Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Lin Xiuyi's gaze fell on Otsuka in the interrogation room.

The man was still muttering to himself, saying things like "I really didn't expect this," his face full of regret and fear.

If Mrs. Arai was not actually a victim of domestic violence, then Otsuka's claim of "shared suffering" was a complete lie from beginning to end.

He was used by that woman.

"I feel a little sorry for this guy."

Kogoro Mouri scratched his head, looking through the one-way glass at the dejected figure in the interrogation room.

Otsuka had his head down, his shoulders slumped, and he looked as if all his strength had been drained away. He was muttering something to himself.

That appearance was truly heartbreaking to see.

"He was used to commit murder, and in the end, the other person got away scot-free while he went to jail..."

Kogoro Mouri sighed, a rare hint of melancholy in his expression.
"What did he gain from this? He sought momentary pleasure, but ended up ruining his entire life."

Standing beside him, Liuli's expression became even more complicated upon hearing these words.

She pursed her lips and whispered, "Could there be a mistake? Mrs. Arai doesn't seem like a bad person... She's always been so kind to me, and speaks so gently, how could this be..."

She remembered Mrs. Arai's gentle face, the way she chatted with her with a smile, and her focused attention as she patiently taught her how to make a cake.

Would someone like that really do such a thing?

"This has nothing to do with good people or bad people."

Eri Kisaki shook her head and adjusted her glasses.
"It only shows that she is scheming. Perhaps all the Mrs. Arai you usually see is a deliberate performance by her."

"She's nice to you because you're her neighbor, and maintaining a good relationship is beneficial to her. She's gentle and virtuous in front of you because that's the image she wants you to see."

At this point, she subconsciously glanced at Yukiko, her eyes carrying a meaningful look, the meaning of which was self-evident: Aren't some people just putting on an act all day long?

Yukiko was listening attentively when she suddenly noticed Eri's gaze and immediately bristled.

"Hey, what do you mean!"

The girl stomped her foot in annoyance, looking like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Are you trying to say that I'm always putting on an act? Let me tell you, I'm not!"

"Tsk tsk, sorry, I forgot."

Eri Kisaki pursed her lips, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"No one would deliberately pretend to be stupid. Those who can pretend to be stupid are all smart people. Someone like you can just play yourself; there's no need to pretend."

"what!"

Yukiko's face turned ashen with anger. She clenched her fists and was about to pounce on Eri Kisaki.

Fortunately, Lin Xiu reacted quickly and stepped between the two girls.

He spread his arms, one hand blocking one side, feeling the angry aura coming from both sides, and secretly groaned inwardly.

"Stop messing around! This isn't an izakaya! This is the Metropolitan Police Department! Do you want to fight here?"

Eri and Yukiko both snorted and turned their heads away, ignoring each other.

But those two burning gazes still collided in mid-air, separated by Lin Xiuyi's body, sparking invisible flames.

Lin Xiuyi shook his head helplessly and turned to look at Officer Matsumoto.

The veteran detective stood by, watching the scene with great interest, a hint of amusement on his face.

“Officer Matsumoto,” Lin Xiuyi began, steer the conversation back on track, “Otsuka has already confessed. Do you intend to stop here, or continue investigating Mrs. Arai?” This was a crucial question.

Based on the current evidence, it is a foregone conclusion that Otsuka committed the crime of running over and killing people with his car.

He confessed himself, and there is ample witness testimony and physical evidence; the case can be closed.

As for Mrs. Arai, proving her involvement was extremely difficult.

She did not kill anyone herself, nor did she directly instruct anyone to do so.

The law emphasizes evidence, not reasoning, much less speculation.

Officer Matsumoto sighed, his smile vanishing and replaced by a professional resignation.

“Let’s talk to Mrs. Arai first.” His voice was tinged with weariness. “If she’s willing to admit it, it can lessen Otsuka’s guilt. After all, strictly speaking, she’s the mastermind behind this case, and Otsuka was just a tool being used.”

“If she could come forward and admit it, Otsuka’s charge could be downgraded from murder to… I don’t know how much, but it would definitely be lighter.”

He paused, then continued,
"If she doesn't want to, then..."

In the end, Officer Matsumoto shook his head helplessly.

He didn't finish speaking, but everyone understood what he meant.

If she's unwilling, then there's nothing we can do.

After all, it was through her beauty, cunning, and acting that Mrs. Arai provoked Otsuka's anger, leading him to commit murder.

She didn't do anything practical; she just said the right thing at the right time and made the right expression.

There's really nothing the law can do about someone like that.

“She won’t admit it,” Eri Kisaki suddenly said, her tone certain. “You can tell from her previous reactions that she is an extremely calm and cunning woman.”

"She was able to quickly adjust her mindset while being kidnapped, turn the tables, and use Otsuka's hatred and inferiority complex to achieve her own goals. How could someone like that possibly admit it at a time like this?"

“That’s right.” Lin Xiuyi nodded, agreeing with Fei Yingli’s assessment. “She must have already prepared her explanation.”

“She will tell you that she was just emotionally out of control at the time and said some things she shouldn’t have said, and that she never asked Otsuka to kill anyone.”

"She called Otsuka simply because she felt they had both been betrayed by their lovers and wanted to find solace in each other. She never expected Otsuka to actually take action. It was all Otsuka's own choice, and had nothing to do with her."

Although Yukiko was still angry, she couldn't help but interject upon hearing this: "So we're just going to stand by and watch her get away with it?"

Lin Xiuyi was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "There's really no way to resolve this legally..."

Officer Matsumoto took a deep breath: "No matter what, we still need to talk. Lin-kun, do you want to come along?"

Lin Xiu nodded.

He knew that Officer Matsumoto needed his help to observe Mrs. Arai's reaction.

As for the other girls, he glanced at Yukiko and Eri behind him.

Without even asking, he knew they would definitely join in the fun.

Only Liuli stood at the very back, her face showing obvious hesitation.

Even now, she still can't believe that her kind and gentle neighbor, the woman who always brought her snacks with a smile, the older sister who patiently taught her how to make cakes, was actually so amazing.

So skilled that they can manipulate a person without making a sound, making them willingly kill for them.

Such scheming and cunning frightened her.

What frightened her even more was that she had been so close to this woman without noticing at all. (End of Chapter)