Chapter 80: A sudden and miraculous turn of events.
The art style of Furuya Rei in this world is different from that of Amuro Touko next door; it's confirmed that he's also turned evil.
Morofushi Sora'aki only knew the normal course that should have existed, but in the current situation, the course of that normal world would only confuse his judgment, because he had to make contact to determine whether the other party was on the red side.
He had suspected that all four people he knew best had switched sides—he had only confirmed it after meeting them.
He wasn't familiar with Akai Shuuichi, but since he didn't recognize the name "Moroboshi" and it was obviously a pseudonym, he could be 50% certain that Akai was a good person.
But who in the underworld would use their real name? Maybe he's just a slightly more cautious member of the criminal organization? It's not impossible.
Conquering this group of people is not the only option to correct the timeline; Morofushi Sora'aki is simply habitually looking for territories and regions that he is more familiar with.
Akai Shuuichi was the least familiar to him, so he was ranked last.
Just as his face has a special effect on Hagiwara, it also has a specific effect on other people, especially Morofushi Hiromitsu.
Morofushi Hiromitsu's reaction when he called out "brother" reveals a lot of information—you could actually find out this by going to Nagano to find out about Morofushi Taka'aki, but if possible, Morofushi Hiromitsu would not want to do so.
Let's first establish the most important timeline... After the protagonist, Kudou Shin'ichi, unexpectedly shrinks, another partner and helper will naturally appear by his side.
First appeared was Professor Agasa, who made all sorts of gadgets for him, followed by Hattori Heiji, the famous detective from Kansai. And most importantly... was Miyano Shiho, who developed the drug that shrunk him.
Because of her sister's death, Miyano Shiho was no longer willing to conduct research for the organization. She originally planned to commit suicide by swallowing drugs, but unexpectedly ended up in the same situation as Kudou Shin'ichi, and took the opportunity to escape.
But now, Miyano Akemi is still alive in this world, so Miyano Shiho would never choose to escape the organization.
In a sense, Miyano Shiho also grew up alongside Morofushi Sora'aki, so he understands her quite well. Regardless of her personality, she is extremely dependent on her mother and older sister, a complete siscon. On this point, Morofushi Sora'aki and Miyano Shiho are on the same side.
If her sister hadn't been in trouble or suffered any loss of benefits, Miyano Shiho could have suppressed her emotions and done things she didn't want to do, as long as it would protect her sister.
...Speaking of which, is Elena-sensei from this world still alive?
The intelligence chain breaks down again here. So essentially, we still need to continue obtaining intelligence through them, creating a vicious cycle.
However, this time, instead of directly contacting the other people, they have to go behind their backs and approach the Miyano sisters.
Miyano Shiho is difficult to approach, but Miyano Akemi is much easier to get along with.
Morofushi Sora'aki felt he should really thank Hagiwara Kenji, since among all the people he knew, only Hagiwara had taught him the most flirting techniques.
"If you meet a girl you like, you can't be so cold! You have to take the initiative! Take the initiative, understand?!"
"Starting a conversation is actually very simple; you just need to start a conversation."
"For example, they might borrow notes or books, or ask for directions on the street. Or they might drag me and Jinpei-chan along, ask them to take pictures of us, and then exchange email addresses or something like that."
"...What's your rush? Valentine's Day is still two months away!" Matsuda Jinpei retorted.
"This is the first time Sora'aki-chan has ever asked me for flirting tips!" Hagiwara Kenji clenched his fist, his eyes almost burning with fire: "This is youth!"
"Speaking of which, Sora'aki-chan, who is the person you want to chat up? What are their main characteristics or preferences? I'll help you tailor your approach!"
Morofushi Sora'aki thought for a moment: "She's a gentle older sister."
Matsuda Jinpei also became interested: "Oh? You like this type?"
Hagiwara Kenji nodded: "Indeed, Sora'aki-chan does feel more like a younger boyfriend."
"She has a younger sister, who is rather aloof. They have a very good relationship." Morofushi Sora'aki continued.
Hagiwara Kenji nodded again: "Oh, the younger sister is also a problem. If the relationship is good, the younger sister will be possessive of the older sister, right?"
"Yeah, she have a sister-complex." Morofushi Sora'aki commented.
