Jiang Xia had just pushed open the door when a chorus of screams erupted inside. At the same time, a crossbow bolt grazed past Toda Kiwako's head, spraying blood as it flew straight toward him.
Jiang Xia: "..."
Dodging was an option, but Kurosawa Kazuma was walking right behind him. As a qualified Great Detective, even his instinctive reactions shouldn't endanger innocent bystanders.
Jiang Xia could only discreetly pad his palm with a bit of clay, preparing to catch it.
But just as he was about to grab the bolt, Hashimoto Maya reacted astonishingly quickly and blurted out, "Watch out!"
Then he shoved Jiang Xia in the shoulder.
The strength of a tall, trained organization member was not to be underestimated. Jiang Xia had not expected this can of iced black tea to suddenly attack him, and he staggered two steps to the side in surprise.
In that split second, the crossbow bolt shot through the gap Jiang Xia had vacated. With a soft pfft, it embedded itself squarely in Kurosawa Kazuma.
"..."
Kurosawa Kazuma stood there blankly, slowly lowering his head to look at the bolt.
Jiang Xia steadied himself and turned back to see the scene. "..."
Hashimoto Maya was still frozen with his arm outstretched, utterly stunned.
Under Kurosawa Kazuma's incredulous gaze, he instinctively took a step back. "It wasn't me, I didn't do it! I forgot you were standing right behind him... Kurosawa!!"
Kurosawa Kazuma clutched his wound and dropped to his knees with a thud. Hashimoto Maya hurried over to support him, letting out a heartbroken cry.
The watching "Dr. Araide" had a complicated look in her eyes. "..." Ever since she had seen that smooth stone at Chikada Yumi's hanging site, she had felt that this "Kurosawa" was going to have terrible luck.
But