Over the next week, Chris and Kazuha became fast friends.
Kazuha was constantly calling her "Chris-nee" and praising her.
"Heiji, it turns out Chris-nee graduated from a famous Ivy League university!"
"Heiji, Chris-nee knows so much about law!"
"Heiji, I introduced Chris-nee to Sonoko and Ran."
"Heiji, after our exams tomorrow, me, Ran, and Sonoko are going skiing on Mt. Fuji with Chris-nee."
"Mhm... wait, what did you say?"
Heiji sat up and looked at Kazuha.
"We're going skiing on Mt. Fuji," Kazuha repeated, looking at him strangely.
Heiji frowned. "It's summer. How can a ski resort be open?"
"No problem. Sonoko's family is investing in a new ski resort on the mountainside."
"It has snow all year round, so skiing is no problem," Kazuha explained.
[Sonoko again...]
"Seriously! I'm going skiing with Sonoko and Kazuha, so why are you two following us, Dad and Conan?" Ran complained.
"It's free, and I don't have any cases. It's a good chance to relax," Kogoro Mori said, as if it were obvious.
"I know Sonoko said it's free, but we should still pay our share," Ran said, unhappy.
"Why pay? The Suzuki family has so much money, they won't miss our little contribution. No need," Kogoro said carelessly.
The exams ended, and the students cheered. Summer vacation was here.
"I didn't know you were so rich, Heiji. The newest Mercedes GLS-class AMG. Amazing," Chris said from the back seat.
"Oh, Chris-nee, that was a gift from Sonoko's dad. He said it was to thank Heiji for helping them out," Kazuha explained.
"Oh? That must have been a surprise."
"Yeah, we had no idea. We were really shocked," Kazuha replied, following Chris's lead.
"President Suzuki must think very highly of Heiji, then."
Chris continued to fish for information.
"Of course. Not just President Suzuki, but Mrs. Suzuki also likes Heiji a lot," Kazuha said proudly.
A glint flashed in Chris's eyes. Heiji Hattori's relationship with the Suzuki family is unusual.
Heiji shook his head, annoyed. Kazuha is falling for all of Chris's tricks.
But he didn't stop her. Anyone could find out what Kazuha knew. Stopping her would only make it look suspicious.
Mt. Fuji is Japan's tallest peak, located on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures.
It was several hours' drive from Osaka.
Along the way, Kazuha and Chris chatted nonstop.
Heiji listened, and he had to admire Chris's skill.
She could talk to a high school student with no sense of a generation gap, as if they could talk about anything.
At the base of Mt. Fuji, Sonoko, Ran, and the others, who lived in Tokyo, had already arrived.
"Seriously, Uncle, we're going skiing. Why did you and this little pipsqueak Conan have to tag along?"
Sonoko looked at Kogoro and Conan, exasperated.
"Hmph. I used to be a ski champion. How could I miss this?"
Kogoro felt no embarrassment at all.
Conan stayed quiet. He was used to Sonoko's teasing. He knew she wasn't actually upset they were there.
"I'm so sorry, Sonoko," Ran said.
"Sorry for what? I'm just kidding. But where are Heiji and the others?"
Sonoko looked down the only road. Suddenly, her eyes lit up with a strange excitement.
"They're here!"
Everyone looked. A shiny black Mercedes appeared on the road, catching the light of the setting sun.
"Damn it! Why is that Hattori brat here too?" Kogoro grumbled.
[Hey, hey, Ran didn't tell me Hattori was coming. Damn it.]
Conan glanced at Ran, annoyed.
"Chris-nee is here! I'm so excited to finally meet her in person," Ran said.
"Me too! We've chatted online, but this is different. Ran, do you think Chris-nee is prettier in real life?"
Sonoko was full of anticipation.
"I bet she is."
[Chris-nee?]
Conan looked at Ran and Sonoko, confused.
Just then, the car stopped.
Kazuha jumped out first and ran to hug Sonoko and Ran.
"Kazuha, where's Chris-nee?"
Sonoko and Ran looked at the car eagerly.
"Hehe, she's coming," Kazuha laughed.
The back door opened. Long legs stepped out, followed by a flash of black.
Chris stepped out, wearing a long black dress, her light-golden hair blowing in the wind.
"Wow! A beauty! A total beauty!"
Kogoro Mori's eyes instantly turned into hearts. He straightened his posture, trying to look charming.
"Hello. I am the famous detective, Kogoro Mori."
Chris smiled lightly at him. Behind her sunglasses, her eyes were cold.
"Dad, don't be embarrassing!"
Ran pulled Kogoro away and looked at Chris apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Chris-nee. My dad didn't mean any harm."
"You must be Ran. You're even prettier than in the videos."
"Wow, even her voice is sweet!"
Kogoro had his standard lecherous look on his face.
Conan sighed, then looked at Chris, his expression serious.
Why do I get such a dangerous feeling from this woman?
"Chris-nee, I'm here too!" Sonoko ran over excitedly.
"Sonoko. You're even more lively in person."
Heiji stood to the side, watching quietly.
He had his reasons for not stopping Chris from befriending the three girls.
First, the system hadn't warned him that Kazuha was in danger.
Now that she was his woman, the system had a function to warn him if anyone approached her with ill intent.
Chris's presence hadn't triggered any warning, so she was safe for now.
Second, if she wasn't targeting Kazuha, she was targeting him.
Rather than guess, he'd just watch her little show and see what happened.
Since it was already evening, Sonoko led the group to a villa.
"We'll be staying here tonight."
The three girls chatted, and by the time they were done, it was one in the morning.
The moon had set.
Vermouth leaned against her headboard, holding her phone between her head and shoulder as she painted her nails.
"Heiji Hattori's relationship with the Suzuki family is unusual?"
Gin's cold voice came from the phone.
"Would they just give someone a 24-million-yen car if the relationship was 'usual'?"
"And according to his girlfriend, both Shiro and Tomoko Suzuki think very highly of him. There's a secret there."
Vermouth sounded relaxed as she painted her nails.
The other end was silent for a moment.
"I'll give you one more week."
Hearing the dial tone, a sly smile appeared on Vermouth's lips.
"Heiji Hattori... this is getting more and more fun."
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