Stay away from Conan.

"Ah! Let me introduce you. This is our new transfer student, Hondo Eisuke."

In response to Takato's question, Ran naturally introduced Hondou Eisuke's identity to him, and at the same time, introduced Takato to Hondou Eisuke:
"This is Mr. Akechi, who is also a detective."

Thus, this was the first time that Takato and Hondou Eisuke had met face-to-face. After nodding to each other as a formal introduction, Takato had to go to the conference room to meet Inspector Megure and the others, so he naturally couldn't bring Ai along. Since Ran and the others were there, he decided to let Ran look after Ai as well, and then he headed towards the conference room where they had agreed to meet.

Ran naturally agreed, and after gently greeting Ai, she led everyone to the nearest lounge.

Along the way, after being separated from Gao Yuan, Conan and Ai naturally fell behind due to their height difference. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Conan went up to Ai and quietly asked her something—

"You've noticed it too, haven't you? This guy named Hondo Eisuke..."

After all, given how similar he is to Rena Mizunashi in appearance, and considering that Ai Haibara was also involved in the Rena Mizunashi incident, Conan is certain that Ai Haibara must have thought of this as well. Therefore, he naturally wants to know what Ai Haibara thinks of this person.

Ai Haibara paused for a moment, her expression slightly grave, considering how to explain this to Conan—

After all, if this person in front of him is really related to Rena Mizunashi, then since it is known that Rena Mizunashi's true identity is actually an undercover agent of the CIA, then this boy named Eisuke Hondo should also be safe about his identity.

Alternatively, another possibility is that this person's appearance is disguised...

Therefore, given the current situation, Ai couldn't be sure of the actual circumstances. At the same time, Gao Yuan hadn't shown any unusual behavior upon seeing this person, so after a little thought, Ai had an idea.

However, Ai didn't choose to say anything directly to Conan. Instead, she suddenly quickened her pace, came to Hondo Eisuke's side, raised her head, and looked at him with a somewhat undisguised curiosity.

This action clearly caught the attention of Hondo Eisuke. Under Conan's astonished gaze, Hondo Eisuke lowered his head, looking somewhat puzzled, and asked timidly and questioningly:

"Little friend, what's wrong?"

"Big brother, you look just like a TV host!"

Ai took the initiative to ask the question directly.

Therefore, in response to Ai's proactive inquiry, Hondou Eisuke chuckled slightly awkwardly, scratched the back of his head, and said:
"Really? People often say that..."

"Hmm, is it that Mizunashi Rena from before? A lot of my classmates were talking about it when we went to school today."

When Ai asked about it, Ran naturally recounted what happened at school that day. After all, he was a new student who had just transferred, and everyone was indeed curious about him, especially since he had a face similar to the previously famous female host, Rena Mizunashi.

"Could it be that the older brother is related to that female host?"

After Ran finished speaking, Ai didn't stop there. Instead, she followed up by asking the core question, seemingly wanting to see Hondou Eisuke's attitude towards the issue.

Conan, who was watching from the side, was quite surprised. After all, it was already quite amazing that Ai would take the initiative to approach the other person. And wasn't she worried that this person might really be related to the organization?

or……

For a moment, Conan's thoughts faltered, then he remembered Ai's extraordinary ability to sense the presence of Organization members, so...

She dares to do this now because she hasn't sensed any organizational aura from him, which is why she dares to make such a bold attempt.
Conan was half right about this, but at this moment, Ai's reliance also included Takato's reaction just now—

After all, it was a matter concerning Mizunashi Rena, but Takato didn't react at all, or even give any hints. This clearly showed that Takato had no wariness of this person, even though the other party had already made the obviously abnormal move of choosing to come to the Metropolitan Police Department with Kogoro Mouri.

Therefore, given the high probability that the other party's identity was likely legitimate, Ai Haibara chose this method of probing, which could also be seen as a response to Conan's question. In response to Ai Haibara's inquiry, Hondo Eisuke replied with a helpless expression:
"How could that be! I don't know Ms. Rena Mizunashi, who was a very popular TV host before. As for why I look so much like her, it must just be a coincidence, right? Haha..."

"That's true."

In response, Xiaolan couldn't help but speak up:

"You do run into things like that sometimes, like Conan... Didn't the little dragon look a lot like you before?"

"Hehe, yeah..."

Suddenly, after Ran brought up the matter, Conan snapped out of his reverie, which had been focused on observing Hondo Eisuke's reaction, and gave a slightly embarrassed smile as he replied—

Indeed, if that's all there is to it, we can't rule out the possibility that the other person simply looks like Rena Mizunashi, but...

His proactive approach to Uncle Mori is clearly not quite right!

There must be something wrong with him, even if...

Given that it's highly likely he's not connected to the organization...

Thus, given that Ai's tentative question received such an answer, and after observing Hondou Eisuke's expression and reaction, it seemed he wasn't lying, and this action could be considered to have provided some explanation—

"What's certain is that he should have no connection with the organization..."

So, as the group continued to follow Ran to find a place to rest, Ai retreated to Conan's side and gave him the following answer.

"Um...but..."

"Excuse me, do you know where the restroom is?"

As a result, just as Conan was thinking about something and talking to Ai, Hondo Eisuke suddenly said this to Ran, seemingly wanting to go to the toilet.

So, Ran, who was fairly familiar with the layout of the Metropolitan Police Department, prepared to show Hondo Eisuke the location.

But immediately, Conan stopped what he was saying and stepped forward to say:

"I know! I'll take you there! I'm going too!"

Conan gestured for Hondo Eisuke to follow him.

Led by Conan, Hondo Eisuke went with him to the restroom on that floor, while Ran and Ai stayed nearby, waiting for their return.

And so, just as Conan and Eisuke Hondo were about to reach the restroom door, suddenly—

The sound of a phone being pressed on a keypad reached Conan and Hondo Eisuke's ears.

Upon hearing the button click, the expressions of the two who had only intended to use the restroom suddenly changed… (End of Chapter)