The Detective Is Already Dead Episode 3: That's Yui-nya Quality

Sakuya walks with his android assistant, Lilithea, to a movie premiere. He is self-conscious in his father's old suit, tugging at the collar. Lilithea, ever practical, stops to adjust his tie, her precision causing Sakuya to blush. She then bluntly notes that his perfume, a gift from Yuriu, is far too strong, displaying her usual lack of social graces.

At the grand Crimson Theater, Sakuya and Lilithea encounter Sozoro, who oversees security. Sozoro pulls Sakuya aside, his expression grim, to warn him off the cruise ship bombing investigation. He states, "Don't get any more involved in that case. It's being tracked by police organizations and militaries worldwide." A quick montage flashes the faces of the "Seven Old Men," five of whom have recently escaped, making the stakes clear. Sakuya, however, rejects this advice, determined to honor his father's memory and continue his detective work.

Inside the bustling auditorium, Director Toriho Hiichi makes a dramatic entrance, his long hair a theatrical flourish. Yuriu, stunning in a black gown, greets Sakuya and Lilithea. She leads Sakuya to a premium seat, revealing it was meant for the director but arranged specifically for him. As the film begins, she whispers her pleasure that he wore her gifted perfume, creating an intimate, flirty atmosphere. She challenges him to find a "secret" hidden within the film, saying, "Why don't you try being a detective and see if you can get stuck on one of a girl's secrets?"

Sakuya intently watches the film, looking for Yuriu's hidden secret, especially during a Ferris wheel scene. Suddenly, the theater is plunged into total darkness by a power failure. An automated announcement plays, instructing the audience to remain seated. Before Sakuya can react, an assailant presses a drugged cloth over his mouth, injecting him with a sedative. His vision fades as he hears a chilling whisper about "killing" the detective.

Sakuya drifts through a surreal, dream-like state, tormented by visions of his own death, Lilithea's voice urging him awake. He slowly regains consciousness, his head in Lilithea's lap, Yuriu hovering with worry. Yuriu explains he simply fell asleep, but Lilithea leans in, whispering the truth: he was injected with poison, pointing to a small puncture mark. Sakuya realizes his prominent seat made him an accidental target, not the true intended victim.

As the audience disperses, Sakuya remains seated, feigning interest in the credits to observe everyone leaving. He spots a young man named Natsume trying to make a hasty exit. Sakuya confronts him calmly, accusing him of the attack. He reveals Natsume's undoing: the scent of Director Toriho's perfume, explaining, "I'm the person you killed just a moment ago. You smell just like Director Toriho." Natsume attempts to deny it, but Sakuya's precise logic, noting the non-lethal sedative, leaves him no recourse.

Natsume finally breaks down and confesses his motive. A specific Ferris wheel scene in the movie, he explains, showed something that would ruin his life. Sakuya, piecing it together, reveals the secret: Natsume was on a date with Yana Yuka, a rising star actress. This background shot, filmed unknowingly, threatened to expose their secret relationship and destroy her career. Natsume's desperate plan was to force the film's cancellation, effectively "killing" the movie to protect the girl he loved.

Sakuya, rather than condemning Natsume, offers a compassionate solution. He suggests crediting Yana Yuka as a "Special Guest," transforming the compromising shot into a clever Easter egg. This move would protect her reputation and resolve Natsume's dilemma without further violence. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Natsume apologizes and promises to cooperate. Sakuya watches him leave, satisfied with the peaceful resolution of his detective work.

Outside the theater, Sakuya, craving popcorn, bumps into a blonde woman in an elaborate gothic outfit. She spills her popcorn, and he profusely apologizes, offering to replace it. The woman, introducing herself as Char, responds with haughty amusement. Sakuya, realizing he's broke, watches as she casually produces a sleek black credit card, paying for both their snacks with immense wealth. They share caramel popcorn, Char enjoying his bewilderment, her mood shifting to relaxed observation.

Char casually reveals that she knows Sakuya's full name, catching him off-guard. She smirks, stating she has business with his family. She then introduces herself as Shardina Inferious, and Sakuya immediately makes the chilling connection: she is "The Celebrity," one of the "Seven Old Men." He is paralyzed by the realization he is sitting next to an extremely dangerous, escaped criminal. Shardina dismisses any collaboration with others, focused only on her own whims, claiming she came specifically for the popcorn and to see the son of the man who captured her.

Shardina tells Sakuya his father, Totsuya, was more interesting than him, warning him to stay out of the larger conflict brewing. She ignores his questions about the escape, focused instead on her snack. With a straight face, she mentions her plan to head to America to sell weapons and buy a private space rocket. Before leaving, she gives Sakuya a cryptic warning: "Take care of yourself, little detective. And watch out for Empress. She's not as reasonable as I am."

Outside, a massive police force has surrounded the theater, waiting for Shardina. She emerges with absolute confidence, her assistant, Hamu, unrolling a red carpet from a luxury limousine. Shardina ignores the pointed guns, walking as if at an awards show. As she enters the car, she rolls down the window and waves playfully at Sakuya, commenting again on his "terrible" perfume. The limousine begins to pull away, its engine a low purr against the growing tension.

Sakuya watches, frozen, as the limousine departs. Suddenly, a high-tech military attack helicopter appears overhead, blinding the officers with searchlights. Without warning, it opens fire with heavy machine guns and rockets, turning the police cordon into a disaster zone. Cars explode, and Sakuya ducks for cover. The helicopter systematically destroys the police fleet, providing violent cover for Shardina's escape, leaving Sakuya stunned by the sheer scale of her power. Sozoro frantically calls for backup as Lilithea watches the helicopter vanish into the night.