**Chapter 88: Sodium Hydroxide Poisoning**

Just as Sayuri Matsumoto was about to remove the ribbon from the straw, Ran suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no, the DV camcorder is about to run out of battery!"

"It seems there's an electronics store nearby. Wait for me, I'll be right back!"

With that, Ran placed the camcorder on a stool facing Sayuri and ran out.

"What's this!"

Sonoko complained, putting her lemon tea next to Sayuri's and chasing after Ran.

'Really, can't even check the battery before leaving?' Conan thought to himself, annoyed.

"Indeed, you look a lot like Shinichi Kudo, little boy."

Sayuri, who was squatting down, suddenly removed Conan's glasses and commented while playing with his face. "Because that Shinichi Kudo really resembles my first love."

Then, Sayuri began to recount her past.

A long time ago, she had a childhood friend. Although it was a fleeting relationship, that boy had captured her heart deeply.

Whenever she was bullied, that boy would come to her rescue and would even steal lemon tea from his family store for her to drink.

That's why she still drinks this "junk drink" lemon tea, because it fills her with courage.

She picked up one of the two cans of lemon tea on the table, the one Sonoko had messily placed there earlier.

Just as Conan and Fujino were about to inquire further, a commotion ensued, and a man in a white suit was pushed in.

The man in the white suit was named Toshihiko Takasugi.

Upon entering the room, Takasugi immediately saw the lemon tea in Sayuri's hand, snatched it, and turned around complaining, "Why are you still drinking this cheap stuff?"

Sayuri's face fell as she stood beside Fujino and Conan, seemingly upset by what she had just witnessed.

"Whether something is cheap or not depends on the heart," Fujino said meaningfully. "Some lemon tea, even if put in a fancy cup, tastes no different from canned lemon tea. It's not clear what makes it so special."

"What do you mean by that?"

Takasugi frowned at Fujino's words. Being an adopted heir of the Takasugi family from an ordinary family, the comment struck a nerve.

"Nothing, I'm just talking about lemon tea."

Fujino took a sip of his oolong tea.

"Ah! Isn't that the heir of the Takasugi conglomerate?"

Ran and Sonoko returned just then, Ran holding a shopping bag with snacks for Conan and a new battery for the camcorder.

"Sonoko, do you know him?"

Ran asked, surprised.

"Of course, we often see each other at parties."

Sonoko whispered to Ran, "He's indecisive and unreliable. Everyone in our circle says the Takasugi family will be ruined by him..."

Before Sonoko could finish, there was a loud noise.

Turning to look, they saw two people kissing.

"With the teacher here, it should be okay..."

"Yeah..."

Blushing, Conan, Sonoko, and Ran felt embarrassed watching the two kiss.

But Fujino, unlike the others, narrowed his eyes and silently observed the couple.

"The wedding is about to begin."

The master of ceremonies suddenly came to inform them, and just as they were about to leave, Sayuri told Toshihiko, "You can go ahead without me," and stayed in the room.

A moment later.

"I still have something to discuss with Ms. Sayuri."

As they were leaving, Fujino called back and returned to the room.

Upon opening the door, he saw Sayuri drink the lemon tea and then collapse to the floor.

"Are you okay?"

Fujino rushed to her side to support her.

"Fujino..."

Sayuri managed to say before vomiting blood and losing consciousness.

Seeing the blood staining his sleeve, Fujino's expression grew serious.

He quickly pulled out a large bottle of vinegar from his bag and poured it into Sayuri's mouth.

The can on the floor was partially corroded, but the plastic straw remained intact, indicating the presence of sodium hydroxide, a strong alkaline substance.

Household-grade sodium hydroxide is not typically fatal in small doses, but industrial-grade can kill with just two grams.

After pouring in a bottle of vinegar, Fujino still felt it wasn't enough and took out a bottle of milk, forcing it into her mouth.

If basic medical knowledge was correct, strong alkali burns the esophagus and stomach upon ingestion.

Since Sayuri had used a straw, the alkali hadn't corroded her mouth but went straight to her stomach, causing sudden vomiting and shock.

At this moment, pouring a large amount of acidic substance to neutralize it and then consuming something with protein to protect the esophagus and stomach was necessary to mitigate the alkali's toxicity.

[Detected that the host is performing emergency rescue, system increases emergency rescue effectiveness by 50%]

[Detected that the host successfully rescued a near-death patient, system rewards 100 points in doctor proficiency]

[Doctor proficiency upgraded! Current level: Intermediate! One skill point available]

"Enhance 'White Coat Angel'!"

[Enhancement complete!]

[Emergency rescue effectiveness increased by 100%, effects stacked]

As the system's voice echoed, Fujino checked Sayuri's breathing.

Seeing that her breathing and pulse had stabilized, Fujino sighed in relief.

"Attempted suicide, how troublesome."

He sat down on the carpet behind him.

This way, Sayuri shouldn't suffer too much pain.

With enhanced rescue effects, her original voice might even be preserved.

Before coming here, Fujino had prepared thoroughly based on his previous life's memories.

Today, not even cyanide poisoning could stop him from saving her.

It's well known that no one can take a life away from Bruce Fujino when he's prepared.

Even the Grim Reaper would receive a slap and leave his scythe behind before retreating to the underworld.

(End of Chapter)