Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 579 Rescue
The ribbon-cutting ceremony proceeded as scheduled. Unlike yesterday's "small gathering," there were hundreds of guests at the ribbon-cutting site.

After Shiraishi entered, he observed everyone, including the staff!
After all, the possibility of the "Black Organization" getting involved is now very high...

Shiraishi also needs to be wary; could Vermouth have disguised herself and infiltrated?

The first part is free time, during which everyone can look at Mount Fuji in the sunset through the viewing glass.

When the time came, Tokiwa Mio personally presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

However, from beginning to end, everything was thrilling but ultimately safe...

Mio Tokiwa did not seem to be greatly affected by the deaths of the directors and members of parliament. She then presided over the ribbon-cutting ceremony according to the established procedure.

Tokiwa Foundation also prepared a small activity – silently counting down the seconds.

That is, without looking at the time, silently count to 30 seconds, and the person who is closest will win the prize - a red Ford convertible sports car!

Many people were surprised by Tokiwa Group's large-scale investment, and at the same time became very interested.

"Those who wish to participate, please hand your watches to the staff for safekeeping and collect the small flags to be used for the announcement later," said Mio Tokiwa. Several waiters came in to collect everyone's watches and distribute the small flags.

Seeing this, Shiraishi waved to the waiter, indicating that he didn't need it...

For Shiraishi, this was no challenge at all. Whether it was pure intuition, observing his own periodic physiological changes, simulating a clock in his mental palace, or carefully listening to the sound of a stolen watch, he could accurately calculate 30 seconds.

However, Shiraishi didn't want the prize...

It's too simple, it feels like a free gift. If it were some small souvenir, that would be fine, but a sports car worth millions? To avoid suspicion, Shiraishi, as a high-ranking police officer, wouldn't want to accept such a gift from the Tokiwa Group.

Seeing that Shiraishi wasn't interested, Ayako and Satsuki didn't play either...

Sonoko and the others, on the other hand, seemed very interested and serious.

Today is a formal occasion, and Ayako prepared Sonoko's dress and accessories, so...

Seeing Sonoko casually toss her watch into the basket, Ayako wanted to remind her—that women's watch that Sonoko didn't usually wear was a birthday gift from Ayako, custom-made with special diamonds, and actually more expensive than the car!

……

Fifteen seconds after the event started, people began raising flags one after another. As soon as one person started raising a flag, it was like a contagious disease, and everyone started raising their flags in succession...

Sonoko was about to raise the flag, but Mori suddenly called for it, disrupting her countdown and causing her to raise it quite a while later. And then…

"Stop! The lady with the yellow flag is the most accurate... the one with the beautiful perm, ah... it's the second young lady of the Suzuki family." Tokiwa Mio announced at this moment.

Shiraishi:……

Wealth flowed to those who had the least lack of wealth.

Sonoko then went on stage to accept the award and gave her acceptance speech.

"Actually, I can't drive right now. I originally wanted to give it to my sister, but then I thought... my brother-in-law probably can't fit in such a small car, so I'll pass." Sonoko said, making fun of her brother-in-law's size.

Shiraishi:……

The guests smiled kindly, which made Ayako blush.

Since it wasn't a formal occasion, and most importantly, it wasn't the Suzuki family's place, it wasn't a problem for Sonoko to call him "brother-in-law" in an informal way.

After the award ceremony, Tokiwa Mio invited several people, including her teacher, to the stage for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Then the host announced, "To celebrate the completion of the Tokiwa Group's twin towers, Master Kisaragi specially painted a painting called 'Mount Fuji in Early Spring.' Please enjoy it!"

Then the curtain was lowered on the stage, blocking out the people on stage as well. After that, a series of works by Ruyue Fengshui were projected.

After that, the curtain will fall behind the curtain, revealing the Mount Fuji painting that was specially created for today…

The host then introduced the projected paintings one by one, but just then, Shiraishi's ears suddenly twitched.

"Hmm?" Shiraishi frowned.

"What's wrong?" Ayako asked, looking at Shiraishi with a puzzled expression.

"Something's not right...something's not right!" Shiraishi stared at the curtain, his doubts growing stronger, and then ran straight onto the stage!
"Huh? Uh... wait a minute..." The host was also startled.

