Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 240 Approaching Science
Shiraishi also just found out that Ichika's restlessness since the New Year was not due to any other reason, but because... she had violated school rules and worked part-time outside, and her good friend Hinata seemed to be threatened because of it.

Judging from the timing, it does not match the time when strange things started happening in the school, but... it is directly related to the deterioration of the situation!

Because Vice Principal Samejima was away, Ichika told Ikegami Harukai a "slightly changed" version of the story - Ichika picked Hinata out, saying that he was threatened by Yamasugi, and gave the hidden camera he found to Ikegami as well.

But it was after Shiraishi Ichika told him about this that Ikegami Haruai disappeared, and then strange things started happening in the school...

After realizing that Ikegami didn't come to class the next day, Ichika went to ask Hinata again, but she refused to tell him what happened and insisted on keeping it a secret.

Especially when Ichika suggested asking her "big brother who is a police officer" for help, Hinata tried her best to stop her.

Because Hinata had been protected by Ichika all along, he was threatened. Ichika was also worried that Hinata's assistance in the secret filming would be discovered, so he said nothing in a dilemma and behaved even more abnormally, which made Gina worried.

It was not until Ikegami's body was found that Ichigami was completely convinced that Ikegami had been murdered. Only then did Ichigami decide to tell Shiraishi Kuro about it.

Because Sato had just caught up, he also listened to Shiraishi Ikka's story on the way.

The direction of the subsequent interrogation has also been made clear, and the case seems to be coming to an end...

"Xiao Hei, the case will be handed over to Souichi's people. Let's go find the chairman and talk about what happens next." Ayako also thought that it was enough to stop here. They just needed to get some confessions and make Yamasugi Kan'ichi confess his guilt. She was just about to ask the chairman not to pursue the matter of Hinata Ken and Shiraishi Ikka too much.

Although Hinata Ken assisted in the secret filming, but...secret filming is not a recent phenomenon!

The school had discovered cameras before, but the news had not spread. The criminal began to threaten Hinata Ken to cooperate with him only after the school had strengthened its security. Ultimately, it was a problem on the school's side, and there was no problem in leaving the matter of secret filming to the police. However, the school should be the party that pays compensation, rather than further punishing the students who were threatened by the teacher.

But when Bai Shi heard it...

"No, wait a little longer. After Hinata wakes up, I still want to talk to her... Koizumi-san thinks so too, right?" Shiraishi said and looked at Koizumi Akako.

Hongzi was unmoved at this time, and just said: "The murder case has nothing to do with me... But if you want me to guess, I think... it was not Yamasugi Mikio who killed the person."

"Eh?" Ayako was startled when she heard that, and then asked in confusion: "Why? Isn't it already..."

In Ayako's opinion, the case is already complete.

"Offering angel hair and worshipping in the small temple..." Shiraishi gave his reasons at this time: "Let's not talk about whether these things are true or not. At least Mr. Yamasugi believes they are true. A person who firmly believes that all things have spirits would kill people in the small temple, and even tear down the small temple to bury the bodies after killing people?"

Because found together with the body was another stone statue of a small fox, stained with the blood of the deceased - this also proved that the small temple was the first crime scene!

Ayako suddenly thought of something and asked, "Did you guys... already know that there was a body buried under the small temple?"

"I can't say that I knew there was a body from the beginning. It was only after Gina heard that a teacher was missing that I began to suspect there was a body." After Shiraishi finished speaking, Gina looked a little proud.

After hearing Gina mention that a teacher was missing, Shiraishi looked up information online and also asked Hongzi for confirmation...

Regarding the small stone fox statue, according to the structure of the well temple, it should be placed in pairs inside the temple and not exposed.

However, only one was found at the waste dump. It would not be logical to say that it was picked up by someone and only one was picked up. If it was buried by someone, the most likely scenario is that it has become "evidence."

……

Hinata Ken woke up quickly, and Shiraishi Ichika took care of her in the infirmary. Because it was only mild ether poisoning, she was not sent to the hospital.

dong dong dong-

Shiraishi knocked on the door and asked Hinata, "Can we talk alone for a few minutes?"

"Eh? Kuro-sama..." Ichika was still puzzled at this time, why did Kuro-sama suddenly become so presumptuous, and seemed reluctant because he was worried about Hinata.

When Shiraishi saw Hinata nod, he said to Ichika, "It's okay, just a few words, wait for me outside the door."

Ichika had a bad feeling, but Hinata took the initiative and said, "Ichika, I have something to say too... I want to talk to Officer Shiraishi."

