HSDCC 28

Chapter 28 – Mission Objective

When Mouri Kogoro saw that the person being accused was Higashino Hiromu, he froze on the spot. He asked, “Is there some kind of misunderstanding here?”

That person replied, “But today, the only outsiders who came to the institute were him and you.”

“Oh?” Amuro Tooru said leisurely. “We never said the murderer wasn’t someone from inside the institute.”

The expressions of the people blocking the door all changed at once.

“What do you mean by that? How could we possibly lay a hand on Nakajima-san?”

“Nakajima-san is the backbone of our research institute! Without him, how is this institute supposed to continue developing?”

“Tomiyasu Yusaku, where did this bunch of nonsense-spewing people come from? Where is Director Ogawa? Hurry up and get the director out here to uphold justice!”

…

The group of researchers, usually quiet and reserved, suddenly became as noisy as a flock of eight hundred ducks, quacking incessantly.

Edogawa Conan shouted loudly, “Quiet!” He put his hands on his hips and said, “My uncle is the famous detective Mouri Kogoro! With him here, the murderer will definitely be caught!”

Everyone’s gaze immediately converged on Mouri Kogoro.

Mouri Kogoro straightened his collar, cleared his throat lightly, and said, “That’s right! Leave it to me!” He then looked at Amuro Tooru and asked, “Have you called the police?”

Amuro Tooru looked at his phone and shook his head helplessly. “There’s no signal here.”

Tomiyasu Yusaku immediately said, “There are only two landlines here that can call outside. I’ll go call the police right now.”

Mouri Kogoro nodded, then looked at the others. “Before the police arrive, let’s have a little chat. Where were all of you before the incident, and what were you doing?”

The researchers looked at each other, then began explaining their alibis one by one.

Higashino Hiromu had not expected that he would run into something like this just from coming to pick up a report, and even be treated as a suspect.

Fortunately, Conan and Amuro Tooru were both here. They would definitely clear his name.

All he needed to do was tell the truth.

After a round of questioning, there were ultimately only three suspects left. Aside from Higashino Hiromu, the other two were researchers who had worked with Nakajima Hiroshi for many years.

One of them was the man who had just accused Higashino Hiromu. His name was Yamano Hiroshi.

On the surface, it was a choice among three, but in reality, it was only a choice between two.

Edogawa Conan also did not believe that Higashino Hiromu would kill someone. Although he did not say it out loud, he had already eliminated him subconsciously.

Moreover, compared to a newcomer like Higashino Hiromu, someone familiar with the institute was far more likely to commit the crime.

Sure enough, under the successive questioning by Amuro Tooru and Edogawa Conan, the murderer’s statements stopped making sense, and he exposed his own flaw. It was Yamano Hiroshi.

He discovered that Nakajima Hiroshi had been using the institute’s resources for other research projects and had made substantial profits. After collecting evidence, he submitted it to the director. However, the director turned a blind eye and did not punish Nakajima Hiroshi. As a result, he harbored resentment, kidnapped Director Ogawa, and planned to frame Nakajima Hiroshi.

But when he confronted Nakajima Hiroshi, his anger got the better of him. In a moment of impulsiveness, he injected him with an excessive dose of anesthetic, leading to Nakajima Hiroshi’s death.

Regarding this, Edogawa Conan’s response was: hard to judge.

The case was solved, but other matters were not.

Both Higashino Hiromu and Amuro Tooru had come to obtain the experimental data, yet aside from Nakajima Hiroshi, no one knew where he had put the materials.

Amuro Tooru did not even know what Rum had sent him to retrieve!

Higashino Hiromu could ask other staff members to help him search, but what about him?

He could not draw suspicion from the others, so before the police arrived, he casually took a USB drive from Nakajima Hiroshi’s office, planning to bring it back to report in.

Whatever. The mission target was dead anyway.

With that mindset, Amuro Tooru brought the item back to complete his assignment. Rum took one look at it…

As expected, it was not what he wanted.

Rum said angrily, “What is this thing you gave me?”

Amuro Tooru spread his hands, looking innocent. “But you never told me what I was supposed to take!”

Rum cursed furiously, “That Nakajima Hiroshi! He actually dared to use this kind of thing to fob me off!”

Amuro Tooru kindly defended Nakajima Hiroshi a little. “He did not do it on purpose. He did not expect himself to die either.”

Rum: ……

After learning the entire course of the case from Amuro Tooru, he thought for a moment and said, “That student from Tohto University also took a report? Find a way to get it.”

Amuro Tooru said, “What he took was material on a new type of anesthetic. He confirmed it on the spot.”

Rum shot him a sidelong glance. “That is exactly what I want!”

Amuro Tooru: Oh…

“But I am not very familiar with him…”

Rum looked at him darkly and said in a low voice, “Are you saying you cannot do it?”

Amuro Tooru smiled. “How could that be? I just want you to give me a bit more time.”

Rum snorted coldly. “Within three days, I want to see the item.”

After sending off his hard-to-please superior, Amuro Tooru went alone to an organization safehouse.

Seeing his troubled expression, Vermouth asked, “What’s wrong? Did the mission fail? It’s rare to see you looking so downcast.”

Amuro Tooru shrugged. “I only completed half of it.” He sat down beside Vermouth and explained his mission from start to finish, deliberately emphasizing how difficult it was. “I am thinking right now about what kind of method I can use to get close to a university student within three days.”

Gin, who was nearby, snorted coldly. “This kind of thing is something you are very good at, is it not?”

Vermouth laughed as she added, “Use your charm to win them over!”

Amuro Tooru pinched the bridge of his nose. “Hey, hey, hey, that is a man!”

“What does it matter whether it is a man or a woman?” Vermouth lifted her wine glass and took a sip. “I believe that no matter the gender, they would all be attracted by your charm.”

