While they were in line, Ran saw Shinichi's unhappy face and, being kind-hearted, couldn't let it go.
She took out her phone and quietly texted Shiraishi: "Shiraishi, Shinichi seems really unhappy. Were we too harsh on him? Should we apologize?"
Shiraishi read the message and immediately replied: "Don't worry, he's not unhappy, he's just bored. If you don't believe me, ask him about the murder case at the museum. I guarantee he'll perk right up!"
Ran looked at the message, then glanced at Shiraishi with a doubtful expression, as if to say, "Really?"
Shiraishi gave a firm nod.
Ran decided to give it a try. Putting on a curious expression, she asked, "Shinichi, how did you solve that case earlier?"
"The case from earlier?" The question instantly energized Shinichi. He replied without a second thought, "It wasn't a difficult case at all, I was just misled by common sense!"
"Who would have thought that an elderly man like Curator Ochiai could be so strong?"
"On that point, I made a mistake of preconceived notions! I only remembered the general characteristics of a group but forgot about individual exceptions."
"Sherlock Holmes once said, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth!"
"At first, I didn't think he was the killer, but as I investigated and found more clues, I had to re-evaluate everything."
"After I eliminated all the wrong answers, all the clues pointed directly to Curator Ochiai!"
...
Watching the animated Shinichi, Ran's worries instantly vanished, replaced by a sense of exasperation.
She had thought he was sad because she and Shiraishi had left without him.
But now it seemed... he was just miserable because he had no one to show off to!
Thinking this, Ran sighed quietly. She realized that even though she'd known Shinichi for so many years, Shiraishi seemed to understand him better.
"Hmm?" Shinichi, in the middle of his excited explanation, noticed Ran sighing. He asked considerately, "What's wrong, Ran? Was there something you didn't understand? I can explain it again."
"N-no, it's fine. I think I get it," Ran said, forcing a smile and waving her hands. She really wasn't interested in murder cases.
Shinichi was about to say more when Shiraishi cut in. "Shinichi, you haven't forgotten our bet, have you?"
"Uh... no, I haven't forgotten." Shinichi snapped back to reality, realizing the grim situation.
"Then dinner's on you tonight," Shiraishi said. Noticing Ran's confused look, he briefly explained the bet between him and Shinichi.
"Wow, you two made a bet like that?" Ran was surprised, then puzzled. "But... Shiraishi, how were you so sure the curator would commit murder?"
Shinichi also looked at him, curious for the answer.
"Everyone has a unique talent," Shiraishi said without batting an eye. "For example, Shinichi is talented at deduction, and Ran, you're exceptionally gifted in sports. As for me, I just happen to be more sensitive to sensing killing intent."
"Is that so?" Shinichi still felt like he was being fed a line, but he had no way to refute it.
He wanted to say more, but Shiraishi interrupted, "It's our turn, let's go in... Shinichi, I hope you brought enough money today, or you'll be staying behind to wash dishes."
Shinichi could tell he didn't want to elaborate, so he dropped the topic and said confidently, "You two just eat whatever you want! I have more than enough to treat you to dinner."
"Damn that Shiraishi! Is he a pig? How can he eat so much?"
"And he only orders the expensive stuff!"
"And Ran, she doesn't usually eat that much... why did she suddenly have such a huge appetite?"
Back home that night, Shinichi looked at his empty wallet, on the verge of tears.
His entire month's allowance was gone in one fell swoop.
He had no choice but to swallow his pride and call his mom. "Mom, I'm out of allowance... can you give me some more?"
"Of course!" Yukiko on the other end of the line readily agreed.
"Really? Thank you so much!" Shinichi was overjoyed. He said, "I don't need much, just 200,000 yen will do!"
"200,000 yen? That's too little. That'll be gone after treating a girl to dinner twice. I'll give you 300,000!" his mother said generously.
"300,000 yen? Thank you, my dearest mother! I knew you were the best to me," Shinichi exclaimed, shamelessly laying on the flattery.
But then, Yukiko's tone shifted. "But this money doesn't come for free. Tomorrow, a friend of mine is getting married in Kyoto, and I need you to go in my place."
"Huh? I don't even know them, why should I go?" Shinichi was confused.
"Help me investigate my friend's husband. I have a feeling he's not an honest man!" Yukiko revealed her suspicions.
"Investigating an affair is a simple job. You can just hire any detective. Why do I have to go all the way there?" Shinichi said reluctantly.
"How can they compare to you? I don't trust their skills!" That single, flattering sentence from his mother was all it took to win Shinichi over.
Shinichi agreed that no other detective was as good as him, so he nodded. "Alright, I'll make a trip to Kyoto."
The next morning, Shinichi took a day off from school and went to take the Shinkansen.
While waiting on the platform, an indescribable intuition made him look to his left.
And what he saw made him freeze.
There, not far from him, were two familiar men in black.
His heart pounded. His gaze locked onto the man with long, silver hair.
That's him.
That's the guy who knocked me out.
Shinichi would never forget the sneak attack at Tropical Land. It was a black mark on his career.
Upon spotting the silver-haired man in black, Shinichi's resolve ignited once more, and the urge to bring him to justice grew stronger than ever.
However, at that very moment, the silver-haired man suddenly turned his head.
Shinichi didn't have time to look away, and their eyes met.
His heart skipped a beat. He was discovered!
Shinichi's mind went blank, unsure how to handle the situation.
But then his eyes lit up. He saw an unexpected figure standing near the silver-haired man.
Shinichi quickly raised his hand and called out, "Uncle Kogoro!!"
"Hmm?" Kogoro Mouri looked over and was surprised to see Shinichi greeting him.
He found it strange. This kid usually never greets me so proactively.
As Shinichi walked over, Kogoro asked, "Shouldn't you be in school today? I thought it was Monday."
"My mom asked me to go to Kyoto for Ms. Kitagawa's wedding in her place," Shinichi said, forcing himself to ignore the men in black and acting exasperated towards Kogoro. "I had no choice but to take the day off."
"Huh? I'm also going to Kyoto for Kitagawa's wedding... Oh right, I almost forgot, Yukiko and I were in the same grade!" Kogoro slapped his forehead, finally remembering.
"Uncle Kogoro... how could you forget something like that?" Shinichi said, feigning disbelief.
"Your mom wasn't in my class. Of course I don't know her that well," Kogoro retorted matter-of-factly.
As they chatted, the Shinkansen arrived.
Shinichi watched the two men in black board the train, and only then did his tense nerves relax.
That should throw off their suspicion, right?
But they've already seen my face... How am I going to get close to them now?
With this thought, Shinichi followed Kogoro Mouri onto the Shinkansen.
-------
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