"Yuuko, may I borrow a light from you?"
Hanyu Nan asked softly, a polite smile playing on the corners of his lips.
Ikezawa Yuko, who had just emerged from the restroom, swaggered over to the sofa and sat down, crossing her legs, her gaze somewhat disdainful.
Hearing Hanyu Nan's request, her eyes fell on his handsome face, which maintained a constant, gentle smile. A ripple stirred in her heart, and her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly.
"Here."
Without a word, Ikezawa Yuko casually picked up a lighter, shaped like the Statue of Liberty, from the nearby table, quickly handed it to Hanyu Nan, and lit it for him.
"Heh heh, Yuuko, didn't you say you'd never been here before? Seeing how familiar you were going straight to the restroom just now, and how you clearly knew about this lighter, which is hard to discern from its appearance..."
Hanyu Nan chuckled softly, his eyes fixed on Ikezawa Yuko, a mysterious glint in his gaze.
Kogoro Mouri and Inspector Megure, who were standing nearby, also snapped back to reality: "That's right! How do you know this place so well?" They echoed in unison, their gazes also focused on Ikezawa Yuko, full of doubt and questioning.
Faced with the sudden barrage of questions, Ikezawa Yuko's face instantly paled with panic. Fine beads of sweat even began to appear on her forehead as she fumbled for an explanation: "Uh... well... actually, it's because I have a friend whose house has a similar lighter... so I'm more familiar..."
However, Ikezawa Yuko's stammering, incoherent explanation was hard to believe.
"This guy's observational skills are so sharp!" Conan mused to himself.
"I can't show too much in front of this Hanyu Nan guy anymore." Conan's heart tightened, because he himself had only just begun to notice these clues.
"Inspector Megure, may I have a word with Yuuko?" Hanyu Nan said in a calm tone.
"Hmm, alright." Inspector Megure, seeing the situation, knew that pressing further wouldn't yield any results. Since Hanyu Nan had proactively asked to speak with Ikezawa Yuko, perhaps he could obtain some clues from her. So, Inspector Megure nodded, agreeing to Hanyu Nan's request.
Hanyu Nan walked up to Ikezawa Yuko and stopped.
He lowered his head slightly, gazing down at Ikezawa Yuko, who was sitting on the sofa, with a condescending look.
At this moment, Ikezawa Yuko was no longer as arrogant as she had been initially; instead, her face was filled with terror and unease.
"Is there anything you want to say?" Ikezawa Yuko tried to compose herself, but her voice was clearly trembling. "I already said, I've never been here!"
Facing Hanyu Nan's chilling smile, Ikezawa Yuko seemed flustered. She tried hard to remain calm, but the fear in her heart surged like a tide.
"Yuuko, Yoko asked us to come today because she hopes we can assist in investigating something. She has been receiving silent calls and threatening letters recently, which has made her very scared and troubled. Since the Police are here now, why don't we let the Police contact the telecommunications company to see if they can trace the source of these calls, and also investigate the address from which the threatening letters were sent. What do you think of handling it this way?" Hanyu Nan asked calmly.
Ikezawa Yuko's eyes widened, her face filled with terror as she stammered, "You... what are you talking about? I... I don't understand at all." Her hands, however, trembled uncontrollably.
Hanyu Nan's lips curved slightly into a playful smile, and then he slowly said, "Since these matters have nothing to do with Yuuko, then once we uncover the truth, shouldn't we inform the media about it? Let the general public also understand the situation. Do you think that would be a good idea?"
"No! Don't!!!"
Ikezawa Yuko shrieked, her face turning ashen, and a fine layer of sweat broke out on her forehead.
She knew very well that she was the one who had done all these things.
If it were exposed, she would instantly fall from a highly acclaimed celebrity to a target of public scorn and condemnation.
"Since that's the case, Yuuko, tell us everything you know!"
Hanyu Nan finished speaking, stood up, and turned to walk out.
At this moment, Ikezawa Yuko had only one thought: this man was simply a demon! He had completely seen through her thoughts; she had no privacy in front of him.
Watching Inspector Megure walk closer, Ikezawa Yuko could no longer maintain her arrogance and honestly began to confess everything.
"Ran, let's go out for some fresh air. Uncle will handle the rest."
Hanyu Nan paid no attention to the conversation behind him, walking directly to Ran's side and saying. After speaking, he lowered his head, his gaze falling on Ayumi, who was tightly holding Ran's hand.
"Ayumi, do you want to go for a walk with Big Brother?"
"Mm! Big Brother was really super cool just now!" Ayumi's face was flushed, and she nodded excitedly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Hanyu Nan ruffled Ayumi's little head, then, with Ran, took Ayumi and walked towards the corridor outside.
"Wow, it's so windy."
As soon as they stepped out the door, Ayumi's hair was whipped by the strong wind, and Ran quickly pulled Ayumi into her embrace.
"Nan, the night view of Tokyo from here is truly beautiful." Ran leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance, mesmerized by the sparkling lights.
"Indeed, it is a high-rise apartment, after all." Hanyu Nan echoed softly, a smile on his lips.
His gaze also fell outside the window, but unlike Ran, who was admiring the charming urban nightscape, he was admiring Ran, who was holding Ayumi and leaning on the railing, enjoying the breeze.
At this moment, Ran's hair was dancing in the wind, flying freely, revealing a unique, wild beauty.
Perhaps sensing Hanyu Nan's intense gaze, Ran's cheeks flushed slightly. She turned her head, her eyes a little shy as she asked:
"By the way, Nan, how did you know Yuuko smoked?"
Facing their questioning gazes, Hanyu Nan smiled slightly and explained, "Actually, it's nothing special. When Yuuko walked past me just now, I faintly smelled a faint scent of smoke. Of course, it could have come from someone else. However, later I noticed that the back of Yuuko's right index finger was somewhat yellowish, distinctly different from the skin tone of her other fingers. This condition usually appears on people who smoke for a long time."
After hearing Hanyu Nan's analysis, Ran nodded in sudden understanding and said admiringly, "I see, Nan, you observe so carefully!"
Ayumi, beside them, clapped her hands and excitedly shouted, "Big Brother is amazing!"
"Oh, it's nothing, I learned it all from Uncle Mouri ~ Ayumi, don't always let Sister Ran carry you!" Hanyu Nan said, while taking Ayumi and holding her in his arms.
Ran gazed silently at Hanyu Nan's handsome profile, a complex emotion welling up in her heart.
She thought to herself: If Shinichi were here, he would probably still be at the crime scene, engrossed in investigating the case, and wouldn't be like Hanyu Nan, walking out of the room to accompany her, chat with her, and explain so many things.