The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan

"This is impossible!" Eyes widened, Mao Lilan retorted subconsciously, "Teacher Mihara does have long hair, but it is not long enough to be used as a murder weapon..."

As she spoke, she looked at Mihara Koko, who had a calm expression, and could not continue what she said.

Mihara Koko's expression was so calm that it was hard not to think of her role in the case.

Realizing her almost tacit attitude, Mao Lilan's expression was dull for a moment, and the corners of her mouth trembled slightly.

"Xiaolan..." Suzuki Sonoko approached them and reached out to hug her trembling best friend.

Regarding Mihara Koko, Mao Lilan may not have as exaggerated emotions as her, but after all, she is also a homeroom teacher who is loved by everyone. After discovering this, everyone has no feelings at all...

"But, but Teacher Yonehara was obviously attacked by the murderer..." Nakamura Minori covered her mouth and said in disbelief, her eyes fixed on Yonehara Koko, "She is also a victim, why would she..."

Amuro Toru's eyes moved slightly, first looking at Karasawa who was pretending to be nothing, and then at Suzuki Sonoko who was holding Mao Lilan and dodging somewhat.

Except for himself, the only two witnesses at the scene seemed to refuse to cooperate. Toru Amuro shook his head, understanding that it was impossible to hear the answer he wanted from them, so he continued to explain.

“When Suzuki-san came to see everyone, he clearly said, ‘Mr. Yonehara fainted in the room.’ Then when we rushed to the scene, we saw Karasawa and Mr. Koko Yonehara lying on the ground.

"So we will instinctively believe that there is a third party who first attacked Yonehara Koko and then attacked Karasawa who came to check the situation..." After prolonging his tone, Amuro glanced at Iwai Munehisa, who was in charge of the situation on the second floor. and Conan.

"These two questions can be solved through this evidence." Shuichi Akai pointed at the elementary school student in his hand, "Thanks to Conan-kun's careful inspection, we found the scene where Mr. Shimoda died. this thing."

As he spoke, he took out a transparent plastic bag and showed it to the light.

"This is a high-temperature wire used to make wigs..." Conan, who personally took it off from the deceased's fingertips, looked at the plastic bag and sighed, "Mr. Yonehara, is that a wig you're wearing?"

Toru Amuro nodded and looked at Karasawa and Suzuki Sonoko again who remained silent.

"...No need to embarrass those two children." With a bitter smile, Mihara Koko raised his hand, grabbed the hairnet on his head, and pulled off the wig on his head with a slight force, "Yes, this It’s a wig indeed.”

"So, what was lying on the ground at that time should be the body of Mr. Sugiyama wearing your wig. Moreover, this wig must be stained with Mr. Shimoda's blood." Toru Amuro gestured on his neck and made a sign The scratching posture, "Because when he was strangled, unlike Sugiyama who had basically lost consciousness, he instinctively grabbed the thing around his neck and pulled hard, thus leaving scratch marks on his neck."

"You're right." Yonehara Koko laughed at herself, "I can't help it. Since I'm not a competent teacher, I certainly can't be a competent murderer." If only I were careful enough and could be more careful in my actions. Okay... This thought has tortured me for a long time. However, it seems that I am indeed such a person."

Therefore, not only was she unable to protect the children, she even needed the children to protect her...

"Teacher..." Lingmu Yuanzi called in a low voice, and couldn't help hugging Mao Lilan tightly, hiding his expression on her shoulder.

Karasawa raised his head in turn, and looked at Mihara Koko with that gentle look again.

"As for the motive, everyone here must have heard about it." Toru Amuro, who played the role of a detective throughout the game, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Koko Yonehara's calm mood, "It is written on the two victims, and you The ones you have are mine, minako."

Fortunately, the leader of this case is an avenger with a clear purpose and is not too aggressive in fighting the detective. He does not need to show any aggression in order to maintain his identity as a detective.

