Chapter 283

In any case, Vermouth managed to get away with Usui Yasaki quickly, and she didn't dare to meet with him for a while, fearing that he would discover her secret intentions.

But Vermouth felt that things couldn't continue like this.

After sorting out her thoughts, she realized that since Usaku Saiki already knew that Shinichi Kudo was not dead, what she should do now was twofold: first, prevent Usaku Saiki from finding out that Shinichi Kudo had shrunk into Conan Edogawa; and second, prevent Usaku Saiki from finding out that this matter was related to the organization!

So Vermouth thought for a moment and called Vodka to ask, "Has Potts contacted you recently?"

"...What are you pretending to be stupid for? Weren't you there with Pisco that time?" Vodka was speechless.

"Aside from Pisco, have you guys had any serious conversations in the past two months?"

At that moment, countless hints from Saiki Usopp flashed through Vodka's mind that Gin was suspicious.

He paused for a second, then answered decisively, "No! What serious business could he possibly have with me? Why are you suddenly asking these questions?"

Vermouth calmly offered an excuse: "I'm a little worried about his friendships."

"...Well, your worries are certainly valid," Vodka quipped. "Every time I run into him on a mission, nothing good ever comes of it! What friend can withstand this kind of torment? Or does he only torment people within the organization, and not outsiders?"

Vermouth tried to get information out of him: "It can't be that bad, right? It was just that time with Piske, oh, and the time we almost blew him up last time."

Strictly speaking, neither of these two incidents actually hindered Vodka's mission. The main issue was that Gin's reputation was somewhat damaged. Therefore, Vodka promptly cited the instance that truly impacted the mission: "Not only that! There was another time when my brother and I went to an amusement park to make a deal..."

Vermouth held her phone, her eyes lighting up on the other end of the line—that's right, what she wanted to find out was the specifics of this mission! She thought it would take more effort to find out, but Vodka was being too lenient… but it saved her the trouble.

She first needed to confirm that Usaku Saiki hadn't watched Shinichi Kudo shrink the whole time, otherwise it would feel pointless to do anything more later.

Vodka didn't understand what Vermouth was focusing on; he just kept complaining: "...I guess he already noticed the conflict between the tourists in front of me, but he just didn't say anything. He just watched my brother and I get on the roller coaster, get involved in a case, and almost get detained by the police, while he was laughing happily among the onlookers. By the time we finally got away and wanted to settle the score with him, he had already run away! Can you believe he's such a friend?"

Vermouth: "How could he do this? I'll talk to him about it later."

Vodka almost burst into tears: "You've finally said something fair!"

Vermouth used to always try to cover things up, saying things like Potts has always been like that and he's not a bad person, and that he should just bear with it... Now Vermouth has finally done something right!

Vermouth's acting skills were far superior to those of Usui Saiki, and she didn't seem guilty at this moment: "I always hope that he will get better and better. If he talks to you again and you feel something is wrong, come to me."

Vodka agreed.

Although he had complained about other places before, such as looking for bourbon or Scotland.

But Bourbon has always been sarcastic and unpredictable, and it has become more and more obvious in recent years. It's tiring to talk to Bourbon, and you're likely to owe him favors.

Scotland was quite cooperative, but ever since Scotland stopped being Usui Saiki's deputy, I feel that my status with Usui Saiki has plummeted. I can only complain to Scotland now, and I shouldn't even dream about anything else.

But Vermouth is different! That kid Usaku Saiki favors girls over boys, and Vermouth isn't Usaku Saiki's subordinate or anything like that. Usaku Saiki might actually listen to what she says... Well, he knows the probability isn't very high, but what if it is!

And so, Vermouth successfully extracted all the information she needed. After hanging up the phone, she fell into deep thought once again.

Hmm... let's just say that Vodka shouldn't mention the organization to Usaku Saiki. Vodka won't bring it up, and Gin never wastes time talking to Usaku Saiki. After seeing so many people who look like Shinichi Kudo, Usaku Saiki probably won't think much of Conan Edogawa if he sees him.

At most, he would jokingly remark that Yusaku Kudo was still going strong despite his advanced age, and that his illegitimate child was so young...

Vermouth rubbed her forehead, thinking that after she finished investigating Sherry, she would see if she could persuade Usui Saiki to go to America with her for a year or two to isolate this source of danger and prevent her from running into Conan Edogawa.

As time passed, Usui no longer caused any trouble, and Vermouth gradually lowered her guard. She continued to observe her angel, Ran Mouri, up close, while investigating Sherry, and enjoying her daily life—what's wrong with doing missions? Can't you enjoy yourself while doing missions? No way! She's the kind of woman who gets her meals reimbursed by the organization!

Especially with the school festival approaching, Vermouth had never played this game when she was a student. This time, as a faculty member, she participated in the preparations for the school festival and found it quite interesting.

Especially since Sonoko Suzuki twisted her wrist a couple of days ago and had to withdraw from the stage play, she was looking everywhere for someone to take her place. After searching around, she actually found Vermouth disguised as Dr. Araide and asked her to play the Black Knight and act opposite Ran Mouri. Vermouth was even happier.

Oh dear, although a stage play for high school students is a huge waste of her talent as a big star, she doesn't find it boring at all, and even finds it very interesting to act with angels!

