Ai Haibara: ( ˉˉ )

She had felt something was off ever since she arrived at the villa.

Neither the luxurious villa nor the expensive mask collection seems like something a brokerage firm president should own.

Combining all that had happened before, Ai, with her keen senses and science-oriented Ai, had a bold idea rise in her mind...

If it really is as she thinks, then Fujino has been tricked by a woman again!

Ai Haibara, of course, had no idea what Fujino was thinking or what his plans were for tonight.

She just felt that Fujino had definitely fallen into the trap of the evil woman again...

Just like that scheming woman from last time.

However, last time that cunning woman offered money to seduce him, Fujino got paid, he didn't lose anything by having her around, so it was still acceptable...

Ai Haibara, recalling a certain Shinigami Elementary School Student's routine, casually suggested, "Don't you think this place is far too luxurious for a philanthropist who has been doing charity work for years?"

"So this is what you meant by 'strange'?"

Fujino rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. "If that's the case, then it is indeed a bit strange. Although she was a popular singer before and is still the president of a management company, even so, she shouldn't have so much money to build a mansion... or even collect so many expensive masks."

Ai Haibara nodded in agreement.

At the same time, a hint of expectation appeared in her gaze as she looked at Fujino.

My Great Detective is finally getting the hang of it!

"Perhaps Miss Su Fang simply enjoys life?"

Fujino smiled and said seriously, "After all, she's already so old and has no children. She really should enjoy her retirement."

Ai Haibara: "..."

Although she thought that Fujino wasn't very sensitive to the schemes of scheming women, it shouldn't be to this extent.

Why does it feel like he's pretending to be confused?

Just kidding.

Seeing the little girl's bewildered expression, Fujino couldn't help but chuckle.

He naturally knew what Ai Haibara was talking about.

To be honest, he was somewhat surprised that she discovered this so quickly.

That makes sense, after all, she was the girl who could detect me from several kilometers away and was known as the humanoid organization's radar.

Although she doesn't usually demonstrate any reasoning ability, her observation and perception skills are definitely superior to those of a detective.

Even in terms of perception, he felt somewhat inferior.

Pulling herself back to reality, Fujino reached out and ruffled Ai Haibara's tousled short hair, whispering, "Don't worry, I actually started investigating this a while ago..."

Ai Haibara felt the warmth coming from above her head, and her originally cool expression softened a little. She gave a brief "hmm".

I'm so sorry!

The Shimo-Kasa Sisters glanced at the time, put down their work, and went to the middle of the living room. With their hands in front of them, they said in unison, "Dear guests, our building has a rule that the mask collection room will be locked after midnight. After the collection room is locked, the east and west sides of the building will not be accessible. Therefore, please return to your rooms to rest before midnight."

"Alright."

Fujino withdrew his hand and said softly, "I kept you in suspense just now... This matter cannot be explained in detail, after all, walls have ears."

Ai Haibara, seemingly still wanting more.

'This feeling of petting a cat's head... it's a little strange, but not bad... wait, why am I having this thought?!'

Ai Haibara shook her head, throwing the terrible thought into the trash can.

She could understand Fujino's intention; she had indeed worried too much just now...

But then again, if you were worried about being overheard, why did you only say it now?

At this point, she focused on the key point.

So, the mystery I just kept her in suspense was just me teasing her, right?

Ai Haibara stretched out her small hand and skillfully and silently tidied her messy short hair, which had just been ravaged, and glanced at Fujino with a wistful look.

Ai Haibara: [(ˉˉ)]

Since they brought an extra person along, Fujino and Ai Haibara shared a room.

However, before returning to his room, Fujino made an excuse and went to the bathroom on the west side of the villa.

He came here this time to assassinate Su Fang Hongzi.

This will not change.

He had made thorough preparations before coming.

Inside the restroom.

Is it almost midnight?

Fujino took out his phone and glanced at the time.

He took a deep breath, put his phone away, then closed his eyes and, with a thought, transferred his consciousness to the Soul Lotus on the other side.

