Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 455 The Spirit Medium

"It seems that Attorney Ayasato's acquisition was not accidental?" Shiraishi was even more certain of this when Ayasato deliberately showed off her pendant at this moment.

“I never imagined that there really was such a category as ‘evolution,’ and… the famous Director Beika is actually an evolved being,” Ayari said with a frank smile.

Ayari even knows about [evolution]...

Shiraishi was now even more certain that she was a person with inherited supernatural abilities, rather than a half-baked individual who happened to have seen some records.

Of course, Ayari only realized that Shiraishi was an "Evolver," but didn't realize that he was also the Red Demon... a male candidate.

Shiraishi didn't tell her directly, after all, it was only with great difficulty that she could pronounce "evolution" correctly, instead of using "pervert" like some evil woman from a dark organization.

“Attorney Ayasato, this must be… magic?” Shiraishi asked tentatively.

“You could say that, but I prefer to call it… a medium,” Ayari said calmly.

"A medium?" Shiraishi's expression was a little strange when he heard this—compared to the "Red Witch" who was dressed like a magical girl, "medium" sounded much more traditional.

"Is it the kind that allows you to communicate with the dead?" Shiraishi asked the most crucial question.

That's right, this is the legendary ability of a "medium"... This is also recorded in the common knowledge passed down by the Crimson Witch.

Compared to the many magical effects of the "Red Mage," the abilities of the "Spirit Medium" are more singular—mostly related to the spirits of the dead!

What Bai Shi cared about most was undoubtedly "possession by the dead," which, as its name suggests, allowed the dead to possess him, thus enabling the dead to temporarily respond to the questions of the living.

Because this effect is too overpowered...

Although in terms of magical combat, the "Spirit Medium" is no match for the "Red Witch"—just look at Akako, she has immobilization spells, hypnosis spells, and can even fly... her direct combat power is astonishing. In comparison, the "Spirit Medium" has almost no direct combat power.

But when it comes to "miracle," the "spiritual medium" is clearly superior...

After all, anything the "Red Witch" can do, technology can basically do as well—even something as simple as "immobilization"... Who says that paralyzing someone with electricity doesn't count as "immobilization"? As for unlocking and flying, fire-breathing and electric shocks, that goes without saying.

However, the ability of "spiritual mediums" to communicate with the spirits of the dead is completely beyond the framework of science, and humanity is completely ignorant about it.

Given that most schools of thought have long since disappeared, Shiraishi had previously assumed that something as extraordinary as "spiritual mediums" should have vanished.

Ayari could feel the intense gaze in Shiraishi's eyes and already knew what he was thinking.

"Chief Shiraishi, it's best not to overthink it. I've never used this kind of ability to directly ask the victim anything. It's not such a convenient ability," Ayari said, a complex look flashing in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi assumed that the "spirit medium's" abilities had some unavoidable side effects, or that the current "spirit mediums" were no longer able to communicate with the dead—after all, the "Red Magic Inheritance" only briefly introduced the "spirit medium."

“But it seems that Director Shiraishi is also a successor… an evolved being?” Ayari said, a look of doubt on her face.

She had never heard of "Evolvers" having a lineage!

“Well, actually… I also know a Crimson Witch,” Shiraishi said directly.

Upon hearing this, Ayari showed a knowing look and then said, "Is it His Majesty Koizumi? I see..."

Shiraishi then confirmed that Attorney Ayasato knew Koizumi Akako, and that Koizumi Akako was clearly very famous in this regard.

"I wonder about Attorney Ayasato's lineage as a spiritual medium..." Shiraishi inquired accordingly.

Aya shook her head and said, "Actually, I haven't practiced as a spirit medium for a long time. After all, law studies alone take up most of my study time..."

Ayari acted as if she "didn't have time".

Indeed, this is true. In modern society, "spiritual mediums" are not necessarily more useful or more fulfilling than lawyers...

Aya then added, "However, my sister is a true spiritual medium. If there is an opportunity in the future, I welcome Director Shiraishi to visit my hometown... It is the home of spiritual mediums."

Shiraishi understood immediately upon hearing this—the aptitude of a "spiritual medium" is highly heritable, so the inheritance is not like the master-disciple model of the "Red Witch," but is passed down through families and students, rather than through a single lineage.

