Ke Xue: I picked up a bottle of sherry at the beginning.

Reiko Akiba opened the door and invited Baiquan Yi in.

"Officer Bai, please take a seat. What would you like to drink?"

"Give me a glass of water."

Reiko Akiba poured a cup of hot water for Baiquanyi.

"Thank you."

"I wonder what you want to ask me? Or do you suspect that I am the murderer?"

"A woman as outstanding as Akiba Reiko certainly couldn't be the murderer." Shiraizumi Masu tried to ease the atmosphere. "I'd like to confirm with you that Ms. Kawabe Souko, who was injured and hospitalized in the Domoto Conservatory of Music bombing, emailed you on the day of the explosion, saying she was going to hear Mr. Mizuguchi and Mr. Rensei, who died in the explosion, perform. She would share her thoughts with you then.

And on the eve of the explosion, she sent you another email, saying that it was impossible to work with a group of outsiders who didn't understand the difference in sound...

What was your relationship like with her before this? Did you keep in touch often?

"We haven't been in touch often. Even though she strongly recommended me to perform at the concert hall for the first time," Akiba Reiko glanced at Shiraizumi Masu, "but our contact is actually very rare."

"So, we were classmates who graduated from Domoto Academy together. We were on good terms, but not particularly close... We were just average friends, right?"

Reiko Akita nodded.

"Then what is your relationship with Mr. Mizuguchi and Mr. Rensei who died in the explosion? Have you ever had any intersection with them?" Baiquan Yi looked at Akiba Reiko in confusion and asked.

Akita Reiko took a deep breath and said, "I used to hate those two people so much that I wished they would die immediately!"

She sighed and continued, "Three years ago in January, they and others got my then-teetotal fiancé drunk at a party. He subsequently fell off a cliff. I did resent them, but my favorite song is about forgiveness, and listening to it calms me down. Later, I thought about it and decided to forget the disgust and hatred. Time is so short, so why bother hardship on myself?"

"Three years ago, was Miss Kawabe Zouko one of them?" Baiquanyi asked seriously.

"No," Akiba Reiko shook her head. "The remaining two people, although both are graduates of the Domoto Music Academy, have nothing to do with Miss Kawabe Souko. Miss Kawabe Souko is a proud person, and it's only because we both have absolute pitch that she's been in contact with me more often. I'm completely unaware of the bombing, and as for whether it's related to what happened three years ago, I'm not sure. I just paid special attention to those two names."

Bai Quanyi thought for a moment and said, "It seems that the explosion may not be related to what happened three years ago. At least, we can't tell for now..."

Akita Reiko said, "Sure enough, Officer Bai is suspicious of me."

Bai Quanyi said: "No, Miss Qiu Ting must not be the murderer, that's why she openly told the reason. I believe Miss Qiu Ting.

However, since Miss Kawabe Zouko was only injured while the two men died, it is indeed intriguing.

I know you have a performance soon, and I will organize your testimony. After that, no detectives should bother you again, and I will try not to affect Miss Qiu Ting's condition."

"After this incident, my state has been affected," Akita Reiko raised her hand to her forehead and smiled helplessly. "Although I won't lose my performance because of this, I can't stop thinking about what happened three years ago, and I can't feel good..."

"Is it because you're still missing your deceased fiancé that Ms. Akita hasn't tried to start another relationship?"

"...You know quite a lot about me." Akiba Reiko now completely believed that Shiraizumi Mashi was her fan. Having such an excellent fan was something to be proud of. "That's indeed part of the reason."

"Excuse me for adding one more thing, Miss Akiba's fiancé has passed away three years ago. You should get out of this shadow... Your fiancé wouldn't want you to be like this now, right?" Baiquan Yi said seriously.

The corners of Akita Reiko's lips curled up: "Officer Bai, can I tell what you are hinting at me?"

"Haha... I do have a crush on Miss Qiu Ting. After all, I'm your fan." Bai Quanyi admitted openly, "It's been three years since the incident. It's time for Miss Qiu Ting to let it go. One must always move on."

Akita Reiko curled her lips and said, "I know... He's obviously younger than me, but he acts like a life mentor."

Bai Quanyi said awkwardly: "Anyway, thank you Miss Qiu Ting for your cooperation."

Akita Reiko said politely, "I should be the one to say thank you. I feel much better after talking to you."

"Well, I'll take my leave then."

"Yeah. Goodbye."

30. Amazing Grace

At the invitation of Suzuki Sonoko, Shiraizumi Masu brought Ai to attend the opening ceremony of the Domoto Music Hall.

Also invited were Professor Agasa, the Mori family, and a few kids from the Junior Detective League.

