Chapter 25
Otaru
The weather was different here. Although it was the summer season, there was snow in Otaru. Overclouded gray clouds drifted lazily, dropping soft clumps of white. Located just north of Japan, Otaru was the last place Shiho expected to find herself. The location, an idyllic little town, was too secluded, too remote, and cold. Shinichi called it the perfect place. Akai agreed. So here they were now, trudging along the cobblestone streets of Otaru's famous canal. The place was breathtakingly beautiful, Shiho had to admit. Emerging from the white snow was a dreamy European-like town. The cobblestoned streets decorated with a few shops and potted flowers stood beside a canal. The water within, clear and blue, flowed slowly across a half-frozen stream. Several ice and snow sculptures were also scattered about. Apparently, they were for a local light show held each year, and Jodie-sensei was unusually enthusiastic about the event.
With almost two weeks spent cooped up in Kudou Mansion, the woman was now energetically jogging down the paths, exclaiming at the little snack stands and artists displaying their work on makeshift stands. Ran and the professor walked together, not too far ahead. Shiho pursed her lips as the raven-haired beauty delighted the old man with a bowl of oden. He could not contain his glee at the treat.
"An enabler, I see," Shiho whispered to Shinichi, who laughed.
"It's Otaru, Shiho," he nudges her, "give him a break."
"Sure, let's sit back and watch him turn into a blue whale," she snorted. Shinichi shook his head at her gloomy disposition before taking her hand and leading her to a shop.
It was a European-style cottage. Oakwood pillars supported white walls. Red tiles covered the roofs. The windows were decorated and stained with pictures of roses and women wrapped in white sheets bathing by a river. "It's so beautiful," Ran stares at the glasswork displayed.
"Oil lamps," Shinichi explained, once again demonstrating his abilities as a human encyclopedia. "Manufactured by the Kitaichi Glass company, founded in 1901, they prospered from the intricate and well-made lamps they created. Having survived two great wars, here it stands, a historical shop that continues to create artistic works today."
"Well, Wikipedia-kun, what else do we need to know? "Shiho teased as the boy folded his arms.
"I could elaborate if you like."
"Spare me the history lesson, Shinichi," Ran begged before pushing them inside. Akai and Jodie followed them, amused. Upon noticing the missing professor, Shiho can only shake her head as Shinichi mentions something about a vendor selling lavender ice cream outside.
"That stupid old man," she snapped when they attempted to placate her. Shinichi pulled her further in as she sighed.
"Shuu, look at this!" Jodie drags the man. Akai frowned as they walked through the displays of intricately shaped glassware and oil lamps.
Shiho's attention was drawn, eventually, to a beautifully crafted glass frog. Picking it up, she held it in her hand.
"Among all the animals you could have chosen as a pet," words she had told her sister three years ago, bubbles from her memories.
It had been a sunny day, and Akemi had called her in tears. Shiho, alarmed, abandoned her post. It was the first time she had heard the woman in distress, and it frightened her. She reached the park minutes later, clinging to the side of her waist from the run. Panting heavily, she almost panicked when she saw Akemi hunched under the maple trees. Rushing forward, she took hold of her sister's shoulders, expecting the worse—only to be greeted by a dead frog lying in a shoe box.
"What do I do, Shiho," Akemi sniffed meekly. "Mr. Toad. He died."
Shiho could only gawk at the woman in front of her. Her shock turned to frustration as she was forced to dig a hole in the park's confines— then to amusement as she watched her sister whisper prayers to it.
"A frog. Seriously, Onee-chan," Shiho responded later as they sat on the park benches. Akemi was hiccupping softly after the impromptu funeral.
"It's not just a frog! His name is Mr. Toad," Akemi chided, "And he was a loyal friend of mine!"
Her sister's reaction was comical in nature, and Shiho couldn't help it. Although she knew it was insensitive, the situation made her laugh. Chastised by her sister, Shiho had to buy dessert to appease the woman. That night, Akemi stayed over and shared stories about dead frogs and pets. Her child-like personality was new to Shiho, and it was something she had treasured.
