Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 542 A Lively Small Town

“I’m not sure either, but… it’s clear that you still have a grudge against Mr. Hatano, Ms. Koishikawa. You said you weren’t familiar with him, yet you know everything about his private life…” Shiraishi said, shaking her head.

can only say……

Chinami Koishikawa is the most naive murderer Shiraishi has ever seen.

Shiraishi had seen even more reckless murderers before, but those were all those who would just say things like "I'll beat you to a pulp" or "I'm the one who killed him," without any intention of getting away with it.

But Koishikawa is different...

She had a plan, but the plan itself was flawed, and in practice, she kept making mistakes and getting more and more wrong. It was full of flaws!
"Is that all? It seems I'm really not cut out for telling detective stories... I can't write love stories well either, and I can't write detective stories well either..." Koishikawa said bitterly.

It's clear that Koishikawa's motive for murder was a classic case of "crime of passion."

Shiraishi didn't really want to hear the story of the innocent painter and the philandering editor. In short, Koishikawa was deceived in his feelings by Hatano, so he turned from a fan to a villain and, based on a previous accident, wanted to lock him in the storage room to suffocate!

but……

"As expected of Director Beika... When did you find out?" Koishikawa deliberately changed the subject—it was clear she didn't mean anything by it, and didn't even want to make excuses; she simply didn't want to bring up that scumbag anymore.

“No, actually it can’t be said that it was ‘as expected’. Although I instinctively suspected you, Ms. Koishikawa, when I saw the luggage, I almost dismissed my suspicions several times along the way.” Shiraishi shook his head helplessly.

"That fatal wound... really exists?" Koishikawa was even wondering if Shiraishi was bluffing him.

“Hmm, I think a fingerprint scan will tell us… It was probably Hatano who did it himself.” Shiraishi said with a strange expression, “He probably thought that this would prevent the case from going in an unexpected direction and make the police pay more attention to the investigation?”

"Probably." Koishikawa wasn't sure either.

As for why there is no more obvious information about the death?
Firstly, Koishikawa had definitely cut off his power, making it difficult for him to leave any writing in complete darkness; secondly, he knew that Koishikawa would likely "discover" his body later, at which point any messages left behind would be useless...

"So... it's hard to call this murder, right?" Ai said in a strange tone.

"Huh?" Ayako looked at Ai with a puzzled expression, then said, "Ai, you can't interrupt about things like that..."

Shiraishi then nodded and said, "Whether it counts as murder or not is another matter, but generally speaking, if you want to suffocate someone simply by sealing off the environment, you either need to reduce the oxygen concentration to below 10% or increase the carbon dioxide concentration to above 8%..."

"A 20-square-meter room is enough for an adult to breathe for five days in a sealed environment. Although the storage room is piled with a lot of things, there should still be more air. If you really calm down and rest at a high place, you will die of thirst before you suffocate."

"Even considering that a person's metabolism speeds up when they are stressed, it's not very likely that he would suffocate in just three days."

Koishikawa:? ? ?

"If the accident you mentioned earlier really happened, then Mr. Hatano's explanation should be attributed to psychological factors... The idea that someone could suffocate in a large room for a few hours by sealing it off is an exaggeration in artistic creation," Shiraishi said, shaking his head.

but……

Both Koishikawa and Hatano clearly believe this!

One came to "discover the body" after three days, while the other, even more rebellious, smashed himself to death before being locked up for even a day...

That's why Shiraishi almost ruled out Koishikawa at first!

Because she genuinely didn't know about the external injury...

However, when she questioned the external injuries later, her explanation, excluding her own account, was truly shocking—she was entirely explaining that she didn't kill him after opening the door, rather than explaining that she was the one who went in with him.

From Koishikawa's perspective, this was indeed unexpected. She was probably thinking, "I didn't hit him," and that's how she explained it.

However, this actually confirms that she was very certain that "Hamano wasn't hit when the door was locked"!
After hearing Shiraishi's words, Koishikawa became even more dejected: "I really can't do anything right..."

Shiraishi:……

Although Shiraishi could understand what Koishikawa meant, she still felt that her reaction at this moment was somewhat "strange".

