Detective Conan: Death Note-Chapter 350: You don’t want your identity to be exposed to everyone, right?

"How's the case discussed at the investigation meeting? Any progress?" Looking at Hayashi Yoshiki, who sat deep in thought on the sofa, Amur

"How's the case discussed at the investigation meeting? Any progress?"

Looking at Hayashi Yoshiki, who sat deep in thought on the sofa, Amuro Tōru placed a cup of warm water in front of him.

"Yes... there is some. But we're still missing a few key clues."

"There won't be a problem with the boss."

"You really have that much confidence in me?"

"It's always been like this, hasn't it?"

Amuro smiled.

He seemed to be in an unusually good mood.

Hayashi Yoshiki picked up the glass of water.

His mind lingered on the list of spies distributed by the Organization.

If the list only contained spies from the business and political circles, it wouldn't mean much to him.

However... if it included spies embedded in groups like the Public Security Bureau or the FBI, then it would become invaluable.

But how to obtain it?

The Organization's spy Okakura Masaaki had hidden the memory card inside a charm.

After he was killed, the murderer took the charm as well.

Eventually, Ireland got his hands on the memory card—

But his identity was exposed when the police discovered him impersonating Matsumoto Kiyonaga...

He was isolated and helpless atop Tokyo Tower, with no way to escape on his own.

That's when Gin arrived in an armed helicopter, and ordered Chianti to open fire, killing both Ireland and the memory card in one blow.

But there had been a condition for Gin to make that call.

He had long known that Ireland harbored resentment over the Pisco incident—

So he used this chance to get rid of him.

Otherwise, simply picking up a comrade with a helicopter would've been trivial.

But this time... the one who had killed Pisco was Vermouth.

"I feel like Mr. Amuro has been particularly cheerful lately."

"Yeah?"

Amuro Tōru's face was lit with smiles.

"Maybe I just sensed something good coming... even if I don't know what it is yet."

"Then I can rest easy leaving today's office to Mr. Amuro."

"As if I'm not always in charge..."

Amuro looked exasperated.

Despite only occasionally helping the firm solve cases as an employee, his name had already grown quite famous—

Who knows, he might soon be ranked among the 'famous detectives'.

Hayashi Yoshiki left the office and drove to Professor Agasa's house.

Before he could stop the car, he spotted a little girl walking out, carrying something.

Haibara Ai climbed into the car.

"Has the coughing lessened?" she asked.

"Yeah. It's mild now, but I still can't help coughing every once in a while."

"I think you'll be nearly recovered after taking this."

She handed him a small box of pills.

No brand name.

No logo.

Just four pills in total.

"Thank you... but why do you always give me only four?"

"Because it tells me whether you're actually taking your medicine on time."

As Haibara Ai said this, she didn't look him in the eyes.

"Otherwise, you'd just ignore my advice."

She stared determinedly out the window.

Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.

"I thought you just wanted an excuse to see me more often."

"...I don't know what you're talking about. That doesn't make sense."

She glanced at him, but when her eyes met his smiling gaze, she turned away quickly—

Her neck was slightly flushed.

They drove in silence for a while.

Haibara Ai stared out the window.

She felt a strange, calming warmth in her heart.

There was only her and Cointreau in the car...

She liked this feeling of aimlessly wandering together.

"How's Miss Miyano Akemi doing?"

"Not well."

Haibara replied softly.

Cointreau had told her sister that the Organization would be targeting Akai Shūichi.

He asked her to try reaching out to him...

But every message she sent was ignored.

Since Akai's identity was exposed and he escaped the Organization, he had never replied.

Even now, Miyano Akemi remained in the dark.

Hayashi Yoshiki kept the truth to himself:

Shūichi Akai didn't have to die.

But since he refused to follow orders, his death became necessary.

After all, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't defy Gin's commands outright.

To control everything and live a life where he could truly do as he pleased...

He had already accepted this truth the day he used the Death Note.

"By the way, could you and Dr. Agasa get me some tranquilizer needles?"

"Okay."

She didn't even ask why.

Her face was calm, but Hayashi noticed something was off.

"You seem irritated lately."

"No."

Her words didn't match her energy.

She was irritated.

She hated that the man who had taken advantage of her sister brought trouble upon them, and ran away... was still affecting Akemi, who had finally found some peace.

And Cointreau... that stupid, kind-hearted idiot, always trying to save everyone.

Then Hayashi suddenly coughed again, and Haibara snapped.

"Idiot—" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"You really seem unhappy. How about I take you out for ice cream? Or the amusement park?"

"I told you, don't treat me like a child."

"Then I'll treat you like an 18-year-old."

He smiled at her.

"So, will you go on a date with me to an ice cream shop or an amusement park, Miss Miyano Shiho?"

"..."

Date.

When she heard the word, Haibara Ai blushed.

She couldn't even say yes or no.

But when she looked down at her small hands and legs and heard him suggest places meant for children, she felt... awkward.

Hayashi noticed.

"Or we could go to the aquarium."

"Okay."

"Then let's go."

It was two in the afternoon.

Until sunset, Hayashi Yoshiki spent the day with Haibara Ai—

They visited the aquarium, ate ice cream...

Even though he treated her like an 18-year-old, the contrast in their body sizes made it feel like he was babysitting.

After dropping Haibara Ai off at Professor Agasa's house, Hayashi Yoshiki returned to his apartment around seven.

He inserted the key and opened the door.

As he stepped into the entrance hall, his eyes landed on a letter behind the door.

He bent down, picked it up, and opened it.

His calm expression turned ice cold.

A murderous glint flared in his dark eyes as he read the words on the envelope:

"You don't want your identity to be exposed to everyone, right? Cointreau."

There was no chance for handwriting analysis—the text was printed from a computer.

Hayashi Yoshiki crushed the letter into a ball.

And squeezed it tight.

Tight.