Conan finally remembered why Haibara's voice had felt so familiar.
Back when he was captured by the Black Organization and undergoing spinal cord extraction surgery, he had heard this voice through the haze of unconsciousness.
His mind had been too muddled at the time to remember clearly, but now, hearing her mocking tone in person, everything clicked.
Yes. Sherry. A member of the Black Organization.
But why did she look so young, like an elementary schooler just like him? Wait, could it be...
Seeing the change in Conan's pupils, Haibara, who was also well-versed in psychology, immediately saw through what he was thinking.
"You're right. Just like you, I also took APTX4869."
"APTX4869? That's the name of the drug?"
Conan quickly asked, eyes lighting up. This was the most valuable information he had obtained since he shrank.
"Yes, that pill."
Haibara took out a red and white capsule from a small box beside her.
Conan's mind went blank. His thoughts froze. His eyes locked on the capsule.
He instinctively reached for the watch on his wrist, ready to fire a tranquilizer dart to sedate her, take the pill, and maybe force her to hand over an antidote.
"Don't even think about it, Kudo Shinichi. That tranquilizer in your watch and those strange shoes of yours are useless here. Look around you."
Haibara's cold words brought him back to his senses. He froze, alarmed that she knew about his gadgets.
Following her instruction, Conan looked around. The living room lights were fully on now, and what he saw made his vision go dark.
High up in the corners of the ceiling, several panels had silently opened, and four machine guns had emerged, aimed directly at him.
This wasn't just a Western-style mansion. It was a miniature fortress.
Those machine guns were being remotely controlled by Toru, who was still in Gunma, watching Haibara's performance through the cameras, clearly enjoying the show.
Conan broke into a cold sweat. His voice trembled. "Fujiwara Toru... is he... Martini?"
Haibara seemed momentarily surprised, then scoffed. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Isn't he? He..."
Haibara cut him off. "Fujiwara Toru has nothing to do with the Organization. On the contrary, he's with the Central Intelligence Agency. He's investigating them. Looks like even the great detective Kudo Shinichi can misjudge."
"The CIA is investigating your Organization? Then why are you living with him... I get it! You used your child appearance to trick him!"
Conan's expression was a mix of shock, anger, and shame.
He'd previously suspected Toru was either an agent or part of the Black Organization. But many of Toru's actions had led him to believe the latter was more likely.
Now, everything made sense. Toru wasn't a Japanese agent... he was American.
The good news was that the Organization had clearly attracted official attention. He wasn't alone in this fight.
The bad news... a good man had unknowingly taken in someone from the Organization. He might already be in danger.
Even if Conan resented Toru's connection to Ran, he didn't want to see a good person get killed.
"So, you're not as clueless as you seem. You should remember that pharmaceutical research lab that exploded on the outskirts of Tokyo, right?"
"That was an Organization lab. Toru led a raid on it, trying to uncover intel."
"I sensed the danger at the time. In desperation, I took APTX4869... and I didn't expect my body to shrink."
"I used the appearance of a child to deceive him. No one would imagine a drug like that could exist."
"Sure enough, Toru fell for it. I not only survived but also successfully infiltrated the side of a CIA agent. It was an unexpected windfall."
Haibara clearly separated herself from Toru, taking full responsibility for her actions.
This way, no matter what Toru chose to do later, her actions wouldn't drag him down.
She didn't want him getting involved in danger because of her.
"He's CIA?!"
Conan's expression was stunned.
That position wasn't low. For someone as young as Toru to hold it meant his future was limitless. Yet the Organization had gotten so close to him...
Conan's mind spun, wondering how he could discreetly get the truth to Toru.
But Haibara saw right through him. Her tone turned cold. "I suggest you don't try anything, Kudo Shinichi."
"I'm always by Toru's side. No matter what you do, I'll know right away."
"If you try anything stupid, your father, your mother, the Mouri family... and Dr. Agasa will all be in danger. You still remember the surgery we did on you last time, right?"
Conan clenched his fists and pounded the floor. "Damn it!!"
This damn Organization. Using his family and friends to threaten him.
But he couldn't afford to act recklessly. The Organization really could and would follow through.
"Why haven't you killed me? What do you want from me?!"
Conan shouted, eyes bloodshot.
"You're a very good test subject. I created APTX4869, and I didn't expect it to have the effect of shrinking people."
"When I discovered that, I was thrilled. A subject like you... I can't afford to lose."
"By the way, Kudo, I studied your blood and bone marrow. It seems your cells have stopped growing. That means you won't grow any taller."
Haibara toyed with the silencer-equipped pistol in her hand. Her gestures mirrored Toru's.
"You... invented that drug? Wait, what?! I won't grow taller?!"
Conan's face turned pale.
If he could never grow again... he'd be stuck like this forever...
Real fear gripped him.
"Hehe, don't panic, Kudo. Look, I shrank just like you. I don't want to stay like this either."
"So, I've been working on an antidote. This."
Haibara took out another capsule from the small box.
Conan's breathing quickened. "Is that... the antidote?"
"It's an experimental one. The side effects are unknown. I don't know if it will truly reverse the effects."
"You... want me to test it?"
"That's right. You don't want to be a kid forever, right?"
Haibara tossed the capsule at his feet, speaking coldly like a queen. "...If you want to try, take it."
"If you don't want to... I'll force it down your throat."
"You..."
Conan stared at her in fury, then slowly bent down to pick up the capsule.
Haibara wasn't going to risk herself as a test subject. Kudo Shinichi was far more convenient.
"Alright, you can leave now, great detective Kudo. Remember, if you talk about any of this, your family and friends will be in danger."
"If you want to return to being Kudo Shinichi, you'll have to listen to me. No one knows APTX4869 better than its creator."
Haibara gave him the boot.
If I really become Kudo Shinichi again, they'll probably kill me.
If she really is the inventor of the drug, I need her. I can use this to get closer to the Organization... and wait for a chance.
Kudo Shinichi wasn't someone who gave up easily. As long as he was alive, he could push forward.
With that thought, Conan suppressed his emotions, took the capsule, and left the mansion.
After he was gone, Haibara finally let out a breath.
She didn't like threatening others, but sometimes, it had to be done.
"You saw that performance, right?"
Haibara picked up her phone and dialed Toru.
"I saw everything. You did great. Kudo Shinichi was completely convinced."
"That just means I'm a bad woman... and I played the part well."
Haibara gave a self-deprecating smile.
"Nothing wrong with being a bad woman. Bad women are charming. I'm a bad man too. Hmm, after that scene, I've probably become a naïve good guy in Kudo Shinichi's eyes. A good guy tricked by a bad woman."
Toru chuckled.
"Hmph~"
Haibara gave a soft snort. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
A bad man and a bad woman. A perfect match.
"By the way, why are there cameras in my room too?"
Her voice turned cold.
"I was just worried about your safety."
"Hah. Worried about my safety, so you install cameras in a girl's room?"
"You're a little girl."
"That just proves you're a pervert."
Haibara scoffed. She walked back to her room and muttered, "I'm going to sleep. You should rest too."
Back in Gunma, Toru glanced at his phone and saw that Haibara had fallen asleep. He chuckled and prepared to rest as well.
Tomorrow, he still had to accompany Yukiko and Eri. One of Yukiko's classmates had apparently asked her for help.
Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from America.
"Don't they know about time zones? Can't a guy sleep in peace?"
Toru sighed and answered the call.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)