"The microphone will be kept in this position. Be careful not to touch it when you perform actions. Our program is mainly a talk show with a relaxed atmosphere. If anything goes wrong during the live broadcast, our director will adjust accordingly... In short, everyone on set is a professional. Don't be nervous—just act as you normally would."
"I understand, Ms. Umemura. Don't worry. Although this is my first time on a show… I'm no stranger to the camera."
"I know. I've followed your news for a long time. You're a very good detective."
"Really? Thank you for your kindness..."
Kogoro Mori sat off to the side, glancing at the PD who was sticking close to Goro Akechi and seemed reluctant to leave.
The PD, with her delicate makeup, occasionally reached out to help Akechi adjust the mic on his collar, and they looked like they were enjoying a pleasant conversation.
He then glanced at the PD assigned to him—an older man with a serious face, talking to the director backstage—and sighed, "Young and handsome really is an advantage…"
"Don't take it the wrong way, Mr. Mori." Assistant host Nagai Ayako smiled. "The station probably wanted to assign you someone with more experience. Young people are easier to guide. In terms of fame and popularity, Detective Akechi is still a rising star."
This remark was polite and well-spoken. And since it came from a pretty woman, Kogoro Mori felt somewhat comforted.
"Oh, fame is meaningless. The true mark of a detective is whether they can solve difficult cases. Reputation is secondary." Kogoro Mori puffed out his chest, looking aloof and dignified.
"That's really rich coming from him," Conan, seated in the first row of the audience, muttered under his breath. "No matter how you look at it, Akechi's treatment is way better than his uncle's."
"After all, Akechi-kun is popular and has a lot of buzz." Ran waved her phone, which displayed a fast-refreshing SNS interface. "The topic of Akechi's show appearance is already trending at number three. Dad's name isn't even in the top fifteen."
Conan leaned over for a better look, then clicked his tongue.
This is why he never accepts offers to appear on flashy variety shows like this.
"It's about to start." Ran put away her phone and looked at the stage with anticipation. "I heard there'll be special guests today. I wonder if they're celebrities..."
"5, 4, 3..."
"Welcome everyone to this week's episode of Perspective Japan Detective Agency," Takashi Matsuo, with neatly combed hair and a friendly smile, announced. "I'm your host, Takashi Matsuo."
"I'm the assistant host, Ayako Nagai." As the live feed rolled, Ayako Nagai smiled sweetly and touched her cheeks with both index fingers in a cute gesture.
"We aim to reveal the truth behind the most puzzling cases sent in by viewers across the nation!"
"Today, we have two special guests—two of the most prominent detectives frequently appearing in the news—"
The camera panned to the man sitting on one side. Kogoro Mori straightened his suit and struck a deep, thoughtful pose.
"Mr. Kogoro Mori—"
Amid the audience's warm applause, Mori quickly abandoned his composed act, scratching the back of his head and breaking into a smug grin. "Hello, everyone!"
"And Mr. Goro Akechi—"
The camera cut straight from Kogoro Mori's red-faced grin to Goro Akechi's poised expression.
"Hello, everyone."
Just moments ago, Akechi had been looking down at his phone, but now he wore a perfect smile for the camera. It wasn't too friendly or too cold—just the right amount of charm to be striking.
Conan: "..." Has this guy had professional facial expression training? How does he pull off that kind of instant transformation?
As Akechi's smile appeared on the big screen behind them, the audience broke into even louder applause, accompanied by several female fans screaming.
Kogoro Mori's smugness vanished instantly.
"What a coincidence—Kogoro and Goro, your names sound quite similar." Nagai Ayako giggled behind her hand.
"If you combine our names, you'd get the famous detective 'Kogoro Akechi'." Akechi picked up the joke and continued smoothly, dodging the subtle comparison implied in her remark. He smiled and asked, "Did your father happen to name you after the character created by Mr. Ranpo?"
Kogoro Mori's expression brightened. "You know, I've never asked my father about that… Maybe he was inspired by it. But I like to think it's a sign of great detectives having something in common. Fate brought us onto this path. Akechi-kun is an excellent junior, and we've always had a good relationship."
Nagai Ayako's plan to stir up drama between the older and younger generation of detectives fell flat. She internally sighed in disappointment and looked at Goro Akechi with slight regret.
As expected of a media-savvy public figure—his guard was strong.
So she gave up that line of questioning and switched to a lighter, more typical one. "Detective Mori, you've solved so many cases. Which one do you think was the most difficult?"
"Ah, a good question." Mori rested his hand on his forehead and made a show of thinking. "To be honest... Every time I solve a case, I fall into a deep sleep, so..."
"I don't remember a thing—sorry!"
As he looked up with a big grin, the audience burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Dad really... he answered so seriously at first," Ran said with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Conan chuckled awkwardly. But deep down, he thought: it's not a joke, you really were asleep the whole time.
"After all, you're the famous 'Sleeping Kogoro Mori'!" Nagai Ayako laughed along with the audience. After a pause, she turned to Akechi. "So, Akechi-kun, since you're also a detective, do you have any personal 'tricks' or methods you use?"
"Hmm..." Goro Akechi acted like he was seriously thinking, then smiled playfully and said, "Maybe my secret weapon is 'never getting caught on camera with an awkward expression'."
"Hahaha, that's famous too!" Nagai Ayako chuckled as the screen behind them showed various media appearances of Goro Akechi—magazine covers, TV shots, and candid street photos uploaded by fans on SNS. "No matter how he's photographed, he always looks natural and handsome... That's a real skill!"
"Yeah, it's not easy to maintain that level," Goro Akechi said with a shrug, narrowing his eyes a little.
The audience broke into another round of applause.
In fact, this point wasn't just noticed by fans. Critics had also commented on it—some even accused Goro Akechi of being more famous than capable.
They criticized the media for chasing clout and creating an "idol detective" persona. Akechi's light-hearted remark here was a bit of self-deprecating humor that matched Mori's earlier self-jab.
"Akechi-kun really knows how to joke..." Ran laughed again.
But Conan couldn't bring himself to laugh this time.
He stared at the dense montage of photos and clips—multiple angles, different lighting, all candid.
...He's not joking. He really practiced this.