I also somehow believe that Akai is still alive. There's just too many hints of things be like that.
Well it could also be that Aoyama-sensei is only teasing readers, but I surely hope it isn't that, 'cause Akai is one of my favs also.
But here's my Deduction:
The way of dying is not like Akai. It's way too simple and humble. After all he's been with Story for so long, I doubt that sensei would just cut him off without goodbye words. And as said, Takagi tells about the mysteries with the body, but he wont tell what kind of mysteries. And of course there's that face Conan makes, when Eisuke tells him that something have happened. He's making that "Hunching(/hunting)-smile".
But to go against my own deductions; I'm bit worried about the face Conan made when Jodie gave him back his sell-phone. After all he seemed to bee bit down.
Oh well, to turn that thing for good also. Sometimes he has made down-like face just to hide that self-confident smile of his, though I'm bit doubtful with that explanation. That's still something I came up with
We'll see when the time comes.
