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The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the city. The day had been long, but the events unfolding now seemed to stretch time itself, making every second feel heavier than the last.
"Mom, why didn't you chase after him?!" Ran Mori's voice trembled with frustration as she turned to her mother, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and disbelief.
Eri Kisaki raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What are you talking about, Ran? He's just a friend."
"Just a friend?" Ran exclaimed, her tone incredulous. "He's practically swept you off your feet tonight!"
Kudo Shinichi, currently trapped in the body of a child and going by the alias Conan Edogawa, clenched his fists tightly under the table. His sharp eyes darted between Eri and Fujihara Toru, the man who had joined them for dinner. Every word they exchanged only deepened his suspicion.
Conan was in a particularly paranoid state, seeing potential members of the Black Organization everywhere he looked. And Fujihara Toru—this mysterious man who seemed to know so much about their family—was no exception.
"Fujihara-san, I heard that you're interested in martial arts?" Ran asked, her voice brightening slightly as the conversation shifted to a topic close to her heart.
Toru smiled warmly. "Yes, I've dabbled in karate during my time in America, though I never pursued formal rankings or certifications."
Ran nodded enthusiastically. "That's perfectly fine! Karate doesn't have to be about competition—it's also great for fitness and self-discipline."
Her gentle nature shone through as she reassured him, completely unaware of Conan's growing agitation. To Conan, this interaction reeked of manipulation. It was classic behavior from someone trying too hard to win someone's trust.
'This guy is dangerous,' Conan thought bitterly. 'He's clearly done his homework on Ran, knowing how much she values karate. This is exactly what those manipulative playboys do—they find out your interests and use them against you!'
But it wasn't just Toru's seemingly calculated charm that worried Conan. There were subtle signs—the way Toru carried himself, the faint stiffness in his right arm—that hinted at something far more sinister. Conan couldn't shake the feeling that this man was hiding something big.
'I need to investigate him thoroughly,' Conan resolved silently. 'There's no way I'm letting Ran fall into his trap.'
Meanwhile, the dinner continued smoothly. Toru and Eri chatted animatedly, bonding over shared interests and lighthearted anecdotes. Ran joined in occasionally, her laughter filling the room. Conan, however, felt increasingly isolated. His attempts to interject were met with polite smiles and dismissive nods—after all, who would take a first-grader seriously?
As the evening wore on, Conan watched helplessly as Ran and Toru exchanged Line IDs, sealing their newfound connection. Each smile they shared felt like a dagger twisting in his chest.
'I have to hurry and expose the Black Organization,' Conan vowed silently. 'I need that antidote—I need to return to being Shinichi Kudo!'
The meal itself was exquisite, thanks to the restaurant's reputation as a Michelin three-star establishment. Fresh ingredients flown in daily ensured every dish was a masterpiece. Even Conan, despite his foul mood, couldn't deny the quality of the food. But to him, each bite tasted like ash. All he wanted was for the night to end.
Finally, at around 8 PM, the group finished their meal and prepared to leave. As they made their way to the parking lot, Conan observed Toru closely. The man's gait caught his attention—while most people swung both arms naturally while walking, Toru's right arm moved awkwardly, almost as if he were forcing it to swing.
'His natural stance keeps his right hand ready to draw a weapon,' Conan deduced. 'This deliberate swinging is meant to mask that habit. To anyone else, it might go unnoticed, but to me, it's glaringly obvious.'
Conan's suspicions hardened further. One of the few individuals famous for such a habit was none other than the current president of Russia—a man known for his military background and readiness for action.
At the parking lot, Eri turned to Toru before parting ways. "Be safe on your way home. I'll get Ran and Conan back safely."
Toru smiled politely. "Thank you, Ms. Kisaki. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Let's stay in touch, Ran."
As Toru drove off in his Porsche Panamera, Conan stewed in silent frustration. Once inside Eri's Land Rover, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Ran sat in the passenger seat, while Conan occupied the back.
"Ran," Eri began casually as they waited at a red light, "what do you think of Fujihara-san?"
Ran blinked in surprise. "What do you mean? He seems nice enough."
Eri chuckled teasingly. "Nice enough? Come on, Ran. He's smart, handsome, comes from a good family, and graduated from Tokyo University. If you're interested, don't hesitate to make a move. These days, it's perfectly normal for women to pursue men."
"M-Mom!" Ran blushed furiously, torn between amusement and embarrassment. She instinctively raised a fist, ready to punch the car door in frustration—but quickly stopped herself when she remembered whose car she was in.
Lowering her hand, she stammered, "Mom, what are you saying? Sure, he's nice, but it's not like I'm planning to chase after him or anything!"
"Well then," Ran added impulsively, her face still flushed, "why don't you go after him instead?"
Eri shook her head with a knowing smile. "You young girls always underestimate the importance of seizing opportunities. If you don't fight for what you want, nothing will ever come to you. But perhaps it's still too early to talk about these things with you. You'll understand someday."
Conan, listening intently from the backseat, breathed a sigh of relief. At least Ran wasn't immediately smitten with Toru. Still, the comparison between Toru and Shinichi weighed heavily on his mind. Where did he stand compared to someone like Toru?
On the other side, Toru was driving home, reflecting on the evening. His phone buzzed suddenly, and he glanced down to see a message from Eri: "Tonight was too formal. Let me treat you to drinks next time—you must come!"
Toru replied simply: "No problem."
He smirked to himself. Young girls required too much effort—they were always hesitant and overly cautious. Mature women, on the other hand, were easier to approach… though they came with their own set of complications.
Just as he was musing over this, his phone rang again. Swiftly answering, he greeted the caller with a curt, "Boss, what is it?"
"I have a mission for you," the voice on the other end said. "It's regarding the drug research that organization has been working on."
"The CIA found something?"
"Yes. A pharmaceutical research facility located in the outskirts of Tokyo."