“Forget it.” Amuro Tooru wore an expression of polite refusal. Suddenly, he said, “Oh right, that person is a student at Tohto University. Can you let that little friend of yours help me?”

The smile on Vermouth’s face vanished instantly. Her sharp gaze swept toward Amuro Tooru.

Amuro Tooru was startled by that look and immediately raised both hands. “I was joking~”

Vermouth tapped her wine glass lightly and said in a low voice, “That child is not meant to be used for this kind of thing.”

Amuro Tooru put on a placating smile, while in his heart, he raised Hatori Yuiichi’s importance level by another notch.

At this moment, Gin, on the side, spoke up. “It is not impossible to let him help with something.”

“Gin!” Vermouth shouted sharply.

“Do not make such a fuss.” Gin glanced at Vermouth and continued, “The organization has raised him for so many years. Asking him to help with something is not a big deal.”

Vermouth’s expression turned extremely ugly as she retorted, “He has never received training in that area! And he cannot be allowed to come into contact with these matters!”

Gin let out a sneer and asked in return, “Is it that he cannot, or that you will not allow it?”

Vermouth lifted her chin. “So what if I will not allow it? If you have the ability, go complain to the Boss yourself.”

Gin stood up, walked to Vermouth’s side, and said in a low voice, “Other than using the Boss to pressure me, what else can you do?”

Vermouth turned her head and met his gaze directly. “As long as it works, that is enough.”

Gin walked past her and said coldly, “If you will not say it, then I will go myself.” Vodka immediately followed, opening the car door for his big brother.

When Vermouth chased after them, all she could see was the car’s exhaust fading into the distance.

Amuro Tooru walked over to her and asked awkwardly, “Was I wrong to bring him up?”

Vermouth turned her head and shot him a fierce glare. “I know you are curious about him, but you should not have dragged him into this.” She turned around, got into her own car, and chased after Gin.

Amuro Tooru stroked his chin, unable to stop himself from frowning in deep thought.

A newcomer had actually caused a dispute between Vermouth and Gin. This person is far from simple!

Gin and Vermouth sped all the way to Haido City Hotel. The three of them went together to the top-floor suite.

The moment Hatori Yuiichi opened the door, he saw three faces he did not want to see.

The corner of his mouth twitched as he stepped aside to let them in.

Hatori Yuiichi rubbed his brow and asked, “Why did you come to find me? Didn’t we agree that you wouldn’t contact me while I’m outside?”

Gin said in a low voice, “There’s a task you need to help with.”

Hatori Yuiichi let out a long sigh and said, “Didn’t you say I wouldn’t have to do these kinds of things? If that was just talk, then I might as well go back.”

Vermouth said, “Of course, you don’t have to do it. Don’t listen to him.”

Gin glanced at her, then said to Hatori Yuiichi, “If you don’t go, then I’ll do it myself.”

Hatori Yuiichi spread his hands, looking indifferent. “Do as you please.”

Gin let out a cold laugh and said slowly, “Even if the target is someone you know?”

Hatori Yuiichi’s hands froze. He looked sharply at Gin.

“Higashino Hiromu. You should know him, right?”

Hatori Yuiichi frowned slightly and said with displeasure, “You’re monitoring me?”

Gin rolled his eyes. “I don’t have that much free time. It’s just that after you entered Tohto University, we screened all the interpersonal relationships around you.”

“If you don’t want to do it, fine. I’ll handle it personally. But I’ve never been very patient. Any task is faster with a single bullet.”

Hatori Yuiichi slipped his hands into his pockets and said, “No. He is considered a prominent figure at the university. If he were to die suddenly, it would cause a huge uproar.” He lowered his gaze and thought for a moment, then said calmly, “I’ll take the mission. Just this once.”  

Gin said, “Within three days, get the report he brought out of the Ogawa Research Institute.”

Hatori Yuiichi frowned. “Three days is too rushed. I’m not that familiar with him.” Yet the hands in his pockets were clenched tightly, his fingernails leaving marks in his palms.

Gin left with Vodka, speaking as they walked. “That’s your problem.”

After the two of them left, Vermouth stepped forward and gently patted Hatori Yuiichi on the shoulder.

She said in a low voice, “Since you’ve deceived Gin once, you have to keep deceiving him. Do not let anything slip. Otherwise, the one in danger will be that child.”

Hatori Yuiichi replied coldly, “Auntie, I didn’t lie.”

Vermouth raised her hand and touched his cheek. “That’s for the best.” A trace of guilt flashed through her eyes, but she said nothing more and left in silence.

After the door closed, Hatori Yuiichi rushed into the bathroom, bent down, and stuck his head into the sink, turning on the faucet.

Cold water instantly soaked his hair. As the water level rose, his mouth and nose were submerged as well. He did not know how long he held his breath, so long that his lungs began to ache faintly, before he finally lifted his head out of the water.

His head spun, and his vision darkened.

He braced both hands against the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. Suddenly, he raised his hand and smashed the mirror with a single punch. Blood dripped down from his knuckles, staining the sink red.

He had never realized so clearly before that he and Higashino Hiromu did not belong to the same world!

Even living in the sunlight, he could never escape the darkness!

CHARACTER PROFILE:

Vodka
Manga/Anime: Detective Conan
Height: Not specified
Role: Member of the Black Organization; Gin’s subordinate and partner
Personality: Ruthless gangster type; less perceptive and intimidating than Gin, obedient and loyal, often careless 
Notable Traits: Muscular build, wears a black fedora with a red stripe and black glasses; typically acts as driver, lookout, and operational support during missions
Background: Frequently assists Gin in Black Organization operations, including the APTX 4869 incident that shrank Shinichi Kudo; lacks sharp intuition and is often deceived or manipulated by Conan