How to Survive With a Death-Flag Character Setting in Detective Conan - Chapter 17
On the way back, Higashino Hiromu could not help but ask, “Does Kaneda have such a wide information network? He not only knows about the guaranteed graduate admissions in the Department of Economics and Management, but he can even find someone to check the borrowing records of the chemistry laboratory. Isn’t that a bit too wide a span?”
Adachi Shizuku replied, “That’s not surprising. He knows a lot of people.” Turning his head with a smile, he added, “He’s what you’d call a legendary social butterfly.”
While driving, Matsuzaki Toru said, “Kaneda kaichou is securing future clients in advance.”
“Huh?” Higashino Hiromu was taken aback, staring at him in confusion.
“He said that after graduation, he’s going to open a psychological counseling center and be his own boss,” Matsuzaki Toru explained. “He’s already done most of the preparation work and even submitted his graduation thesis. The only reason he’s still staying in school now is to accumulate clients. According to him, at least seventy percent of Tohto students have psychological problems, and it will only get worse after graduation.”
“Tsk tsk tsk.” Adachi Shizuku wagged his finger. “I think he underestimated it. It’s more like ninety percent!”
Only then did Higashino Hiromu realize that Kaneda Hajime was a psychology major.
However, to think of using the next president’s photo as a promotional tactic, he must have some psychological issues himself!
Not long after, the news of the attempted murder of Hoshimoto Kana quickly spread throughout the Tohto University. Teachers began talking to students, focusing especially on those who had not secured guaranteed graduate admissions, fearing that they might act recklessly.
Once her health recovered, Hoshimoto Kana made a special trip to the club room to thank Higashino Hiromu. Although her attitude was rather awkward, the gift she brought showed sincerity, and he gladly accepted it.
A few days later, Professor Yasuda told him that Asai Narumi had successfully passed the interview at Tokyo First Hospital and had temporarily joined the emergency department.
Higashino Hiromu said happily, “Congratulations to Senpai, and also to Sensei!”
Professor Yasuda was in a very good mood, his face glowing with joy. He said, “Ah! Your senior is truly outstanding! Back then, I could never understand why, after graduation, he didn’t stay in Tokyo and instead went to such a small place. I was so angry I couldn’t sleep the whole night! Now that he’s finally come back, it feels like one of my wishes has been fulfilled.”
Higashino Hiromu comforted him, “Asai senpai has gained two years of experience on Tsukikage Island. From now on, everything will surely go smoothly.”
Professor Yasuda nodded with satisfaction. “Indeed. Over these two years, he has treated countless minor ailments, so the hospital assigned him to the emergency department.”
Higashino Hiromu nodded repeatedly.
When elders praise someone, it is always best to join in the compliments.
“However…” Professor Yasuda rubbed his bald head regretfully. “There’s still another kid who gives me no peace of mind!”
Higashino Hiromu’s gaze shifted nervously, thinking, He’s not talking about me, right?
“That Araide Tomoaki is even more outrageous!” Professor Yasuda slapped the table angrily. “At least Asai still found a hospital. But him? He rejected the big hospitals and went straight to become a school doctor! It infuriated me!”
“Araide Tomoaki?” Higashino Hiromu was puzzled. Why did that name sound familiar?
Professor Yasuda glanced at him. “What? Your senpai only just graduated, and you’ve already forgotten?”
Higashino Hiromu quickly explained, “No, I was just a little surprised.”
“Hmph! Who wouldn’t be surprised upon hearing that? It’s not that being a school doctor is bad, but he graduated at the very top of his class! Isn’t it a waste of talent to become a school doctor?” Professor Yasuda said regretfully. “Ah! Just thinking about him now makes my chest hurt!” With that, he closed his eyes, pressed a hand to his chest, and leaned back in his chair.
Higashino Hiromu hurriedly reached out to support him, but his hands were immediately grasped tightly by his professor.
“Higashino!” Professor Yasuda opened his eyes and said with deep earnestness, “You already persuaded Asai to come back, so could you also help me persuade Araide?”
Higashino Hiromu looked completely dumbfounded at his professor and asked, “Where did you hear that from?”
“Asai himself said it! He said that if it weren’t for you, he would never have returned to Tokyo!” Professor Yasuda looked at him with eager anticipation. “Since you managed to bring one back, could you also try with Araide? Maybe when he sees a talented and promising junior like you, he’ll be inspired to strive forward too?”
