Not far from where Conan, Heiji, and Ayumi were facing their fates, a group of men sat in a warm house, playing poker in the living room.

"Full house," the muscular man said proudly, laying out his cards for all to see. The other three inspected his cards carefully: three nines and two sixes.

The man opposite of him, after making sure that the other two weren't going to play, tossed his hand on the table. "You win yet again, Nakano. Are you sure you're not cheating?" Name: Ishiwatari Isao (44), House Guest.

Nakano, the muscular one, held up his hands in a surrender. "No tricks here. Just luck." Name: Nakano Haruto (37), Retired Swimmer.

The man to Nakano's left began gathering the cards. "Come on, Nakano, go a little easy on us. It's been a while since we've gotten together like this." Name: Kakei Daisuke (40), Journalist. "Ever since Akagi started his new newspaper, we've had a terrible time trying to get all our schedules to match up." He nodded towards the youngest at the game table. "Sorry for asking you to join us like this, Kenshin-kun. I hope we haven't made you feel like Akagi's replacement."

Kenshin shook his head. "It's his own fault for not coming. Tai-nii's been holed up in his room for the past few days, according to Mina-chan," Kenshin said as he took out a cigarette and lit it. "I'll bet he's working on yet another article that'll get the Tokyo Shinbun's attention. He never stops trying to get a job there." Name: Akagi Kenshin (31), Store Manager.

"Well, he'll keep failing if he doesn't find anything good to write about. Did you see his last one? It was about the Japanese fish that showed up in American lakes." Kakei laughed. "We've known about that for years!" A chorus of laughter arose as the door creaked open.

"Oh, come now," said the approaching young woman, her cold voice slicing through the joyful atmosphere. She stopped directly behind Kakei. "My husband was kind enough to invite you out here, so please, don't insult him"-she placed a drink from the tray she carried in front of Kakei- "without me." Name: Akagi Mina (32), Housewife.

Kakei lifted his drink to Mina. "No one hates him as much as you, Mina-chan," he said, almost admirably. "How you live with such a man, I'll never know."

Mina continued to walk around the table, distributing the drinks. "You flatter me," she said as she set a drink in front of Kenshin, "but I don't hate him nearly as much as Ishiwatari-san. You still haven't recovered after those stocks fell, have you?"

Ishiwatari's eyes went wide before narrowing accusingly at a face no one else saw. He seized his drink, bringing it to his mouth and downing half of it in one gulp. The glass made a loud thunk when he practically slammed it back down. His scowl had a slight air of satisfaction, having received startled looks from Nakano and Kenshin. "That freaking idiot caused it all. Those stocks he told me about crashed a week after I bought them, and I lost just about all my savings. That backstabbing con man offered to loan me money, but I knew what he was up to.

"He'd lured me in with the risk- I always like a nice gamble, you all know that- but he rigged the system, selling his own stocks even as he was urging me to invest. Even if I have to work triple time at the casino, I'll never accept anything from that son of-"

Kakei slapped Ishiwatari on the back good-naturedly. "Lighten up, man. Akagi's not a terrible guy. I'm sure he meant best."

Nakano, sipping his drink, looked at Kakei over the edge of his glass. "You act like he's all that, but you hate him just as much as the rest of us."

Kakei laughed nervously. "What gave you that impression?"

Nakano took a long drink before answering. "Akagi's written a couple good pieces for the county newspaper, hasn't he?" Nakano asked, smiling maliciously.

Kakei stiffened, his light-hearted smile vanished. He sighed. "How do you tell your own boss, the man who gives you the money you need to eat and be able to live in a house, to stop stealing your work? He'd take them right off my desk once I'd finished, erase my name and write his own, most of the time right in front of me. When I started using a pen, he bought white-out. When I started writing poor articles, he left my name on them and published them as is. I tried to go to other newspapers, but none would accept me due to my 'poor writing skills.'

"Akagi locked me up like a prisoner. I finally found an escape with that pen name of his. I threatened that if he didn't stop, I'd reveal it to all of you, but he wouldn't listen. Now you all know. I won't apologize to him. It's all his own fault." Kakei held up his hands, as if in surrender.

