How to Survive With a Death-Flag Character Setting in Detective Conan - Chapter 8

The events that followed unfolded just as Higashino Hiromu had anticipated.

Edogawa Conan grew suspicious about the contents of the commission letter, suspecting that something else might happen. Thus, they returned once more to the community center, and from a distance saw Hirata Kazuaki fleeing in panic from inside.

He and Mouri Kogoro immediately rushed in and ran to the piano room. After turning on the lights, they found no one inside, but there was some white powder scattered on the floor.

Edogawa Conan crouched down, touched a bit with his finger and sniffed it, his expression drastically changing. “Uncle, this seems to be heroin!”

Mouri Kogoro’s expression instantly darkened. He pinched some between his fingers, checked the color and smell, and confirmed, “It is indeed heroin. The village chief’s secretary, who just ran out, must be involved in this. Ran, call the police.”

Then he ran to Hirata Kazuaki’s house to confront him.

Hirata Kazuaki tried to play dumb, but Edogawa Conan, who had followed, discovered a large amount of foreign currency and a foreign-crafted dagger inlaid with rubies in his home.

Hirata Kazuaki lacked psychological endurance, and under Mouri Kogoro’s aggressive questioning, he finally lowered his head and confessed.

That night, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department received two reports from Tsukikage Island—one involving narcotics, the other related to a murder case from twelve years ago.

The police swiftly mobilized and rushed overnight to Tsukikage Island.

Based on the testimonies of Hirata Kazuaki and Nishimoto Ken, they quickly identified Kuroiwa Tatsuji and Kawashima Hideo as suspects and brought them all back to Tokyo for further investigation.

Edogawa Conan stood on the deck of the police boat, gazing thoughtfully in the direction of Tsukikage Island.

“Conan, what are you thinking about?” Mouri Ran asked curiously upon seeing his troubled expression. “Hasn’t everything been resolved already?”

Edogawa Conan replied, “I’m wondering who tampered with the piano room, letting us see flames and a shadow, and even left a music sheet inside?”

“That is indeed a question,” Mouri Ran said. “Maybe it was someone on the island acting bravely?”

Edogawa Conan frowned, “Then who was this person? And what connection do they have with Asou Keiji?”

“You can’t figure that out just by sitting here thinking. The police will investigate, so don’t worry about it!” Mouri Ran squatted down and tapped between his eyebrows. “If you keep frowning like that, you’ll turn into a little old man soon.”

Edogawa Conan couldn’t help but laugh.

Mouri Ran suddenly changed the subject, “It’s a pity that Higashino senpai left early. Otherwise, we’d have had one more person to chat with.”

“Higashino senpai?” Edogawa Conan asked in confusion.

“The fan of my dad we met yesterday,” Mouri Ran said regretfully. “It’s too bad we didn’t get his contact information.”

Edogawa Conan frowned and asked, “When did he leave?”

“The earliest boat this morning. At that time, the police wanted to question people who attended the memorial, and Dr. Asai just happened to be missing. The nurse at the clinic said she went to the pier to see someone off. She meant Higashino Hiromu.” Mouri Ran suddenly had a flash of insight. “Do you think they’re a couple?”

Edogawa Conan hadn’t expected Higashino Hiromu to know the island’s doctor, but he was certain they were definitely not a couple.

He thought to himself, This person seems to be shrouded in a fog, making it impossible to see through them.

* * *

The previous night, after completing the task, Higashino Hiromu hid in a public restroom to remove his makeup.

He had learned this special effects makeup technique while working part-time at an escape room. In fact, the makeup was rather rough. But since it was nighttime and visibility was poor, it was impossible to tell from a distance whether it was real or not.

And seeing Nishimoto Ken and Hirata Kazuaki terrified and scrambling in panic gave him immense satisfaction.

Heaven knows how often he had wished for a customer like that when he was the one getting chased and beaten in the escape room!

After completing the task just now, he received another chance for a lottery draw. But for a “non-lucky” player like him, it’s impossible to expect a miracle from a single draw. It’s better to save up and wait until he has enough for a ten-pull; at least there would be a guaranteed reward. So he didn’t bother to check the notification.

After cleaning himself up, he didn’t go to Asai Narumi’s house. Instead, he deliberately took a detour and found a hotel far from the community center to spend the night. Then, as soon as it was dawn, he went to the pier to wait for the ferry.

Fortunately, the weather was favorable today, and the fog lifted quickly, allowing the boats to sail normally.

Before Higashino Hiromu boarded, Asai Narumi even came to see him off.

Looking around, he lowered his voice and said, “Why did you come here? Didn’t we agree not to let others know we’re close?”

Asai Narumi smiled, “What do you mean by close? I’m just seeing off my kouhai. What’s wrong with that? Besides, on the first day you arrived, you told the staff you were here to see me. Anyone who wants to investigate will find out anyway.”

Higashino Hiromu said, “Let’s hide it as long as we can.”

Asai Narumi chuckled and shook his head. Higashino Hiromu had completely removed him from the case, and the police would never suspect him at all.

He looked earnestly into Higashino Hiromu’s eyes and said, “Thank you.”

Higashino Hiromu scratched his head and said embarrassedly, “It’s nothing. Bad people should be brought to justice. I just helped to speed up the process.”

Asai Narumi smiled without replying.

Thank you for pulling me out of the dark abyss.

He handed a few bags to Higashino Hiromu and said, “These are for you and Professor Yasuda. Don’t underestimate Tsukikage Island just because there aren’t many visitors. Our local specialties are still quite famous.”

Higashino Hiromu quickly took them.

“Please tell Professor Yasuda that I’ll go see him very soon.”

Higashino Hiromu’s eyes lit up, “You’re going back to Tokyo?”

