Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 277 PTSD
"Director?" Aoki called out when he saw that Director Shiraishi had come to his senses.

"Mr. Yoshimoto, when you just got here, there were only four other people downstairs, right?" Shiraishi confirmed again.

"Yes, the man fishing came after I started painting." Yoshimoto nodded.

That is to say...

Yamauchi Yohei was indeed the only one among the five who had the opportunity to throw stones at people after four o'clock.

However... he was also the only one among the five who did not have time to attack Ono Yuuko at two o'clock and then bring the stone up!
In other words, the real murderer must be someone else, and...

The alibis of the other four people are all invalid - if we ignore the fact that "the murderer killed after Yoshimoto left", the time of death determined by the forensic doctor alone is from two to five o'clock. Yoshimoto couldn't see the crime scene, so everyone had a chance.

It’s a pity that Yamauchi Yohei is dead now, otherwise we would know why he threw the stone down at that time.

Shiraishi thought that either he also wanted to kill Ono Yuuko, or... he was asked to do so by someone!

In fact, Bai Shi also has suspected targets now, but many things are still unclear.

"The time of the crime, the two wounds... should indeed be the key to the case. Aoki, go pack up the things under the cliff and don't lose the dummy in the station. Inspector Otaki and I will go to the University of Tokyo." Shiraishi instructed Aoki at this time.

Now that Shiraishi has not figured out the real culprit, he is naturally not in a hurry to "reveal" anything.

Normally, Shiraishi would try his best to give the police officers opportunities to train, not to mention that Aoki now has the [Trial Mission] - reality is not a game, and you won't be given "experience points" just by completing it.

The effect of this [Trial Mission] is only to make it easier for the police officer to accumulate and improve during this period. He needs to participate in the case himself, and the deeper the participation, the better. If he just lies down, it will be meaningless.

"Yes!" Aoki nodded when he heard this - he was more concerned about the scene here and had no interest in going to Takashima Akemi to ask questions.

Qingliu had already asked for the testimonies of several people many times, and they were all in the case file.

Now that two years have passed, the amount of useful information I can ask is only going to get less and less...

Otaki also hoped that this Takashima Akemi could know something about Yamauchi Yohei - after all, the Osaka Prefectural Police was mainly investigating the murder of Yamauchi Yohei that happened not long ago!
……

In a cafe near Toudou University.

As soon as Shiraishi came in, the boss who was doing a hand job said, "Huh? Long time no see, big guy."

Although Bai Shi hasn't been here for several years, the boss still recognizes him - after all, it's unlikely that you'll meet another person of his size in your lifetime.

This is indeed what Bai Shi chose...

After all, if you rashly go to the laboratory to ask the other party, it will definitely cause trouble to the person involved. After all, many people in Dongdao are gossipy, and even if they don’t know anything, they will gossip behind their backs!
"How about that girl you always came with? Are you married?" Sakura asked while taking out the order.

"Gatsuki-san? We are just ordinary friends." Shiraishi rolled his eyes.

In the past, Shiraishi and Gaoyue had come here together after going to the library.

Otaki: ...

Otaki suddenly realized that he might have said something he shouldn't have said at the station. No wonder he felt a chill down his spine after calling Ayako "sister-in-law"!
At the same time, Otaki looked at Shiraishi with resentment...

You didn’t say that either!

"So you're not coming back to this place just to scare my customers, are you?" Sakura discovered that the customers in the store had reached "Tension Level +3".

"Of course not... two cups of lattes will do, with double sugar." After placing the order, Shiraishi looked around the store.

At this time, I noticed a long-haired girl wearing a coat. After seeing me, she nodded tentatively as a greeting.

"Takashima-san, right?" Shiraishi took the initiative to greet the other party.

"Yes, you are Director Shiraishi, right?" After confirming, Takashima Akemi stood up and greeted him.

"You don't have to be so polite. Thank you for cooperating with our work... And come to think of it, one of my undergraduate degrees is in psychology from the University of Tokyo, so it's not an exaggeration for you to call me a senior." Shiraishi looked very easy to talk to and sat down in front of Takashima Akemi.

"By the way, this is Inspector Otaki from Osaka. He is in charge of...Mr. Yamauchi's case. Do you know?" Shiraishi asked after introducing Otaki.

When Guidao heard this, his expression darkened and he said, "Well, my aunt called this morning...my uncle was also killed, right?"

"My condolences... Judging from the condition of Mr. Yamauchi's body, it was undoubtedly murder." Shiraishi replied after comforting him.

Shiraishi and Otaki also sat down at this time.

"By the way, Takashima's mentor is Professor Yamabuki, right? I met Professor Yamabuki not long ago... How is Akiyoshi Kanako now?" Shiraishi did not ask about the case right away.

