Meeting”s”

Inside the chairman's office , Kudo took notice of his surroundings. The office was sleek and minimalist, with a large desk positioned near a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the school's city-like campus. A few books and a single framed photo sat on a nearby shelf, on the photo the Chairman stood stiffly beside a younger girl, his daughter perhaps , she had a petite body , but her most eye-catching feature was her lilac hair. Two chairs faced the desk, but the room feels more welcoming like its owner.

"I simply wanted to have a chat," Chairman Sakayanagi said, offering them a warm smile as he poured himself a cup of tea.

Kudo leaned back slightly in his chair, not letting his guard down but keeping his expression neutral. "That's a little unexpected. Most teachers only call students in when they've done something wrong."

The Chairman chuckled, stirring his tea. "True, true. But I'm not like most teachers, am I?" He then glanced between Kudo and Haibara ,his gaze settling on the latter.

"And speaking of unexpected things… How has your school life been so far, Miyano-san?"

Haibara, who had been observing the exchange quietly, looked up at him. "It's been fine," she replied evenly.

The Chairman's expression remained gentle, but there was something knowing in his eyes. "I see. You know, as the Chairman, I make it my business to be aware of all my students. And, given the rather… unorthodox method of your enrollment, I am, of course, aware of your past."

Haibara felt a faint flicker of something in her chest—not fear, but expectation. Of course, the Chairman would know. Yusaku Kudo had pulled some strings to get her into this school, and the process was anything but ordinary.

Still, it was surprising to hear it stated so plainly.

"…And?" Haibara asked, keeping her tone neutral.

Sakayanagi smiled softly. "I was simply wondering—are you enjoying your time here?"

Haibara blinked. The question caught her off guard.

For a brief moment, she considered the past few weeks—her time in Class D-turned-Class C, her interactions with Kudo, Ayanokoji, and the other students.

She thought of the study sessions she had been a part of, particularly with the girls of the class—Sato, Karuizawa, Matsushita, and even Wang Mei-Yu.

It was strange, wasn't it?

She had always been cautious about forming attachments. Yet, in those moments, helping them study, sharing jokes, discussing trivial things about daily life, she had found something familiar—something that reminded her of long-forgotten days.

Days spent with the Detective Boys.

Without fully realizing it, Haibara smiled—a small, genuine smile.

"Yes," she finally answered. "I suppose… I am."

Chairman Sakayanagi leaned back in his chair, his eyes crinkling with quiet amusement as he regarded Haibara's response. "I'm glad to hear that, Miyano-san. This school has a way of surprising even the most guarded among us."

Kudo's gaze flicked between Haibara and the Chairman, his mind already piecing together the subtext. The Chairman's tone was light, almost fatherly, but there was an undercurrent—something deliberate in the way he'd singled out Haibara. He knows more than he's letting on, Kudo thought. But how much?

"Surprises are one thing," Kudo said, keeping his voice casual but probing. "But I'm guessing this isn't just a social call. You didn't invite us here to ask about our feelings."

Sakayanagi's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Perceptive as ever, Kudo-kun. You're right, of course. I did have a reason for summoning you both—two, in fact."

He set his teacup down with a soft clink, the sound punctuating the shift in atmosphere.

"The first is simple curiosity. You're both exceptional individuals, placed in Class D—or rather, Class C now—under rather… unique circumstances. I wanted to see how you're adapting to this environment."

Haibara tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "And the second?"

The Chairman's gaze sharpened, though his tone remained gentle. "White Room."

The words hung in the air like a sudden chill, stripping the room of its earlier warmth. Kudo's eyes narrowed, his mind snapping into high gear, while Haibara's breath caught for a fraction of a second before she masked it with her usual composure.

Sakayanagi leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he observed their reactions. "Oh, don't look so surprised. I'm well aware of why you're both here—your little mission to protect Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from the shadows of his past. A noble endeavor, if not a complicated one."

Kudo leaned forward, his voice steady but laced with suspicion. "You're awfully well-informed for a school chairman. Care to explain?"

Sakayanagi smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Patience, Kudo-kun. We'll get there. First, tell me—how is he doing so far? Ayanokoji-kun, I mean. I've kept my distance, but I'm curious to hear your perspective."

Haibara crossed her arms, her tone guarded.

"He's… adapting. Quiet, observant, keeps to himself mostly. But he's sharp—sharper than he lets on."

"Sounds about right," Kudo added, his mind flashing to Ayanokoji's unreadable demeanor, his subtle control in tense moments. "He's playing his cards close, but he's not struggling. If anything, he's too comfortable—like he's done this before."