"It would be my honor." Seeing that Ayari hadn't specified what "opportunity" meant, Shiraishi understood that this was an adult's polite remark, and that it was uncertain whether she would actually be invited. Therefore, he didn't press for details, but simply expressed his interest.

To Shiraishi's surprise, Ayari then explained, "I'm sorry, there are many rules for outsiders visiting my hometown, and I can't decide them all by myself... But my sister will be coming to Tokyo in a few days."

Shiraishi was taken aback by what he heard. He hadn't expected Attorney Ayari to extend such a sincere invitation. Moreover... Shiraishi was also puzzled as to why it sounded like Ayari couldn't make the decision, but her sister could.
Bai Shi guessed that it must be some rule of this bloodline-based school, so he didn't ask any further questions.

“I look forward to seeing your sister then,” Shiraishi said.

At this moment, Ayari's expression suddenly turned serious. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Actually... there is one more thing I would like to ask Chief Shiraishi for help with."

Seeing her serious expression, Shiraishi also asked seriously, "Is it about work, or about 'this place'?"

If it's something related to supernatural abilities, as long as Shiraishi can do it, he definitely won't speculate. But if it's about work...

As a member of the police force, Shiraishi certainly couldn't agree to anything the lawyer said unconditionally.

“I guess you could call it work… Chief Shiraishi, if anything happens to me later, please help my sister,” Aya said earnestly.

Ayari has had a bad feeling lately, and she has indeed uncovered some confidential information...

Just to be on the safe side, Ayari wanted to give the key evidence to her sister first, but since Shiraishi was also there, Ayari decided to take double precautions!

"Eh? An accident? Attorney Ayari, if there are any concerns about your personal safety, I think you can talk to me about it." Shiraishi quickly asked.

Judging from his tone, it sounds like he's being watched by someone?
Although this is not Shiraishi's jurisdiction, it is Shiraishi's duty to say such things, even if they are just ordinary strangers.

"Chief Shiraishi's girlfriend is Ms. Ayako Suzuki, right?" Aya suddenly asked.

Shiraishi:? ? ?
"Huh? Hmm... that's right." Shiraishi couldn't understand why she was talking so erratically.

After a moment of silence, Aya said, "It's nothing, maybe I'm just being too sensitive."

This matter initially involved Ayari's mother.

As her investigation progressed, she discovered a far-reaching connection—although not specifically related to the Suzuki family, it was indeed connected to many prestigious families!
Therefore, in this matter, Ayari will not trust anyone other than her sister.

The reason I brought this up with Shiraishi was because of Shiraishi's past reputation... and the fact that he is an "Evolver"!

The former gave Ayari a certain degree of trust in Shiraishi, while the latter made Ayari more at ease, assuring her that Shiraishi would not be put in danger because of this matter.

However, this trust was not enough for Ayari to be completely honest with Shiraishi, since what she now knew was related to many large conglomerates and powerful factions...

Shiraishi's girlfriend was the eldest daughter of the Suzuki family, and Ayari herself didn't know how much the Suzuki family was involved. Seeing Ayari's reaction, Shiraishi was naturally uneasy.

But just as I was about to ask further questions...

beep beep-

Shiraishi's phone rang.

"Excuse me." Shiraishi glanced at the phone and saw that it was the Criminal Investigation Division office of the police station.

"Hello, this is..."

Before Shiraishi could speak, Munakata's panicked voice came through: "A helicopter just made an emergency landing at Teitan Elementary School, and there was an explosion!"

"What? Were there any casualties?" Shiraishi hurriedly asked.

"I don't know yet..." Munakata was also flustered—it was Sunday today, but because the playground was open, Kotomi and the three members of the Detective Club were also at school.

"Okay, I understand... I'll go to the scene right away!" Shiraishi quickly leaned out of the office window and looked in the direction of Teitan Elementary School—although the Beika Hotel blocked the view of the playground, the straight-line distance was not far, and Shiraishi did see black smoke!
"I'm sorry, something happened in my jurisdiction," Shiraishi said hurriedly to Ayari after hanging up the phone.

"Yes, Chief Shiraishi, go ahead and get busy. The residents of Beika Town still need you," Ayasato comforted him.

Shiraishi nodded, and then...

He jumped directly out of the office window.

Ayari: ...

Am I on the seventh floor?

