Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 517 Motive
"Hurry up, the fireworks show is about to start, we need to get a good spot..."

"Oh! I forgot to call Aunt Yumi!"

"Others will probably call out, right? Let's go grab a spot first."

"It would be terrible if no one called her. I'll go call her."

"Wait for me……"

……

After soaking in the hot springs and playing ping-pong, Kogoro and his group, seeing that it was already 6:30, quickly grabbed their placemats and headed to the place to watch the fireworks.

At this time, the Mori family of three, along with Ai, whom they brought along, and Mori's old classmate Jun Omura, set off together.

However, just halfway through the run, Xiaolan suddenly remembered that one of the aunties, named "Horikoshi Yumi," had not come along.

When we were playing table tennis before, Yumi Horikoshi got sleepy and went to her room to rest. It seems like no one went to wake her up afterwards.

Ran was afraid that the others would forget about it, so she wanted to go back. Conan, who was always clinging to Ran, naturally followed along.

But just then, Ai interrupted, "Wait..."

When Ran and Conan looked over in confusion, Ai had no choice but to explain, "I just saw someone go to see Aunt Yumi."

Actually, no...

However, when Horikoshi Yumi went back to her room to rest alone, Ai told Shiraishi about it.

Ai even told Shiraishi...

Horikoshi and another big male classmate, Nakamichi Kazushi, seem to be having an affair!
Although she didn't know what Shiraishi wanted to do with someone "acting alone," Ai knew that since Shiraishi had already gone to find her, he certainly didn't want anyone unrelated to him to bother him.

……

That's indeed the case!

an hour ago...

Shiraishi climbed in from the mountainside of the hot spring inn—if he had entered through the main entrance, given his size, he would likely have attracted everyone's attention.

Following the room number Ai gave him, Shiraishi arrived at the door of room 201.

At that moment, Mori and the others were playing ping-pong downstairs.

dong dong dong-

Click...

"I already said I want to take a break..." Horikoshi opened the door impatiently, and started complaining as soon as he opened his mouth.

Although she is in her thirties, well-maintained, and has a face that is a 7 out of 10 in terms of looks, her difficult expression detracts from her overall appearance.

At the same time, after seeing who was knocking on the door, Horikoshi immediately opened her mouth wide and fell silent, her pupils even dilating slightly—to be precise, she didn't see a person, but only a "headless giant".

Shiraishi bent down slightly, bringing his large face closer. Only then did Horikoshi realize it was a person, and he even swallowed hard, his throat moving.

“You…you are…Chief Mikasa, right?” Horikoshi recognized Shiraishi.

Horikoshi also works in Tokyo and graduated from Beika University, so of course he would know "Director Beika".

"Can we talk inside?" Shiraishi said, already leaning his upper body into the room.

Suddenly, Horikoshi Yumi felt the lights dim—given Shiraishi's height, the upper body that had been leaning in was almost above her head.

"Please come in..." Horikoshi probably thought that the door of the Japanese-style inn was nothing in front of Shiraishi.

"Chief Mika..."

Before Horikoshi could even speak, Shiraishi reminded him, "Just call me Shiraishi."

Shiraishi found it strange to be called "Chief Rice Flower"—he had never seen any other chiefs addressed that way.

"Is Chief Shiraishi here to see your sister?" Horikoshi had heard Mori mention before that the unlikable little girl who always seemed to see through something was Shiraishi's sister.

“No, I’m here to see you, Ms. Horikoshi,” Shiraishi said calmly.

"Looking for me? I haven't done anything illegal, have I? Besides... I haven't been to Beika Town recently," Horikoshi said matter-of-factly.

“What I mean is… Ms. Horikoshi, have you done anything recently that might make people hold a grudge?” Shiraishi continued to ask.

Originally, Shiraishi wanted to tell her that she was probably being targeted—if Ai's "intuition" was correct, then it should be Nakamichi Kazushi.

Since ancient times, treachery has been associated with murder, gambling with theft, and the practice of investigating husbands after wives are murdered, wives after husbands are murdered, and mistresses after mistresses are murdered has almost become a path dependency.

Unhealthy relationships between men and women have always been a breeding ground for crime...

"As expected... even Director Beika can be persuaded?" Horikoshi's expression changed, and he changed his sitting posture to crossing his legs.

"I didn't..." Shiraishi was about to explain when he realized she had misunderstood.

"As expected of the deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department..."

"Ok?"

Upon hearing Horikoshi's next words, Shiraishi was taken aback.