Despite the great distance, controlling the Soul Lotus is still not a problem.

After confirming that the Soul Lotus was under his control, Fujino opened his eyes and took out the Lotus Medal from his Pocket Dimension.

He still needs to find a cover and provide an alibi for such shady dealings.

Clearly, the Soul Lotus is the best tool for creating an alibi...

[Soul Lotus Origin - Already Activated]

As a system notification sounded, the Lotus Medal in Fujino's hand suddenly emitted a green light.

The light was not dazzling; on the contrary, it had a soft and warm feel.

After a burst of light, a seed formed from the condensation of light suddenly appeared.

The tiny seed began to grow larger after appearing for a short time, until it evolved into the human form of Akemi Fujino.

Fujino stared at the Soul Lotus for a moment, then paused, stunned.

The Soul Lotus Origin skill is indeed a very convenient skill.

The only possible drawback is that the clothes worn by the Soul Lotus cannot be teleported along with it during the teleportation process...

"But it's not a big problem, we'll be fine once we get through."

Fujino took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

After regaining his senses, he took off his clothes.

Then, the controller of the Soul Lotus changed into that black suit.

Then, using the [Puppet Show] skill, he transformed the Soul Lotus's face into his own appearance, and also made slight adjustments to its posture.

"That should solve the problem."

Fujino looked at the Soul Lotus that looked exactly like him and nodded in satisfaction.

After doing all this, he took out a black night suit and Assassin's Robe from his Pocket Dimension and put them on.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the hidden blade appeared out of thin air in his hand.

The silver-white blade slashed out from its sheath, gleaming with a cold light in the dim bathroom light, as dazzling and bright as the stars twinkling in the night.

It is late at night.

The snow outside the window continued to fall gently, turning the surrounding dark branches white.

The clock in the collection room rang out, its hum echoing throughout.

The twin sisters locked the door to the mask collection room in the mansion villa, completely severing the connection between the two buildings.

Guest rooms on the second floor of the east side.

Fujino lay on the bed, his eyes slightly narrowed as he stared at the dim ceiling in front of him.

He was still conscious, able to faintly hear breathing sounds near his ear, and felt something soft and warm around his waist...

Ai Haibara changed into her previous panda pajamas, lay down next to him, and fell fast asleep, her usually aloof face inexplicably cute.

Her body curled up unconsciously, as if she were hugging a teddy bear at home, and she hugged Fujino's waist tightly.

Although he felt a little uncomfortable, he didn't move, worried about waking up Ai Haibara next to him.

Of course, he is not his original form now, but a soul lotus root.

In a sense, what was being held was not his physical body, but his consciousness.

Well, in short, it feels the same, right?

Meanwhile, the main body on the other side launched this assassination operation.

Fujino pushed open the bathroom door, only to find himself in a completely dark corridor.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes; his Eagle Eye Vision was activated, and the world before him became clearly visible.

Following my memory, I arrived at the entrance to the mask collection room located in the middle of the villa.

Fujino took a deep breath, raised his hand slightly, and then thrust forward with all his might.

"Buzz!"

With only a hum, the silver blade of the hidden blade pierced through the wooden door of the storage room.

He slightly raised his hand, and then the wooden door was cleaved in two.

Fujino entered the dimly lit collection room, he was greeted by a large pile of eerie masks, which made the already gloomy collection room even more terrifying.

However, Fujino remained unusually calm.

As for ghosts and gods, even though he had just finished using the Soul Lotus, it would be a bit embarrassing for him to say it out loud.

But in reality, he still didn't believe in ghosts.

But if there really are ghosts or something...

Well, being a staunch materialist, he chose to pull out Wooden Sword and perform a physical exorcism on the spot.

Fujino slowly walked to the wooden shelves around the collection room, which held two hundred white masks, and put all the masks into his Pocket Dimension.

After a pause, he casually seized a few less intimidating masks from the scene as spoils of war.

