Chapter 139: Interview
Haibara sighed, turning her head to look at Conan. "Kudo, you can't expect everyone to be as indifferent to material things as you are. People are inherently selfish. Miss Ningguang didn't actively seek to harm anyone, which is already quite commendable for a businesswoman. What's more, while achieving her own goals, she did her best to save others. In the end, no one was hurt. Isn't that enough?"
A complicated look flickered across Conan's face; he hadn't expected to hear such a pragmatic defense from Haibara.
"Maybe you're right," he conceded, his voice quiet, "but I still believe nothing is more important than a human life."
At the Mouri Detective Agency.
Nearly a week had passed since the launch event for the "Cocoon" game, but the aftershocks of the incident were far from over. Discussions about artificial intelligence and the developments following Ningguang's acquisition of the Sindora Group still peppered the daily newspapers.
Reporters from every major television station were intensely curious about the new tycoon's next moves, all vying to land an interview and secure firsthand information.
Right now, the television in the detective agency was about to broadcast an interview conducted the previous day by a reporter from Yomiuri Television with Ningguang herself.
Kogoro Mouri was slouched in the chair behind his desk, his feet propped up carelessly on its surface. He tossed aside the newspaper he had just finished reading, his expression one of deep boredom. Watching Conan, who was perched on the edge of the sofa and staring intently at the screen, he pursed his lips.
"Good grief," he grumbled. "I really don't understand how a kid could enjoy watching this kind of dry business report. If it weren't for the fact that Miss Yoko isn't on today, I'd never let you watch this garbage, brat."
"If Conan wants to watch it, let him. It's certainly better than someone else leering at pretty women on TV all day."
Ran Mouri strode over and set a cup of freshly brewed tea on her father's desk with a sharp clack. The force of the motion sent a few droplets splashing across the wood.
"And another thing, Dad, just look at yourself! Put your feet down! Conan is still a child. The least you could do is watch your behavior in front of him. You can't set a bad example."
Conan remained silent, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. 'Isn't it a little late for that, Ran?'he thought wryly.'Between the constant smoking and drinking, Uncle is already the definition of unreliable.'
Sensing Ran's genuine annoyance, Kogoro hastily swung his feet off the desk. He fumbled to wipe up the spilled tea, then pulled his chair in properly. Snatching the newspaper back up, he held it in front of his face with both hands, pretending to be engrossed in its contents.
"This brat has already learned too many things he shouldn't have from the television," Kogoro muttered from behind the paper. "That's why he's so disobedient all the time."
Conan's lips twitched. 'The things I know weren't learned from TV,'he thought.'They were things Dad taught me when he took me to Hawaii.'
Just then, the interview on Yomiuri Television officially began. The figures of the recently famous host, Mizunashi Rena, and the elegant Ningguang appeared on the screen.
Before Conan could get a clear look, his small body was abruptly shoved aside. He turned his head in surprise to find his uncle now occupying the spot where he had just been sitting.
In the blink of an eye, Kogoro Mouri had abandoned his desk and launched himself onto the sofa. He now claimed the prime viewing spot right in the center, his eyes glued to the TV, while Conan was squished unceremoniously into the corner.
'Strange,'Conan wondered, bewildered.'Didn't Uncle just say he wasn't interested in this kind of report? Why did he suddenly rush over? And why is he watching so intently?'A sudden, improbable thought struck him.'Could it be that Uncle also noticed something strange about Miss Ningguang during the last case? Is he planning to use this interview to learn more about her? Did Uncle... suddenly get smart?'
"Well, I didn't expect the host from Yomiuri Television to be so pretty! And the interviewee is Miss Ningguang, too. My luck is great today; I'm in for a real treat, haha!" Kogoro narrowed his eyes, a lecherous grin spreading across his face as he laughed aloud, completely oblivious to Ran's disapproving glare at him for having pushed Conan.
Hearing Kogoro's delighted muttering, Conan's body slumped sideways. The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
Of course. He should have known Uncle Mouri couldn't possibly be that sharp. The only thing on his mind was gawking at beautiful women.
Heh. He really had been overthinking it.
Meanwhile, at Ningguang's residence.
Ningguang was also seated on her sofa, watching the same broadcast from Yomiuri Television.
To be honest, when she learned yesterday that the person coming to interview her was Mizunashi Rena, she had been a little surprised herself. But since the reporter had come, Ningguang had cooperated fully to complete the interview.
The only question that remained was whether the woman had come simply at the request of Yomiuri Television, or if this was a mission from the Black Organization.
Her mind drifted back to the day before, at the Yomiuri TV station.
Mizunashi Rena reviewed the contents of the email she had received from the Organization a few days prior. The instructions were clear: find a way to secure an interview with the new head of the Sindora Group and use the opportunity to test whether the artificial intelligence, "Noah's Ark," had truly self-destructed.
"Miss Mizunashi, we're running out of time. We should head to Miss Ningguang's company for the interview."
"Ah, I'm coming," she replied, shaking off her thoughts at the staff member's reminder. She quickly gathered her things and caught up with the rest of the crew.
Upon arriving at the company headquarters, they were received by Ganyu, the personal assistant to their subject, Ningguang. After a round of brief introductions, Ganyu led the Yomiuri Television staff to a conference room to wait.
"My apologies," Ganyu said with a polite, slightly apologetic smile. "There have been a great many interview requests recently. Lady Ningguang is currently in an interview with reporter Charlotte of the Beika Daily. It should be concluding shortly. Please, rest here for a moment. I will come to notify you as soon as she is available."
Mizunashi Rena offered a professional smile in return. "That's quite alright. We're a bit tired from the trip over, so a short break is most welcome."
Ganyu then brought them each a glass of water before excusing herself and leaving the conference room.
Once Ganyu was gone and there were no outsiders present, the atmosphere in the room relaxed. Mizunashi Rena's colleagues began to chat amongst themselves. She did not join their conversation, instead using the time to mentally organize the questions for her upcoming interview.
However, she couldn't help but overhear them discussing the reporter from the Beika Daily who was currently with Ningguang.
According to their gossip, this reporter, Charlotte, had become quite famous recently. She had a reputation for reporting truths that certain powerful people would rather keep hidden, and as a result, had received a number of threatening letters. They wondered aloud if the matter had been resolved. Seeing as she was still out conducting interviews as usual, they concluded that everything must be more or less fine.
In reality, the situation was quite different from their assumptions. Charlotte had indeed received threatening letters, and the matter was far from resolved.
She simply hadn't taken them to heart at all, continuing to go wherever she pleased. She was a common sight in the streets and alleys of Beika, tirelessly collecting the "truth." It was her newspaper editor who, seeing the pile of threatening letters grow, couldn't stand it any longer. Genuinely worried for Charlotte's safety, he had forcibly reassigned her to the celebrity interview column, figuring that at least this kind of work wouldn't put her in danger.
And that was the very reason why Charlotte had appeared at Ningguang's company today.
[Inorin's Note:
Enjoying the story? Dropping a quick review, comment, or Power Stone means the world to me and keeps these daily updates flowing!
Want to read 50 chapters ahead or just want to help keep a shameless translator alive? (My livelihood actually depends on this, haha 😭). You can support me directly here:
(P.S. Just remove the brackets and replace the [.] with a regular dot . to use the links!)
✨ Patreon (50 Advanced Chapters): patreon[.]com/InorinTL
☕ Ko-fi (Support / Sponsor): ko-fi[.]com/InorinTL
Thank you so much for reading and keeping this project alive!]