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Chapter 222: The Uninvited Graduate Student
"A Kung Fu master?"
Okiya Subaru squinted, a white glint flashing across his lenses. He hoisted the plastic bag in his hand a little higher, his face wearing that signature, harmless smile. "I didn't know Mr. Mori dabbled in that field. That's quite surprising."
"Naturally!" Mori Kogoro felt thoroughly soothed by the flattery. He let go of the tie he had been tugging at and patted his chest triumphantly, sending dust from his suit dancing in the sunlight. "As a famous detective, physical fitness is priority number one. The expert we're visiting today has mastered the legendary use of 'Qi.' Through medicinal baths and massage, he can open up a person's meridians!"
At this, Kogoro lowered his voice and leaned in mysteriously toward Subaru. "I heard it can even make you return to youth. Opportunities like this are once in a lifetime."
Subaru cooperated by showing a look of surprise. "Qi? Meridians?"
He adjusted his glasses, a hint of appropriate curiosity and yearning in his tone. "Actually, I've always been interested in mysterious Eastern culture. Although I majored in engineering at university, I've read quite a few papers on unlocking human potential. If I could witness phenomena beyond the scope of modern medicine with my own eyes, that would be wonderful."
Standing to the side, Conan secretly gave a thumbs-up in his heart. As expected of Mr. Akai. The acting, the angle of entry—simply flawless. Compared to directly stating suspicion of the other party's identity, this "academic curiosity" would better dispel Mori Kogoro's guard.
"Oh? Mr. Okiya is interested too?" Kogoro's eyes lit up. Usually, this kid was cooped up in the big Kudo house looking gloomy, but unexpectedly, he knew quality when he saw it.
"Of course." Subaru bowed slightly, his tone sincere. "If you don't mind, could you let me tag along to broaden my horizons? It just so happens that I've been staying up late rushing a thesis recently, and my shoulders are always sore. If that master truly has real talent, I'd like to consult him as well."
"This..." Kogoro hesitated.
Bringing an outsider along—would that be bad? After all, Mr. Blake was treating his family for free out of gratitude for saving his life. If he brought a tagalong...
"Uncle!" Conan suddenly looked up and shouted in his distinctive child's voice. "Take Subaru-niichan along! He's a researcher at Tohto University. If that big brother is a fake, Subaru-niichan will definitely be able to tell!"
This assist was perfectly timed. What did Mori Kogoro fear most? Being scammed, especially losing face in front of Eri Kisaki. Although he praised Blake to the skies verbally, he was still drumming a little beat of doubt in his heart. If Blake turned out to be a charlatan, losing money was a small matter, but being laughed at by that separated old hag was a major crisis. Bringing a high-achieving student to check things out didn't seem like a bad idea.
"Ahem." Kogoro cleared his throat and waved his hand grandly. "Since you're so sincere, come along then! It's a perfect chance for you to see what true Chinese secret arts are!"
The smile at the corner of Subaru's mouth deepened by a fraction. "Thank you very much, Mr. Mori."
Just then, Ran, who had been standing silently nearby, suddenly took a step forward, blocking their way.
"Wait a minute, Dad." Ran's brow furrowed slightly, her face showing disapproval. "This isn't very appropriate, is it?"
"Hah? What's not appropriate?" Kogoro, currently in high spirits, glared unhappily at being interrupted by his daughter.
"Mr. Blake invited our family," Ran said earnestly. Her voice was soft but carried an unignorable persistence. "This is a private visit, and it involves treatment. Rashly bringing a stranger along is not only impolite but might also cause trouble for Mr. Blake."
She turned and bowed apologetically to Okiya Subaru. "I'm sorry, Mr. Okiya. It's not that we don't want you to go, but this is basic etiquette. Showing up with an uninvited guest without the host's consent is really too rude."
Subaru paused. He looked at the girl with clear eyes before him, his gaze flickering slightly behind his lenses. Truly a sharp and kind child. Even at a time like this, she held fast to her baseline of conduct and principles. No wonder that boy would risk his life for her.
"Miss Ran is right." Subaru nodded, his tone gentle, showing no annoyance at the rejection. "It was inconsiderate of me. Such reclusive experts usually have their own rules. Indeed, I shouldn't disturb him rashly."
Conan's heart sank. Crap. Ran's personality was just like this—too sensible, too well-bred. But in a life-or-death situation like this, that breeding became an obstacle. If Mr. Akai didn't come, relying only on his elementary schooler body, they would have absolutely no room to resist if Blake suddenly turned hostile!
"Um... Ran-neechan..." Conan started to speak, intending to throw a tantrum, but saw Mori Kogoro scratch the back of his head impatiently.
"Oh, what a hassle!" Kogoro checked his watch; there was only half an hour left until the appointment. "This won't do, that won't do—then what do you suggest? We can't drive him away now, can we? I just agreed!"
As an adult who cared about face, retracting words just spoken was more painful than death.
"Dad, it's better to communicate this kind of thing with Mr. Blake first." Ran sighed and took out her phone. "I'll call and ask Mr. Blake. If he doesn't mind, then it's no problem. If it's inconvenient for him, we can't force it."
"Fine, fine, fine, you call, you call!" Kogoro waved his hand, looking indifferent. In his view, that young man Blake had an easygoing personality and worshipped him as a famous detective; bringing one extra person wouldn't be an issue at all.
"Sorry to trouble you, Miss Ran." Subaru stood aside, hands in his trench coat pockets, his posture relaxed. But Conan could sense that Mr. Akai's muscles had tensed slightly.
This was a gamble. If Blake refused, it meant he had a guilty conscience or that the so-called "treatment" held unspeakable secrets. If Blake agreed... it meant he didn't care about one extra person at all. Either result was crucial intelligence.
Tuu— Tuu—
The sound of the speakerphone echoed in the hot air. Each long tone felt like a small hammer striking Conan's heart.
Connected.
"Hello? Miss Ran?"
From the other end came the man's lazy and magnetic voice. The background was quiet, with the faint, crisp sound of a wine glass touching a table.
"Mr. B-Blake, hello." Ran gripped the phone tighter, her cheeks heating up slightly. "I'm sorry to disturb you at this time. We are ready to leave, but..."
She paused, glancing at Okiya Subaru standing nearby. "I'm really embarrassed to ask. A neighbor of mine, a graduate student from Tohto University named Mr. Okiya Subaru, heard that you understand ancient Chinese medicine and is very interested. He would like to come along for the visit."
The line fell into a brief silence.
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