Vermouth happily took the blame for Sonoko Suzuki, and after a few days of emergency rehearsals, they finally made it to the final performance of the school festival.

Just as it was time for her to go on stage, Vermouth was shocked to see an uninvited guest backstage.

Shinichi Kudo clasped his hands together and pleaded with her, "Um, Dr. Araide, could I play the Black Knight?"

Vermouth: "...?!?!?!?!"

Wait a minute! Didn't Shinichi already become Conan Edogawa?! How did he get bigger again?!

Could it be that they've already found the antidote?! Then they absolutely cannot let the organization find out! Even the organization can't do that!

Vermouth is starting to have a mental breakdown.

She was both angry and anxious to see that Shinichi Kudo seemed to have no sense of crisis at all and even planned to go on stage to perform with Ran Mouri. She wished she could reveal her identity on the spot and call Yukiko Kudo to tell her to control her son!

Thankfully, it was her disguised as Dr. Shinichi! If it had been someone else in the organization, and Shinichi Kudo's name appeared in their report, Shinichi would have been finished!

"Kudo-kun... right?" Vermouth barely managed to maintain her acting skills. "I've heard of you. Weren't you on a secret mission? Is it alright for you to come back now?"

Remember, you can't show up openly right now! What if someone recognizes you?!

Even though the Black Knight is wearing a mask, only half of his face is covered! This isn't Batman; nobody would recognize that familiar chin!

She had been considering whether to invite Usui Saiki to the school festival, but thankfully a phone call from Usui Saiki dispelled her idea, otherwise things might have been very difficult to handle today.

Usui Saiki wouldn't be surprised to see Shinichi Kudo alive, but he also didn't think it was something that should be kept secret! He might very well take pictures everywhere and post them in group chats…

A new person recently joined the group. Although the code name was unfamiliar, the tone of voice sounded somewhat familiar, which didn't feel right... But then again, that guy probably wouldn't be that bored... Anyway, it's great that Usoppei didn't come!

Vermouth, constrained by her disguise and unfamiliarity with Shinichi Kudo, was unable to persuade him and could only resign in grief and anger to hand over the Black Knight costume. She watched as Sonoko Suzuki, the director, entered backstage, her eyes lighting up upon seeing Shinichi Kudo. She then guided Shinichi Kudo onto the stage to act, and prayed that no one would recognize her.

Backstage, Vermouth was having a headache, and some people in the audience were also unhappy looking at Shinichi Kudo dressed as the Black Knight.

That is Ai Haibara, who is disguised as Conan Edogawa.

The drug that turns Conan Edogawa back into Shinichi Kudo was developed by her based on the ingredients of Lao Bai Gan (a type of Chinese liquor), but its effects are not expected to last long.

If it weren't for Conan Edogawa's terrible acting skills, which aroused Ran Mouri's suspicion, and the need for Conan Edogawa and Shinichi Kudo to appear in front of Ran Mouri at the same time to dispel her suspicions, she would not have been willing to hand over this experimental drug to Shinichi Kudo.

Ai Haibara was staring coldly at Shinichi Kudo, who was performing in a stage play, when suddenly, a terrifying feeling that made her tremble enveloped her.

She even instinctively stopped breathing, afraid of attracting the attention of "that terrifying being".

My limbs are stiff, my fingertips are getting cold, my pupils are constricting uncontrollably, and I'm experiencing physiological stomach cramps due to fear, as if I might vomit at any moment due to the immense pressure...

Ai Haibara's condition had become so strange that even the people sitting next to her were puzzled.

To her left sat Kogoro Mouri, who was engrossed in his daughter's performance and didn't notice Ai Haibara's unusual behavior. But to her right sat a boy wearing a baseball cap who almost immediately looked at Ai Haibara and asked with concern in an Osaka accent, "Conan? What's wrong?"

Ai Haibara recognized the person dressed differently from usual as Heiji Hattori, but she didn't have the strength to respond; all her attention was focused on fighting her instincts.

Don't tremble, don't tremble, if it's too obvious it will attract attention...

Closer, closer... that terrifying aura... is getting closer and closer... coming towards her!

Ai Haibara lowered her head, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a pair of black leather shoes stop to her right.

She also heard Hattori Heiji ask the other person, "Is this your seat? Sorry, I saw an empty seat and sat down, otherwise I..."

"Need not."

The person spoke, their voice carrying a chilling, penetrating coldness, like the sound of shattered ice colliding: "You can continue sitting."

After he finished speaking, the person's presence gradually faded into the distance.

Hattori Heiji wiped away his sweat.

That was close! He almost gave himself away. He's impersonating Shinichi Kudo, and Shinichi Kudo shouldn't know this person...

but.

"Conan, you seem a bit off today. What happened?"

As the terrifying aura gradually faded away, Ai Haibara slowly relaxed, but she no longer had the strength to respond to Heiji Hattori.

Hattori Heiji was somewhat confused: "You..."

"Aaaaaah!!!"

A scream interrupted Hattori Heiji's words.

"Someone's dead!!!"

Backstage, Vermouth was even more nervous than Ai Haibara, who was still in shock: "...!!!"

—Shinichi! Hold on! Don't reveal yourself!!!