[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 62 - So that's her codename...

   Lunchtime finally arrived, much to the delight of the children in the class. At last they could eat.

   Conan and Ai were the first to sit down to eat at the tables set up for the whole Detective Boys group. They were soon joined by Yoko, who quickly glanced at the rest of her group to check their distance from each other. Then she took a deep breath.
   -Haibara-san, Conan-kun... After school, can we talk about something... important... And at Matsuda-keiji... It'll be easier...
   There was a moment's silence, the redhead and the young boy surprised. If they were expecting their classmates to suggest they talk...
   Meanwhile, the short-haired brunette put down her tray and sat down. She glanced again at Genta, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko, which made the subject more or less clear. At least, that the children weren't supposed to know about it.

   -Oe, don't tell me it's about them... !? Conan said seriously, his voice not too high.
   -...
   The girl concerned shook her head.
   -You mean you've... began Ai.
   -But I'll tell you about it after school, it'll be easier... If you don't mind... Yoko cut in.
   Conan looked serious, but there was nothing more he could do for the moment. Their comrades were coming back, so it was impossible to talk about it now.
   -We'll do that after these three have gone home... sighed the young boy.

   Barely a few seconds had passed when Genta, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko arrived and took their seats. They chatted happily, paying no attention to the sombre, serious look on the faces of the three youngsters.
   -By the way, Yoko-chan, we're going camping this weekend! Want to come along? Ayumi suggested.
   At these words, she almost choked. Apparently they'd already forgotten...
   -Ah, that's right, you don't want to come any more... Mitsuhiko remembered.
   -But it's going to be fun! We're going bug hunting this time! Genta added.

   The children's insistent stares made Yoko uncomfortable. No, she didn't want to go camping, and even less so if there was an insect hunt going on. She hated it.
   Just as she was about to open her mouth to refuse, Ai spoke up.
   -I think she still needs to rest... Right, Tomura-san?
   -Y... Yeah...
   A disappointed "oooh..." escaped from the mouths of the three children. The brown-eyed girl gave a look of thanks to the redhead, who quietly shrugged her shoulders before eating.
  
   The meal ended in good mood, especially Genta's who had been able to finish Yoko's meal as she was eating a little less.
   Then came the end of the day, still in a rather good mood. The former schoolgirl was just a little tired, probably because she'd been cooped up for quite a while, and the energy of her classmates was exhausting.
  
   And it was once Genta, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko had returned that Conan, Ai and Yoko headed for Yoko's flat.
   The policeman's flatmate unlocked the door and let her two friends in.
   -I'm sorry, it's a bit of a mess... She apologised. Settle down around the table, I'll get you something to drink.
   Without waiting for their reply, she headed into the kitchen.

   It was the first time the two rejuvenates had set foot in Jinpei's house. However, they settled down and waited. Their comrade quickly brought them a glass of water.
   -Sorry, that's all there is... I've got to go shopping...
   -That's fine with me... said the redhead simply.
   -So, what happened to you? Did you meet them? The boy asked immediately, looking serious.
  
   There was a moment's silence. The young girl was thinking about how to start the conversation before choosing the simplest option.
   -Someone tried to kill me...
   -What?! Conan and Ai said at the same time before looking at each other.
   -Who? When? asked the detective.
   -Ah er... a little after the holidays started... A woman with... long blonde hair... who took on the appearance of someone I know... I don't know how, but she understood my identity...
   Despite the self-confidence the brunette was trying to project, they could see how scared she was.

   There was a heavier silence or the boy looked sombre as he gritted his teeth, and the redhead looked frightened.
   -Vermouth... Conan finally said.
   -Eh ?
   -It was Vermouth... Well, your description is close to Vermouth... he explained.
   -Wait a minute, that means that the Organisation is now aware of your identity! And you're bringing us here when we could be bugged or they could just be waiting for us... Ai panicked.
   Conan told his friend to be quiet. She just glowered at him.

   Yoko, for her part, looked guilty.
   -I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't mean to...
   -It's all right. Matsuda-keiji isn't stupid, he must have searched the flat to see if there was microphones. And if they wanted to eliminate her, they would have done it long before... The boy surmised.
   -And how can you be so sure?! Replied the former member of the Organisation.
   The concerned man couldn't help but sigh.
   -They had the opportunity to do it long before, whether it was here when she was alone or on the way to school...
   -Or... In hospital? The brunette asked timidly.

   There was another moment of silence, caused by the surprise of this announcement.
   -I didn't have time to tell you, but I ended up in hospital... I stayed there during the holidays and the time I was away...
   -It's true that if they'd had time to kill you, the ideal place would have been the hospital... The boy with the glasses thought aloud.
   -And? Who saved you? Ai asked in an annoyed voice.
   -Matsuda-keiji. I just... I fainted before he arrived and the moment I was shot my memories are blurry... I can't really talk about it... But Matsuda-keiji explained to me that I'd lost a lot of blood... Even though everything would have been fine in hospital... Explained the former schoolgirl.

   Conan raised his eyebrows. His comrade had changed the wording of a sentence. But he wasn't going to force her to talk about it if she didn't want to. It must have been hard enough for her to talk about what had happened to her. He sighed again before speaking again.
   -For all we know, they haven't confirmed whether you're alive or not... And given what's happened...
   He turned his gaze towards Ai, who answered him with a sombre look, asking him to keep quiet about what had happened on their side.
   -In any case, seeing as nothing's happened to you or Matsuda-keiji yet, I don't think there's much to worry about... Just stay on your guard. He finished, his voice showing a hint of panic.

   Yoko cocked her head to one side, not understanding why this sudden change in behaviour. Her two friends seemed to be hiding things.