The Chairman nodded thoughtfully, as if their words confirmed something he already suspected. "Fascinating, isn't it? A boy like him, forged in such an unforgiving crucible, stepping into a place like this with such ease. It's almost poetic."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Haibara with a softer edge. "You'd understand that better than most, wouldn't you, Miyano-san? The two of you… so similar in ways you might not even realize."

Haibara's eyes narrowed slightly. "Similar?"

"Oh, yes," Sakayanagi said, his voice taking on a reflective tone. "Both of you, robbed of your childhoods—stripped of normalcy by forces beyond your control. Ayanokoji, shaped by the White Room's relentless pursuit of perfection. You, molded by that Organization's cold pragmatism. Two sides of a coin, geniuses born from sacrifice."

Kudo glanced at Haibara, noting the faint tension in her posture. She didn't like being dissected like this, but she wouldn't give the Chairman the satisfaction of seeing her rattled. Instead, she met his gaze evenly. "That's interesting. But it doesn't explain why you're bringing it up."

Sakayanagi chuckled softly. "Fair enough. I suppose I should cut to the chase." He leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting to something more deliberate. "I know about your purpose here because I'm—how shall I put it?—ironically tied to both sides of this matter."

Kudo's brow furrowed. "Both sides?"

"Indeed," the Chairman replied. "Professor Ayanokoji—the man behind the White Room—and Yusaku Kudo, your father, are both old acquaintances of mine. Quite the coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

The revelation hit like a quiet shockwave. Kudo's mind raced, connecting dots he hadn't even known existed. "You're saying you've got ties to the White Room and my dad?"

Sakayanagi nodded, his expression unperturbed. "I've known the Professor for years—brilliant man, if a bit… unorthodox in his methods. As for Yusaku-san, we crossed paths more than once during his investigative exploits. He's a clever one, your father—always poking into places others wouldn't dare. When he arranged for you two to enroll here, I suspected it wasn't just for a change of scenery."

Haibara's voice cut in, sharp and skeptical. "And you just let us in? Knowing all this?"

"Of course," Sakayanagi said simply. "This school thrives on talent, and you're both exceptional. Besides, I find it rather entertaining—watching how you'll navigate this little chessboard I've set up."

Kudo's jaw tightened. "So what's your angle? Are you protecting Ayanokoji, or are you just waiting to see if we fail?"

The Chairman's smile widened, though it carried a cryptic edge. "I'm not here to protect anyone, Kudo-kun. Nor am I rooting for your failure. My role is to observe—and, occasionally, to nudge things along.

Ayanokoji's presence here is a test, not just for him, but for this institution. And you two… well, you're variables I didn't anticipate. That makes you interesting."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "But I'll offer you this much: the White Room's shadow is long, and it doesn't let go easily. If you're serious about helping him, you'll need to look beyond the obvious. This school has its own secrets—ones even your father might not have uncovered yet."

Kudo exchanged a glance with Haibara, both of them processing the implications. The Chairman wasn't just aware of their mission—he was practically daring them to dig deeper.

"How do we know you're not working with Professor Ayanokoji?" Haibara asked, her tone cool but pointed.

Sakayanagi laughed—a genuine, airy sound. "A fair question! I assure you, my ties to the Professor are more… historical than active. We parted ways long ago—different philosophies, you see. As for proof…" He shrugged lightly.

"You'll just have to trust my word. Or don't. That's your prerogative."

Kudo smirked faintly, though his mind was still spinning. "Trust's not my strong suit. I'll figure it out myself."

"I'd expect nothing less," Sakayanagi said, rising from his chair. "Now, I've kept you long enough. Enjoy your evening—and do keep an eye on Ayanokoji-kun. He's more unpredictable than he seems."

As Kudo and Haibara stood to leave, the Chairman's voice followed them to the door. "Oh, and Kudo-kun? Tell Yusaku I said hello. It's been too long."

Kudo didn't respond, just pushed the door open and stepped into the hall, Haibara at his side.

–

The hallway outside the Chairman's office stretched quiet and still, the faint glow of overhead lights casting soft shadows along the walls. Kudo stood with his hands buried in his pockets, his brow furrowed as he replayed the conversation in his head. Haibara leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on the floor as unspoken questions hung between them.

"He's playing us," Haibara said at last, her voice low, barely carrying in the enclosed space.