Higashino Hiromu: ……
Asai senpai only regained his fighting spirit because all of his enemies had been dealt with. But this Araide senpai… Higashino Hiromu really had no idea how to persuade him! Anyone who chooses to become a school doctor must already have a very laid-back, Buddha-like mentality, right?
Yet, looking at his professor’s graying hair and sensing his deep care for his students, Higashino Hiromu couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
“Alright, I’ll give it a try,” Higashino Hiromu said, giving a precaution first. “But if Araide senpai still doesn’t want to leave the school, then there’s nothing I can do.”
Professor Yasuda’s face instantly lit up with a wide smile. “Good, good, good! No matter the result, I will accept it!”
Seeing his advisor already checking which hospitals were short of staff recently, Higashino Hiromu’s lips twitched slightly.
Sensei, you really don’t look like someone who can accept any other outcome!
“Oh right, Araide is currently working at Teitan High School. Remember to go on a weekday!”
The moment he heard “Teitan High School,” Higashino Hiromu suddenly realized.
Araide Tomoaki was the doctor whom Vermouth had once disguised herself as!
No wonder the name sounded so familiar. His former roommate had mentioned this plot before.
In order to impersonate Araide Tomoaki, Vermouth had planned to assassinate him directly. But the FBI staged a play in advance, making her believe that Araide Tomoaki and his family had died in an accident. Afterwards, Vermouth, under his identity, rejected the hospital offer and chose to become the school doctor at Teitan High School. Later, when Vermouth’s identity was exposed, she had no choice but to abandon this shell. Araide Tomoaki eventually returned to Japan, but he lost his good job, leaving him stuck temporarily at school.
Realizing this, Higashino Hiromu suddenly brimmed with confidence.
This trip definitely wouldn’t be in vain! Professor Yasuda might even end up thanking him again!
However, just as he reached the gates of Teitan High School, Higashino Hiromu suddenly thought of one problem.
Although the Conan storyline had no clear timeline, the main plot did exist. So… what point in the timeline was it now? Was the person inside Vermouth, or was it the real Araide Tomoaki?
So far, he had only met four main characters, and he had no way of judging the timeline!
“Eh? Higashino senpai?” Before leaving the school grounds, Suzuki Sonoko spotted Higashino Hiromu standing at the gate.
Mouri Ran followed her gaze. “It really is him!”
Sera Masumi hooked an arm around Mouri Ran’s neck and teased, “Well, well! Who’s this handsome guy? Is he here to see you?”
Mouri Ran quickly shook her head. “How could that be!”
“Why not just ask him directly?” Suzuki Sonoko cheerfully ran over, calling out before she even reached him, “Higashino senpai~ long time no see~~”
From a distance, Higashino Hiromu saw Suzuki Sonoko and Mouri Ran, and immediately knew there was no way to avoid them today. But once he learned that the girl with them was called Sera Masumi, all his worries vanished.
Since Sera Masumi had appeared, the one inside had to be the real Araide Tomoaki.
When the three girls heard that he was looking for Dr. Araide, they were a little surprised.
“What’s so surprising about it? Araide senpai also graduated from Tohto University,” Higashino Hiromu said with a smile. “In fact, he’s my direct senior!”
Suzuki Sonoko exclaimed in surprise, “Wow! Then your whole school lineage is just too much! All of you are handsome guys!”
Higashino Hiromu recalled Asai Narumi with his short hair—also a refreshing and delicate-looking handsome man—and, without the slightest humility, nodded his head.
The three girls led Higashino Hiromu to the school infirmary. After knocking on the door, they saw a girl run out, covering her face.
The four of them: ?
Araide Tomoaki came out right after, and upon seeing Mouri Ran and the others, he said, “So it’s you all. What brings you here?”
Sera Masumi looked at him suspiciously and asked, “What were you doing just now?”
Araide Tomoaki sighed helplessly. “Come in first.”
He walked to the desk, pinched the bridge of his nose, not knowing where to start.
Higashino Hiromu noticed a pink letter on his desk and immediately understood. “Senpai got confessed to again?”
Araide Tomoaki opened his eyes to look at him, surprised. “Higashino? What are you doing here?”
Higashino Hiromu: I’m standing right here and you just noticed me now…
With hands on his hips, he declared, “I came to save you!”
