Shirou's clones number 30 million

"Wait a moment, let me check... Mr. Hayami, Akemi Miyano originally had a year left on her sentence, but because of her good behavior in prison, her time has been reduced by almost a year. She can be released tomorrow at noon."

"Thank you, I appreciate your help."

The moment I made the call, the remaining sentence was changed to tomorrow; this could not possibly be a coincidence.

Clearly, this was the other party using certain privileges.

As for the reason, it should be because of the latest issues of the newspaper, right?

Hayami Shirou hung up the phone and turned his gaze to the newspapers on the table.

The newspaper clearly stated: "A Beacon of the Times! Everything About Shiro Hayami," "The True Face of Phantom Thief Kid, Shiro Hayami Solves Another Major Case," and "Phantom Thief Kid's Journey of Self-Redemption, Shiro Hayami Sets a New Standard for the Industry."

Undoubtedly, his reputation has been elevated to a new level due to the two recent major cases.

Akemi Miyano's reduced sentence was largely due to this.

I had visited her many times before, but I rarely heard of any chance of a reduced sentence.

Honestly, people these days are so materialistic.

Hayami Shirou sighed softly and shifted his gaze to Haibara Ai.

"That's right, your sister will be released from prison tomorrow."

Because it was hands-free, everyone present could hear the conversation.

"Has my sister been in jail for the past five years?" Ai Haibara asked with a complicated expression.

"I'm sorry." Shirou Hayami hesitated. "Conan is too impulsive and can't keep secrets at all. Just in case, I haven't told him about this."

“Your sister robbed 1 billion yuan from the bank. Although I returned the money later, the fact that she committed the crime will not disappear because of it.”

"Also, your sister asked me to keep this a secret from you and not to tell you about her current situation."

Ai Haibara sat down again, picked up her black tea in a daze, and slowly drank it. Only the swaying teacup indicated her current mood.

Conan says his sister is dead, but she never believes it.

Clinging to a last glimmer of hope, I came to find Hayami Shirou, only to receive such an answer.

At that moment, she really didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

Fortunately, my sister is indeed still alive and will be released from prison tomorrow.

"Why? Why did you send my sister to prison? If it were you, surely you would have a better way?"

“I’m sorry, five years ago I was not famous or well-connected, so I couldn’t help her. Besides, bank robbery is a serious crime, and even if I were to step in now, I would still have to serve a few years in prison.”

As for hiding her away and keeping her as a mistress, Hayami Shirou never even considered such a thing.

As a detective who deals with cases year-round, respecting the law is also respecting oneself.

"Are all detectives this heartless?" Ai Haibara muttered to herself.

“It’s not just detectives, it’s the same for anyone who deals with the law year-round.” Hayami Shirou shook his head slightly.

"Although I really want to thank you, I just can't bring myself to say it because of your situation."

"It's okay, even if you hate me, it doesn't matter. Detective... that's just a profession."

"I don't hate you. Although I don't know the details of what happened back then, the sister who Conan thought was dead is actually still alive. You must have saved her, right?"

Ai Haibara paused for a moment, then said with a complicated expression:

"So, we're even."

"I see..." Hayami Shirou smiled, then turned to Sanzenin Nagi, "Being an assistant isn't easy, you know. Are you sure you want to apply?"

Sanzenin Nagi's face lit up with joy, and she nodded repeatedly:

"Of course!"

"In that case, I'll give you your first task: go to school diligently every day and never be late or leave early."

"what?"

Chapter 403 One foot in hell

Chapter 403, Section 404: One Foot in Hell

In that case, what's the point of being an assistant?

"I don't need to go to school. I've already learned all the high school material in advance. I just need to take the final exams regularly."

Feeling that this explanation wasn't very convincing, Sanzenin Nagi thought for a moment and then added:

"I have mastered all the necessary knowledge for the detective profession. Although I haven't put it into practice yet, I should have no problem serving as an assistant."

“Being a detective isn’t an easy profession.” Hayami Shirou shook his head slightly. “Besides theoretical knowledge, logical thinking, and analytical observation skills, you also need plenty of physical strength and necessary fighting skills.”

"Huh...? Does a detective need to know so much?"

