It was morning.
Miwako Sato slowly woke up. Her pupils shrank.
She was sitting on a piece of cardboard, her back against a pillar.
Ropes were wrapped around her body, fixing her to it.
Her hands were tied tightly behind her back.
Her legs were also tied and secured to another pillar, to keep her from moving them.
Her mouth was gagged with a cloth and sealed with tape.
Unless Miwako Sato was a god, she couldn't escape.
She tried to struggle, but couldn't even budge.
[The knots are professional.]
If no one rescued her, she would starve to death. A trace of despair rose in her heart.
Then, she saw a piece of paper on the floor.
"Beautiful officer, are you scared? Don't be. I left clues for the others."
"If you're lucky, you'll be saved. If not, what a pity."
"But death isn't scary. Darkness is everyone's final home. No need to fear."
"All you have to do now is save your energy. Don't die so fast. - The Night Baron."
The words weren't threatening, but in this situation, Miwako Sato felt a chill.
If no one found the Night Baron's clue, or if they couldn't solve it, she would starve.
The MPD was still in chaos. A whole night had passed, and Miwako Sato was still missing.
"Inspector, we've checked. No suspicious persons," Takagi said anxiously.
"Keep checking! We have to find Miwako!"
Inspector Megure's face was pale, a strong sense of unease in his heart.
"Inspector, a package just arrived for you."
"Heiji, are you feeling better?"
Heiji opened his eyes, feeling tired.
He had gotten back at almost 4 AM. He wasn't exhausted, but he was sleep-deprived.
"It's only 8 AM. Heiji, if you feel bad, let's go to the doctor, okay?" Kazuha sat by the bed, worried.
"It's fine. I slept, I feel much better." Heiji smiled. "Where's Sonoko?"
"Sonoko and Ran are learning to make congee. I came up to see if you were thirsty."
"Good, I'm hungry. You go down, I'll be right there."
"Are you sure?" Kazuha was still worried.
Heiji smiled and gave Kazuha a light kiss. "Go on."
"Hurry up, then."
Kazuha kissed him back and left the room.
"Congratulations, Host, on completing the first task of the chain mission: Steal the real 'Sunflowers'."
The voice in his head made Heiji frown. "System, how many more tasks are in this chain?"
However, the system remained silent.
Downstairs, the three girls were busy in the kitchen.
Tomoko Suzuki and Shiro Suzuki watched Sonoko in shock.
"Honey, do you think Sonoko will cook for us like this in the future?"
Shiro Suzuki smiled bitterly. "I hope so."
Tomoko sighed. "Looks like we need to invite Heiji over for dinner more often."
Ayako Suzuki giggled to herself.
Heiji came downstairs.
"Mr. Suzuki, Mrs. Suzuki, Ayako, good morning."
Heiji walked into the living room and greeted the three of them.
"Good morning, Heiji," Ayako Suzuki smiled.
"Heiji..."
"Heiji, are you feeling better?"
Sonoko came out, saw Heiji, and immediately put down the congee and ran over, looking worried.
"Ahem."
Tomoko Suzuki coughed from the side, making Sonoko blush.
"I... I'll go put the congee in a bowl."
Sonoko, embarrassed, shot her mother a look and ran back.
"Heiji, please sit," Tomoko said, gesturing to the sofa.
Heiji sat down.
"Heiji, last night you said Sonoko is your girlfriend. What about Kazuha?" Tomoko asked seriously.
Heiji smiled faintly. "Kazuha is also my girlfriend."
Instantly, the atmosphere in the living room changed.
Tomoko Suzuki's eyes flashed with a cold light.
Even Shiro and Ayako were looking at him coldly.
But Heiji remained perfectly calm.
Pfft!
Ayako Suzuki suddenly burst out laughing.
"Sorry, Mom. I couldn't help it."
She looked apologetic, but she was still smiling.
Tomoko glared at Ayako, then looked at Heiji. "Heiji, you seem very calm."
Heiji smiled. "When someone is angry, their pupils contract. Yours didn't."
"And Ayako's eyes were full of laughter."
Hearing his deduction, Tomoko glared at Ayako again.
"Sonoko is the heir to the Suzuki family. Does Heiji have anything to say?"
Heiji glanced at Sonoko in the dining room. "Mrs. Suzuki, I love Sonoko, not the Suzuki Corporation."
The three of them looked at Heiji for a long time.
"Hahaha! As expected of Heiji Hattori! No wonder my brother thinks so highly of you."
"Don't worry, we won't interfere in your relationship with Sonoko. But don't you dare hurt her," Shiro said seriously.
Just then, the living room phone rang.
"Hello, Tomoko Suzuki speaking."
"Inspector Megure?" Tomoko frowned. "Heiji? Yes, he's here. I'll get him."
"Thank you, Mrs. Suzuki," Megure said.
"Heiji, it's Inspector Megure."
Heiji's heart stirred. He calmly took the phone. "Hello, Heiji Hattori."
"Heiji, I'm so sorry to bother you while you're sick. But we really need your help."
Megure's voice was full of anxiety.
"Inspector, just tell me," Heiji replied.
"Miwako was kidnapped by the Night Baron. It's been a whole night, and we can't find her."
"Officer Miwako was kidnapped?"
Hearing Heiji's surprised voice, everyone in the living room went quiet.
"Why would the Night Baron kidnap Officer Miwako?"
"We don't know. But he sent a package this morning. It has a note."
"'The beautiful officer has three days to live. After three days, she will be reborn, back at the starting point.'"
"'This little gadget is the clue. We hope you can crack it quickly.'"
Heiji frowned. "That's the riddle?"
"That's the text. And there's a small, bendable wooden stick," Megure explained.
Heiji was silent.
"Heiji? Heiji? Are you still there?"
"I'm thinking about the riddle." Heiji paused. "Inspector, I'll come to the police department in a bit."
"Really? Thank you so much, Heiji!"
Heiji hung up the phone, his expression unchanged.
Writing, directing, and starring in my own show. This mission is a real pain.
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