Misled

When Shiraishi and the others were outside the concert hall, the Professor arrived with the children. Seeing Little Ai with them, Shiraishi was puzzled. "Little Ai, didn't you say you weren't interested in the concert?"

Little Ai looked exasperated. "Because you were the one who invited me. Of course I couldn't accept, but coming with them is different."

Little Ai didn't want to be a third wheel all the time.

Shiraishi was still confused. How was that any different?

"Genta, is your throat better? What's that bag you're carrying?" Sonoko pointed at the long cloth bag in Genta's hand.

Genta had drunk Akiba's water earlier and paid the price.

Genta opened the drawstring and pulled out a recorder.

Mori immediately frowned. "Hey, what were you thinking? Who brings a recorder to a classical concert?"

"And flutes aren't exactly a good omen right now..." Shiraishi remembered the flute parts found at several murder scenes.

Akiba's late fiancé had played the flute, but from the looks of things, someone had been trying to frame her.

Ayumi spoke up for Genta. "Uncle Mori, Genta can't talk, so he thought he could use the recorder to make sounds and communicate with everyone."

"Even so, he can't just play it whenever he likes." Mori frowned.

The Professor hurried to explain. "Don't worry. He won't play it during the performance. Right, Genta?"

Genta nodded, then played a few notes. Mitsuhiko listened and translated for everyone. "He said yes."

Genta nodded at once.

Mori had nothing more to say. "Then keep it hidden and don't bother anyone."

"And no using your phones, either," Sonoko reminded them.

As their temporary guardian, the Professor smiled. "Of course I told them that. I even made them leave their detective badges at home. They won't cause any trouble."

Shiraishi: ...

The