"The deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department? This matter is related to the deputy commissioner? Is it Moroboshi or Kinugasa?" Shiraishi immediately became gossipy.

Seeing the eager look in Shiraishi's eyes, Horikoshi Yumi realized that she had probably misunderstood.

"You...it's not because of this?" Horikoshi awkwardly lowered his leg because of Shiraishi's overly eager gaze—after all, he was still wearing a yukata.

“I received a tip that someone found the gun that Mori caught, and the target is likely you, Ms. Horikoshi.” Shiraishi also knew at this time that the old classmate Mori met when he caught the robber was Horikoshi.

"What? Could it be..." Horikoshi clearly realized something as well.

However, Shiraishi interrupted her thoughts and asked, "What is this matter you're talking about that relates to the Deputy Superintendent General?"

After a moment of silence, Horikoshi said resentfully, "Whatever, you'll find out later anyway... That guy is trying to climb the social ladder by marrying the deputy superintendent of police, and he's going on a blind date with the daughter of the Moroboshi family. I heard they're actually getting married!"

"Wait, you mean Nakamichi and Shiki, right?" Shiraishi confirmed.

“That’s right.” Horikoshi looked at Shiraishi suspiciously, seemingly surprised that he knew so little.

"As for Deputy Director Moroboshi... he's not that picky about finding a son-in-law," Shiraishi said gossipily.

Age is not a problem. If it is really a "high-society match", it is normal for men to get married at the age of thirty-seven or thirty-eight.

but……

As for that Nakamichi Kazushi, Shiraishi had learned a little about him after Ai mentioned him—he was just a police inspector in Chiba Prefecture, the kind who was completely useless.

Shiraishi certainly didn't think that top-tier cattle and horses had no merits, it's just...

Shiraishi never expected that Deputy Director Moroboshi would be so unsophisticated as to be so disdainful of the poor and greedy!
"Heh, just an old woman," Horikoshi said dismissively.

"Ah, quite old?" Shiraishi seemed to understand upon hearing this.

However, Horikoshi's expression became somewhat unnatural. After giving a vague "hmm," he mumbled, "About the same age as that old man!" Shiraishi: ...

So you're about the same age as me, right?

In short, Moroboshi's daughter does indeed seem to be a bit of an older single woman. It's probably because she's not very good in other aspects that Moroboshi wants to find a police officer son-in-law who is capable, easy to control, and doesn't have a bad background.

As a result, this matter fell to Nakamichi!
Shiraishi had no idea that Moroboshi had a son-in-law...

All that is known is that he has a son and a grandson. His son is a typical spoiled brat who has reportedly committed some minor offenses, all of which were covered up by Moroboshi. This can be considered the biggest stain on Moroboshi's promotion. It's not that these "minor offenses" are of any importance, but rather that his son is so incompetent that the factor of "causing trouble" must be considered.

The grandson is still young and was born to Moroboshi's eldest son, who has already passed away.

"So Inspector Nakamichi... started something and then abandoned it?" Shiraishi asked directly.

“Yes, that’s right, isn’t it?” Horikoshi said matter-of-factly.

"Speaking of which... you two must have known each other for a long time, right? It seems like even Detective Mouri and the others don't know about your relationship?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

“I don’t like public relationships,” Horikoshi said directly.

"He's been dodging the topic of marriage all along?" Shiraishi asked, following this line of reasoning.

However, Horikoshi then said, "No, it's because I don't want to marry him."

Shiraishi:? ? ?
"Huh? Is it because...you knew he went on a blind date?" Shiraishi asked strangely.

“No, he proposed to me many times before, but… I don’t like the family relationship of ‘marriage’,” Horikoshi said calmly.

Shiraishi:? ? ?
"So, you didn't really care too much about the arranged marriage, did you?" Shiraishi wanted to clarify the motive.

"How could I not care? He's going to abandon me for an old and ugly woman!" Horikoshi said indignantly.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to get married..." Shiraishi felt a headache coming on.

"I don't want to get married because I don't like this kind of family relationship." Horikoshi said in a tone that seemed to say, "Are you forgetful?"

"Then the eldest daughter of the Nakamichi and Moroboshi families..." Shiraishi, having already realized something, asked again.

"He abandoned me for power!" Horikoshi's logic is very comprehensive.

It's my business if I don't want to get married, and it's also my business if I refuse your proposal, but it's wrong of you to want to break up.

Shiraishi rubbed his temples and asked, "Ms. Horikoshi, why did you choose to attend Beika University?"

Shiraishi asked a question that was the only one that could explain her logic.

