Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 246 Bandage!

Saturday, April 1.

On the mountain road of Okutama, Shiraishi was driving his QX56, with Ayako sitting in the passenger seat and Sonoko sitting in the back seat. They were on their way to the Suzuki family's secluded holiday villa in the mountains.

Seeing that Sonoko even took out a small foundation mirror and looked like she was going to touch up her makeup, Shiraishi said coldly, "Sonoko, you're going to be a sophomore in high school soon, right? How are your grades?"

"Um, brother-in-law, it's rare that I'm so happy today, don't say something that will spoil the fun!" Yuanzi immediately pouted.

Soon after, Sonoko asked Ayako, who was sitting in the passenger seat, with great interest: "Sister, there must be a lot of handsome guys in your film club, right?"

"Eh? It's okay." Ayako said helplessly.

"Really? Don't be embarrassed! I know you have a brother-in-law... And it just so happens that I have an appointment with Xiaolan today. Hehe, I'll see if that cocky detective will be anxious by then, hahaha..." Sonoko suddenly laughed strangely.

Shiraishi, Ayako:......

"Is this what handsome guys are used for?" Bai Shi couldn't help but roll his eyes.

……

Soon, under Ayako's guidance, Shiraishi drove the car to a rift valley...

Now Shiraishi finally understood why Ayako said that navigation was not possible!

Because the villa is on the high ground opposite the rift valley, if you want to navigate directly to the villa, you have to go around a long circle in the mountains. But if you drive here, you just need to walk across the suspension bridge across the rift valley.

but……

When he came to the suspension bridge, Bai Shi suddenly had an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.

"Sonoko, Xiaolan won't bring Conan with her, right?" Shiraishi suddenly asked while looking at the suspension bridge.

"Huh? That shouldn't be the case? I told her that I would introduce a handsome guy to her!" Yuanzi was stunned when she heard this and didn't understand why her brother-in-law asked this.

Shiraishi:……

When Shiraishi heard that Xiaolan was coming, he felt a little nervous, but he still thought about it - there was a possibility that Xiaolan would come alone, and Conan would stay at home with his father-in-law. At most, it would be a "fire in the backyard" of Beika Town. However, he was already here, and it was impossible for him to go back to work overtime. The Criminal Division just needed to work harder...

But when I heard that Sonoko had told Xiaolan that she would introduce a handsome guy...

How could this rice flower vinegar king not follow?

"You two should be careful when you leave." Bai Shi reminded sullenly.

As we all know, if a suspension bridge appears with Conan, it will most likely break within one episode, so cherish it while you can...

"Brother-in-law, please be careful when you walk." Yuanzi looked at the suspension bridge, then at Bai Shi, and then begged.

"Sonoko!" Ayako interrupted her complaints about her brother-in-law's body shape.

Shiraishi is actually only the weight of two people, and the suspension bridge can definitely bear it...

Because it was the Suzuki family's villa, Ayako was the first to arrive - otherwise no one else could get in!
"Xiao Hei, you've been driving all the way, go and take a rest first. Sonoko, help me distribute the mattresses to the guest rooms." After Ayako came in, she started to get busy.

Although it is not impossible to hire someone to do it, but...

Ayako feels that the villa vacation is more enjoyable if you do it yourself.

……

dong dong dong-

Soon after, there was a knock on the door.

"Ayako, are we there yet?"

Shiraishi, who was lying on the sofa in the living room, walked forward and opened the door.

A long-haired young man outside the door had a somewhat frivolous look on his face, wondering if Ayako would be impressed by him after not seeing her for two years. But...

click-

Ota Masaru saw...

The door of the villa was clearly a double-door, but at the moment it was filled with a huge body, and... there was no head!
The next moment, Bai Shi lowered his head...

To Ota Katsushi, it was just a huge head that was lowered from the top of the door frame and leaning towards him!
"Um, um... I seem to have taken the wrong path... hehe..." Ota said in a low voice.

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave, but Bai Shi grabbed the strap of his backpack with one finger, and he immediately stood still.

