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

"What is this thing? Did it jam?"

Qi Ming glanced at the non-static image projected onto the TV screen, pursed his lips, reconnected the robot, and turned to ask Ai Haibara a question.

"I've finished watching the politically correct channel, so I'm changing the channel now."

"..."

Ai Haibara, who was initially moved by the fact that two people who loved each other were able to be together in the face of death, is now unable to feel any emotion.

What does it mean to have a broken disc? What does it mean to be on a politically correct channel? You've ruined the whole atmosphere in one go, haven't you?

"What's wrong? Have you become addicted to romance novels?"

Seeing Ai Haibara's unhappy, drooping face, Qi Ming temporarily disconnected his view and bent over to curiously examine Ai Haibara's expression.

However, the two are like the same magnetic poles; the moment their faces meet, one of them will always turn their face away.

"Come here, let your brother give you a hug."

However, Qi Ming didn't care about the repulsion and attraction between them. With a gasp from Ai Haibara, he rushed over and picked her up.

"What are you doing!"

Feeling the softness in his arms, Qi Ming laughed shamelessly.

"It's been a long time since I've provided you with emotional support, so what's wrong with giving me a hug?"

A faint blush spread across Ai Haibara's face, and her stiff body softened again, ceasing its struggle. Her head naturally rested in Qi Ming's arms, quietly enjoying the warmth of the moment.

Although this peace did not last long, it was broken by a cry of surprise.

"What is that?! My face! Help! Is anyone there?!"

Hattori Heiji's exclamations echoed from the television, prompting the two to look at the screen in confusion.

The first-person perspective on the screen looked a bit strange, with the camera pressed tightly against Hattori Heiji's face, showing a terrified expression.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know, maybe it's possessed by an evil spirit?"

Qi Ming replied, and in a moment he understood why Hattori Heiji had done this.

He had only severed the visual connection with the crew cut-off haircut, but control was still actually maintained.

Just as he picked up Ai Haibara, perhaps triggering a reaction from the crew-cut guy, the robot also wrapped tightly around Heiji's face like a facehugger.

"Kudo! Uncle, Inspector Nakamori, is anyone there?!"

Hattori Heiji's loud shouts finally attracted the attention of the others, who all came running at the sound.

However, all they could see was Hattori Heiji lying on the ground, scratching at the air and yelling.

"Hattori, what's wrong?"

Catching sight of a few people walking out of the passage, Hattori Heiji quickly called out.

"There's something invisible wrapped around my face, please come and help me peel it off."

"..."

Everyone stared at Hattori Heiji, their pupils contracting, and a trace of sadness appeared in their eyes simultaneously.

First it was Kaito Kuroba, and now it's Heiji Hattori. I didn't expect this virus to spread so quickly.

Seeing Hattori Heiji lying on the ground still waving his hands, Conan felt a pang of unease.

"Hattori, there's nothing on your face, it's an illusion."

Conan strode over to Heiji Hattori's side, speaking softly.

"I've seen similar methods in related books before. Don't panic, just do as I tell you in a moment."

"no!"

Hattori Heiji is now truly on the verge of tears.

"I really do have something wrapped around my face, it's not a hallucination!"

However, upon hearing what Hattori Heiji said, Conan's pain deepened even further.

"Hattori, I'm begging you, please calm down and don't say anything."

"..."

Heiji Hattori was stunned, but he quickly recovered and spoke to Conan.

"If you don't believe me, tap the air above me and see if there's something invisible there."

Conan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. No matter what, he would do as instructed.

Unless Hattori Heiji proves it's a hallucination, he probably won't wake up again.

Conan crouched down and slowly reached out to touch Heiji Hattori's face, but the moment Conan reached out, Heiji Hattori suddenly felt the pressure on his face disappear instantly.

Then, Conan successfully touched Heiji Hattori's cheek.

"Hattori, did you see that? There's really nothing on your face."

"...No, that's not right. There was definitely something on my face just now, I'm sure of it!"

Hattori Heiji quickly sat up, his hands frantically searching his face, but this time he couldn't find anything unusual.

Although Conan trusted that Heiji Hattori wouldn't speak carelessly, the current situation was special, and with everyone infected with the virus, any symptoms could appear.

Heiji Hattori picked up his phone and switched to the front-facing camera. When he noticed the two long red marks on his cheeks, he excitedly shouted to Conan.

"Hey wait a minute, look at this red mark on my face, that's what that invisible thing pressed on my face!"

"Red markings?"

Conan paused, then looked at Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki, who had also been drawn over by the earlier shout.

They had just noticed that two large red patches had inexplicably appeared on their arms.

"Hattori, the red spots are a symptom of a virus. You really didn't see anything just now."

Conan placed his hands on Heiji's shoulders and said with a serious expression.

"Promise me you need to rest now. Go back to your room and get some sleep right now, okay?"

"..."

Seeing Conan's serious expression, Hattori Heiji silently lowered his head.

Was I really hallucinating just now?

But it doesn't make sense. Unlike the first time when everyone was infected with the virus and experienced hallucinations, this time it feels far too real.

Could it be that he won't survive tonight either?

"……I see."

Hattori Heiji stood up and silently walked towards the corridor leading to the guest rooms.

However, after walking only a few steps, he suddenly tripped and fell to the ground.

"Kudo, did you see that? Something tripped me up!"

"..."

Before Conan could reply, Heiji Hattori understood what Conan meant just by looking at him.

Now I realize that no matter what I say, the other person will think it's just a delusion caused by being too deeply poisoned.

Heiji Hattori didn't explain any further and reached out to touch the ground where he had just fallen.

Nothing at all.

"..."

Conan clenched his fists, a deep despair flashing in his eyes.

Is there really no other way? Are the people on this ship truly in dire straits?

"..."

Ran Mouri watched Conan's retreating figure, her hands clenched tightly.

She sensed a deep sense of powerlessness in her childhood sweetheart.

Ran Mouri walked over to Conan, knelt down, and hugged him tightly.

"Shinichi, don't be sad."

"..."

Conan was momentarily immersed in the sorrow of being a detective powerless, and it took him a while to realize what Ran Mouri had said.

What did Xiaolan call me?

Shinichi?