"Heiji~~"
I had barely stepped out of the car when a fragrant, soft body threw itself into my arms. Her voice was thick with longing.
I smiled gently, wrapping my arms tightly around her.
"Tired after these last few days?"
Hearing the concern in my voice, Kazuha smiled sweetly. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a light kiss to my lips.
"Mhm. Very tired. But I learned so much."
Her eyes were weary, but they shone with an intense, vibrant light.
"Kazuha, thank you."
Sonoko walked over with her long strides and gave Kazuha a big hug.
"Did you get your wish?" Kazuha asked softly, her tone teasing.
Sonoko blushed and rolled her eyes at her friend. "Hehe. It looks like it came true. The Hattori family welcomes you."
Watching Kazuha's knowing look, Sonoko nodded firmly. She glanced at me, her heart overflowing with happiness.
Inside the room, shadows danced and intertwined. Soft, breathless sounds filled the air, sparking infinite imagination.
With a final, high-pitched cry, silence returned to the room.
Kazuha lay quietly on my chest, her face flushed and satisfied.
"Heiji, I have to go meet my mentor tomorrow. I'm tagging along for a lawsuit, so I can't keep you company."
Her skin was as smooth as silk, cool and soft to the touch. I ran my hand over her back, reluctant to let go.
"Looks like my Kazuha is becoming a real lawyer," I teased.
Kazuha rolled her eyes at me. "I'm not helping at all. It's a business dispute between two financial groups. My teacher said I'm not experienced enough yet, so I'm just there to take notes and observe."
"Well, I guess I'll just have to wander the streets alone and lonely."
"Oh, stop it. Sonoko definitely won't let you be lonely."
"Unfortunately, Sonoko has meetings with the Hatamoto family all day tomorrow."
Kazuha blinked. Seeing my fake "heartbroken" expression, her face turned a shade redder. She slid down under the covers.
"You..."
A moment later...
I felt like I was floating on a cloud, warm as spring.
When I woke up, Kazuha had already left. Sonoko had come by half an hour ago to kiss me goodbye before heading to her meetings.
Ring, ring!
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I glanced at the screen.
Miwako Sato.
Sato?
I frowned, confused, but answered. "Hello?"
There was a moment of hesitation on the other end.
"Officer Sato? Don't you have a shift today?"
"I'm off today," she said softly.
"Oh. Is something wrong?"
I started to get out of bed, my voice casual.
"Heiji... are you free today?"
Her voice held a trace of nervousness.
A lightbulb went off in my head. I suddenly understood. " Is Officer Sato planning to fulfill her promise?"
He remembers.
On the other end of the line, Miwako Sato's heart leaped with joy. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, and her voice became lighter. "That's right. It's rare for me to get a day off. I was wondering if the Great Detective would be interested."
After saying it, she felt inexplicably nervous again.
I thought for a moment. "Sure. You're going to have to spend some money today, Miss Sato."
"Then let's meet at eleven. The 'Friendship Cafe' near the Beika City Hall."
Click. The line went dead.
I stared at the phone, frowning slightly. Her voice sounded a little strange.
Miwako Sato flopped back onto her bed, tossing her phone aside. Her face was flushed.
What is wrong with me? Do I really like Heiji?
She shook her head vigorously. Her thin shirt swayed with the movement, hugging her curves.
"Whatever. I need to get changed."
For the next hour, Sato's mother heard a chaotic flurry of noises coming from her daughter's room. It was very strange.
I got dressed and walked out into the massive, luxurious living room of the Suzuki estate. Aside from a few servants, the family was gone.
"Master Heiji, please enjoy your breakfast."
Even though I was technically an outsider, the staff treated me like family. Not just because of Sonoko, but because Shiro and Tomoko Suzuki treated me with such genuine warmth.
I nodded politely to them and sat down to eat.
"Breaking news. Two hours ago, an explosion occurred at Ryokuchi Park. Fortunately, there were no casualties. However, according to a young boy named Conan Edogawa, the bomber plans further actions. The public is advised to avoid crowded areas..."
Another explosion?
I shook my head and continued eating. Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Suddenly, my phone rang again.
Conan Edogawa.
"Conan? What does that guy want?" I muttered.
"Hello? What's up?"
"Hattori, did you see the news this morning?" Conan's voice was serious.
"I saw it. Congratulations on becoming a hero."
"Hattori, I'm not joking. That guy specifically asked to see me. I suspect this bombing campaign is a personal challenge directed at me."
Conan sounded tense.
"Look, Kudo. If this is a personal game between you and the bomber, me getting involved might spook him. If he thinks you're bringing in outside help, he might lose patience. And if he loses patience, he might stop giving you time to find the bombs."
Conan fell silent.
"You're right," he admitted. "But... I want you to keep an eye on things. Too many lives are at stake."
I hung up and checked the news again, frowning. This case feels familiar.
But I couldn't quite place it.
10:45 AM
I arrived near Beika City Hall. It was approaching noon, and the streets were getting crowded.
"Friendship Cafe... this should be it."
I walked in.
As soon as I entered, a crisp, pleasant voice called out. Miwako Sato stood up and waved.
I looked over, and my eyes lit up involuntarily.
She wasn't wearing her usual stiff police suit. She was dressed in a smart, refreshing casual outfit that perfectly outlined her tall, curvaceous figure. Her beautiful face, short, cool hair, ample chest, and long, toned legs made her look stunning—easily rivaling any top-tier model.
"Miwako, you really should dress like this more often."
Hearing my compliment, Sato's eyes sparkled. "You think it looks good?"
"Mhm. It brings out your aura perfectly. Heroic and cool, but with a touch of mature charm. It's perfect."
"Thanks. I just threw it together, really."
Sato smiled shyly, a flash of delight in her eyes.
Meanwhile, at the Sato Residence...
Miwako's mother stood in the doorway of her daughter's room, jaw dropped.
Clothes were everywhere. The bed, the floor, the chair—buried under piles of discarded outfits. It was a disaster zone.
If she hadn't seen Miwako leave the room herself, she would have sworn they had been
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