After Ichika left, Shiraishi took the initiative to say, "At the Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. Yamasugi has confessed his guilt. He said that he was dissatisfied with being laughed at by his classmates, so he came up with the idea of ​​selling secretly filmed videos online, and... Later, when Ikegami Haru came to stop him, he accidentally killed Ikegami during the dispute."

Hinata was lying on the bed at this time, clenching her hands, and said nothing...

"If you were threatened because of Ichika, I believe you are a brave child. If you were the only one who was discovered working part-time, you should have the courage to reveal his true identity. However, because of Ichika who I introduced, I..." Shiraishi continued at this time, seemingly talking about something unrelated.

"How do you know I have the courage!" Hinata suddenly interrupted excitedly.

"Because you didn't let Ichika get hurt until the end." Shiraishi said as a matter of course.

Hinata suddenly fell silent, and finally...

"Officer Shiraishi, can you take me to... the Metropolitan Police Department? I have something else... I want to say about the case." Hinata finally said with relief.

"Of course." Bai Shi nodded.

……

In the Metropolitan Police Department's interrogation room, Yamasugi Kan'o was confessing his crime to Megure, but at this moment...

dong dong dong-

"Hmm?" Megure turned around and found that it was Takagi who said with a face full of embarrassment: "Inspector Megure, can you come out for a moment?"

"What's wrong?" Megure said as he stood up.

He also knew that if it wasn't something important, Takagi wouldn't interrupt him at this time.

After coming out, Megure saw Shiraishi and the girl who had been kidnapped before were also outside.

"Brother Shiraishi, what are you doing..." Megure still didn't understand.

At this time, Hinata bowed down and said, "I am really... so sorry! Actually... I was the one who had a conflict with Chi Shen and accidentally pushed him down. Teacher Yamasugi lied to protect me!"

"Eh? What did you say? Mikio Yamasugi was not threatening you..." Megure was completely confused about the situation at this time.

Shiraishi saw Hinata in trouble, so he took the initiative to explain for her: "No, in fact, from the beginning, it was Ikegami Harukai who discovered that Hinata and Ichika were working outside and threatened Hinata. It was later that Mr. Yamasugi found out about this, so he went to stop Ikegami for Hinata.

"Ichika also misunderstood the incident and identified Yamasugi as the culprit. She informed Ikegami Harukai. Ikegami knew of her misunderstanding, but was also worried that Ichika would report it, so she asked Hinata to meet at the temple and threatened Hinata, simply putting the blame on Yamasugi and Ichika.

"Because Hinata refused, Chi Shen stepped forward and had a physical fight with Hinata. During the fight, he accidentally fell backwards and landed on the temple. Not only did he crush the temple, but the back of his head also landed on the tip of the fox statue's ear...

“Teacher Yamasugi, who was in the biology laboratory at the time and saw this, immediately rushed over and assisted Hinata-san in burying the body.

"After that, due to our arrival, Mr. Shanshan began to get nervous. Not only did he follow our investigation, but... after the witch announced the existence of the [Fox Demon], he began to act like he was possessed, hoping to divert our attention from Chi Shen's disappearance.

"When Ikegami's body was found, he even pretended to kidnap Hinata, wanting to take the blame for Hinata... In addition, Ikegami's computer and cell phone were also hidden in Yamasugi's house. If we get them, there will be sufficient evidence to prove the previous threats."

Shiraishi then explained all of Yamasugi-sensei's actions, and Hinata had confessed to him on the way here.

"To think that such a thing would happen..." Megure looked at Hinata helplessly, and then said seriously: "Hinata-san, if you...had called the police at the beginning, none of this would have happened!"

"I'm sorry, I..." Hinata said apologetically.

"After all, this is Nadeshiko Girls' High School. If she calls the police directly, she and Ichika will definitely be expelled. They will not be able to graduate or continue their studies, and the lives of herself and her best friend will be on completely different tracks." Shiraishi could understand.

When it comes to your own life, it is difficult to make rational judgments, which will only increase the sunk costs...

"Police Shiraishi, be careful!" Megure gave him a sidelong glance, and Shiraishi didn't say anything else.

"Um...can I say a few words to Mr. Yamasugi? I've caused him a lot of trouble before..." Hinata said hesitantly.

After hesitating for a moment, Megure said, "Okay, but our police officers must be present." He basically believed what Shiraishi had said before about the crime process, but in principle, he still had to avoid the two people involved in the case from colluding in their testimonies!
When Yamasugi Mikio saw Hinata come in, he was obviously anxious, but he still said with a stiff upper lip: "Huh? Isn't this the Hinata who secretly informed on us? If you hadn't told that Chi Shen guy, he wouldn't have..."