Otaki opened his mouth when he heard this, but couldn't say anything. He didn't understand what Shiraishi was doing. Is this Kanako... related to the current case?

"Kanako has been officially diagnosed with Dissociative Personality Disorder and is now receiving treatment from Professor Yamabuki at the university's Mental Health Center." Takashima was also stunned when Shiraishi asked about Kanako, but he immediately answered normally.

"Treatment...what is the main purpose of this treatment? Are there any advance plans?" Shiraishi asked.

"Professor Yamabuki said that the current goal is to eliminate the influence of the 'deer man' personality first. However, there are currently no mature treatment plans at home or abroad. We can only do half research and half treatment." Takashima said with a worried look on his face.

Hearing this, Shiraishi nodded in understanding, without commenting on Kanako's problem...

There is nothing wrong with the apparent treatment plan - if the "Deer Man" personality does not disappear, Kanako must be locked up in a treatment center and her freedom restricted, even if she does not go to prison.

Of course, Shiraishi couldn't be sure whether Professor Yamabuki really regarded this as the most important goal, and asking Takashima would not yield any results.

The reason why I talked about Kanako first was, firstly, because Shiraishi was indeed paying attention to this matter, just as Shiraishi promised her before Kanako was transferred; secondly... Shiraishi also wanted to calm down Akemi Takashima's emotions first.

With Shiraishi's observation and micro-expression skills, he could actually tell that Akemi Takashima wasn't that worried about Kanako, and her expression just now was partly a performance...

From the very beginning of the conversation, Takashima Akemi seemed very introverted. Although she smiled politely, she didn't have many expressions, including sadness, which was a bit artificial - not all fake, but at least more performance than the sincere part...

However, this cannot be considered "hypocrisy" or "harbouring evil intentions". It is just an instinctive reaction after studying psychology - one becomes accustomed to disguising one's emotions, such as acting as a compassionate and kind person.

One of Shiraishi's undergraduate degree majors is "Psychology". It is clear that many students in this department are not mentally healthy themselves. Learning this is not so much to treat others, but to enlighten themselves!
Judging from Takashima's slightly melancholy temperament, Shiraishi felt that she should be this kind of person as well.

In addition...

Although studying psychology makes it easier to hide one's thoughts, this can be seen in Takashima, and Shiraishi can also find that some of her emotions are fake, but...

Shiraishi could at least be sure that Takashima Akemi rarely observed him!

Even when she was talking to Shiraishi face to face now, most of the time she didn't pay much attention to Shiraishi's micro-expressions and behaviors, which showed that she had no intention of trying to pry into Shiraishi's inner thoughts.

Shiraishi was very sure of this - if her acting skills were good enough, she might be able to fool Shiraishi, but if she observed Shiraishi, even with her peripheral vision, Shiraishi would be able to sense it.

But now Bai Shi felt that even when he appeared in her peripheral vision, her attention was not on him.

From this point of view, Guidao doesn't seem like someone who likes to use psychology knowledge to spy on others. The reason why she studies psychology is more like... she has some psychological problems herself and wants to adjust her mentality. Although she has "performances", her overall performance is very introverted and she seeks benefits and avoids harm.

"Then let's talk about Mr. Yamauchi Yohei, is that ok?" Shiraishi asked proactively.

"Yeah!" Guidao nodded, indicating that he would cooperate, and seemed very well-behaved.

"What is your relationship with Mr. Yamauchi Yohei?" Shiraishi asked directly.

"Eh?" Guidao was stunned when he heard this. He didn't expect that he would be asked this question. He immediately said, "When I... was staying at my uncle's house before, my uncle also lived with me, so... we have a good relationship, and..."

Takashima paused at this point, and Shiraishi asked, "And what?"

"And... actually, my uncle and I have some... similar feelings, after all, we are both staying in other people's homes." Guidao said a little embarrassedly, and then immediately added: "Of course, my uncle and aunt don't treat me as an outsider, it's just that I am more sensitive..."

"In your impression, what is the relationship between your aunt and cousin and your uncle?" Bai Shi asked.

"Of course my aunt and uncle have a very good relationship... My aunt is a person who attaches great importance to blood ties, otherwise she would not have taken me in. Because we live together, my cousin and uncle have a close relationship as well." Guidao's answer was not much different from two years ago.

Unlike some suspects who liked to "expose each other", the police at that time did not know that anyone at the scene had a motive for committing a crime and they all behaved very lovingly towards each other.

"So...it turns out that the relationship between your uncle and your uncle-in-law is just ordinary, right?" Bai Shi suddenly asked.

"Eh?" Guidao was obviously caught off guard, then shook his head and said, "I don't know about my uncle and my uncle-in-law."

