While the three waited in line at the restaurant, Ran Mouri couldn't help but glance at Shinichi. His face was dark with frustration, and for someone as kindhearted as Ran, that expression was hard to ignore.
She quietly pulled out her phone and sent a message to Ren Kuroda, who was standing a few steps ahead.
Ran: "Kuroda-kun, Shinichi looks kind of upset… Do you think we went too far leaving him back at the museum? Should we apologize?"
Ren glanced at the screen, the corner of his mouth lifting. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he replied.
Ren: "Relax. He's not sulking—he's just bored. If you don't believe me, ask him about the murder case from earlier. The moment you do, he'll light right up."
Ran looked up from the message, studying Ren's calm face in disbelief. Her eyes seemed to ask, Seriously?
Ren nodded firmly.
A little uncertain, Ran decided to give it a try. She turned toward Shinichi with a curious smile. "So, Shinichi, how exactly did you figure out that case back there?"
"Huh? Oh, that case?" Shinichi's eyes instantly brightened. His frustration vanished as his detective spirit kicked back in.
"It actually wasn't difficult at all," he began, his voice animated. "I was just misled by common sense for a while!"
"Who would've guessed that someone as old as Director Ochiai could have that much strength? That was my mistake—assuming the rule of averages without considering the exception!"
He tapped his temple. "Holmes once said, 'Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.'"
"At first, I ruled him out. But as the investigation went on, one clue after another forced me to retrace my reasoning."
"And when I'd eliminated every other possibility, every trail pointed straight at Ochiai."
...
Ran watched Shinichi talk passionately, his eyes sparkling as he relived every deduction. Her earlier worry melted away, replaced by exasperation.
So that's it. She had thought he was upset because she and Ren had left him behind. But no—he'd just been miserable because there was no one around to show off his deductions to!
Ran sighed quietly. After all these years of knowing Shinichi, it turned out Ren already understood him better than she did.
"Hm?" Shinichi stopped mid-sentence, noticing her sigh. "What's wrong, Ran? Didn't follow that part? I can explain it again if you want."
"N-No, that's okay," Ran said quickly, waving her hands with a strained smile. "I get it. More or less."
She had no interest in murder cases, and another round of his explanation might actually kill her.
Before Shinichi could start again, Ren cut in smoothly. "Shinichi, you didn't forget about our little bet, did you?"
"Ah—!" Shinichi froze. "No, I didn't forget." His gut told him this was about to end badly.
"Then tonight's dinner's on you," Ren said with a grin. Seeing Ran's confused look, he added a quick explanation about their wager earlier in the museum.
Ran blinked. "Wait—you two actually bet on that?!" She frowned slightly. "But Kuroda-kun, how did you even know the director would really commit murder?"
Shinichi glanced at Ren too, equally curious.
Ren answered with complete composure. "Everyone's got their own kind of talent. Shinichi's is deduction. Yours, Ran, is athletic skill. As for me—" he smiled faintly, "I'm just… good at sensing killing intent."
"Really…" Shinichi muttered skeptically. It sounded like total nonsense, but he couldn't exactly disprove it.
Before he could say more, Ren stepped forward. "Looks like it's our turn. Let's go—Shinichi, hope you brought enough cash. Otherwise, you'll be washing dishes tonight."
Recognizing that Ren clearly didn't want to continue the subject, Shinichi simply sighed and went along. "Don't worry about that! Eat whatever you want—money's the least of my problems!"
"Damn that Kuroda Ren! Is he part pig or something? How can anyone eat that much?!"
"Not to mention he only ordered the expensive stuff!"
"And Ran—since when can she eat that much too?!"
Later that night, back home, Shinichi stared miserably at his deflated wallet.
His entire month's allowance—gone.
He felt like crying. With no other choice, he swallowed his pride, picked up his phone, and called home.
"Mom? I, uh… ran out of allowance money. Could you send me a bit more?"
"Of course!" came Yukiko Kudo's cheerful voice on the other end.
"Really? You're the best! I don't need much—just twenty thousand yen is fine!"
"Twenty thousand?" Yukiko laughed. "That's too little! You'll blow through that after two dinner dates. I'll send you thirty thousand."
Shinichi's eyes lit up. "Thirty thousand yen?! Thank you, my dearest, most wonderful mother! I knew you loved me best!"
But Yukiko's tone suddenly shifted, her words coming out sweet and deadly. "Of course, but it's not free money, you know. You'll be earning it."
"Huh? Earning it how?"
"There's a wedding in Kyoto tomorrow—an old friend of mine's getting married. I want you to go in my place."
"Wait, what? I don't even know these people. What am I supposed to do there?"
"Just… check something for me," Yukiko said casually. "I have this feeling her fiancé isn't exactly faithful. You know what I mean."
"Mom, that's just some petty affair investigation! Can't you hire a local detective for that?" Shinichi groaned.
"Please. As if any of them are as good as you." Yukiko's flippant remark hit him right where it hurt—his pride.
"...Fine," he said at last, defeated. "I'll go. Kyoto it is."
The next morning, Shinichi filed for leave from school and headed for the station to catch the shinkansen.
As he waited on the platform, a sudden, uneasy sensation crept up on him. Something instinctive made him glance to his left—
—and he froze.
Two men in black suits stood not far away.
His pupils constricted. He recognized them instantly.
That golden-haired man in particular…
It's him.
The one who knocked me out at Tropical Land!
The memory burned in his mind like a brand. The humiliation he suffered that day—he'd never forget it.
Now, seeing the man again, adrenaline surged through him. His detective's instincts screamed to pursue, to bring the man to justice.
But then—the blond man turned.
Their eyes met.
Shinichi's breath caught in his throat. Crap. He'd been spotted!
Panic flashed through him—until he noticed someone unexpected standing right beside the two men.
Without thinking, he raised a hand and called out, loudly:
"Uncle Mouri!"
"Huh?" Kogoro Mouri turned toward the voice, blinking in surprise. "Shinichi? That you? You never greet me so enthusiastically… What's gotten into you?"
As Shinichi approached, forcing himself to act natural, Kogoro frowned. "Shouldn't you be in school right now? It's Monday."
"My mom sent me to Kyoto to attend Kitagawa-san's wedding in her place," Shinichi said with an awkward laugh. "Didn't have a choice, so I took the day off."
"Huh. I'm going to that same wedding!" Kogoro smacked his forehead. "Right, right—Yukiko and I were classmates back in the day. Totally slipped my mind."
Shinichi gave him a flat look. "You forgot that?"
"She wasn't in my homeroom class, so why would I remember?" Kogoro said defensively, crossing his arms.
They chatted idly for a bit, and soon the shinkansen arrived.
Shinichi watched as the two men in black boarded ahead of them, finally letting out a quiet breath.
Good. That should keep them from suspecting anything.
But the problem wasn't over. They'd seen his face.
How am I supposed to get close to them now…?
With that uneasy thought, Shinichi followed behind Kogoro and stepped onto the train bound for Kyoto.