Araide Tomoaki looked utterly confused.
Higashino Hiromu pointed at the letter. “A high school doctor can’t be romantically involved with students, right? If someone reports you, even if you’re innocent, the rumors will only spread and become worse. By then, even if you jump into the river, you won’t be able to wash it clean.”
Suzuki Sonoko countered, “We all know Dr. Araide’s character. He’s always respectful and proper when talking to girls!”
Higashino Hiromu spread his hands. “But just now, when that girl ran out, didn’t you all immediately suspect he did something?”
Sera Masumi touched her nose awkwardly. “Sorry.”
“I mean, really, hiring such a handsome guy as a high school doctor is practically encouraging students to skip class.” Higashino Hiromu turned to Araide Tomoaki. “Tell me, since you started working here, how many students have used the excuse of feeling unwell just to come rest here?”
Araide Tomoaki touched his nose in embarrassment. Quite a lot, actually…
“I’ve tried many ways, but none of them worked,” Araide Tomoaki admitted, pulling open a drawer filled with envelopes. “They just drop off their letters and run away. I can’t go after them directly, so I can only keep them for now.”
Higashino Hiromu clicked his tongue in amazement. “As expected of Araide senpai, you’re really popular!”
Araide Tomoaki gave him a curious look. “What are you talking about? Aren’t you the one who’s more popular? You even have a group of classmates reserving seats for you in lectures!”
“I’m a lone wolf now!” Higashino Hiromu said righteously. “What happened before has nothing to do with who I am now!”
Sera Masumi couldn’t help but complain, “Can you two stop flattering each other?”
Higashino Hiromu gave a small cough and said, “Anyway, this place isn’t suitable for you anymore. You should work at a hospital.”
Araide Tomoaki sighed. “Do you think I don’t want to? But how easy do you think it is to get into a good hospital?”
Higashino Hiromu smiled. “What a coincidence!”
He explained that Professor Yasuda had gathered many hospital contacts, and recently he’d been calling around one by one to ask about openings. Several hospitals seemed to be a good fit.
Araide Tomoaki’s eyes grew moist as he listened.
While the two of them discussed at the desk, Suzuki Sonoko couldn’t help but say regretfully, “So Dr. Araide is really leaving?”
Mouri Ran advised, “If he can go to a big hospital, of course, that would be better. After all, Dr. Araide is still young.”
Sera Masumi agreed. “And that Higashino senpai makes a good point. If someone accuses him of having a student-teacher romance, even if he told the truth with a hundred mouths, he wouldn’t be able to explain it away.”
Suzuki Sonoko was convinced. “Alright~~ Then from now on, I’ll just go to whichever hospital Dr. Araide works at for treatment!”
Mouri Ran & Sera Masumi: ……
Outside the infirmary, a girl silently lowered her head.
CHARACTER PROFILE:
Araide Tomoaki
Manga/Anime: Detective Conan
Role: Physician, Teitan High School basketball coach, and school medic
Personality: Kind, trusting, believes in the good of people, sometimes overly trusting
Notable Traits: Skilled doctor, supportive and helpful, involved in school and community health
Background: Son of Mouri Kogoro’s physician. First appeared as a potential suitor for Mouri Ran. His identity was once impersonated by Vermouth to track Haibara Ai. After being rescued by the FBI, he returned to Japan and continues his medical practice while maintaining good relations with the main characters.
Vermouth | Sharon Vineyard | Chris Vineyard
Manga/Anime: Detective Conan
Role: High-ranking member of the Black Organization
Personality: Mysterious, cunning, manipulative, and unpredictable
Notable Traits: Master of disguise and deception; ambiguous motives, sometimes acts to protect key characters
Background: One of the organization’s most feared operatives, with deep involvement in major story arcs. Known for personal conflicts within the Organization, especially regarding Conan and Haibara Ai.
Sera Masumi
Manga/Anime: Detective Conan
Role: Teenage detective and high school student
Personality: Cheerful, boyish, confident, and quick-thinking; skilled in Jeet Kune Do martial arts
Notable Traits: Strong-willed, brave, competitive with a protective nature; known for her catchphrase “case closed”
Background: Younger sister of FBI agent Akai Shuichi and shogi player Haneda Shukichi; she transferred to Mouri Ran’s school and assists Conan in investigations. Has complex family ties and a strong sense of justice.