Otherwise, worrying about Ireland who is watching from nowhere, he will have to use Akechi Goro's detective style, which will be a bit too harsh for this teacher who is essentially asking for justice for his former student. .

"Yes, it's all for her, to avenge my former student, Minako Mochizuki, who was murdered three years ago." Yonehara Koko nodded, as if all his passion had been consumed by the two murders he planned personally. Finally, a slight fatigue appeared on her face.

"Conspiracy, murder..." Nakamura Minori repeated the word, looking at Mihara Koko with particularly shocked eyes, "Didn't Minako commit suicide?"

While speaking, Yonehara Koko always maintained eye contact with Karasawa, and it seemed that she once again found the power to stabilize her emotions from Karasawa's calm and steady eyes.

So she slowly told everything that happened three years ago in an almost eloquent tone.

"One day three years ago, Minako came to me during lunch break and discussed with me a matter that had been difficult for her for a long time. She said that she accidentally bumped into a conversation between a teacher and a student's parents. Judging from the content of their conversation, this The two teachers who participated in the conversation may be suspected of illegal enrollment..."

Illegal enrollment generally refers to students who do not apply for student status through formal procedures, but rely on sponsorship, relationships, or even cheating on exams to illegally obtain student status.

Aido Elementary School is a public elementary school with excellent conditions in the city. It has many channels for further education and relatively good teaching resources. This kind of thing is not only illegal, but may even involve more serious situations...

"I only heard from her that one of the people was Sugiyama, and I didn't know who the other person was... She refused to tell me the other person's name. She said that that was her idol and she didn't believe that the other person was like this. Human, so before telling me, she had to ask the other party for confirmation and wanted to hear the other party’s explanation..."

Mihara Koko recalled this and took a deep breath, as if she saw that young face with tears appearing in front of her again.

Countless times, whenever she thought of that day, she deeply blamed herself for being careless.

How could she let a child get into contact with such a dangerous matter? Since this was a serious issue that might even involve asking for bribes, how disgusting those guys who were affected by their interests would become. Minako was a child who didn't understand. Why doesn't she understand?

Why did she just let the child go alone?

"The next day, Minako was found hanging in the lounge of the volleyball club." Mihara Koko closed her eyes and her voice became softer. "You also participated in the inquiry, including you, Mr. Mori, You also think something is fishy, ​​so you are targeting us... and you all know the final result."

Mochizuki Minako's death was eventually judged to be suicide. The school deliberately suppressed public opinion, and there was not even a splash.

Without useful information being investigated, Suntonshi's manuscript would naturally not be published in the newspaper.

There is no eye-catching breaking point. It is just a student committing suicide. It is so ordinary that it seems to be news that you hear every day. It will make people regretful and emotional, and then there will be nothing more. It is not worthy of any news coverage.

"...So, this skiing is sponsored by you." After understanding the cause and effect, Sakai Ryuichi was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes slowly widened.

When they discussed the rental arrangements for the villa before, they subconsciously thought that Sugiyama must be in charge of this trip, which was also the practice in previous years.

But now, listen to what Koko Yonehara means...

"Yes, I am convinced that it must be Sugiyama and the idol Minako said killed her, so I specially selected you." Mihara Koko glanced at the remaining two people, "I think we just need to find a way By showing Minako's name and the fact that Sugiyama is dead, I will definitely be able to catch that person. The result is indeed as I expected."

Ryuichi Sakai and Minori Nakamura both took a step back, their vests getting cold, their lips opening and closing, but they didn't know what to say.

There is such a murderous intention hidden in this journey. This is really something that makes people feel scared and frightened just thinking about it.

"Then, you don't have to go to the extent of killing someone..." Ryuichi Sakai swallowed and retorted in a low voice.

"Does anyone really care about Minako except me? I can't forgive these two scumbags. Not only did they betray the expectations of the children who liked them, but they even killed her for their own selfish desires... In this sentence, you You should ask them both!" Yonehara Akiko stared, "Minako is just a child. Even if it jeopardizes their future, there is no other choice. Is it really necessary to kill someone!"

