"Wow" the trio said as they stood straight in front of a mansion, amazed and dazed with not just the architectural structure but also the size of the mansion which extends further the next block.
While having their amazement Haibara on the other hand, pressed the doorbell and entered her name on the screen as the tall black gates automatically opened itself for them to pass.
She then gestured them to come inside and she knew it was just their minimal reaction for the true stunning view is really the mansion itself; the mansion was build earlier during World War II and served as a hideout.
But not too long for it was renovated twenty years after the said war and now served as a house or particularly the reunion or celebration venue held by her family.
"So make sure not to touch anything unnecessary or the traps might be set on" Haibara reminded the trio. The trio immediately nodded and looked more on their surroundings as they gone further the garden.
And as they walk further, they can already see the fabulous garden and luxurious cars around them and it almost seem like paradise but it also looks like they are having an endless walk in the paradise of rich people.
'It must be nice to have a place like this' they thought.
Then suddenly something caught Mitsuhiko's eyes when he rolled it next to the gazebo (which is the parking lot). "Hey isn't that Porches?" He asked while pointing his finger.
"Ah yes, our family likes Porches so much" Haibara said nonchalantly. "In fact they bought every single model of them"
"Excepted from wealthy people" Genta muttered under his breath. "But if I'm them, I would just sell every each one of them and just buy an unlimited supply of eel rice for my satisfaction" With that said, everyone sweat dropped.
"Mou, Genta-kun is there anything else in your mind other than eel rice?" Ayumi asked still having sweat drops.
"Then I would use them to find a way to find more mystery cases for us to solve" Genta replied with his arms crossed.
"Why mystery cases?" Haibara asked still nonchalantly.
"About that" Ayumi said. "We forgot to tell you but we're actually detectives by the name "Detective Boys" and with that said..." She suddenly clasped her hands with Haibara's and have this sparkling puppy dog eyes over her. "Sherry-san I beg you, please join the Detective Boys"
"Eh!?" Haibara said as she was startled by the girl's sudden movement and proposal. But deep inside her mind she was somehow happy. Retaining the group even without them proved pretty well that their bonds are that deep. She feels really happy even though they...
Haibara lightly shook her head. The past is in the past and there's nothing you can do to change it. You have to move forward. She stared at the girl's sparkling eyes and formed a small smile.
"You know" Haibara started. "You three's enthusiasm over solving cases made me think of that idiot who's always been a magnet on these kind of things"
"Eh?" Ayumi asked tilting her head a little. "Idiot? Magnet?"
"No...never mind" Haibara trailed off. She let go of the girl's clasping hands and turned around. She started walking again towards the entrance, never insisted herself to look behind to check if they're still following her.
But she bet they are for the garden was a labyrinth (built for security purposes such as keeping away unauthorized people out) and even herself took more than two years before memorizing the correct way. It was really that hard.
About a minute or two, the group managed get into the front door and Haibara took out her keys from her bag to unlock it. Much for her surprise, the door however was unlock or left unlock. She gestured the trio to be alarmed as she slowly crept inside.
There she saw a man who was in his mid-fifties rolling his eyes to her and puffed his cigarette. He was watching her closely when she stared at him for a minute and gestured outside and when he saw her guests, he slowly smiled.
"Oh Sherry-kun, welcome back" he said walking towards the brunette and opened his arms to hug her. But the brunette dodged the attempted hug and silently cough (to remind him about the visitors).
"Haibara-san, who is this man?" Genta asked pointing his finger at the man who was (then) sulking on the corner and having faded aura.
"That man is my father, Haibara Kyosuke" Haibara sighed and faced his father. "Father, how long are you going to embarrass yourself in front of the guests?"
"Well I'm sorry" the man said, standing up. "So already made friends in your first day, that's unusual"
"Ah yes unusual indeed" Haibara said nonchalantly. "I would like you to meet them. They're Yoshida Ayumi, Kojima Genta and Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko"
"It's a pleasure meeting you" the trio said, bowing at the same time.
"One more thing, father" Haibara said. "What might be your business here knowing that you still have a tons job to do in America?"
"What, you say" Kyosuke replied. "To see if my daughter has a fun time in Japan, of course"
Haibara stared sternly at her father. "Other than that, what else? Whose porches are parked in the lot I saw earlier?"
"Well you see" Kyosuke looked at the floor, avoiding to make an eye contact to her daughter. "...I wanted to make up on you since I wasn't on your sixteenth birthday and their acknowledgement upon you"
"I see" Haibara said. She turned away from her father and proceeded going to the main hall. 'That old man...it's not even my birthday today and why does he need to bring up again that acknowledgement part?'
