~Arc 2 ~
Chapter 9
Perverts and Beika Parks
"Fancy meeting you here," Haibara greeted as Shinichi hid the book he had been reading.
Holding a rather heavy-looking article on Quantum Particles, Shiho smirked.
"What are you doing here?"
"It's a bookshop; what do you think?"
Shinichi frowned, about to argue with her, when he heard the professor and children entering the shop. Shrinking back, he eyes her with disdain.
This brat.
She had led them here on purpose.
It was a monthly endeavor for him. A guilty pleasure of sorts. Mystery Girl Detectives had just arrived, and he had wanted to get his hands on it. The plot was usually centered around hot girls doing hot things. Though typically bland mystery-wise, he was intrigued by the characters. Specifically, the girls.
Heiji would have mocked him for this, and he never wanted anyone to know.
Haibara, though, was unsurprised by the revelation.
"How long have you known?" Shinichi snapped.
"Ara, it's not a mystery," she did not mock him but rather smiled sweetly. "I mean...your Osaka friend told me about it."
"Hattori!" he yelled before cowering under the scrutiny of the store's patrons. Shinichi held his head in shame. He could almost hear the taunts he would receive from his rival...and friend.
"Well, he wanted me to change my ringtone," Haibara teased, "no doubt because music is more pleasant to hear than a detective confessing to his childhood friend."
"And you changed it for him in exchange for information," he sneers as she shrugs.
"Great deduction, per-vert."
"You're evil."
"I am," she joked, "from the organization, after all."
"Ha-ha, very funny, Haibara. Why are you guys here anyway?"
"Kojima-kun wanted to read," Haibara deadpans.
"Genta? Read?"
"Beats me. He said something about eels and rice, probably a recipe book, I guess."
"Still."
"People can change, especially kids; maybe he'll pick up a thing or two, turn into a genius or something," Haibara scoffed, and he sighed, placing the book he had been planning to buy back on the shelves. He might be looking forward to it, but he wasn't about to expose his guilty pleasure to nine-year-olds.
"Conan-kun!" Ayumi called out, Shinichi noting the pink book she carried. The latest fantasy series is popular among girls her age. She had been talking with Maria about it earlier on. The girls— were enthralled by the dashing prince and his romance with the fiery tomboy princess.
"A love story with no conclusion and would continue for twenty more volumes or until the money runs out," Haibara remarked when Sonoko mentioned it once. It angered the older girl who had been singing praises about the series. And for hours after that, the brown-haired heiress reiterates the unfathomable plot in detail to them. Shinichi, who had been passing by, was not spared.
"Volume Five," Haibara eyed the title with scorn, "Fifteen more to go."
"If Sonoko heard that, there would be another lecture concerning the anatomy of the prince."
"A scientific breakthrough indeed," Haibara scoffed.
"You read it, haven't you?"
She paused, and he smirked. "So, how was it? Did it make your heart race?"
Shinichi sniggered as she eyed him pointedly. It wasn't like he hadn't noticed the books that were stuffed in her room. Haibara, with a soft spot for the Ayumi, could not turn the little girl down.
"What are you doing here, Conan-kun?" Ayumi approached the shrunken teenagers.
"Yeah, what are you doing here, Edo-ga-wa kun," Haibara taunted, and he slapped a hand over her lips. "I was browsing. Ran-nee-chan wanted me to get some recipe books for her," he told the little girl, who grinned.
"Ran-nee-chan? Is she here? I wanted to tell her that the latest book of Fluffy pretty uniform princess is out!"
Shinichi laughed nervously as the girl showed him her pink rainbow-colored book with absolute delight. "Ai-chan, you'll read it, won't you!"
"Sure, Yoshida-chan," the shrunken scientist winced before giving Ayumi a weak smile, and Shinichi couldn't help but chuckle.
"We could discuss the plot tomorrow in class!" the girl gushed excitedly as she spun around.
