"Hahaha!" Sonoko's unrestrained laughter echoed through the small park.
She pointed at Conan, nearly gasping for air.
Just moments ago, at exactly 6:45 a.m., as the group headed back to the hotel, someone, barefoot and chatting, stepped right into an unidentified solid.
"No big deal. Don't you love dogs?" Tsuneo said, watching Conan's face shift from pale to green, patting his head consolingly.
Dog poop hiding in park grass? Totally normal.
As long as your heart's pure, stepping in it…
Okay, I can't hold it in.
"Hahaha!"
Tsuneo, infected by Sonoko's laughter, joined in.
Conan shot a silent glare at Tsuneo, who'd been stifling his amusement.
Fine!
Can't hold it in, huh?
Just wait till you're asleep—I'll rub this foot on your face!
"Why'd you come out barefoot anyway?" Hattori, grinning, leaned down with his wooden sword, asking the detective.
Sleepwalking?
"Hmph!"
Conan, done explaining, stomped off with his short legs, eager to escape.
Bunch of jerks!
"Conan, want me to carry you? Bare feet catch colds easily," Ran said, smiling with concern.
Conan glanced at Tsuneo and Hattori's sly grins, his face flushing.
"No need!"
Seriously, letting these two see this? I'm doomed!
"Hey!"
"What'd you do to this place?" A worker in a jumpsuit, broom in hand, spotted the broken tree from afar and shouted at the group.
"Sonoko, it's all yours!" Tsuneo patted her shoulder.
Time to unleash your cash power!
"Huh?" Sonoko tilted her head, confused.
Why me?
I'm the least fighty one…
"Food, food, I'm starving!" Tsuneo said, grabbing Conan with one hand and sprinting back.
He'd overheard guests in the lobby say the hotel offered free breakfast—gotta hurry!
Not because of the damage, nope.
Conan, dizzy from being carried, closed his eyes.
Do whatever…
Early birds get worms!
But early detectives get…
…
Hotel restaurant.
Tsuneo, hauling Conan, returned just as Uncle Mouri was eating.
"What's with you guys?" Mouri eyed the lifeless kid, puzzled.
Weren't you training?
Why this state?
Where's Ran?
"No biggie, I was hungry, so I rushed back," Tsuneo said, turning to order from a waiter.
"Uncle, you're up early?" Conan yawned, sitting nearby.
Rare—barely 7 a.m.
Mouri's in a suit, eating breakfast?
"I'm heading to the museum later," Mouri said, glancing at Conan's outstretched right foot.
Injured?
No shoes, really?
"Any news?" Tsuneo asked, letting the waiter go after filling the order slip.
Free breakfast had limited options.
But with the Suzukis footing the bill, max it out!
"No clue," Mouri shook his head.
They just said a car's coming, no details.
"I'm going too!" Conan raised his hand, instantly alert at the thought of Kid.
"Stay put and don't cause trouble!" Mouri pressed him down, scolding.
Conan: …
"Why're you rubbing your foot on my pants?" Mouri glared at Conan.
"Maybe his foot's itchy," Tsuneo chimed in, covering for him.
Sonoko would've died laughing at this.
Conan nodded, flashing an innocent smile.
Exactly!
"Geez, my pants aren't for scratching," Mouri grumbled, resuming his meal.
He had no idea what this kid was plotting…
…
Time flew.
August 22, Kid's heist date—Leo's last day.
Tsuneo and Hattori joined the Suzuki Art Museum crew.
They'd accepted the job, so they had to show up.
The group sat in the president's office, sipping tea and chatting into the afternoon.
"Mr. Mouri, wanna grab a drink later?" Shiro Suzuki asked, showing no worry, even inviting him out.
"Is that okay?" Mouri perked up.
"No problem. Kid's coming at 3 a.m. We'll be back before then!" Shiro nodded, smiling.
"Dad!" Ran, seeing Mouri agree, spoke up but held back since they weren't home.
Dr. Araide warned you to watch your drinking.
"A little's fine," Mouri said, unfazed.
Tsuneo recalled it too.
But the doctor's dead.
Who can say what makes a long life…
Mihama Town, what a cursed place!
As they chatted, Officer Nakamori entered with two subordinates, greeting Shiro.
"Alright, it's on you," