Chapter 226: The Mokuma Manor Fire
Conan turned to look at Ai Haibara, searching her expression for any flicker of recognition at the name. He found none. Her face remained placid, which meant the doctor likely had no connection to her past. So where, Conan wondered, had he heard that name before?
Suddenly, a connection sparked in the depths of his memory, a stray file pulled from the archives of his mind.
Wasn't that the name of the doctor who took over Rena Mizunashi's treatment after she was moved?
To encounter someone connected to that incident here, at school of all places… was it a coincidence, or something more?
"Ah! Qiqi, your hands are so cold! Are you feeling alright?"
Ayumi's voice cut through his thoughts. She had accidentally brushed against Qiqi's hand and recoiled in surprise. The girl's skin was unnervingly cool, far colder than a normal person's. A knot of worry tightened in Ayumi's chest. Had Qiqi not fully recovered from her previous ordeal?
'Her hands are always this icy,'Ayumi thought, a wave of sympathy washing over her.'That must be so uncomfortable…'
Without a second thought, Ayumi reached out, enveloping both of Qiqi's small hands in her own. She pressed them together, hoping her own warmth could chase away some of the chill.
"Ah… my body… is okay," Qiqi explained, her voice as slow and deliberate as ever. She glanced down at her hands, now held securely in Ayumi's. "This is just… a lingering effect. Also… I have to… exercise every day. Otherwise… my body feels uncomfortable."
Hearing this, Ai Haibara's gaze instinctively sharpened. She studied Qiqi's complexion, noting the distinct pallor that spoke of poor blood circulation. It seemed the girl's health truly was fragile. She would have to keep a closer eye on her.
The other Detective Boys standing nearby shared the same concerned thought.
Seeing the faint, listless look on Qiqi's face, Genta tried to offer some comfort. "It's okay! Isn't there a saying about how if you don't die, you get good luck? You can still eat delicious eel rice now, so it's not all bad!"
"It's 'surviving a great disaster brings good fortune later,'" Mitsuhiko corrected primly, though he nodded in agreement with Genta's sentiment. "As long as you're alive, good things are bound to happen."
Worried for her well-being, the Detective Boys unanimously decided to walk Qiqi home, wanting to make sure she didn't run into any trouble along the way.
As they headed to the school's entrance to change their shoes, however, they were intercepted by a student from another class. He had a case he wanted to commission the Detective Boys to solve.
The boy, Sugiura Kaito, walked with them for a while, explaining the details of his request as they went. He was from Class 1-A, and his father was the landlord of an apartment building. Recently, one of his father's tenants had been acting suspiciously, engaging in strange activities every night. Kaito's mission for the Detective Boys was simple: find out what this tenant was up to.
Before they parted ways, Kaito and the group agreed to meet at his father's apartment building the next morning—Saturday—to begin the investigation.
After seeing their new client off, the Detective Boys resumed their journey to Qiqi's home.
Excited by the prospect of a new case and having made a new friend, Genta eagerly invited Qiqi to join them on their investigation.
Under the hopeful gazes of Genta, Ayumi, and Mitsuhiko, Qiqi tilted her head. After a moment of thought, she said she needed to ask her current guardian for permission before she could give them an answer.
Though a little disappointed, the children were understanding. Their curiosity, however, only grew. They were now even more eager to meet this "Big Brother Baizhu" that Qiqi always mentioned.
Their anticipation mounted with every step, and before long, they arrived at Qiqi's residence.
Fortunately, Baizhu wasn't at the hospital; he was home.
After introductions were made, the Detective Boys excitedly explained the situation, seeking Baizhu's permission for Qiqi to join their case.
Baizhu listened patiently, a gentle smile on his face. He considered their request for a moment before agreeing, but with one condition—he would be coming along as well.
The children readily accepted, not minding the condition in the slightest. After all, it wasn't unusual for an adult to tag along on their adventures; Ran and others had often accompanied them on their "missions."
"Then let's meet right here tomorrow morning!" Genta happily declared, setting the rendezvous point.
"Alright," Baizhu agreed with a pleasant nod. "I'll bring Qiqi here on time."
On the walk home, Genta rubbed his hands together, buzzing with excitement. "This is great! We get to go on a mission with our new friend, Qiqi!"
The next morning, Baizhu, true to his word, brought Qiqi to the agreed-upon location to meet with Genta, Conan, and Ai Haibara. From there, the group made their way to the address Sugiura Kaito had given them: Mokuma Manor, located at 2-chome 23-banchi, Beika Town.
But when they arrived, a shocking sight greeted them. There was no apartment building. In its place stood a stretch of charred, skeletal ruins, completely devastated by a fire. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area, and officers moved about the blackened debris, investigating the scene.
As the children stood frozen, a wave of worry for Sugiura Kaito washing over them, a police officer approached. She informed them that their friend had only suffered minor burns and was not in any serious danger. He was currently recovering in the hospital.
"Officer Yumi," Conan said, recognizing the familiar face. It was an officer he'd met on several of Kogoro Mouri's past cases.
Standing behind the children, Baizhu watched Conan converse so casually with the police officer. A peculiar expression crossed his features as a thought drifted through his mind. 'This child… has he met half the police force in all of Japan?'
Having established a rapport with Officer Yumi, Conan immediately began asking about the case. She cooperatively answered his questions, sharing some of the initial details and clues they had gathered from the scene.
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