"Is there any way I could kill the author without touching her?" Haibara cursed under her breath.
"Perhaps if you had superpowers."
"Or maybe you could just appear by her doorstep," she suggested, and he folded his arms in displeasure.
"I am not even going to ask."
"Ara, isn't that your superpower?"
"How original, Haibara."
"Ah," Genta appeared later with Mitsuhiko in tow. The two boys rush over, the professor following behind them, holding a stack of recipe books. "What are you doing here, Conan-kun!"
"Hakase, I'm not cooking anything from those books you bought," Haibara commented, and the old man pouted.
"It's not for me. It's for Genta-kun," he whined. The chubby boy gave them a thumbs up as Haibara eyed them skeptically.
"Summers are coming soon. Kaa-chan said something about BBQs. We could have a party at Hakase's place. Ooo, I can't wait!" Genta exclaimed with excitement. The boy driven solely by food.
"People change?" he commented, and Haibara shrugged.
"One can dream, Edogawa-kun," she scoffed dryly. They watched as the professor and Genta opened the books, practically drooling as they stared at the recipes in the books.
"Mo, they've been doing this for an hour," Mitsuhiko whined, "Can we leave before they buy another recipe book."
"Seconded," Haibara stepped forward before pulling the professor's and Genta's ears. As they walked out of the bookstore, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko laughed at the sight. Shinichi turned his attention back to the book he wanted to buy. He was about to reach out for it, the cover of the hot female detective slightly tantalizing when Ayumi grabs his arm.
"Come on, Conan-kun; Hakase is bringing us to a dessert cafe!"
Having no choice in the matter, Shinichi relents as Ayumi pulls him along with a bright, innocent smile. Eyeing "Mystery Girl Detectives" on the shelves, he sighed.
Dammit.
"Phew, that was good!" Genta rubbed his tummy with a contented expression.
The tray of cakes they had earlier in the family restaurant had satisfied the chubby boy, who was grinning from ear to ear. The professor, who had paid for the meal, was now inspecting his wallet with a worried look. Haibara shook her head at the old man's usual blunder.
"That's why I told you to keep your cards in one place," she nagged. They were, again, making their way back down to the restaurant.
"I forgot," the professor groaned.
"You have to be more careful, Hakase," Ayumi chimed in, Mitsuhiko nodding.
"How many times does this make," the boy commented, and the professor pouted. Shinichi chuckled slightly. The old man's fickle-minded nature was well-known to the children.
"Now, now, we are heading back now. I'm sure Hakase is thinking about his mistakes," Shinichi tried in vain to save the professor from the pestering children.
"I'm sure he is," Haibara replied. "But don't you know," Shinichi frowned when a playful smirk graced her lips, "that it is pointless to beat a dead horse?"
"Haibara..."
After retrieving the professor's wallet, they started for the nearby park when Shinichi spotted her. The short raven-haired woman with pink glasses stood close to the wall, peering suspiciously into a small children's playground. Her clumsy attempt to appear casual was hindered by the flapping newspaper she was holding up. Looking like a stalker, she was attracting attention in the worst way possible.
"Found the culprit," Haibara's comment caused the woman to jump. Facing them, she placed a hand over her chest.
"Ai-chan!" Kobayashi exclaimed. The woman in her late twenties was stunned to see them.
"Kobayashi-sensei, what are you doing?" Mitsuhiko asked, and the teacher chuckled nervously.
"Nothing, just hanging around," her voice unusually high-pitched.
"Really? You look really serious," Ayumi studied Kobayashi-sensei with suspicious eyes.
"Are you sure you're ok, sensei?" Genta asked.
"She's probably patrolling or stalking. You're terrible at it, sensei," Haibara said sardonically, and the teacher tensed.
"Hey! Hey! That's not how you talk to your teacher," the professor chided, and he bowed to apologize to the woman.
"No, no, she's right, actually. I'm—"
"Patrolling the area due to the serial pedophile making the news lately," Shinichi replied on her behalf.