"Haha, really?" Hagiwara Kenji said, cupping his face in his hands. "Sora'aki-chan has reached this age too. And what else? This information isn't enough."
Morofushi Sora'aki thought for a moment: "Then... she has a boyfriend? The kind with long, dark hair and a fierce look in his eyes."
"Oh, so you have a boyfriend, and he's a scoundrel..." Hagiwara Kenji fell silent.
Hagiwara Kenji: "..."
Matsuda Jinpei: "..."
Hagiwara Kenji nearly choked on his own saliva, patting his chest in pain: "Cough cough cough, wait! What? You have a boyfriend?! And he's involved in organized crime?!"
Matsuda Jinpei: "...So you like this type?"
It's the same sentence, but the tone has completely changed.
Seeing his two friends trying to dissuade him, Morofushi Sora'aki continued, "When did I say I liked her?"
"..." Hagiwara Kenji: "Then why did you say those things that are so easy to misunderstand?!"
Matsuda Jinpei raised his hand: "I have to speak up for him this time. He never said he had someone he liked; he just asked how to start a conversation. You're overthinking it, Hagi."
All he could recall were jokes and banter with his two best friends. Morofushi Sora'aki brushed the memories from his mind and looked at Miyano Akemi, who was carrying a bag and heading home.
Morofushi Sora'aki walked in the opposite direction from Miyano Akemi, but as they passed each other, a hole suddenly appeared in the bag of fruit that Miyano Akemi was carrying.
Startled, Miyano Akemi immediately crouched down to pick up the fallen fruit. Morofushi Sora'aki picked up the few oranges that had fallen to the farthest spot, held them in his arms, and walked toward Miyano Akemi, whose long hair was loose.
Miyano Akemi, still squatting on the ground, smiled brightly and said, "Thank you."
However, she bought a lot of things this time, and without bags, it would be inconvenient to carry them back.
After thinking for a moment, Morofushi Sora'aki said, "I'm free later, I can go with you to the nearest convenience store."
Morofushi Sora'aki didn't directly offer to help take her home. Although she usually acted like an ordinary person, Miyano Akemi was still a low-level member of the organization, had a younger sister who was an important researcher, and a boyfriend with a code name. She understood what she needed to be wary of.
Miyano Akemi did not refuse the kindness, and said with a smile, "Thank you so much. I remember the nearest convenience store is not far away!"
Since they had already come all this way, it was impossible to remain silent forever. Out of politeness, Miyano Akemi spoke up, saying, "You've really been a great help. If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't know how I would have gotten back."
"No." Morofushi Sora'aki recalled Hagiwara's flirting tips and naturally continued the conversation for a few minutes.
Chatting with Miyano Akemi is a very pleasant experience because she has a high EQ and never makes the atmosphere awkward. She can make people feel happy without revealing her own information.
The convenience store was giving out free reusable bags. After Miyano Akemi put the fruit she was carrying into the bag, she opened it and let Morofushi Sora'aki put his fruit in as well, then breathed a sigh of relief. She then thanked them again, saying, "Thank you so much!"
Morofushi Sora'aki shook his head and left the area. Only after Miyano Akemi could no longer see him did he take a small razor blade from his pocket. He never imagined his hand speed would be used in such a situation.
Once you've spoken to someone even once, Miyano Akemi will remember them. That's how people are. You might pass by strangers you occasionally, but once you remember their faces, you'll find it's like you're running into them all the time.
Miyano Akemi was like that. When she was in the bookstore, she saw Morofushi Sora'aki standing to the side, looking down and flipping through a comic.
Miyano Akemi was somewhat surprised, but still took the initiative to greet him: "I didn't expect to see you here."
As they were talking, Miyano Akemi glanced at the cover in Morofushi Sora'aki's hand and noticed that it was a romance comic.
Morofushi Sora'aki looked at the words written in cute font on the comic: "[Yumeno-sensei is getting married! Congratulations!!!]", put the comic down, and nodded to Miyano Akemi: "Hello."
"I didn't introduce myself when we met last time. My name is Nozaki Umetarou."
Miyano Akemi smiled and replied, "My name is Miyano Akemi, it's nice to meet you."
Morofushi Sora'aki showed a momentary look of surprise, but quickly composed himself, a subtle expression that Miyano Akemi noticed.
