✔ | DETECTIVE TENNIS 1: The Targeted Tennis Player Of Seigaku

8: A Tragic Night From A Year Ago

"Ares? The one whose symbol was found on the back—"

"The back of his right hand," Conan finished. "Yeah, it's him. Can you identify his true name?"

"Well, I guess it's on the folder I left to you yesterday," Kourin said.

And then he remembered something. "I left it to Echizen-kun when I went to the crime scene. I think he still has it."

The girl sighed. "Fine, I'll get it. But you have to show me that coded message later." Conan nodded and then she headed upstairs where Ryoma's room was located.

When the boy has assured them that she was gone, he faced his parents who were staring in the direction that Kourin went.

"But seriously, why are you here? You should've stayed in New York where it's safer."

Yukiko sighed and stared intently at Conan. "Shin-chan, I think it's about time for you to know the truth."

Conan frowned. "Huh? What are you trying to say, kaa-san?"

"Shinichi, it's about time for you to know the real reason why I brought your cousin here to Japan," Yuusaku said, making his son bewildered, but arousing his curiosity at the same time.

Conan began to listen to his father's story. After all, this wasn't just a simple story.

This could be the vital clue that he had been looking for ever since this case began.

But unknown to them, they were some people who were also listening to that story, as well.

One of them was Haibara, who was about to go out of her room when she heard Shinichi's father talking to his son. And the other one, Kourin.

The girl stopped walking toward Ryoma's room when she heard the question that Conan asked. Unknown to the people down the living room, she had placed a listening device that Professor Agasa created under the couch.

'Oji-sama, you should know the consequences once Shin-nii learns the truth about what happened to me. I don't want to have him involved in any more danger. He's already facing his predicament ever since he's been shrunk by the drug of the Black Organization. This is just supposed to be about me and my family.'

Kourin sighed and then she continued walking towards Ryoma's room, still listening to her uncle's story as she remembered the tragic night that changed his life forever...

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[Flashback]

One year ago

Shinomiya mansion; Miami, Florida

The moon was in full shape. The mansion was filled with so many colorful lights since it was a grand celebration for the family that lived there.

The flowers planted in the garden were in full bloom. The trees were in their perfect green color as the leaves shone while the light of the moon bounced on them, creating a magical sparkle that everyone would have adored.

Yes... it would have been a perfect place for a celebration. But not for a battlefield turned into a graveyard.

That night would have been another wonderful night for the eight-year-old princess of the clan named Shinomiya Kourin, the youngest child and the only daughter of the current clan leader, Shinomiya Ryuuki, and his lovely wife, Rina.