Sighing, she placed her hands on her hips before looking at the auburn-haired girl and then at Shinichi, who smirked.
"I'm beginning to doubt that you two are children," Kobayashi-sensei quipped.
"So, have you seen anything yet?"
She shook her head.
"We received reports some time ago, and the teachers have been doing their rounds, but so far, we aren't able to capture the culprit."
"Of course, anyone can spot you a mile away!" Mitsuhiko quipped.
"Yeah, yeah, sensei, if you want to stake a place out, you've got to blend in," Genta explained.
"Keeping a distance is also one of the methods," Ayumi continued. The children grinned, and Haibara could only share a defeated glance with Shinichi.
"I don't like where this is going," she muttered.
"Me neither," Shinichi raised his hands in surrender as the children did their usual pose.
"And if you need help!" the detective boys exclaimed, puffing out their chests and raising their hands, "The detective boys are here to stay!"
"Of course, Haibara-san and Conan-kun will help us too!" Genta forced them forward. "The detective boys will catch the pervert!"
"Yes!"
"You guys," Shinichi groaned, and they chuckled.
"Well, in that case," Kobayashi grins. "As the supervisor of the detective boys, sensei will help too!"
The children and teacher, forming a temporary alliance, were discussing excitedly among themselves now as they strolled their way toward the playground.
"Babysitting a teacher, never thought that would happen," Haibara quipped.
"Well, it ain't so bad," he remarked, "Haibara, could you—"
"Aye, aye, on it." She drawled before asking the professor for a favor.
"I'll get your laptop, Ai-kun."
"Thanks, Hakase," she said, and the professor gave a thumbs up.
"Looks like you're raring to go," he teased her, and she eyed him with her usual bored countenance.
"I've got no choice, do I, corpse magnet."
"Oi."
The playground they were at was a community area located in the neighborhood park. It was reasonably close to numerous apartments and was popular among the local children.
The park was pleasantly shaded, with groves of Japanese maples lining the sides. A fountain situated nearby was a donation from a former businessman who had done various charitable works in the past.
By the swings and sandpits, children were playing. Most of them were between the ages of seven and nine. There were also a few toddlers with their parents. Their laughter and cries echoed into the evening skies.
Haibara, who had gotten her laptop from the professor, was now busy typing on it as the detective boys sat by the benches.
"Found anything yet, Haibara?" Genta asked.
Earlier, while waiting for the professor, the children, along with the teacher, went about interviewing the various park-goers.
As expected, almost none reported anything unusual.
But—
"Two days ago," a girl commented. Playing by the swings was an eight-year-old named Mayumi Onda. "Haru-chan and Rei-kun were playing by the sandpits when a man approached them."
"A man?" Shinichi had asked.
"Yeah, he was talking to them, and they said he wanted Haru-chan to follow him. Rei-kun stopped her, and the man ran when the adults called out to them."
"What was he wearing?"
"Hmm...Rei-kun said that he wore a faded blue jacket, but they couldn't see his face. Rei-kun didn't like him much, and Haru-chan said he smelled bad."
"Smelt bad?"
"Yeah. Haru-chan said the man smelled like—like a car. She couldn't describe it, but she said he stank of gas."
The information derived was troubling. According to the children, there had been a friendly man stalking the parks and asking children to follow him. If anything, that sounded like the suspect. He has not yet been caught, and the news reports warned parents of a perpetrator who enticed children into secluded parks to show them his inappropriate parts.
It had been escalating lately, which could explain the presence of Kobayashi-sensei and the other elementary school teachers who were patrolling the surrounding areas.
The incidents would also explain the announcement made in the morning. "Children, there is a dangerous criminal about, so I want you all to go home early! Don't stay out too late, and if you do, make sure that your parents are with you!" the principal warned. Shinichi couldn't fathom the motivation behind such an act. In all honesty, he found the idea disgusting. And seriously—
Why children?
