Acquaintance

When Sonoko heard that not only Conan was talking nonsense, but Ayano also thought there was something off about Miki's relationship with Teacher Takazawa, she turned to Shiraishi and asked, "Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

"The source of the sleeping pills could indeed be considered a point of suspicion, and the absence of a suicide note could also be considered one. But not every point of suspicion can overturn the conclusion.

"At least objectively speaking, suicide is currently the more likely possibility—though if this were Beika Police Station, we still couldn't conclude it was suicide." Shiraishi said impartially.

Of course, this was not a case in Beika Town. Otherwise, even with a suicide note, they would first have to suspect it had been forged. Suicide was never easy to establish there.

"Then—Officer Shiraishi." Aida Aiichiro looked at Shiraishi expectantly.

"Where is the Takazawa residence?" Shiraishi asked first.

It should not have been far away. After all, Aida Miki attended Teitan High School, and Takazawa also taught there.

"It's—my former home." Aiichiro said somewhat awkwardly.

"Your home? Did he marry into the family?" Shiraishi froze. Aiichiro had not mentioned this before.

"Probably not. My sister changed her surname to Takazawa after the marriage as well," Aiichiro explained.

"Your parents—" Shiraishi guessed what had happened.

"They've already passed away. Because—I disappointed them so badly before, they left all their property to my sister." Aiichiro said awkwardly.

Hearing that Aiichiro sounded mostly ashamed rather than resentful, Shiraishi felt somewhat relieved. At least this proved that Aiichiro had truly turned over a new leaf.

But—

"What happened after your sister passed away?" Shiraishi immediately pressed.

The moment this came up, Shiraishi became alert. Financial issues had always been a major source of murder motives, and if Aiichiro's sister had been wealthy in life, then