"Of course, you can't become a detective just by mastering theoretical knowledge. However, the requirements for an assistant are not so high; you only need to specialize in one thing."

Sanzenin Nagi's eyes lit up, and she quickly said:

"In that case, I should be the perfect assistant! Besides theoretical knowledge, I also have my own expertise."

"I should be able to handle intelligence gathering."

Indeed, whether it's borrowing the Sanzenin family's resources and manpower, or gathering intelligence online, she can get started easily.

In terms of intelligence gathering alone, he is far superior to Ayasaki Hayate.

Thinking of this, Hayami Shirou smiled and said:

"In that case, please come back for the job in four years. I will definitely consider you seriously then."

"Why not now?" Sanzenin Nagi asked instinctively.

"Because employing child labor is illegal, as a public figure, how could I possibly break the law knowingly?"

"That's outrageous! Is age really that important?"

“Of course!” Hayami Shirou said without hesitation. “You should do what is appropriate for your age. At your age, you should be in school.”

"If you don't want to listen to the teacher's nonsense, then skip class and make some friends, such as going shopping, traveling, or playing video games with your peers."

"It's too early for you to be in a relationship or working!"

"Don't keep treating me like a child!" Sanzenin Nagi couldn't help but say. "I'm already fourteen years old. If I lived in ancient times, I would definitely be married and have children by now."

"As you said yourself, that was in ancient times; times have changed now."

At this point, Hayami Shirou sighed softly:

"While I appreciate your high regard, to me you're just a child. You're someone I can't possibly agree to be involved in romantic relationships or work."

Sensing the seriousness in his tone, Sanzenin Nagi fell silent.

"So, putting age aside and without attaching any conditions, what... do you think of me?"

Hayami Shirou hesitated for a few seconds, then said softly:

"If I were your age, I might fall hopelessly in love with you."

A smile involuntarily appeared on Sanzenin Nagi's face, her eyes filled with joy, and she couldn't help but ask:

"Then...can you wait for me for four years?"

"No."

"Why? Do you already have someone you like?"

"Not for now, but who knows what the future holds? Maybe we'll meet tomorrow."

Before she could speak, Hayami Shirou spoke again:

"I am like this, and so are you."

"The things we like as children often become less appealing as we grow up."

"Like me, when I was little I loved eating candy and chocolate, but I hated the spiciness of alcohol. But as I grew up, I didn't like candy as much anymore, and the spiciness of alcohol gradually became acceptable..."

Sanzenin Nagi stared blankly at him, suddenly realizing the reason why he had always rejected her.

Are you... afraid that I'll fall in love with someone else when I grow up?

"No, I just think that you have many choices in your life, and there is no need to decide your future so early."

Since things had come to this point, Hayami Shirou had no more reservations and spoke as he thought:

"Five years ago, I never imagined I would become a detective."

"At that time, I felt that I might become a civil servant in the future, or I might start my own company. I considered all kinds of professions, such as teacher, policeman, doctor, magician."

"Being a detective is the only future I've never imagined."

"Initially, the reason I decided to become a detective was simply because I thought Conan's way of catching the culprit after the crime was too boring."

"A true detective should have the sense of smell of a wild beast, able to detect the signs of a case based on intuition alone."

"Then, to stop everything before the incident even happens. If it were me, I might be able to do that."

After all, having watched thousands of episodes of Detective Conan, one already knows the culprit and the method of the crime even before it happens.

In this situation, doing nothing, simply watching the murder happen, or turning a deaf ear and pretending not to see it, would be far too cold-blooded.

"Becoming a detective is the result of my long and repeated consideration five years ago."

"After tossing and turning and thinking for a long time, I finally decided to do this."

"I don't want you to give your life to someone else just because of a momentary impulse."

As he spoke, Hayami Shirou stared intently into Sanzenin Nagi's eyes, his expression extremely serious.

"No one in this world is worth doing that for."

"Kick away this stumbling block that happened to appear, and you will find a vast world ahead."

"You shouldn't keep staring at the stones on the side of the road; there are many more beautiful landscapes waiting for you ahead."

At that moment, Sanzenin Nagi felt as if the person in front of her was glowing, and her heart inexplicably beat several times faster.