"Did you call Ayako? That shouldn't be the case..." Shiraishi was about to say that you came to the right place.

Just then, Ayako came down from upstairs and greeted her when she heard the voice: "Is that Asheng?"

Ota Katsu heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Ayako's voice and quickly shouted, "Yes, it's me!"

Bai Shi opened the door and let him in...

When Ota Katsu passed by Shiraishi, he nodded and bowed, and unconsciously stepped aside.

"Aya... Suzuki-san, this is your boyfriend, right? I've heard of him for a long time." Asheng said politely.

"Really? We haven't seen each other for just two years. Why are you so distant?" Ayako smiled at the long-haired boy.

"Ha...haha, yes, I haven't seen you for two years. It's been a while since I last greeted you." Ah Sheng was afraid that Ayako's boyfriend would mistakenly think that he and Ayako were very familiar with each other.

"Really? Are you memorizing your lines? Shiraishi, this is Masaru Ota. He used to be the male lead in our film club. He was very popular among the girls when we were in school." Ayako introduced Shiraishi.

“No, no, no, it’s not very popular either…” Ah Sheng shook his head repeatedly.

At this time, another person arrived. Seeing that the door of the villa was open, he walked in by himself: "It seems that I am not the first... um... this is Officer Shiraishi, right? Hello..."

Bai Shi turned his head and saw that although the little fat boy was a little surprised when he saw him, he was obviously much calmer than the long-haired man.

"Ryoichi is here too... Eh? It's Ryoichi, right? You've been... too comfortable these past two years, haven't you?" Ayako joked.

"Hahaha, yes...this is your boyfriend, Ayako, right?" the fat man asked Shiraishi.

When Ayako was in school, she and Shiraishi were already in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. However, in the past two years when they went their separate ways, she and Shiraishi have broken up.

Therefore, even though Shiraishi didn't interact much with Ayako's friends before, they all knew "Shiraishi Kuro" and were not surprised that he was with Ayako now.

only……

They didn't know too much about Shiraishi Kuro, they only knew that he was a police officer - after all, Shiraishi was a vanguard in the Organized Crime Countermeasures Department. Although he was not like the undercover special agents in the Security Department or the Public Security Department who could not reveal their identities at all, he was also a type of police officer who could not be too conspicuous in daily life, otherwise it would be dangerous.

They didn't even know Suzuki Ayako's identity. They just knew that Ayako's family had some money, and the current vacation villa was evidence of that. As for what Ayako's family did, they didn't know either.

After all, how could they possibly know something that even Bai Shi didn't know back then...

"This is Ryoichi Takahashi, who is in charge of props in the club. He wasn't this fat two years ago and he's very popular!" Ayako introduced him to Shiraishi.

"Hello." Bai Shi shook hands with both of them.

only……

Shiraishi glanced at Takahashi Ryoichi in confusion...

Judging from the feel, his body fat percentage is not as high as it looks!
Could it be that he is sick?

Usually, people look like this after gaining weight and then losing weight drastically.

Since Bai Shi was not familiar with the other party, he did not speak immediately, but thought that he could remind him indirectly later.

……

"Remember your room, right? Go upstairs and put your things there first. Hiroki and Chikako should be here soon... Sonoko's friends will be coming over soon." Ayako said to the two of them.

"Thank you for the treat." Takahashi said with a smile, looking in a good mood.

Among Ayako's classmates, the last to arrive were a man and a woman... could they be considered a couple?

The man has a square face and looks like a warm-hearted guy, while the woman has short hair and seems very arrogant and difficult to get along with.

"Hiroki, Chikako, we're waiting for you..."

Ayako then introduced this couple to Shiraishi - Hiroki Kakutani, who used to be in charge of videography in the club, and screenwriter and director Chikako Ikeda.

Shiraishi wasn't sure if they were a couple, or maybe only the guy felt like they were a couple. Anyway, it was like a dog licking...