"Teacher Yamasugi! Stop talking. I have... decided to turn myself in." Hinata said firmly.

"Huh? You're confessing to secretly installing surveillance cameras? Does that mean it wasn't my order..." Shanshan tried to change the subject while making frantic glances.

Shiraishi interrupted and said, "Teacher Yamasugi, your determination to protect your students is indeed admirable, but as a teacher... you should use this lesson to teach the children 'honesty' and 'responsibility'!"

Shan Shan was stunned when he heard this, then he pounded the table in the interrogation room unwillingly and bent over it, but he didn't make any more excuses...

After Shiraishi left the Metropolitan Police Department and got in the car, Gina immediately asked, "Where's Hinata? Has she been locked up? How long will she be in jail?"

"You talk as if you've never been to the police station... How can you go to jail so soon? Then you go to the detention center and wait for the court session!" Bai Shi rolled his eyes.

"Really...it's all you who insists on investigating these things!" Gina said angrily.

It was as if the person who had been "lurking" with great enthusiasm before was not her.

"You knew all this a long time ago, right? Why didn't you destroy the body earlier..." Gina was feeling upset in the back seat.

Shiraishi rolled his eyes and said, "I'm sorry, I'm a police officer."

Ayako comforted Gina in the passenger seat, "Don't worry, Suzuki's legal aid department will help Hinata and Yamasugi. Hinata is only eighteen years old and was threatened before. If it is determined to be manslaughter in self-defense, he should be able to get a suspended sentence."

"What about Mr. Shanshan? He didn't do anything..." Gina was still unwilling to accept it.

"Illegal disposal of corpses... But the prosecutors may decide not to prosecute, but considering Fuzi Gao's level of mysophobia, he will definitely be out of work."

Shiraishi had just been in the Metropolitan Police Department, and he did not hesitate to show sympathy for the suspects Hinata Ken and Yamasugi Kan'ichi. However, in front of Gina, Shiraishi still had to emphasize the majesty of the law and... the importance of not increasing one's sunk costs in front of the law!
After all, Gina has always been walking on the edge of the law, crossing the line from time to time. Bai Shi can no longer show sympathy for lawbreakers in front of her, otherwise she will get into more trouble...

"Don't worry, there will definitely be schools that will hire teachers like Mr. Yamasugi regardless of their background." Ayako said confidently.

She is indeed qualified to swear...

This is not a prediction or expectation, but the Suzuki family really has an education group!

After hearing what Ayako said, Gina was finally calmed down, and her behavior was completely different from the way she came here - now she disliked Shiraishi in every way, and instead looked at Ayako with kindness.

"Hey... Big guy, when did you know that Teacher Shanshan was not the murderer?" Gina asked curiously.

“I wasn’t the murderer or anything like that until the end, but…didn’t we find Shanshan peeping when we first checked the ruins of the small temple?

"At that time, I almost began to suspect that he and Hinata were 'accomplices' in private... After all, my description at the time was very specific, and later when the teachers and students gathered, I did not see any other teachers who could be confused with Yamasugi Mikio...

"However, Hinata said at the time that she couldn't remember who I described. It was not until I drew the portrait and it was irrefutable that she revealed his identity. It is obvious that she deliberately protected Yamasugi Mikio."

"But at that time I wasn't sure if they were a 'gang' or had any other relationship, so I didn't make it public...

"It wasn't until the threat to install hidden cameras surfaced that I realized Ichika must have misunderstood something," Shiraishi said honestly.

Shiraishi was not a prophet, and he did not know the truth from the beginning. He just saw from the beginning that the two were in the "same camp."

"By the way! What happened to the mass coma? Is there no more [fox demon] incident? That witch classmate just left without further explanation..." Ayako hurriedly confirmed with Shiraishi - there is some "important business" here!

"Oh, the reason for the mass coma... is methane." Shiraishi continued as a matter of course.

"Methane?" Ayako was stunned when she heard that.

"That's right. Just seal the wellhead. Under the right conditions, methane will be produced in the well. Then, perhaps there is a connection underground or with the pipes in the dance studio, and the thin methane will occasionally leak in. It won't be enough to cause an explosion or a more dangerous poisoning reaction, but it will cause students who are exercising to fall into a coma due to methane poisoning."

Bai Shi paused and continued, "In fact, the reason why there is the custom of well temples is that ancient ancestors found a way to prevent and treat this kind of phenomenon. However, they did not know about methane and thought it was caused by ghosts and gods."

