Chapter 25
Otaru
The weather was different. Although it was Summer everywhere else, there was snow here. 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—too cold.
Shinichi called it the perfect location. Akai agreed. So here they were now, trudging along the cobblestone streets of Otaru's famous canal. Shiho had to admit that the place was breathtakingly beautiful. 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 clear blue water within flowed slowly across a half-frozen stream. Several ice and snow sculptures were also scattered about. Likely props for a local light show held each year. One that Jodie-sensei was unusually enthusiastic about.
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.
"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 frowned at her gloomy disposition before taking her hand and leading her to a shop.
Oakwood pillars supported the European-style cottage. Red tiles covered the roofs, and cosmo flowers hanging from the sides swayed in the gentle breeze. The windows were stained with pictures of roses and women wrapped in white sheets bathing by a river. "It's so beautiful," Ran exclaims at the glasswork displayed.
"Oil lamps," Shinichi was once again demonstrating his abilities as a human encyclopedia. "Manufactured by the Kitaichi Glass company in 1901, they prospered from the intricate lamps they created. Having survived two great wars, they stand here today, a testament to their artistic abilities."
"Well, Wikipedia-kun, what else do we need to know?" Shiho teased as he folded his arms.
"I could elaborate if you like."
"Spare me the history lesson, Shinichi," Ran begged before pushing them inside. Amused, Akai and Jodie followed them. Upon noticing the missing professor, Shiho could only shake her head when Shinichi mentioned something about a vendor selling lavender ice cream outside.
"That stupid old man," she snapped. Shinichi pulled her further in an attempt to placate her.
Eventually, Shiho's attention was drawn to a glass frog. It was nothing special. Made well for its size, it withheld the likeness to the animal it was supposed to represent. Picking it up, she ran her fingers down its smooth back.
"Among all the animals you could have as a pet," words she had told her sister three years ago bubbled to the surface.
It had been a sunny day, and Akemi had called her in tears. Hearing her sister's distressed tone for the first time scared her. Alarmed, Shiho abandoned her research, reaching the park minutes later, clinging to the side of her waist. Panting heavily, she almost panicked when she spotted Akemi hunched over, squatting 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," the woman sniffed meekly. "Mr. Toad. He died."
And Shiho could only gawk at the ridiculous situation. Her shock turned to frustration when 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 still hiccupping softly after the impromptu funeral.
"It's not just a frog! His name is Mr. Toad!"
Her sister's reaction was comical, and Shiho couldn't help but laugh. Her sister, angered by her insensitivity, proceeded to nag at her for several hours. Shiho was then forced to buy dessert to appease the disgruntled woman.
That night, Akemi stayed over and shared stories about dead frogs and pets. It was a new side to Akemi. Her child-like personality was something Shiho personally treasured, and the memory was tucked away—buried deep in the recesses, kept under lock and key. Recollections of their time spent together are sometimes too much to handle.
"Mr. Toad was it," a voice interrupts. She finds Akai standing behind her. The man, like her, was studying the frog.
"Yes." Unable to look at him, Shiho placed the figurine back on the shelf. Smiling wryly, she finds herself hosting an ache. Making an excuse, Shiho made her way to the exit.
With hands stuffed into pockets, she was greeted by the frosty air as snow sifted under her boots. The buzzing sensation in her chest was exacerbated when her fingers brushed against a plastic case.
Walking to the stone balusters beside the canal, she leaned against them. Her attention drawn to the ancient steel gas lamps positioned beside the icy river, then to the tiny streams running across the half-formed ice. Assaulted by a chilly breeze, the cold settled—burrowing deep into bones.
They were in Otaru—and the bait was ready.
An operation involving the drug she created was in progress. Akai had referred to it as "Monty's Double." The name was borrowed from an espionage mission that had taken place during the World War. According to Shinichi, it was a scheme based on trickery, deception, and misdirection. An apt title for what was about to happen.
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 show were released, Akai took further steps to conceal her face. Though unintentional and done for obvious reasons, the added mystique, or elusiveness, from her hidden identity—as Shinichi put it, would allow the segment to gain more traction. And the results were as predicted. The publicity triggered a shitstorm on social media, and public interest in the program grew.
With public interest piqued, Shinichi and Akai proceeded with the next part of the task.
