo Kawashima.
"They'll all be at the community center tonight for former chief Kameyama's third-anniversary memorial," Narumi added, spilling details unprompted.
As the Mouris and Conan headed to the community center, Tsuneo opted out.
"If I'm right, Keiji Aso's death is suspicious, isn't it?" Conan lingered, staring at Tsuneo gravely.
From what he'd heard, that fire twelve years ago wasn't so simple.
Were Aso's relatives or friends seeking justice?
And what did Tsuneo know, acting so uninterested in investigating?
"I heard Aso left a musical score before he died. But heads-up, Great Detective—time's running out," Tsuneo said, patting Conan's head.
After dropping a key clue and shooing the grim reaper kid off, Tsuneo entered the island's clinic.
Since he'd been paid, it was time to meet the client.
…
Since former chief Isamu Kameyama's death, Ken Nishimoto, once a wealthy playboy, had changed. Drowning in alcohol, he became a disheveled wreck.
Kameyama died at the community center's piano, a gift from Keiji Aso.
That night, Moonlight Sonata played again, like a ghost's curse.
Superstitious and fragile, Nishimoto was driven half-mad by fear.
…
Forcing himself together, Nishimoto washed up and rummaged through his wardrobe.
He hoped tonight's memorial would bring some peace.
Knock knock.
"Is Mr. Nishimoto home?" a voice called.
Peering through the peephole, Nishimoto saw a tall young man with neat black hair, a faint smile, and squinted eyes.
The sunny, kind expression eased his guard. He opened the door.
"Who are you?"
"Keiji Aso sends his regards," Tsuneo said.
"A-Aso?!" Nishimoto's gaunt face twisted in terror. He slammed the door with all his strength.
But Tsuneo's hand, like an iron claw from hell, held it firm.
"No!" Nishimoto's legs buckled, and he collapsed, crawling backward.
"Let's talk about twelve years ago," Tsuneo said, stepping forward. He grabbed Nishimoto's hair, lifting him with a gentle smile. "Now."
Screaming, Nishimoto thrashed uselessly as Tsuneo dragged him into the bedroom…
(End of Chapter)
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