"I see... So you and that... Koizumi-san, knew about this right from the beginning?" Ayako finally understood.

"That's about right... When I saw that bamboo tube, I realized there was a well there before, and I guessed the general reason, but Koizumi-san was there earlier. I guess... As a professional witch, she already had a plan in mind for the mass coma when she was found. There are only a few possible scenarios!

“Then I checked the old map of the place where the incident occurred and saw a well on the old map. Then I went to the city hall to check the layout of the pipes… I think she already knew the reason before she got to the school.”

That's right, Shiraishi suspected that the experienced Koizumi Hongzi went to school with the answer...

So when she was in the dance studio, she pointed out the direction of the small temple immediately.

If Shiraishi had not discovered the possibility of a more serious crime and therefore used metaphysical rhetoric and tactics to confuse the enemy, Koizumi Akako would have explained it as "a fox demon's mischief" and rebuilt a temple and installed ventilation ducts, and the "collective coma" and "fox calls" would have naturally disappeared!
"If there's a pipeline passing through and methane is leaking into it...ah! Is that why someone can hear the fox's cry?" Ayako finally understood at this point.

"Well, the key is this 'fox cry'. Actually... most people don't associate the 'woohoo' sound with a fox, right? Even if they are scared, they should think of crying or something like that.

"And I asked Mr. Koizumi about the structure of the temple. Before it was destroyed, the fox statue was inside. In other words, unless someone demolished the temple and saw the statue, they would not think it was a 'fox cry.' The person who first said it was a 'fox cry' should know something."

Shiraishi had asked Gina to find out about this matter first, but it turned out that it was Shiraishi Ichika and Hinata Ken who said this first. At that time, Shiraishi was not sure which of them had seen the fox statue...

When Gina mentioned that a teacher was missing, Shiraishi immediately realized that there might be a body hidden in the well - although there doesn't have to be a body for methane to be produced, the conditions for the reaction would indeed be more perfect.

What Shiraishi did afterwards was actually to let Koizumi Hongzi "play tricks" while he observed from the beginning...

After all, this is not a team effort, and Shiraishi doesn't have that many detectives to call upon, so he needs to create confusion to make the criminal reveal his tracks.

Yamasugi was really anxious. After Hongzi said "fox is causing trouble", he immediately started pretending to be possessed. He must have made up his mind at that time - if possible, it would be best to use the "supernatural" excuse to fool people, but if not... he was also ready to take the blame for Hinata!
Being suddenly knocked unconscious by Yamasugi with ether was also beyond Hinata's expectations. On the question of whether to surrender, Hinata hesitated...

Because Hinata is still a student, and even in the East Island Country, she is not yet an adult, so Shiraishi did not press her like he did with other criminals. Instead, he gave her the opportunity to speak out on her own instead of being forced to confess.

As far as the case is concerned, there is no difference between the two, but as far as personal growth is concerned, there is an essential difference between the two!
This may determine whether there will be one more shameless repeat offender, a destroyer of society, or one more upright and kind citizen...

"Teacher Yamasugi is such an admirable teacher!" Ayako exclaimed.

"Yeah." Bai Shi nodded, and at the same time thought of his "Angel Hair", which is... "Courage Dandelion".

According to the records of the Red Magic inheritance, what the "Dandelion of Courage" will bring to the provider is not [luck], but [courage].

Perhaps this is the last thing that Yamasugi Kan'o lacks in being an "admirable teacher".

It wasn't the "Dandelion of Courage" that made him do this, but... it was the "courage" that gave him the motivation to carry out "what he believed was right".

"By the way! You have helped Gina investigate Ichika's matter...now you have to deal with what you promised me, right?" Ayako suddenly said.

"Eh?" Bai Shi was stunned when he heard that - I promised you... Didn't you also say this was the case?

"That's right, big guy, you can't do two things at once, right?" Gina immediately echoed from behind... and suddenly formed a united front with Ayako!
"What two things? I haven't promised you anything..." Bai Shi complained to Gina.

"But I will remember your favor!" Gina said confidently.

Shiraishi:……

Thank you so much!

"Let me think... this weekend! This weekend, I have a party with my old college club friends, you can accompany me!" Ayako said with long-planned intention.

"Well... okay." After hearing what Ayako said, Shiraishi knew that she was just inviting him to take advantage of the situation - after all, he had not participated in her gatherings with her friends before - so he agreed.

Gina in the back seat was a little jealous again: "Eh? Is that the case? Sister Ayako, how about I go with you and ask him to drink water while standing upside down..."

(End of this chapter)