This was a day destined to go down in history.
By seven o'clock in the evening, the area outside the Beika Municipal Building was already brimming with reporters and photographers.
Countless camera flashes bathed the red carpet in a storm of light. One by one, luxury cars pulled up. From them emerged entertainment celebrities of distinction, corporate moguls, and political elites.
"Here at the Beika Municipal Building, a revolutionary virtual experience game, developed by a Japanese game manufacturer in collaboration with SchindlerCorporation, is about to have its grand public debut."
"The chairman of Schindler Corporation has just arrived."
"According to press materials distributed beforehand, this device—nicknamed Cocoon—allows players to enter a game pod resembling a cocoon. In a sleep-like state, they interact with an AI-powered system via voice recognition and immerse themselves in a fully virtual world."
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet.
The media's reaction intensified the moment they caught sight of him.
Flashes exploded like fireworks. Smiling politely, Yoshiki raised his hand in a casual wave and then proceeded through the security checkpoint.
The guards were exceptionally thorough.
At the entrance, a familiar figure awaited him.
"Good evening, Yoshiki-kun."
"Yusaku-san? What brings you here?" Hayashi Yoshiki asked in surprise.
"I figured you'd be arriving soon," Kudō Yusaku replied with a relaxed smile. "You must have been looking forward to today."
"Absolutely. But I didn't expect the security to be this intense."
"That's because there's been plenty of behind-the-scenes corporate espionage in the lead-up to this event… Though," Yusaku added, "none of that really concerns us."
He turned and gave Yoshiki a subtle, knowing look.
"You brought your participant's badge for the game demo, right?"
"Of course."
"Then I suggest you try it out. After the artificial intelligence Noah's Ark was completed, it took over our original script and… made a few changes. I have no idea what it did. That alone should be interesting."
"Wait, even you don't know what it changed?"
"That's right."
Yusaku's expression grew thoughtful.
Of course, he wasn't planning on entering himself—he wanted Conan to experience it firsthand.
As the two men continued chatting, they entered the grand hall.
Inside the banquet area, Hayashi Yoshiki scanned the room and quickly spotted Mōri Kogorō, Ran, and the others.
Near them stood the Detective Boys, their eyes filled with envy as they gazed at a group of children receiving special entry badges.
"The grandson of the MPD's Deputy Director... the son of a financial tycoon... the heir of a major political dynasty... It's practically a who's who of Japan's future elite," Mōri muttered, wine glass in hand, his tone heavy with disillusionment.
At his side, Haibara Ai added coldly:
"A perfect snapshot of Japan's shameful social structure."
"Eh?" Mōri blinked at the emotionless child beside him.
But Ai continued, unbothered:
"This hereditary system ensures history's mistakes repeat endlessly. Politicians raise politicians. Bankers raise bankers. Nothing will ever truly change."
Conan, sweating, leaned down and whispered urgently:
"Hey, didn't I tell you to talk like a child in public?!"
Ai cast him a withering glance.
Then, without warning, she raised her hands, pulled an exaggeratedly cute face, and chirped:
"They said lots of big words on TV yesterday! I thought it sounded cool, so I memorized it!"
"…"
Mōri, relieved by her performance, chuckled.
"So you are an eager student, Ai."
But just then—
"That was impressive."
A new voice entered the conversation.
Hayashi Yoshiki, dressed in a sharp suit that accentuated his refined presence, had appeared behind Ai without anyone noticing. He smiled down at her frozen, awkward pose.
"Adorable and brilliant. Amazing."
Ai's face turned a deep crimson.
A tsunami of shame washed over her. Without even turning, she knew Yoshiki—and probably Conan, too—were smirking.
(He saw that… He definitely saw that...)
Conan's teasing expression said it all.
Ai should have known better. Hayashi Yoshiki already knew she wasn't really a child. And yet, even with all her calculated effort… she still got caught.
"Yoshiki-nii!"
"Yoshiki-nii!"
The Detective Boys rushed over excitedly.
"Hello, everyone," Yoshiki greeted warmly, gently ruffling Ai's hair—though she kept her gaze averted, still mortified.
"Yoshiki-nii, that badge on your chest—isn't that...?"
"Yup. It's a Cocoon game access badge."
"No way! How'd you get one?" asked Genta Kojima.
"I won it in a lottery."
"Really?! Where? At the entrance?"
"Nope. At McDonald's," Yoshiki said, feigning nostalgia. "I had their nutritious breakfast every day for three weeks. That's how I won."
"Three weeks?! My mom would kill me."
"We're too late anyway…"
"Why would you lie to children, of all people?" Mōri sighed, watching the kids deflate.
Ran burst into laughter.
Yoshiki's mischievous streak was… strangely endearing.
Haibara Ai, sensing an opportunity to reclaim her dignity, coolly fixed her tousled hair and said:
"You're an adult, yet you get excited over a children's meal. How childish."
"Well," Yoshiki replied, his smile soft, "When I was a kid, the happiest moments were when my mom came home with a treat or took me out for one. Those memories... are hard to let go of."
He said it lightly, but both Ai and Ran felt their hearts tighten.
Hayashi Yoshiki's mother...
They both glanced at him—there was no sadness in his eyes, only calm. Still, the way he said it…
Ran felt a surge of tenderness.
Ai, a pang of empathy.
"Something wrong?" Yoshiki asked, puzzled by their looks.
Haibara Ai averted her gaze, then murmured:
"That meal does taste pretty good."
"If you ever want one," Ran added, smiling, "I can make a perfect replica for you."