"Mr. Toad was it," a voice interrupts. She finds Akai standing behind her. The man, like her, was studying the frog.
"Yes," Shiho replied, placing the figurine back on the shelf. The recollections were starting, and again, she found herself hosting an ache. Feeling the need for fresh air, Shiho left the shop.
Greeted by the frosty air, snow sifted under her boots. With hands stuffed into pockets—a bitter smirk emerges as her fingers brushed against the plastic case nestled within.
Walking to the stone balusters which surrounded the canal, she leaned against them. Her attention drawn to the ancient black steel gas lamps were positioned beside the icy river. Streams of water were running across the half-formed ice. The cold settled deep—into her bones.
They were in Otaru—and the bait drug was ready.
A crucial operation was about to take place, and it would involve the drug she created. Akai had referred to it as "Monty's Double." Named after a mission—Copperhead, which took place during the Second World War. According to Shinichi, it was a plan rooted in misdirection, trickery, and deception. A fitting label for such—an operation.
The plan featured a news report that would be shown during prime time. The thirty-minute segment would introduce a "new miracle" drug created by a young teenage scientist. When the advertisements for the segment were released, her age attracted sufficient attention from the media. Akai had ensured that her face remained hidden. After all, making her elusive would allow the segment to gain more traction. It worked as predicted. The advertisements creating a storm on many social media platforms.
With their connections, the FBI had hired a relatively unknown news crew. The staff was sworn to secrecy and, after months of careful preparations, have readied themselves for the operation. Eventually, the date arrived. The featured guests invited were in disguise and protected by at least two highly trained specialists. The FBI was not taking any chances.
After all, there had been reports of them loitering in news stations around Tokyo after the advertisement aired. Shiho's blood ran cold when she heard the news, but Shinichi assured her.
"They wouldn't think to check out an obscure news station in Hokkaido," he states. Akai confirmed his statements. The two men were meticulous. The operation they concocted was planned right down to the very last detail.
Located in Otaru, the studio is hidden behind a retail store. By deliberately sending out coded messages, they effectively led the black Organization astray.
"It would be alright. They would never know," Shinichi confident in his abilities. Despite this, however, her anxiety still stands.
It was not enough...it would never—be enough.
The clock was ticking.
The temporary antidote would be administered. She would grow, and the entity known as Sherry would appear on live television. Revealing herself to the world—and the Organization.
Picking up the glass frog, Shinichi inspects it. It must have been significant, Shinichi noticing the slight pensive expression on Shiho's face and the wry smile that had appeared as she held the figure between her fingers. Having made up his mind, Shinichi was about to proceed to the cashier when Akai interrupted him.
"You were right," the man said.
"About?" Shinichi asked. Akai pulled out a notebook from his pockets and gave it to Shinichi. On it was the neat, patterned writings of a man who had been diligently assembling conclusions from answers that formed an unpatterned puzzle that made no sense at all. "Sunset Mansion," Shinichi's eyes widened at the names inscribed on the front page.
"It was covered up. Like you said."
"Yes," Shinichi recalled the case from two years ago. Having been summoned to the castle by a supposed Kaito Kid, the treasure hunt evolved into a game of survival as detectives competed against each other to find the hidden treasure. The culprit, Furuyo Senma's recording, is still fresh in Shinichi's mind. The old woman who sought the truth about the mansion's treasure and the reason for her father's death had recorded herself—placing the recording in a mannequin bearing the face of a radio. The hidden case emerges. Revealing for the first time the name of a group Shinichi could hardly believe was connected to the Organization.
"Karasuma."
"Renowned detectives such as yourselves must have noticed it already. Blood is everywhere here," the mannequin spoke, "There is blood in every room. Right. On that night forty years ago, this mansion was as grand as ever."
"To commemorate Renya Karasuma's death, the most famous and wealthy gathered in a mansion to celebrate his death, but in actuality..."
"It was an auction for Karasuma's collection," Akai said. Shinichi nodded, turning back to the notebook page. "Their deaths were caused by two strangers who offered them a leaf."
"Marijuana, a drug," Shinichi whispered. "As the people who gathered smoked it, they became euphoric and hallucinated."
