"In response to the serious and vicious incident that occurred in Beika Town on the night of October 13, the police have successfully arrested a total of seven suspects in connection with the case, thanks to their persistent pursuit and arrest."
"According to police sources, this was a violent confrontation between two hostile terrorist organizations during an ongoing conflict."
"During the incident, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and the Self-Defense Forces rushed to the scene. Among the suspects shot dead were numerous internationally wanted professional assassins and robbers."
"The Metropolitan Police Department has announced a follow-up press conference for 19:00 tonight. Further details will be revealed, and the public will receive a satisfactory explanation."
Turn on any news channel, and that's all you'll hear.
Hayashi Yoshiki barely glanced at the screen.
Then he turned toward the little girl sitting in front of him and asked, with unusual seriousness:
"Were you involved in what happened that night?"
"No."
"Then why didn't you answer my call?"
"The phone was in the car. I went on a date."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
But Haibara Ai's face twitched.
Her expression turned sharp, her voice bitter and accusing:
"Liar."
"…"
"Do you think I'm a three-year-old? 'I forgot my phone?' That's your excuse? Seriously?"
"But I mean it."
He had, in fact, been atop Tokyo Tower that night. For security reasons, he'd left his phone behind. If Noah's Ark had traced him via IP, it would've been catastrophic.
When he returned home, Hayashi Yoshiki had found more than a dozen missed calls from Haibara Ai.
So, this meeting had been arranged specifically for her.
She was now glaring at him, clearly holding back a storm of emotions.
Based on the chaos in Beika Town, and what she already knew about various organizations, it was obvious to her that a serious conflict had erupted—and possibly involved Cointreau.
"…"
But facing Hayashi's relaxed, unreadable expression, Haibara Ai suddenly felt… defeated.
Her anger softened into quiet frustration. She lowered her head, her voice dropping.
"I can't help you with anything anyway..."
With her bangs covering her eyes, she whispered in a self-loathing tone:
"Worrying about your reputation doesn't help. It's pointless. It just makes me look like I'm being irrational... but I just... I just don't want you to be in danger."
Hayashi Yoshiki reached out toward her.
Here we go again…
Every time things got tense, he'd either ruffle her hair or smile gently, thinking it would fix everything.
Did he really think such simple tricks still worked?
Facing a man who regularly risked his life without telling her, Haibara Ai was filled with restless anxiety. She had told herself this time she would not let him manipulate her emotions...
Until—
"What are you doing?!"
He poked her side.
Startled, Haibara Ai flinched sharply.
Hayashi Yoshiki grinned:
"As expected, you're ticklish."
"…"
"You looked like you'd stay mad no matter what I said… so I thought this might be the only way to make you laugh."
And then—he went all in.
Hayashi Yoshiki placed both hands at her waist and began to tickle her mercilessly.
She tensed immediately, her reflexes too slow, her body too small. The second he scratched her sides, she yelped, squirming uncontrollably.
"Stop—! Stop it, Cointreau!"
"Wait—Ugh! Haha—stop scratching! Stop—!"
She twisted, kicked, and writhed like a cat fighting for its life.
"Hahaha, no—don't! Let me go—haha!"
Only when she was on the verge of collapsing, gasping for air and her sides sore, did Hayashi Yoshiki stop.
"…"
She slumped to the floor, breathing heavily, her face completely red, hair in total disarray.
After catching her breath, she glared up at him.
"Now you look more energetic."
He was still smiling.
"...You bastard."
"Your hair's all messy."
Resting his chin on his palm, Hayashi Yoshiki reached out and began fixing her hair gently.
"Whose fault do you think that is?!"
Haibara Ai shot him a sharp look—but there was only a trace of annoyance in her voice now.
He continued smoothing her hair, then said with a soft smile:
"As expected... your real smile is much prettier than a forced one."
She froze for a second.
At that exact moment, Hayashi Yoshiki withdrew his hand and stood up.
"Alright. I'm fine, so don't worry too much."
"…"
Watching his casual, composed expression, Haibara Ai narrowed her eyes.
Then, suddenly, she reached out and poked his side—trying to tickle him back.
No response.
She frowned, then scratched harder. Still nothing.
"What a pity." he said with a smirk.
"Why are you so proud of that? You're such a child!"
She groaned, pouting.
She really was starting to act like a little girl around him.
Even though she maintained her mature, composed front with Ayumi and Dr. Agasa, whenever she was with Hayashi Yoshiki, she couldn't help but let her guard down more and more.
"So? Who did you go out with that night?"
"A very pretty lady."
"Liar."
"...Well, two, actually."
Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled and confessed.
It had indeed been Reiko Shimizu and Seiran Hoshi with him that night.
Haibara Ai rolled her eyes.
"You might as well have said three."
"Hehe."
He reached over, ruffled her hair again, and stood.
"Let's go. I'll take you to meet someone."
"Who?"
"You'll know when you see them."