After meeting Tomoko Suzuki, Sonoko was about to take Heiji's group to the grand hall to eat something, as the party was about to begin.
"Heiji-niichan, how is it that you know European royal etiquette?" Conan couldn't hold back anymore.
"European royal etiquette? Conan, what are you talking about?" Ran asked, confused.
"Ran, European royal etiquette is a noble protocol recognized all over the world. Generally, only members of royalty know it. I didn't expect Heiji to know it too, and what's more, in a more correct way than many royal nobles."
Sonoko's tone was full of astonishment.
"Wow, Heiji is so amazing," Ran said, looking at Heiji with admiration.
"My Heiji, of course, is the best of all," Kazuha clung to Heiji like a little woman in love, her eyes full of love.
"Hmph, this brat must have learned it somewhere to show off in front of Mrs. Suzuki. Good thing the lady didn't notice, otherwise, he would've gotten into big trouble."
Kogoro Mouri was not at all pleased that Heiji had stolen his spotlight. He was the famous and great detective, and he had been completely ignored.
"Uncle, you're wrong about that. Heiji wasn't showing off as a noble, and my mother didn't see him as one either, because within royal etiquette, there are also categories. The category of Heiji's etiquette belongs to teaching, that is, that of a master or similar," Sonoko explained.
"A master?"
Kogoro Mouri looked at Heiji with disdain. A high school student being the master of a European noble was, evidently, impossible.
"Heiji-niichan, you still haven't answered me."
The doubt in Conan's heart remained unresolved.
Heiji looked at Conan; he knew this boy wouldn't give up: "I learned it from television."
[From television?]
The corner of Conan's lips twitched. That excuse was truly universal.
"But Heiji-niichan, I've heard that royal etiquette is not disclosed to the public, how did it appear on television?"
This boy would not give up until his doubt was resolved.
"Alright, I'll tell you in a low voice."
Heiji lowered his head and spoke softly.
Conan quickly brought his ear closer, with an expectant look on his face.
"And why would I have to tell a meddling brat like you where I learned it? So annoying!!!",
Heiji suddenly shouted, making Conan's eardrums vibrate and rumble.
"Conan, don't be so nosy in the future. If Heiji doesn't tell you, he surely has his reasons. Don't act like a little kid," Ran scolded him.
[Damn it, Ran doesn't even defend me. Besides, that bastard Hattori surely has a secret, and I plan to find it out.]
Conan covered his ears, very frustrated.
Heiji didn't bother paying attention to this mystery fanatic and, taking Kazuha's hand, headed to the grand hall.
The hall was already full. All the tables were occupied by people dressed in formal wear, with champagne and brand-name wines; they were all members of high society.
Under the guidance of Miss Sonoko, Heiji's group sat at the table closest to the stage.
Heiji glanced around and was left speechless. There were at least ten policemen in the room.
"Heiji-niichan, what are you looking at?" Conan kept insisting.
"Little one, since you like playing detective so much, I'll test you. How many of the people here have been policemen?"
Since he had nothing better to do, he decided to play with this mystery fanatic for a while.
"Have been policemen?"
Conan instantly grasped the meaning of Heiji's words.
"That's right. Knowing that the Night Baron and Kaito Kid are coming, policemen have surely infiltrated this party. But I've also noticed that there are people who were policemen and later went into business. Let's see if you can guess how many have been policemen. Remember, the loser will have to do one thing for the winner."
A malicious smile formed on Heiji's lips.
Seeing Heiji's strange smile, Conan couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach: This guy, Hattori, is up to something.
"Hmph, we'll see."
"Heiji, what did you say to Conan?"
Seeing Conan running all over the hall, Ran couldn't help but ask with surprise.
"Don't pay attention to that little one, kids are like that."
Kogoro Mouri was sitting very straight, as if he feared people wouldn't see his face.
"I'm playing a little detective game with him," Heiji said with a smile.
"That little one loves these kinds of games," Sonoko said, making a face.
The grand hall was full of high society people and also many talented young men. The objective of the latter was, naturally, the second young lady of the Suzuki Corporation, Sonoko Suzuki, who was sitting next to Ran.
In the short time they had been sitting, Sonoko had already been invited to dance five times, and there was no shortage of handsome men among the suitors.
"Sonoko, this isn't like you. That Takuya Mifune, although he's a bit tan, is very handsome. And you rejected him."
Ran was very surprised. Although Sonoko didn't usually have much contact with boys, she always verbally joked with those who were handsome. But now, she was rejecting them.
"What are you saying! Ran, you're making fun of me."
Sonoko started playing around with Ran, but her beautiful eyes couldn't help but drift towards Heiji.
"Hehe. Kazuha, help me!" Ran asked Kazuha for help.
The three girls started playing around together.
"Heiji-niichan, I found them. There are ten in total," Conan said, running towards them confidently.
The three girls, who were joking around, stopped abruptly.
"Little guy, are you saying there are ten policemen here?" Sonoko asked with curiosity.
[What's it to you?]
Conan made a face at Sonoko, but he still wanted to show off in front of Ran: "People who attend a party usually have an objective, especially at a high-level party like this. Everyone strives to socialize, hoping to find business partners. However, not only do those ten people not talk to anyone, but they also have an extremely tense expression..."
"But Conan, maybe they just don't like to socialize, or they are naturally serious," Ran said.
"Ran-neechan, policemen are different from others. Out of habit, when they walk, they don't bump into people even if they don't look forward, because their attention is always on their surroundings. Besides, they wear wireless earphones and small microphones on their shirt collars. Since you can't bring bodyguards onto the ship, these must be policemen," Conan said confidently.
"How strange, Conan. How is it that you know so much?" Ran asked suspiciously.
Conan's heart skipped a beat: I've forgotten my current identity.
"Well... Shinichi-niichan taught me. I'm sure Heiji-niichan knows this stuff too."
Conan explained, waving his hands, trying to change the subject.
"If Kudo taught you this, then his deductive ability is too superficial."
Heiji shook his head.
"Huh?"
Ran looked at Heiji abruptly, with a doubtful expression.
[Damn Hattori.]
Conan was feeling super annoyed.
"Why do you say that, Heiji-niichan? I think Shinichi-niichan is very good."
Heiji glanced sideways at Conan and smiled confidently: "Although Kudo's reasoning is not entirely incorrect, it's only good for identifying common policemen, not those who are good at disguising themselves. You say there are ten people here who have been policemen. I'm telling you there are twelve. Besides the ten you mentioned, there are two other people in the hall who have been or are policemen."
[What? Impossible!!!]
Conan was very confident in his reasoning and didn't believe Heiji's words.
"You don't believe me, do you? I'll tell you one person, and I'm sure you won't expect it."
A malicious smile formed on Heiji's lips.
"Come on, say it already, Heiji-niichan!"
Conan grimaced to himself: I don't believe it.
"The eleventh policeman, Uncle Mouri, did you count him?" Heiji said with a malicious smile.
Conan was dumbstruck...
A minute of silence for the trolled Conan.
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