"Ahem, please don't reflect on this kind of thing," Shiraishi couldn't help but complain—what exactly do you want to do well? Do you want me to encourage you that you can definitely do it next time?

Koishikawa sighed and said, "I'm sorry for causing everyone trouble..." Then he specifically addressed the "fans," saying, "I'm also sorry for disappointing Ms. Ayako."

Ayako felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi asked, "How old is Ms. Koishikawa this year?"

"Hmm? Let me do the math... I was sixteen when my first manga came out... six years before that... um, I guess I was twenty-two." Koishikawa said, counting.

She has obviously been drawing comics since she was sixteen, which is why she is so "naive".

"You're only twenty-two... There's still plenty of time. Whether you continue creating after you get out of prison or become a good wife, there's still time. You have a long life ahead of you. It's too early to say things like you'll disappoint everyone," Shiraishi calmly comforted him.

"Excuse me, can I go back to my room and calm down for a while?" Koishikawa said, his voice trembling slightly.

Shiraishi stared at her for a while, making sure she just didn't want anyone to see her crying, and that she wasn't trying to commit suicide, before saying, "Of course."

As for escaping...

That's even more impossible.

In this environment, even a wild boar wouldn't be able to escape from Shiroishi.

Ayako wasn't in a good mood afterward, since her favorite manga artist had suddenly become a murderer.

After telling Ai to go to sleep, Ayako leaned against Shiraishi in the living room and asked, "Kuro, Koishikawa-sensei... is this considered intentional homicide?"

“I think it should count… but it depends on how the Shizuoka District Prosecutors Office prosecutes and how the court rules,” Shiraishi said frankly.

What happened after that had nothing to do with Shiraishi anymore.

……

After daybreak, the mudslide was finally cleared, and Henggou led the team to the villa in Xiaoshichuan.

Originally, the ramen-noodle-haired guy was all set up, ready to investigate the case thoroughly and impress Shiraishi, the police officer from Tokyo. Who knew...

Shiraishi was closer to his younger brother, and only somewhat closer to Yokomizo Sango.

"What? You... surrendered yourself?" Yokomizo looked at Shiraishi and Koishikawa in surprise.

"Well, Inspector Yokomizo, you can discuss the rest with Koishikawa... Don't mention me in the case file," Shiraishi said matter-of-factly.

Yokogawa: ...

Although he didn't understand what had happened, Yokomizo knew that Shiraishi must have solved the case and persuaded the murderer.

"Has the mudslide cleared up?" Bai Shi asked another question.

"Yes, the obstacle has been cleared."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Shiraishi left the villa with Ayako and Ai... "That QX56 belongs to Inspector Shiraishi, right? Are you coming to Shizuoka for a visit?" Yokomizo asked.

After all, even disregarding personal relationships, Shiraishi is a Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department. Even from the perspective of "not wanting to embarrass himself in front of the police officers of the Metropolitan Police Department," he should be more careful.

"Yes, I'm planning to go check out the festival in Kikuno City," Shiraishi nodded without hiding anything.

"Kikuno City... indeed, the festival is very lively at this time. I hope you have a good time." Yokomizo did not disturb him.

……

After arriving in Kikuno City, Ayako was given the task of giving directions—she was the one who planned the trip.

The three of them stayed at a guesthouse. Although Kikuno City was very lively at the moment, fortunately Ayako had booked the room in advance.

"The timing has changed slightly from the plan. Let's have lunch here and go out for dinner later!" Ayako slightly revised the plan.

Not only did they arrive late, but the three of them also needed to rest—because of what happened last night, none of them had gotten a good night's sleep!
Ayako booked a typical Japanese-style guesthouse and only one room—since she would be sleeping on tatami mats anyway, the space was very large.

After resting and washing up in the afternoon, the three of them set off again before dinner.

"What are we having for dinner?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

“Namiya... let me see, it should be not far ahead. The owner of the guesthouse recommended it,” Ayako said.

"It sounds like a pub." Shiraishi was slightly worried that the environment might make Ayako uncomfortable.

Ayako isn't some aloof young lady, but she still feels uncomfortable in overly noisy environments filled with the smell of alcohol and drunkards.

"Yes, but the proprietress said the atmosphere is great and the owner's cooking skills are top-notch. Shizuoka Oden is delicious," Ayako nodded.

