Out-of-control players in the world of Detective Conan

the next day.

Teitan School, Class 1-B.

There's still half an hour until class starts, but the classroom is already almost full.

After all, many students who have just returned from vacation dislike doing homework during the holidays and prefer to race against time to cram and copy assignments at the last minute.

"Hey Conan, you're here so early?"

The classroom door opened, and Ayumi Mitsuhiko was somewhat surprised to see Conan sitting in his seat, resting his chin on his hand and deep in thought.

"Conan, haven't you finished your homework either?"

Genta arrived at his seat and asked curiously.

Conan secretly rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Of course not, I was just thinking about the day we came back from Shenhai Island."

Conan always feels that a part of his memories, or perhaps time itself, has been erased.

They fell asleep at their hotel on Shenhai Island that day, and when they woke up again, they were already back home.

They returned to Qi Ming's home.

Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta also recalled what had happened a few days ago, and they all frowned in thought.

"Oh right, speaking of which, we woke up at Brother Qi Ming's house."

"But didn't Haibara-san tell us that the Self-Defense Forces decided to conduct military exercises on Kami Island at the last minute, so they sent us back ahead of schedule?"

"Yes, yes, that seems to be the case. Because we were not awake at the time, Brother Qi Ming took us to his house first."

Mitsuhiko explained.

However, Conan frowned deeply.

He found it even stranger because Ai Haibara's answer was so illogical.

While the military exercise is indeed real, it's worth noting why the Self-Defense Forces would conduct a military exercise on Kamajima Island at the last minute.

And they were taken home...

Given the distance between Kamishima Island and Beika Town, they shouldn't have slept for so long before waking up, right?

I have a feeling that something is wrong.

Come to think of it, Qi Ming wasn't present when they woke up.

What did Qi Ming do during that time?

"Ah, Haibara-san, you've arrived."

The classroom door opened again, and Ayumi looked at the familiar figure outside the door, smiled, and went to greet her.

Ai Haibara nodded, went to her seat, slammed her backpack heavily on the table, and sat down with a sullen expression.

"What's wrong, Haibara-san?"

Looking at Ai Haibara, whose demeanor was completely different from usual, Ayumi asked somewhat nervously.

"It's nothing, I just got upset by someone in my family."

Ai Haibara realized she had lost her composure and, after calming herself down for a moment, replied calmly.

Someone in the family?

Ayumi asked curiously.

"Is that Brother Qi Ming?"

"...No, it's just a little kid."

"Little brat?"

Ayumi was a little confused.

I didn't see anyone else at Qi Ming's house last time. Does Qi Ming have a younger brother or sister?

Conan then came over and asked Ai Haibara curiously.

"Haibara-kun, I want to ask where Qi Ming-nii went that day?"

"..."

Haibara sighed and turned to look at Conan.

For some reason, Conan felt a little uneasy looking at the other person.

Then, Ai Haibara said calmly.

"he died."

"Oh, he's dead."

Conan continued along with Ai Haibara's words, but he immediately realized something was wrong.

"What did you say? Qi Ming is dead?!"

Ai Haibara gave a soft snort.

This is what she argued with Qi Ming at home, and it made her very angry.

Ai Haibara thought that after Qi Ming's previous identity died, he should just tell the others that he had returned to the country.

Qi Ming objected, insisting that he tell the others he was dead.

After arguing for a long time, Qi Ming finally persuaded Ai Haibara.

To paraphrase Conan.

If the Self-Defense Forces find out that I'm still alive, the wanted notice won't be removed, and the people around me will be in danger, and so on.

Ai Haibara ultimately decided to give up.

"That's right. Also, Edogawa-kun, are you sure you want to tell the whole class about such a tragic piece of news?"

Conan was a little confused about what Ai Haibara meant by that, and when he turned around, he found that the whole class was staring at them.

"Sorry, sorry."

Conan scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

It seems my voice was a little too loud just now.

However, after regaining his composure, Conan observed Ai Haibara's expression again.

This is indeed sad news, but why do you not seem sad at all?

Although Conan really wanted to ask when Qi Ming died, he still had some emotional intelligence and knew that he couldn't ask that question now.

And I always feel like there's something fishy going on here.

……

Time passed slowly, and the school bell rang.

"Everyone, please be quiet."

Ms. Kobayashi Sumiko walked into the classroom and clapped her hands, instantly silencing the previously noisy classroom.

After a brief opening remark, Sumiko Kobayashi smiled at the students.

"Although it's a bit sudden, we have a new student today."

Kobayashi Sumiko beckoned, and a handsome young man walked into the classroom.

"Lai Ming, write your name on the blackboard and then introduce yourself."

The boy nodded and then wrote his name on the blackboard.

Qi Ming

"..."

Below the podium, Ai Haibara's eyes narrowed.

"Hey, Lai Ming, it seems you misspelled your name."

Sumiko Kobayashi stared at the name on the blackboard for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Lai Ming, you misspelled your name."

"Oh, Chao, I forgot."

The boy was taken aback for a moment, then wrote down his current name.

"Hello everyone, my name is Qi Bulaiming, or you can just call me Qi Ming."

"I came here for only one purpose: to dominate Teitan School."

The boy then looked in Ai Haibara's direction and smiled.

"Ai Haibara, is this all you taught me?"

"..."

Ai Haibara is really about to break down.

Noticing the gazes directed at her, she could only lower her head and try to cover her eyes with her hair.

This is slander! It's slander!

Qi Ming, are you alright?

If you have nothing to do, why don't you go home and eat some plums?