Hiring a professional news crew—the personnel, all hand-picked and interviewed by Jodie-sensei and Akai, prepared themselves for the operation. Following months of careful preparation, the day finally arrived. And the FBI doubled their security.
There had been reports of them loitering in news stations around Tokyo after the advertisement aired—and the FBI was not taking their chances.
After hearing the news, Shiho could not suppress the bone-chilling fear that stabbed through her. Wanting to run again, Shinichi stopped her. The detective, along with Akai, reassured her of their plans. "They wouldn't think to check out an obscure news station in Hokkaido," he states. Akai confirms this. The operation they concocted was meticulously planned down to the very last detail.
Shinichi shows her the coded messages they had deliberately sent out during the past couple of weeks. The messages, well thought out and effectively deceptive, had led the black Organization astray. And as the days passed with no sign of them, they eventually decided it was time to move to the next phase.
"It would be alright. They would never know," Shinichi, confident in his abilities, was adamant that his plan would succeed. Despite this, however, her anxiety still stands. She knew the truth.
Nothing was enough...it would never—be enough.
The clock was still ticking.
The temporary antidote would be administered. And the entity known as Sherry would appear on live television.
Revealing herself to the world—and...to the Organization.
Picking up the glass frog, Shinichi twirls it around his fingers. It must have been significant, he realized, noticing the pensive expression on the auburn-scientist face when she held the figure between her fingers. The girl failing to hide it, had wandered out of the store. And though he was tempted to chase after her, he held himself back. Bothering her now would only lead to an ugly argument and yield stone-faced results. It was not ideal, but Shinichi knew that she needed time.
Clasping the glass frog, he made up his mind and was about to proceed to the cashier when Akai interrupted him.
"You were right."
"About?" Shinichi asked. Akai pulled out a notebook from his pockets and gave it to Shinichi. On it was the neat 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 were pitted against each other to find the hidden treasure. The culprit, Furuyo Senma's recording, was still fresh in his 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 tape in a mannequin bearing the face of a radio. And from it, a forgotten case emerges. Revealing for the first time a name 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 continued as Shinichi studies the notes. "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 his writings. "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 discovered information. Considering its magnitude, he was only able to contemplate its implications. The victims were all heirs to powerful, prominent families in Japan. With billions of dollars in revenue each month, they were blue bloods—connected to wealth earned from the warring periods.
The incident, corrupted and prolific in nature, would have brought about the destruction of their titles—
Hence the secrecy.
"Renya Karasuma had always been a pseudonym, and he hides behind it," Shinichi smirks. "The 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 proceeded out of the store later. Ran and Jodie, satisfied with their shopping spree, chatted happily, carrying a couple of paper bags filled with glassware. Shinichi stuffed his own into his shirt pocket as Akai pulled a cigar for his habitual puff.
They were greeted by a dipping sun. Evening descended onto the snowy landscape, casting rays across the white canvas. Specks of gold reflected off the surface, creating an ethereal atmosphere that mesmerized Shinichi. Majestic in nature, the scene reminded him of the case.
A mansion steeped in deep orange gold. Sunset Mansion had an uncanny resemblance to Solomon's Temple. It was a splendid sight to behold from the helicopter they rode in. At that moment, Shinichi was captivated by its splendor. Yet, the unsettling ambiance persisted. Ominous in nature, he couldn't help but recall the blood spilled within its walls. Carrying with it—a story of a king who had fallen from grace.
A corrupted old fool who turned away from God. Renya Karasuma —a fallen king.
Lavender ice cream was a specialty in Hokkaido. 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 simply goes against the laws of the universe.
She found him later, before Ryugu Shrine. The place was not far from the canal. Made of stained cedar wood, it was quite small. Snow pilled on its thatched roof, and an offering box was situated by its steps. Around it, the shrine was buried by a blanket of white. The professor was talking to a priestess who stood next to a makeshift stand. Probably set up to attract visitors attending the Snow light festival at night.
Frowning, Shiho approached him.
"Are you sure?" the priestess, probably twenty years of age, was looking at the professor with furrowed brows.
"It's for good luck, isn't it?" the professor lifted what appeared to be a tiny blue cloth packet with gold thread embroidered on the sides.
"Yes, but—"
"Hakase," Shiho interrupts the procession.
"Ai-kun!" he exclaimed in shock, 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 the one?" the priestess asked.
"Ah…mah…yeah."
