"The deceased is Mr. Kohei Kamata, 27 years old, a doctor working at the Beika General Hospital, right?"
"Yes."
"Then why did he collapse in the middle of the show today?"
"I thought he just felt unwell, but he fell to the ground all of a sudden."
"Could it be that the victim died from drinking the drink that fell next to him?"
Someone had died in the audience, and the performance had to be halted.
This time, Megure Juzo arrived unexpectedly quickly.
He looked at the drink cup that his men had picked up, staring at the remaining liquid inside. "There isn't much drink left... Does anyone know what time it was when he fell down?"
"He must have collapsed around 2:40."
At this moment, Ran, still dressed in her princess costume, came over, gently lifting her skirt.
She had rehearsed the play countless times and remembered exactly when each line occurred. She knew what had happened and when.
Megure Juzo nodded, then looked around, frowning: "If that's the case... does that mean that guy is here too...?"
"Who are you talking about, Officer Megure?" asked Kogoro Mouri, stepping closer.
(I'm talking about you, you plague god, Megure Juzo cursed inwardly, bringing misfortune even to your daughter's school festival.)
His eyes were... complicated.
"Inspector Megure."
"Oh!!! Brother Hayashi!!!" His face lit up instantly.
"...Why does Inspector Megure have completely different expressions when he sees me and when he sees Yoshiki?"
"Well, it's your illusion."
Megure Juzo cleared his throat awkwardly.
Hayashi Yoshiki was different from Mouri Kogoro... or even Conan.
Although cases seemed to follow him too, the frequency was worlds apart—and when Hayashi Yoshiki was around, the case would usually be wrapped up quickly and cleanly.
But in reality... those who died because of Hayashi Yoshiki always died far away from him...
"It appears that the victim died of potassium cyanide poisoning."
"When people die, they usually lose their color, but his lips and nails were pink, not purple... Unlike other poisons, potassium cyanide affects the nerve transmission system directly—bypassing blood oxygenation. It makes the victim's skin look deceptively healthy."
"And if we detect an almond-like smell from his mouth later, it'll confirm potassium cyanide."
A young male voice suddenly rang out.
Hayashi Yoshiki looked up—only to see a pale-skinned boy, partially hidden under a baseball cap, speaking confidently.
Everyone was stunned.
Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled. "Hattori-san is right."
"What, what Hattori-san?! I'm Kudo Shinichi, Kudo Shinichi!!"
The boy pulled off his cap with flair.
What emerged was unmistakably Kudo Shinichi's face. He blinked at Hayashi Yoshiki, and then swaggered toward Ran with a cheeky grin: "It was that kid Conan who called me and said his sister Ran was performing. So I came to watch!"
"…!"
Conan silently held his forehead.
He appreciated the gesture… but this "surprise appearance" would only deepen Ran's suspicions.
"Even if you're joking, at least hide your Kansai accent. And those thick eyebrows are a dead giveaway."
Hayashi Yoshiki calmly walked over, framing it as a prank, then glanced subtly at Tomoaki Araide—or rather, Vermouth in disguise.
Vermouth sat with her chin in her palm, clearly intrigued.
The police had begun questioning the deceased's companions.
Three people: one man, two women. All had graduated from Teitan High School the same year as the deceased, and all now worked at Beika General Hospital.
One, Yota Mitani, was a hospital security guard. The women, Mai Kogami and Yumemi Noda, worked in logistics and nursing, respectively.
Before the show, Mai had bought four drinks, handed them to Mitani, then went to the bathroom.
"The victim drank iced coffee, correct?"
"Ms. Mai Kogami also drank iced coffee; the others had oolong tea and orange juice, right?"
"Did the victim have a habit of chewing ice cubes?"
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped in.
Megure Juzo perked up instantly—here it comes!
Hattori Heiji also tensed—he saw where this was going.
"The drink lid was open... Was he the type to chew ice after finishing?"
"I think so..." said Mitani, unsure. "Right, Yumemi?"
"Yes."
YumemiNoda nodded.
Hayashi Yoshiki pressed gently: "Ms. Kogami likely poisoned two iced coffees, taking advantage of the victim's ice-chewing habit. After drinking, he would've chewed the contaminated ice..."
"As for her own cup—let's inspect her bag, her clothes. Anything that may have stored the poison or leftover ice."
He turned to Mai Kogami with a gentle smile. "Do you have any objections, Ms. Mai?"
"…"
The color drained from her face.
The case was closed.
A collective hush fell over the crowd… then erupted into:
"So fast!"
"He really is the Fast Detective!"
"Senior Hayashi is so cool!"
At first there was light clapping, but it grew quickly into resounding applause.
Hayashi Yoshiki blinked in surprise.
Then Ran turned toward him—and then at Conan, who had been quiet all along: "Brother Yoshiki is amazing as always, but Conan not getting involved? That's rare."
"...Ah, yeah, I just feel a little tired." Conan gave a strained smile.
But just then—a clear male voice rang out:
"What? Has the case been solved?"
Everyone turned, stunned.
Hattori Heiji gasped. "Kudo?!"
"I rushed here as fast as I could, but it seems I'm still a little late."
The young man who walked into view now was none other than… Kudo Shinichi.
He strode confidently across the floor, exchanging a brief glance with Hayashi Yoshiki, then faced Ran.
"Long time no see, Ran."
"...Shinichi?"
The girl stared at him in disbelief—then looked back at Conan, confusion washing over her expression.