Sunday, June 15
At 2:00 p.m., guests gathered outside Milan Church, where several long Western-style banquet tables were adorned with food arrangements and champagne towers. Everyone chatted happily about the wedding.
Inside the bride's dressing room, today's star, Sayuri Matsumoto, had just changed into her wedding gown and was welcoming relatives and friends.
"Congratulations on your wedding, Sayuri-sensei."
"Wow~ Thank you!"
"Such a beautiful dress, Sayuri!"
"Of course, I chose it very carefully."
"Congratulations, Miss Sayuri."
A handheld camera captured every moment of joy and celebration from the guests.
Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki, acting as volunteer photographers, were operating the camera excitedly, determined to record precious memories for their beloved junior high school teacher.
Until...
"You look stunning today, Miss Sayuri."
"Yoshiki is here too!"
Sayuri Matsumoto lit up with a smile."It's been so long—you've grown into quite the gentleman."
"It really has been a while."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled warmly, then turned to Ran and Sonoko, who looked equally surprised.
"Ran, Sonoko, you're here too."
"Oh? You all know each other?" Sayuri blinked in surprise.
"Yes, teacher, Yoshiki is my mom's nephew," Ran explained.Sonoko, delighted: "So Yoshiki-kun was also Sayuri-sensei's student?"
"I attended Teitan Junior High, after all."Yoshiki's tone was casual.
He had been invited to the wedding today.Sayuri Matsumoto, a music teacher at Teitan Junior High, was known for her beauty, kindness, and cheerful spirit. It was no wonder many of her former students came to celebrate her big day.
"When I first started teaching, Yoshiki-kun was in my class."Sayuri smiled at Sonoko, who seemed fascinated.
"You probably wouldn't guess now, but back then—"Sayuri gave a mischievous glance to Hayashi."Mind if I share, Yoshiki-kun?"
"You're teasing me, teacher! You're not allowed to be mean after getting married," Ran chimed in playfully.
"I don't mind," Yoshiki replied with a calm smile."It's nothing shameful."
"Not shameful, huh?" Sayuri giggled."Do you know how shocked we teachers were? Rumor had it that every troublemaker in school treated him like their leader."
"Huh?""Troublemaker?""Seriously?"
"I thought there was another boy with the same name causing all the problems."
(...Is this some shoujo manga protagonist backstory or what?)Conan, standing nearby, couldn't help but mentally comment.
"So Conan's here too?"
Only now did Yoshiki notice the little detective. No wonder the kid always appeared near crime scenes.
"Hey there, Brother Yoshiki."Conan raised his face with an innocent smile."I saw your name in the papers the other day—about that library case. You solved it all in one go?"
"Not exactly," Yoshiki smiled."Your comment about the elevator being overloaded helped a lot."
Though brief, the acknowledgment humbled Conan—he'd been present and missed a key point. He had to admit: Hayashi Yoshiki's deductions were more efficient than his.
But he wouldn't give up.
"…"Seeing the boy's suddenly fiery eyes, Yoshiki inwardly sighed:A new case is definitely about to unfold.
Which reminded him—Gin was still complaining about his popularity slipping lately.
"So Brother Yoshiki was once friends with school delinquents?" Ran asked, puzzled.
"Not quite. It was more for convenience."
"Convenience?"
"Teenagers get strange ideas. There were always some trying to mess with me... so I gathered them together."
Yoshiki's smile made it sound like a fond memory.
Gathered them together?What was he, a gang leader? Pokémon trainer?
The girls were both amused and a little stunned.This glimpse of Yoshiki's past added a new layer to his image.
"Some of your former students asked about you just now," Sayuri teased."If you're single, I could help set you up."
Still in her wedding gown, she nudged him with her elbow.
"I am single right now," Yoshiki admitted with ease."But I'd like to ask first—are any of them prettier than Sayuri-sensei?"
"Oh, come on. I'm the bride today!"
"Naturally. Today, Sayuri-sensei is the most beautiful woman here. When I watch a movie, my attention's always on the heroine."
"Yoshiki-kun, those words are dangerously smooth." Sayuri raised an eyebrow."Unfortunately, I already belong to someone else."
"That's alright."Yoshiki smirked."I'm just sweet-talking. You're not in my heart."