"It's close to home... so what?" Horikoshi said matter-of-factly.

Okay, so it really is a rice cake person. No wonder they're so crazy...

If that guy weren't going to be out of prison anytime soon, Shiraishi would have even wanted to introduce the murderer, who said, "It was all her fault that I changed my mind," to Horikoshi Yumi.

Shiraishi shook his head, deciding to disregard her logic for now, and instead asked the most important question: "So... as revenge, did you do something?"

Why she wants revenge is not important; what matters is that as long as her methods of revenge can provoke Zhongdao's killing intent, then she has a motive!
Horikoshi fell silent upon hearing this.

Upon seeing this, Shiraishi immediately understood—this was probably not a legitimate means of revenge.

“I have photos of us together from the past…” Horikoshi then admitted.

"Photos? Are they photos of you together after you went on a blind date with Deputy Director Moroboshi's daughter?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

"No, that bastard, once he knew there was an opportunity to curry favor with a high-ranking official, he wanted to abandon me!" Horikoshi said angrily.

Shiraishi:……

So you repeatedly rejected marriage proposals, and then the other person broke up with you before the blind date even started, right?
Shiraishi really wanted to complain, but she needed her cooperation for the time being, so she held back.

"Then this photo has limited use, right? Does the Moroboshi family think that a man who is almost forty years old has never had any romantic experience before?" Shiraishi asked doubtfully.

Is it really that pure and innocent?

“This isn’t an ordinary photo.” Horikoshi said with a knowing look.

“Ahem, I know… but even if it’s a very private photo…” Shiraishi was slightly embarrassed—but Shiraishi had just thought of this possibility.

But is this thing really that threatening?
"Here." Horikoshi showed it to Shiraishi on his phone.

When Shiraishi saw that she had shown it, he wanted to refuse: "Ahem, you don't need to show it to me... huh?"

Shiraishi suddenly realized...

That person wrapped the bamboo shoots really tightly!
Shiraishi:……

So that's the kind of threat it is?

The more Shiraishi interacted with the Beika people, the more he felt that humanity's understanding of them was less than one-tenth.

“However, although I threatened him and made him buy it back with money, but…” Horikoshi seemed to want to say something to exonerate himself at this moment.

Shiraishi thought she was trying to say that she wouldn't actually take the money, and Shiraishi was even prepared to give her a legal lesson. However, she didn't expect Horikoshi to continue, "But... even if he gave me money, I would still show the photos to that old woman!"

Shiraishi:……

If I take the money and don't do anything, does that mean it's not extortion?
That's not what the law says!

“Ahem, well… Ms. Horikoshi, this kind of behavior is suspected of constituting intimidation, which is punishable by up to seven years in prison. If the amount involved is particularly large, it could even be subject to more than seven years in prison,” Shiraishi reminded her helplessly.

Killing half a person is nothing more than this...

"That's not important. You just said that someone picked up the lost pistol and wanted to kill me, right? It must be that guy Nakamichi, right?" Horikoshi interrupted.

Shiraishi felt...

You're just a nobody, yet you act so rudely. If you don't learn to reflect on your actions, there will be a next time!
However, Shiraishi didn't want to lecture her too much at this point, and simply said, "It's not entirely certain yet, so I hope you can cooperate in the future."

"So... you really weren't sent by that Deputy Director Moroboshi, right?" Horikoshi seemed a little uneasy.

“Of course,” Shiraishi said frankly.

"Okay! I'll help you... That guy even asked me to play ping-pong afterwards, I wonder what he's up to." Horikoshi now believed what Shiraishi said.

Soon after, Horikoshi checked the time and saw that it was almost six o'clock, so he went to the ping-pong room where only Nakamichi and Shi were left.

"You really want to buy back those photos, don't you?" Horikoshi asked Nakamichi with a questioning look.

Nakamichi assumed that Horikoshi was suspicious because of his previous request for others to come to the ping-pong court, so he pretended to be calm and said, "Of course, obviously let's play a game of ping-pong... It's been a long time since I played with you, and I'm afraid there won't be another chance."

"Really? That's not necessarily true." Horikoshi knew that Director Beika was outside, so he wasn't worried at all and immediately started hitting Nakamichi with his hands.

Horikoshi had something on his mind and hadn't been performing well, while Nakamichi, after winning, simply said, "Come on, let's talk in your room. Mori and the others went to watch the fireworks, they won't find out."

Then, as soon as he returned to Horikoshi's room, Nakamichi immediately drew the pistol from his pocket...

(End of this chapter)