Multiple choice system: Conan World

"The call has arrived."

Sera Masumi whispered to Conan, then took out the bowtie voice changer and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

Sera Masumi spoke on the phone, using the voice of Koizumi Kunio.

She held the phone receiver between her ear and shoulder while simultaneously pressing the communication button on the Junior Detective League badge with one hand, ensuring Conan could hear the entire conversation.

"The deadline is up. Have the procedures been completed?"

A woman's voice came from the other end of the line.

"It's done," Sera Masumi replied.

"Oh."

The woman laughed sarcastically and continued with a slightly mocking tone:

"Didn't you say last time that it couldn't be completed within the deadline? I only gave you a two-day extension this time. So how did you manage to finish it all at once?"

Sera Masumi was briefly surprised but quickly composed herself. She replied, "Don't you know why?"

"You went ahead and killed Kawasaki before our procedures were even completed. Do you know how many guests check in here daily? What if I get caught?"

Sera Masumi deliberately adjusted her tone, making it sound irritated.

Based on her interactions with Koizumi Kunio, she believed this was how he would react in such a situation.

Kunio Koizumi, the owner of the hot spring hotel, had previously shown indifference even after dismembering his friends.

After the incident was exposed, he had even taken full responsibility for all crimes to protect his family.

This made it clear to Sera Masumi that Koizumi Kunio was not someone to be easily intimidated.

Someone with Kunio Koizumi's personality would undoubtedly feel anger after his friend was brutally murdered and after being ridiculed for his sudden efficiency in software development.

"This is the punishment for breaking our agreement."

The woman's tone remained unchanged, unaffected by Sera Masumi's feigned anger.

"You must place your computer in parking space A-24 on the first-floor parking lot of the Jingshui Hot Spring Hotel, next to Kosen-an, before 2:00 a.m.," the woman instructed.

Hearing this, Sera Masumi felt a small sense of relief.

'Since the caller followed the original plan, it means they don't know Koizumi Kunio was arrested and taken to the station after dismembering the body.'

'They have only contacted "Koizumi Kunio" unilaterally so far, so the first-floor parking lot of the Jingshui Hot Spring Hotel must be the final delivery point.'

'The culprit must be watching the parking lot from a hidden vantage point. That narrows their location.'

---

Sera Masumi had been concerned that the suspect might avoid contacting the hotel room phone and instead use Kunio Koizumi's mobile phone for instructions.

Since hotel phones cannot be carried around, unlike a kidnapper giving shifting directions, it was a relief.

Sera Masumi had also imagined another scenario:

The suspect might order "Koizumi Kunio" to leave the hotel alone, sneaking inside to steal the computer during his absence.

This would expose Kunio Koizumi's absence at Kosen-an but still grant them possession of the computer, which gives them the advantage.

Unfortunately, it seemed the suspect anticipated this.

"Are you going to kill me after I hand over the computer? Just like you killed Kawasaki?"

Sera Masumi pressed further.

"You can choose not to come," the woman replied before abruptly hanging up.

---

After hanging up the phone, Sera Masumi released the communication button on the badge.

'It seems the suspect is convinced that Koizumi Kunio won't defy their orders for the sake of his family.'

As she thought this, she heard a subtle sound from the badge on her neck.

"Miss Sera, if I move about 200 meters from my current position, I'll have a clear view of the Jingshui Hot Spring Hotel's parking lot."

"There's still over half an hour until 2:00 a.m. You can wait until the last minute to leave."

"Alright. Stay safe," Sera Masumi instructed before packing the computer into her bag.

She kept her phone in hand, frequently checking the time and awaiting Conan's update.

---

'Typically, Kosen-an's room phones are internal, allowing only in-hotel communication.

But Koizumi Kunio's room isn't a regular guest room. Calls can be made to his room from outside if the number is known.'

'The police could possibly trace the caller's location, but that would increase the risk of exposure.'

Sera Masumi still harbored some concerns about the Kanagawa Prefecture Police's capability.

---

Fifteen minutes later, she checked with Conan for updates.

Unfortunately, Conan still hadn't found any leads.

"It seems we'll have to bring the computer to lure the suspect out," Sera Masumi concluded.

She grabbed her bag, stood up, and headed for the door.

---

The moment she stepped out of the room, her ears caught a faint sound behind her.

A sudden sense of danger surged through her.

She instinctively bent her knees and dropped her body low, just as a silver dagger slashed through the air above her head.

A strand of her black hair floated gently to the ground.

If she had reacted just half a second later, the dagger could have severed her vertebral artery or damaged her spinal cord, putting her life in danger.

---

Sera Masumi's reflexes were exceptionally sharp.

After dodging the dagger, she exploited the attacker's opening.

Her left hand struck the inner side of the assailant's arm, hitting the ulnar nerve with precision.

This caused intense pain and numbness, impairing the attacker's motor and sensory functions.

---

Hiss—

A sharp gasp escaped the attacker's lips.

Before they could recover, Sera Masumi grabbed their right wrist—the one holding the dagger.

She applied a sudden burst of force to the radial styloid process of their wrist.

Click.

The dagger slipped from their grasp.

---

A strand of jet-black hair drifted to the ground.

But the dagger, instead of hitting the floor with a clatter, was caught mid-fall by Sera Masumi's extended left foot.

She kicked the dagger into the air, caught it with her left hand, and maintained a firm grip on the attacker's wrist with her right.

---

She raised her eyes to meet the gaze of her assailant.

Though most of their face was obscured, Sera Masumi noticed a distinctive swallowtail butterfly tattoo around the attacker's exposed left eye.

(End of Chapter)