"Kogoro Mouri?"
Shiraishi was stunned to see him in the headlines.
What was more surprising was that he was taking up most of the front page.
And he was being called a hero?
What happened?
Overcome with curiosity, Shiraishi clicked on the news article.
The Shinkansen had been hit by an explosion of unknown origin, causing the cars to derail and resulting in numerous casualties.
Private detective Kogoro Mouri had stepped up in the face of disaster.
He began by evacuating the panicked passengers, then organized a rescue effort.
The article was filled with photos of Kogoro Mouri's rescue operations.
"He looks quite handsome in these pictures," Shiraishi couldn't help but comment.
Although Kogoro Mouri was lazy, greedy, and a gambler, when trouble struck, he really did rise to the occasion. For that alone, Shiraishi respected him.
"Shinkansen... explosion?" Reading the news, Shiraishi was once again reminded of the "Shinkansen Bombing Case."
In that case, Gin and Vodka had appeared again.
Only this time, there was no Edogawa Conan to stop them.
Their plan went off without a hitch. Not only did they get their transaction goods, but they also successfully blew up their target.
The bomb was so powerful that it not only killed the target but also affected the Shinkansen, causing it to derail and killing many people.
"Is this the butterfly effect?" For the first time, Shiraishi felt the full force of that phrase.
Just by helping Shinichi a little, he had altered the course of events and indirectly caused the deaths of so many people.
As a person with a normal moral compass, he naturally felt deep sympathy for the victims of the accident.
Shiraishi was no exception.
But he only felt sympathy, not much guilt.
He hadn't planted the bomb, nor had he caused the accident. Why should he feel guilty?
The culprits were Gin and Vodka, not him.
Next in line were the Metropolitan Police and the Public Security Bureau. If they were even slightly competent, Gin and Vodka would never have had the chance to cause such chaos.
Then there was the incompetent government. They knew the Shinkansen was a high-traffic area but failed to implement any security checks, showing a complete lack of awareness.
And then there were those useless politicians. They took the taxpayers' money and did nothing. Every single one of them could be beheaded without injustice.
Even if you went down a list of a hundred responsible parties, Shiraishi felt the incident had absolutely nothing to do with him.
...
After school, Shiraishi first bought a bottle of the sake that Kogoro Mouri loved, then headed to the Mouri Detective Agency.
When he opened the door, he saw Kogoro sitting on the sofa, admiring himself on the TV news with a smug grin, occasionally letting out a gleeful "hehehe."
"Nice work, old man," Shiraishi said as he walked in, not stingy with his praise.
"You saw the news?" Kogoro puffed out his chest proudly and waved his hand. "Hmph, this media. Why are they making such a big deal out of such a small thing?"
"You did a great thing today, so I'll allow you to brag," Shiraishi said, handing him the bottle of sake.
"Good stuff!" Kogoro's eyes lit up, and he quickly took it. He clicked his tongue in approval. "You're a good kid, not like those shameless reporters who only want to interview me without giving me anything in return!"
He went to get some cups, pouring the sake while recounting his heroic deeds.
However, when Shiraishi heard that Shinichi had also been on that Shinkansen, his drinking motion paused.
He said, surprised, "Shinichi was there too?"
"Yeah, that brat was there!" Kogoro downed his small cup of sake. He seemed puzzled. "But he disappeared somewhere afterward. I couldn't find him anywhere."
"But you don't need to worry. His name isn't on the list of the injured or deceased."
"That's good," Shiraishi replied distractedly.
Although he wasn't there, he was certain that Shinichi would have gone after Gin and Vodka.
He wasn't a prophet; it was just a conclusion based on his understanding of Shinichi.
Shiraishi suddenly recalled a saying—character is destiny.
He could help him once or twice, but he couldn't help him forever.
As long as Shinichi remained the idealist he was, stubbornly pursuing truth and justice, his clash with the Organization was only a matter of time.
It was fate.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Shiraishi was lost in thought, a knock came from the door.
"Um... is Detective Mouri home?" a childish voice came from the entrance.
Kogoro and Shiraishi turned to look.
Seeing the familiar figure, Shiraishi was taken aback, his expression turning strange.
"A kid? Are you lost?" Kogoro glanced at the newcomer, a child who looked to be in the first grade, and immediately lost interest, turning back to his drink.
"My name is Edogawa Conan, and I'm here to see you, Detective Mouri!" Conan ran up to Kogoro, his face full of admiration. "I saw you on the news! Detective Mouri, you're so amazing! I'm a huge fan!"
"Oh? R-really?" Kogoro hadn't expected to gain such a young fan.
He thought it was due to his own incredible charm and said to Shiraishi with a smug laugh, "See that? I have fans now!!"
"I see that," Shiraishi said, looking at Conan with an amused expression. He suggested, "Since you two have such a connection, Detective Mouri, why don't you take him on as your final disciple?"
"This kid seems to have good taste!!"
At these words, Conan's expression changed.
Him, become Kogoro Mouri's disciple?
No! Absolutely not!
This guy is barely competent. It would be more fitting for me to be his master!
Seeing the thoughtful look on Kogoro's face, Conan panicked and quickly shouted, "Th-that is... I want to be your assistant, Detective Mouri!"
"Hmm? My assistant?" Kogoro frowned. "What? Do you think being my disciple is shameful?"
"N-no, not at all." Conan quickly shook his head, feigning humility. "I-I just don't think I'm worthy yet!"
"Besides, I don't know the first thing about being a detective. I have to start from scratch."
"When you think I'm ready, Detective Mouri, it won't be too late to take me on as your disciple then!!"
Kogoro found his words very agreeable. He poured another drink and said, "That makes sense! Alright! Since you admire me so much, I'll begrudgingly let you be my assistant!"
"But I'm telling you now, I can't pay you a salary!!"
"That's okay! I just want to learn from you, Detective Mouri!" Conan hadn't expected this third-rate agency to pay him anyway.
Shiraishi immediately chimed in, "In that case, let's get to work... Start by cleaning this place up. It's a mess. Any client who sees this will be scared away."
"Right, right!" Kogoro nodded repeatedly. He said, "From now on, the cleaning and organizing of this agency are your responsibility! That's what an assistant does!!"
"...I... I understand," Conan said, smiling while clenching his fists.
-------
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