Nakano scowled again, being reminded of their earlier discussion. "I knew it was suspicious that someone could know so much without ever having met me. He showed the world fake evidence of a drug scandal, and my swimming career was over like that." He snapped his fingers.

Kenshin's grin wavered for a moment. "I knew you all hated Tai-nii, but this is incredible. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he comes in the door and sees all of you here."

Mina picked up Kenshin's glass from the table and took a sip before setting it back down. "Well, I've got some time before I get started on dinner. Can I join you boys for a quick game before I go?"

"We'd be happy to have you, Mina-chan," Ishiwatari said. Nakano reached for the deck, but Ishiwatari snatched it from him. "I'll deal this time. We all know how it went last game you tried to shuffle."

Mina took the seat between Nakano and Kakei as the cards were dealt. Picking up her cards, she barely glanced at them before setting them face down on the table.

Though they maintained their poker faces, a few of the men shivered internally when Mina began to play. She rarely joined in poker games, but when she did, it was as if years of stress tumbled off her shoulders. She was cheerful, kind, her old self; she was next to impossible to beat.

By the third time around, Kenshin and Nakano had already dropped out, leaving Ishiwatari and Kakei to Mina's mercy.

At last, the stakes were high enough for Mina's liking. "Royal flush," she proudly declared, displaying her hand.

Ishiwatari and Kakei threw their cards to the table. Kenshin reached for the cards. "I'll de-" he began to say, but his hand missed the deck completely. He reached for it again. "Mina-chan, why're there four decks on the table?" He asked, his words suddenly slurred.

Mina laughed. She stood and lifted Kenshin from his seat with all the fondness of an older sister. "Kenshin-kun, come on. You're drunk; let's get you to your room."

He mumbled and drawled as she carried him away, earning a round of chuckles from the rest of the men.

"He's just like his older brother. Not even two glasses, and he's k.o.'d," Kakei joked.

"He probably just didn't eat anything," Ishiwatari pointed out. "Remember? When Mina-chan brought out all the food, he kept saying he wasn't hungry."

"He's a resilient kid, considering all that's going on around him. Akagi with his articles, each of us openly despising his brother, Mina being bitter towards Akagi- the fact that he keeps a level head should earn him some credit," Nakano said, nodding to where Kenshin just sat.

Kakei chuckled. "You've got a point, but don't go getting all mushy on us. We've got to show Akagi that we're all business; otherwise, he'll find a way out of trouble again. You know how he is with words."

Ishiwatari's expression went sour. "He could convince a fish to hop onto a grill if he tried. I'd be willing to bet money that he talked Mina-chan into marrying him."

The door creaked open. Kakei looked back over his shoulder and muttered, "Speak of the she-devil. Change the subject."

Nakano stood up from his chair, waving his hand at Kakei. "I got this," he said in an undertone. "Will he be okay?" he asked Mina.

She nodded, closing the door behind her. "He'll be fine if he sleeps for a few hours. The liquor didn't agree with his empty stomach." Her eyebrows furrowed together. "I'm going to have to replan dinner. Kenshin-kun promised to buy the last few ingredients, but I can't ask him to do that now."

"I can do that for you." Ishiwatari rose from his seat. "When do you need me to go?"

"As soon as possible." She fished a shopping list from her pocket and held it out to him. "The safest way is by boat, with the roads as flooded as they are."

Donning his coat, Ishiwatari glanced over the list. "Can I use one of your boats? I don't have one of my own."

"Of course. Go ahead." She stood back to let him past.

Kakei stood and stretched. "I guess we can lend a hand. Come on, Nakano."

"Uh, okay?" He swung his coat onto his shoulders. "Where are we going?"

"To find Akagi. Whether he's lived through the storm or not, he won't survive the night. Mina-chan, have a spot set for him when we bring him back." He nodded to her.

She smiled, shaking her head. "I'll be taking a bath while you're gone. Once Ishiwatari-san gets back, I'll make dinner."

