START CHAPTER 1: to investigate

Kirigiri had been waiting for them all at the larger table in the center of the room. Apparently, she had been courteous enough to pull over a couple extra chairs so all fifteen of them could fit, considering one table was absent of chairs. She was already seated at one end of the table, patiently waiting. A few people took a seat, but others preferred to stand.

Ran was one of the people who took a seat, with Conan right beside her. “You wanted to talk to us about something, Kirigiri-san…?”

“I do.” Kirigiri let her eyes roam the room, making sure to look at everyone there. “But… it’s already seven o’clock. Night Time begins at ten, and it would be best if we finished an official investigation of the areas available to us before tonight. So, I would like to set aside everything else so we may focus on that.”

Kirigiri stood from her seat and let her arms fall to her sides - maybe it was just Conan’s imagination, but there was an air of uncertainty around her.

“I propose we split into groups of at least three. It’s the safest option, and five groups will be able to sweep through the floor efficiently, provided we decide to split up evenly.”

Ah, this was a good opportunity, wasn’t it? Hopefully, this gave Conan a chance to finally speak openly with Hattori - or, if not, he might be able to draw more information from this person--

“...I do have one request however,” Kirigiri said slowly. “I would like the two in my group to be relatively unfamiliar with each other. I believe that’s fair.”

“‘Fair’?” The Osakan detective scoffed. Kirigiri nodded.

“Assume I truly am one of you - a victim. Each of you is familiar with at least one other person. If you were in my position, your prevailing theory would be this: everyone else is the enemy. You’re the only innocent. Not a single one of them could be trusted.”

The way she said that was almost menacing and perhaps that truly was her theory. Conan couldn’t tell, but her request made a lot of sense and would be difficult to argue against.

“I want to survive, like the rest of you. I’m simply maximizing my chances of survival despite them remaining quite low. Of course, if that theory turns out to be correct, it doesn’t matter who I pair with, does it? And, either way, any two of you could lie about your relationship and I would be none the wiser.”

She really made it sound like she was already certain someone was plotting to make an attempt on her own life. Conan almost felt bad. She paused and turned her head away from everyone, continuously considering her options.

“...Alternatively, if no one trusts me enough to agree, I will search by myself.” A strange and almost bitter smile spread on her face and she refused to look at anyone. “...No, that’s already the case isn’t it? Let’s reconvene here in an hour. I wish you luck.”

Maybe she actually wanted to investigate alone (or maybe not) but either way, no one felt comfortable enough to speak up because they all wanted to be with someone they knew they could trust - especially when with someone like her. Except for--

“Wait, Kirigiri-san, let me accompany you.” Suave as ever, Hakuba stepped forward, stopping Kirigiri right in her tracks. She looked back with a curious and slightly awestruck expression, as if she hadn’t even considered this possibility happening.

“I believe we’ll be fine if it’s just the two of us. Is that alright with you?” Whether he was purposefully and effectively pushing aside the problem of “an unfamiliar third person” or simply trying to impress this pretty lady, Conan couldn’t tell.

“...If you wish. I won’t stop you.” Whatever the reason, Kirigiri wasn’t bothered by the offer, and continued making her way out to the hall with the blond detective in tow.

Now, how would the rest of them divide up?