Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 587 Confession
"Ayatsuji-san, could it be..."

Everyone stared in disbelief at the seemingly delicate Ayatsuji...

Although Shiraishi has not presented any evidence and has emphasized that it is only "reasoning," Ayatsuji has not refuted it at all. Instead, he remains silent with a gloomy expression!

"Of course, this is just one possibility. To truly support this possibility, we need evidence," Shiraishi calmly emphasized.

Yamamura immediately replied, "Yes! Our Gunma Prefectural Police will also conduct further... targeted searches!"

Once this "possibility" was revealed, "targeted searches" became much easier.

For example, to achieve the action of "climbing the bridge of corpses," it's very likely that fibers from Ayatsuji's outer garment could be found on the corpses' clothing; for instance, whether Ayatsuji had any records of purchasing cyanide; or whether there was any conflict between Ayatsuji and the two deceased...

Of course, the two were originally an actor and his agent, and the fact that their clothes were touching each other's fibers cannot be considered conclusive evidence. As for purchase records, motives, etc., they are even less likely to be considered sufficient evidence.

However, as long as there is enough circumstantial evidence, direct evidence will eventually be uncovered. Moreover, as long as there is sufficient circumstantial evidence, it is possible to apply for an arrest warrant and a search warrant.

Ayatsuji did not put up any more resistance—from the moment her method was deduced, she knew she had already lost!

"We should be able to find it... evidence or something," Ayatsuji said with a frank smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone understood that she had essentially admitted it!
“Ayatsuji… why? Aren’t you Daimon’s manager?” Akashi asked in shock.

Although Akashi had previously said that Kano always "bullied" Ayatsuji, in Akashi's opinion, her relationship with Daimon was actually quite harmonious.

“It’s not just the manager…” Ayatsuji said with a bitter smile.

"Eh?"

Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, Ayatsuji said, "We've been together for four years, but... starting half a year ago, rumors of his reconciliation with Ghana have been rampant!"
"At first, he explained that it was a publicity stunt, which does fit his identity and his current situation. He does need these things. Although I was not comfortable with it, I did not stop him..."

"However, things got increasingly wrong after that. Ghana even started to stop hiding his hostility towards me, and I didn't even stop him from doing so."

“I still chose to believe him, until… he actually applied to the company to replace me!” Ayatsuji said, a resentful expression on her face.

As expected, it was a crime of passion.

The motives behind disposing of corpses in this way are unsustainable; Ayatsuji has clearly turned to the dark side.

Even Conan had to admit...

This time, Shiraishi didn't win "by physical means".

Although Conan had some ideas and had begun to suspect Ayatsuji, the idea of ​​"using a corpse as a bridge" was still hard to come by.

It can be said that the two of them used the same logic in their previous analysis: they both used the method of "eliminating all impossibilities" to place their suspicions on Ayatsuji.

But Shiraishi anticipated her method even earlier...

Although Conan can still find excuses, such as Shiraishi, who is a health and medical professional, and has a better understanding of rigor mortis, ultimately, knowledge is also a part of ability!

……

As the villager led Ayatsuji away, the rest of the group fell silent.

"It seems this promotional tour has to end here," Shiraishi remarked with a sigh.

However, Hiruda seemed to have made up his mind at this moment, and said with a forced smile, "No! If possible, I hope to take up one more day of your time to finish recording this promotional script!"

"Huh? It's already like this... and it's still going to air?" Shiraishi was also surprised—the male and female leads were both killed off, how could this show possibly succeed?

"I will try!" Hiruda Yoshitaka said sternly.

Indeed, the fact that both the male and female leads are killed is, to some extent, a "highlight" of the story.

If the TV station's management is unscrupulous or even wants to exploit this situation, the show might actually be broadcast normally.

In any other situation, Shiraishi would definitely not help her profit from this tragedy!

but……

For Hiruda, this was not just a "blood-soaked bun," but also an explanation for what happened back then!
This promotional script is like a prequel to the main drama, revealing the truth behind Himuro Kazusei's death, which can also be seen as Daimon and Kano paying the price for their mistakes back then...

With that in mind, Shiraishi did not refuse.