Over the weekend, a group of people came early to watch the practice. Because the Suzuki Foundation was part of the funder of the construction of the music hall, they were able to come in and watch the practice.

I have to say, it’s really great to make friends with a rich person like Suzuki Sonoko.

Shiraizumi Masu sat and listened to the music. Although he had no advanced knowledge of music, he could still feel the shocking power of Domoto Issei's performance.

"It's amazing, worthy of being called Domoto Issei." After the organ performance ended, Maori Kogoro said,

Bai Quanyi tilted his head to look over and thought to himself, "Uncle Maori, do you really understand?"

"I've seen that person on TV." Mao Lilan pointed at one of them, "The one with glasses."

"That's Mr. Fuwa Takumi. He has always been Mr. Domoto's tuner. He has absolute pitch and is also the director of the Domoto Music Museum this time." Sonoko said.

Bai Quanyi looked over and saw another person next to him.

Sonoko continued, "The German facing us is Hans Müller, an organ tuner. Don't be fooled by his cheerful smile; he and Mr. Domoto worked together for a long time. The interpreter next to him is Mr. Domoto's son, the pianist Xian Ye, who is in charge of this concert."

Sonoko said, then turned to the two women beside her, "They are both disciples of Mr. Domoto. The one on the right is Chigusa Lala, a soprano singer who graduated from the ninth class of the Domoto Music Academy. And then there's the one on the left, the somewhat neurotic violinist, Yamane Shion, who also graduated from the Domoto Music Academy, a year older than Ms. Chigusa."

"She is the replacement for Miss Kawabe Souko who was accidentally injured in the explosion, right?" Dr. Agasa said after hearing what Sonoko said.

"That's right," Sonoko replied immediately. "At the time of the accident, Ms. Kawabe's Stradivarius happened to be in for adjustments and survived, so she lent it to Ms. Yamane to play."

Baiquan Yi shifted his gaze to the violin in Yamane Shion's hand.

"Hey, the people sitting in the first row are..." Sonoko was about to continue when she was interrupted by Xiaolan.

"It must be the soprano Miss Akiba Reiko," said Xiaolan.

"No wonder you know her, she's very famous," said Sonoko.

Reiko Akiba, who was sitting in the first row, was looking at the music sheet seriously. She looked so quiet and beautiful.

Bai Quanyi looked at her, and he was amazed every time he saw her.

The rehearsal began, and the piece was "Amazing Grace." Yamane Shion walked to the center of the stage, holding a Stradivarius violin. Akiba Reiko stood up and looked at Yamane Shion, "You don't look like you're in the right shape to perform with me."

"Yes, sorry, please wait a moment." Domoto spoke on behalf of his disciple.

"I'm sorry." Yamane Shion bowed slightly and apologized.

Reiko Akita let out a breath, seemingly suppressing her annoyance, and then sat down again.

Then, a sharp sound was heard, and the strings of the Stradivari violin broke. Yamane Shion immediately apologized and went to change the strings.

Akita Reiko couldn't help but complain: "Really? Do I still have a chance to practice today?"

At this time, Maori Kogoro turned his head and asked Shiraizumi Masu: "Shiraizumi Masu, does the police have any clues about the suspect in the bomb case?"

"I have no clue yet. The current investigation is not very in-depth." Bai Quanyi replied.

"Did the criminal really use a plastic bomb?" Kogoro Mouri asked.

"Ah, we also found a timer. It seems to be set to detonate when the two of them are practicing." Bai Quanyi said.

"So this case is indeed..." Kogoro Mouri was a little shocked after hearing what Shiraizumi Masu said.

"I'm very sorry, Uncle Maori, I can't reveal the progress of the investigation in public. Especially in front of children."

Kogoro Mouri looked to the side and saw the little kids who came with him staring at him with curiosity.

Maori Kogoro couldn't help but complain: "Really, it's these little brats again."

……

After the rehearsal, it was Gen Domoto who received everyone. He took everyone to the front to take a close look at the organ that was shipped back from Germany. The children showed great interest in it, and the doctor took the opportunity to ask a puzzle.

On the stage, Dr. Agasa smiled brightly and said, "Okay, now I'll give you the riddle you've all been waiting for!"

Conan was speechless. No one was expecting this...

Dr. Agasa smiled and asked, "A certain opera singer had a throat injury and was waiting for surgery, but later gave up the surgery and relied on the pills he got from the old man to heal it. So, which of the following opera singers was that? 1. Soprano. 2. Alto. 3. Tenor. 4. Bass."

Just as the others were about to think, Bai Quanyi spoke.

"soprano."

Dr. Agasa laughed dryly: "Even if I know, I still have to wait for everyone."

"So the correct answer is soprano?" Mitsuhiko asked in confusion.

