"I want to become your father." Liu A'dou repeated himself when he saw the two frozen faces.
"How old are you?" Clearly, Liu A'dou's goal was even more outrageous than his superpowers. The professor had to ask this boy in a high school uniform about his age.
"Don't worry, I only look young. In fact, I already have a daughter. This time I've carefully considered adopting Haibara. I believe my wife and I will both take good care of her."
"You're married, and you already have a daughter?" Professor Agasa's voice jumped. He himself still wasn't married, yet this boy standing in front of him was already married with a child? Impossible!
"Are you joking?" Haibara also didn't believe it.
"Relax. My wife will be back soon, she'll prove it for me."
Sure enough, just as Liu A'dou finished speaking, Ada walked in holding their daughter. Adoption was serious business, naturally it required the whole family to decide together.
A beautiful woman, carrying an adorable baby.
Nono saw her father and immediately smiled. Because Liu A'dou had been busy playing games with Ada and couldn't always be with her, Nono still clung tightly to her dad.
"Papa…" Nono stretched out her little hands, wanting Liu A'dou to hold her.
Ada put Nono down so the girl could run into her father's arms herself.
Such a young child wouldn't lie. Could it be that Liu A'dou really was her father? And this stunning woman was actually his wife?
Ada had originally thought Liu A'dou was trying to cheat his way through something, but instead he seriously said he wanted to adopt a child and asked her to come discuss it. So Ada came. At first glance, she immediately saw Haibara—because in this room, she was clearly the only child who might be adopted.
First impression: Haibara was a withdrawn child. Ada's eyes were sharp, and she instantly noticed Ai's gaze wasn't that of an ordinary child. It was more like Conan's—too mature.
"Hello, I'm Ada Wong, currently a chemistry teacher at Teitan High School," Ada said. "And at the same time, I am also the wife of this student, Liu A'dou."
Professor Agasa had no idea what expression to wear in front of such an unbelievable reality. But another question weighed on him. "Why? Why her? Why Ai-chan?"
"Because she's cute, and she's talented. Isn't that reason enough? But most importantly, our family is complete. We can give Haibara a good environment," Liu A'dou said. "Ada-jie, you agree to the adoption too, right?"
Ada gave Liu A'dou a side-eye. He had already said everything, leaving her with nothing. "Doesn't matter to me. Our house is always empty anyway. One more child won't be a problem."
"Actually, back on the bus, I already told Haibara that I cared about her. That care is a father's care." Liu A'dou looked at Haibara. At that moment, Nono had already wrapped her arms around Haibara's leg, as if she really liked this older sister.
Haibara had only ever had an older sister, never a younger one. Now, with Nono hugging her, she didn't know what to do. She wanted to pick Nono up, but worried that the smell on her might scare the little girl.
Haibara had once carried out plenty of harmful research for the Black Organization. She had always felt like an extra in this world. She didn't want close contact with anyone. If Conan hadn't repeatedly risked his life to save her, she probably would have stayed that way forever.
But now a new choice appeared—Liu A'dou's family was willing to take in Haibara. The only worry was that she might not accept it. She lacked a sense of security and always kept her guard up against the outside world.
"Doctor, don't worry. Leave Haibara to us," Liu A'dou said.
"This…" The professor still hesitated.
"Doctor, I'm willing to go with them." It was Haibara who stepped forward. She could tell Liu A'dou's family weren't the kindest of people, but for the professor's safety she agreed.
Here it came—Haibara's classic habit of overthinking and self-sacrifice. She always thought too much and believed sacrificing herself could solve everything.
"Then it's settled!" Liu A'dou knew it wouldn't be easy for Haibara to accept a new family, so he didn't mind her current attitude. They had plenty of time to spend together, to slowly understand one another. She would eventually realize that having a family, with parents and a younger sister, was a happy thing.
Professor Agasa still felt something was wrong, but since Haibara herself agreed, he couldn't object. He had always treated her like his own granddaughter.
"Doctor, if you're willing, you can live with us too. From now on, we'll all be one family."
…He had never seen someone barge in so forcefully, insisting on making them family. The professor and Haibara were practically being half-forced. But Liu A'dou didn't care at all.
"Big sister." Nono was very smart. She was only one year old but had already started learning, her intelligence equal to at least a four- or five-year-old. She clung to Haibara's coat like a koala, climbing onto her, hanging on her body with a smile. She really liked Haibara, calling out, "Sis, sis, sis…" and rubbing her little face against Haibara's.
Of course, Liu A'dou also explained his family background to the professor and Haibara, telling them about the game he and Ada played.
When they heard that Liu A'dou had planned a game to pursue Ada all over again, and even entered high school just to chase after his own teacher, both the professor and Haibara's expressions were more stunned than if they'd been electrocuted.
Too much of a player, and completely improper. But this actually made Haibara feel relieved. She had thought Liu A'dou and his wife might be dangerous, but villains would never waste time being so ridiculous.
"By the way, isn't your elementary school holding a sports festival today?" Liu A'dou suddenly asked.
"Really, Ai-chan?" The professor hadn't heard her mention it.
Haibara froze. It was true. But the first graders were required to bring parents to participate, so she hadn't said anything. Her sister had only passed away three months ago. How could she have the mood to join an event like that?
"Sorry, Doctor." Still, Haibara was kind at heart. She knew her silence had hurt him.
"The sports festival shouldn't be over yet. We can still make it. Haibara, you're not alone anymore. We're your family now. Everyone sit tight—we're going to the sports festival." Liu A'dou slammed on the gas, and the car shot forward.
Haibara lowered her head. The word 'family' was too foreign to her. Ever since her sister's death, she thought she would never have one again.
Poor girl. Her young shoulders carried pressure even adults struggled to bear, making her sensitive and timid. But now, with a new family, she would gain the strongest support. Soon, she would understand that even if the Black Organization sent out their full force, in front of Liu A'dou and Ada they were nothing more than weak chickens, crushed with ease.
Conan was at the sports festival cheering for the Detective Boys. He hadn't wanted to come at all, but Ran had forced him to join, attending with Mouri Kogoro as supervisors.
He didn't see Haibara, and he wasn't surprised. She still hadn't walked out of the shadows. But today Conan's deduction was wrong—Haibara showed up with an overwhelmingly powerful support team.