The castle belonging to Natsumi Kousaka's family was breathtaking.
Having been rented out for commercial shoots, both the exterior of the castle and the surrounding estate had been meticulously restored and cleaned. At first glance, it radiated opulence and elegance.
"It's really beautiful…"
Standing at the entrance, Ran looked up at the structure, her eyes full of admiration.
Beside her, Sonoko nodded repeatedly in agreement.
But then she glanced at the elegant watch on her wrist and muttered, "Why isn't Brother Yoshiki here yet?"
"Well, the beautiful Miss Seiran hasn't shown up either."
Kogoro Mouri considered this important. That stunning figure in a red cheongsam from two days ago had left quite an impression.
Ran immediately gave her father a deadpan stare.
A car soon ascended the winding road to the castle—but it was a familiar yellow Beetle.
"Hey~ Conan!"
Professor Agasa stepped out, with several kids in tow. Mitsuhiko and Genta waved proudly at Conan.
He sighed. Clearly, they had snuck into the car without permission.
Kogoro scowled at the young trio and sternly warned them to stay outside the castle. The three mischievous kids, including Ayumi, all responded with innocent smiles: "Okay~~"
Meanwhile, Ai Haibara scanned the area.
"Where's Yoshiki?"
"I don't know. He hasn't arrived yet," Conan replied.
But just as they spoke, a sleek silver Mercedes-Benz E-W210 rolled into view.
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped out quickly.
"Sorry—I took a wrong turn. Luckily, I'm not too late."
"It's fine. Everyone's still busy admiring the castle—eh?"
Everyone froze when they saw Seiran Hoshi stepping out of the passenger seat beside him.
"Why is Miss Seiran in Yoshiki's car?"
"Hehe, Mr. Mouri, that question…"
Seiran Hoshi covered her mouth and smiled softly, a hint of shyness playing on her lips—just enough to spark misunderstanding.
The middle-aged detective looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with envy, while Sonoko clutched her head.
"What?! It's only been one day…!"
"..."
Ai Haibara observed Seiran silently. She truly was beautiful—tall, with flawless skin, and exotic mixed-race features.
Of course.
No man with normal taste would reject a woman like that.
Behind her, Ayumi pouted, clearly upset.
Yoshiki chuckled gently. "Miss Seiran, please don't tease them like that."
"I was just joking," she replied sweetly.
Some present sighed in relief.
With everyone accounted for, Natsumi Kousaka and her butler led the group into the castle.
Built in the early 20th century, the castle was filled with artistic flourishes—exquisite reliefs and portraits that were clearly authentic. It was a testament to the immense wealth of the Kousaka family.
Meanwhile, art dealer Shoichi Inui took the opportunity to sneak into the studio under the pretense of using the restroom. He located the hidden treasury, cracked the lock, and attempted theft—only to be caught red-handed by a hidden security system.
The others followed the alarm and arrived just in time to see Shoichi Inui handcuffed, with a professional lockpicking kit by his side.
Click—
"We've photographed the evidence."
"What Mr. Shoichi has committed is burglary."
"According to the law, stealing property of significant value carries a prison sentence of three to ten years—and possibly fines."
"My aunt's an excellent lawyer."
"With this much evidence, we could push for maximum sentencing... Miss Natsumi, something to consider."
Hayashi Yoshiki handed her a business card.
Natsumi took it instinctively.
"This... this is a misunderstanding!"
Shoichi Inui's face turned pale. Jail? He didn't want that!
"What's the point of saying that now? Adults should know better," Kogoro snorted.
The group left him behind for the time being and proceeded to the study, where they finally located the entrance to the basement.
Their journey went smoothly.
Without any threats from the Scorch soldiers, they quickly reached the deepest chamber, where they found the coffin of Natsumi's great-grandmother—and another red Egg of Memory inside.
The Egg, studded with gemstones and carved with dazzling designs, stunned everyone with its beauty.
But when opened—it was empty.
"Empty!?"
"How could that be—!"
"It really is empty."
"Eh?"
When Hayashi Yoshiki spoke, Kogoro Mouri and the Russian ambassador Sergei Ovchinnikov turned toward him in astonishment.
Conan also furrowed his brow.
Yoshiki smiled. "I suspected as much when I noticed the two eggs shown in Miss Natsumi's diagrams didn't match. The difference in size—and the special glass underneath—made me think of Russian nesting dolls."
"…Nesting dolls."
"It's possible. There's a groove inside this egg!" the ambassador exclaimed.
"Then where's the missing egg!?"
"I have it."
Everyone turned as Sonoko raised her hand.