Ayumi looked puzzled, "Why?"

Bai Quanyi said, "Opera is called Opera, and surgery is abbreviated as Ope. Opera singers give up surgery, which means that the Ope is removed from the Opera, leaving only ra. And pills refer to medicine that is rolled into small round granules..."

"I see. Grandpa's little pill can be called 'Grandfather's little round,' and if you combine it with 'ra', it becomes Soprano," Akita Reiko laughed out loud and commented bluntly, "Boring."

Dr. Agasa's eyes half-mooned, "I'm talking to you guys..."

Akita Reiko smiled softly at Shirazumi. She felt that the constant encounters with Shirazumi these days had left a deeper impression on her. She pulled out a thermos from her bag and poured some throat-soothing tea into it.

"What is this?" Genta jumped off the stage and curiously looked at the lid of the thermos cup in Akiba Reiko's hand. "Is it some delicious drink?"

Reiko Akiba looked up at Genta, then lowered her head to drink her tea. "It's just tea."

"Can you give me some to try?" Yuan Tai asked expectantly.

"No." Reiko Akita refused decisively.

"Oh..." Yuan Tai looked disappointed.

Mitsuhiko got off the stage and asked curiously, "Is there anything in this that's good for the throat?"

Ayumi said happily, "If there is such tea, after we drink it, won't we be able to win first place in the choir competition?"

"This tea is indeed soothing for the throat," Bai Quanyi said, "but it contains more caffeine than black tea. If children drink it, they will be too excited to sleep at night."

"So that's how it is," Mitsuhiko looked at Reiko Akiba who was drinking tea calmly, "That's why Miss Akiba didn't let Genta drink."

"By the way, can you please come over and teach us to sing?" Mitsuhiko seemed to have come up with a good idea, but Genta had not forgotten the resentment of being refused tea just now, so he was still staring at the thermos cup put away by Reiko Akiba.

"What?" Before Reiko Akiba could recover from their previous topic, the kids changed the subject.

"If possible, maybe we can get first place." Ayumi obviously also thought of this benefit.

"Are you talking about 'Ninth'? I hate this song the most." Reiko Akita said a little unbearably.

"No, it's a song about a carpenter (pronounced the same as the ninth in Japanese), and it's the school song of Teitan Elementary School." Genta folded his arms and looked sideways at the sitting Akiba Reiko.

Akiba Reiko looked a little stunned, as if a little surprised, and then she returned to her original expression, "Okay, I promise you, after all, I also graduated from Teitan Elementary School."

"That's great." The children cheered.

"But you should leave." Akita Reiko stood up and poured a bucket of cold water on them. "You will only be a hindrance here."

"Yes." The children immediately forgot their joy and became dejected.

31. I will protect you, Miss Akiba!

"Bai Quanyi." Xiaolan's voice sounded beside him. Bai Quanyi turned his head and looked over. Xiaolan was looking at her from below and said, "I'm leaving."

Bai Quanyi turned around and walked off the stage, leaving the performance hall with Xiaolan and the others.

"We are very happy that she agreed to teach us." Mitsuhiko and the others were walking in front and talking.

"That aunt gives people a very bad impression." Genta still hasn't forgotten Reiko Akiba's rejection.

"That's right." Ayumi also agreed with what Genta said.

"In my opinion, she is a typical queen type." Haibara Ai also joined the judging, but because she and Conan were behind, the three people in front did not hear what Haibara Ai said.

"Yeah. I think she looks a bit like you." Conan followed Huiyuan Ai and naturally did not miss Huiyuan Ai's words. After hearing Conan's words, Huiyuan Ai immediately gave Conan a threatening look. Conan quickly changed his words, "Ah, no, it's because she is very beautiful."

"I really don't understand Miss Akiba." Sonoko also brought up the topic later, "Is she malicious or kind-hearted?"

"But maybe she kicked us out because she was worried about Miss Shion's nervousness." Xiaolan continued Sonoko's words, "What do you think, Bai Jun?"

Bai Quanyi nodded in agreement, "I think Miss Qiu Ting is a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She is obviously very busy, but she is willing to take time out to help the children practice singing."

After hearing Bai Quanyi's words, everyone felt the same way.

……

Because of Ai's singing rehearsal, Shiraizumi Mashi came to the training room of Teitan Elementary School, and Akiba Reiko also came as promised.

Reiko Akiba was in charge of guidance, Xiaolan was responsible for playing the piano accompaniment, and the children went on stage to practice.

Shiraizumi Masu and Sonoko watched from the side.

Before we knew it, a round of drills was over.

"Ms. Akiba, what do you think of their singing?" Xiaolan stopped playing the piano and turned to look at Reiko Akiba who was standing in front of the window looking out.