The detective trio watched her until she disappeared and looked at her father. He seems to be quite a gentleman and has a presentable look. His turning grey hair was neatly brushed and his necktie happily paired with the color of his suit.
"Now" the man said. He looked at them and gave them a warm smile and bowed politely. "Thank you very much for befriending and taking care my daughter"
"Y-you're welcome" the trio replied, stunned.
The man silently chuckled but kept his smile as he told them to follow. The trio quickly obeyed and went with him as they explore the mansion. After a few minutes of walking, they have their stop when Kyosuke opened the door of his office and went inside.
After closing the door, the man sat on the comfy chair of his and the trio on the sofa facing the man. Kyosuke then crossed his fingers and sighed.
"By the way, I heard that you three are the quite popular for solving cases revolving around robbery" Kyosuke said, enough for the trio to gain interest in the started topic. "Detective Boys, was it? You see the reason why I came here isn't because of Sherry or her birthday"
"!?"
"It's about the issue of her being the next heir to the company and regarding that there were several threat letters sent to us by an anonymous person for the last three months since grandfather announced his successor to the family"
Kyosuke paused for a while and from his desk he pulled out a violet envelope and gave it to them. The trio opened the envelope and took out the letter. It was simultaneously shocking and cold, when they started to read what's written on the letter.
Kyosuke Haibara,
I had heard your plan about your daughter very well and thinking that maybe you can get her out safely out of this threat but, wrong. Even if she's already left America, my sources wouldn't give up in giving me sufficient information about her- on where she lives, studying and friends.
But lately I felt pretty bored just by sending threat letters about your daughter, so that is why I thought of something else. I thought that things would really get more interesting than ever if I told you who I might be and will you be able to find out my identity.
And of course, you have to follow your time limit and the rules. Don't worry, my rules are just simple- #1, you cannot tell the police or anyone about this or your daughter shall be killed. #2, you can only tell them to a detective, that clever one can do.
Lastly the most important rule, #3, observing time limit. Your time shall immediately start after you precious daughter left America and specifically have an entire week to find out who I might be until your daughter's first day in school...11:59 pm, how does that sound?
If you break any of the rules or wasn't able to figure out my identity on time, YOUR DAUGHTER SHALL MEET THE MOST BITTER CONSEQUENCE THAT I SHALL BESTOW UPON HER.
In this case, you yourself will personally make your move in to finding my identity but will you be able to without any clues that lead to the answer. Genius, aren't I? Well then, I'll be expecting you to participate in this little game of mine. Good luck~
"What on earth!?" Ayumi gasped. "They are planning to kill Haibara-san"
"And it's says here that Kyosuke-san's time is only until 11:59, which is 5 hours from now" Mitsuhiko said.
"In that case..." Genta said rising from his seat and gave the most determined face ever. He threw his fist on the air and announced "For the safety of Haibara-san, we, the Detective Boys are in!"
"Thank you very much" Kyosuke said gratefully.
"But why her?" Ayumi asked. "I mean the grandfather could just picked anyone beside her"
"Now that you mention it, it kind of make sense" Genta said. "Furthermore, it looked like the sender is against the decision of the grandfather on making Haibara-san the heir and I wonder why"
"Well it's because our family doesn't want strangers to run the family's company and it's kind of applied to Sherry-kun since she's only adopted but seemingly has a greater potential than any of his grandchild when it comes to skills and leadership" Kyosuke replied.
"Eh Haibara-san's adopted!?" the trio exclaimed as the room was filled with heavy and serious tension. It's going to be hard for them to digest or to absorb what the man just told them about Haibara and maybe medication pills, cannot help them to.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The scream brought down the tension as it echoed to their ears. The sound came from the kitchen and the owner's voice is somehow familiar. Didn't Haibara told them that she'll be making then dinner?
Author's Note(s):
It took me a while in accomplishing this chapter and so far I only thought of this for I'm a little bit busy for past few and knowing that finals are very much near. So I deeply apologize for this! Also I would like to thank you for those who reviewed, favs and followed the story, it somehow motivated me to write this chapter.
Also if you are a little bit confused in the porches part and Haibara's party well I will have a little clarification. The porches indicated that there are other people inside the mansion besides them but no one outside the mansion for they are preparing for her party and it's not her birthday, I mean...it was just her father's excuse and of course one of those guests that are yet to be introduced is the culprit. That is all in this chapter!