From Takashima's "same kind of talk" just now, and the fact that he went against his usual practice and did not mention his uncle after talking about his cousin and aunt, Shiraishi could probably guess what Takashima Akemi was thinking!

"You haven't lived with your aunt and cousin since the fire six years ago, right?" Shiraishi asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, that year... I also got admitted to the University of Tokyo, so I came to Tokyo by myself." Guidao nodded.

"Two years ago, you went to Cape Mikada together again... In the past four years, have you had much contact with the Munakata family?" Shiraishi asked.

"My cousin often comes to Toudou to see me, and when I return to Osaka, I will also go to my aunt's house...and Teacher Xi Yuzi, I also met her in Toudou and later introduced her to my aunt," Guidao said without hiding anything, and even took the initiative to mention the situation of the victim Xi Yuzi.

"So you have less contact with your uncle?" Bai Shi confirmed.

Guidao didn't hide anything this time. He nodded and said, "Well, we haven't seen each other in the past four years..."

"Where's Rokuinbu Shiro?" Shiraishi asked. "Rokuinbu is my cousin's friend. We used to hang out together, but we haven't had much contact since then." Takashima answered.

Shiraishi:……

So, why on earth did this guy from the Six-Man Division play with the whole family?
"Have you noticed that your cousin... likes Ono Yuuko?" Shiraishi asked excitedly.

"Eh?" Guidao was stunned when he heard that, but he still said: "Well...from what I know...it should be Xi Yuzi who likes my cousin, right?"

This is exactly what the six-member department said...

"But the Six-Man Club said that your cousin seems to like Ms. Oono..." Shiraishi was a little conflicted at this time, as if hesitating who to believe.

Otaki, who was standing by, had a strange look on his face at this moment - he was still wondering if Shiraishi had remembered it wrong because the relationship was too complicated!
Because as the six-member group said before, it was obviously Masaaki Munakata who liked his cousin Akemi Kijima.

"I'm not sure about that..." Guidao seemed unwilling to say more.

it is good!
From her expression, Bai Shi had seen what he wanted to see.

"Then maybe the six-man department made a mistake... By the way, Inspector Otaki also wants to ask... Did you leave Toudou last night? Can anyone prove it?" Shiraishi asked directly.

Otaki: ???
If you want to ask, just say you want to ask!

"Of course, I was in the graduate dormitory last night, and my roommate was there too." Guidao was not angry, but instead provided very rigorous proof.

The University of Tokyo does have graduate student dormitories, but because there are so few of them, it is not easy to apply for one.

However, it is relatively easy for those like Shiraishi and Takashima who have no parents to apply for...

"Inspector Otaki." Shiraishi then made a "please" gesture, indicating that he could ask any questions he had.

At this time, Otaki took out a small notebook and asked the prepared questions one by one, but the questions were mainly focused on Yamauchi Yohei. Because of Munakata Machi's non-cooperation, Otaki put many of the questions on Kijima's side.

But there was nothing that Shiraishi cared about, so he started fiddling with his phone.

Knowing that Shiraishi was questioning a witness in a cafe near the University of Tokyo, Ayako also asked Shiraishi if they should revisit the place later - Shiraishi and Gaoyue often came to this cafe around the school, and of course he and Ayako had also been to the store together.

……

It was getting late and the sun was about to set. Ayako pushed the door open and walked in, accompanied by a "ding-dong" sound. She just looked in Shiraishi's direction and didn't come over to disturb him.

But Otaki had already finished asking questions...

"Then let's stop here today. If anything happens later..." Bai Shi said halfway.

Guidao took the initiative to say: "I can cooperate with you. I'll leave my uncle's case and Xi Yuzi's case to you!"

"Thank you for your cooperation." After Shiraishi thanked Takashima, he also said to Otaki, "Ayako and I are walking around the area. We have called the nearby patrol officer to pick you up."

"No need to go through so much trouble. I saw a car rental company nearby." Otaki said as he stood up.

But just as the two of them stood up, Boss Sakura also went to draw the curtains - the setting sun was a little dazzling.

Originally, Shiraishi was blocking this side, and Takashima was not illuminated at all.

But after Bai Shi stood up, the boss closed the curtains again, and suddenly the setting sun shone through the curtains, shining an orange-red light on her.

Originally, Guidao was about to get up and leave, but the moment he was enveloped by the orange-red light, his pupils suddenly shrank, and then...

what--

All that was heard was a scream from Takashima Akemi, followed by her covering her head with her hands and squatting down with her back to the window.

The already sparse number of customers in the store were also startled at this moment.

When Bai Shi saw this, his expression changed at first, and then he immediately shouted to the boss: "Open the curtains!"

