"Eh? M-Me?"
Ye Ban Jiadai pointed at herself, then looked at the confident little boy in front of her, suddenly feeling trapped between a rock and a hard place.
If the investigation continued, her relationship with Eisaku Shirou would eventually be uncovered. She had made ample preparations for today's operation, but being suspected so quickly had truly exceeded her expectations.
But even if she did not want to admit it, her client herself was right here at the scene.
"Yes, Miss Ye Ban was just helping me with my hair." Eri Kisaki answered for her as she arranged the strands draped over her shoulder.
"So the beauty salon Mom booked today was her shop?" Ran Mouri realized.
"Yes, it's Miss Ye Ban's shop. It's an old establishment with a very good reputation. She took it over from her father."
Ye Ban Jiadai smiled awkwardly and nodded. In truth, her fingers had already begun nervously feeling along the stitched edge of her clothes as she struggled to control her expression.
No matter how many rehearsals and scenarios she had prepared, when she was truly being watched by so many police officers and detectives, she still could not suppress her nervousness and fear.
Did they see through something? Why were they asking me this? What should I do?
Countless questions circled through Ye Ban Jiadai's mind, leaving her completely unable to notice her surroundings—let alone Tangze, who had turned his gaze toward her with a meaningful expression.
Ye Ban Jiadai. So that was her name.
The location was easy enough to figure out. It had to be her hair salon.
Inherited from her parents, it was where she lived, where she worked, and even where she killed. No place could hold her emotions and desires better than her salon.
"Conan, how did