This morning, McDonald's welcomed a group of unusual guests.
A refined, gentle-looking handsome man.A cold-faced man with long hair.A spirited girl with eye-corner tattoos.A sunglasses-wearing driver.A giant, heavily bandaged bodyguard.And someone in the background who seemed to be just... there.
A strange ensemble—yet all dressed in black.
They didn't look like gangsters per se, but the oppressive aura they carried made the other customers instinctively move aside. The young cashier behind the counter didn't dare make eye contact.
"What do you want to eat?"
Gin asked as he scanned the menu.
"Two pork and egg McMuffins, one bacon maple muffin, two hash browns, and a cup of hot coffee, please," said Hayashi Yoshiki. After a short pause, he smiled at the nervous clerk. "Also, a pork fillet and egg McMuffin set, to go."
"O-Okay…"
The clerk stammered and began processing the order.
The others hesitated briefly, then placed their own orders in turn.
Gin, being last, swiped his card and walked toward the dining area with hands in his pockets. He noticed a few people already seated at a bar-like counter by the window.
"I still wish we'd gone to a high-end restaurant. A real one."
"This is good enough. Besides, no French restaurants are open at this hour," Vodka replied.
"Tch."
Chianti scoffed, arms crossed, clearly not in the mood.
Gin brushed past and took a seat next to Vodka.
Next to Hayashi Yoshiki, Korn sat quietly. He looked more like a retired fisherman than a sniper.
"I heard your new book is nearly done?"
"Yeah… Should be ready in two months," Hayashi Yoshiki replied casually.
"Am I in it?"
"What?"
"Did you write me in as a supporting character?"
"Yes."
Yoshiki smiled as he confirmed it.
Korn didn't say another word, but a subtle look of satisfaction crossed his face.
As expected from McDonald's, the food arrived quickly. Everyone received their meal in no time.
Hayashi Yoshiki began to eat.
Though not particularly slow, his manner was graceful—elegant, even. A stark contrast to Tequila, who wolfed down his meal in just a few bites. He then rolled up the wrapper with one hand and mumbled with a full mouth:
"Not bad."
Suddenly, Chianti shouted:
"Ketchup! Where's my ketchup?!"
Everyone froze.
Seeing no one answer, she scanned the table, locking it onto Korn.
"It's mine," he said, offering it up like a gentleman.
"What'd you order, bro?" Vodka asked as Gin methodically squeezed ketchup onto his meal.
Gin didn't answer.
The ever-dedicated Vodka, still running on zero sleep, had ordered two cups of coffee—he had more reports to write up.
Breakfast didn't last long.
As the group stood and left, the staff and other customers whispered in awe:
"Were they… actors?"
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the Kindaichi Detective Agency, Miyano Shiho had been staying for the past few days.
Far from the Organization's pressure—and especially from Gin—she finally enjoyed some rare peace and safety.
She was grateful to Cointreau (Hayashi Yoshiki).
Although the slow pace here left her a little bored, she didn't mind it.
That morning, she got up around 8, already used to her smaller, childlike body. After freshening up, she sat down to read a magazine.
Then suddenly—a cold, bone-chilling dread struck her.
Her face turned pale instantly.
Gin.
A sharp, needle-like pressure surged up her spine and into her mind.
Haibara Ai (her alias) hugged her shoulders tightly, breath catching in her throat. It felt as though she'd been stripped naked and cast into a frozen wasteland.
He was nearby.
Have I been discovered?
What about Cointreau?
Her thoughts spiraled into panic. She gripped her shoulders so tightly she nearly broke skin.
Click—
The key turned in the lock. The door slowly opened.
"Good morning. I brought you breakfast."
Hayashi Yoshiki entered and closed the door behind him.
She didn't reply.
Her face was ghostly white, sweat beading on her skin.
He understood immediately.
"Don't worry. Gin and the others have left."
At those words, warmth returned to her body. Slowly, she felt life seep back into her limbs.
The dreadful aura that had haunted her… was gone.
But still, unease lingered.
"They…?"
"Well, since I didn't have a car last night, I had them drop me off here."
As he spoke, he held the warm paper-wrapped package against her cheek.
She inhaled the lingering aroma of food and felt herself relax.
Then he said,
"Oh, by the way—this is Gin's receipt."
"…"
Miyano Shiho no longer felt like eating.
But in the end, she couldn't resist the smell.
"Last night...?" she asked.
"The mission required me to go with them."
"Were you hurt?"
"No."
She didn't press further.
After all, the Organization's missions could mean anything—blackmail, assassination... She understood how meaningless it was to ask.
Just like she had been forced to research ApTX4869, Cointreau likely had no choice once given a directive.
She ate her breakfast slowly, in small, measured bites.
Despite her childish appearance, her thoughtful demeanor shone through—this duality of innocence and intellect was part of Miyano Shiho's quiet charm.
"What's your next move?"
"...I'm planning to contact Kudo Shinichi."
"I see. That sounds good."
Hayashi Yoshiki agreed with her idea.
Staying with Dr. Agasa was the safest option for now.
The Organization was relentless, and she remained a target.
And once the events of "The Shadow of the Dark Steel" unfolded—and Haibara Ai was confirmed as Miyano Shiho—Gin would be the first to suspect her.
Even though Vermouth would later mislead Gin again, it was still incredibly risky.
Besides, Hayashi Yoshiki had his own plan. Through Haibara Ai, he could ask Dr. Agasa for a little... help.