Being overwhelmed by her angry question and unable to answer any more, Sakai Ryuichi lowered his head.

"As a teacher, I can't forgive people like them." After taking a breath, Yonehara Koko turned her head and looked at the two girls hugging each other with tears in their eyes. "Although I am indeed a despicable person who uses this method. Murderer, I have no intention of excusing myself...but I am still a passable teacher, right?"

Suzuki Sonoko raised her face from Mao Lilan's shoulder, with tears still in the corners of her eyes, and nodded randomly.

Mao Lilan covered her mouth tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks, and she nodded without hesitation, trying to convey her approval.

Karasawa, who had been just watching quietly without expressing any opinions, looked at the atmosphere that was getting better and was about to come to an end. He took a step forward somewhat abruptly, stepped out of the crowd, and stood next to Toru Amuro.

"Ms. Yonehara Kōko... you are a very good teacher." Karasawa looked at Yonehara Kōko, whose hairstyle was slightly funny due to the traces of the wig net, and said solemnly, "You did commit a crime and chose extreme measures. , but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your choice. Many people made mistakes in this matter, and you are by no means the one who should be responsible for it.”

"Karasawa...!" Toru Amuro raised his arm, glanced at Mori Atoshi worriedly, and then looked at the white mountains outside the window.

Although there is a high probability that Tangze was not the only person at the scene who thought this way, this subjective idea, which sounded a little extreme, was not suitable for public disclosure.

Especially when there are reporters at the scene and secret peepers waiting for opportunities.

"Is this the reason why you refused to wake up and identify me directly?" After receiving unexpected support, Mihara Koko was stunned, but the expression on his face softened first, "No matter what, thank you. "

"If I have a choice, I also hope that my teacher is someone like you." Tang Ze said, looking at the only two remaining teachers with sharp eyes, "At least you will really do whatever it takes." , a teacher who protects his students and regards this feeling as his own principle... If Minako is asked to answer this question by herself, it must be the same."

Tang Ze did not directly express some of the more pointed and mean words, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Since everyone present was a teacher that Minako Mochizuki once loved, and would be listed as a suspect by Mihara Koko, would Minako, who was feeling tormented and helpless at the time, tell the secret to Mihara Koko alone?

Even if only Koko Yonehara really knows, what kind of child Minako is, whether she will choose to commit suicide, and whether there is a hidden secret behind it, can these teachers who are familiar with her still not know?

If a child can inadvertently discover such a secret problem, how likely is it that other teachers will not even hear about it?

"...Yes!" Suzuki Sonoko, who was holding back her tears, shouted loudly while shedding tears, "Mr. Yonehara! You will always be my favorite teacher!"

"Yes!" Mao Lilan, who was already in tears, her voice choked, but she still nodded hard.

She may not be called absolutely upright, and she may even be called extreme in her methods...but no student will hate such a teacher.

Conan also lowered his gaze, looked at the straight lines of the floor under his feet, and silently clenched his fists.

In the murder case three years ago, there are really few clues left. The victim's relatives have given up pursuing the matter. The one who is really trapped in the nightmare is Mihara Koko who has shouldered the most blame and suffering...

If this kind of dilemma was placed in front of him, before today's tragedy happened, even if he knew the whole truth, he asked himself, could he find a way to solve this dilemma?

In a daze, Joker's red eyes flashed before his eyes, and the flaming logo of the Phantom Thieves of Heart seemed to be dancing playfully in those eyes.

Another solution?…

Mihara Koko looked at the two girls crying together, took a step closer to them, and then stopped hesitantly.

No matter what these children think, now her identity is not their teacher, but a murderer who has committed a serious crime.

It's better not to get too close to them.