Then, he took out Bubble Gum Bomb from his Pocket Dimension, chewed it twice, and installed it on the doors on both sides of the collection room.

After doing all this, he turned around and followed his memory to Su Fang Hongzi's bedroom.

Su Fang Hongzi was sleeping very soundly.

Perhaps due to guilt or something, she would take sleeping pills every time before going to bed to help herself fall asleep in the dark.

Fujino confirmed Su Fang Hongzi's location, then used his hidden blade to cut open the door and barged into the bedroom.

Su Fang Hongzi's bedroom was very large, and the interior decoration was exceptionally exquisite, making it look very luxurious.

"Shoburu's Mask are all very valuable."

"God knows how much donation money from orphanage children she embezzled to build this mansion and collect so many masks."

Fujino threw all of Shoburu's Mask onto Su Fang Hongzi's bed, muttering to himself.

However, Su Fang Hongzi, who was fast asleep, was not awakened by the noise.

"Since you like masks so much, let your mask accompany you on your final journey."

Fujino murmured softly as he approached the bedside. Looking at that 'benevolent' face, a deep sense of malice rose in his heart.

He waved his hand, extending a silver-white hidden sword, raising it high, but his hand remained suspended in mid-air.

"Call..."

Fujino paused, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and seemed to be deep in thought.

After a moment of mental preparation, he drew his hidden sword and thrust it fiercely into Su Fang Hongzi's chest.

"Sizzle..."

This time, the hidden blade made a faint sound, the sound of the blade piercing through bone and fabric.

As if sensing something in her sleep, Su Fang Hongzi's face gradually began to twitch and contort in an indescribable way.

Fujino drew his hidden blade, and a large amount of blood gushed out.

After a brief period of pressure imbalance, the liquids gradually flowed out, lying flat.

The crimson Momiji stained the surrounding white masks, and also the white robe Fujino wore. The blood on the hidden blade did not remain on the blade, but dripped from the tip of the sword with gravity.

Fujino felt a wave of dizziness, but the dizziness quickly subsided, followed by a violent pounding of his heart after being stained with blood.

Fujino raised his hand and glanced at his fingers, which were faintly stained with blood. "As expected, killing people... I'm still a little uncomfortable with it."

After a moment of silence, he let out a long sigh and looked up at the window.

The snow outside has stopped, and the surroundings are now a blanket of white.

The moon and stars, which had been obscured by dark clouds, once again shone with their original ethereal light.

The faint moonlight cast a dim glow on the long robe, which was once again stained with blood.

The other Xiao Hei is still awake.

Aikawa Touya sat on the edge of the bed, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and glanced at the snow outside the window that was gradually stopping.

As if to suppress his fear, he quickly finished a cigarette, then threw the butt into the ashtray. He then stood up, pushed open the door, and began to move stealthily.

He had been preparing for this assassination for two months.

Today, success is the only option.

He thought to himself.

But as soon as he arrived at the door of the mask storage room, he was dumbfounded.

The white wooden door had been torn open by something, creating an opening large enough for a person to pass through.

Curious, he peered inside and found that the two hundred masks that had been there in the dimly lit storage room were nowhere to be seen...

Aikawa Touya: "..."

A thief broke in?

"Bang! Bang!"

Before he could even catch his breath, two explosions rang in his ears.

He was startled.

Turning around, I saw that the doors to the two storage rooms had been blown open.

Oh no! We have to run!

That was his first thought.

After all, this time, as Xiao Hei, even if he was avenging his mother, he was doing something that couldn't be brought to light.

If we get caught, that would be a huge problem.

He hurried to the bathroom and hid there.

With those two explosions, everyone inside the mansion was successfully awakened from their dreams.

The same applies to the two people in the guest rooms on the second floor of the east side.

Ai Haibara was awakened from her dream by a loud explosion.

She opened her eyes; it was somewhat dark before her.

But I could clearly feel that I was holding something.

A moment later, she realized what was happening.

Upon realizing she was holding Fujino, she froze in place, completely stunned.