"How sweet," the woman 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 raised a brow, puzzled by the man's behavior.
"How cute," the priestess winked at the professor, who blushed.
Scratching his nose nervously, he eventually sighed. Shuffling forward, the old man slipped the item into her hands.
"I had planned to surprise you with this," he smiled as she lifted the charm he had given her.
"But well..." he continued gently, "This should bring you good luck."
Rendered speechless by his actions, Shiho stands still. Unable to react in the way she wanted to—she swallowed, composing herself. 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 shows him the label. At her mention, the priestess burst out in laughter.
"What!" he snatches the charm back.
"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. The professor, thoroughly embarrassed, was about to throw the charm away when Shiho stops him. Prying the item from his fingers, she stuffs it in her pockets.
"Ai-kun?" the professor questions. Avoiding his gaze, Shiho bows respectfully to the priestess, who gives her a warm smile. She then grabs hold of the confused man, leading him away.
"Ai-kun," the professor muttered, "Shouldn't we change it?"
"It's alright, Hakase."
"But—" He paused 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 gawks at her.
"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 feeling, warm like a toasty fireplace, surged through her chest, and her fingers tightened over the charm in her pocket.
"Ai-kun, I can't handle this by myself!" the professor emerges from the store with a giant sundae instead of a 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 later when he asked for more. They were greeted by snowy streets, where they were welcomed by the sparkling glow of the snow-light festival.
"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 event 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.
"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 the two overly touchy women. Annoyed by his constant teasing, she molded snow into a ball and threw it at him. The boy dodged it with expert ease.
"It's ok to be shy, Shiho," he chuckled as she scowled.
"Shut up."
The photoshoot continued, involving a very put-upon Akai Shuichi and an enthusiastic professor posing for several different shots.
It was fun. But as time passed, the festive atmosphere, coupled with the large crowds, merged into a blur. Again the buzzing sensation emerges, and Shiho grows silent as the event proceeds.
Noticing her change in mood, Shinichi leads her away. After passing more candlelights, they walked to a warehouse across 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, signaling for her to follow, and she grimaced at the prospect of wet pants.
"Come on," Shinichi dragged her down, and she was forced to sit beside him. As expected, the snow seeps into her pants, and she sighs.
"Look," he motions to the buildings in front, "Those warehouses over there used to be glass factories."
"And those," he continued, "were stone masonries that produced the cobbled paths we were walking on."
A tad cocky and childlike, Shinichi puffs his chest unconsciously as he speaks. It was a habit, she observed, whenever he had the opportunity to share his knowledge. It was obvious he enjoyed it, his eyes lighting up with subtle joy whenever he had the chance to impart something insightful. It was one of the ways he could exercise his big brain and, to some extent, show it off. And though Shiho would never admit it, calling his facts useless information, she was, for the most part, fascinated by them. Listening to him was peaceful, and the lull of his voice brought about a sense of comfort that alleviated the relentless anxiety.
"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."
"I guess I could turn it into a murder-mystery tour," he retorted as she chuckled. 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. Flinching, she balls her fist over the professor's charm as recollections of them emerged from the darkness of her psyche.
"Shiho," Shinichi interrupts, shifting closer till their shoulders touch.
"It will be alright," he reads her thoughts, "Everything will go smoothly. You trust me, don't you?"
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 laughed, "We need something to believe in, am I right?"
"Idiot," she grumbled as he studied 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."
"That's flattering," she quips as he sniggers. Inspecting the frog, a small smile forms 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 their own figurines from paper bags. Jodie-sensei and Ran presented their gifts, and Shiho was left, once again, 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 arms folded, Shinichi shakes his head in disappointment.
"How is it that we all got the same thing?"
"She was looking at it," Jodie argued.
"Yeah, and it was cute," Ran continued.
"Besides," Jodie motions 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, 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 uncomfortably.
"Well..."
Their actions were comical, and laughter bubbled from her lips, pure and unrestrained. It shocked 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 came to walk beside her, casting her 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 that the crumpled image was laminated carefully.
A photograph that had been 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 their usual 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 device as Shiho managed a crooked grin. The image forever captured was then placed in a picture frame which Shiho often looked at.
"I know you're worried," Akai whispered awkwardly, "but I want you to know that," He hands her the photo, "You're not alone."
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."
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 forms in triumph as the answer spills from his lips.
"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.