Osaka Police Headquarters!
"Father, Uncle Toyama."
Heiji arrived to find Heizo and Ginshiro discussing the serial murder case.
"Heiji is here! Come, come, we happen to have something to ask you." Superintendent Toyama was clearly very satisfied with this prospective son-in-law.
"Ginshiro, the fact that this kid is here proves he doesn't have any more leads. Relying on him is useless," Heizo said sternly.
Heiji shrugged helplessly. "Actually, I came to ask you two. Do you have any other clues regarding these three murder incidents?"
"Well, there are some. They are all—"
"Ginshiro, the youth have plenty of energy. Let him find them himself." Heizo interrupted Ginshiro.
"Er... haha, Heiji, it's not that I don't want to tell you. But Heizo is right; you are now a genius high school detective famous throughout Japan. You have to rely on yourself for everything." Ginshiro laughed heartily.
Officer Sakata stood to the side and remained silent. These two were heavyweights in the Osaka police force; it wasn't his place to chime in.
Heiji kept his hands in his pockets. "In that case, I won't be polite." He turned to leave.
"Inspector Hattori, Superintendent Toyama, I'll be taking my leave now." Sakata bowed to the two and quickly followed Heiji out.
"That kid likely has some clues already." Watching Heiji's back, a sharp light flashed in Heizo's eyes.
"He probably came here just to probe our thoughts, haha."
"Ginshiro, when are you going to marry that girl Kazuha into my family? She seems determined to marry no one but Heiji."
Ginshiro's laughter stopped abruptly. He glared at Heizo. "Isn't that girl already basically living at your house? She only comes back home two days a week. The rest of the time, she's with Heiji. Heizo, I'm telling you, the dowry better not be small!"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure Heiji marries Kazuha with all the grandeur she deserves."
The two looked at each other and burst into laughter.
The Car Ride
In the police car, Heiji sat in the passenger seat, deep in thought. According to the plot he remembered, the next person should be Okazaki Sumie.
"Heiji, do you remember that woman who drove away back at Shinsaibashi?"
[Here it comes!]
Heiji nodded noncommittally. "There was something off about her."
"Perhaps she knows something. Should I call and ask?" Sakata looked at Heiji. "Maybe she has some clues."
Seeing Heiji nod, Sakata began to dial.
"Ms. Okazaki? This is Officer Sakata. Why were you so nervous back at Shinsaibashi?"
"Officer, please, you have to save me! I'll tell you everything, just come and protect me!" Okazaki's terrified voice came through the phone.
"What happened? Don't panic. Stay at home, lock your doors and windows. I'm coming to find you right now," Sakata said seriously.
"I live in the Seito Apartments, hurry and save me!"
"Seito Apartments?" Heiji glanced back, his brow furrowing. "We just missed the turn."
"What should we do? This is a one-way street. To turn back, we'd have to take a massive detour," Sakata said anxiously.
"Officer Sakata, notify the other officers immediately. I'll get out here and go take a look first."
"Heiji, wait—"
However, Heiji opened the car door directly. His body was agile as he ran through the traffic toward the sidewalk, sprinting toward the Seito Apartments.
Watching Heiji's figure through the rearview mirror, a glint flashed across Sakata's glasses. Heiji, I'm sorry.
This time, he had to use Heiji to create an alibi to avoid unnecessary trouble. Though he felt guilty, the flames of revenge burned fiercely in his heart.
The Shadow Plan
Turning a corner, Heiji's running pace instantly slowed down. He shoved his hands into his pockets and began to walk leisurely.
"Sigh, acting is truly exhausting."
No one was following him. Clearly, Sakata was taking a shortcut. Heiji had been acting from the very beginning.
Although his mission was to frame the Black Organization for this serial murder case, he couldn't openly help Sakata. The identity of "Heiji Hattori" represented justice; dipping too far into the darkness would easily reveal his true colors.
Heizo, Yusaku, Shinichi, Kaito Kid, Gin... none of these people were fools. Even a sliver of a flaw would make the task of reducing his Sin Points much more troublesome.
Therefore... the Black Organization had to be involved.
Heiji arrived at the Seito Apartments with a solemn expression and ran quickly into the building. In a nearby public restroom, a figure flashed out from within.
After climbing the stairs, a cold sneer hooked onto the corner of Heiji's mouth. It looks like Sakata has already finished it. Now, it's my turn to take the stage.
He reached Okazaki Sumie's home and pushed the door open directly. Naturally, no one was there. Heiji walked straight to the telephone and pressed the play button on the answering machine...
"Three o'clock in the afternoon, go to Shinsaibashi. You can meet your group of friends there." Message time: 2:03 PM.
"Why haven't you left yet? What are you doing?" Message time: 2:05 PM.
"How is it? Are you very scared? Don't worry, you're next." Message time: 3:05 PM.
Heiji pondered. The messages at 2:03 and 2:05 clearly showed that Okazaki had been under close surveillance by the killer. However, that was just a lead. It wasn't enough to frame the Black Organization yet.
After thinking for a moment, he began to dial a number.
Mei was resting at home. With no classes today, she had decided to take a nap. Suddenly, she snapped her eyes open, a flash of pleasant surprise in her gaze.
"He's calling."
With her bare feet on the floor, she ran to the table and unplugged her data cable. "Hello?"
"I have something I need you to do."
"Ah, but I'm at home right now."
"Change your clothes and appearance immediately. Go to a place with low foot traffic and call this number. Use the tone of the Black Organization and say just one thing: 'If you don't want the events of 20 years ago exposed, bring the items.' Once you've left that message, you're done."
Mei nodded fiercely, a look of confidence in her eyes. "Mhm, I'm going right now."
"Go out and walk around more when you have the chance."
Listening to the busy tone, Mei was dazed for a moment. Then, a moving smile blossomed on her face. Is he... caring about me?
After hanging up, Heiji dialed Sakata's number. Sakata's voice sounded perfectly normal.
"Ms. Okazaki isn't home."
"What? Didn't I tell her to stay home and not wander around?" Sakata's mouth couldn't help but curve into a triumphant smile. "I'm not sure. I'll go out and ask others. Have you arrived yet?"
"I'll be there in a moment."
Suddenly, the answering machine beeped.
"You have one new message."
"If you don't want the events of 20 years ago exposed, bring the items."
The voice was female, but it was filled with a chilling, dark tone.
Heiji nodded with satisfaction, a smile hooking onto his lips. This woman is getting better and better at this.