The clock struck midnight.
After finishing a bowl of less-than-delicious instant noodles, Ritsu headed into his bedroom. Standing before a full-length mirror, he tapped its surface several times, activating the hidden mechanism behind it.
The mirror slowly slid aside.
Behind it was a fully equipped miniature laboratory.
This section had been personally designed by Ritsu himself. It was a secret place known to no one else, the most concealed area within the safehouse.
Standing before the equipment, he skillfully began operating the instruments.
From the box of APTX4869 that Gin had given him, he extracted portions of the drug's components for analysis, hoping to determine whether any completed versions remained among the samples.
After countless calculations and simulation tests, he finally obtained the results before work the next morning.
"Gin's luck really is pretty good."
Looking at the data displayed on the monitor, Ritsu picked up the APTX4869 capsule he had labeled as Sample No. 7 and smiled.
"He randomly grabbed two completed drugs and one unfinished prototype... interesting."
If Gin heard that statement, he'd probably be furious enough to pull out his Beretta.
No.
He'd more likely haul over several kilograms of explosives and erase Meisen Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. from the face of the Earth.
"Still, I need to continue observing for possible side effects. I'll have to find a way to get close to Edogawa."
Ritsu rubbed his temples.
No matter which of his identities he used, approaching Shinichi right now would be inappropriate.
'Forget it. I'll just let nature take its course.'
With Kogoro's unreliable track record, there's a good chance he'll receive another case he can't solve. When that happens, the first person they'll call for help will definitely be him.
Glancing at the clock in the lower-right corner of the screen, he noticed it was already seven in the morning.
Leaving the laboratory, he headed to the bathroom, washed up, and once again disguised himself as Onizawa before preparing to leave for the MPD.
Before heading out, he didn't forget to take a couple of mackerels from the small aquarium and toss them into Gingerbread's tank.
The moment the fish hit the water, his pet shark had clearly been pretending to sleep, immediately charged over and began devouring them.
"People who are good at acting really do raise dramatic pets too, huh?"
After mocking himself, Ritsu walked toward the entranceway.
Following a brief internal selection process, he chose a pair of dark-brown leather shoes before heading out.
...
Driving his Bugatti to the MPD, Ritsu smoothed out the wrinkles in his black suit. Only then did he put on the glasses resting in his breast pocket.
Today's frames were different.
The black-rimmed glasses made him look slightly less like a refined scoundrel.
Looking at his reflection in the rearview mirror, he felt he resembled a university professor, someone with the scholarly elegance of a well-read intellectual.
Taking the elevator to the ninth floor, he pushed open the office door and immediately heard lively chatter.
In the absence of a case, casual conversation was perfectly normal.
After all, detectives in the Criminal Affairs Department had to maintain intense concentration during investigations. Without opportunities to relax, they'd eventually burn out.
"Good morning."
"Morning, Inspector Onizawa!"
Pulling out his chair, Ritsu sat down and picked up the sandwich and coffee Hayasaka had bought for him.
"What are you all talking about?"
"We're talking about Yoko-chan's Christmas single that came out last night! It's amazing! Want to listen to it, Inspector?" Takagi asked excitedly, every bit the devoted fan.
Ritsu narrowed his eyes into a disinterested half-lidded stare. After taking a sip of coffee, he noticed the speechless look on Hayasaka's face.
She was probably thinking Takagi's social awareness was beyond saving.
Talking excitedly about a female idol with the woman you like, Miwako, no less.
It was only because Miwako's emotional intelligence wasn't particularly high either that the tiny spark of romance between them hadn't already been extinguished.
Taking out his phone, Ritsu sent an email to Vodka with considerable amusement.
As Yoko's most fanatical supporter, he wondered whether Vodka had spent the previous night on a mission with Gin or listening to her album on repeat.
[Augier: Heard Yoko released a Christmas single.]
The reply arrived almost instantly.
Ritsu began wondering whether Vodka had set up a special notification for the words "YokoOkino."
[Vodka: Yoko-chan's singing voice is so healing~~ Augier, have you finally decided to become a Yoko fan with me?! I have tons of merchandise! If it's you, I'm willing to part with some of it!]
"..."
No.
Absolutely not.
After politely declining, Ritsu stopped reading further messages.
Based on experience, Vodka would likely follow up with heartfelt stories from his fan life and a detailed list titled,
"100 Reasons Why Yoko Okino Is Amazing."
He couldn't help wondering whether Kusano would cry if she found out.
After all, Vodka had once promoted her with the same enthusiasm.
...
Time passed quickly.
Before long, evening approached.
No cases appearing was naturally a good thing. It meant Tokyo's public security situation was holding up fairly well.
"See you tomorrow, Inspector."
"See you."
After packing his belongings, Ritsu didn't leave immediately. Instead, he remained beside the office landline for five minutes, making sure no last-minute calls came in.
Only then did he grab his briefcase and take the elevator downstairs. To his surprise, there hadn't been a single case all day.
In an excellent mood, he decided to reward his stomach before heading home.
Perhaps he'd enjoy a lavish meal at the new Italian restaurant nearby. Or maybe he'd visit that old specialty restaurant famous for preparing fugu and enjoy a winter hot pot.
"Hm? It's snowing."
Tokyo's first snowfall arrived without warning. He distinctly remembered that the weather forecast hadn't mentioned snow at all.
Pressing the button to raise the car window, Ritsu quickly made his decision.
A snowy winter evening practically demanded a comforting fugu hot pot.
As he finalized his plan and prepared to drive toward Asakusa, a dark-green Nissan sedan in the opposite lane suddenly accelerated straight toward him.
Then—
SCREECH!
The car slammed on the brakes and came to a complete stop in the middle of the intersection. Pedestrians crossing at the crosswalk jumped in fright.
Several umbrellas were even sent flying.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Is your brain filled with Tokyo Bay wastewater?! Can you even drive, lady?! Are you insane?!"
Ritsu's gaze settled on the Nissan's license plate.
He was about to contact the traffic division when the passenger-side door suddenly flew open.
From his angle, he hadn't even realized anyone was sitting there.
'Hm? A supernatural incident?'
But the next second, he realized it wasn't supernatural at all. A small boy jumped out of the car and sprinted away in the opposite direction.
"Kudo?"
Ritsu stared in surprise at Conan's retreating figure.
'What is going on?'
He quickly shifted his attention back to the driver.
The woman behind the wheel had a prominent double chin that was impossible to miss even without looking down.
Her narrow triangular eyes were framed by oversized black-rimmed glasses.
Who is this overweight middle-aged woman?
She was obviously neither Kogoro's wife, Kisaki Eri, nor Shinichi's mother, Yukiko.
Recalling the panic on Conan's face when he had jumped from the car, Ritsu's thoughts immediately turned serious.
Could this woman be a lower-ranking member of the Organization? Or perhaps a codename member he didn't know about?
Had she discovered Shinichi's true identity and come to—
At that point, Ritsu no longer had the luxury of leisurely thinking about hot pot.
As soon as the light turned green, he pulled into a temporary parking area and immediately called Ran.
For the first time, he felt buying a Bugatti had been a mistake. After all, there was only one in all of Japan.
He couldn't recklessly follow the vehicle.
If he did, his former identity as an undercover operative might be exposed to the Organization.