Because of the distance, this time the police helicopter arrived before the Black Organization.
The roar of the rotors grew louder as the blue-and-white painted chopper slowly descended. The wind pressure made it difficult for Hayashi Yoshiki and Mōri Ran, standing inside the building, to keep their eyes open.
"No, because of the building's angle, there's no way to lower the ladder to them!"
After trying several methods in vain, the police officers aboard finally gave up.
Upon hearing this, Inspector Megure Jūzō paused before asking,
"What's the distance? Can you throw a parachute over?"
"It should be fine!"
"Then toss it."
Inspector Megure wasn't sure if Yoshiki would actually use the parachute—but it was their only hope.The fire above couldn't be extinguished anytime soon. With Ran and Yoshiki trapped—unable to go up or down—the heavy smoke creeping up made survival until the firefighters' arrival unlikely.
The parachute was thrown into the 45th floor.
Once Yoshiki caught it, the officers in the helicopter breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Then, the chopper veered away.
Now, on the broken connecting bridge on the 45th floor, only Hayashi Yoshiki and Mōri Ran remained.
"Halfway to success," Yoshiki muttered, inspecting the parachute bag."Looks good."
Ran nodded, her gaze fixated on the pack.
"Don't be nervous. Leave it to me," Yoshiki said, smiling. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"You don't have to comfort me like that, Yoshiki-nii."
"..."
"I think you're the one under more pressure right now," she added softly.
Ran pursed her lips. She was clearly nervous, but tried to hide it by putting her hands behind her back and smiling brightly.
"I can't help much, but you've always been amazing, Yoshiki-nii. So I know we'll be fine!"
"You really believe in me that much?"
"Yeah! And even if it doesn't work out… it's okay."
She smiled—a dazzling, courageous smile.
Yoshiki was stunned for a moment, then chuckled.
"Don't say such unlucky things now. I really believe in your luck, Ran."
"Ah!"
Realizing what she'd said, Ran covered her mouth, embarrassed. She looked so adorably flustered that Yoshiki couldn't help but grin as he took off his suit jacket and picked up the rope.
"Come here."
"Okay."
Because time was short, the police could only provide a single-person, low-altitude parachute. They would have to tie themselves together with the rope.
"Face me. Make sure you hold on tight when we jump—it'll be safer that way."
"Mm."
Despite the crisis, Ran didn't hesitate. But when the rope tightened and pulled them close, the sudden contact made her blush.
Yoshiki seemed unfazed, busily adjusting the gear. But as the rope squeezed their bodies together, he paused.
Ran noticed his stunned expression.
"What's wrong, Yoshiki-nii?"
"...Nothing." His voice wavered slightly.
Then, unable to resist, he added:
"I just realized… Ran, the girl I've always seen as a little sister, is actually a truly remarkable young woman."
"—!"
Ran's face turned crimson—blush spreading to her ears.
A remarkable woman...?What did he mean by that?
Pressed tightly against his chest, she could feel his heat, his breath... his beautiful, composed face—so close. Her heart pounded madly.
He must know…
And then, she noticed Yoshiki leaning in, ever so slowly—toward her lips.
Ran opened her mouth slightly.
But at the last second, he stopped.
As if snapping out of a trance, he backed away awkwardly.
"Alright... we're secure now."
"Mm."
Her thoughts spun in disarray.
Did he… just try to kiss me...?
But Yoshiki, now composed, looked out at the night sky, took a deep breath, and moved toward the ledge.
The building was pitch dark.
Only the orange flames from below flickered, casting thick black smoke upward. Down on the ground, police and fire truck lights flashed, illuminating the crowd.
The wind was picking up.
Yoshiki double-checked the gear, then looked at Ran and smiled.
"Nervous?"
"Mm..."
"It's natural," he said with a calm grin, even as sweat trickled down his forehead.
His hair had come loose, yet he still looked effortlessly elegant. That delicate smile—cool and reassuring—reflected in Ran's eyes.
"Don't worry. I've skydived before."
"Wait… didn't you say at the amusement park you didn't know if you were afraid of heights?"
"Haha, you remember that?" He chuckled.
"Yeah."
"Sorry... I don't even know why I lied. Bad habit, I guess."
Ran blinked.
So... even kind, honest Yoshiki-nii is capable of lying...?
"Do you remember what else happened at the amusement park, Ran?"
"Yes."
"We made a promise on the Ferris wheel, remember? I said I'd buy you ice cream."
"Right. So… we have to survive until we fulfill that promise."
Ran nodded firmly.
"Yes. I still have to eat that ice cream with you, Yoshiki-nii."
"That's right."
He gave her one last look—confident, steady.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
"Then... 3... 2—"
Yoshiki jumped with her.
From far below, Mōri Kogorō, looking through binoculars, cried out in panic.
"Ran!! Yoshiki!!""The sky—!!"
Their silhouettes pierced the darkness.
Conan clenched his fists. Sonoko covered her mouth. Haibara Ai, the kids, reporters, and police—everyone watched, breathless.
On a faraway rooftop, Gin silently observed through a scope. Beside him, Vodka sweated bullets.
Please don't die, Cointreau! he prayed.
Yoshiki and Ran plunged into the air.
"Hold on!"
"Mm!"
Ran instinctively clung to him like a koala. Yoshiki immediately threw the pilot chute.
They were at only 180 meters—an extreme low-altitude jump. The main chute deployed from the compressed pack behind Yoshiki, the wind yanking it open.
Less than 5 seconds...
Ran held her breath. She didn't scream. She just squeezed tighter, not wanting to disrupt Yoshiki's focus.
The main chute inflated with a thundering snap.
3 seconds left...
The air cushion below expanded rapidly in Yoshiki's vision.
2 seconds...
The parachute fully inflated, slowing them—but still, they descended fast.
With a final rush of air, they crashed into the cushion. Ran groaned slightly. Yoshiki's weight pressed on her, the parachute settling over them.
"Are you okay, Ran?"
"Yoshiki-nii..." she whispered.
"Are you hurt?"
"A little sore..." her voice was faint.
He propped himself up, seeing her chest rising and falling rapidly.
"If we can... let's go have that ice cream."
"Mm..."Her reply was softer than ever.
Just then:
"Ran!! Yoshiki!!""Sister Ran!! Brother Yoshiki!!"
Familiar voices rushed closer.
Yoshiki smiled, seeing the relief on Ran's face.
"We're fine!" they both shouted.
Firefighters quickly deflated the air cushion. Mōri Kogorō burst in, tears brimming, gasping like a broken bellows.
"Thank God… you're safe...!"
"Dad!"
Ran's voice was full of emotion.
The Detective Boys crowded around.Everyone was cheering and crying and laughing.
Yoshiki couldn't help but chuckle.
"Can someone help untie us first?"
"Ohhh!!"