Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

"Even if Mito Hayato is foolish and impulsive, he can't possibly expect to marry his stepmother in the future."

Eri Kisaki analyzed the situation expressionlessly.

"For him, this woman who knows too many secrets and may take away a large share of the property is only a huge hidden danger and variable."

"If you ask me, Minamino Momoko is just a temporary outlet for Mito Jun's emotions, while property is the real thing."

"Get rid of Minamino Momoko, and you can ensure that all the Mito family's property belongs to him. He can definitely figure out this."

Although Yukiko was unconvinced and felt that Eri Kisaki thought too badly of people, she had to admit that what Eri said made sense.

The girl puffed out her cheeks in annoyance: "Maybe...maybe Mito Hayato and Minamino Momoko are truly in love? He wanted to murder his father so he could elope with his lover because of love...isn't that how it always goes on TV?"

"If he truly loved Minamino Momoko to the point of being willing to kill for her, or even plan for their future,"

Eri Kisaki sneered and delivered another precise strike.

“They wouldn’t so easily, or even with a sense of self-abandonment, reveal their relationship to the public in full view of everyone, especially when the police have intervened and the body is lying next to them.”

"Death is a serious matter, especially such a scandal that is extremely disgraceful in the eyes of the world."

"If he truly loved Momoko Minamino, he should have protected the reputation and dignity of his deceased lover."

Yukiko was speechless, her pretty face turning slightly red.

She found it difficult to outwit Eri in logical debates.

Yukiko could only reluctantly reach out and shake the back of the seat in front of her, which belonged to Hayashi Shuichi.
"Shuichi! Tell me! Is he really as cold-blooded and calculating as the girl with glasses analyzed? Is there no emotion involved at all?"

Lin Xiuyi, who was named, felt the "pressure" coming from behind and felt somewhat helpless.

He considered his words carefully and said objectively, "Eri Kisaki's analysis is a reasonable inference based on existing information and common motives, and the possibility certainly exists. However, emotional factors are often complex and unpredictable, and cannot be completely ruled out."

"Mito Jun's behavior may have been a mixture of resentment, self-interest, emotional entanglement, or even a momentary psychological breakdown. Until more evidence emerges, all the possible motivations are plausible."

"The case is still under investigation, and no possibility can be ignored."

"Why do you say everything we say is possible?"

While driving, Ikeba Shizuka glanced at Lin Xiuyi with slight dissatisfaction, feeling that he was being somewhat indecisive.
Don't you have a more definitive opinion?

"The truth of the case needs to be supported by evidence, not determined by speculation."

Lin Xiuyi held the sleeping Lingzi in his arms, his tone serious.

"Maintaining an open mind before finding conclusive evidence is crucial to avoid missing key clues."

……

Meanwhile, at the entrance of a hotel in Osaka.

Hattori Heizo's SUV slowly came to a stop.

The members of the Kyoto University Mystery Club got off the bus one by one, their faces showing fatigue, but their eyes still held excitement and a desire to discuss.

"I never expected that attending Osaka's castle construction celebration would lead me to such a major case,"

Kawada Yuko stretched and loosened her stiff neck, but her face betrayed her excitement.

“We’ve assisted with some cases at school before, but most of them were minor things like theft and disputes. This time, it’s a murder case! And such a melodramatic family drama!”

"I think what's really bothering you isn't the murder itself, but rather the chaotic relationships within the Mito family, right?" Yoshida Aoi said, arms crossed, mercilessly mocking her friend. Kawada Haeko, caught off guard, chuckled instead of getting angry. "I bet you guys don't find it shocking! The scene was even more dramatic than a TV drama! Right, Kayoko?"

She instinctively sought Ono Yoshiko's agreement, but found that the other woman was still pale and dazed, as if she hadn't heard her at all.

"……Feel sorry,"

Ono Kayoko seemed to suddenly wake up; she shook her head, her voice hoarse and weary.
"I feel a little dizzy and not feeling well, so I'd like to go back to my room to rest."

As she spoke, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

"Be careful!"

The commander of the Imperial Guard quickly stepped forward, firmly supporting her arm, his tone concerned.

"Let me take you back to your room."

Ono Kayoko did not refuse, nodded gently, and let Konoe Daishi help her slowly into the inn.

Her head was slightly lowered, and her long hair covered most of her face, so no one could see the complex emotions in her eyes.

Watching the two figures disappear into the hotel entrance, Hattori Heizo frowned and couldn't help but voice his doubts: "Don't you guys think there's something off about those two?"

"Of course something's wrong!"

Kawada Haeko immediately chimed in, her tone tinged with gossip.

"Konoe used to be so good to Kayoko, bringing her breakfast, saving her a seat, and helping her organize her notes, but Kayoko always avoided him and rarely even spoke to him. Unlike now, she's actually willing to let him help her up; her attitude is clearly different."

"Could it be that Konoe took advantage of the chaos earlier to successfully confess his feelings to Yoshiko?"

Maeda Yoto guessed with a serious expression.

"When people are in danger, they easily become dependent on the people around them. Maybe Kayoko was moved by Konoe's heroic rescue when she almost fell off the building."

"How can it be!"

Kawada Yuko simply waved her hand in denial.

"If Prince Jia has someone he likes, why would he easily accept someone's confession just because he saved a damsel in distress?"

Hattori Heizo didn't speak, but his brows furrowed even more.

He always felt that Ono Kayoko's reaction was not just a simple matter of physical discomfort.

Although her near-fall panic on the hotel balcony seemed real, Hattori Heizo felt something was off.

"You guys go back to your rooms and rest first. We can talk about it tomorrow," Hattori Heizo said. "I'm going to the nearby convenience store to buy some things and think about the details of the case again."

Everyone nodded and went back to their rooms.

Instead of going to the convenience store, Hattori Heizo stood in the shadows at the hotel entrance, his eyes fixed on the window of Ono Kayoko's room.

About ten minutes later, he saw the room lights come on, and Konoe Daishi appeared by the window, seemingly talking to Ono Kayoko.

After a while, the Imperial Guard left the room and gently closed the door.

Hattori Heizo was about to step forward when he saw Ono Kayoko walk to the window, pull back a corner of the curtain, and gaze towards the hotel with a cold, sharp look in her eyes, completely devoid of her previous gentleness. (End of Chapter)