Stay away from Conan.

Gao Yuan certainly knew who the psychologist brought by Officer Shiratori was. After all, through his investigation over the past two days, Gao Yuan had found the real-world counterpart of the murderer in the original work based on his basic impressions of the plot. Therefore, when Gao Yuan saw Officer Shiratori appear with Kazato Kyosuke, he knew that the scene was something that happened in the original work.

However, Gao Yuan couldn't pretend to know the other party at this moment, hence the question.

In response, Officer Shiratori naturally introduced Kazato Kyosuke to Takato again, and then Officer Shiratori also introduced Takato's identity to Kazato Kyosuke. After that, Takato and Kazato Kyosuke shook hands to acknowledge each other.

After this "natural" introduction to Kyosuke Kazato, Takato shifted the conversation back to Inspector Shiratori, seemingly wanting to continue the previous topic, and thus remarked:

"Does Officer Shiratori still care about Officer Sato?"

It was somewhat unexpected that Gao Yuan would point this out so bluntly in this setting, which made the people present turn their heads slightly, wondering if the atmosphere of the conversation had become a bit awkward after he said that.

As for this, Ai couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity, recalling several times before when Gao Yuan had done the same thing, and on those occasions, Gao Yuan had spoken frankly, seemingly concerning the core of the matter—

For example, the time when the Matsumoto manager's daughter got married, and the time when the Morizono family got married...

So, is it the same this time?
The reason why Gao Yuan specifically talked to Officer Shiratori about this kind of thing is because the key to this attack and shooting of the police lies with Officer Shiratori.
Without realizing it, Ai looked up at Officer Shiratori with a puzzled expression, completely unable to understand what the connection might be.
Therefore, it seems we can only wait and see what Gao Yuan will say next.

Faced with Gao Yuan's direct greeting, Officer Shiratori, though genuinely unsure how to respond in this situation, maintained his composure and didn't show any displeasure. He simply replied with a mixture of resignation and helplessness:
"That's undeniable. All I can say is that I won't give up yet."

"Even after the previous incidents, and the bet? And now that Officer Sato and Officer Takagi seem to be getting closer?"

Furthermore, Gao Yuan did not stop there; instead, he delved deeper into the issue.

Seeing this, the onlookers, who had initially felt that Gao Yuan's direct questioning of Officer Shiratori was somewhat impolite given the occasion, now seemed even more eager to hear Officer Shiratori's response, as things had already reached this point.

After all, when it comes to this kind of emotional issue, those who know a little about the inside story can't help but be curious about it.

Therefore, unconsciously, everyone present was somewhat expecting Takato to get to the bottom of this issue with Officer Shiratori.

Faced with this situation, Officer Shiratori, the person involved, remained silent for a moment, but finally spoke frankly:

"How could I give up so easily? After all, that person changed my life..."

"The one destined for you."

Under Gao Yuan's relentless questioning, Officer Shiratori finally revealed to the group the source of his affection for Sato Miwako.

When the people present heard this real reason, Ran, Sonoko, Ai, and Conan couldn't help but show a hint of curiosity, as if they had finally heard something incredible. Even Kogoro Mouri, standing to the side, asked with some doubt:
"Destined?"

It seemed that these words, coming from Officer Shiratori's mouth, sounded like a child telling a fairy tale, which Kogoro Mouri found somewhat hard to believe. Seeing that things had come to this point, Officer Shiratori glanced around to make sure no other officers were nearby, and then simply explained the situation clearly—

"That's right, that was when I was in elementary school, I was picking out reference books in the bookstore..."

Then, Officer Shiratori recounted an incident from his childhood when he was choosing books at a bookstore and met that girl.

Of course, Officer Shiratori saw a little girl who, when faced with a group of hooligans who looked like high school students, were trying to steal books from the store by hiding them on their person. This was clearly theft. The girl bravely stood up, rebuked their behavior, and even tried to stop them from leaving, only to be bullied by them instead.

After that, Shiratori, who had also witnessed the incident, stepped forward and, by reciting legal provisions, bought time, attracting other customers and staff who had come to check the situation after hearing the commotion.

Faced with this situation, the group had no choice but to back down. They took out the book, gave a perfunctory explanation of what had happened, and then fled the bookstore.

Finally, as Shiratori left the bookstore and got into the butler's car to leave, the little girl chased after him and gave him a drink as a thank you. On the drink was a cherry blossom wreath she had made from the wrapper of a straw.

"At that time, she told me that cherry blossoms are a symbol of courage..."

As he recounted the past, Officer Shiratori seemed to have returned to the scene from back then, vividly reminiscing about the past.

Upon hearing this, Ran and Sonoko both showed surprise and delight, thinking that this experience was simply amazing. Just as they were about to say something, Conan couldn't help but ask:

"But cherry blossoms don't seem to have that kind of flower meaning, do they?"

Sonoko was a little annoyed to be interrupted by Conan, so she looked down at him with a bit of displeasure.

But Officer Shiratori's expression grew even more nostalgic as he continued, in response to those words:
"Yes...but that's what she said back then—"

"Don't all police officers wear cherry blossoms? They're the flower of justice—strong, kind, and super cool!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaolan couldn't help but say with understanding:
"So, Officer Shiratori, that's why you chose to become a police officer, right?"

"Yes, so when I reunited with her in the First Investigation Division, I was certain that fate had brought us together..."

After Officer Shiratori finished speaking, his expression couldn't help but show a hint of helplessness—

"But until Takagi appeared..." (End of Chapter)