"Three parks," Haibara remarked later, having gathered information from the news. She was now clicking furiously on the various websites.
"Yes, Minabashi, Heishu, and Yamata parks were affected," Kobayashi-sensei remembers from the meetings.
"It's getting more frequent. The attacks used to happen once a month, but now…it's two...in a week," Haibara continued. "As far as I can tell, the incidents occurred at a fairly busy time. However, when the victims were found, the suspect managed to evade capture. Law enforcement has searched the area but did not find the perpetrator."
"Which means?" Kobayashi-sensei asked.
"Which means we're looking for someone who could blend in easily," Shinichi confirmed.
"Should we go to any other parks, then? We might be able to gather some information from other witnesses?" Kobayashi asked, and he shook his head.
"It would be pointless," he concluded.
"Ehhhhhh~" the children whined along with Kobayashi-sensei.
"From the reports, it would appear that the perpetrator only attacks during the evening," Shinichi deduced, "If anything, it's past the time."
"But—"
"It's getting late, sensei. You wouldn't want the children to stay out late, don't you?" Haibara nagged, and the teacher pouted. "But it was getting so exciting!"
"Tomorrow," Shinichi snapped as they protested.
"Mah, mah, I'll get you guys home," it was the professor who came to their rescue, "Conan-kun's right; it's getting late, and you have school tomorrow."
It took a while, the teacher and children still whining when the old man gathered them toward the yellow beetle he had parked nearby.
"What about you two!" Genta cried out to Shinichi and Haibara, who was still seated by the benches.
"We'll walk home," Shinichi assured them.
"No fair! You'd better not be doing the investigation yourself!" Mitsuhiko exclaimed, the sharp boy noticing their inconsistent statements.
"We won't!" Shinichi snapped.
The children, again, descended into protest as the professor shoved them into the car.
"Underpaid and overworked," Haibara sighed.
"Why don't you head home too?" he asked, irritated. She ignored him, still typing on the laptop, and Shinichi sinks into contemplative thought.
While the information he received today was sparse, it was enough to help him form some ideas. He would need more supporting evidence, though and what he needed was—
"Keiko Takako lives nearby with her single mother. She's seven. If we head to her apartment, we might be able to interview her," Haibara interrupts. The girl's uncanny ability to read his mind surprised him yet again.
"What?" he gapes, and she eyes him pointedly.
"You need more evidence, don't you?"
And a strange emotion wells up in his chest. It aches slightly but was comfortably warm. Confused, he couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips.
"Are you sure you're not enjoying it, too?" he teased.
"Are we going to do this or not?" She scoffs.
"Sure, partner."
"So what are we waiting for?" Haibara stands to lead the way.
"The neighbors say Keiko-san hasn't been to school since the incident," Shiho elaborated to a shrunken detective who glowered at the disclosure, "From the reports, her mother has turned away any visitors who weren't related to the police."
The information found was troubling, and Shiho couldn't help feeling sorry for the little girl. It was also— unearthing long-buried memories that she would prefer to forget.
With the fragmented images rolling in like a coming storm, she gritted her teeth. Repeating her mantra, she forced them back and focused instead on the growing irritation she had for the detective.
"If that's the case, we could contact Inspector Shiratori tomorrow to gain access to her files," Shinichi added.
"Am I your personal assistant?" Shiho fumbled for her phone and notepad. On it was the written address of the first victim. Having driven for half an hour, the apartment came into sight. The professor slowed the vehicle down as they neared it.
"Not an assistant, Haibara, but a partner," Shinichi grins as she rolled her eyes. He had that annoying smirk plastered on his lips, and Shiho could practically see the answers forming in his head—drawing a conclusion that nobody else could ever fathom.
And she was once again forced to predict his actions by observation. Shinichi was looking at the ground now. His right hand propped on his chin— thinking deeply.
"The pedophile could be anyone," the professor pulled into the parking lot. The two-story apartments looked like it was about to fall apart and was rather flimsy. Not surprising, though, as it was constructed for families on social assistance.
