Natsuyu turned back and smiled.
"Ran, Conan—what a coincidence running into you here."
Then she looked toward the man beside them. "And Mr. Mouri, long time no see. We ran into that accident the last time we traveled on the Shinkansen, and I never really had the chance to talk to you properly. I've also heard you've solved a lot of cases recently. I'm something of a detective myself, so that makes you my senior. I'll be relying on you for guidance in the future."
Natsuyu glanced at this "warrior" from the anime—someone who had been shot with tranquilizer darts hundreds of times and still survived without issue. When he was wearing a suit and acting serious, he actually looked fairly reliable.
Of course, that impression lasted only until Mouri Kogoro opened his mouth—
"Hahahaha! I didn't think I'd become this famous already—so famous that even such a beautiful young lady has heard of my achievements!"
He laughed loudly, then suddenly stopped and pretended to be modest.
"Ahem. My accomplishments are really nothing worth mentioning. I just happened to get lucky and solve a few cases."
And then he burst out laughing again.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing how smug he looked, Conan felt speechless.
What do you mean, 'lucky'? Every one of your cases was solved because of me. With just your own ability, you'd never crack a single one…
Once Mouri finally stopped laughing, Natsuyu and Ran took the chance to introduce themselves properly.
"This is Lisa," Natsuyu said. "We met a few days ago while reading at the library. Today, when Ran mentioned that there was 'walking armor' in the museum, I got curious. Lisa also enjoys appreciating art, so I invited her to come with me."
Hearing the Traveler use her as an excuse, Lisa glanced at Natsuyu with a faint smile but said nothing.
The moment Mouri Kogoro saw Lisa, he froze in place.
To think he would encounter such a beautiful, elegant woman while visiting the museum—this trip was absolutely worth it.
He quickly straightened his clothes, stepped closer, cleared his throat, and said:
"Ahem, Miss Lisa, hello. To meet you in such an artistic place truly feels like fate. I never expected such a mature and graceful lady to enjoy medieval art. May I ask which piece you like the most?"
Ran clenched her fists, glaring murderously at her father's back as he shamelessly flirted with a woman he had just met.
Conan also looked at the old man with disgust. When he noticed Ran's tightly clenched fist, he couldn't help but silently pray for Mouri's safety.
Lisa showed no special reaction to his enthusiasm and simply smiled.
"I wouldn't say I like it exactly. Medieval artists were mainly influenced by religious doctrines and tradition, so they pursued a sense of solemnity, mystery, and devotion. Their works carry strong religious symbolism. That's the part I find interesting."
"Oh? You're interested in religious art?"
Mouri's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence—I also have some knowledge in this area. We could—cough—ah"
As he spoke, he moved closer, clearly intending to chat with the beauty at close range.
Before he could finish, Ran finally lost her patience.
She punched him hard in the waist.
"Ugh!"
Mouri doubled over, swallowing the rest of his words.
Ran immediately squeezed herself between her father and Lisa, cutting off any distance between them. She firmly refused to give him any chance to do something that would betray her mother.
Seeing this, Lisa couldn't help but laugh.
"Miss Lisa, I'm so sorry," Ran said awkwardly. "My father was very rude just now."
"No," Lisa shook her head. "Mr. Mouri is quite interesting. And you're very cute too, little Ran."
She smiled and gently patted Ran's head.
It was the first time Ran had been so close to a mature woman other than her mother—and being praised as cute made her blush instantly.
Seeing the faint redness on Ran's cheeks, Conan couldn't look away.
She really is cute when she blushes…
Since they had met by coincidence, the group decided to tour the museum together.
They went on to visit different exhibition halls—"Between the Earth," "Between the Sky," and "Between the Sea."
Along the way, Ran briefly explained some things about the museum to Natsuyu and Lisa.
"So the museum is going to be renovated into a hotel?" Lisa sighed. "That's such a shame for all these beautiful works."
"Yes," Ran nodded. "That's why we should walk around as much as possible today. We won't get another chance in the future."
She turned back toward Mouri and Conan, who had fallen behind.
"Right, Dad? Conan?"
Dragging themselves along, the two men collapsed onto a nearby bench the moment the three women finally stopped. They hadn't even heard Ran's question.
"I'm so tired, Sister Ran… let's go home…"
"Yeah, Ran, I'm starving. We've already walked around so many times. Can we leave now?"
Ran frowned. "Seriously, you're already tired after just a few rounds? Why don't Natsuyu and Lisa look tired at all?"
Mouri and Conan stared at the three women, who were still full of energy, completely unable to refute her.
Are women always this tireless when shopping?
"Natsuyu suddenly spoke. "Ran, there's still one exhibition hall ahead that we haven't visited."
"Huh? You're right!"
Ran looked closer. "The 'No Entry' sign that was here earlier is gone. We can go in now."
She turned back and glared at Mouri and Conan. Ignoring their protests, she forced them to stand up.
Before they reached the entrance, Natsuyu suddenly stopped and raised her hand to block Ran and Conan.
"Wait. Don't go in yet. I smell a very strong scent of blood. Something may have happened inside."
Before she could finish speaking, Conan had already slipped past her and rushed in. Even with Natsuyu's reflexes, she hadn't been able to stop him.
As expected of the 'Grim Reaper Kid'… the moment he hears about trouble, he charges in without hesitation.
Worried, Ran and Mouri hurried in after him.
Natsuyu and Lisa exchanged helpless looks and followed.
All that blocking, and it was for nothing…
"Ah! That hurts!" Conan cried.
The moment they entered, they heard Mouri Kogoro scolding Conan.