On the coffee table sat two glasses of water and a glass of juice.
Mouri Kogoro glanced at Watanabe Tetsu, who sat calm and composed without a trace of nervousness, and asked, "Mr. Tanaka, you mean… you want this kid to take me as his master?"
The pickpocket's name was Tanaka Kentarō.
He nodded. "Little Tetsu has been interested in detective work since he was small. His dream is to become an outstanding detective in the future. But his parents both died in an accident, and because my job requires me to travel constantly, I can't take proper care of him. So I thought of placing him with a detective. That way, he'd have a stable home and could also learn detective skills."
So he was here to place a child in foster care.
Mouri Kogoro's heart sank with disappointment. Something troublesome and unrewarding like this was the last thing he wanted. He was just about to decline when Tanaka Kentarō took out a bank card and placed it on the table.
"There's 2 million yen on this card—as his apprenticeship fee and one year of foster care. I hope Mr. Mouri can accept."
Two… two million yen?
Mouri Kogoro's eyes widened. The rejection that had been on the tip of his tongue was forcibly swallowed back down. He pasted on a smile and readily agreed, "Please rest assured, Mr. Tanaka. If the child stays with me, I'll surely train him into an excellent detective."
"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Mouri."
With money smoothing the way, all problems ceased to be problems. After the two adults agreed on a few details, Watanabe Tetsu stayed at the Mouri household that very night.
"Little Tetsu, you'll be living here from now on. You must listen to Uncle Mouri, alright?" Tanaka Kentarō said earnestly.
Watanabe bobbed his small head. "I know, Uncle Tanaka. I'll listen to Uncle Mouri."
"Mm. It's getting late, so I should go. Little Tetsu, walk me out?" Tanaka hinted.
Watanabe immediately understood. He looked at Mouri. "Uncle Mouri, I'll see my uncle off."
"Go on, say a proper goodbye," Mouri said kindly.
Those 2 million yen made him view Watanabe very favorably.
The two left the detective agency and went downstairs.
Tanaka grinned at Watanabe. "So? Little Tetsu, how was Uncle's acting?"
"Perfect," Watanabe praised, then took out 100,000 yen from his backpack and handed it over. "This is the payment I promised."
This time, Tanaka didn't hold back. He took the cash, licking his lips. "But, Little Tetsu, why'd you choose that Mouri detective? From the look of him, he doesn't seem even remotely—"
"Mr. Tanaka," Watanabe cut him off. "This is my matter. You don't need to ask."
"Alright, alright. I won't ask." Tanaka shrugged indifferently, though greed flashed in his eyes as he glanced at Watanabe's backpack. "If you have jobs like this again, remember to contact me. Price is negotiable."
Watanabe nodded.
"Then, see you."
Watching Tanaka's figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance, Watanabe's lips curled slightly.
"Not see you," he murmured softly, "but goodbye forever."
Back at the agency, Mouri Kogoro had already put away the bank card. When he saw Watanabe return, he beckoned him over. "Little Tetsu, come here."
Watanabe obediently walked over.
"Little Tetsu, from now on we're family," Mouri said warmly. "So there are a few things I should make clear. Besides you and me, there's also my daughter—Mouri Ran. She's a high school student. Also, being a detective is tough work. It takes more than knowledge; you need experience. Even if you're apprenticing under me, you still have to attend school. I'll handle the enrollment."
Watanabe nodded sensibly. "I'll follow all of Uncle Mouri's arrangements."
"Good boy." Mouri rubbed his hair in satisfaction.
Five o'clock in the afternoon.
The door opened, and a bright, bell-like voice rang through the office.
"I'm home——!"
"Ran's back," Mouri lifted his head. Seeing his daughter enter, he said, "Ran, cook a little more tonight."
"Eh? Do we have guests?" Ran blinked, then noticed Watanabe sitting on the sofa. "This child is…?"
Watanabe immediately slid off the sofa, walked to her, and gave a polite little bow. "Hello, Sister Ran. My name is Watanabe Tetsu. Please take care of me."
"Ah—hello." Ran quickly returned the greeting, then shot her father a puzzled look.
"Little Tetsu will be living with us from now on…" Mouri explained, telling her the entire story.
Of course, he intentionally left out the part about the 2 million yen.