Once they reached the door, Shiraishi felt relieved.

It was indeed very lively inside, but...

This lively atmosphere was more like a prelude to a festival celebration among neighbors. The guests at the several tables inside clearly knew each other, and there were no heavy drinkers.

But after Shiraishi came in...

Click——

The young waitress, who was clearly still in school and helping out at home, suddenly dropped her tray on the floor in terror.

This unusual situation immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Shiraishi:……

"Excuse me, are there... any seats available?" Shiraishi asked somewhat apologetically.

They were already used to it in Tokyo, so even if people were surprised, they wouldn't react so strongly, which made Shiraishi underestimate him.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! This way please..." The proprietress of the Namiki family hurriedly came over and led the three of them to a table near the door.

The shop was so quiet despite having so many people inside, which made Shiraishi feel a little embarrassed.

fine……

Soon everyone was freed from the "pause" state.

A woman at the opposite table, quite familiar with Baishi, looked at him and asked, "Wow, so big! You're so big! Are you two meters tall?"

“A little more,” Shiraishi replied with a smile.

Immediately, the eldest sister called out to the kitchen, "Yutaro, a big customer has arrived! Do you have enough ingredients prepared?"

Yutaro must be the owner of Namikiya. The kitchen is also transparent, and the owner has already seen Shiraishi. At this moment, he said matter-of-factly, "Of course... don't underestimate my shop!"

A chubby, kind-looking middle-aged man wearing glasses complained to the "enthusiastic older sister," "Maya, don't scare Mr. Namiki's guests."

"What do you mean, Xiao Xiu!"

Shiraishi could also tell that everyone in the shop except himself probably knew each other and had a good relationship, addressing each other by their first names.

The couple at the next table were relatively quiet. The husband whispered to Baishi, "Sorry, we people from small towns are used to this. I hope I didn't disturb you."

"Not at all, I think the atmosphere is great," Shiraishi said, nodding in agreement.

“That’s right, that’s how you make a shop feel lively and welcoming,” Ayako said politely.

"Is this...your child?" The husband looked at Ai and asked casually—well, she didn't look like it at all.

As for the relationship between Shiraishi and Ayako, it's quite obvious.

“No, this is my sister,” Shiraishi explained.

husband:……

It doesn't feel very scientific!

Just then, the young girl from before came out shyly carrying out three bowls of stew—which should be Shizuoka's specialty, oden.

"I'm sorry, I was rude just now. This is to apologize." The little girl saw that Bai Shi was only a bit older and that he was very polite after coming in, so she wasn't afraid anymore.

"Thank you." Shiraishi took the bowl from the tray.

Ai Haibara even chimed in, "No, this is a normal reaction. If you didn't, this man would suspect that you're hiding something."

Hearing Ai's words, the little girl couldn't help but laugh and completely relaxed.

"By the way, are you here for the costume parade?" the young girl asked proactively—after all, Shiraishi's figure was considered exceptionally gifted in a costume parade.

"Ah... Xia Mei, you can't scout out the enemy's situation!" The bespectacled middle-aged man, referred to as "Xiao Xiu," reminded him.

It seems their parade also included a competition.

Shiraishi, however, said nonchalantly, "No, we're just tourists."

The woman at the next table seemed relieved upon hearing this: "That's good, otherwise it would be a bit too much of a cheating..."

Indeed, Shiraishi has a huge advantage when it comes to "dressing up" characters like the Hulk or Frankenstein's monster!
------

Note: This case is originally from the novel "Furuhata Ninzaburo," which is slightly more intelligent; some parts of the book are made even more foolish. Because this case was originally created by the production team to give the actress who played the murderer (Akina Nakamura) some entertainment, and the victim's prototype was the scumbag who abandoned Akina Nakamura, naturally, the case also included a loophole for acquittal.

……

Dongdong: Today is September 20th. 1643 years ago, Fu Jian of the Former Qin Dynasty chose this auspicious day to send out troops, and said: With so many troops, everyone can stop the flow of the Fei River by throwing their whips. How could we possibly lose?
With so many readers, each with one monthly pass, how could I possibly not break a thousand monthly passes?
(End of this chapter)