……

Finally, on Thursday, August 10th, Shiraishi returned to Tokyo.

Of course, there's no need to worry about work.

After all, coming here to cooperate with the filming was originally a task assigned by headquarters!
and……

No serious incidents have occurred in Beika Town in the past three days!
"Won't Detective Mouri stay in Gunma for a few more days?" Shiraishi asked with a sigh as he watched Kogoro prepare to leave.

"Hmm? Speaking of which... uh, no, the agency has been closed for several days now." Mori was initially very interested, but seeing Ran glaring at him, he realized he had no money.

"Is that so..." Shiraishi was also disappointed.

……

After returning to Tokyo, Shiraishi first went to the Metropolitan Police Department to "report back" to the Public Relations Division.

"Section Chief, I've done a perfect job on the task you assigned me!" Shiraishi said specifically.

At this point, the reporter said with a headache, "I know... it was reported in the news."

Why did such a big incident happen even when you went to cooperate with the promotional filming?

However, regardless of the circumstances, Shiraishi was cooperating with the publicity department this time, so the company owes Shiraishi a favor!
"Is Inspector Shiraishi going to the launch event for the Sindora Group's Cocoon this weekend?" the agency asked meaningfully.

"That's right, but I was just accompanying someone else; I wasn't invited," Shiraishi said, adding that there was nothing he could do at the press conference.

As for the Sindora Group not inviting him, Bai Shi could only say that these out-of-town companies were extremely impolite!
If this happened anywhere else, it wouldn't be a problem. Shiraishi knew he was just a superintendent, not a big shot in the entire police force. But the problem was...

The press conference was held at the Beika Municipal Building—the same building where Teiji Moriya was bombed.

It was just a few bombs. It might have looked scary at the time, but it was nothing to a skyscraper. It wouldn't become a dangerous building after a few hits. It could be repaired and still be used...

So, you're in Beika Town and you didn't even invite me, the director?

Even the security work was directly handed over to the "Capital Security Company," so the Beika Police Station hadn't received any information. Shiraishi was slightly surprised when Ayako mentioned the location was in Beika Town. This gave Shiraishi another reason to participate—after all, even if the Beika Police Station wasn't involved in the security,... if a case occurred, the Beika Police Station would still be needed to respond!
The company didn't expect Shiraishi to do anything, but simply reminded him, "Speaking of which, the Sindora Group has invited quite a few high-ranking officials from the political and police sectors, and it seems that Deputy Director Moroboshi will also be bringing his grandson."

Bai Shi's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this, but he didn't say anything more—it had nothing to do with Bai Shi!
"Well... I hope that grandson has fun," Shiraishi said sincerely.

society:……

"Cocoon" is ultimately a gaming device, so it's normal for kids to go there. What can Shiraishi do? Beat that bastard up?

The main reason Shiraishi volunteered to attend the press conference was because of some memories of "The Ghost of Baker Street"—that "Noah's Ark" might "rebel" at that time.

Although the problem was eventually solved, but...

Shiraishi couldn't place his hopes on a solution "like the original," and it would be safer for him to be present in person. Moreover, Shiraishi was worried that something might happen that was outside the scope of the theatrical version's plot.

……

That evening, when Shiraishi and Ayako were on a date, the topic of "Cocoon" came up again.

"It's a pity that the Cocoon only has one fully functional device right now, otherwise we could go in and try it out too." Ayako also seemed very curious.

"Huh? Only one device?" Shiraishi was taken aback when he heard this—Shiraishi vaguely remembered that many children should have gone in at the time.

“It’s not one device…it’s only one complete unit! There are many limited units; the Sindora Group brought fifty at the press conference. However, the limited units can only allow children under ten years old to enter the world of the Cocoon,” Ayako explained.

"Ten years old? How is that calculated? It can't be due to the space limitations of the cocoon, can it?" Shiraishi wondered.

"No, it seems to be saying that as humans grow, their brainwaves gradually change... Although Noah's Ark is a super artificial intelligence that is equivalent to five years of human intelligence in one year, it has only been learning for two years now, which is equivalent to ten years of human age."

“Apart from the ‘Cocoon’ that Hiroki completed before his death, only children younger than Noah’s Ark can enter the other machines,” Ayako stated, citing the reason given by the Sindora Group.