The curtains are also warm-colored, otherwise there wouldn’t be any sunset glow today, and the sunset alone wouldn’t be so red…

Then Bai Shi also stepped forward, shielded her from the light, and put his hand on her head, comforting her: "It's okay, it's okay, there's no fire..."

thump -- thump -- thump --

While speaking, Bai Shi placed his hand on her head, and tapped her head gently with his index finger at a certain frequency.

"Are you okay?" Ayako hurried over and asked in a low voice.

Bai Shi just shook his head when he heard this, signaling her to be quiet first.

When Otaki saw Ayako coming forward, he looked a little embarrassed and hesitated whether to take Shiraishi's place to avoid making his "sister-in-law" jealous.

Shiraishi could see that Takashima's reaction was a typical "stress disorder". Considering her life experience, it should be "post-traumatic stress disorder", also known as "PTSD".

As for the source of trauma...

"War" and "fire" are two common sources of trauma!
What "created" Takashima Zhumei was obviously not the war, but the "fire" six years ago - that's why he suddenly reacted violently when he saw the orange-red light.

but……

Generally, PTSD does not last this long.

Even if the condition is serious, it can be greatly relieved within half a year after active treatment.

It has been six years since the fire in Guidao, and she herself is a graduate student in psychology...

As expected, many people in the psychology department have some psychological problems of their own!
Kishima's body gradually stopped shaking and his breathing became steady.

"I... I'm fine, thank you." Takashima looked up at Shiraishi and said a little embarrassedly.

Bai Shi is not just using verbal comfort. Verbal comfort alone is actually useless. What really works is "tapping," or "desensitization and reprocessing."

The main cause of PTSD is the blockage of the brain's adaptive information processing system. Under certain external or internal stimulation, the patient's thinking, and even physiological reactions such as vision and hearing, will involuntarily repeat the performance of the "traumatization", leading to a "stress" reaction.

"Desensitization and reprocessing" is a typical coping method, usually "eye movement desensitization", which means letting the patient's eyeballs move quickly following his fingers or other objects, starting with eye movements to get rid of this stress symptom.

But just now, Bai Shi couldn't open her eyes directly, so he chose the method of "beating the rhythm" - through the rhythm of finger tapping, he triggered an exploratory reaction and gradually got rid of the stress symptoms...

"Your PTSD...what did Professor Yamabuki say?" Shiraishi asked with concern.

Considering that he was a graduate student in the Department of Psychology and his supervisor was Professor Yamabuki, Shiraishi first asked Professor Yamabuki for his opinion.

Takashima hesitated for a moment, then said sheepishly, "Professor Yamabuki... I don't know about this."

Shiraishi:……

"Mr. Guidao, you are a student majoring in psychology. How can you avoid seeing a doctor? It is difficult for a doctor to treat himself. The same goes for psychological illnesses. Your condition is already very serious, especially since you still react to warm light. What should you do if you get stressed in front of car lights?" Shiraishi said sternly.

Takashima lowered his head after hearing what Shiraishi said: "I'm sorry, Shiraishi-senpai, I will go see a doctor later..."

Seeing this, Ayako said reluctantly: "Okay, okay, Shiraishi, this Takami-san should know."

Although she didn't understand what PTSD was, she could see that this "Kuishima classmate" had some mental problems.

Bai Shi then said more calmly: "Well, remember to have a good chat with a professional doctor. Next time I ask you out, I will take you to try exposure therapy to see if you have any treatment."

Ayako at the side couldn't help but blush, and Otaki also had a strange look on his face... and looked at Shiraishi worriedly, as if he was afraid that he would be reported for sexual harassment the next second.

However, upon hearing this, Takashima simply nodded quickly, as if he accepted Shiraishi's "reprimand".

Ayako:? ? ?
Bai Shi then pulled her wrist over and touched it, making sure that her heart rate had recovered before he felt relieved.

Seeing this, Otaki quickly said, "I'll take Kijima-san to the dormitory door."

Shiraishi nodded when he heard this, and after talking to Otaki for a few more words, he left with Ayako.

But after Shiraishi and Ayako got in the car, on their way to "revisit the old place"...

"Xiao Hei, um... weren't you afraid of being accused of... molesting female students just now?" Ayako couldn't help but ask in the passenger seat.

"Huh?" Bai Shi was stunned when he heard that, and then said, "At that time, I touched her head to help her desensitize herself."

"No, that... I mean... you said later that you wanted to expose her..." Ayako said with a blush.

"Eh? What exposure? Oh, you mean exposure therapy... That means deliberately creating an environment that stresses the patient in order to enhance their tolerance and reduce fear... What do you think?" Shiraishi asked back.

Ayako:……

(End of this chapter)