"Shinichi-kun really has it rough..." Dr. Agasa looked at the Repairman speechlessly.
"You're scolding people online with such enthusiasm; couldn't you at least use a different account..."
"Rough? What's rough about it? That guy gets to live at the Detective Agency every day; he doesn't know how lucky he is," Tsuneo said with a smile. "If nothing else, Professor, have you ever taken a bath with your childhood sweetheart?"
"When you put it that way, I suppose it really isn't that bad," the Professor laughed, scratching his head.
Even though he had turned into an elementary school student, at least he had met a group of nice children.
"Him? Most of the time, he's just scratching at the walls because he's running around in circles at crime scenes and no one pays him any attention. That's why he gets so agitated." Tsuneo wanted to laugh just thinking about that dog-headed detective scratching his head in depression.
"Everything is just about ready. When shall we eat?" Akemi called out standing in the kitchen.
The content of that email seemed a bit dangerous, but looking at Mr. Tsuneo's expression, it didn't seem like a big deal...
Forget it, let's eat first...
After finishing the sukiyaki, Tsuneo patted his stomach. Seeing the sky outside gradually darkening, he prepared to go out for a walk to digest his food.
"If you're going to meet that group from the FBI, I advise you to be careful," Haibara said, putting down her bowl and chopsticks to warn him.
The more mysterious a person is, the more others want to probe into them, whether friend or foe.
Right now, aside from these few people, no one knew who was behind the mask of the Dark Knight.
Including her sister's so-called ex-boyfriend; he also didn't know what identity her sister was using or where she lived.
"I'm not that easy to book," Tsuneo smiled.
What do you take me for? A repairman who works for just a little money?
"Cough, cough! By the way, Mrs. Mizumoto from the next street over asked me about you a few days ago." Dr. Agasa almost choked.
Please, don't say things like that when people are drinking water.
You literally are a repairman who works for money.
"Who is she?" Tsuneo frowned.
Mrs. Mizumoto?
He had no impression of her at all.
"I remember she only moved into the neighborhood recently, right?" Akemi thought for a moment before speaking.
That lady was probably in her early forties. Although not exactly beautiful, she was gentle and had a very refined air about her.
"Oh, she asked me about detective work, but I got busy and forgot." The Professor only remembered this because he heard the phrase "works for money."
"Is there a request?" Akemi seemed more curious about this than Tsuneo.
For a long time, neighbors mostly sought out Tsuneo the Repairman; almost no one looked for a detective.
"Heh, looks like you, the famous detective, will have some serious business to attend to," Haibara tilted her head and said with a smile.
"Though, she might just be looking for help investigating a cheating husband or finding a missing cat."
"How about it? It's only a little past seven; shall we go take a look?" Dr. Agasa seemed very invested, seemingly curious about what the request was.
"..." Seeing the Professor like this, Tsuneo could only nod.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang, and the group of four stood outside the Mizumoto residence.
"Why did I have to come too..." Haibara looked at her sister speechlessly.
You didn't even wash the dishes, just ran out to watch this sort of thing...
"What does it matter? It's rare for Mr. Tsuneo to get a request," Akemi said with a smile.
"If you just stay in the underground lab when you get home, you'll get rusty at such a young age."
Ding-dong!
As Dr. Agasa rang the doorbell a second time, a woman wearing house clothes and an apron opened the door.
She matched Akemi's impression perfectly: in her forties, looking a bit neglected in terms of self-care, hair tied back, with a smile that made people feel very approachable.
"It's Dr. Agasa. Hello!" Mrs. Mizumoto greeted the Professor with a smile and nodded to Akemi and Haibara behind him.
It seemed she had seen the sisters before.
Mrs. Mizumoto also recognized Tsuneo; after all, he had been in the newspapers many times.
"Please, come in!"
The four followed Mrs. Mizumoto inside and took seats in the living room.
It looked like she had been cleaning before opening the door; there was a basin of water and a rag to the side.
"Mrs. Mizumoto, do you have a matter that requires a detective?" Tsuneo asked seriously.
Hmm...
Is this how detectives usually treat clients?
My teacher, Mori, really offers no reference value in his daily life.
The Professor and the other two also looked at Mrs. Mizumoto across from them.
"Actually, I want to ask you to help investigate my son." The smile on Mrs. Mizumoto's face gradually faded as she paused.
Investigate her own son?
The Professor asked in confusion, "Is something wrong with him?"
Rarely does a mother hire someone to investigate her own child, right?
"He... he passed away three years ago." Mrs. Mizumoto lowered her head slightly, her hands crumpling her apron.
Tsuneo didn't feel too surprised.
Judging by the shoes in the entryway, only this hostess lived in this house.
Accidents happened every day in Beika Town; it wasn't strange for anyone to die.
"Cause of death?"
"It was a car accident. The police also determined it was an accident..." Mrs. Mizumoto explained the events to everyone.
Her son had died in a car accident three years ago.
But... but according to the location the truck driver gave, he shouldn't have taken that route at all!
"Did the police investigate?" Tsuneo asked with a frown.
According to the truck driver, he chose to detour because of a traffic jam on the original route, leading to the tragedy that instantly killed a student who had just started high school.
"Yes, the police conducted a detailed investigation at the time. They said there was indeed a situation on the original route that caused congestion," Mrs. Mizumoto nodded.
"It sounds like there's no problem?" Haibara spoke up.
It certainly sounded like an accident.
"Actually, a few days before it happened, Jun'ichi saw something he shouldn't have seen." There were tears in Mrs. Mizumoto's eyes.
Her child wouldn't even run a red light for a second; how could such a coincidence happen?
"Something he shouldn't have seen?" Although Tsuneo was curious, he understood.
There were too many things in this world one shouldn't see; any one of them could be fatal.
"It was the scene of a transaction involving several men dressed in black clothes." As Mrs. Mizumoto spoke, she took a photo of her late son from under the table.
"Men in black?"
"A transaction scene?" Tsuneo and Dr. Agasa exchanged a glance.
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