After hanging up the phone, a smile appeared on Keisuke Kumiko's lips.
"Finally, they've returned the 10-million-yen case to me."
"Oh, it looks like Miss Koshimizu is calling."
Although lawyers are generally high earners, securing a commission of that amount is not an easy task.
"She ended up killing someone," Ai sighed regretfully.
"Alright, stop sighing. It's time to go."
Keisuke called Ai, and the two first took the tram back to the law office to drop off their shopping bags. Then, they took the subway and walked to the designated Tokyo Detention Center.
After speaking with the officer on duty at the detention center, they were led to the visitation room.
After a short wait, Nanatsuki Koshimizu was brought in on the other side by the police.
She had short brown hair and was still dressed like a boy, but unlike when they first met, her face was now freer and more relaxed, without the bitterness and hatred from before. There was a calmness in her green eyes.
"Attorney Kumiko, just as we agreed, I asked you to come see me," Nanatsuki Koshimizu said with a smile.
"Oh? You look quite happy," Keisuke glanced her up and down. "Why? Does this situation make you feel comfortable?"
"Not comfortable, but revenge feels satisfying."
Koshimizu Nanatsuki placed her hands behind her head, looking pleased, as if she had avenged herself.
Keisuke nodded and pulled a document from his briefcase.
"Alright then, let's sign the contract."
The document outlined various aspects of the case, with the commission fee and compensation totaling 10 million yen, not including additional expenses.
Nanatsuki Koshimizu took the document, grabbed a pen, and signed her name without even glancing at it.
Keisuke Kumiko raised an eyebrow. "That was quick. Aren't you afraid I might have put some kind of trap in the contract?"
The girl shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It'd be great if you could get me out. If not, then don't bother."
"Fair enough," Keisuke Kumiko said with satisfaction.
He liked clients like this—those who never hesitated to pay, unlike the ones who always wavered.
"Now, tell me every detail of what you did."
"Alright," Nanatsuki Koshimizu began slowly.
After leaving Keisuke Kumiko's office that day, she started planning.
Under the name of Nichimi TV, she claimed to be hosting a Detective Koshien event, inviting three detectives from different parts of Japan—Hattori Heiji (West), Hakuba Tantei (East), and Tokitsu Junya (North)—along with herself, representing the South. A primary school student, Edogawa Conan, also joined them.
She invited the detectives to an uninhabited island, along with Hiroo Tsuchio and Renzo Kotani, who served as staff and housekeepers. These two were also connected to the Lavender Villa case from the past.
On the island, after their investigations, they uncovered the true culprit who had disguised a suicide as a murder—Tokitsu Junya, the representative from the North.
By removing the door frame and screws to create a secret room, she killed Tokitsu Junya with a hammer and then fled the scene.
Each detective identified a different suspect, but in the end, it was Edogawa Conan who correctly pointed her out.
After leaving the island, she was arrested by the police and taken to the Tokyo Detention Center, awaiting prosecution and sentencing.
"I can't forgive those two bastards! Damn it, I wish I had killed that guy too!"
As she gave her statement, the carefree expression on Nanatsuki Koshimizu's face was replaced by hatred and a hint of regret.
"I've figured it all out," she continued. "A year ago, the butler, Renzo Kotani, was behind everything! He bribed Tokitsu Junya! He said he wanted to protect the lady's reputation, so he hired a detective to go to the police station and accuse the so-called suicide victim of being murdered—"
"Stop!"
Koshimizu Nanatsuki tried to continue, but Kumimon interrupted, raising a finger.
"I'm not interested in the injustice you mentioned," Keisuke Kumiko said, shaking his finger gently.
"Just tell me what happened while you were working on this case. I don't want to hear any more nonsense."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Nanatsuki Koshimizu was stunned.
She stared at Keisuke Kumiko's face, noticing a strange look in his eyes and a faint smile.
"Mr. Kumiko, you're really different from others. Honestly, this is the first time I've met a lawyer like you."
"And this is the first time I've met a detective like you," Keisuke replied casually.
A pause.
"Miss Koshimizu, I have some very important questions for you now."
Koshimizu Nanatsuki nodded. "Go ahead."
"First, was there any surveillance equipment at the scene?"
"No."
"Second, did any of the detectives present have recording devices?"
"Probably not. I set rules and conducted inspections before heading to the island."
"Third, did you have a phone or camera capable of taking pictures? Was there any cell signal?"
"None of that. There's no signal on an uninhabited island."
"Good."
Keisuke nodded in satisfaction.
Ai, who had been listening, thought for a moment and said, "In other words, there's no direct physical evidence—only eyewitness testimony."
"Smart," Keisuke Kumiko grinned, patting her head.
"You've learned a lot from following me all this time, Doraemon. Keep up the good work."
Ai rolled her eyes and swatted his hand away.
"Lawyer, you seem so confident. That means you think you have a chance of winning, right?"
Nanatsuki Koshimizu smiled. She was smart enough to analyze the situation from Kumimon's expression.
"Of course."
A smile appeared on Keisuke Kumiko's lips.
Without direct physical evidence, this case would be as easy for him as a bank robbing its customers.
Keisuke then asked Nanatsuki Koshimizu for more details.
The conversation lasted for over an hour.
"This information is very useful, Miss Koshimizu. Just stay here and enjoy your limited time at the detention center!"
Keisuke Kumiko packed up and was about to leave.
However, at that moment, something suddenly came to his mind, and he sat back down.
"Just to be sure, I have one more question for you."
"Alright, go ahead."
"Are you absolutely sure you killed someone?"
"What do you mean?" Koshimizu Nanatsuki frowned.
"I mean, is it possible that you didn't actually kill anyone, but just thought you did?"
"Huh?" She was stunned.
"Doesn't it seem strange?" Keisuke Kumiko continued. "Renzo Kotani, the butler of a villa, a man who treats his lady's reputation as sacred, would abandon his estate and rush to a deserted island just because of a letter from you, to play detective games with you?"
"Are you saying…?"
Koshimizu Nanatsuki's face changed dramatically as if she had suddenly realized something.
"Of course, this is just my hypothesis," Keisuke Kumiko said.
After all, this was the real world.
He wasn't familiar with the anime's plot. Maybe in reality, the culprit wasn't the same as in the original story.
For example, Miho Nishitani's case could have been planned by Miss Nishitani herself.
In the real world, there were many uncertainties.
(End of Chapter)