Shinmei Kaori didn't visit again until the fourth day.
She had made a special appointment to meet with Hayashi Yoshiki, carefully dressed and carrying her belongings to the office.
"It looks like the new Rentaro-sensei is in pretty good shape."
"Yes."
In response to what Hayashi Yoshiki said, Shinmei Kaori nodded, then blinked in surprise.
"But how did Mr. Hayashi know that?"
"I think it's because of the relaxed smile on Ms. Kaori's face."
Amuro Tooru brought tea for the two of them, smiling as he spoke.
Shinmei Kaori laughed.
Her father, ShinmeiRentaro, had indeed been doing very well lately. According to him, he didn't even feel pain anymore, and he seemed more energetic by the day—completely different from the image they had of a man on his last breath.
Their family doctor had offered to re-examine him, but he waved it off.
His wish had been fulfilled. He no longer hoped for miracles for his illness-worn body. All he wanted was to spend his remaining time pain-free with his family... and in the end, the doctor respected his choice.
"Teacher Hayashi, thank you very much for your help. This is the commission I prepared—"
Shinmei Kaori took an envelope from her bag, placed it on the table with both hands and gently pushed it toward Hayashi Yoshiki.
It looked thick and heavy.
But Hayashi politely refused, explaining that he didn't accept commissions of this kind. In the end, Shinmei Kaori didn't insist and left after a short while.
"Ms. Kaori is a beautiful and remarkable woman. Doesn't the boss regret turning her down?"
"If I keep going like that, I'll eventually have no personal space at all."
"Oops?"
Amuro grinned playfully.
"Sounds like the boss has had a fair share of trouble in that department."
"That's not the case."
Hayashi smiled.
No matter what, he was always the one taking the initiative.
"Interested in the cake Ms. Kaori brought?"
"Ah, I'm not really into sweets."
"Then I'll take it."
"OK."
Hayashi looked at the time. It was about right. He picked up the cake on the table and left, leaving Amuro behind to clean up the teacups and documents.
He drove to Dr. Agasa's house. When he arrived, Haibara Ai was already waiting at the door.
Though she looked like an elementary schooler, her fashion sense was always strikingly mature. Her reddish-brown off-shoulder top and light denim shorts gave off a crisp, composed air.
"Thanks."
Once she got in the car, she said,
"Sorry for bothering you to come pick me up... but actually, I could've come to the office myself."
"It's no trouble. But I don't recommend going near my office for the time being," Hayashi said as he started the engine.
"Why?"
Haibara looked puzzled.
What Hayashi Yoshiki was referring to was Amuro Tooru...
Even if he was on the Red Team, anyone with a brewery background but not on Haibara's whitelist would instantly trigger her internal radar.
"I brought you cake. Let's eat it once we get there."
"..."
Receiving the bag of desserts, Haibara Ai fell into a brief silence.
Cointreau, do you really see me as a child?
She wasn't very fond of sweet things—more of a matcha kind of person, slightly bitter. But she said nothing. She simply held the cake quietly and stared out the window.
"Has anything happened recently?" Hayashi asked.
"Well... a lot, actually."
"Like what?"
"That guy, Edogawa."
Still watching the street pass by, she added,
"Every time I'm around him, I end up getting involved in some kind of case..."
"I thought you were going to say 'homework' or something."
"..."
So you do treat me like a child.
Hayashi's eyes stayed on the road, but he smirked.
"Too bad I write mystery novels instead of running a company. If I were a CEO, I'd send Conan to visit rival firms. Then I'd short their stocks in advance."
"..."
Such a cold joke.
But to be fair, it was still funnier than Dr. Agasa's puns.
"By the way, do you usually have pocket money?"
"Some."
After a short pause, Haibara replied,
"Dr. Agasa gives me some occasionally. I've been thinking of developing a few common-use medicines under his name and selling the patents."
"It's better not to do that. Dr. Agasa is an engineer by trade, not a chemist. And the Organization is still hunting you. Any clue might be enough for them."
"..."
Haibara's body tensed.
The peaceful elementary school life she had enjoyed lately had truly helped her heal. But she had nearly forgotten—the Organization's threat still loomed... If her identity was ever discovered, the people around her—and even Cointreau—might be collateral damage.
Seeing her suddenly fall silent, Hayashi pulled out a card at a red light and gently poked it against her cheek.
"Use it for now. Pay me back when you get the chance."
"..."
She turned her head.
On Hayashi Yoshiki's face, she saw nothing but calm.
"The light's about to turn green."
"...I'll pay it back."
In the end, she chose to accept it.
She already owed Cointreau so much. Money was the least of it. With her knowledge, as long as she could escape the Organization's grasp, she could earn anything she needed.
"That's right. Relax and smile. You'll be seeing your sister again soon, won't you?"
"Mm."
That truly was the happiest thing for her.
Lately, Hayashi Yoshiki has been using hypnosis to help Miyano Akemi slowly change her identity. As the critical date approached, if this method failed, Akemi would fall into eternal sleep.
And if that happened, Haibara Ai's spirit might break.
After finally escaping from the Organization and reuniting with her sister—only to lose her again without warning... Hayashi Yoshiki had already considered stepping in himself. Perhaps he would become her new pillar.