"Which led to the murders," Akai pointed to the names. "Forgotten with time. Names which could not be revealed due to the case's high-profile nature."
"The Takizaki Family," Akai read from the notes, "the Yanai Family, Nakano Family, Saji Family, Takahara Family, Nagamori Family, and finally Mikitani Family were people who were involved in the murders forty years ago."
Shinichi examines the newly discovered information. Considering its magnitude, he was only able to contemplate its implications. The victims were all heirs to prominent families. Their families were among the wealthiest and most powerful in Japan. With billions of dollars in revenue each month, they were blue bloods—with bloodlines coming from Ancient Japan. Hence the secrecy. Shinichi smirks bitterly at the revelation.
"Renya Karasuma had always been a pseudonym, and he hides behind it," Shinichi's gaze hardened. "The organization's boss may not be who he claims to be."
"I will gather more information about them," Akai responded as Shinichi handed the notebook back.
They walked out of the store later. Ran and Jodie followed as they chatted happily, carrying a couple of paper bags filled with "cute fancy oil lamps." Shinichi stuffed his own paper bag into his shirt pocket.
As evening drew in, the sun sank below the horizon. A faint orange glow emanated from the gas lamps around the area. An almost ethereal feeling was created by golden rays reflecting off the snow. The scene reminded Shinichi of the mansion after he solved the case.
The golden steeped roofs of Sunset Mansion resemble Solomon's golden temple. A splendid sight to behold. But hidden within a story of a king who had fallen from glory and grace.
A corrupted old fool who turned away from God. Renya Karasuma —a fallen king.
In Hokkaido, lavender ice cream was a specialty. Shiho should have anticipated that this would be the first stop on the professor's itinerary. But when she found the ice cream store without any customers or the professor himself, she became perplexed.
The professor...not eating? It goes against the laws of the universe. After all, if he wanted to, he could probably devour the world itself.
She found him later, standing in Ryugu Shrine. Frowning, Shiho approached him. The shrine was not far from the canal. Made of stained cedar wood, it was quite small. The roof was thatched, with an offering box at its steps. Around it, snow piled up, and the shrine remained obscured by a blanket of white. The professor stood next to a makeshift stand, probably set up to welcome the visitors to the Otaru Snow light path festival happening tonight.
"Are you sure?" the priestess asked him. The woman, probably twenty years of age, was looking at the professor with a concerned gaze.
"It's for good luck, isn't it?" the professor confirmed, lifting what appeared to be a tiny blue cloth packet with gold thread embroidered on the sides.
"Yes, it is, but—"
"Hakase," Shiho interrupts the procession. With raised brows, she eyed the old man who yelled.
"Ai-kun!" he exclaimed, waving his hands around frantically before hiding the item he had bought. "What are you doing here?!"
"I could say the same for you."
"Oh, is she your daughter?" the priestess asked.
"Ah…mah…yeah," the professor answered nervously.
"How sweet," the woman chimed, her eyes twinkling. She scooted closer to Shiho, who backed away a little. "Your old man here was—"
The professor laughed exuberantly, stopping the woman from carrying on.
"Hakase?" Shiho was puzzled by the man's behavior.
"How cute," the priestess winked at the professor, who blushed. He eventually sighed before sheepishly scratching his nose. Shuffling forward, he slipped the item into her hands.
It was a charm—a blessing charm, to be exact.
"I had planned to surprise you with this," he smiled, "But well...break a leg tomorrow," he continued gently, "This should bring you good luck."
Rendered speechless by his actions, she became; still, lips quivering slightly—she swallowed. Turning the charm over, she spots the kanji imprinted on it. And could not hold back her amusement.
"Ai-kun?"
"It's for childbirth, Hakase," Shiho points at the label. At her mention, the priestess burst out in laughter.
"What!" he exclaimed, snatching the charm back and inspecting it.
"I tried warning you," the woman said in between giggles, and he grumbled under his breath.
"Being pregnant at nine is inappropriate, don't you think?" Shiho teased, taking back the item.