Thinking of this, Yonehara Koko sighed and looked at Mori Atoshi, who was folding his arms and watching the scene quietly: "Mr. Reporter, you should have guessed that I specially invited you to come here today to prepare for what happened today." Be a witness to everything. Regarding the mystery three years ago and the death of Minako, you should be willing to put an end to it, right?"

Atsushi Mori looked at the smile that was mixed with melancholy and relief on her face, then looked at the female high school students who were already crying, and Karasawa who was holding Toru Amuro's arm and protesting something in a low voice with him, and curled his lips.

"This is what reporters should do." Although the unhappiness on his face did not diminish when he saw the group of detectives and assistants, Sentoshi still replied calmly, "I just want my tracking report to have a beginning and an end. .”

"Please report this matter well. We can't let Minako die in vain." Glancing at Karasawa, Yonehara Koko whispered in a lower voice, "It's better not to mention these children in the article. Some words are happy to say. , it is still easy to attract discussion.”

Suntons shrugged without comment and just replied: "A wonderful reasoning involving an old case is enough to prove that I had a keen sense of news three years ago."

"Thank you very much." Yonehara Koko lowered his head to express his gratitude, took a breath, took two steps back, and looked out the window at the heavy snow that was slowing down.

The swirling white snow kept swirling, filling up the road in front of the door that had been trampled by chaotic footsteps.

Far down the mountain, the high-beam headlights of the police car penetrated the curtain of white snow, flashed in the night sky, and disappeared around the corner of the mountain road.

————

"Were you talking about that passage for us?"

It was already half an hour before Karasawa broke free from Toru Amuro's instructions to "keep a low profile" and "don't say nonsense".

What should have happened has happened, and the cases that should have been solved have been solved. The knowledgeable snow naturally began to become smaller.

Within half an hour, the blizzard with extremely low visibility had weakened to the level of ordinary heavy snow. It was still bitingly cold, but it had lost its previous momentum. The police who were working hard to go up the mountain would probably find this place soon.

Tang Ze, whose brain was buzzing from the training, had just sat down at the table and poured himself some tea when he heard Xingchuan Hui's question.

"You mean what I said to Teacher Yonehara? Well, that's about right." Taking the hot tea, Karasawa nodded, "This incident ended with Teacher Koko Yonehara killing the two murderers from three years ago, but That's my point. Yonehara was the one who made the least mistake in the whole thing."

A child was deprived of his life because he discovered the secrets of some unclean transactions of his teacher, and the subsequent murderer did not pay the price he should have paid. In Tang Ze's view, from the relevant departments involved in the investigation to other departments in the school, he was deprived of his life. Teachers must bear some responsibility for this.

When Suntoshi's follow-up report is published, the truth will be revealed to a certain extent and some people will be held accountable, but not many.

After all, three years have passed since the incident, and even the parents have accepted the whitewashed conclusion. It is impossible for the dead students to live to avenge themselves.

Public opinion and condemnation will play a certain role and are necessary, but... weapons of criticism cannot replace weapons of criticism.

"Those who should be reckoned with, those who should be responsible for this, let's think about it carefully. With the popularity of this report, we can make as much trouble as possible." Tang Ze shook the teacup and blew a breath of hot air, "Let everyone see , the chain reaction that the loss of a life may trigger can make some people no longer be so negligent..."

"...What the detective can do naturally ends here, so the next step is the work of the Phantom Thief." Joker's lazy voice came through the receiver, which made Conan feel a little lost.

"Is it really over here? What can the detective do?" He couldn't tell whether he was seeking an answer or asking himself, Conan muttered to himself, "Although we stopped the murder from entering the dark maze, but , it seems that some things cannot be stopped.”

Like Teacher Yonehara’s complicated look of relief, like the regretful and sad expressions of those teachers, like...

The tears that kept falling from her tender eyes...

|ω｀) Thanks to Wu Wen Nongmo Wu Ju for sending me the invitation code. This book is now qualified for illustrations. Next, I will add the character tarot to the position where coop is turned on. Yuanzi’s has been added, so scroll forward. !