Accomplice__ Kudo Shinichi x Kaitou Kid, Kaito Kid x Kudo Shinichi

Part 18: They'll pay for that

"Mr. Hirano." Morning at 9, Kudo Shinichi sat across from Hirano Junji, not to seek the truth, but to negotiate.

"Have you decided already?" Hirano stared at the table in silence. Kudo took out a prepared letter.

"I understand your concerns. This is a letter your wife wrote to you before she passed away. It was evidence held by the police, but they allowed me to show it to you."

Hirano's hands began to tremble, and tears rolled down his rugged face, which now appeared weathered and vulnerable.

"Your wife suffered a severe brain injury in that car accident, leading to prosopagnosia, but that doesn't explain the subsequent memory lapses or the inconveniences in her daily life. What I mean is, despite her condition, she had full self-care abilities. She could still recognize people through other cues, like their voice or lifestyle."

"Are you saying... that old hag knew all along who her partner was? That she knew it wasn't my brother living with her? She never forgot anything? Impossible..."

"The tea was prepared by your wife. But... When Officer Takagi questioned your household staff, they said that every time your wife made tea, she was meticulous about the tea ceremony, ensuring the arrangement of the tea utensils was perfect. To her, you two were entirely different. She might not distinguish faces, but other characteristics—such as physique and style—are just as telling. Perhaps your wife did this to preserve your marriage. Don't want you to feel guilt all the time. I mean, she thought if you think she already lost her mind, maybe the marriage between you two can continue."

"Why bother?" Hirano Junji sneered coldly.

"Why go through all that trouble? Marrying a man she didn't love and pretending to be mad... What a foolish woman." Tears soaked the letter. "Perhaps she initially fell in love with your brother," Kudo glanced at the lawyer sitting beside Hirano. "And maybe, up until her death, she still loved your brother. However, humans can share love with more than one person. She loved your brother, but she also loved you."

"Ridiculous... Kudo Shinichi, if you knew how that accident happened, you'd understand that love and hatred can't coexist. She only hated me. Why else would she stay with me except for money or our child's future?" "Mr. Hirano, you've misunderstood me. Maybe I haven't experienced marriage and can't grasp the complexity of adult relationships, but... I'm a detective. Based on the clues, she did many things to protect you," Kudo said, looking at the lawyer, who remained silent.

"Isn't that right, Mr. Kotaro, or should I call you... Hirano Junichi?"

What?! Hirano Junji almost fell off his chair.

The lawyer standing beside him, stammered,"Mr.Kudo... What are you talking about? How could I be... Hirano Junichi?"

Kudo walked to the wall, pulled down the curtains, and turned off the recording equipment. "You can continue your game of lies. I have no evidence to convict anyone yet. Or, we can be honest. Time is limited, and dangers are imminent. You should know by now, right? Kaito Kid plans to steal the treasure from Hirano Junichi's place tonight, The ivy wreath. When that happens, how long do you think your family's secrets and deals will remain hidden? Or, do you think the organization will let you live once you lose your value?"

Kotaro's face turned ashen. Kudo gestured for him to sit, then took a seat himself.

"This morning, I realized that physical evidence can be tampered with. But if you set aside visual intuition and observe in other ways, connections become clear. For instance, Mr. Kotaro and Mr. Hirano, I noticed the way you drink water and handle chopsticks, the hand gesture. It's too coincidental unless you grew up in the same environment and culture." Kudo continued, "Mr. Kotaro is very attentive to Mr. Hirano. I did some background research. Hirano Junichi studied law and even obtained a lawyer's license before taking over the family business. Impersonating as a lawyer wouldn't be too challenging to you, right?." Kudo cut off Kotaro's attempted rebuttal.