"Sonoko?" Ran blinked in surprise.
"Yoshiki messaged me and explained. So I brought it along. As expected of him!"
Grinning, she pulled another Egg of Memory from her bag as if it were a mere toy. The Russian ambassador received it with solemn caution.
The green egg slotted neatly into the red one.
When light filtered through the crystal base and was refracted by the glass and gemstones, a projection of Emperor Nicholas II and his family appeared on the wall.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Natsumi Kousaka was stunned. It was her first time seeing her great-grandmother's image.
"That's why it's called the Egg of Memory… A truly remarkable invention. Mr. Kousaka Kiichi was a magician of his era."
"…My great-grandfather would've been honored to hear that," she said, smiling softly at Hayashi Yoshiki.
Ambassador Ovchinnikov was equally moved. After a moment, he made a surprising declaration:
"Russia will relinquish its claim to this Egg of Memory. Miss Kousaka, it will have more meaning in your hands."
"Thank you... but the egg belongs to the Suzuki family—"
"Leave that to me. I'll talk to my father," Sonoko said with a reassuring pat. "The ambassador is right—no one deserves it more than you."
"...Thank you, Sonoko."
The room was filled with joy.
Seiran Hoshi, standing off to the side, applauded gently and genuinely smiled for Natsumi.
Soon after, everyone returned to the surface.
The police had arrived to arrest Shoichi Inui, —Professor Agasa had called them. The Junior Detective League hadn't entered the basement because of the secret passage, which was fortunate.
With the affair resolved, everyone began to leave.
"I'll take Miss Seiran home first. See you all later."
"Okay, Yoshiki—drive safely!"
With a wave goodbye, Hayashi Yoshiki stepped on the gas.
The silver car disappeared down the road.
In the passenger seat, Kaito Kuroba—still in disguise as Seiran—lowered the makeup mirror and smirked at his reflection.
"So, what's next, Mr. Yoshiki?"
"How about grilled fish?"
"…Can you please stop suggesting fish every time?"
His face dropped, and he reached up to remove the mask—revealing his real, handsome face.
Hayashi Yoshiki snapped several photos on his phone.
Kaito's eyes widened. "What are you doing!?"
"Just amused. You in a cheongsam with bare legs? Too good."
"Delete those!"
"Don't worry. I won't leak them. And even if I do, I'll ask them to keep it secret."
"DELETE THEM!"
Kaito, now flustered and furious, lunged to grab the phone—but Yoshiki pinned him down with one hand.
"This is good for you."
"Hah!?"
"Now I won't need to threaten you with your ichthyophobia."
"Don't go too far, Hayashi Yoshiki!!!"
Kaito shrieked like a drenched cat.
Yoshiki only smiled.
"By the way, any thoughts on Shoichi Inui's fate?"
"...Tch."
Kaito had no sympathy for the greedy, talentless thief.
Yoshiki dropped him off in Ekoda City.
During the drive, Kaito tried everything to steal and delete the photos, but Yoshiki was always two steps ahead. He even backed up the photos to his email.
That devil!
Kaito cursed all the way home.
Later, Hayashi Yoshiki returned to Beika Town. Before heading in, he stopped at a convenience store to grab a bento.
"Ah, Mr. Yoshiki~!"
A sweet female voice called out in surprise.
Looking up, Hayashi recognized her.
"Good evening, Miss Reiko Shimizu."
"You actually remember me?"
"Of course. You left quite the impression at the book signing."
He smiled warmly, voice smooth and gaze fixed.
"There were too many people there. I regret not asking for your contact info."
"…Really?"
Blushing, Reiko Shimizu exchanged contact details with him.
But Yoshiki didn't linger—he had business elsewhere.
As he left, Reiko turned back and smiled brilliantly.
She had always been fascinated by crime.
In college, she led her Crime Research Club and once orchestrated a heist on an armored car. But those plans were childish. What she truly wanted… was something worthy of a famous mystery novelist.
Later that night, Hayashi Yoshiki arrived at a hidden underground room.
Carrying his bento, he entered the dark basement.
"Good evening, Miss Seiran."
"..."
Bound hand and foot, Seiran Hoshi looked up, instantly alert. "You have Spider's equipment… Are you with them!?"
"You know the illusionist?"
Yoshiki's face lit up—not with cruelty, but pure delight.
It was a truly joyful smile.
But those cold, depthless eyes made Shizuka shiver.
"So you are one of the codenamed members… Scorpion. This is great news."
"..."
She held her breath.
This man wasn't just dangerous because of his skills—his spirit was terrifying.
In those smiling, colorless eyes, there was a darkness deep enough to consume everything.