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

……

"Um……"

Inside the restaurant, Inspector Megure investigated the scene for a while, then stood still and stroked his chin.

The case that happened in the restaurant seems rather mysterious.

If we include Qi Ming and his group, there are a total of three groups of guests here today.

According to the chef, the first group consisted of five people.

They arrived at the restaurant to eat first, and after the chef brought the dishes up, he went back to the kitchen to continue working.

However, not long after, the chef was knocked unconscious from behind by a blow.

A little while later, the second group of guests, Kogoro Mouri, Conan Mouri, and Ran Mouri, arrived.

But when they entered the restaurant, the previous group of guests had disappeared, leaving only the food on the table.

The restaurant's back door was wide open, with a white paper pasted on it.

The character “呪” (zhu) is written on it in red paint, which is the same as a curse.

Outside the back door, several footprints led straight to the lake on the muddy ground.

Several pairs of shoes floated on the lake.

In retrospect, it seems as if the previous group of missing guests were cursed and collectively committed suicide by walking into the lake.

But there's only one truth: this was definitely man-made.

At this point, Kogoro Mouri and Juzo Inspector Megure had begun discussing the suspicious points and details of the case.

Logically, Conan should join in now, but he just can't seem to settle down.

His eyes kept darting between Qi Ming and the people around him, his heart pounding in his chest.

What is this ghost?

Besides the last time at the Mihana City Hall, he saw so many organization members in action again!

What are they doing here? Sabotaging things?

But what kind of damage could be done in this place where there are no other buildings besides a restaurant?

They couldn't possibly be here to destroy the environment, could they?

Upon seeing Kaito Kuroba, Conan's doubts about Kaito's identity were finally resolved.

So, the reason Qi Ming acted so familiar with Kuroba Kaito last time was because he was also a member of the organization?

"...Boss, that little kid over there seems to be staring at us the whole time?"

Chianti whispered in Qi Ming's ear.

Despite Conan's carefulness, everyone present was exceptionally sensitive to being looked at.

"Don't worry about him."

Qi Ming said casually, taking out his phone to look at the recap.

After reading the truth of the case, Qi Ming looked at the chef who was being questioned by Kogoro Mouri and Inspector Megure and fell silent.

Qi Ming felt a bit annoyed, and had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to have this meal today.

Because the culprit in this case was this chef.

The truth of this case is:

The first group of customers who disappeared belonged to the same company; their company had cheated on the customers and then framed the father of the restaurant's chef.

Unable to prove his innocence, the chef's father committed suicide. Upon learning of this, the chef decided to avenge his father and staged this whole affair.

However, this chef was not as extreme as the murderers Qi Ming had encountered before.

He didn't kill the five people who disappeared; he just tied them up in a warehouse.

However, at this moment, Qi Ming hoped that the chef could be a little more extreme.

After all, if the chef killed someone, he could always find some twisted reasoning to clear the chef of suspicion.

But he deliberately didn't kill them.

Damn it, you're just taking the murder of your father so lightly?!

Qi Ming looked at the curse character above the back door of the restaurant.

The meaning of this character is not actually a curse, but rather the chef took the character "口" (mouth) and "兄" (brother) from his father, Kou-ishi-nii-go.

The character "口" (mouth) is a curse, and this note is also a clue.

...I have a feeling this chef is a bit too filial. His father was murdered, and he still uses his father's name to create such an unlucky code.

Why don't we find a way to get all the evidence?

"This case is a bit tricky."

Qi Ming muttered to himself, wondering what he should do to get a meal today.

Just as Qi Ming was talking to himself, Ran Mouri, who was passing by, heard what he said.

Tricky?

Ran Mouri followed Qi Ming's gaze and saw the curse word pasted on the back.

Ran Mouri's expression changed. She glanced at Gin and the others gathered around Qi Ming, and after thinking for a moment, she took out her phone and sent a text message to Qi Ming.

[Ran Mouri: Mr. Qi Ming, can we talk to each other?]

"Ok?"

Qi Ming glanced at the text message and then looked behind him in confusion.

Seeing Ran Mouri waving at him from the doorway, Qi Ming went over anyway.

As soon as Qi Ming left, the three people in the room glanced back and followed him out.

Ai Haibara, Vermouth, Conan.

Ai Haibara simply wasn't interested in the case at hand and wanted to get some fresh air.

She's already made a fool of herself last time, and she's definitely not going to do it again this time.

Conan and Vermouth, on the other hand, couldn't contain themselves.

Judging from what just happened, it was Ran Mouri who took the initiative to call Qi Ming out.

They were extremely puzzled as to why Ran Mouri wanted to have a private chat with Qi Ming.

……

Qi Ming and Ran Mouri arrived at the lakeside. Seeing that Ran Mouri didn't speak, Qi Ming asked first:

"What's wrong, Alan? Is something the matter?"

Ran Mouri took a deep breath, clenched her fists and placed them in front of her chest, speaking with a slightly nervous tone:

"Mr. Qi Ming, I think I just heard you say that this case is a bit tricky?"

They heard us.

Qi Ming raised an eyebrow and nodded without explaining.

"Yes, it's a bit tricky."

This is a big event concerning their first group meal and team building activity. What kind of situation is it if the cook is arrested?

Upon hearing Qi Ming's affirmation, Ran Mouri's rosy complexion instantly paled considerably.

She couldn't help but move closer to Qi Ming and whispered:

"So, is this really because of a curse?"

"..."

Qi Ming took three seconds to process Ran Mouri's words, then replied with a confused expression:

"What?"

"Because I saw Mr. Qi Ming staring at the '呪' character on the back door."

Ran Mouri said softly:

"And then there's what you said, Mr. Qi Ming, and I feel like something's not right."

You should know that Qi Ming is a magician.

The magician stared at that strange blood-red character and said that the case was somewhat tricky, so this matter certainly cannot be judged by common sense!

"..."

Qi Ming's expression froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up, and he patted Ran Mouri on the shoulder with both hands.

"Alan, you're right, this whole thing is because of the curse!"