After lunch, a rested Hattori was dragged back by Tsune for another round of sparring.
"What a gullible guy."
Haibara glanced at the two battling outside the window, chuckling softly.
Just during dinner earlier, Tsune had spared no effort in hyping Hattori up, like winding up a toy.
He'd pulled out every trick in the book.
Talk about dedication.
"Heh," Conan let out an exasperated laugh.
You're too green, Hattori. So easy to rope in…
Hope you enjoy your weekend.
"Doc," Miyano Akemi said, bringing tea to the computer desk and glancing at the screen curiously. "The chatroom wasn't called this before."
Dr. Agasa sipped the hot tea, looked out the window, and said, "This magic enthusiasts' chatroom? I'm running it for Tsune-kun."
No clue why Tsune was into this chatroom, but the people in it were pretty interesting.
Especially this magician's apprentice—based on their chats, probably a young girl, yet she insisted she was a thirty-something guy.
"Doc, someone's talking to Tsune," Akemi pointed at the screen.
MagicianEatsEverything…
What a fitting name…
Magician's Apprentice: WhatEatsEverything, are you really 52?
MagicianEatsEverything: Yup.
Magician's Apprentice: No way!
RedHerring: He does look like he's that age!
…
Akemi watched Dr. Agasa type away furiously, lost in thought.
Why doesn't Mr. Tsune chat himself and has Doc do it?
Ten minutes later, Tsune strolled in, arm around Hattori's shoulders.
"You gotta train hard. That last swing almost got me."
"Crash at my place tonight. We'll go again tomorrow."
"By the time you're back in Osaka, you'll blow their minds!"
Tsune was still laying on the motivational spiel.
"Alright!!!" Hattori replied with gusto.
This training was working!
Victory!
Victory!
Victory!
Conan: Idiot…
"Doc, how's the chat going?" Tsune asked, standing by the computer.
"They were just saying there's an offline meetup coming up. You going?" Dr. Agasa asked. "Or should I go?"
From his tone, he seemed more eager to attend than Tsune.
"I've got nothing else going on," Tsune said, sipping water and thinking. "Doc, did you ask if they're providing food?"
"…"
"I never would've guessed you'd be into magic," Haibara said from the couch, eyes glued to her magazine.
MagicianEatsEverything.
The second half of that username checks out.
"You don't know I'm a master magician?" Tsune grabbed a deck of cards from the desk, eyeing the detective.
Speak!
"Pretty high-level…" Conan nodded under Tsune's stare.
High-level enough to knock you out if he's worried about slipping up, then finish the trick.
When MagicianEatsEverything takes the stage, I suggest clapping immediately—it'll put him in a better mood.
If he accidentally drops all his cards, you'd better act blind, because in that situation, who knows what he'd do…
Maybe even wipe out the whole room to cover his tracks.
Conan couldn't help but sweat for the folks in that chatroom.
"Let's go, Hattori! Morning practice tomorrow!"
Tsune called out, leading Hattori toward his apartment.
"Hey! What about me!" Conan shouted after them.
Didn't we agree you'd drive me home?
How do you forget the guy who set this up!
Tsune's driving had gotten steadier, or Conan wouldn't have dared ask.
"Run back to the agency yourself, how's that?" Tsune said, pausing. Taking both Conan and Hattori out at once seemed… a tad risky.
No way, absolutely not!
These two together? The chance of running into trouble shoots up to 80%.
Add him in, and who knows what the odds become.
Conan: …
…
The next morning.
Four-thirty sharp.
Tsune got up on time, dragging a half-asleep Hattori to a small park to abuse some trees.
"Feels like someone's watching us," Hattori coughed, nudging Tsune.
Isn't this technically vandalism?
"They're just jealous. Move it, Hattori!" Tsune said, landing a punch that sent bark flying.
"R-Right."
Hattori ignored the onlookers and focused on his kendo practice.
Say what you will, he was groggy at first, but as his body warmed up, why did he feel more tired?
And these early-rising old folks passing by—they wouldn't call the cops, right?
Two hours later, they finally returned to the apartment.
Hattori was exhausted, sleepy, and hungry but too drained to eat. Yawning, he watched Tsune devour food across the table.
"What're those certificates?" Hattori asked, eyeing them curiously.
He'd meant to ask last night.
Beika Town's Most Popular Handyman…
What kind of weird award is that?
"Pretty impressive, huh!" Tsune said, polishing off another bowl of rice with a grin.
To treat his friend right, he'd cooked up a feast himself.
"Uh…"
Hattori had seen Tsune's appetite at Dr. Agasa's, but it still shocked him every time.
"After breakfast, can I catch a nap and rest?" Hattori asked, holding his bowl.
Up at four-thirty for training, back at seven.
Is your body made of steel?
I'm done…
"Sure, I'll head out and find something to do. You rest here," Tsune said.
He'd planned to spar right away, but seeing Hattori's state, he decided to give the kid a break.
"Thanks!" Hattori said gratefully.
"I'll be back in two hours."
Tsune cleared the dishes and shouted before heading out.
Hattori waved, then passed out.
He was starting to wonder if he'd been brainwashed yesterday to end up crashing here…
…
Two hours later.
Ten o'clock on the dot.
Tsune returned home right on time.
Hattori: …
You're really a man of your word!
Kudo, save me!
(End of Chapter)
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
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