Asai Narumi nodded, “My long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. From now on, I want to live for myself!”

Higashino Hiromu grinned wide, showing a mouthful of big white teeth, and said with a smile, “Then we’ll be waiting for you in Tokyo!”

Asai Narumi looked at his smile, hesitated to speak, but after a moment still said, “Higashino, don’t smile like that again.”

Higashino Hiromu tilted his head: ?

Asai Narumi commented, “You don’t look very smart when you smile like that.”

Higashino Hiromu: ……

After bidding farewell to Asai Narumi, Higashino Hiromu quickly returned to Tokyo.

However, today he could no longer avoid going to the university.

But the Tohto University campus was too big, and he didn’t know where his advisor’s lab was.

Helpless, he started scrolling through his phone’s contacts to ask for help.

He searched for a long time before finally finding Shirabu Kenjiro among the many contacts.

On the first day he arrived, the system had already helped him identify that Shirabu Kenjiro was a good person!

So he decisively called Shirabu Kenjiro. “Shirafu? I’m at the university gate. Can you come pick me up? The reason? Oh, I brought a bunch of local specialties that are hard to carry. Help me out, and take your share back too…”

When Shirabu Kenjiro arrived at the gate and saw the three shopping bags at Higashino Hiromu’s feet, he couldn’t help twitching the corner of his mouth. “These are the specialties you were talking about? Do these three bags even weigh fifteen pounds combined? Have you gotten that weak already?” His blunt words made Higashino Hiromu realize he’d picked the wrong excuse.

Higashino Hiromu tried to recover, “I haven’t been to the campus for a week, so I don’t know what kind of rumors about me are flying around. Walking through campus alone, if people start pointing fingers, that’d be so embarrassing. Calling you here is just for moral support!”

Shirabu Kenjiro was silent for a moment. Then he reached out, picked up the bags, and said, “Let’s go. Don’t let those boring people bother you.”

Higashino Hiromu hurried to catch up. “So, you’re saying my orientation has already spread throughout the whole university?” His words sounded panicked, but in his heart, he was pumping his fist in triumph. Oh yeah! The plan to get rid of the “Player” label is a success!

Shirabu Kenjiro comforted him, “It’s not that exaggerated, only a few departments know.”

Higashino Hiromu nodded in satisfaction.

Gossip spreads quickly in the university; it wouldn’t be long before everyone in Tohto University knew that he liked men.

After walking for a while, Shirabu Kenjiro couldn’t help but speak. “You should be more careful about what you tell people in the future.”

Higashino Hiromu understood immediately. Sure enough, those so-called “friends” of his couldn’t keep their mouths shut.

“But you’re my friends,” he said.

Shirabu Kenjiro gave a light scoff. “Others don’t necessarily see it that way.” His upbringing didn’t allow him to speak ill of others behind their backs, so he simply reminded, “Friendship is not about quantity, but quality.”

Higashino Hiromu nodded repeatedly. “Got it, I’ll keep my eyes open when making friends from now on!”

You’re absolutely right!

Shirabu Kenjiro, like a mother worried about her son’s social life, lectured all the way about what a “true friend” should be like.

Higashino Hiromu listened while memorizing the route, and only when they reached the lab did Shirabu Kenjiro stop talking.

Higashino Hiromu was still a little rattled. Shirabu really can lecture… I must never let him catch me slipping again!

Higashino Hiromu handed the local specialties to his advisor and told him that Asai Narumi was planning to return to Tokyo.

Professor Yasuda instantly beamed with joy, even jumped in place like a child, and said he wanted to help him find a job.

Higashino Hiromu quickly tried to dissuade him. “Senpai might have his own plans. You can talk to him once he’s back and see if he wants help.”

Professor Yasuda found that reasonable and asked for Asai Narumi’s contact information. He called immediately, and the two began chatting at length.

Higashino Hiromu and Shirabu Kenjiro quietly stepped out to avoid interrupting the professor’s call with his beloved student.

Shirabu Kenjiro took a bag from his desk and handed it to Higashino Hiromu. “This is the full set of signatures from the Schweiden Adlers volleyball team. Got them for you.”

Higashino Hiromu peeked inside the bag and saw that it contained autographs from professional volleyball players. The original host of his body seemed to have liked watching volleyball matches.

“Thanks, that must’ve been a hassle,” Higashino Hiromu said gratefully.

“No need to thank me.” Shirabu Kenjiro didn’t think it was any trouble. After all, he had connections on the team, so getting signatures was quite easy.

“Oh right, since you’re back at university, you should also drop by your club.”

Higashino Hiromu froze. “What club?”

Shirabu Kenjiro looked surprised. “The Criminal Psychology Research Club! The previous president is graduating this year. He’s busy with his thesis and job hunting, so he appointed you as the new president. Don’t tell me you forgot?”

Higashino Hiromu shuddered. He suddenly remembered the identity card he had drawn earlier: 【 President of the Criminal Psychology Research Club 】. So it was actually true.

He laughed awkwardly, “Of course I didn’t forget. I’ve just been on break too long, and it slipped my mind.”

Shirabu Kenjiro said with exasperation, “Your club members told me a couple of days ago to remind you to handle the welcome activities for the new students. Looks like you’ve completely forgotten about it.”

Higashino Hiromu smiled sheepishly and lightly bumped his shoulder. “Good thing you reminded me! Let’s go now while the university’s still in session and get it over with.”

Shirabu Kenjiro stared at him for a long moment and said, “Have you forgotten I’m not a member of your club? I have things to do later, so I won’t go with you.”

Higashino Hiromu’s expression changed slightly.

Wait, what? If you don’t come with me, how am I supposed to find my way there?!