Because of the projection, the lights were turned off at first. He only saw a huge black shadow coming up and even suspected it was a bear. Then, by the light of the projection, he saw that it was Director Mika.

However, the host was also puzzled as to why "Director Mihua" suddenly rushed up.

Immediately, Shiraishi completely ignored him, directly lifting the curtain and going inside, and then...

"Raise the painting up!" came Shiraishi's huge roar.

"Huh? Director Mika..." the host was still wondering.

Shiraishi has already torn the curtain down...

After the curtain fell, everyone saw "Early Spring Mount Fuji," a large painting that was being lowered by machinery.

At the same time, what is even more noticeable is...

In front of the painting, Tokiwa Mio is being hoisted up by the neck!
Fortunately, Shiraishi discovered her early enough; she was still kicking and struggling at that moment...

Seeing this, the stage manager, urged by Shiraishi, hurriedly began to raise the painting—the thin line suspending Tokiwa was clearly connected to the mechanism for raising and lowering the painting; once the painting went up, Tokiwa Mio came down...

However, as Tokiwa Mio's struggles grew weaker, the mechanism descended extremely slowly.

Because the stage was a temporary setup, and the mechanical lifting mechanism was simple and slow, it was necessary to lower the curtain to buy time.

This left the guests who witnessed the scene feeling utterly helpless, as if they were about to see President Tokiwa hanged, yet there was nothing they could do, and Tokiwa Mio was already motionless...

But just then, Shiraishi determined that the descent was about right, so he leaped up, jumping as high as two stories.

And just as it reached its highest point, Shiraishi accurately reached out and, with two fingers, grabbed the largest pearl at the front of Tokiwa Mio's pearl necklace, then pulled it off with force—there was a thread hanging from her necklace!
If a thin thread were to wrap around the neck and tighten around it, Shiraishi wouldn't have any good options and could only wait for the machine to slowly descend!
After all, Shiraishi couldn't even grab onto that hanging line. If Shiraishi were to hang on Tokiwa Mio for leverage, her cervical spine would break without even waiting for the next move...

However, after Shiraishi precisely tore off the necklace, he caught Tokiwa Mio and carried her down to the ground!
Seeing this, the guests, who had been on edge, finally felt a sense of relief...

The reason it's only half is because after Shiraishi landed heavily, Tokiwa, whom he had been holding, was no longer moving.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late!

Although he was no longer breathing on his own, Shiraishi listened to his heartbeat, then immediately placed him on the ground and began artificial respiration—learning from his mistake, this time Shiraishi listened to his heartbeat directly, confirming that it was very weak, unlike before when he only felt his pulse.

Make sure you don't get scammed by Vermouth a second time!
Other close friends and family members also gathered around, and after several attempts, Shiraishi stopped...

Under everyone's tense gaze, Tokiwa Mio's brows twitched, and then she opened her eyes. Upon opening them, Tokiwa Mio saw the glaring chandelier, and heard... the applause for Shiraishi around her.

"President Tokiwa, are you alright? Do you remember why you were hung up?" Shiraishi asked hurriedly upon seeing this.

What just happened was clearly not an accident.

Someone must have tampered with the lifting mechanism beforehand and then hung her necklace on the fishing line after the lights were turned off!

Because the lighting behind the curtain was too dim, the people around didn't know what had happened.
"I..." Chang Pan was still a little dazed, but thankfully the time she was without oxygen was very short, and her expression gradually cleared up.

"As Kisaragi-sensei just said my necklace was loose, she helped me fix it, and then... I was suddenly hoisted up... It was him!" Tokiwa realized at that moment.

Although he wasn't exactly "drunk," Tokiwa had inevitably had a few glasses of red wine, which made him feel much less alert, allowing this method to succeed.

"What? Master Kisaragi?"

"How can it be……"

"Wait! Where is Master Kisaragi?"

While those around were still in surprise, they suddenly realized...

Just moments ago, Mineki Kisaragi, who was standing behind the curtain with Mio Tokiwa, was nowhere to be seen!

"Master Ruyue just took the elevator downstairs," a waiter whispered.

Although leaving at that time seemed strange, everyone's attention was on the stage, so few people noticed it, and even if they did, they wouldn't have bothered to stop it...

