Fortunately, Jiangxia wasn't the sentimental type. A little regret wasn't enough to dampen the excitement of picking up a new ghost—such rare loot! Just bumping into one counted as a win in this economy.
He tapped his fingers lightly on his knee.
Xiaobai and the others understood the signal, let go of the ghost they'd been circling like vulture, and floated obediently back to his side.
The new ghost breathed a quiet sigh of relief and inched away, trembling like a jellybean with trauma.
…
Jiangxia resumed listening to the case briefing.
Chairman Nagato mentioned something strange that had happened last night in the house—it was actually the murderer doing a practice run, but the chairman didn't know that part. From his perspective, a thief had broken in, so he'd called detectives to investigate.
While he was speaking, the female secretary, Hyuga Miyuki, politely excused herself and left.
A few other Nagato family members arrived shortly after, doing the usual face-showing parade.
The chairman had just begun introducing his two daughters when a loud creaking noise came from the bedroom door.
Jiangxia turned toward the sound—and saw a man in a knit cap and full facial bandages peeking inside like a horror movie extra. Only his eyes were visible.
Ran Mouri tensed. She edged a little closer to Jiangxia, fists clenched, clearly ready to throw hands if necessary.
One of the chairman's daughters, slightly embarrassed, quickly explained: "That's my brother—Nagato Hideomi."
...The name sounded like it should belong to a delicate flower of a man. This guy? He looked like a cosplaying pervert from a slasher flick.
Nagato Hideomi didn't say a word. He just bowed slightly at the door, then retreated like a side character who knew his screentime was up.
After he left, the daughter continued quietly, "Twenty years ago, my brother ran into a burning building and saved a little girl. He got severely burned and has covered his face ever since."
"Ohh..." Ran relaxed, admiration softening her eyes. "That's really amazing of him."
Jiangxia said nothing.
He knew the truth: that "Nagato Hideomi" just now was a fake.
Specifically, it was Hyuga Miyuki—the secretary who'd just left—disguised in full bandage cosplay.
The real Nagato Hideomi?
He'd committed suicide yesterday. Cold as a fridge magnet now.
…
Flashback: Twenty years ago, the fire that made Hideomi a "hero" had actually been caused by him and his friends.
When he realized they'd set a deadly blaze, Hideomi panicked, rushed into the flames, and pulled a little girl out. Her parents died in the fire.
That girl was Hyuga Miyuki—now grown, now secretary to Chairman Nagato.
Hyuga Miyuki had no memory of who started the fire. She only remembered the man who saved her—and eventually got engaged to him.
But yesterday morning, Hideomi's suicide broke the illusion. Hyuga Miyuki found the body—and the truth—in his suicide note.
Turned out, the firestarters weren't just Hideomi. Another culprit was Nagato Mitsuaki… currently living the good life as the Nagato family's son-in-law.
Enraged, Miyuki made up her mind to kill Mitsuaki and avenge her parents.
…
Jiangxia considered all this as his eyes drifted once more to the ghost clinging to Miyuki's leg.
They were probably Miyuki's parents—the couple who'd died in that fire.
After hearing the commission, Jiangxia stepped out of the room, claiming he needed to investigate traces of the "thief."
Really, he just expected the new ghosts to come seek him out and make a formal request—maybe plead, beg, do the usual ghostly grovel.
But nothing happened.
Jiangxia waited ten full minutes in peaceful patience.
Then lost interest.
He snapped his fingers. "Tengu, go fetch the new ghosts."
But before Tengu could take off, Jiangxia paused.
He glanced down the corridor.
There they were.
The two ghosts were struggling to wiggle their way toward him.
Still hugging each other like a pair of barnacles, they dragged themselves forward inch by inch.
He and his trio of shikigami silently observed.
…No wonder they were so slow.
Two ghosts fused together trying to walk in sync? It was like a three-legged race in the afterlife. But sideways.
At least they'd made the effort to come. That was something.
…
The ghost parents didn't reject the idea of a contract.
But they did have one request.
They'd sensed their daughter's murderous intent—and they wanted Jiangxia to stop Miyuki from killing Mitsuaki.
They hoped she could let go of the past and live a peaceful life. You know, ghost parenting.
Jiangxia thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Not hard. I've got a few plans for this kind of thing."
…
That night, Jiangxia stayed at the Nagato mansion. Officially, to catch the thief.
Ran and Conan stayed too—Mori Kogoro was still off at his three-day alumni reunion, partying it up until the fireworks festival tomorrow. So today was just a rest day. No rush to go back to the hotel.
And really, the two high schoolers felt more at ease with classmates than random uncles and aunties. Plus, they could help Jiangxia if anything weird happened. Which, let's be honest, it always did.
…
That night also happened to be Chairman Nagato's birthday.
Since he was bedridden, the family just held a small party in his room.
Jiangxia and the rest were considered guests and got invited.
Nagato Hideomi was notably absent from the festivities.
Eventually, son-in-law Nagato Mitsuaki said he'd go look for him and slipped out.
A few minutes later, the bedroom phone suddenly rang.
Jiangxia, who was standing nearby, blinked innocently, as if just startled by the noise.
Without hesitation, he pressed the speaker button.
A scream erupted from the phone.
"I'm in the room directly below you!" Mitsuaki's voice came through in full panic. "Someone turned off the lights and attacked me from behind—HELP!!"
*Goal #1: Top 200 fanfics published within the last 31 - 90 days by POWER STONES.
Progress: 20/60(approx) for 10 BONUS CHAPTERS
Goal #2: One BONUS CHAPTER per review for the first 10 REVIEWS.
Progress:2/10*