Miyano Akemi became alert, but her smile remained unchanged: "What's wrong?"
"...Um, excuse me. May I ask if your mother's name is Elena?"
Miyano Akemi became even more wary, and then she heard Morofushi Sora'aki say, "Did you run a clinic before?"
Miyano Akemi smiled and said, "Yes, my mother's name is indeed Elena. May I ask..."
"That's great. There's an important document—22 years ago, a package was mistakenly sent to my house, addressed to Miyano Elena. Just as my mother was about to hand the package over to your mother, the Miyano Clinic moved, making it impossible for her to contact her." Morofushi Sora'aki said "That's great," without changing his tone.
Miyano Akemi was taken aback for a moment: "Huh?"
"Inside is a medical document that looks very complicated." said Morofushi Sora'aki. "That's why my mother has always wanted to find Elena-sensei and give it to her."
"I didn't expect to run into you here. Let's set a time to meet here. I'll give it to you next time we meet."
Morofushi Sora'aki gave Miyano Akemi no chance to speak until the topic had ended, at which point he asked as if he had just remembered, "Speaking of which, how has Elena-sensei been lately?"
Miyano Akemi gave a slightly sad smile: "My mother passed away in an accident more than ten years ago..."
"..." Morofushi Sora'aki: "Sorry."
Miyano Akemi shook her head generously: "It's alright!"
Even so, they still scheduled a time to hand over the documents.
The next day, Morofushi Sora'aki came over with a document. Miyano Akemi had already glanced at it in the bookstore; it contained some complex medical research that she didn't know much about.
However, apart from the printed text, the handwritten annotations in black pen were extremely familiar to Miyano Akemi.
Unlike Miyano Shiho, who has no memory of her parents, Miyano Akemi retains memories of them.
Looking at the yellowed text, Miyano Akemi could even imagine her mother sitting in front of the laboratory recording data.
Besides this document, there was also a cassette tape inside. When Miyano Akemi looked at Morofushi Sora'aki with a puzzled expression, Morofushi Sora'aki shook his head: "I haven't heard of it, so I don't know what's inside."
Miyano Akemi thanked Morofushi Sora'aki with the document and tape in her hands. With such a document, the loopholes in Morofushi Sora'aki's words were no longer so important.
Apart from the deliberately aged paper, all other documents, notes, and the tape were genuine. In his own world, the tape was recorded by Miyano Elena on her cell phone at the request of Morofushi Sora'aki, because Miyano Akemi's birthday was approaching and he wanted to record a blessing.
Then, using that recording, I bought an old cassette tape from twenty years ago and copied it in.
The document was a photocopy on Miyano Shiho's desk. Since Morofushi Sora'aki had some medical knowledge, he was a suitable recorder. So he asked for a copy, and Miyano Shiho didn't refuse, naturally handing it to him to make the copy himself.
Having faked things to this extent, even Morofushi Sora'aki felt he was quite impressive.
"...We should have recorded more," Morofushi Sora'aki muttered to himself. And he figured it would be better to use Miyano Shiho's birthday as a reason, even though it had only been a month since her birthday.
Having obtained the intelligence, Miyano Akemi clearly has no intention of leaving the organization with her sister.
So, in other words, the protagonist is missing an important researcher.
Morofushi Sora'aki thought about it seriously for half a minute, and then decided that he would log in himself.
So, a week later, when Edogawa Conan saw Morofushi Sora'aki again, he almost choked on his own saliva.
He looked at the elementary school student in front of him, who was about the same height as him, and saw those somewhat familiar cat-like eyes. Then he heard the student politely introduce himself: "Hello, my name is Mosu Fuo (摩斯福爾 / mó'sī'fú'ěr) ."
"Don't just flip Holmes' (福爾摩斯 / fú'ěr'mó'sī) name around like that!" Edogawa Conan, wearing a mask of pain, exclaimed, "What's wrong with you, Nozaki?!"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you before, actually the drug that shrunk you was something I researched." Morofushi Sora'aki lied with a straight face: "I approached you because I was a little curious about the research results."
"Stop joking!!" Edogawa Conan was a little exasperated.
Morofushi Sora'aki: "Hmm, we have a shrunken researcher as a tool partner. The storyline has been restored by 10%."
Edogawa Conan covered his face: "So what are you talking about?! I don't understand at all!"