As for the Tsujimura family murder case, the truth ultimately remained elusive.
Thanks to Akashi's interference, everyone had been running around like headless flies, unable to piece together the full picture.
But maybe that wasn't such a bad outcome.
With Isao Tsujimura gone, Kimie Tsujimura's position in the family was finally solidified. Now that her daughter was getting married, mother and child could live together again. Life would likely be much easier from here on out.
Still, no one could linger at the villa for too long.
Following the hostess's orders, Butler Koike firmly escorted the group out.
Kogoro and his party left, nearly forgetting someone in the process—Conan.
By the time Conan, having shrunk back to his child form, emerged from the villa, he wore an exasperated expression.
Seriously? Am I really that forgettable?
No one even thought to look for me?
But with his cold still making him feel lightheaded, he barely had the energy to be annoyed.
As they stepped outside, the sky loomed dark and heavy, thick clouds rolling in as if threatening rain.
Akashi instinctively felt uneasy.
Hattori, watching the two children closely, found himself more perplexed than ever.
This whole trip to Tokyo, he had barely seen Shinichi in action. Instead, these two kids had stolen the show.
Whenever they were investigating, Conan always seemed to pop up at just the right moment.
And Akashi? He was even more absurd, seeing through everything from the start.
Are all elementary school kids in Tokyo this terrifying?
Hattori had wanted to solve the case, just as Shinichi had attempted. But, like Shinichi, his reasoning was missing one crucial piece of evidence.
And that missing piece?
It had likely been tampered with by this little troublemaker.
Come to think of it, wasn't that whole underwear-stealing incident involving Kogoro just a ploy to create a distraction?
What a scheming little monster!
For now, Heiji had no choice but to trust the kid's judgment.
Perhaps leaving some truths buried was the better option.
Still, he couldn't shake his curiosity about Akashi.
How was an elementary schooler this sharp?
And more importantly—was there a limit to his abilities?
Unfortunately, it was getting late. He had to return to Osaka.
With that, Heiji sighed and bid farewell.
"Alright, everyone, we're heading back."
Then, turning toward Akashi, he added, "But this isn't over. The next time we cross paths on a case, I won't lose so easily!"
Heiji's eyes gleamed with determination.
At some point, without even realizing it, he had stopped viewing Shinichi as his primary rival. Instead, his focus had shifted to Akashi.
Not that the boy paid him any attention.
Meanwhile, Conan assumed Heiji was speaking to him.
He rolled his eyes but inwardly accepted the challenge.
Hah. Some people just love flattering themselves.
As for Kazuha, the moment she heard Heiji say they were leaving, a hint of reluctance flickered in her eyes.
She took light steps in her boots and approached Akashi.
"Akashi, Big Sister is going back now," she said gently. "Don't forget about me, okay?"
Despite having only spent a few hours together, Kazuha felt an inexplicable fondness for the boy.
Without hesitation, she reached for the small amulet charm hanging from her chest, and carefully placed it in Akashi's hands.
"This is my personal amulet," she told him. "I made it myself, and I prayed at various shrines for it. It'll protect you and help you grow up strong. Take good care of it, okay?"
Then, with a soft smile, she fastened the amulet around the little boy's neck.
Hattori's eyes widened in shock.
What?!
How did this brat earn the same treatment as me?!
I'm Kazuha's childhood friend! It made sense that I'd get an amulet from her, but why him?!
And not just any amulet—her personal one! The one she made herself and spent so much effort blessing!
How could something so precious end up in the hands of this kid?!
What a complete waste of resources!
Heiji's expression darkened immediately.
As Akashi picked up the amulet, a faint scent of milk lingered on it.
He let out a lighthearted laugh. "Sister Kazuha, don't worry! I won't forget you!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Ran, who was holding him, suddenly puffed up like an angry pufferfish.
It was obvious who was jealous.
After a short wait, a taxi arrived. Hattori and Kazuha got in and headed to the station, while the rest of the group climbed into another car bound for the detective agency.
As Ran held Akashi on her lap, she couldn't help but lecture him.
"Akashi, you can't just go around making promises to other girls so casually."
"You've never met most of these girls outside, so you don't know if they're good or bad people."
"The ones who truly care for you… are your family."
Her words carried a deeper meaning—one meant to instill a certain belief in the young boy.
Women outside were like tigers, unpredictable and dangerous. She, on the other hand, was the only one who truly had his best interests at heart.
But to Akashi, it just sounded like endless chatter.
His gaze drifted toward Ran's small, pink lips as they kept moving, opening and closing, endlessly nagging.
Unable to take it anymore, he stood up slightly in the back seat, reached out, and held Ran's face in his hands—then kissed her directly.
Instantly, Ran's mind went blank.
Conan, sitting nearby, froze in shock.
His cold hadn't fully healed, and his dizziness was already making him feel lightheaded.
Now, with this sudden turn of events, the sheer absurdity of it all was too much. His vision swayed, and the next thing he knew—his eyes rolled back, and he passed out.
Meanwhile, Ran's entire face flushed a deep shade of red.
Her delicate fingers trembled slightly, frozen in mid-air.
Her lavender eyes flickered with confusion, as if her brain had completely short-circuited from the unexpected kiss.
Sweet…
The tables had turned. She was completely caught off guard.
Her hands instinctively clenched before she suddenly hugged Akashi tightly.
Up in the front passenger seat, Kogoro remained blissfully unaware of what had just transpired.
However, when the car fell into an eerie silence, he finally turned around to check on them.
What he saw made him do a double take—Ran's face was bright red, hugging the young boy tightly, panting slightly.
But the most shocking sight?
Conan, completely unconscious.
"What the hell happened to Conan?! Why did he faint?!"
His thoughts immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario.
Just yesterday, he had received Conan's father's boarding fee.
If the kid died today, how the hell was he supposed to explain that?!
"Ran, what's going on?!"
"I-I don't know! Maybe his fever came back?"
Kogoro didn't hesitate. "Driver, turn left at the next intersection! There's a private clinic nearby—take us there first!"
The driver quickly complied, and soon, a sign reading "Araide Clinic" came into view.
Akashi's eyes narrowed slightly.
As soon as the car stopped, Kogoro wasted no time. He rushed out, grabbed Conan from the back seat, and ran straight into the clinic.
"Ran, take that kid back first! Don't crowd the place."
Still flustered, Ran nodded and signaled the driver to continue toward the detective agency.