"Ai-kun!" the professor whined. Shiho bows respectfully to the priestess, who bursts out laughing once more. The professor still lamenting as Shiho grabbed hold of his coat and dragged him away.
"I knew it. I should have realized something was wrong!" the professor groaned before stopping when he found himself in front of the ice cream shop he had been planning to visit since the start of the trip.
"My treat, Hakase," Shiho said as he looked at her in shock.
"You're letting me eat? Before dinner!"
"One..."
The professor rushed in before she could finish, and she sighed. Watching the childish joy on his face, Shiho smiled.
An indescribable emotion surged through her chest, and her fingers tightened over the charm in her hand.
"Ai-kun, I can't handle this by myself!" the professor exclaimed, emerging from the store with a giant ice cream sundae instead of an ice cream cone.
"Hakase..." Shiho groaned as the old man grinned with glee, his lips caked in dessert and cream.
They joined the rest later. The professor once again guided them along the cobbled paths of Otaru canals to a slightly rundown ramen shop. They ate, the professor gulping two bowls while Shiho shook her head at his insistence on eating another. Shiho had to drag him out of the shop into the snowy streets, where they were welcomed by the sparkling glow of snow lanterns scattered about.
"Oh, my," Jodie whispered in awe at the scene before her. Soft glows illuminated the place, and lanterns and lamps made from snow adorned the footpaths and riverbanks. A crowd of people walked about as white snow fell silently from above. Shiho breathes out as a puff of smoke wafts from her lips. The Otaru Snow Light Path festival had begun, and the place was lit by the evanescence glow of warm orange candles.
"Say cheese! "Ran grabs her, pulling her forward to join Jodie-sensei. The two women forced her to pose for a selfie with a particular snow sculpture that resembled an enormous snow bear. Despite its sharp teeth and fangs, they found it cute. Shiho felt awkward being shuffled around the women who were a little too touchy.
"Miyano-san," Jodie holding the sides of her lips and lifting them. "Smile," she added.
Ran snapped a photo as Shinichi guffawed at her predicament of being caught between them. Molding snow into a ball, she threw it at him, and he dodged it with practiced ease.
"Don't be shy, Shiho," he said as she scowled.
"Shut up."
The photoshoot continued, involving a very put-upon Akai Shuichi and a very enthusiastic professor posing for several different shots. Shiho grew more silent as time passed.
Noticing her change in mood, Shinichi pulled her away from their antics. They passed more candlelights before stopping at a stone warehouse opposite the canal.
"It was constructed in 1923 so that small shipping boats could come into the harbor," Shinichi explained as they stopped by the edge. He sat by the cold stone steps as Shiho grimaced at the prospect of wet pants.
"Come on," Shinichi pulled her down so that she was forced to sit next to him. Just as expected, the snow seeps into her pants, and she sighs.
"Look," he gestures to the buildings in front, "Those warehouses over there used to be glass factories."
"Ever thought of being a tour guide, Shinichi?"
"Maybe, if this detective thing doesn't work out,"
"Are you sure the tour guide thing will work out, too?" she asked as he pursed his lips.
"I mean, a body might appear during your guided tour."
"Inevitable, I guess," he grumbled as she smirked. Staring at the lights and people walking by, they descended into silence once more. Shiho's mind drifted back to the mission—to the dangers ahead and to the thought of speaking to them again.
Gin. Vermouth. Just the mere mention of their names terrified her. Shiho flinched, balling her fist over the professor's charm, as recollections of them emerged from the darkness of her psyche.
"Shiho," Shinichi interrupts her thoughts as their shoulders touch. Shinichi took hold of her without saying a word and allowed her to lean against him.
"It will be alright," he reassured her, reading her thoughts, "Everything will go smoothly." Giving her his usual toothy grin, her irritation grew before she relented, sighing heavily.
"Your confidence is a religion in itself," Shiho muttered.
"Hey," he said, "We need something to believe in, am I right?"
"Idiot," she grumbled as he glanced at her for a moment.
"Here."
Pulling a paper packet from his pocket, Shinichi peeled it open to reveal a green glass frog.
"For you."
"Why?"