Thinking about the suspension bridge outside and Conan who might be in place at any time, Shiraishi was a little worried about them for a moment - it felt like they were a group that could "commit a crime" at any time.

especially……

Just as Shiraishi and Hiroki Kadaya were shaking hands and saying hello, Chikako Ikeda suddenly said, "I'm so tired, Ayako, is my room ready?"

"Yes, it's still the same room as before." Ayako nodded.

After hearing this, Ikeda went straight upstairs without caring about his luggage, giving people a rather arrogant feeling.

After all four of them went upstairs, Shiraishi asked Ayako, "In the club, these are the only four people you have a good relationship with? Do they have any conflicts?"

"Originally there were five, but Atsuko..." Ayako felt a little depressed when she heard that.

But at this moment, Sonoko brought Xiaolan... and Conan in!
Seeing Ayako, Xiaolan said a little embarrassedly: "Sister Ayako, I'm sorry, it's obviously your class reunion, I'm sorry to bother you."

She came here because Sonoko pestered her so much, and because of Sonoko's reputation, she felt embarrassed to come alone, so she insisted that Xiaolan accompany her...

"No, no, it's more lively when there are more people!" Ayako seemed very easy to talk to.

"Really? Why did you bring this little burden with you? I was planning to introduce you to a handsome guy!" Sonoko complained while squeezing towards Conan.

"Handsome guy or something..." Xiaolan felt helpless.

"Huh? Did Xiaolan break up with that little detective?" Shiraishi asked deliberately.

"Break up...No! We are just childhood sweethearts..." Xiaolan blushed immediately.

Conan looked at Shiraishi with an expression that said "you are such a gossip" and then suddenly remembered something and asked innocently, "Shiraishi-san! Didn't the long-haired sister from yesterday come with us today?"

"Conan..." Xiaolan pulled him nervously.

"The sister with long hair?" Sonoko looked at her brother-in-law in disbelief.

"Hmm? Are you talking about Hongzi?" Shiraishi asked calmly. "Oh, right! Hongzi's house is nearby, right? Should we ask her to come along?" Ayako asked.

"Forget it, she definitely doesn't like this kind of occasion, and she has to help me make that dress today." Bai Shi shook his head.

Sonoko, Ran, Conan: ???

Hongzi's house is not "not far away". Although the straight-line distance is not far, this is Okutama, and the mountain road is winding. Unless Hongzi flies over on a broom, it is not far...

Sonoko and Xiaolan were wondering what the relationship was between this "Koizumi Akane" and Shiraishi?
Why are you still making clothes for Bai Shi?

How come Sister Ayako isn’t surprised at all?

Don’t be too outrageous, okay!

As for Conan...

"Ran, look at Conan. He must be thinking about asking my brother-in-law for advice... He looks like a little scumbag!" Sonoko complained to Ran sharply.

Conan:! ! !
"Sister Sonoko, what are you talking about?" Conan decisively chose to get away with it, but Sonoko still looked at him suspiciously.

"By the way! Sister Ayako, is there any guest with a bandage on his head?" Conan quickly took the opportunity to change the subject.

"Huh?" Bai Shi immediately stopped laughing when he heard that.

"Bandage? No, no one is injured." Ayako looked at Conan in confusion.

"Kid, what are you talking about?" Sonoko looked at Conan questioningly.

At this time, Xiaolan interrupted and said, "Just now, Conan and I did see a strange man with bandages wrapped around his face at the suspension bridge...but he might be someone who lives nearby." Xiaolan's expression was a little forced. After all, she was very sensitive to horror elements.

"Suspension bridge? That's unlikely... There are only a few villas on this side of the suspension bridge, and the others should be empty now. As for the more houses, we have to climb over the mountain behind to see them." Ayako also showed some doubts at this time.

It's not that the "bandage" is suspicious, but...

No one else should pass by this side of the suspension bridge!

Bai Shi's expression had become completely solemn.

If when he saw the suspension bridge just now, Shiraishi just thought that this kind of excellent "Snowstorm Villa"-type location would probably trigger a special reaction once Conan entered... then now, when Xiaolan mentioned "bandages" or something, Shiraishi clearly remembered the term "bandage monster"!

