Jodie did not know about Ai Haibara. In her eyes, she was merely a frightened little girl being hunted by a criminal organization after learning its inner workings.
Her circumstances back then had been similar to this little girl's.
This child must not trust us, which is why she rejected us like this, right?
Thinking that, Jodie felt a measure of empathy with the little girl and quietly explained her own experience. "Actually, I was much like you back then. Vermouth killed both my parents, and I was taken in by an FBI colleague. If I hadn't joined the witness protection program, I probably wouldn't have become an FBI investigator. She might even have killed me long ago."
As she spoke, she asked again, "So, won't you really reconsider?"
Ai Haibara did not directly refuse Jodie's repeated question. Instead, she explained in an even tone:
"Participating in your plan would indeed guarantee my safety, but only if I concealed my identity and went to a foreign country, just like now..."
"But I was still found in the end. That means your method is not absolutely safe."
"Once even the slightest clue is discovered, I'll have to change my identity again and abandon my old life to live a drifting existence."
"But I don't like that kind of life. My sister is already gone, and I don't want to lose anyone else close to me."
"Besides, I don't trust the FBI very much either. At least for now, I can't trust you enough to entrust my future to you."
Jodie quietly listened to Ai Haibara's orderly analysis, and she was still rather surprised.
She had not expected a little girl to think so much.
But on second thought...
After all, she was being hunted by a criminal organization and living in