Chapter Summaries

Inspector Megure investigated the cinema staff and regular college student after witnesses narrowed down the time of the hanging, while Mitsuhiko noticed a suspicious man in black had fled before the movie. The college student presented photos as an alibi, and Jiang Xia confirmed they had been taken during the screening by pointing out himself and the children in the images.

• A police officer reported that only Jiang Xia, the children, three cinema employees, and a regular college student had remained in the theater near the time of death, while three customers had left earlier.
• Mitsuhiko recalled seeing a man dressed in black leave as soon as he entered, but hesitated to tell the police without evidence.
• The projectionist and ticket seller gave each other alibis, leading Megure to focus on the manager and the college student as the remaining suspects.
• The college student showed Megure a photo of the hanging corpse and claimed his camera proved he had stayed in his seat, but Megure questioned whether the images could have been taken earlier.
• Jiang Xia pointed out that the children and he appeared in the photo’s shadows, confirming it was taken during the screening.

Jiang Xia and Inspector Megure investigated the murder at the cinema, eliminating the curator and examining the projection room while Jiang Xia noticed Hashimoto Maya hiding across the street. The group found the projectionist and saleswoman’s accounts, but the killer remained unidentified.

• Inspector Megure questioned the old curator after finding a photo of him leaving his seat, and the curator said he had gone to check the air conditioning.
• Jiang Xia spotted Hashimoto Maya dart away from a café across the street and thought the Ghosts could reach him easily.
• Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko grew wary of the Man in Black and moved closer to Jiang Xia for protection, while Jiang Xia wondered why Mitsuhiko had not mentioned seeing Hashimoto Maya.
• The projectionist led the group to the staff lounge and projection room, where Jiang Xia inspected the sealed projection windows and saw two projectors.
• The saleswoman said she had stayed in the lounge preparing tea before bringing the projectionist his meal, and insisted the victim had committed suicide.

Conan explained how the killer could have used two projectors to create the illusion that Furuhashi’s body appeared on the screen, but the intact film reels and the employees’ statements undermined the theory. As the group left the projection room, Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko revealed that the salesclerk had left and that a tall man in black with a knit cap had briefly entered the Screening Hall, leaving Haibara Ai worried he might be Akai Shuichi.

• Conan explained how the culprit could have split a film between two projectors and used the body to create a sudden shadow on the screen.
• The projectionist and salesclerk denied the theory, pointing to intact film reels and their whereabouts before and after the murder.
• Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko told Inspector Megure that the salesclerk had been wiping tears in the restroom and had not stayed in the lounge the whole time.
• Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko described a tall man in black with a knit cap and sunglasses who had entered the Screening Hall, then quickly left.
• Haibara Ai suspected the man might be Akai Shuichi and feared he had recognized her, while Jiang Xia agreed the stranger sounded suspicious.

Jiang Xia and Inspector Megure investigated the Cinema owner's apparent murder, uncovering financial troubles and a suspicious email tied to Hashimoto Maya. Mitsuhiko's description also pointed toward Hashimoto, so Megure ordered the police to find him.

• Jiang Xia urged Inspector Megure to investigate the victim's relationships and check the Cinema's surveillance footage for the man in black.
• The saleswoman admitted she had briefly gone to the restroom, weakening her claim that she had stayed in the break room.
• Takagi reported that the victim had gambling debts, a failing business, and had argued with a bank, leading Cinema employees to suggest he had committed suicide.
• Takagi revealed a draft email addressed to Hashimoto Maya, and Megure recognized him from a previous case involving land on the seabed.
• Jiang Xia connected Hashimoto's black clothing and height to Mitsuhiko's description, while Mitsuhiko recalled the suspicious audience member's light hair and unusual appearance.
• Jiang Xia said the victim had apparently tried to extort Hashimoto over a land deal, and Megure ordered officers to find Hashimoto and bring him in.

Hashimoto Maya went to the cinema after police summoned him to discuss the dead Real Estate Agent, believing he was only a witness. His arrival startled Haibara Ai, who mistook him for Akai Shuichi, while Hashimoto tried to explain his suspicious hat and sunglasses.

• Hashimoto Maya received the police's request to come to the cinema and worried that the Real Estate Agent's emails might expose their contact.
• Hashimoto Maya convinced himself he had no motive to kill the agent and went to the cinema to cooperate with the investigation.
• Inspector Megure and Jiang Xia discussed Hashimoto Maya's prompt response and hoped he could clear up the suspicion.
• Haibara Ai recognized Hashimoto Maya as Akai Shuichi in disguise and hid behind Jiang Xia, while Conan noticed her reaction and questioned her.
• Jiang Xia asked Hashimoto Maya about his hat and sunglasses, and Hashimoto claimed he wore the hat to keep his hair from falling at a crime scene.

