"Well, I can almost make my move now."
As Tang Ze watched Mouri Kogoro and the others leave, his attention shifted to Director Ochiai, the curator. He didn't know how he knew the name, but he suspected it was from all the fanfics he had read.
After a while of wandering the museum, Tang Ze began following Director Ochiai, making sure not to arouse suspicion. He acted casually, as though he were just another visitor. He kept track of the museum's layout from the map, knowing that he would soon pass by the "Hell Exhibition Hall."
For those who know the plot, this was where the murder was set to happen.
Not long after, Tang Ze saw Director Ochiai head into the Hell Exhibition Hall. He casually walked closer, stopping at the junction of the exhibit and the corridor, pretending to admire the artwork. When he reached the entrance, he saw the sign: "No Entry for Non-Staff Members."
Ignoring the sign, Tang Ze moved toward the door. Inside, he heard the unmistakable sound of steel clinking—a knight's armor being put on. He quietly peeked inside, noticing a figure slowly dressing in medieval armor. Once fully dressed, the person stood motionless, holding a sword like a mannequin.
Tang Ze knew that if Boss Manaka arrived soon, he would be in danger—likely to end up pinned to the wall by the knight's sword.
Deciding to act, Tang Ze cautiously entered the exhibit, but remained alert. Although the person inside appeared to be a frail old man, Tang Ze knew better than to underestimate anyone, especially someone capable of staging a murder with such an elaborate setup.
The dim lighting in the Geopolitical Exhibition Hall combined with the eerie medieval artifacts, created an oppressive atmosphere.
Step by step, Tang Ze walked deeper into the hall, his leather shoes tapping softly against the smooth floor. When he reached the knight's armor, he spoke calmly.
"Mr. Director, I don't think this is a good idea."
Director Ochiai froze, shocked to hear a voice behind him. His mind raced with questions. *Did he see me? Does he know my plan?*
"Who is he? How does he know...?"
Meanwhile, Tang Ze continued, "The knight's armor that moves at night... it must be you."
Director Ochiai, still concealed within the armor, tried to calm himself. But Tang Ze wasn't done yet.
"I initially thought the news report was just a prank. But after seeing the tension between you and Boss Manaka today, and your actions, I'm now certain: this is your doing."
Tang Ze's tone grew more serious. "You've set up the 'moving armor' to make Boss Manaka's death seem supernatural. You planned to invite him here, put on the armor in advance, and wait for your chance to strike."
Director Ochiai's thoughts spun as his plan was exposed. Slowly, he took off the armor, revealing his tired, aging face. He looked at Tang Ze with a mixture of surprise and confusion. "I've seen you before... but who are you?"
"Tang Ze Genichi, a criminal from the First Investigation Division." Tang Ze showed his badge with a small smile.
"Criminal?" Ochiai muttered, surprised. "I didn't think something as trivial as a 'ghost story' would attract attention from the criminal division."
Tang Ze shrugged, explaining, "It's more personal curiosity than anything. I just wanted to figure out the mystery of the 'moving armor.' But after seeing you and your actions, I pieced everything together."
Ochiai sighed, his face darkening. "I see... then I suppose I'm just unlucky."
"No, this is your lucky day," Tang Ze countered. "If you had gone through with your plan, you would've been caught. Even if I wasn't here, Mouri Kogoro was."
"What!?" Ochiai looked stunned. "He's here too?"
Tang Ze nodded. "The famous detective has been here for a while. You didn't get away as easily as you thought."
Ochiai slumped, his bitter expression deepening. "I really stepped into a trap, didn't I?"
"Didn't I warn you?" Tang Ze said. "Your plan was doomed the moment I showed up. No crime happened today."
Ochiai slumped further, his shoulders sagging with the weight of defeat. "But the museum... it's closing soon. A place with fifty years of history... and it's all coming to an end."
"Director Ochiai!" Tang Ze said firmly. "No matter what your reasons are, it doesn't justify murder! Boss Manaka's actions were despicable, but your decision to kill was worse."
Ochiai dropped to the floor in despair, his hand resting against the cold knight's armor, which made a faint "clattering" sound. The realization of his failure seemed to drain all life from him.
"Don't resort to killing to solve problems. There are always other ways."
Tang Ze looked down at the old man, who seemed to have lost his will to live. Part of him felt sorry for the curator, but his thoughts turned back to the larger picture—the museum's closure.
Later, when the news of the Beika Art Museum's forced closure became public, citizens rallied to save it. Amid the outcry, the museum was eventually preserved.
Thinking back on this, Tang Ze realized that there could still be a positive outcome from this situation, despite the dark path Director Ochiai had tried to take.