Shiraishi then understood why so many children were invited to the press conference—if it were just a "game," many adults would also enjoy it, and most professional gamers are adults.

I never imagined there would be such restrictions...

"Hiroki... I never imagined that the Sindora Group still couldn't make up for his passing," Shiraishi sighed.

The death of a ten-year-old child has rendered the Sindora Corporation unable to replace his role to this day...

Unfortunately, Shiraishi has forgotten why Hiroki committed suicide, and even has no recollection of whether Hiroki actually committed suicide or not—perhaps Hiroki's death is the main plot of this movie? Unfortunately, Shiraishi only remembers that Conan and his friends entered the virtual world of "Cocoon" to go to modern London to catch Jack the Ripper.

As for things like "complete mechs" and "limited mechs," Shiraishi doesn't remember if such a setting existed in the original work.

I vaguely remember that in the original work there was a group of children, plus a little Ran...

Speaking of artificial intelligence, what Shiraishi is more worried about is actually the previous "James".

Before his death, Changjiang lifted all the restrictive instructions on "James," allowing "him" to access the internet and freely back up himself...

Shiraishi also asked Yuto about this—although Yuto doesn't have that level of technical skill, he can still understand the situation.

Simply put, this means that virtually no one can delete "James" anymore!
The reason for having a "basic" is that the possibility of a "nuclear war" or a "reboot of civilization" cannot be ruled out.

In short, as long as humanity remains in the information age and the internet is not completely paralyzed, "James" will not disappear.

Shiraishi still doesn't know how this "Noah's Ark" compares to "James".

However, based on the information disclosed by the Syndora Group itself, Shiraishi felt that it should be... about right!

After all, the Sindora Corporation also said that "Noah's Ark" is "growing at five times the speed of humans" and has been operating for a year longer than "James," so it is now equivalent to a ten-year-old child.

As for what will happen to "James," Shiraishi has no idea...

Although the motive for the Yangtze River crime was that "James" only wanted to be a great detective and didn't want to join a criminal gang, but... after all, it's the internet. A five-year-old child could easily go astray.

In addition...

Previously, Shiraishi's information had been deleted from Hara Yoshiaki's contacts, leaving the "Raven Legion" empty-handed.

Shiraishi's main suspect in this matter is also "James"!
After the sample machine at Tokiwa Group was taken away, Shiraishi took Yuto to check it out—there were indeed traces of illegal data collection.

Normally, Hara Yoshiaki should have actually had some data on Shiraishi at the time.

For some reason, he was unable to show it to the "Raven Legion".

If there was a super hacker who had taken care of everything for Shiraishi beforehand, then Shiraishi's first suspect would be Yuto, and the second would be "James".

However, Yuto had no idea about this, and it was unlikely that Yuto could sneak into Hara Yoshiaki's computer without anyone noticing.

In contrast, "James" should face no technical obstacles whatsoever. As long as his computer is connected to the internet, it will be impossible to stop James from intruding.

Shiraishi simply cannot fathom why "James" would do such a thing.

However, Shiraishi can at least confirm one thing...

The Black Organization has definitely set its sights on "James," and it's also very likely that it's targeting "Noah's Ark."

Even if Shiraishi doesn't remember whether the Black Organization was involved in the movie, he still has to be on guard.

……

Just then, Shiraishi's phone rang.

"Sorry." Shiraishi glanced at the phone and then answered it.

Ayako was already used to it.

"Hello, this is Shiraishi... A murder has occurred? Oh, okay... Detective Mouri is at the scene, right? Okay... I understand..." When Shiraishi hung up the phone, he noticed Ayako's relieved expression.

No wonder.

After all, the presence of Detective Mori usually meant that the murder case would be solved quickly.

Shiraishi doesn't need to worry about anything...

Shiraishi could only sigh at this point—Kid, you really never rest for a day!
You just got back today and are already "going to work", right?
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Dongdong: Today is November 9th. 1187 years ago today, 838 years ago, Emperor Gaozong of Song, Zhao Gou, passed away. On this joyous day, I'm asking for your monthly votes!
(End of this chapter)