"S-Shinichi?!"
Dragged downstairs by Conan, Ran froze the moment she saw the figure standing before her, dressed in the Teitan High School uniform.
"Long time no see, Ran!" Kaito's disguise was impeccable. That cocky tone was so perfect that even Tsuneo wanted to give him a thumbs up.
"Ran-neechan, what's wrong?" Conan blinked his eyes innocently, looking up at her.
"N-Nothing..." Ran looked down at the Death God elementary schooler again.
Is it just my imagination?
"Good grief. I thought you'd be a bit more excited to see me," Kaito said, putting on an exasperated expression.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Who would be excited to see you!"
"Besides, where on earth have you been running off to?!"
After the brief moment of shock, Ran did indeed become quite emotional.
"It's a long story..." As a professional actor—albeit an unrenowned one—Kaito's acting skills were beyond reproach.
Sitting to the side, enduring the occasional glances from Maori Kogoro, he began to fabricate a story on the spot.
The premise was simple.
The story the children had helped brainstorm at Professor Agasa's house earlier was very complete, so he could use it directly.
"You always say there's a case..."
While the two high schoolers continued their conversation, Tsuneo was watching with amusement. However, Ran suddenly turned her head and asked, "And you too, Tsuneo-niisan. You knew about all this, so why didn't you tell me in advance?"
"I... I am guilty." The repairman knocked his own knuckles against his head.
How did I get dragged into this?
Kaito, could you please not change the script on the fly? You even said we're in regular contact? When did I ever contact you?!
"Conan... Conan calls him all the time to ask Shinichi about deductions." Tsuneo pointed a finger at the grinning elementary schooler.
Did I say you could smile?
"Indeed," Kaito nodded in agreement.
"Conan?!" Ran turned to stare at the famous detective.
Didn't you say you didn't know where Shinichi-niichan was?
Conan: "..."
You two better stop being so ridiculous...
"Honestly, could you lot stop making so much noise?" Maori Kogoro, who was watching TV, voiced his dissatisfaction.
"Then how about we go out for dinner? We can talk while we eat," Kaito proposed the next step of the plan.
They would sit at a table, have a happy meal, and then go their separate ways. Simple!
"And it's on me, Shinichi Kudo!"
"Dad, you can only have two bottles tonight, okay?" Before leaving, Ran instructed her old father.
"I know, I know. Aren't the four of you going out to eat? Hurry up and go!" Maori Kogoro waved his hand dismissively, his attention entirely on the television.
Yoko Okino had a show on tonight, and he was absolutely going to guard the TV for it.
With Tsuneo and Conan—those two third wheels—tagging along, nothing would happen anyway.
"I didn't say I was going!" Tsuneo actually wanted the teacher to instruct him in judo.
He could eat dinner when he got home.
"Go, go, hurry up!" Maori Kogoro practically shoved the repairman out the door.
Someone is treating you to a meal, so you'd better get to the table, brat!
Don't think about staying here to torment me!
Out of caution, Kaito put on a baseball cap the moment they stepped out the door.
Wearing the identity of Shinichi Kudo seems to be quite dangerous, doesn't it?
This audacious phantom thief had been thoroughly spooked by the repairman's earlier warnings.
"Do you really need to go to such lengths?" Ran suddenly felt that his situation didn't look good.
If he had to disguise himself just to walk down the street, what kind of dangerous case was he investigating?
"If I'm exposed, all our previous efforts might be wasted." Kaito's expression turned a few degrees more serious as he took the opportunity to explain the 'details.'
Of course, these 'details' were heavily artistically embellished.
Whether it was the Black Organization or the mysterious organization seeking the Pandora Gem, both were dangerous enough that they couldn't be spoken of lightly. He had to fabricate a virtual substitute...
...
The four of them soon arrived at a restaurant down the street.
There were only five or six tables in the room, and it seemed quiet and peaceful.
The shop wasn't large, and the decor was average, but the prices on the menu were high enough.
"This guy... he planned where to eat a long time ago, didn't he..." Conan looked up at the prices and couldn't help but reveal a speechless expression.
This restaurant isn't run by some star chef who fled a hotel kitchen, is it???
"Do you really care about this little bit of money?"
"If not, I'll pay." Tsuneo looked very arrogant, actually daring to challenge the rich second-generation heir.
"Really?" Conan looked at him.
That doesn't sound like one of your lines.
"I'm joking."
The repairman immediately turned his head away.
I was just saying it.
After entering the shop, Kaito didn't hesitate. With a wave of his hand, he ordered almost every dish on the menu.
"Shinichi, actually, I've asked before... but what about Conan's parents?" Ran looked at Conan and Tsuneo standing to the side, then turned back to ask.
Ever since that lady, Fumiyo Edogawa, made that one appearance, there had been no news.
"Oh, his parents' work is also very unique. I can't say too much. For the past few years, everyone has been taking turns helping to take care of this kid," Kaito said with a smile.
Smart, mature, and brave—this was the persona Kaito was building for Conan.
It would help reduce people's suspicions...
"Seriously? What kind of good food could a small shop like this possibly have?"
The door opened, and three more customers walked in.
Two men and one woman, all appearing to be roughly the same age, somewhere in their late twenties.
"H-Hello, here is the menu."
There were only two staff members in the shop: the waitress right in front of them, and the owner-chef who stayed in the back kitchen.
Of the three customers who had just entered, the leader looked a bit like a thug. The waitress sensed he might be difficult to deal with.
The thug-like man was named Hayato Fukuda. He had shoulder-length hair and gave off the vibe of a 'free spirit.' The remark about the food had come from him.
"Fukuda, the chef here is extraordinary. You'll understand once you eat!"
His two companions, a man and a woman, looked much more normal. They were dressed in business attire and appeared to have just gotten off work.
"Heh, you're paying anyway, so whatever." Hayato Fukuda smirked. Crossing his legs and ignoring the 'No Smoking' sign, he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter.
"Um, smoking is prohibited inside the restaurant," the waitress said, quickly writing down their order and offering a reminder.
"So what? Is there anyone who objects?!" Mr. Fukuda looked extremely arrogant.
He swept his gaze around the restaurant and found that aside from the waitress, there was only one table of young customers.
Heh, there's even one in a school uniform. Looks just as easy to bully as this waitress.
The repairman looked left and right, trying to find a handy object to use as a weapon.
Acting like a big shot when you go out... I'm afraid you picked the wrong day for that!
"Dear guest, smoking is prohibited in this shop."
At that moment, the shop owner appeared carrying two plates of food. He walked out of the kitchen, bowed slightly, and stared at the man.
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