After all, when it comes to "impressive" cases, the "Bandage Monster Case" is definitely one of them.

Shiraishi had long forgotten that the "Bandage Monster Case" was related to Ayako. After all, when watching "Detective Conan", Shiraishi had no impression of Ayako.

However, when it comes to "bandage", coupled with the special environment here, Bai Shi immediately thought of it.

Bai Shi no longer remembers the specific techniques and process.

only……

Killing and scaring people is certain!
"Huh? Xiao Hei, what's wrong?" Ayako asked in a low voice when she saw his serious expression.

"Nothing...By the way, what about what you just said about the club and a classmate who I have a good relationship with?" Bai Shi quickly asked about the whole story.

really!

The classmate who didn't come, Atsuko Tokumoto, committed suicide two years ago...

Bai Shi looked at his phone - there was no signal. After all, even a proper village like Dong Ao Sui Village didn't have complete wireless coverage, let alone a place like this with only two or three holiday villas!
A group of old classmates gathered in a villa that could become a "Snowstorm Villa" at any time, and brought Conan with them. Two years ago, a classmate committed suicide...

Shiraishi can now be sure that among the four people, one must be related to Atsuko Tokumoto's suicide, and one of them came with the intention of killing her.

only……

Now I was just accompanying Ayako to the class reunion, so it was not appropriate for me to be overbearing and directly ask to check everyone's luggage.

Shiraishi could only keep it to himself for now and not give the potential murderer any chance.

……

After lunch, everyone took out the prepared cakes, placed them on the long table, and chatted over afternoon tea...

Shiraishi also hoped that they could have a good chat - why couldn't they talk it out calmly? Why did they have to kill each other?
At this time, Yuanzi introduced everyone present to Xiaolan...

Compared to the introduction that Ayako just gave to Shiraishi, Sonoko also mentioned their current jobs - the long-haired man Masaru Ota, who played the leading role in college, is now an imported car dealer; Takahashi Ryoichi, who had a fat face but an average body fat percentage, now works in a food processing company; Hiroki Kadotani, who was in charge of video recording, is now an editor of a film magazine; Chikako Ikeda, who always had a stern face and was very arrogant... is also now a screenwriter.

The latter two are now considered “relevant practitioners”, while the others are “making a living on their own”.

but……

When introducing her sister, Sonoko only said that she "helped out with the family business", which shows that they don't know Ayako's identity at the moment, they only know that she "has a little money".

"Chikako Ikeda...Ah! Ms. Ikeda is the screenwriter of the currently released "Blue Kingdom", right?" Xiaolan seemed to like the movie very much.

"That's right, that's the script you wrote when you were a student, Chikako? You even won the Newcomer Award at that time. Now it's finally been filmed. Congratulations." Ayako congratulated her at this time.

"Nothing." Ikeda said modestly.

And Bai Shi seemed to have discovered something at this time...

Ayako and Shiraishi just said that Miss Atsuko who committed suicide two years ago was also a screenwriter in the club!

As we all know, in "Detective Conan", the two most dangerous things are plagiarism and exploiting students.

Shiraishi has already figured out the choice of the victim and the method of death...

"Chikako will have a new drama next year!" Kadoya, the dog who licks Chikako, deliberately talked to her and raised the camera to ask, "Teacher Ikeda, do you have anything to say about the new drama next year?"

"Don't praise me so much. The script hasn't even been written yet." Although Chikako pretended to be reserved, it was still obvious that she was very proud.

The garden nearby was already feeling a little unhappy at this time.

"Really? Can you tell me what movie it is?" Xiaolan was very excited and showed off her emotional value without any hesitation.

"This... is a criminal investigation drama, but the script is really hard to write." Chikako smiled slightly.

"Ah! When it comes to criminal investigation, Officer Shiraishi is very good at it, right?" Xiaolan said and turned the topic to Shiraishi.

Seeing this, Sonoko quickly said, "That's right, how about adapting the case where my brother-in-law killed Minister Inukai?"

