The impact of Teiji Moriya's case was huge. A famous architect committing crimes like that couldn't be brushed aside. It had to be handled properly, through the law, so society could get a clear answer.
This time, Eri Kisaki led the case as the lawyer working with law enforcement. Kazuha, as her assistant, helped explain parts of the law and worked with her to check documents and evidence.
It was a public trial, and TV stations broadcast it live.
Heiji leaned back on his hospital bed while Sonoko sat nearby. The two of them watched the trial on TV together.
"Heiji… Kazuha is really amazing," Sonoko said.
On the screen, Kazuha spoke with confidence and energy. Sonoko watched with open envy.
Heiji smiled a little. "Kazuha is amazing. But Sonoko, you're not bad either. You can already handle contracts worth hundreds of millions of yen on your own. You're both working hard."
"Of course," Sonoko said, lifting her chin proudly. "I want to become a very capable woman by your side, Heiji."
A soft, warm look passed through Heiji's eyes.
The trial itself was basically a formality. Teiji Moriya's ending was already decided.
Life in prison.
When the court session ended, it was already past noon.
"Finally," Sonoko said, stretching. "Heiji, what do you want to eat? I'll have the butler send it over."
At this point, the Suzuki family's butler was basically Heiji's butler too.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Sonoko said. She put down her phone and went to open the door.
"Ran? Why are you here?"
Ran stood outside, holding a thermos in her hands.
"Sonoko, I came to thank Heiji," Ran said with a bright smile.
Sonoko narrowed her eyes, studying her. "Weird… Ran, you feel different."
"Do I?" Ran looked down at herself, confused.
"Yeah," Sonoko said slowly. "But I can't explain what it is."
"Then don't," Ran said, still smiling. "I brought food for Heiji. You eat with us too."
"Good," Sonoko said, pulling her in. "I've been hungry for a while."
They walked inside.
"Heiji, are you feeling better?" Ran asked as she set the thermos on the table.
Heiji shrugged. "It's nothing serious now. Too bad Kazuha and Sonoko won't let me leave."
"You still need to be watched," Sonoko said at once. "What if it gets infected?"
Heiji looked helpless. "I know my own injury. It's just a surface burn. It won't get infected."
Sonoko made a pout. "Hmph. Are you the doctor, or is the doctor the doctor? Anyway, you're not leaving that fast."
Heiji couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
In this kind of thing… I'm actually more experienced than most doctors.
But he couldn't say that out loud.
As a top mechanic, he knew a lot about wounds and burns—more than many people who worked in hospitals. When you live in rough situations, you learn to treat yourself.
Long sickness makes a good doctor.
Ran watched the two of them bicker, and she couldn't hide the envy in her eyes.
Then her phone rang.
"Hello, Mom?"
It was Eri Kisaki calling.
"You want to eat with me? But I'm with Heiji right now…" Ran paused, then nodded. "Yeah, we're at Beika Central Hospital. Okay. I'll wait for you."
She hung up.
"Ran, if you're busy, you don't have to stay," Sonoko said while laying out the food on the table. "I'll be here with Heiji. Kazuha will come later too."
Ran shook her head. "No. My mom wants to come."
"Eri Kisaki is coming?" Sonoko blurted out, shocked.
"My mom said she wants to thank Heiji for saving me," Ran said softly, then looked at Heiji with a small smile.
Time passed as Ran and Sonoko chatted.
Before they noticed, it was already after one.
The door opened, and Kazuha walked in. She was still in uniform.
"Kazuha! You were amazing!" Sonoko rushed over and hugged her hard.
"Kazuha, welcome back," Ran said, laughing from the side.
Kazuha looked at Heiji with a proud little pout. "Hmph. Heiji still hasn't praised me."
She walked right up to the bedside, eyes shining.
Mwah.
Heiji kissed her fast, like lightning, then grinned.
"Does that count as praise?"
The sudden touch on her lips made Kazuha's face turn red. She glared at him, then stood to the side, trying to look calm.
A moment later, the sound of high heels clicked in the hallway.
"Looks like you still haven't eaten," a woman's voice said.
Eri Kisaki walked in wearing gold-rimmed glasses. A dark blue suit hugged her tall figure, and her long legs in black stockings had an almost sharp kind of charm.
"Mom, you're finally here!" Ran hurried over, happy.
Eri glanced at her, half angry and half worried. "Ran. You should come live with me. What happened this time scared me to death."
"But Dad also makes people worry," Ran said quickly. "How about you come home, Mom?"
She tried to play the emotional card.
"Don't even think about it," Eri said, snorting. "I'm not living with that man."
Then she walked to Heiji, adjusted her glasses, and bowed politely.
"Mr. Hattori, thank you very much for saving Ran."
"Teacher…" Kazuha looked a bit nervous beside her.
Heiji smiled lightly. "Then please teach Kazuha even more strictly."
The women froze for a second, then all smiled like they understood what he meant.
Eri adjusted her glasses again, calm and elegant. "Since you haven't eaten, how about I treat everyone today?"
Kazuha and the other two girls cheered at once.
Later, Kazuha and Sonoko even discussed taking turns staying up at night to keep watch.
Heiji lay quietly on the bed, holding Kazuha in his arms.
Teiji Moriya committed bombing, arson on buildings, and murder—three serious crimes—and he still only got life in prison. The law in this Conan world is really light.
[One day left until that special B-rank mission. Looks like I need to move tomorrow.]
Teiji Moriya had just been sentenced. Right now, he was being held in a detention center under the Metropolitan Police Department, waiting to be transferred to prison tomorrow.
[The transfer is the best moment for me to act. But first, I need the escort route.]
His phone suddenly vibrated.
Heiji frowned. This late—who is it?
Kazuha, half-asleep, frowned a little, shifted closer in Heiji's arms, and fell asleep again.
Today, she was exhausted.
Heiji answered.
On the other side, Miwako Sato leaned against her bed. Her cheeks were slightly red.
"Miwako," Heiji said quietly. "Why are you still awake?"
"I'm going to sleep," Sato said. "I just wanted to ask… is your back better?"
Sato had also taken the whole day to recover. She knew she was in love. The feeling was new, strange, and sweet at the same time.
"Yeah," Heiji said. "Much better."
"Okay," Sato said, then paused as if she was trying to sound casual. "Tomorrow I still have to escort Teiji Moriya. After I get back, I'll drop by to see you."
"Drop by?" Heiji's heart stirred.
"Yeah," Sato said. "On the way back, I pass by Beika Central Hospital."
"Got it," Heiji said. "Go sleep."
"Goodnight, Heiji."
"Goodnight."
When the call ended, Heiji fell into deep thought.
Passing by here… that means the escort route will pass Teitan High School too.
After a long moment, the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile.
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