Nakano walked to the front door, peeking out the windows to the aftermath of the storm. "Mina-chan? I'm going to have to borrow that last boat."

She exchanged glances with Kakei. "Will the two of you search together?"

He waved his hand. "We'll split up. My car's a foreign all-terrain. I'll drive along the roads and see if he parked himself there."

"If all else fails," Nakano said, holding open the door for Kakei, "we call the police in the morning."

"Why on earth would you do a thing like that?" Mina asked, a shrill note in her voice.

Nakano gave her a strange look. "They're professionals. They can look for him in ways we can't."

Kakei ushered Nakano out the door. "Bye, Mina-chan. If we don't find him, we'll be back by eight."

人人人人 へ( ﾟｪﾟ)＿ 人人人人

"Ack!" Nakano yelped as he ran the boat into yet another tree. He groaned, the oars going limp in his hands. "Why can't I just swim to find Akagi? Boats are so bulky. You can't take them anywhere."

The river gurgled in response. Nakano sighed, looked around. He pointed his flashlight in a few different directions. "Akagi! Are you out there?" His shout echoed before fading altogether.

He scratched the back of his neck, releasing a sigh of complete and utter boredom. "This is hopeless."

He'd been looking for half an hour, and he was ready to go back. He bumped into every tree in the flooded river and shouted himself hoarse with no results. Akagi just wasn't there.

This river was just as much of a pain as the boat was. It flooded the entire valley. Mina mentioned it could overflow, but nothing to this extent. Whole trees uprooted by the storm floated past, and he could've sworn someone's tent passed him a few meters back. Mina suggested that perhaps Akagi's boat got stuck between some trees. Nakano was afraid he'd be the one who got stuck, considering his luck with steering.

"Akaaaagi!" He shouted again, this time cupping his hands around his mouth. He didn't expect an answer. He didn't get one.

Nakano had little hope or desire to find the old journalist. After he'd ruined Nakano's swimming career, Nakano started volunteering for a small water rescue team near his hometown. He learned there that bodies were typically only found after the waters subsided, if at all. He didn't want Akagi dead, but his chances weren't great. (Even if he didn't find Akagi, someone had to. Right?)

Nakano ran into another tree, cast another glance around. "Oh, look at that," he drawled sarcastically. "A branch. Algea. Gasp! Another branch! But is Akagi there? No!" He threw up his arms. "Because he's not here!"

The river bounced his exasperation right back at him. "You're not going to find anyone just sitting there," it said, its voice strangely young.

Nakano rolled his eyes. "Excuse me if I've got a problem moving the boat." He gestured to the oars. "How do you even oar?"

He froze mid-gesture.

"Oji-san, if you're just going to sit there, can you get us down?"

The voice came from above. He pointed his flashlight up the nearest tree. A pair of kids squinted against the light for a moment.

The young boy with eyes far too old stared right back at him.

( ⁰д⁰)

He shivered despite the warm spring air blowing through.

It wasn't real. You heard nothing You saw nothing. It wasn't real. You heard nothing. You saw nothing, he repeated to himself, sometimes aloud, sometimes not.

The lightning flashed, thunder crackled. He saw the figure drag it down the hill, push the vessel away. The figure crawled back into the hole it came from.

His hands shook, his phone clattered to the floor. He let out a scream, clutching at his face.

It's not real, said his terrified mind. It's not real.

Σ(-᷅_-᷄๑)

"Your total comes to 1918 yen," said the cashier, flicking a lock of hair from his face.

"Thank goodness," muttered Ishiwatari. He pulled two one-thousand-yen bills from his pocket. He was lucky to have been paid in cash this month; his wife confiscated all his credit cards until he paid off his debts. These two bills were a portion of the 7000 yen that remained after repaying over a million yen in gambling debts.

After handing over the bills, Ishiwatari looked to the door. It was as if he thought staring at it hard enough would make Akagi walk through the door. An hour of searching, and both Kakei and Nakano reported no sign of him. While he was still bitter at the man, the thought of never finding even his body was a little disconcerting.

