There was a long silence.
Conan silently reached out and dialed a number.
After a series of beeps, a calm and friendly voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Hello, this is Officer Megure. How can I help you?"
Yes, think about it.
The person he chose to call was, in fact, a police officer.
Someone he frequently encountered at crime scenes, with whom he had no personal relationship but shared considerable ties.
"Inspector Megure, this is Kudo Shinichi."
"Oh, it's brother Kudo. It's very late, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you."
"Eh, Kudo-kun, you sound very serious. Did something happen recently?"
"It's like this..."
Conan lowered his head.
Let's say, hypothetically, I come across a case and, after reasoning it out, I identify the killer. I can be absolutely sure they killed someone, but the final truth proves the real killer is someone else...
"I see."
Megure probably understood.
"Brother Kudo, one or two failures are nothing."
He comforted him.
You've helped us solve cases many times. With your help, our police department's case-solving rate keeps improving. You're known as the savior of the Metropolitan Police Department! So, chin up and work even harder next time!
"The savior of the Metropolitan Police Department..."
Conan's small body trembled at those words.
His lowered head lifted slightly.
Yes, he is the savior of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Those words used to sound so glamorous and glorious.
But... does he still deserve that title now?
Conan lowered his head again.
The words Keisuke Kumiko said earlier that day resurfaced in his mind, spinning and tangling without end.
If all he was doing was helping the police solve cases like a game, then it would be like, like...
"Like what?"
Megure smiled gently.
"It doesn't matter what your motivation is—whether it's a game, something real, or just a teenager trying to get attention."
"What matters is the results, not the process."
Brother Kudo, you've definitely helped the police solve many cases in the past. The killers in those cases were very cunning. Some even deliberately created confusion and complicated the truth to frame innocent people.
Your presence helped clear those innocent people's names. Your determination to seek justice and truth has moved every single officer. It's incredible.
So please, keep going. No matter what difficulties you face, don't give up—face them bravely.
"Always stay firm in your determination to seek justice and truth."
Inspector Megure's sincere words made Conan lift his head again.
"What matters is the results, not the process..."
He murmured to himself.
At that moment, the light that had vanished from his eyes finally reignited.
He finally understood what was wrong between him and Kumiko.
Yes, he wasn't wrong at all.
What he's always been seeking are pure results, pure justice, and pure truth!
This definitely isn't some twisted judicial process!
The one who's wrong is the one standing with Keisuke Kumiko!
"Thank you for your guidance, Officer Megure."
A self-affirming smile appeared on Conan's face.
You're right. One or two mistakes prove nothing. It just means my personal skills are temporarily lacking. I'll continue working hard, constantly improving my reasoning abilities, and keep moving forward for the truth and justice I believe in.
After hanging up, Conan lifted his head, straightened his back, and walked toward Mouri's office.
After this incident, Conan reflected on the lessons learned.
Maybe, besides reasoning, he should also improve his knowledge of modern criminal investigation techniques.
Maybe it was time to contact his long-lost father overseas.
And then head to Hawaii for training.
…
More than three days had passed since the lawsuit at Detective Koshien.
During these three days, there was a major public uproar.
"Shocking Scandal! The Superintendent's Son Gave False Testimony?"
"Osaka's Image Ruined Again! The Son of Osaka Prefecture's Police Chief Expelled from Court!"
"Detective Wrongfully Accuses an Innocent Man and Nearly Causes a False Case!"
"Should the Detective's Seat in Court Be Abolished?"
"High School Detective Becomes a Laughingstock!"
The headlines in major newspapers and news websites were more or less the same as these.
Public outcry was also overwhelming, with nearly everyone fiercely condemning and venting their emotions.
"High schoolers should focus on studying—why play detective?"
"Look at that poor girl, crying like that. Clearly, she was hurt!"
"These second-generation officials just rely on their parents' status to do whatever they want!"
"Get rid of his father too!"
Even the Metropolitan Police Department and the Prosecutor's Office were in a state of panic.
In just a few days, they received countless complaint letters from the public.
During this period, even some official online troll armies were used, but public opinion kept growing more intense and couldn't be suppressed no matter what.
Kumiko's Law Firm.
"The situation is getting worse."
Haibara Ai was lying sideways on the sofa as usual, legs tucked together like a salted fish, holding a smartphone in her hand.
"What are you going to do? This has already reached the top levels of the Japanese police."
She turned her head to look at Keisuke Kumiko, who was sitting in the boss's chair with a smug expression.
"What am I supposed to do? Just do what I have to do."
As usual, Kumiko was holding a Nintendo console in his hand, playing Zelda.
In just a few days, he had unlocked the entire map and completed all the Dragon's Tears memories, which would astonish any gamer.
"You're something else..."
Ai stared at him, focused on the game, and sighed.
"I mean, aren't you afraid someone higher up will come after you?"
"Me? How?" Kumiko raised an eyebrow. "I did everything legally. Who could possibly find evidence against me? Unless they send someone to watch me 24/7. But if they do, I'll just write a few more letters to my lawyers."
He paused.
Then raised a finger and wagged it gently.
"Besides, this is Japan, not some other country. If someone messes with me, someone else will protect me. Got it?"
"Alright then."
Ai curled her lips.
Indeed, this is the national condition of Japan.
The roots are completely rotten, and the termites are gnawing at them.
And the worst part is that these termites will even attack other termites just to suck more juice.
"So you're useless. No matter how well you talk, in the end, you'll still have to rely on others."
Ai never missed an opportunity to mock Kumiko.
"So what? Life's hard enough as it is, so of course we should do whatever's most comfortable."
Kumiko waved his hand nonchalantly.
---
Would you like me to continue with the next chapter as well?
(End)