That child who was hit at the time died on the spot, but the culprit wasn't sentenced. They were merely given a suspended sentence and released right there in court.
Fujino wasn't privy to the details, so he couldn't really say who was right or wrong. Frankly, it didn't really matter to him. However, from the motive and severity of the culprit's actions, he could deduce some clues. He speculated that the assailant must have seen a "gyaru" driving in platform shoes, which immediately reminded him of his own child who was hit and killed a year ago. Driven by a desire for revenge for his child, coupled with a strange sense of justice, he embarked on this series of attacks. He specifically targeted people driving in platform shoes, aiming to rid the world of what he saw as a menace. As for targeting "gyaru," there was no discriminatory intent; he didn't exclusively go after them. It was more of an accidental cover, considering most Shibuya "gyaru" wear platform shoes.
"But if the assailant doesn't have a clear motive, that's a problem, isn't it?" Takagi sighed deeply, rubbing his hair in frustration, seeing that even Fujino couldn't find any leads. "Now, the assailant attacks any girl like that. At this rate, we have no clues for the investigation."
"Indeed..." Sato Miwako, sitting nearby, nodded in agreement. "Cases like this, which seem to be acts of malicious revenge, rarely happen. I really don't know what that culprit is thinking..." She paused, muttering, "It seems I'll have to keep trying to lure that guy out, huh?"
"By the way, Fujino-kun," Inspector Megure suddenly turned to Fujino, "if you have time, how about assisting us with the investigation? With your help, that assailant might show up very quickly." In his opinion, as long as Fujino was present, the case was practically half-solved. Perhaps with Fujino's assistance, the culprit would walk right into their trap.
Fujino naturally agreed to Inspector Megure's suggestion. After all, he was still a consultant detective. "If there's any further action, just give me a call. If I have time, I'll definitely go." If a case needed his help, he could refuse since his position as a consultant detective meant he wasn't obligated to respond to every summons. But considering his good relationship with Inspector Megure, lending a hand, even if it didn't directly solve anything, was a good gesture.
---
The next day, Teitan High School.
The winter sunlight streamed through the window onto the tree branches outside, cool yet gently warm and pleasant. Inside Class 2-B, the students' voices buzzed with conversation. Sonoko, as usual, had dragged Ran and Fujino into a gossip session.
"Honestly!" Ran complained to her best friend and upperclassman. "Dad actually promised some junior that he'd go visit some building in Nishitama City next week, and he didn't even tell me!"
"Is it the Twin Towers Building in Nishitama City?" Fujino, hearing this, paused and glanced at Ran. Though he had anticipated it, he hadn't expected Ran to trigger this plot point the very next day. It seemed he needed to prepare early.
"I think so, something about a Twin Towers Building," Ran recalled. "But Fujino-senpai, you know about that building too?"
"I saw it in the newspaper yesterday," Fujino explained after a moment of thought.
"I know that building too," Sonoko, who had been deep in thought, finally remembered something. She turned to Ran and asked, "Speaking of which, Ran, did you hear Uncle Kogoro mention... could that junior's last name be Tokiwa?"
"It is... I heard her name was Tokiwa, Sonoko. Do you know her?" Ran was surprised but then realized it wasn't that surprising. It made sense for Sonoko to know about the building, given she's the young lady of the Suzuki financial group.
"Of course I do, Tokiwa Group!" Sonoko nodded, explaining, "The Twin Towers Skyscraper in Nishitama City belongs to the Tokiwa Group. The president of the Tokiwa Group is a powerful businesswoman named Tokiwa Mio. In other words, that building belongs to Tokiwa Mio. I've heard of her; she's a very impressive beauty, and she's single too!"
"Powerful businesswoman, single?!" Ran's heart immediately filled with a bad premonition. Mom was in danger! She had already been a bit suspicious about that junior. Now, after hearing Sonoko's description, she absolutely had to go.
Collecting herself, Ran thought for a moment, then earnestly asked Sonoko and Fujino, "Can you two come with me?"
"To keep an eye on Uncle Kogoro, right?" Sonoko chuckled, clearly understanding Ran's intentions. Then, she patted her chest and, without even asking Fujino, declared, "Leave it to the two of us! With us there, Uncle Kogoro won't lose a single hair to that woman!" As she spoke, she clapped Fujino on the shoulder cheerily, "Am I right, Fujino-senpai!"
"Ahem." Fujino, still a bit unaccustomed to such enthusiastic declarations, cleared his throat and nodded. "In that case, we'll take on the mission of protecting Attorney Kisaki's happiness!"
"Thank you!" Ran smiled, though she felt a bit puzzled. Why did that sentence sound stranger the more she heard it?
"Since that's the case, how about we go shopping for some new clothes this weekend?" Sonoko suddenly suggested. "The weather's getting a bit chilly, and it would be perfect to wear when we visit next week."
"New clothes, huh?" Ran considered it and nodded, but then added, "But we should still ask Fujino-senpai if he has time."
"Tomorrow's the weekend..." Fujino thought for a moment. He remembered that tomorrow, while shopping, Ran would encounter the culprit. But since only he knew this, he didn't plan to refuse and nodded, "If there's nothing urgent at the police headquarters, I should have time tomorrow. However, if a case requires me to investigate, I probably won't be able to go."
"Then Senpai probably won't be free tomorrow," Sonoko said with a hint of regret.
"After all, Fujino-senpai is a consultant detective now, he's a very busy person," Ran chuckled softly. "But it's not like cases happen every day, right?"
Sonoko sighed, "It's precisely during times like these that cases are most likely to happen."
"No way," Ran was quite optimistic. While emotionally perceptive, she could also be a bit naive. So, she didn't quite believe Sonoko's 'patterns.'
"Well, we'll see about tomorrow," Fujino smiled, saying nothing more. Most likely, he wouldn't be able to go if his memories of the plot progression were correct. But looking at Sonoko, he was a little surprised. It seemed the "big-forehead girl" had already grasped the true nature of their world!
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