"Maybe," Kudo replied, shifting his stance slightly. "Or he's just throwing us crumbs to see what we do with them. Either way, he knows too much."

Haibara glanced at him, her eyes catching the dim light. "You think your dad knew about this? The Chairman's connection to the White Room?"

Kudo exhaled sharply, his breath a faint sound in the silence. "If he did, he didn't tell me. Typical old man—keeping me in the dark 'for my own good.' But I'll get answers out of him next time we talk."

Haibara smirked faintly, her posture easing just a touch against the wall. "Good luck with that."

They stood there a moment longer, the hallway's stillness amplifying the weight of their thoughts. Haibara's expression softened slightly as she tilted her head, glancing toward the ceiling as if it held some distant sky. "What he said… about me and Ayanokoji. Do you think he's right?"

Kudo followed her gaze, considering the question as he leaned against the opposite wall. "About your pasts? Yeah, there's a parallel. You've both been through hell—different kinds, but still hell. Makes you tough, but it also leaves scars."

Haibara nodded slowly, her voice quiet, almost swallowed by the corridor's hush. "I guess that's why I get him. He doesn't talk much, but… there's something familiar there."

Kudo's lips turned into a small smile, his voice softening. "See? You're not as detached as you pretend to be."

She shot him a dry look, pushing off the wall with a faint scoff. "Don't get sappy on me, Kudo-kun."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he chuckled, straightening up and gesturing down the hall. "Come on Watson. We've got a mystery to solve."

Before they could take more than a step, a soft, deliberate tapping echoed through the hallway—the sound of a cane striking the floor. Kudo paused mid-stride, his instincts kicking in as he turned toward the source. Haibara followed suit, her expression shifting to guarded curiosity.

A petite figure emerged from the shadows at the far end of the corridor. She had striking lilac hair, her delicate frame wrapped in the ANHS uniform, a cane in hand that she wielded with casual grace. Her sharp, knowing eyes locked onto them as she approached, a faint smile curving her lips.

"Oh my~" she said, her voice light yet edged with amusement. "If it isn't the famous detective and his classmate. I see you've been keeping my father company."

Kudo's brow lifted slightly. He didn't know her name, but her face clicked—the girl from the photo on the Chairman's shelf. " keeping his tone neutral. "You're the Chairman's daughter, right?"

Her smile widened, cool and composed. "A pleasure to meet you formally, Kudo Shinichi-kun. And you, Miyano Shiho-san. My name is Arisu Sakayanagi, I hope Father wasn't too tedious—he does love his little chats."

Haibara's expression stayed neutral, her eyes flickering with suspicion. "He was cryptic enough. Seems to run in the family."

She chuckled softly, the sound delicate but confident. "A fair observation. He enjoys testing people—it's his way of keeping things interesting. But you two seem like you can handle it."

Kudo smirked faintly. "We've dealt with worse. What brings you here this late?"

"Just a quick visit," she replied, twirling her cane lightly. "The school had an interesting development recently. Your class's climb from D to C, for instance—it's caught quite a few eyes."

Haibara raised an eyebrow. "Entertaining, huh?"

"Very much so," she said, her tone teasing yet sharp. "I look forward to seeing how you shake things up. This school thrives on competition, after all."

Kudo crossed his arms, unfazed. "We'll try not to disappoint."

"I'm sure you won't," she replied, her smile turning playful as she stepped past them. "Enjoy your evening, you two. Do keep Class C on its toes—it'd be a shame if you got too comfortable."

With that, she tapped her cane once more and slipped into the Chairman's office, the door clicking shut behind her, leaving the hallway silent.

Kudo glanced at Haibara, sizing up the encounter. "Well," he said dryly, "that's one way to make an exit."

Haibara's lips twitched into a faint smirk. "She's trouble. I can tell."

"Big trouble," Kudo agreed, his mind lingering on the lilac-haired girl. "And sharp, too. We'll need to watch out for her."

–

Across campus, Ayanokoji stood beside the window of his dorm room, staring into the night. The air was still, but his thoughts were anything but that. Even though he didn't know about the meeting in the Chairman's office—not yet—but he could feel the pieces moving around him. Kudo. Miyano. Horikita. The school itself.

They're watching me, he thought. But why?

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen—a single, cryptic message from an unknown number.

"The truth is closer than you think."

He deleted it without a second thought, his expression unchanging. Whoever was behind it didn't matter yet. What mattered was staying ahead.

And for that, he'd need to keep an eye on Kudo Shinichi in order to determine if he's a threat or not.