After telling Kazuha and Sonoko, Heiji drove off immediately.
The pink BMW kicked up a trail of dust as it sped down the road.
Beika Town, 3-chome, 22nd Lane — Haibara Mi's home.
Haibara Mi stood by the bed with tears shimmering in her eyes, looking anxiously at Ai lying there, unmoving.
[What do I do? Ai has been lying there all day—no food, no water, not even a word. What happened?]
She was so worried she felt completely helpless, with no idea how to comfort her own sister.
[Maybe… he can.]
A certain person came to mind. Determination slowly settled in her eyes. She glanced once more at her sister's back—still turned toward her—then left the room.
-
Heiji was driving when his phone suddenly rang. He frowned.
What does Miyano Akemi want with me?
When he heard the voice on the line, a flicker of warmth passed through Haibara Mi's eyes.
"Did I interrupt you?"
Heiji's brow furrowed.
"Your voice sounds strained. What happened?"
Haibara Mi's eyes widened.
"Are you… worried about me?"
There was a brief silence.
"Don't say nonsense. What is it?"
His tone was sharp, but the old coldness wasn't there.
Hearing that, her soft lips curved into a faint, involuntary smile—then it quickly faded as worry returned.
"Shiho… I don't know what's wrong. After she received a call today, she's been lying on the bed the whole time. She won't eat, she won't drink, and she won't talk to me. I'm really worried."
She felt powerless. It was her own sister, yet she couldn't face her with her real identity. The bitterness sat heavy in her chest.
"Shiho is at your place?"
"Yes. But she still won't eat or drink. What should I do?"
Right now, Heiji was the only person she could rely on.
"Gin and Vodka seem to have returned. She may have heard that."
"Gin is back?"
Haibara Mi's face changed instantly; she couldn't help blurting it out.
"That's probably why she's scared," Heiji said. "Don't force her. Give her time—she'll settle in a few days."
"And don't expose any unnecessary tells. During this period, your identity cannot be revealed."
He had originally wanted the sisters to recognize each other sooner, but now it had to be delayed—at least until Gin's reason for appearing in the area was clarified.
Are they suspicious about Kudo Shinichi's death?
Haibara Mi answered softly.
"I understand."
"I have things to handle. I'm hanging up."
She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more.
"Something else?"
Heiji had already entered Beika Town.
"You… be careful."
Haibara Mi hurriedly ended the call, her face flushing.
-
A pink BMW came to a stop at the door.
"Ah—it's Heiji."
Professor Agasa hurried over and opened up.
"Professor Agasa, I'm here to see Ai."
Even though he knew Ai wasn't here, he still had to keep up appearances.
"Ai is at Mi's place," Professor Agasa said.
"Haibara Mi?" Heiji asked, surprised.
"Yes. These past few days she's been staying there. She comes by occasionally to chat with me."
"Thank you, Professor."
-
Haibara Mi's home.
Ai lay wrapped tightly under the covers, eyes squeezed shut, her long lashes trembling—her unease showing through no matter how she tried to hide it.
[Gin tracked his way back here. He definitely found something—maybe he's already questioning whether Kudo's death is real.]
[Am I going to be exposed any moment now? Maybe if I sleep… I'll never wake up again.]
[It doesn't matter if I die. No one would be sad for me.]
[If I die… would he be sad?]
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"May I ask who you're looking for?" Haibara Mi's voice called from the entryway.
After that—nothing.
The house went frighteningly quiet.
Ai's body stiffened. She opened her eyes abruptly.
It's Gin. It has to be him.
"Sis—"
Worry for Haibara Mi surged up. Ai sat up so fast she didn't even put on shoes, then rushed out.
-
Heiji walked slowly to Ai's bedroom door, about to open it—
The door flew open.
A small figure burst out and ran straight into him.
Heiji frowned, shifted to the side, and caught Ai in his arms.
Ai had only registered someone standing there at the last instant—too late to dodge. In a blink, she was already being held.
[I'm going to die.]
That was her first thought—pure, hopeless panic.
"Just as I thought," a familiar voice said, the tone just as familiar. "You really were scared."
Ai's eyes widened. She stared at the face in front of her, disbelief flooding her expression.
"You… why are you here?"
"If I didn't come, how would I know you haven't eaten or drunk anything all day?" Heiji said, sounding annoyed.
"Kudo told you?"
"That idiot Kudo…"
Heiji carried Ai into the room and set her down gently on the bed.
When it came to Kudo Shinichi, he truly didn't know what to say. Kudo knew perfectly well what Haibara feared most, yet he still told her directly. Maybe he meant it as a warning—but it also fed her fear.
Perhaps, in that reasoning fanatic's mind, solving the problem always came first.
Ai lay quietly on the bed, staring at Heiji, fear surfacing again.
"Gin is back."
"So what?"
"He went to Kudo's house to investigate."
"And then?" Heiji's voice stayed calm. "You think he's already suspecting that Kudo turned into Conan?"
"I altered the documentation confirming Kudo's death," Ai said. "And I already betrayed the organization. That means anything that passed through me can't be trusted anymore. Re-investigating Kudo's house is the clearest proof."
"But he only doubts whether Kudo is dead," Heiji replied, "not that you all became smaller."
"It's only a matter of time," Ai said quietly, fear threaded through the words.
Heiji gave a faint smile.
"Mind if I lie down?"
Ai looked at him, then shifted inward a little to make space.
Heiji lay back, staring at the ceiling.
"In the organization, Gin is only an enforcer. If we want real safety, we need to use him as a bridge—dig out more secrets through him. Only then can we gain something like lasting stability."
Ai turned over, her back facing him.
"I want to sleep."
Heiji exhaled softly, a hint of relief in the breath.
She's back to herself.
The mattress shifted slightly.
Heiji was just about to get up when Ai's cool, stubborn voice stopped him.
"You're not allowed to leave."
Heiji paused, then lay back down with resigned patience.
The room fell quiet again.
-
After a long while, the door opened a crack. Haibara Mi peeked in.
"Mr. Heiji, the porridge is ready."
When Heiji arrived, he'd suggested she cook a pot of seafood porridge. By now, it should be done.
"Get up," Heiji said.
Ai opened her eyes, glanced at him, and spoke with a faintly prickly tone.
"I want to change clothes."
Heiji froze—only then noticing she was still in her nightclothes.
He immediately looked away and stood.
"After you change, come out and have some porridge."
Ai pulled the blanket up, her expression tightening with embarrassment.
Heiji closed the door behind him and stepped out.
-
Haibara Mi sat neatly on her knees by the low table. When she saw Heiji, she offered a polite smile.
"Mr. Heiji… thank you very much."
Heiji nodded calmly.
-
Somewhere in Beika Town, in a small shop—
Two men in black sat quietly at the counter. One of them had eyes as sharp as a hawk's.