Keiko was raised by her single mother. Her life, complicated enough, was made worse by the horrific incident.
Shiho could hardly imagine the mother's pain, but if she were to guess—
"Shiho, you have pretty hair."
A voice echoed out of the depths, erasing all notion of calm. And she seethes slightly, wincing from the sudden jolt of pain that came from the anamnesis. Closing her eyes, she squeezes them tight, willing herself to stop the recollections.
And when she opened them again—found the professor studying her with concern.
"Ai-kun?" he asked.
"I'm fine, Hakase, just a little cold," Shiho reassured the old man. But he did not believe her. Brows knitted, he pulled off his coat and draped it over her. The weight of it alleviated the pressure that was throbbing against her temple. Touched by his gesture, she averts her gaze, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. Gratitude was a simple gesture, but she could never seem to express it. The words often stuck; she, instead, gave him a slight nod, which he returned with a tentative smile.
Exiting the car, they climbed the stairs to the apartments.
"Hakase, I will do the questioning; you just need to act the part of a teacher from Keiko's elementary school," the detective instructs.
The professor then proceeded to knock on the door. It took a while, but when it finally opened, they were greeted by the pungent smell of Japanese curry.
A woman in her late twenties stood before them. Spotting a pink apron and brownish-black hair, the tall spiry woman with weary chestnut eyes, studied them.
"How can I help you?" she asked uncertainly. The woman had bags under her eyes and appeared highly stressed. The sudden appearance of the professor was not helping with the situation.
"Good evening Takako-san. I'm Agase-sensei from Taiten Elementary school," his voice wavering from the blatant lie. Shinichi motions for the old man to gain control of his speech.
"Agase-sensei? I've never heard of you."
"He's the new temporary teacher," Shinichi jumps in. Slightly surprised, the woman obviously puzzled by the appearance of a temp teacher and two elementary students.
"Pardon me, but Keiko-chan was supposed to be part of my class. When I asked the school board, I learned about her circumstances. I am worried about her well-being and would like to offer my assistance," the professor continued.
The woman, though, would not budge and instead fiddled with her apron, giving the professor a skeptical glance.
"Sorry, but Keiko isn't in the right frame of mind right now. I appreciate the gesture, but I'd have to ask you to leave."
The situation was not going as planned.
They needed an excuse.
"Ah!" was Shiho's impromptu ad-lib. "I am hungry, sensei. You said we'll be having dinner with Keiko-chan!"
She kicked the professor lightly, and his eyes widened in realization.
Shinichi smirked, joining the act as well. "I'm hungry! I want curry!"
The woman was flustered; after all, having two children whining loudly outside the apartment would not be well received by her neighbors.
"Hey, I'll take you all to dinner later, so behave yourselves," the professor chided before rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I apologize for the children, but they were insistent on cheering Keiko up, so I couldn't leave them."
It was a lame excuse. If the woman had been thinking clearly, she would have brushed them off. However, Meiko Takako was at her wit's end. Keiko— traumatized after this incident, had missed school for a week. Having to look after her, the woman was forced to take a break from work. With her job threatened and her daughter suffering, Meiko was growing desperate.
"Are you friends with Keiko?" Meiko's gaze softened.
"Yeah, we want to help her," Shinichi smiled gently, and the woman hesitates.
"Agase-sensei was it," she finally relents. "I could give the children some dinner. It's getting late, and maybe it'll help my daughter."
"Really?" the professor asked, "I apologize for imposing then."
"It's fine," the woman smiled weakly as they entered the apartment.
It was a typical two-room apartment. The entrance is flanked by a small washroom and a modest kitchen. A pot of curry was simmering on the stove, with rice bowls placed haphazardly on a makeshift table. A little girl was lying on a bed next to the table. She looked just like her mother. Sporting brown hair that was tied in ponytails, she hugged a stuffed bunny toy from a cartoon that Ayumi had been ranting about just a few days earlier. When Meiko called out to her, Keiko did not respond. Instead, she lay on the futon, facing the wall. The girl's demur brings out memories Shiho wanted—buried.
