### Chapter 35: Batman Under the Moonlight
"Speak up!"
Fujino slammed a photo in front of Numazawa Kiichiro, brandishing the wooden knife threateningly at his head. "Do you recognize these two people or not?"
"I... I really don't know…"
Upon hearing this, Fujino squinted his eyes. "Start counting down from one thousand minus seven!"
He raised the wooden knife and struck Numazawa Kiichiro on the forehead.
"993… Ah!"
The chilling cries echoed through the surroundings.
When Numazawa Kiichiro fainted again, Fujino threw another bucket of cold water on him, forcibly waking him up.
"I suggest you confess honestly," Fujino said, pressing the wooden knife against Numazawa Kiichiro's chest. "Otherwise, the pain will continue…"
"I really don't know!"
Despite having killed many people, Numazawa Kiichiro couldn't help but shed tears of grievance.
This man had been torturing him to extract information about whether he had killed the people in the photos.
Whenever he claimed ignorance, he was subjected to a relentless beating, followed by a count starting from one thousand, subtracting seven each time.
What's even more absurd, the beatings didn't leave any marks on him.
Every time he lost consciousness from the pain, he was doused with cold water and awakened, the cycle repeating.
Even prisons don't have such torture methods, right?
"You don't know?"
Fujino frowned and shoved the photo closer to his face. "Do you recognize the people in the photo or not? Have you killed them?"
"I haven't… I really haven't!"
Numazawa Kiichiro sobbed. "I've never even been to Tokyo. Please let me go!"
Fujino frowned, considering the situation.
After all his torture, this guy still hadn't revealed any useful information.
There are usually two possibilities in such a situation.
One is that this guy's willpower is extraordinarily strong, stubbornly refusing to speak.
The other is that this guy genuinely knows nothing.
'Could I have wrongfully accused him?'
Fujino thought to himself.
He resumed his relentless use of the wooden knife.
In the dead of night... The forest was filled with unending, horrifying screams since dusk. The cries were continuous and torturous, like a raven's calls, sporadic but never stopping.
"It seems like he really doesn't know anything."
Fujino sheathed his wooden knife, observing the unconscious Numazawa Kiichiro on the ground with a grim expression. "Damn it, could it be that he wasn't the killer?"
Fujino was leaning towards the first possibility.
But considering the torture he had inflicted, it seemed that even a spy wouldn't be able to endure it. It appeared that he had indeed wronged him.
However, this guy had definitely committed murder. How many families had been shattered because of him?
"Consider today's punishment as repaying the debt for those innocent lives lost…"
Fujino murmured, gazing at the full moon in the night sky, his thoughts running deep.
...
Early the next morning, Numazawa Kiichiro, listed as a key wanted suspect by the police, was discovered at the entrance of the police department in Kyoto.
When found, he was bound in a turtle shell knot with red rope, his groin area wet, and he kept muttering:
"Batman, Batman! It's really not me, please let me go!"
The police had no idea what "Batman" or "really don't know" meant.
They only knew that a serial killer case had been solved, and their superiors would probably reward them handsomely.
Well, the outcome was positive anyway.
That day, Fujino took the Shinkansen back to Kyoto.
As for why he had disguised himself as Batman to interrogate Numazawa Kiichiro, it was simply because his previous bomb disposal act on the Shinkansen had been too conspicuous.
If he were to handle the fugitive from the liquor factory...
"Tall trees catch the wind."
Fujino understood this principle.
At the same time, in a traditional Japanese-style courtyard in Kyoto.
"See, I knew I wouldn't be mistaken…"
The brown-haired girl from earlier was now sitting on the wooden veranda of the traditional building, intently reading the report: [Shinkansen Bomb Explosion! High School Detective Heroically Defuses Bomb, Saves All Passengers…] with an excited expression.
After a moment, she suddenly frowned.
"To think you'd come to Kyoto but not visit me... My dear, have you forgotten our promise from years ago?"
The girl said with feeling, puffing out her cheeks and displaying a resentful expression.
Had he truly forgotten?
Gazing at the falling red leaves, her eyes grew distant.
The newspaper she held grew wrinkled, and an aura of resentment seemed to hang in the air behind her.
Mihonochou, Mouri Residence.
"Ah, autumn!"
As Fujino was sipping miso soup, he suddenly sneezed, nearly spilling the soup he had just taken in.
"Hey! Kid!"
Mouri Uncle, sitting across the wooden table, scolded loudly, "Don't sneeze while eating!"
"Sorry…"
Fujino bowed apologetically.
"Senpai, are you catching a cold?"
Mouri Ran, instead of reproaching Fujino, showed a caring expression, "It's the flu season during the autumn and winter transition…"
"Maybe I caught a chill last night…"
Fujino murmured.
He recalled getting splashed with a bit of water during his Batman act last night.
Could he really be catching a cold?
He had just recovered from one recently.
"Fujino, you're really weak!"
Conan, who had just finished a bowl of rice, gave Fujino a deadpan look.
After the events of yesterday, he had a slightly improved opinion of Fujino.
At least he wasn't as annoying as he had thought before.
But why was this guy having dinner at Ran's house?
Conan suddenly felt a sense of unease he hadn't felt in a while.
"I've told you so many times, it's 'Fujino Big Brother!'"
Fujino meaningfully patted Conan's head.
Well, the "dog head" nickname wasn't without basis.
It felt quite similar to petting a Shiba Inu.
"Yes, Fujino Big… Big Pigeon!"
Conan's lips twitched.
To avoid revealing his identity, he endured!
One day, he would make Fujino pay him back in full...
"I'm really grateful for the hospitality… I wouldn't have enjoyed such delicious food if I were at home…"
Fujino bowed at the Mouri household's entrance. "If I were at home, I wouldn't have had such delicious food…"
"It's nothing!"
Ran waved her hand. "It's just a matter of making an extra portion. If it's convenient for you, you can come over for dinner every night!"
"Ahem…"
Fujino cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward under the almost twisted gaze of a certain jealous person. "Well, that might not be appropriate…"
"There's nothing inappropriate about it, Fujino Daichi!"
At this moment, Mouri Kogoro, who was watching TV with a beer bottle in hand, suddenly chimed in with slurred speech. "Our home is your home! You can come anytime you like! It's not just dinner, breakfast is fine too…"
(End of Chapter)