"You haven't happened to have seen anyone else tonight? Possibly a man in his late thirties, about my height and weight?" Ishiwatari asked, his eyes never leaving the door.

The cashier shook his head, pressing a few buttons on the register. "Sorry, sir, you're the only one I've seen tonight matching that description. Our only other customers today were some campers. Maybe they've seen your friend?"

The register dinged, and the cashier held out change and a receipt. "Your change is eighty-two yen." Ishiwatari took the money with a nod of gratitude. "If you want to find those campers, follow the blue trail at the intersection. The old man and his grandkids rented out a boat."

The cashier snickered. "By the way, if you ever need fishing supplies, we've got you covered. Oyaji's never really decided what sort of a store we're supposed to be running."

Ishiwatari picked up Mina's ingredients. "Thank you for everything. You've helped me greatly. Have a good evening."

"You too, sir." The cashier grinned, waved as Ishiwatari left.

Following the blue trail as instructed, Ishiwatari wasn't at all surprised when the tops of tents appeared over the crest of the hill.

A group of people clustered around a drowned fire pit.

Ishiwatari waved. "Sumimasen!"

Six pairs of eyes fell on him.

He approached the gathering, met with a mixture of hope and caution.

"Sumimasen," he repeated. "I'm looking for a friend of mine. I was wondering if you've seen him?" He addressed the old man with the mustache, handing him a picture of Akagi.

The old man frowned, shook his head. "I'm sorry I don't think I have."

The little boy with freckles peeked over the old man's shoulder. "That looks like Akagi-san." He took the picture and showed it to the fat boy next to him. Genta-kun, isn't this him?"

The fat one peered at the photo for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, that's the old man we met on the lake. He's missing?"

Taking back the picture, Ishiwatari nodded. "He left before my friends and I got to his house. We've been looking for about an hour. You say you've seen him?"

Freckles ducked his head. "It was a little after lunchtime. I don't think that's very helpful."

Ishiwatari sighed. "It can't be helped, I guess." His phone rung in his pocket. "Oh, excuse me."

He pulled it out to see a from Nakano waiting to be picked up. A flutter of hope drove away a bit of the dread that had hung over him for the past hour. "Nakano! Any luck?"

A resigned sigh. "No, nothing." A brief pause. "Are you still at the store?"

He turned away from the campers. "No, but I can easily go back. I haven't gone to the boat yet."

"Can you grab a few more things?" He listed off the names of a few different medicines. "Mina-chan wants gauze pads, medical tape, and wrap bandages, too. The kind they put on casts."

Ishiwatari saved the list as a note on his phone. "If you haven't found him, what do you need all this for?" A thought struck him. "Don't tell me you tried to swim in the river."

"No, nothing like that!" Nakano protested. "It's for- Gaah, how do I explain this," he muttered.

"Look," he began again, "I found some kids. Two of them were stuck up a tree, they've got terrible colds. I gave them some of my grandma's special medicine-"

Ishiwatari groaned, cutting off his friend. "You're giving that to kids? Please tell me they're at least fifteen."

"...I think they're six?" Sheepish guilt filled his voice.

"Six? Honestly, Nakano. You know that stuff never works!" he berated. "It's alcohol." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he was almost afraid to ask. "You said 'two of them.' You found more?"

"You know that teenager Akagi writes about all the time?"

Ishiwatari nodded impatiently. "Hattori something or other. What about him?" One of the girl behind him sat up a little straighter, but he didn't see her.

"He was with the six-year-olds. He got caught in the flood. He's pretty beat up, but he'll be fine thanks to Mina-chan. If you can get her the medical supplies she needs, she can fix him up."

"Please define pretty beat up." Exasperation flowed from his mouth.

Nakano hesitated. "...He broke his leg?"

"My go-"

"And the rocks reopened a wound on his arm. Mina-chan's stitched him up for now, but as soon as you get back, we're going to need those supplies."

