Fumizuki Karen said, "Although people are always saying bad things about her, she really was a very gentle person in everyday life, and she treated me very well too. So... I heard you've solved many complicated cases. Please, you have to catch the person who killed Teacher Bandai!"
After saying that, she completely lost her appetite for breakfast and turned to leave.
Inozuka Saburo felt heartbroken for his idol, yet secretly sighed in relief. "..." So the "important person" meant that old witch... He knew Miss Hana was pure and innocent. How could she possibly be dating someone!
Suzuki Sonoko watched Fumizuki Karen's retreating figure and tugged at Jiang Xia in confusion, unable to believe it. "'Gentle'? 'Treated her well'? Was Miss Hana really talking about that dead female troupe leader?"
Before Jiang Xia could say anything, an arm-length puppet suddenly leaned over beside his face.
The puppet wore a tiny suit with a Bow Tie pinned at its collar. Its mouth clacked as it moved. "Never believe an actress's tears. She's an actress, after all. An actress can be laughing herself silly inside while crying beautifully on the outside—honestly, she often had plenty of private time. None of us could ever find her during those periods, and nobody knew what she was doing. If you're deceived by that cute appearance, you might be the next one to die."
Conan looked past the puppet at the person controlling it and recognized him as the Ghost Actress's younger brother. "I heard that you and your sister were also adopted by the female troupe leader when you were young. If she died, were there any beneficiaries besides you two?"
The man moved his hand, making the puppet speak for him through ventriloquism. "There were."
Conan nodded and waited for him to continue,