Tensing involuntarily, she hadn't realized her nails digging into her arms until the professor nudged her.
"Ai-kun?"
"I'm fine, Hakase," she tries to reassure him. Not convinced, the professor placed a hand over her shoulder.
They eventually approached Keiko.
"Keiko-chan," the professor prodded the girl, "I am Agase-sensei, and I have brought some friends for you."
"Hello, Keiko-chan!" Shinichi greeted next.
When she did not respond, Meiko shakes her daughter gently. "Keiko, your friends are here," she whispered. "Please talk to me. Please tell me what happened."
The torment in the woman's eyes was like Akemi's. Lingering azure eyes, filled with guilt, assaulted her psyche, and Shiho found herself hosting an ache that settled like cancer. The weight, pounding like a drum, hammers down against her chest. It was unbearably hot—a pulsating ache that was difficult to bear, and Shiho found that—she could no longer remain silent.
"I understand if you don't want to talk about it," she started carefully. "It's hard, I know. Sometimes you wish you could just forget everything."
Keiko recoiled from their advancements. Her arms tightened over her stuffed bunny.
"It's scary, isn't it? Not knowing if he's still out there, not knowing if he'll catch you…but Keiko-chan," her tone softens. "He can't touch you now. Nobody can."
Responding slightly, the girl turned toward her. A pair of wavering brown eyes met Shiho's. The fear in those eyes mirrored her own, and she reached out uncharacteristically, stroking the girl on the head. "We'll get him," Shiho assured. "We'll find that man who did this to you, and we will lock him up. It's will be scary," she hesitated, remembering words that a seven-year-old girl had told her in the back of a car, "But if you run away now, you'll never win."
There was a short pause before Shiho released the girl.
For a moment, silence lingers, and then—
The dams broke, Keiko sobbing loudly as tears rolled furiously down her cheeks. "Okaa-chan," she cried as Meiko wraps her arm around the girl.
Relieved, Shiho backs away—giving them space. Watching as mother and child embrace, Shiho couldn't help but feel a slight sting.
Again, melancholy descends, and she retreats into the depths—numbing herself to it.
The chill did not last, though. And as a hand slips into hers, warmth flooded through.
Shinichi was standing beside her. The shrunken detective carrying a bright grin.
"Good job, partner," he beamed.
This idiot.
"Don't you have work to do," she snapped, slightly flustered, as he frowned.
"Are you alright, Haibara?"
Lingering over her for a second, he studies her. The concern in his eyes was unmistakable. Lost for words, she snorts before waving him away.
"I'm fine, just do what you have to d—"
It was then that her stomach grumbled, making a low growl. Silence ensued, and heat formed on her cheeks.
Becoming increasingly irritated as Shinichi and the professor broke into hysterics.
"Haibara, you're turning into a Genta," Shinichi teased.
"Shut up!"
It was strange to see Haibara speak out. Usually, she remains in the shadows, choosing not to get involved. Shinichi had once teased her for it, calling her a background prop. It had earned him a slap, rightly so, and he had never brought it up again. This time, however, she had taken the proactive step, and it had surprised him. In a way, it had been—out of character.
Now seated at the small table, Meiko had arranged the food in front of them. Keiko sat next to her mother, slowly chewing. The girl, still weary, had tear stains dotting her cheeks. Nevertheless, she had taken the first step— for the first time after the incident. The cause for her change was seated opposite. The little girl gave Haibara occasional fleeting glances, her eyes glistening with respect. The auburn-haired scientist, however, had not realized and was still fuming over the embarrassing incident earlier. Noticing this, Shinichi couldn't help but smile. A heartwarming scene, it would seem that Haibara had gained another fan.