At the cinema, Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko pointed Hashimoto Maya out to Jiang Xia, who questioned him about entering and leaving the screening room during the movie. Hashimoto explained his planned purchase of underwater property for a new theater, then learned the dead seller had demanded an outrageous price and worried that Uzo had been watching his decisions.

• Haibara Ai compared Hashimoto Maya’s voice and face with Akai Shuichi and concluded they were different people.
• Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko identified Hashimoto Maya to Jiang Xia, who asked why he had entered and left the screening room.
• Hashimoto Maya claimed he had wanted to discuss buying seabed land from Zhangtian Zhengci and planned to wait for him at a coffee shop.
• Jiang Xia said he would visit Hashimoto Maya’s new store, while Hashimoto suspected Conan would bring him there.
• Inspector Megure showed Hashimoto Maya emails revealing Zhangtian Zhengci had demanded an outrageous price, and Hashimoto feared Uzo would blame him for wasting money.

Jiang Xia questioned Hashimoto Maya about his movements and the missing surveillance footage, making the police suspect him again. He then revealed that the projectionist had killed the victim, while Hashimoto Maya concluded that Jiang Xia had tested him despite already knowing the answer.

• Inspector Megure watched Hashimoto Maya react to the blackmail emails and learned he had nearly paid the victim’s inflated price for the land.
• Jiang Xia questioned Hashimoto Maya about visiting the screening room and found that cameras had not captured him going to the café he claimed to have visited.
• Hashimoto Maya offered an explanation for his route, but privately admitted that he had deliberately avoided surveillance cameras.
• Jiang Xia announced that the projectionist was the killer, startling Hashimoto Maya and the others.
• Hashimoto Maya realized Jiang Xia had likely known the killer’s identity before questioning him and believed the detective had been testing him.

Jiang Xia explained how the projectionist used mirrors, a staged killing, and an air conditioner to create a false alibi. Hashimoto Maya realized that his attempt to work between the case’s events had nearly exposed him to the murder scene.

• Hashimoto Maya reflected that Jiang Xia’s suspicion of him came from his role as an Organization undercover agent, then kept his misgivings to himself.
• Jiang Xia explained that the projectionist used two mirror shards to route the projector’s image through a different window and conceal where the victim was hanging.
• Jiang Xia described how the projectionist left while the saleswoman was away, killed the victim, and later removed the obstruction so the body’s shadow appeared on the screen.
• Jiang Xia explained that the adjusted airflow made the body sway, helping the projectionist claim he had just discovered the hanging victim.
• Hashimoto Maya recalled seeing the body during a flash of lightning and regretted trying to insert himself between the events in Uzo’s case.

Jiang Xia exposed the projectionist’s murder method, and the projectionist confessed that he killed the man who had driven away the Cinema’s customers. After receiving Uzo’s order, Hashimoto Maya bought the Cinema to keep it operating and turn it into a horror-themed venue.

• Jiang Xia explained that the out-of-focus projection and the sales clerk’s use of the restroom mirror proved how the projectionist had committed the murder.
• The projectionist confessed that he had killed the troublemaking customer because the man had driven away the Cinema’s audience.
• Hashimoto Maya received Uzo’s email instructing him to buy the Cinema if possible and convert it into a horror-themed business.
• Hashimoto Maya learned that Jiang Xia had independently proposed continuing the Cinema as a business and worried that Uzo was using the purchase to push him closer to the detective.
• Hashimoto Maya agreed to buy the Cinema from the manager at a fair price, and the contract required that the property continue to be used as a Cinema.

Hashimoto Maya handled Uzo’s plans for the Cinema, then gave up trying to obtain the Seabed Restaurant land’s seller information through the failing real estate agency. Meanwhile, Jiang Xia took Conan and Haibara Ai back to the Commercial Street, where he sensed something near the agency.

• Hashimoto Maya hired a crew to renovate the Cinema and received Uzo’s instructions to promote it alongside the Seabed Theater and bring Jiang Xia to any visiting Great Detectives.
• Hashimoto Maya failed to get the Seabed Restaurant land’s seller information because the real estate agency’s employees insisted that only their deceased president could approve access.
• Hashimoto Maya considered hacking the agency’s system but abandoned the idea because he worried Jiang Xia might discover the illegal act.
• Jiang Xia stopped the three children from sneaking away, but let them go home after Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko claimed they had homework.
• Jiang Xia, Conan, and Haibara Ai returned to the Commercial Street to browse, and Jiang Xia glanced toward the struggling real estate company after sensing something.

