Chapter

With a soft splash, Haibara Ai landed in a puddle. Unfazed, she stood up, wiped the water from her eyes, and prepared to press on.

Just then, Fina blocked her path. As Haibara looked up, the first thing she noticed was an oddly incongruous, entirely emerald-green umbrella. Beneath it stood a foreign woman with a gentle face, her eyes filled with concern.

"Are you all right, little one? Shall I call your parents to come and pick you up?" Fina gently helped Haibara to her feet, brushed the grime from her tea-colored hair, and asked softly.

*Sister...* Haibara felt a momentary trance, as if she had caught a glimpse of her own sister’s shadow.

But she quickly snapped out of it. Her sister had died at the hands of Gin; it was impossible for her to be here.

"I don't need it... move aside." Haibara brushed her off and tried to push forward.

"Hey, hey, at least take the umbrella," Fina urged, holding it over Haibara’s head as she followed closely behind.

*Thud.* Desperate to keep Fina from getting involved, Haibara kept her head down and bolted forward, only to collide with someone else. She stumbled, and when she looked up, her body stiffened. Standing before her was Frank, dressed in black, wearing dark sunglasses, and radiating an aura that practically screamed, "I am not to be trifled with."

*Organization member?! Have I been caught already?!*

Haibara trembled. She could sense the killing intent radiating from Frank; no low-level peripheral member would possess such an aura!

"Frank!" Fina glared at him and reached out to shield Haibara.

Haibara let out a breath of relief. He didn't have a codename; perhaps he just looked fierce, or maybe he was this woman’s bodyguard.

"My apologies," Frank said to Haibara, sounding insincere. "But you really should take a look at this."

On Fina’s portable computer, a file appeared containing information on Shiho Miyano. It consisted mostly of public records, including her academic achievements at university and various letters of recommendation from her professors.

Fina glanced at Haibara, then back at the photo of Shiho Miyano. "Are you sure this is the same person?"

"It’s not just me; the system identified her as the best match. She is the first choice, and the second is a wealthy heiress named Sonoko Suzuki," Frank explained.

"Could she be the daughter of this Shiho Miyano, then? Can we find a phone number? Maybe we should call and ask?" Fina let go of Haibara and began operating the screen.

Haibara, still held by Fina, heard her own name and realized she couldn't stay a moment longer. She didn't know how these people had found her, but she knew that if the "Wine Factory" discovered she had shrunk, both she and Shinichi Kudo would be dead. Even these strangers who had stumbled upon her might be implicated—so many people would die because of her!

Seizing the moment Fina was distracted, Haibara wriggled free, stumbled, and darted into a side alley. She had to take the backstreets; there was no way she could outrun adults on the main road.

*Thud.* As soon as she entered the alley, she collided with someone else.

Vernon looked down at the little girl who had bumped into him with an innocent expression. He had specifically avoided standing in the middle of the path; why did she have to run right into him?

Vernon crouched down, but before he could ask what was wrong, the girl swayed and fainted on the ground.

"Vernon!" Fina called out, her tone laced with dissatisfaction, chiding him for how he had treated a child.

Vernon felt aggrieved. What was this? Was he really more intimidating than the murderous Frank? That couldn't be right.

He reached out and touched Haibara’s forehead, then scooped her up. "It’s fine, she has a fever. Let’s take her home with us. I’ll clear the chaotic natural energy in her body as an apology for knocking her down."

"No problem. I’ll lead the way. The house I bought online is large enough for the four of us," Frank said, taking the lead. "Also, Fina, in my personal opinion, we shouldn't call the police. If she has truly shrunk, it must be due to some special circumstances. We should wait until she wakes up to ask what happened."

"Huh? I wasn't calling the police," Fina said, looking up at the two men. "I was buying her clothes online. Her clothes are soaked and don't fit her at all; that can't be comfortable."

"Buying clothes online? Is the network technology here really that distorted? I couldn't even find a real estate website or an agency online, only individual listings," Frank remarked.

"There was another time distortion recently. Perhaps the world changed after the tremor," Vernon explained.

"That must be it. Still, the same-city delivery on the site says at least two days. You call that delivery?" Fina complained. "I’ll just buy them for her once we get there."

"One more thing, Captain—don't hold her too tightly. If she has shrunk, she is an adult in reality, so you should be mindful of propriety."

Vernon lifted his hand slightly to show Fina. Between his arm and Haibara’s body, tiny emerald blades of grass had sprouted, acting like resilient, soft cushions to support her.

"Men and women should keep their distance; I am aware of that moral standard," Vernon replied. He enjoyed solitude in the forest, but that didn't mean he was disconnected from human society.

Ten minutes later, following Frank’s lead, the trio arrived at the house they had purchased online. It was indeed large—a three-story villa with a massive tree standing in the courtyard.

"Right, I’ve noted the location. You two take care of her; I’m going to buy her some clothes. Also, check if you need to heat up some water; I’ll give her a bath later."

As she spoke, Fina pulled a stack of yen from a communal bag. She didn't know the local cost of living, but based on the prices she’d seen online, this amount of 10,000-yen notes should be more than enough for a few suitable outfits.

"Be careful! Send a message to Frank if anything happens, and remember the rules!"

Vernon covered Haibara with a small blanket. The water on her had already been absorbed by the grass during their journey, and with Vernon’s assistance, her fever had broken. She was still unconscious, but only from sheer mental exhaustion.

"I know," Fina replied, and the door clicked shut.

Frank sat in the living room, feeling bored. He brushed his hand over his holster, and two magic pistols materialized, spinning expertly on his nimble fingers.