"You should be driving him to a hospital, Nakano! Not trying to patch him up with what little supplies you have there." Words could not describe the incredulity he felt.

"I know that," Nakano finally shot back. His patience only went so far. "But the roads are too wet to drive on- Even Kakei's car can't get back up the hill. We're going to have to wait until morning to get him to a hospital. Mina-chan worked as a nurse for five years. She's got enough experience to set his leg so he can at least walk around. There are crutches from when Kenshin-kun sprained his ankle." He took a breath. "I know as well as you that this situation's not ideal. but we're just trying to do the best we can, okay?"

"Fine," Ishiwatari sighed. "I'll get your stuff. What are the other kids' names? I'll see if anyone knows them."

"Conan-kun and Ayumi-chan are six. They say an 'Agasa-hakase' should be looking for them. He's an old man with a mustache."

Suddenly, Ishiwatari realized he'd never asked the name of the old man sitting behind him. "Just a second, Nakano." Covering the receiver, he looked back to the campers. "You wouldn't happen to be Agasa-san, would you?"

The old man jumped a little. "Y-yes, that's me."

"Are two of your grandkids missing? Conan-kun and Ayumi-chan?"

One of the girls jumped to her feet. "You know where Conan-kun is?"

The other girl was next to her in a flash. "Do ya know where Heiji is, too?"

He nodded. "I'll take you to them. My friend found them instead of the man he was supposed to be looking for." Taking his hand from the receiver, he said, "I'm with their friends at the moment. We'll be there within the hour."

A few parting words, and he hung up.

The moment he let go of the phone, it rang again. Irritably, he drew his phone out again and answered it. "Nakano, what else do you want?"

A different voice spoke. Fuzzy, broken up: "I won't...be home in time for...dinner. Let the...others...know."

Annoyance: Why can't he tell them himself? Joy: He's alive. Anger: Where has he been? "Akagi! Where are you! We've been looking for you everywhere! Mina-chan was wor-"

A 'no signal' tone cut him off. As soon as Akagi had finished speaking, he'd ended the call.

With a growl, Ishiwatari tried to call back.

His only greeting was a voice message.

"Hey, you've reached Taichi! If it's important, leave a message after the beep!"

Behind him, the boy with freckles whispered to the girl his age. "Conan-kun's going to be okay, right? This man isn't a kidnapper or something?"

"He's too busy looking for his friend to be trying to kidnap us," she reassured him. "And yes. I'm sure Edogawa-kun is fine."

(⌐▨_▨)

(つ･･)つ¤=[]::::::

Conan sneezed.

Heiji looked at him worriedly. "Ya alright there, Kudou?" They were alone. Mina and Nakano took Ayumi to set up a room for the girls, leaving the two detectives to themselves.

"I'm fine." He sniffed. "Besides, shouldn't I be the one asking that? You're not exactly the prime example of health right now." A pointed stare to Heiji's arm, then to his leg.

Heiji shrugged. "This is nothin'. My arm only hurt when Mina-san was sewin' me back up. My leg's not feelin' too terrible after it got set. An' I was askin' 'bout the' stuff Nakano-than gave ta ya an' Ayumi-chan. It smelled like..."

Conan grimaced. "Tasted like it too." His face fell to mild disappointment. "That doesn't mean I'll get a 'growth spurt.' I've got an immunity to it now. The only thing it'll do is make me sleep better tonight."

"That's good, right? It bein' painful an' all that."

"I might enjoy the height difference, but you're right. It doesn't mean I enjoy the process." Pressing a hand to his forehead, Conan winced. "Headache," he muttered in explanation. His eyes glazed over for a moment, his body swayed forwards.

Heiji leaned forward and caught him by the shoulders. "Woah, there, Kudou."

When Conan regained his balance, he shook his head in an attempt to rid the blur from his vision. "I should lay down," he muttered.

"Go. I'll keep everyone off your back. Get some rest, Kudou. Ya deserve it."

A weary nod. Conan walked to the stairs, putting his hand on the wall to guide his steps. "Good night, Hattori."

"Night, Kudou."