Jiang Xia, Conan, and Haibara Ai finished shopping and ran into Hashimoto Maya at the station, where Jiang Xia offered to bring him along to future cases. As they waited for the train, three Agency employees arrived, and Hashimoto Maya recognized them from the Agency that had recently tried to fleece him.

• Mist Tengu reported that a clump of iced black tea-scented Killing Intent had appeared beside the Agency's front desk, and Jiang Xia's Ghosts retrieved it.
• Jiang Xia, Conan, and Haibara Ai finished shopping, had dinner, and headed to the station.
• Jiang Xia greeted Hashimoto Maya at the station, and Conan teased him about waiting there for Jiang Xia.
• Hashimoto Maya explained that he preferred taking public transportation to improve as a Detective, and Jiang Xia offered to bring him along to future cases.
• Three young Agency employees arrived at the platform, and Hashimoto Maya recognized them as employees of the Agency that had annoyed him.

Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya boarded a train, where a scream led them to the body of Kiyomi, an Agency employee. Hashimoto Maya confirmed she had been dead for nearly an hour and began examining the scene as Jiang Xia questioned her colleagues.

• A younger Agency employee ran to buy juice as the train arrived, while Jiang Xia boarded with Conan and Haibara Ai; Hashimoto Maya followed them onto the train.
• Conan suspected Hashimoto Maya was following Jiang Xia for a reason, while two Agency colleagues searched the carriages for the younger employee.
• The colleagues found Mori Yukiko in an empty carriage and discovered Kiyomi asleep in a corner; when they nudged her, she fell to the floor and a scream rang out.
• Jiang Xia, Conan, Haibara Ai, and Hashimoto Maya hurried to the carriage where Kiyomi lay, and Hashimoto Maya recognized her as the woman who had turned him away earlier.
• Hashimoto Maya examined Kiyomi and said she had been dead for nearly an hour, while Jiang Xia questioned her three colleagues and asked them to preserve the scene.
• Hashimoto Maya crouched beside Kiyomi and focused on her ear.

Jiang Xia investigated the poisoning of Kiyomi on a subway train and focused suspicion on her three colleagues. He went to comfort Mori Yukiko in the next car, where a colleague’s remark raised the possibility that Seiji had been romantically involved with the victim.

• Jiang Xia noticed the needle mark and discoloration on Kiyomi’s earlobe and called the police with Hashimoto Maya.
• Inspector Megure and Sato Miwako arrived, and Megure asked Jiang Xia to help investigate the case.
• Sato Miwako reported that Kiyomi had likely been killed by a fast-acting poison and that there were no signs of a struggle.
• Jiang Xia noted that Kiyomi’s money was untouched and suggested investigating the three colleagues who found her.
• Jiang Xia went to the next car to check on Mori Yukiko, while Hashimoto Maya followed him.
• Kiyomi’s senior colleague said Seiji had often asked Kiyomi out and given her gifts, prompting police to ask whether he had been her boyfriend.

Jiang Xia and the others investigated Kiyomi’s murder on the subway while her coworkers revealed their tangled motives and alibis. Jiang Xia noticed a piece of evidence was missing and sent Conan to retrieve it.

• Kurata Seiji denied killing Kiyomi, while Mori Yukiko explained that their company president had also died that day.
• Mori Yukiko said Kiyomi had separated from her coworkers at the subway entrance, and surveillance confirmed Kiyomi was still alive then.
• Inspector Megure questioned the coworkers’ alibis, prompting Kurata Seiji to accuse Mori Yukiko and the female senior of having motives.
• Jiang Xia and Conan examined the belongings and noticed the victim’s Walkman, tapes, and headphones among them.
• Jiang Xia told Conan that a piece of evidence was missing, and Conan went to search the suspects’ scattered belongings.

Conan and Jiang Xia questioned Kurata Seiji about the victim, but Kurata suddenly accused Hashimoto Maya of murder. Sato Miwako connected Hashimoto to a separate case involving the same company, leaving Kurata’s accusation unresolved.

• Conan accidentally knocked a drink onto Kurata Seiji, then followed him with Jiang Xia to ask about his relationship with the victim, Kiyomi.
• Kurata explained that Kiyomi chose a particular train car because it was quieter and lined up with the ticket gate at her stop.
• Kurata learned Conan and Jiang Xia had been separated from Hashimoto Maya that afternoon, then rushed to Inspector Megure and accused Hashimoto of killing Kiyomi.
• Hashimoto denied knowing Kiyomi beyond a client consultation, while Jiang Xia withheld his response after noticing iced black tea hissing from Hashimoto.
• Sato Miwako realized that Kiyomi, the suspects, and a woman hanged at noon all worked for the same company, and Kurata recognized Hashimoto as the client seeking to buy a plot of land in the sea.

