"Hoshino, get back!" Inspector Megure broke out in a cold sweat at the mention of a bomb.
"Huh?" Ran and Sonoko's faces went pale.
"Don't worry. It's not a bomb." Kurosawa Hoshino's calm voice stunned everyone present—even the frantic Takeshita Hironobu.
Takeshita turned and saw Hoshino about to open the box. He tried to lunge forward. "Don't open it! There really is a bomb! I planted it myself!"
Several officers held him back. When the box opened, his heart nearly stopped. But seconds passed. No explosion.
"How... how is this possible?" Takeshita muttered in disbelief. "Where's the bomb?"
"It exploded. By the toilet." Kurosawa Hoshino fully opened the box, revealing stacks of ten-thousand-yen bills. "By the way, the box that exploded over there was also one of your company's. So the box you planted the bomb in was taken by the victim. As for why this box has money—let Mr. Nakajima explain that himself."
Hideaki Nakajima wiped blood from his face and spoke helplessly. "Someone wanted to buy a list of highly skilled computer programmers. Today was our transaction day. I didn't expect..." He glanced at Takeshita, his expression complicated—relieved, yet shaken. He'd brushed shoulders with death, and the person he was trading with had taken the fall for him.
Inspector Megure asked, "Who is the Yoshimi that Mr. Takeshita mentioned?"
Koji Ueda stepped forward. "She was Takeshita's ex-girlfriend. Nakajima stole her away, then dumped her. She committed suicide."
Everyone understood. Takeshita Hironobu had been seeking revenge for his ex-girlfriend. But circumstances had led him to kill someone else instead.
Kurosawa Hoshino didn't mention the victim's identity—Tequila. Better to end it here. Even if the Black Organization came looking, they'd target Nakajima, not him. Hopefully, Nakajima would be lucky.
On Kurosawa Hoshino's system panel, the Origin Points had increased to 17. Only three more to go.
Half an hour later. Outside Beika Hotel.
Hattori Heiji and Conan sat on the roadside steps, both staring wordlessly at the sky.
After a long silence, Hattori said, "Is this for real?"
"Very real," Conan replied.
Another silence.
Conan glanced at Hattori, who seemed somewhat deflated. He tried to console him. "Even though it feels outrageous and illogical, Kurosawa did solve the case."
Hattori ripped off his hat and crumpled it into a ball. "No—how? He just walked in..."
"You're just not used to it yet. You'll get there."
"How did he know the victim took the wrong suitcase? It only took him a few minutes! He just asked the company president in the restroom, then suspected those three, and even forced the culprit to confess. I can't take it. I feel like throwing up." Hattori turned his head, gagging.
After a moment, he felt better. He struggled to his feet and turned to leave.
Conan quickly asked, "Where are you going?"
"To ask him. Why was he so sure the victim took the wrong suitcase? And why did he suspect those three employees?"
"Wait for me."
Kurosawa Hoshino wasn't hard to find. He was near the police car, receiving Inspector Megure's thanks.
It was always the same routine, but Megure never got tired of it. He always expressed his gratitude sincerely, never perfunctorily. He probably knew he could never repay Kurosawa, so he offered his most heartfelt thanks.
"Hoshino, are you sure you don't need us to drive you?"
"Yeah, we're going shopping."
"Alright then. I'll be off." Megure and his men got into the police car and drove away.
Hoshino turned and found Hattori Heiji standing imposingly before him, Conan at his side.
"Hoshino, I have a question—"
"I've seen it." Hoshino cut him off.
"Huh?" Hattori was completely lost. "What do you mean, 'seen it'?"
Conan's mind raced. He already knew what Hoshino was going to say next.
Sure enough, Hoshino spoke exactly as expected. "I once watched a mystery anime. One episode was very similar to what just happened. That's why I suspected it immediately."
"Uh... really?"
"Yes. Conan and Ran have heard me say that before."
"Really?" Hattori looked at Conan.
"Yeah, Hoshino-nii did say that." Conan stared with deadpan eyes, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
Hattori frowned. "What anime? Tell me the name."
"I forgot." Kurosawa Hoshino shrugged.
Hattori's already dark face darkened further. Thinking of Conan's smug expression, he immediately understood he'd been played.
"Alright. Consider it luck."
Kurosawa patted him on the shoulder and walked toward Ran and Sonoko, leaving Hattori speechless.
Sonoko grabbed his arm excitedly. "Wow, Hoshino, you were amazing this time! Even though you solved it, my head's still spinning. I don't get how you figured it out—it's like you knew the answer beforehand."
"If you can't figure it out, it means you're stupid." Kurosawa teased.
Ran, who had wanted to ask the same question, immediately swallowed her words and pretended to understand.
Sonoko glared, her chest heaving. "Hoshino, I can't beat you, but I can bite you when I'm angry!"
"Sorry. I shouldn't have called you stupid."
"Heh. That's better. Hey, Ran, didn't you just say you couldn't figure it out either?"
"No." Ran smiled. "I already figured it out. I was just being considerate of your feelings."
"Ran, liars swallow a thousand needles," Sonoko said quietly.
Ran blushed and changed the subject. "Let's go to the arcade we talked about. It's still early. We can play for a long time."
Kurosawa turned to Hattori. "Hattori, still going to the arcade? You still want to play?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I? To tell you the truth, I'm good at all kinds of games. I'll challenge you later."
"Then I might really not be able to beat you." Kurosawa smiled—honestly, for once. No cheating here. It all came down to skill.