[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 23 - Learn more about him

   -So Yoko-chan! What is this case? Ayumi pressed.
   The concerned looked to the side, uncomfortable. But she apparently had no choice, especially given the interested looks from her friends.
   It was always complicated to talk about it for her, it being still quite recent. But, without going into too much detail and omitting the two men in black, it wasn't going nothing the Detective Boys to know more. And that would make them understand certain points about her. Unless they wanted to investigate who the culprits were, which would be very likely.

   The long-haired brunette took a deep breath to stay calm and keep smiling despite her gaze betrayed her sadness.
   -In fact... I lived in a house, a restaurant more precisely... But people blew it up... I was...
   She had to take five minutes to breathe calmly.
   -I was behind the house at the time of the explosion, I was touched by the latter... She continued to explain.
   The girl glanced at Sato. She feared that Jinpei had told her the truth, but on the one hand, she told herself that he surely hadn't said anything. She had to trust him on that. And the look of the policewoman told her that she was not aware of the truth.
   Then, she looked at the children who had taken on a sad, apologetic gaze.
   -... My family was inside, they didn't survive... Finished the former high school student with a sigh.

   There was a moment of silence within the group, everyone glancing at each other.
   -That's why yesterday you weren't well at all when you learned that there were bombs... Mitsuhiko concludes.
   Her friend just nodded as an answer.
   -And the culprit has been arrested?! Genta asked.
   -Unfortunately no. We have no clue of who he is or how many there are. We don't have any suspects either. Replied the woman. We couldn't even find a clue.
   - And witnesses? There aren't any either? Conan asked in a serious voice.
   - Nobody noticed anything. The incident took place around noon, and it is therefore not abnormal that there were people passing in front of the house. Sato replied again.
   -And you didn't see anything, Yoko-chan? Since you were behind the house at that moment... Asked the kid with the glasses again.
   She shook her head. She didn't like lying but it was still better than saying it was two men dressed in black.

   Conan raised his hand to his chin, thinking. There was really no trace of who had committed this crime. This intrigued him greatly. The person who had done this was a professional... The track of the accident could not be ruled out either, but it remained strange.

   -But why did Matsuda-keiji decide to adopt you? Asked the girl in the headband.
   -Eh ? Er... I admit that I don't know... I was supposed to just spend a night at my place... I never really asked him in fact... I didn't dare him ask questions about him, so I don't know anything about him... But I would like to know him much more when I think about it...
   -If you want I could tell you a bit about him. Sato suggested.
   -Why not...
   Yoko released a small smile of thanks. This would prevent her from continuing to hesitate to ask him. And at least she was sure to learn things, that if she had asked Jinpei directly, he might have refused to say anything about him.
   - We'll do it after the depositions. Added the woman to bring the group back to the reason for their coming.

   Once they finished their depositions, Genta, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko and Conan left. Yoko greeted them while staying with Sato. Then she sat down on the chair again.
   -I will be back. I have a few things to settle and I will take the time to talk to you afterwards. Announced the policewoman. Do you want water?
   -Yes, if possible.
   She watched the woman leave the room before looking around. There were more police than when he arrived, many smoking. But she didn't spot Jinpei. She wondered where he could be.

   After several minutes, the policewoman came back into the room and handed over a cup filled with water. She put it on the table, facing the young girl, then she settled back in her place.
   -Well, what do you want to know about Matsuda-kun first?
   -I don't know... It doesn't matter where you start...
   She took the time to think a little before knowing what to say.
   -If it can reassure you, since you're afraid of it, Matsuda-kun knows how to defuse bombs.
   -... Ah?
   -Yes. Three years ago, he was transferred to crime. He was, before, in the demining team.
   -In the demining team? Why have he changed? Asked the girl between sips.
   -Because of the death of his best friend. Matsuda-kun had managed to defuse one bomb, and his friend was handling the second. But he didn't get out. He would have asked many times to be appointed head of the demining team, in order to find the culprit, but he was transferred here, so that he remains calm. Unfortunately, the week of his arrival, the criminal posed bombs in a hospital and a Ferris wheel...
   -In a hospital ? she repeated.
   -Yes... It was placed in the central hospital of Beika... He defused the first bomb, but...

   Sato trailed off, remembering what had happened. Then she decided to start again.
   -... The second exploded...
   The girl with the glasses stared at the policewoman, then at her glass of water. She remembered when he went to pick her up from the hospital, he was lost in thought. It was because of that. Because of this incident. She could understand how he felt about a certain point. Especially for the loss of his best friend. But for the rest, she couldn't imagine. And she could never have imagined that all of this had happened.

   -I could tell you what else about him... The woman began to think aloud.
   Yoko got up, which surprised her interlocutor.
   -That should be enough for now... I... I already got a lot of information and... I won't bother you any longer in your work! She announced.
   -I see... I'll walk you to the exit then.
   Sato got up in turn and led the girl outside the building.
   - Will you be able to get back home from here alone? Asked the policewoman.
   -That should do it. I more or less remember the path used in the driveway. Or, in the worst case, I would call Matsuda-keiji. Anyway, thank you for taking the time for me! Goodbye !
   She ran away, waving with one hand, the other in her pocket.