Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Outside the hospital, the sky had completely darkened, the last rays of the setting sun disappearing behind the distant buildings, leaving the sky a deep, dark blue.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, rustling the trees lining the streets.

Takeshi Ikenami hurried to the other end of the corridor and began to give orders in a low voice to the officers who had gathered around him.

Lin Xiuyi stood on the steps at the hospital entrance, stretched, and couldn't help but yawn.

After a long day of running around, from his morning run to the scene of Mito Jun's death, and then to the confrontation at the hospital, even with his extraordinary energy, he felt somewhat exhausted.

Lin Xiuyi rubbed his throbbing temples, looked at the people around him, and said with a hint of weariness in his voice.

“It’s getting late, let’s go back. We can leave the rest of the investigation, interviews and evidence collection to the police. Even if we stay here, we can’t help in any substantial way.”

Hattori Heizo nodded: "Whether Mito Shinzo is truly unconscious or faking it, we probably won't get anything out of him in a short time. It would be a waste of our time to stay here."

Kawada Yuko, however, seemed to want more. She put her hands on her hips, her face flushed with excitement, clearly having thoroughly enjoyed today's experience as a detective enthusiast.

"Going back now? This is my first time helping the police with a case, and it's quite interesting. I don't feel tired at all."

Upon hearing this, Maeda Yoto couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.
"Are you sure we're helping? From beginning to end, the only people who can really help are Hayashi and Hattori."

"We're already thankful if we can avoid causing trouble for the police."

He recalled how he had almost knocked over the evidence on the table in Mito Hayato's bedroom earlier that day, and how panicked he had been when he saw Mito Shinzo fall from the building in the hospital. His cheeks flushed.

Compared to the calm and composed demeanor of Lin Xiuyi and Hattori Heizo, the others seemed to be just there to join in the fun.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore." Hattori Heizo reached out and patted Maeda Yoto on the shoulder. "Everyone has had a long day. Go back and get some rest. We might have other things to do tomorrow."

Everyone nodded and said no more.

They called out to Takeshi Ikenami, said hello, and then walked together toward the hospital entrance.

Kawada Yuko and Yoshida Aoi walked ahead, still discussing today's case with great interest, occasionally letting out a gasp of surprise.

Konoe Daishi and Maeda Yoto followed behind, exchanging their opinions in hushed tones.

Ono Kayoko walked at the back of the group, still as taciturn as ever, with her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

Lin Xiuyi noticed this and paused slightly in her steps.

He slowed down and, when Hattori Heizo walked up to him, subtly pulled him to the back of the line.

The two lagged a few steps behind the others. Lin Xiuyi lowered her voice.
"Ono Kayoko is acting a bit strange; you'd better keep an eye on her."

Hattori Heizo paused, following Hayashi Hideichi's gaze to the silent figure ahead, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I'll keep an eye on it. Have you noticed anything?"

"Not yet," Lin Xiuyi shook her head.

Hattori Heizo didn't ask any more questions. The two exchanged a glance, quickened their pace, and caught up with the group ahead.

……

The group parted ways at the hospital entrance, and Hattori Heizo drove his classmates from Kyoto University back to the hotel.

Ikeba Shizuka then drove with Hayashi Xiuyi in the car, heading towards the Ikeba family home.

The atmosphere inside the car was very quiet. The streetlights cast dappled shadows on Lin Xiuyi's face through the windows, causing him to yawn. Chi Bojinghua gripped the steering wheel, glancing at Lin Xiuyi in the passenger seat from time to time, a smile playing on her lips.

Lin Xiuyi turned her head, somewhat puzzled: "What's wrong? Why are you staring at me?"

Ikeba Shizuka couldn't help but chuckle softly. She pointed to Lin Xiuyi's left arm, her tone slightly mocking.

"I just suddenly realized that the red bow on your arm really suits you quite well."

Lin Xiuyi glanced down and couldn't help but twitch her lips.

The bright red color contrasted sharply with his dark clothes, creating an awkward and jarring effect.

If he weren't worried about Ikenami Shizuka discovering his physical abnormality, he would have already ripped off that cumbersome hairband.

"...I think it's a bit too conspicuous."

Ikeba Shizuka laughed even harder. As she drove, she said, "It's better to be conspicuous. That way, it will constantly remind you not to be so reckless in the future."

"You scared me to death today! You actually rushed up to block the vase. What if you had gotten hurt?"

Lin Xiuyi touched the bow but didn't say anything.

"By the way," Shizuka Ikenami asked curiously, "what did you whisper to Hattori behind him at the hospital entrance? Was it related to the case?"

Lin Xiuyi's eyes flickered for a moment as she looked at the rapidly receding night view outside the car window, and she slowly said,

"It's nothing, I hope... it's unrelated to the case."

Chibo Jinghua frowned, wanting to ask more, but seeing Lin Xiuyi's unwillingness to say more, she swallowed her words in the end.

She knew that Lin Xiuyi was not one to talk nonsense, and if it was something important, he would definitely tell her.

……

The car quickly drove into the Chibo family's mansion.

The lights in the courtyard were already on, casting a warm yellow glow on the neatly trimmed lawn, creating a particularly cozy atmosphere.

Chibo Jinghua parked the car at the garage entrance. Lin Xiuyi opened the car door and got out. As soon as she got out, she saw several familiar figures standing in the yard, looking at her expectantly.

"Onii-chan, where did you go today?"

Lingzi pouted and ran over quickly, grabbing Lin Xiuyi's arm with a tone full of grievance.
"I've been waiting for you all day!"

When Yukiko saw Hayashi Shuichi and Ikenami Shizuka get out of the car together, she said in a sour tone, "Could they have gone out on a date? No wonder we haven't seen them all day."

Eri Kisaki stood to the side, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes fixed on Hideaki Lin, her gaze filled with annoyance and dissatisfaction.

She didn't say anything, but her eyes betrayed her thoughts.

Midori Orikasa also came over. She was wearing a tracksuit and holding a tennis racket, clearly having just finished exercising.

She looked at Lin Xiuyi with a hint of disappointment on her face: "Senior, you didn't keep your word. Didn't we agree to go to the festival together today? But you haven't been around all day."

Chikage Tomizawa stood to the side with her arms crossed.
"Lin Xiuyi, have you forgotten what you promised me?" (End of Chapter)