At 10 PM, Gojo Satoru finally got what he wanted—a peaceful soak in the open-air hot spring.
Or at least, that's what he thought.
The moment he stepped in, he was greeted by a crowded bath.
Mouri Kogoro's classmates, Mouri Ran, Conan, Kurosaki Ichigo, and his friends were all packed into the small open-air hot spring.
Gojo froze mid-step, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
"Why are you all here?" he asked, clearly exasperated.
Mouri Kogoro, leaning comfortably against the rocks, let out a relaxed sigh. "We came to Akiu Onsen, so of course, we'd be here."
"Yeah, yeah," Conan added, waving at Gojo with an annoyingly smug look. "Come on, Gojo-kun! The hot spring feels amazing!"
Before he could say another word, he was swiftly smacked on the head by Mouri Ran.
"Conan! Be polite. You should call him Gojo-oniisan or Satoru-niisan!"
"Ouch!" Conan grumbled, rubbing his head while looking away.
Gojo was about to get in anyway—until a sharp scream pierced through the resort.
"AHHHH!"
The chilling cry of a woman came from the second floor of the building.
Gojo's expression instantly darkened as his Six Eyes scanned the area.
His mind processed the situation in seconds—
Yukawa Sakurako was dead.
A Murder, but No Curse?
Gojo immediately turned to Ichigo, who had rushed over.
"Gojo-kun, what happened?"
"Yukawa Sakurako is dead."
Ichigo's eyes widened."What?! How? Was it a cursed spirit?"
"No. There's nothing strong enough around here to kill someone."
Geto narrowed his eyes."So that means… this was a normal murder."
The three of them exchanged looks. Yukawa Sakurako was killed by a human.
But why?
She had disappeared near the haunted road and mysteriously reappeared here at the resort. If someone went through the trouble of kidnapping her, why kill her now?
None of it added up.
By now, the others had already rushed to the second floor.
"The second floor was booked by our class reunion," said Nakamichi Kazushi, the police officer among Kogoro's classmates. "Sakurako was the only one left up here."
Conan narrowed his eyes, silently observing everyone's reactions.
Kazushi was the first to enter the room.
Inside, Yukawa Sakurako's lifeless body was slumped against the wall.
Her neck was slashed, blood soaking her collar red.
A waitress was on her knees beside the body, her face pale with shock. It was obvious that she had been the one who screamed.
A Suspicious Call
Mouri Kogoro stepped forward. "You found the body?"
The waitress nodded weakly, voice trembling. "Yes… About ten minutes ago, Miss Yukawa called the front desk and asked for a fruit platter. I brought it up, but when I got here, the door was open. I called out, but no one answered, so I stepped inside and… and…"
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Kazushi walked up to the body, checked for signs of rigor mortis, then nodded grimly.
"She's been dead for over an hour."
"Huh?" Mouri Kogoro frowned. "But that means she was already dead when we arrived at the resort."
Kazushi rubbed his chin. "Then who called the front desk?"
Mouri Ran spoke up. "The front desk keeps call records. We can check the recording."
A few minutes later, the resort staff brought the recorded call to the group.
It played back:
"Front desk?""Yes! How can I help you?""Please send a fruit plate to room 209, thank you!""Okay, wait a moment!"
The voice sounded exactly like Yukawa Sakurako.
But Conan knew voice simulation technology existed—Dr. Agasa had even built one.
His mind was already racing.
Whoever made that call did it to ensure Yukawa's body was discovered tonight.
But why?
Gojo's Observation
At that moment, Gojo crouched down beside Conan, his tone completely casual.
"So, Kudo Shinichi… the famous high school detective, huh?"
Conan's whole body stiffened.
"How do you know that?!" he whispered back, alarmed.
Gojo grinned."Not that hard to figure out."
He pointed at Geto, looking amused.
"When I told Suguru that you were actually seventeen, he immediately thought of Kudo Shinichi—the high school detective who's 'mysteriously missing' but has a suspiciously good relationship with Mouri Ran."
Conan's heart pounded faster. "You wouldn't tell her, would you?!"
Gojo tilted his head, smirking."Hmm. Should I?"
Before Conan could panic any further, Geto cut in, shaking his head.
"Satoru, quit messing around. We have a case to solve."
"Alright, alright." Gojo sighed dramatically before turning back to Conan.
"Tell you what, Kudo-kun. If I give you the name of the killer, think you can figure out the rest?"
Conan narrowed his eyes."You know who the killer is?"
Gojo shrugged."Of course."
"How?!"
Gojo grinned, pulling down his sunglasses slightly to reveal his glowing blue eyes.
"Because I can see it."
Conan stiffened.
"Every person's body reacts when they try to hide something. Heart rate, breathing, body temperature—all things I can measure in an instant."
He gestured vaguely around the room.
"And, of course, there's also the soul. Guilt leaves a stain on it."
Conan stared at him, processing that information.
If that was true… then Gojo Satoru had a completely unfair advantage in crime-solving.
Conan adjusted his glasses."Fine. Tell me who it is."
Gojo's grin widened.
"Alright, little detective. Let's catch a murderer."
To Be Continued…