"It looks like you," Shinichi teased.
"That's flattering," she quips as he sniggers. Studying the frog, a small smile lingers on her lips.
"How could you, Shinichi!" A voice rang out. They turned around in shock to see Jodie-Sensei and Ran standing behind them.
"Didn't we promise to give her the presents later?" Ran glared at Shinichi, who groaned.
"Look, it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing," he protested. As the women huffed at him, they pulled figurines from their paper bags. Jodie-sensei and Ran presented their own gifts, and Shiho was left to sit there, stunned by their actions.
They were also glass frogs, one red and the other yellow. Ran, Jodie, and Shinichi peered at the gifts presented. With his arms folded, Shinichi shakes his head in disappointment. "How is it that we all got the same thing?" he asked, staring at Jodie and Ran.
"She was looking at it," Jodie argued.
"Yeah, and it was cute," Ran continued.
"Besides," Jodie said, glancing to the side.
"Shuu!" she shouted to the man smoking silently. Startled by her voice, he coughed, choking on the smoke. "Stop stalling!" Jodie continued. Her voice echoed throughout, which caused a few people to stare. He hurried over, quite flustered.
"What are you waiting for?" Jodie nudges him. The stoic expression he often wore transformed into one of irritation before he reached into his pockets.
The man produced a glass frog which was blue.
"You too!" Ran exclaimed as the man shifted sheepishly.
"Well..."
Their actions were comical, and laughter bubbled from her lips, pure and unrestrained. It stunned them, and their gaze softened when she held onto the frogs.
"What did I miss?" the professor asked later, carrying a bag of snacks in his hand.
"Your diet," Shiho quipped, and they laughed as the professor grumbled.
The night wore on, and they continued their way down the snowy roads.
Jodie and Ran proceeded to take more selfies while Shinichi and the professor discussed the lanterns and snow sculptures that were exhibited.
Akai eventually walked beside her, casting side glances.
"What is it?"
He stiffens, hesitating for just a moment.
"Akai-san?" Shiho prodded, and he reached into his coat to pull out an item he had carefully preserved. Shiho realized he had laminated it to protect it from the elements.
A photograph was taken three years ago. Shiho recalls the afternoon well. It had been one of her rare off days, and her sister had dragged her to the park. With the camera set on a timer, Akemi embraced her from behind. Arms wrapped around her midriff—her sister gave a peace sign to the camera as Shiho gave a crooked grin. The image was forever captured, placed in a picture frame Shiho often looked at.
"I know you're worried," Akai whispered awkwardly, "but I want you to know that," He hands her the photo, "Akemi would always watch over you."
Snow piled around them. It was supposed to be cold, but within her pockets of charms, glass frogs, and a lost photograph in her grasp—was an inexplicable warmth.
Facing Akai, Shiho smiles.
"Thank you."
And for the first time in a long time, she felt a semblance of hope.
There was an arid smell in the air, one that burned his nostrils. He was accustomed to that smell. Even so, he still blanched. It was a nasty sight, but it had to be done.
Gazing at the gasoline cans next to him, he grimaced. Curled in a fetal position, twisted flesh lay rigid beneath a smoking tree. A fire burned through the snowy, muddy ground. The body was charred and unrecognizable as it continued to burn quietly. The flames contrast sharply with the cold, almost inconceivable weather.
"Snowing in summer. A first," he muttered, still unused to such an event.
As he wipes the sweat from his forehead, he watches as fog forms in the cool air, and he breathes out a sigh. The fire before him, gleaming in blank eyes. He settles into the snow. The man pulls out a phone and flips it open.
"Is it done?" the raspy voice came from the other end. His commanding tone was something he would never get used to. Fear and respect flooded him simultaneously. "Yes," he replied.
"Anything else," the voice continued, sharp and unrelenting— oppressive.
As an ugly smirk form on his lips, the answer spills from his lips in triumph.
"We found them."
Episodes used:
Episode 219- The introduction to Renya Karasuma- Sunset Mansion :D
And now we'll be delving into the black organization for a bit :D Again thank you for your kind words and reviews :D I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll see you in the next one.