Everything is going according to plan.
Hayashi Yoshiki is monitoring various information about Schindler Inc, while also staying alert to the task force's response to the increasingly frequent accidental murders.
At the same time, he is apparently still working on the follow-up work of the "Kinda Series."
According to Hayashi Yoshiki's expectations, Odagiri Toshio might begin to suspect whether there's a traitor in the task force.
However, the other party has made no move so far.
"Okay, tell me about it."
In a random coffee shop parking lot, inside the car, Hayashi Yoshiki said to Conan, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
Conan was holding a cup of iced coffee in his hand.
He had met with Hayashi Yoshiki today mainly to talk about the Black Organization.
He didn't intend to ask for help investigating the organization—he only wanted to know whether the accidental killer was truly connected to them.
However, when he expected an answer…
The response he got was unclear.
"The task force has been set up until now, and we don't even know what the other party's shadow looks like."
"So far, the other party has committed dozens of crimes, but no clues can be found from the victims' trajectory before their death or anything else."
"It seems like it's just a pure coincidence."
"…"
Conan was struck by how calm Hayashi Yoshiki's voice sounded.
This kind of killer—one that leaves no trace—shouldn't exist. He wanted to ask if maybe something was being overlooked…
But considering who he was talking to—Hayashi Yoshiki—if even he hadn't found anything, there was little chance something had been missed.
"So, what is the task force going to do now?"
"Continue to follow up the investigation until the other party shows negligence and exposes flaws."
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't look at Conan.
"The task force will handle the murderer. You don't need to worry about unnecessary things… Compared to this, I hope you can play the role of a primary school student well."
"... I'll pay attention."
"Remember to remind Ai, but don't tell her it was my idea."
"You found out that Haibara is also...?"
"Have you forgotten who picked her up?"
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled as he said this:
"On such a cold, rainy day, she was wandering alone on the street wearing a white coat that didn't fit her at all... and that cold attitude that didn't seem like a little girl."
"Isn't it that Haibara isn't cold to you?"
"Anyway, just remember to remind her."
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't have much more to say. Seeing that the time was almost up, he sent Conan back to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Conan got out of the car and watched the white sedan drive away.
He felt like he had gained nothing, and his heart grew heavier.
Hayashi Yoshiki drove back to his apartment.
He was getting ready to pack up—for a date tonight.
A hand with purple nail polish steadied the bottom of a goblet, gently swirling the red wine inside.
Under the night sky, in a restaurant on the top floor of a high-rise building, Vermouth looked at the man sitting across from her, a smile playing on her bright face.
"It's not easy to find a restaurant like this that I like after returning to Japan."
"The taste of this restaurant is also a very pleasant inclusion for me."
Hayashi Yoshiki put down his cutlery and responded softly:
"Thanks to Miss Vermouth."
"It's weird to add a nickname after the code name."
The woman with the elegant smile took a sip of red wine. Her slender neck, slightly raised, looked even whiter and more beautiful against the neckline of her red dress.
"After all, I owe Miss Vermouth a favor, so I have to be respectful."
"So you mind if I become your creditor?"
"Not that I mind."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled:
"After all, owing favors is also a way to build closer relationships."
"...You are really honest."
Vermouth laughed silently.
"This is a pragmatic experience. I've always been very purposeful."
"Then maybe we're the same kind of people."
"You can vaguely see it."
Hayashi Yoshiki said it as if it were natural.
Vermouth didn't mind.
In fact, both parties knew exactly what kind of people they were. It would be ridiculous to pretend otherwise.
At that moment, a waiter appeared with a food cart.
"Here are your desserts."
The waiter stood by the table, lit the gas stove, and began preparing the final presentation.
It seemed to be a muffin-type dessert.
The sauce in the frying pan boiled thickly. The waiter flipped the pancakes, poured the sauce over them…
Then, as the final touch, he picked up a wine glass.
"Finally, pour in the Cointreau."
The wine splashed into the pan—
Flames ignited immediately.
"The wine burns."
The flickering fire danced in Vermouth's eyes.
"This is a cooking method that uses fire to remove the alcohol in the wine, giving the ingredients the aroma of the wine. It leaves no trace while allowing the aroma to penetrate the dish."
"...So you chose this dessert specially?"
"Cointreau is a wine very popular among women."
Once the dessert was served and the waiter left, Vermouth's gaze returned to Hayashi Yoshiki.
"However, no matter how charming the aroma, it doesn't change the nature of liquor. Even if an inexperienced girl is attracted by the fragrance and the orange flavor... once she tastes the bitterness of the wine, she'll likely back away."
"I get the feeling there's some deeper meaning in your words."
"There is."
Vermouth's hand touched her wine glass. Her expression softened, the tipsy glow in her eyes growing warmer.
"After all, there are only a relatively small number of women who truly understand wine."
"Like Chianti?"
"…"
That one name instantly broke Vermouth's calm.
Chianti...
That woman, who sometimes drank beer and red wine while swearing, did know her alcohol.
Seeing Hayashi Yoshiki's amused smile, Vermouth knew he was hard to deal with.
She stopped pretending and downed the rest of her wine gracefully.
Hayashi Yoshiki checked the time on his watch.
"You've been looking at your watch all night. What's going on?"
"You noticed?"
He smiled:
"It's not a big deal... just that I feel uncomfortable when a girl makes all the arrangements for a date."
"You really are a habitual offender when it comes to dating."
"So, would you be curious about a habitual offender's next move?"
"I suppose I would."
"That's great."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled very happily.