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi immediately ran to the elevator. Seeing that it displayed the 68th floor, he pressed the elevator button and simultaneously called Megure…

"Inspector Megure! Kisaragi Mine just attempted to kill President Tokiwa but failed and fled the scene. Be on high alert outside!" Shiraishi emphasized.

Although Shiraishi didn't think Kisaragi was hoping he could escape, he immediately called Megure just in case.

Just as Shiraishi was about to enter the elevator, he suddenly heard Conan exclaim, "He's on the roof of Building B!"

Conan reacted at the same time as Shiraishi and arrived at the elevator. However, while Shiraishi was calling Megure, Conan immediately ran to the panoramic window on the north side. Upon seeing the 68th floor, Conan guessed that Kisaragi Mine had likely gone to Building B via the connecting bridge...

Several skybridges connect Towers A and B of the Twin Towers, serving both as a convenience and a safety passageway.

The tallest of these is the 68th-floor skybridge, which is level with the top floor of Building B!
Sure enough, Conan saw that Kisaragi Mine had appeared on the top floor of Building B—because the skylight of Building B was open at this time, so Conan could see directly inside.

Despite the distance, Conan still recognized Kisaragi Mine after his glasses magnified his vision.

Ruyue is quite old and walks with a limp, but she is indeed moving step by step toward the edge of the building.

"Oh no! Master Ruyue is going to..."

Many people then realized that he was probably planning to "commit suicide out of fear of punishment"!
Someone started shouting here, but... how could anyone hear them!
Not to mention the thick glass barrier, even though Blocks A and B look "next to" each other because they are large, they are actually not close together.

Upon seeing this, Shiraishi immediately looked around and, upon spotting the red sports car, an idea instantly formed in his mind…

If you slowly take the elevator down to the corridor bridge, it will definitely be too late to stop him.

Fly straight there...

The backlash from magic is unbearable!

However, Shiraishi could use a slightly more scientific method.

Suddenly, Shiraishi ripped off his suit jacket and yelled, "Get out of the way!"

The next moment, Bai Shi suddenly slammed into the viewing glass with a powerful lean...

The glass wall, comparable in hardness to bulletproof glass, shattered into fragments starting from where Shiraishi's elbow touched it, and then...

Shiraishi ran straight to the red sports car and shouted to Sonoko, "Give me the keys!"

"Huh? Oh!" Sonoko was taken aback for a moment, then quickly tossed the key that had been given to her earlier to her brother-in-law.

Instead of sitting down, Shiraishi dismantled the chair with his bare hands, then turned the key...

"Get out of the way!" Shiraishi reminded again.

"Shiraishi-senpai!" Satsuki couldn't help but step forward to stop him—this was too reckless!
However, Ayako stopped her at that moment...

"You!" Satsuki glared at her angrily.

“Trust him!” Ayako looked at Shiraishi with sparkling eyes.

Yes, Ayako certainly believed it.

After all, Ayako knew that if Shiraishi really couldn't hold on any longer, he could fly away on a broomstick...

The next moment, Bai Shi revved the engine and drove off from one of the roads where everyone had scattered, standing directly in the convertible and heading towards the broken viewing window!

The red sports car, like a red shooting star, flew from the top floor of Building A towards the top floor of Building B...

Everyone's tension reached its peak at this moment.

The instant Shiraishi's car flew off, he immediately rushed forward to check, but...

"not good!"

"It seems a little lacking..."

"what!"

It was clear that the red sports car wasn't fast enough to reach the roof of Building B because the acceleration distance was too short.

Meanwhile, Ruyue Fengshui seemed unaware of what was happening here, and had already reached the edge...

Just then, Shiraishi stepped directly onto the hood of the engine and jumped to the other side!
With the force of Shiraishi's leg, the front of the car was crushed, and the sports car crashed into the glass of a building over thirty stories high, embedding itself in the structure. Shiraishi himself, however, was propelled into the air like a giant bird...

Even though Ruyue Fengshui had already jumped down, but...

At just the 67th floor, Shiraishi intercepted him, carrying Ruyue Fengshui directly into the window of the hotel room on the 67th floor!
Seeing that no one else was falling, cheers and applause erupted again from the observation deck on the top floor of Building A, because a piece of glass had broken, and faint sounds could be heard coming from there...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Dongdong: Today is October 31st. On this day in 1892, Conan Doyle's *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes* was released. Please vote for me! Please vote for me! Please vote for me!
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