"I'll pour you more curry, Agase-sensei," Meiko said energetically. The gloomy disposition she carried had all but disappeared, and she was more energetic than before. Shinichi understood her relief. The woman had been battling against the odds. Caring for a child as a single parent must not be easy.
"No more for Agase-sensei," Haibara quipped, losing her childish innocence and stopping Meiko in her tracks. "Any more, and he wouldn't fit into the car."
"Ai-kun," the professor whined, and it was followed by laughter.
Keiko watching the scene, grinned slightly, which caused Meiko to embrace her daughter again.
"You don't need to wash the dishes, Haibara-san," Meiko said to the auburn-haired girl a while later.
"It's ok."
"But-"
"It's alright," the scientist stated sternly, and Meiko cringed.
Eventually, the woman comes to sit beside her daughter. There were questions that needed to be answered, and Keiko was studying them with trepidation.
"My apologies, Takako-san and Keiko-chan, but I need to ask some questions now," the professor said. "If it gets too much, please don't hesitate to tell me."
"Agase-sensei, I don't know what else to offer. The police questioned me extensively, but Keiko refused to speak of it. I—" she paused, glancing carefully at her daughter. "I know the school board would like to help my daughter, but I cannot force her to do something she's uncomfortable with."
"I understand," the professor said, "It won't take long."
Meiko nodded, and Shinichi hid behind the professor holding the bow tie.
"Keiko-chan," Shinichi began, his voice changing to that of the professor. "It's going to be difficult, but can you remember the culprit's features?"
She was quiet for some time, body rigid like a stone, holding an intense fear. It didn't look like she would speak.
But when Haibara appeared, wiping her wet hands and pulling the chair up to sit beside—a resolve forms. Keiko pulled her mother and whispered inaudibly into her ears.
"Keiko," Meiko quivered.
The woman looked like she was about to faint, but she held herself together. "She says—that she couldn't see the man's face. That he had lured her into the trees next to the park and touched her chest before ripping off his jacket to reveal his—" The woman gritted her teeth in fury.
Shinichi grimaced. Keiko's torment was evident, and Meiko grasped onto her daughter.
"You're doing good, Keiko-chan," Haibara remarked. The little girl tightened her grip on the pink bunny she was still hugging. Keiko whispered again into Meiko's ear, and this time the woman could barely hold back the tears.
"She said he forced his naked body onto her, and if an adult hadn't passed by, he would have ripped off her clothes."
The professor gave an audible gasp, and he could see Haibara turning a little pale.
That sick bastard! Shinichi felt his rage boiling over, but he kept it in check. He had to remain neutral. Letting his emotions run wild would do no one any good. Reminding himself to be objective, he continued with his questions.
"Do you remember anything else about the man?"
Keiko shook her head furiously, seemingly in pain. "It's ok. You don't have to hurry. Take your time," Haibara said gently. Shinichi noticed the slight tremble going through her hands. Though there was a smile plastered on her lips, there was no light in her green eyes. The auburn-haired scientist was hiding it well. Her behavior was troubling— but he will think about it later.
It took a while for Keiko to settle, but once she did, she carried a determination in her eyes. Keiko expressed her thoughts, words spilling softly from her lips.
"He…he was wearing a light blue jacket. It was jagged at the sides," she whispered, "He was really tall, big. I couldn't run away." She closed her eyes, the bunny in her arms crushed by her hug. Fighting against herself, the girl found the courage to continue. "He was wearing sunglasses and a white helmet. I couldn't see his eyes."
As soon as she said it, Keiko sinks, going limp as she shakes violently.
"Keiko!" Meiko exclaimed.
The little girl was choking in between sobs. Taking in sharp, piercing breaths, her body begins to spasm. It was clear that Keiko was reliving her trauma.
Emerging from his spot, Shinichi walked over to the girl. Keiko quivered badly as tears cascaded from her eyes.
"Keiko? Keiko, what's wrong?" Meiko was hysterical.
"Calm down," Haibara kneeled beside the girl.
