Chapter 207: Sera Masumi's Invitation

The service area of a highway is typically divided into inbound and outbound lanes.

In simple terms, it separates vehicles entering the service area from both directions.

The inbound service area in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture, leads toward Tokyo.

Yuya Kazami was also found here, allowing Toru Amuro to confirm that Kazami Yuya was driving from Kanagawa to Tokyo at the time.

---

From the afternoon three days ago to the morning two days ago, Kazami drove from Kanagawa to Tokyo.

These two pieces of information immediately reminded Toru Amuro of what Conan had just told him about the case that occurred in Hakone City, Kanagawa Prefecture, early in the morning two days ago.

---

'Could it be that Kazami learned about the deal between the organization and the owner of the hot spring hotel—or Conan-kun's and the others' plan—and rushed to rent a car and head to Hakone?'

'Was he killed on his way back to Tokyo? If so, it means the case at the hot spring hotel had already ended by then. Did he follow someone from Hakone back to Tokyo?'

'Could Kazami have been following Vermouth?'

---

It turns out Vermouth had fled from Hakone to Tokyo early in the morning after killing Chianti.

The more Toru Amuro thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

Needless to say, there's a significant disparity in skill between Yuya Kazami and Vermouth.

Even if Vermouth was injured, Kazami Yuya was likely no match for her.

Moreover, Vermouth excels in combat, shooting, disguise, and voice manipulation.

Kazami Yuya stood no chance of winning.

---

'If Belmod really did kill Kazami, how did Kazami learn about the transaction?'

'But I can't ask Vermouth directly because "I" shouldn't know these things.'

Toru Amuro pondered, but his thoughts remained stuck at this point.

He had been forcibly suppressing the emotions swelling within him.

At the same time, his reasoning had hit a dead end due to a lack of information.

---

Feeling increasingly frustrated, Toru Amuro struck the wall directly.

His fist collided with the wall, producing a loud "thud."

The pain from the recoil calmed him down slightly.

Slowly withdrawing his fist from the wall, he gazed at the dented and peeling surface caused by his punch.

A faint whisper escaped his lips:

"It seems I'll need to return to the organization and try to gain more hints."

---

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.

As usual, the entrance of Wonderful, Japan's largest talent management agency, was crowded with girls hoping for a chance to meet their idols.

The girls were chatting casually about the latest gossip in the entertainment world while occasionally glancing toward Wonderful's doors.

---

"Hey, look over there! There's a handsome guy!"

One girl suddenly slapped her friend on the arm, her eyes shining.

The girls around her followed her gaze.

Sure enough—

They saw a "handsome guy" with an exceptionally beautiful face standing not far away. He was wearing a hat and had short, slightly wavy black hair.

---

"Wow, he's really handsome! His eyes are green—could he be mixed-race? He must be!"

"Is he an idol too? Why does it feel like I've never seen him before?"

"Should we go up and ask for his Line? (Social app)"

The girls' eyes lit up as they began excitedly discussing amongst themselves.

---

At this moment, the "handsome guy" in question—Sera Masumi—also heard the girls' chatter nearby.

She was used to this sort of thing.

In just a few months since transferring to Teitan High School, she had already received countless love letters.

Unfortunately, all those love letters were from girls at her school.

---

Sera Masumi distanced herself slightly from the enthusiastic group of girls.

Her gaze shifted and fell upon a slender figure wearing a mask and looking at his phone as he exited the Wonderful building.

The person's striking brown hair gave away his identity—it was the person she had been waiting for—

The artist, Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

Sera Masumi walked straight toward Akikawa Kyousuke.

Kyousuke noticed her as well.

But as soon as his eyes landed on her, he quickly averted them and abruptly changed the direction he was walking.

To Sera Masumi, this scene resembled a schoolboy accidentally running into a senior who frequently bullied him on his way home.

His entire demeanor screamed avoidance.

---

Sera Masumi knew this was part of Akikawa Kyousuke's acting skills.

She quickened her pace, stepping in front of him.

"Mr. Akikawa, will you have time soon?"

Sera Masumi extended an invitation.

---

However, Akikawa Kyousuke coldly rejected her.

"No."

He said this before hastily quickening his pace.

---

Undeterred, Sera Masumi quickly followed him, drawing the sudden and enthusiastic attention of the surrounding group of girls. She continued:

"I'm here to thank you, Mr. Akikawa."

"For what?"

"For saving me that day at Kosen-an."

---

Sera Masumi directly revealed that she already knew about Akikawa Kyousuke's rescue.

She had hoped her words would elicit a surprised reaction from him.

Instead, she saw Kyousuke turn his head with a puzzled expression, his eyes filled with confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

---

Realizing he was still acting, Sera Masumi detailed her reasoning:

She explained how Akikawa Kyousuke had created hydrogen sulfide that night, pretended to be Kunio Furuzumi to delay the incident, and later deleted the surveillance footage.

"That day, Mr. Akikawa, you used a voice changer to impersonate Mr. Koizumi and make a call to the room."

"Since you're aware of our transaction, you also know the voice changer is preset with Mr. Koizumi's voice."

"The person who impersonated Mr. Koizumi said things on the call that only he would know, meaning you were involved in the dismemberment case and overheard Mr. Koizumi revealing the truth that day."

"That day, aside from the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, the only person who knew about Mr. Koizumi's transactions was you, Mr. Akikawa."

---

After hearing Sera Masumi's deductions, the childish resistance in Akikawa Kyousuke's demeanor quietly vanished.

The way his blue eyes regarded her changed as well.

This time, Sera Masumi couldn't read the emotions in his gaze.

But she knew that Kyousuke was now convinced she understood his situation.

He wouldn't continue hiding in front of her.

---

Smiling, Sera Masumi said,

"I just want to invite Mr. Akikawa for a cup of coffee. Surely, Mr. Akikawa won't refuse, right?"

---

With that, Sera Masumi began walking forward.

She was confident Akikawa Kyousuke would follow, knowing she had uncovered his secret.

After all, he had been hiding his true abilities.

Sure enough, from the corner of her eye, she noticed him.

Seconds after she stepped ahead, the artist behind her began following.

(End of Chapter)