Detective Conan: Death Note

"The next stop is Mihua Town, 3rd Street."[Echo Corporation Head Office]"The next stop is Mihua Town, 3rd Street."[...]

The bus repeatedly played the arrival announcements.

As the doors opened, a crowd of passengers exited, making the once-crowded bus feel significantly roomier.

"I didn't expect it'd be Brother Yoshiki bringing us today."

"Yeah! When I heard Dr. Agasa caught a cold, I thought our ski trip was cancelled!"

"Can Brother Yoshiki ski?"

The Detective Boys, sitting on the right side of the bus, turned toward Hayashi Yoshiki. Ayumi, seated beside Conan, looked up at him with curiosity.

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled gently.

"I can ski... though I'm not exactly an expert."

"That's already amazing!"Ayumi responded cheerfully.

As more passengers boarded and the space grew tight again, the children naturally quieted down.

"You seem to be in a good mood."Hayashi turned to Haibara Ai beside him.

"It's... nothing."Haibara looked away awkwardly, her tone indifferent.

But the truth was: she was in a good mood.

Since the failed battle over Hiroki Sawada, the Organization had gone strangely quiet—no movement, no retaliation. That eerie calm gave her a rare sense of relief. She was trying hard not to overthink it.

This time, Dr. Agasa had wanted to come despite his cold, but Haibara and Hiroshi convinced him to rest. She herself had suggested inviting Cointreau—Hayashi Yoshiki's code name—hoping that, even if just for today, she could forget the ever-present threat of the Black Organization.

Though she never said it out loud, she did enjoy these outings with him.(Aside from... the incident with the suppository.)

"When you're out having fun, just relax and act like a kid."Hayashi reached over and patted her head gently."Otherwise, I might tickle you."

"Don't you dare…"Haibara turned to him warily.

In response, Hayashi Yoshiki merely tapped his own forehead teasingly.

She wanted to hiss at him like a wet kitten but held back, simply snorting in protest.

"I'm going to see Dr. Narumi when we get back," she muttered.

"That's up to you,"Hayashi replied calmly. He was just waiting for her eventual reunion with Hiroki Sawada.

He had no doubt Hiroki would bombard her with questions—while she, annoyed by Hiroki's early mistrust of Yoshiki, would probably spill everything from her perspective.

Yoshiki turned his gaze to Haibara again.

Suddenly, her expression froze.

Her face turned pale, and her entire body stiffened.

"T-There... Those guys—"

Her teeth began to chatter, and she shrank into her coat.

Radar activated?

Hayashi narrowed his eyes, scanning the bus entrance—and immediately spotted two familiar figures stepping aboard.

"Ah! It's Dr. Tomoaki!"Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko lit up with recognition.

Apparently, Teitan Elementary had recently held a health check-up, where "Dr. Shinichi"—Tomoaki Araide—had been involved as a school doctor. That's how the children had met him.

Haibara Ai had missed that day due to illness.

"A new doctor?"Yoshiki greeted calmly.

Tomoaki Araide—or rather, Vermouth in disguise—looked momentarily surprised to see him. But she quickly recovered, flashing a composed smile.

"Mr. Hayashi."

"Oh! It's that handsome guy I saw at the arcade last time!"A head of golden hair popped out from behind Araide. It was Judy, who waved at Yoshiki with a bright smile.

"Miss Judy."

"Wow! So Mr. Tomoaki is dating this foreign big-sister?!"Ayumi's eyes sparkled.

"No, you misunderstand," Tomoaki replied politely. "She's just a teacher at Teitan High School where I serve as school doctor."

"Hi, boys and girls~!"Judy's playful energy filled the bus."I'm going to the Ueno Museum of Art today with Mr. Tomoaki!"

"We just happened to meet at the station…" Tomoaki added with a wry smile.

"Teacher Tomoaki~ How could you embarrass a girl like that?"Judy pouted teasingly as she took her seat beside him.

They were seated directly in front of Yoshiki and Ai—close enough for Ai's internal alarm bells to be screaming.

Even though she had done nothing wrong, cold sweat poured down her back, and her limbs turned icy. Her body trembled with silent panic.

At that moment, a new figure entered the bus.

A man dressed in a ski hat and heavy winter gear, face obscured by a mask, silently walked to the back of the bus and sat in the last row. He radiated danger.

Akai Shuichi.

Yoshiki didn't stare—he didn't need to. One glance was enough.

Instead, he turned his attention back to Haibara.

Her hand was ice cold and unresponsive.

Even when he poked her lightly in the side, she didn't react—frozen in place by the pressure of being so close to the Organization.

In the end, he simply stroked her head gently, trying to soothe her nerves.

Meanwhile, Conan had been covertly watching Akai. When Akai suddenly glanced back at him, Conan instinctively turned away—only to notice Ai's alarming condition.

"Brother Yoshiki, is something wrong with Haibara?"

"She seems a little off. Maybe she caught Dr. Agasa's cold."Yoshiki responded calmly.

"Should I take a look?"Tomoaki Araide turned in concern.

"It's alright. I touched her forehead—she's not running a fever. I'll keep an eye on her."

"If you're sick, you can't enjoy skiing."

"Yeah! She was so full of energy earlier!"

"Look, those two guys already have their ski suits on!"

"Talk about being eager…"

"But I can kinda understand~"

The kids were chatting about two men near the front of the bus, dressed in full ski gear—goggles, hats, and all.

The two ignored the chatter.

As soon as the bus began moving, they unzipped their ski bags.

And pulled out pistols.

"Everyone stay quiet!"

One man stood at the front, pointing a gun at the driver. The other stood at the rear, aiming at the passengers.

"If anyone makes a sound, you'll regret it!!"

Suddenly—

All eyes turned toward the gunmen. Judy, Vermouth-in-disguise, and Akai at the back row all tensed.

Meanwhile, Hayashi Yoshiki continued to pat Haibara Ai's head, his expression calm gently.