"Give her space," she instructed them. "Hakase wet some towels."
Taking the girl's hands, Haibara holds them tight. "It's ok, just let it come." The auburn-haired scientist spoke in a calm, almost resigned tone. Observing the situation with growing awareness, Shinichi frowned. She was used to it. He realized. It looked like—she had done this many times before.
After some time, Keiko calms down. The girl resting against Haibara as Meiko sat by the corner, sobbing softly.
The professor handed her a tissue to wipe her tears later. Eventually, a damp towel was placed over Keiko's forehead. Laying in bed, the little girl stares blankly at the ceiling.
"A motorcycle helmet," the girl continued her statements from before, "He was wearing a white motorcycle helmet."
It was vital information, one that fits into the puzzle, and Shinichi grinned, about to ask her more about it but was stopped by Haibara, who gave him a warning glare.
She was right. It was not the time and place. Any more questions would bring about more trauma for the little girl. It was time to stop, and though the information gathered had been limited, it was more than enough. Peering down at the girl, Shinichi smiles gently. "Thank you, Keiko-chan," he remarks as Keiko glanced at him with wavering eyes.
"W…will I get better?" her voice cracked, and Shinichi winced. At that moment, he had wanted to turn back time. Wanted to protect. Wanted to prevent the man from ever hurting her.
But that was impossible.
The innocence was lost, and the only thing he could do for her was to tell her the truth.
"It would be difficult," Shinichi said, "It might take some time." He looked to Meiko, who was trying hard to compose herself, "But I believe you will pull through. You're strong, Keiko-chan. You've endured. Nobody can take that away from you."
Keiko regards his statement before giving them a wry smile. It was small, tear-soaked. And though the pain still lingered behind those brown eyes, it was, at least, a start. Pulling both Shiho and Shinichi into a hug, Meiko embraces them tightly.
"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you."
They left a while later. The professor handed Meiko a card containing contacts from his counseling friend—before telling Meiko that the fee had been paid in full. The support was sufficient, and the woman, overcome with gratitude, hugged the old man for a while.
It was late, the skies above a deep purplish black— looking like it was about to rain, dark purple clouds formed large pregnant masses. The air hums with static. As the yellow beetle rolled through the roads, the shadows around them grew longer, casting a disquieting gloom on the auburn-haired scientist who appeared to be asleep.
"You've noticed it too, Shinichi," the professor whispered.
"Yes."
Shinichi glanced at the rearview mirror, studying the girl behind.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know, Hakase," Shinichi muttered as the professor tightened his grip on the wheel.
"Ai-kun was—"
"Yes."
There was nothing he could do for her right now—and it was frustrating. He knew nothing of her past, and she would not tell them anything.
"The nightmares are getting worse," the professor confessed.
"I know," Shinichi lamented.
"We have to try."
"Yes, we'll help, but—"
"I don't need your help," the girl interrupts. And they stiffened in shock before glancing wearily at her.
"Haibara," he started.
"I'm fine, so the two of you can stop meddling."
"You can't expec—"
"Mind your own business."
Vexed by her stubbornness, he leaned back against the seats.
"How will we take down the organization if you won't tell me anything?"
"What has my personal life got anything to do with it?"
Knowing that the girl was avoiding the question, he could not control his frustration.
"Stop lyi-"
"Kudou, drop it."
"Enough," the professor halts the escalating squabble.
"Ai-kun," he continues, "You must know...that we care about you."
For a split second, Shinichi catches the torment that she could not hold back.
Then, like a passing wind, it vanishes—replaced by the accursed mask she often assumed.
"It's nothing for you to be concerned about, Hakase," she replies.
Again, Haibara turned away from them. Her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
Shadows of the night masked her expression, and the secrets remained stubbornly locked—leaving them with more questions than answers.
Episode used:
Episode 809 (Haibara using Heiji's confession to Kazuha as a ringtone, is pretty hilarious if you ask me :D)