Get rid of Minister Inukai?

Everyone was stunned when they heard this. Although they couldn't remember the name "Shiraishi Kuro", they still remembered the news that the former Minister of Justice came out to apologize a few months ago!

Shiraishi waved his hand and said, "It's not easy to rewrite a case like that without the endorsement of the Public Security Committee."

"So, it turns out that Mr. Shiraishi is such a great police officer...police officer!" Kakutani said in surprise.

"Of course! My brother-in-law is now the director of the Beika Police Station... Do you know about Beika Town? Ten murderers can appear in a month, and my brother-in-law doesn't even blink an eye!" Sonoko immediately boasted for Shiraishi.

"There's nothing to be proud of about this..." Bai Shi said helplessly.

"Director? That means the superintendent, right?" Ota Katsu said suddenly.

Sonoko immediately corrected him: "No, the Beihua Police Station is a large-scale police station, it's the police chief!"

"Then I'd really like to borrow your boyfriend to chat when I'm free... But I'm a little tired now, I need to go back to my room to rest first, call me for dinner." Seeing that the topic had shifted to the center, Chikako said to Ayako with some jealousy.

This made Bai Shi feel even more that she was seeking her own death - and the "dead" was undoubtedly you!
but……

As for the murderer, Shiraishi only remembered the feature of "disguised bandage monster". If he searched the luggage, he would be able to find the target, but now...

Bai Shi could only secretly put his guard on high alert!
"Indeed, the sky is a little cloudy, and I feel particularly sleepy." Kadoya helped Chikako to make up for it.

"By the way, I noticed there's a leak in the roof. I'll go and fix it!" Takahashi Ryoichi took the initiative to say.

"Thank you for your help!" Ayako thanked.

"Only you, who is in charge of props, can do this... Let me help you?" Kakutani complimented.

"No, don't make trouble." Takahashi Ryoichi said with a smile.

"Sonoko, Xiaolan and I will go prepare the ingredients for dinner. You three...ah, you four boys, just play poker for a while." Ayako said, and included Conan in the group.

"Okay!" Conan agreed immediately.

Playing poker is good!

After that, Conan took the initiative to ask for a "ghost card"...

In his opinion, this is the simplest and easiest psychological confrontation, and controlling facial expressions, verbal probing, and observing details are also part of the detective's ability!

He had never been convinced by Bai Shi before...

"Eh? Then this is Officer Shiraishi's home turf." Kakutani didn't just flatter Chikako, but was quite tactful.

"I'm also good at it!" Conan took the initiative to speak, relying on his childishness.

but……

"Drawing ghost cards" and the like are too easy for Shiraishi who has [Micro-expression Mind Reading] Lv7!
Shiraishi was even distracted, "listening" to the voices of Chikako Ikeda on the second floor and Ryoichi Takahashi on the roof all the time, making sure that Ikeda was always in the room, and Takahashi...the sound of repairs was a little strange.

……

after an hour……

Xiaolan came out of the kitchen and saw Conan standing on the chair. She quickly came over and said, "Conan! You can't step on the chair!"

But Conan was expressionless at this time, staring at Shiraishi in front of him and the last two cards in his hand with a serious look, and ignored Xiaolan...

Shiraishi, who was about to draw a card, said with a smile: "Hahaha, let him stand... otherwise he will think I am using my height to peek."

"Conan... Really, boys have such a strong desire to win." Xiaolan said helplessly.

Just as Shiraishi stretched out his hand and pinched the "4 of Diamonds", Conan was hesitating between "standing still as a mountain" and "putting on a confusing show"...

"Huh, it's finally fixed..." Takahashi Ryoichi was standing behind the railing on the second floor at this time. When he saw this scene, he sighed: "You guys are still playing... Wait! Who is under the window? A thief?"

Takahashi suddenly rushed to the other side where no one could see and shouted!
Shiraishi and Conan's attention was instantly diverted from the card game. They first wanted to chase after Takahashi, but the next moment they were attracted to the window of the living room by a strange sound...

(End of this chapter)