Jiang Xia exposed Mori Yukiko as Kiyomi’s murderer, explaining how she used poisoned headphones and the subway’s Loop Line to conceal the crime. Mori Yukiko confessed and was taken away by police while Jiang Xia and Conan discussed the evidence.

• Jiang Xia interrupted the questioning and assured everyone Hashimoto Maya was not the murderer.
• Jiang Xia identified Mori Yukiko as the killer and explained that she poisoned the headphones she lent Kiyomi, who died after putting them on aboard the train.
• Jiang Xia described how Mori Yukiko returned to the train to retrieve the headphones and pretended to discover Kiyomi’s body with her colleagues.
• Jiang Xia said police could find toxin traces on Mori Yukiko’s handkerchief and headphones, and Mori Yukiko collapsed and confessed that jealousy over her boyfriend motivated the murder.
• Conan pointed out that a cassette in the Walkman might have contained Kiyomi’s message, and Jiang Xia said the existing evidence was enough.

Hashimoto Maya got the land seller’s contact information from Kurata Seiji, who feared Maya was connected to the deaths at the agency. After the widow invited Hashimoto Maya to her mansion to discuss the land, he suspected a trap but decided to go, preparing to call Jiang Xia if things went wrong.

• Kurata Seiji gave Hashimoto Maya the seller’s contact information and hurried away with his senior colleague, fearing Maya was cursed after the president and Kiyomi died.
• Kurata Seiji’s senior colleague noted that Jiang Xia had been present at both deaths, and Kurata Seiji decided they should avoid him too.
• Inspector Megure explained that the murderer had used a rare alkaloid poison, while Officer Sato warned Jiang Xia to wash his hands after handling evidence.
• Jiang Xia took Conan and Haibara Ai home after the case, while Hashimoto Maya left to pursue the land deal.
• Hashimoto Maya emailed the widow and received an invitation to her mansion the next morning, then decided to go alone while keeping Jiang Xia’s number ready in case he needed help.

Hashimoto Maya visited Mrs. Asahi's mansion to discuss buying land, but she revealed she knew about his job at the Amuro Detective Agency and offered him the land on one condition. The chapter ended with Mrs. Asahi asking him to bring Jiang Xia to her.

• Hashimoto Maya drove Inozuka Saburo to Mrs. Asahi's mansion, while both men remained wary of each other.
• Inozuka Saburo stayed in the car as Hashimoto Maya went inside to meet Mrs. Asahi.
• Mrs. Asahi spoke with Hashimoto Maya about the land, then asked if he worked at the Amuro Detective Agency.
• Mrs. Asahi showed Hashimoto Maya the agency's homepage, where his photo and real name appeared on the employee page.
• Mrs. Asahi offered Hashimoto Maya the land if he brought Jiang Xia to her.

Jiang Xia accepted a commission to protect Tatsumi Seimaru, the heir targeted by a threatening letter, until he inherited the Tatsumi Family headship. As Mrs. Asahi left to fetch her cousin, a waiter spotted Jiang Xia and developed killing intent.

• Hashimoto Maya relayed Mrs. Asahi's request for a meeting, and Jiang Xia chose the earliest available time.
• Jiang Xia met Hashimoto Maya and Mrs. Asahi at an upscale café, where she explained that a letter signed by the Cursed Samurai threatened Tatsumi Seimaru.
• Mrs. Asahi asked Jiang Xia to protect Tatsumi Seimaru until he inherited the family position rather than investigate who wrote the letter, and Jiang Xia accepted.
• Mrs. Asahi left to bring in her cousin, while a passing waiter saw Jiang Xia and began to radiate killing intent.

Jiang Xia met with Tatsumi Shino, her son Tatsumi Seimaru, and Curacao, who was disguised as their lawyer and secretary, to discuss protecting Seimaru until the family Festival. Shino chose to spend the coming days visiting Tokyo’s sights with her son, despite the danger, while Curacao and Hashimoto Maya quietly recognized one another and feared Jiang Xia’s involvement.

• Curacao arrived disguised as a lawyer, and Jiang Xia and Hashimoto Maya recognized her without revealing it.
• Curacao recalled that the organization had sent her to help another heir claim the Tatsumi family headship, and that she had planned to act the next day.
• Tatsumi Shino introduced Jiang Xia as the detective who would protect Tatsumi Seimaru until the Festival ended.
• Jiang Xia asked whether Shino and Seimaru would stay at the old residence, but Shino instead proposed visiting Tokyo’s scenic spots and places of entertainment.
• Shino explained that she had never enjoyed such outings and wanted to spend these potentially final days with her son without regrets.