……

After receiving Munakata's call, Shiraishi rushed to Teitan Elementary School as quickly as possible.

Black smoke was still billowing from the playground, but thankfully the surrounding crowd had already been evacuated.

Moreover, not only were the Beika Town police officers who responded promptly, but even...

"Inspector Megure? What's going on?" Shiraishi saw that Megure and Mori were already there.

If they arrived after the incident, their actions were far too swift, considering that Shiraishi jumped directly from the seventh floor and ran over without regard for traffic lights.

Moreover, both of them looked quite disheveled, which didn't seem like they had just arrived!
“Brother Shiraishi, don’t worry… the children were evacuated before the forced landing,” Inspector Megure said, still shaken.

"What exactly is this helicopter...?" Shiraishi still looked at the position where the firefighters were working hard with a puzzled expression.

"It was Mr. Tsuji Hiroki's private helicopter. Halfway through the flight, Mr. Tsuji had an eye problem. Fortunately, Conan knew how to operate a helicopter and made an emergency landing on the playground of Teitan Elementary School. Although it exploded after landing due to an oil leak, fortunately there were no casualties," Inspector Megure said with lingering fear.

"Conan? Just now... you guys were on the plane too? Wait, Tsuji Hiroki... which Tsuji?" Shiraishi suddenly realized.

10. Of...

Megure gestured.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi looked at Mori.

"Yeah, I only remembered this morning that besides Mrs. Toko, Mr. Tsuji's name also has 'ten' in it, and he's going to be flying a helicopter across Tokyo today, so Inspector Megure and I came to find him right away... The culprit must have tampered with his eye drops!" Mori said indignantly.

As for Hiroki Tsuji himself, he has already been taken away by ambulance. Conan was also forcibly taken away as well—although he wanted to stay, he was still a child, and neither Mori nor Inspector Megure would feel at ease, so they forced him to go to the hospital for a check-up.

hiss--

Megure then clutched his stomach.

His wound hadn't healed yet; it was just bandaged. The violent jolting just now caused it to reopen.

"Brother Megure, you should go and treat him too. We'll take care of things here." Seeing this, Shiraishi immediately instructed the patrol officers at the scene to help Megure away.

……

The evacuation and firefighting at the scene were completed quickly.

Because Conan had contacted the other members of the Detective Boys with his badge while in the air, asking them to evacuate the students on the playground, there were no casualties.

However, the nature of the case is still very serious!
If Conan weren't on the helicopter, not only would everyone on board perish, but this is an urban area, and if the plane crashed into a densely populated area, the casualties would be devastating.

From this perspective, the prisoner's antisocial tendencies are already quite evident...

Seeing that everything was alright at the scene, Shiraishi had Gen drive him to the hospital to find out what happened from Tsuji Hiroki.

Shiraishi just received news that Tsuji Hiroki is not in mortal danger, but his eye drops have been replaced with a pupil-dilating agent, which is why he couldn't open his eyes immediately when he saw the sunlight after flying up.

"What? It will take two or three days to recover? Doctor, is there any other way? I still have a competition..." Hiroki Tsuji said helplessly, his eyes covered.

"Mr. Tsuji, let's put the match aside for now. Someone is trying to kill you!" Inspector Megure warned.

After arriving at the hospital, Megure simply changed his dressing and went back to work...

Shiraishi understood that since Megure's primary suspect was still Murakami Jo, Megure couldn't stand idly by... After inquiring about Megure's injuries, Shiraishi didn't offer any further advice and instead asked about the eye drops.

"When I left home today, I had just gotten into my car when I suddenly heard someone smashing a window. I rushed back to check, but I only saw stones. I thought it was a prank... That must have been when someone switched the eye drops in my car!" Tsuji Hiroki said with a mix of resentment and dejection.

He's a professional golfer, and he's obviously going to miss his own match this time.

"Who knows that you use eye drops when you fly a helicopter?" Megure pressed.

"Huh? I don't just use eye drops when I'm flying a helicopter... I also usually put them in before driving. People who know me well should know that." Tsuji said helplessly.

"Someone you know? Do you know Murakami Takeshi?" Shiraishi interjected from the side.

"I don't know him," Tsuji said, shaking his head.

Mori then said remorsefully, "I probably found out from someone else... Damn it!"

(End of this chapter)