Soon, Kōyū had prepared seven servings of spaghetti, and he placed one of them in front of Arima Masahiko.
Arima Masahiko smelled the aroma and looked at the color of the noodles, and a sense of defeat arose in his heart. Just by looking at them, he knew which one was better and which one was worse.
After taking a bite with the fork, the sense of frustration intensified.
His noodles were like comparing a child's to an adult's – in fact, his was the child's.
Ignoring Arima Masahiko, who was already somewhat withdrawn, Kousuke carried the spaghetti out.
The people outside assumed that Kōyū was just going over to help serve some dishes, so they didn't ask any more questions. Only Conan glanced at Kōyū.
Soon, Arima Masahiko came out with a bottle of wine, as if nothing had happened.
Kouyu had no idea that Noriko Endo would come here. Curious, he asked while serving her pasta, "Noriko-neechan, what brings you here? I don't believe you would come to a restaurant that doesn't even taste very good."
After thinking for a few seconds, she explained, "President Otsu said that this is the restaurant I would be managing."
"Mr. Arima's restaurant has been burdened with huge debts due to poor management. President Otsu originally said that I could run the restaurant for him. Today, I originally wanted to come and see this restaurant that should have belonged to me, as a way of saying goodbye."
"I plan to leave Tokyo with my father after this is over; life in the countryside suits me better."
Kōyū, both confused and a little disappointed, said, "Nigi-chan, you're quite pretty, why?"
She understood what Guangyou meant, but she didn't explain anything. She just gave a wry smile and said, "You wouldn't understand."
Guangyou chuckled softly, shook his head, and said nothing.
Everyone's circumstances are different, and so are their thoughts; he has no obligation to change those thoughts.
...
Uncle Mori took a sip of the red wine and praised, "Hmm, this wine is very good. It is indeed a rare and excellent wine."
Arima Masahiko smiled, but that smile always seemed somewhat bitter.
His Italian restaurant's decor and lighting create a wonderful combination, and the soft music that plays on repeat throughout the restaurant adds to its unique charm.
However, the taste of the dishes... was less than impressive.
After exchanging pleasantries, the somewhat withdrawn Arima Masahiko turned around and went back to the kitchen, using the excuse that he had something to do.
"This noodle is delicious." After taking a small bite, Xiaolan looked up, glanced around the shop, and asked in a puzzled tone, "But why is nobody here?"
Eri Kisaki was also somewhat puzzled: "Indeed, do people around here not like Italian food?"
"Who knows?" Uncle Mori took another sip of his drink and said, "But good wine and good food are really nice."
After taking a bite of noodles, Xiaolan turned her head and asked with concern, "By the way, Mom, do you have a plan for the next court appearance?"
Eri Kisaki shook her head and said helplessly, "It's a bit difficult. There's no progress at all."
Uncle Mori said calmly, "Let's leave the case for tomorrow's court session. We'll figure something out then."
...
The second court hearing began promptly at nine o'clock in the morning.
Reiko Kujo began by questioning Takuya Akiyama.
Reiko Kujo looked at the case files she had prepared and asked, "Mr. Akiyama, on the night of the incident, you said you saw the murderer repeatedly hitting the victim through a small hole in the president's office, right?"
Takuya Akiyama nodded: "Yes."
Reiko Kujo continued, "You saw the murderer hit the victim several times that night."
"three times."
"Then, shortly after, you heard the sound of the victim falling down, didn't you?"
"Yes."
After confirming that the information matched hers, Reiko Kujo smiled and said, "I have no problem."
The judge said, "Now, I would like to ask the defense attorney to conduct cross-examination."
After Fei Ying responded, she was about to get up when Uncle Maoli reached out and stopped her.
Uncle Mori turned his head and said to Eri Kisaki, "I'll do it."
After the judge nodded in agreement, Uncle Mori slowly stood up, and his stern face made Ran, who was sitting in the audience, smile slightly.
Xiao Lan said softly, "Dad, you can do it!"
Uncle Mori slowly walked to the center of the courtroom and said, "Mr. Akiyama, did you personally witness the murderer attacking the victim?"
Takuya Akiyama shook his head: "I only saw the shadow of the murderer on the wall, because the room was not lit that day, only the neon lights across the street emitted a faint glow."
The courtroom erupted in commotion, with whispers circulating among both the public gallery and the jury.
They had come more than once, so they naturally understood that seeing with one's own eyes and seeing a shadow are two different concepts.
The judge banged his gavel: "Silence!"
After things quieted down, Uncle Mori turned around and asked, "Mr. Arima, why did you go to see President Otsu that night?"
Arima Masahiko replied, "Because the president's reading glasses fell on my side, I went over to return them to him."
Uncle Mori nodded, then turned to the judge and asked, "Your Honor, may I deduce?"
The judge nodded and said, "Please proceed."
"I believe that the defendant, Takashi Inoue, should be charged with attempted theft."
Uncle Mori stretched out his hand, pointed at Masahiko Arima, and said sternly, "And the real culprit is you, Mr. Arima."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of those in the courtroom changed to varying degrees.
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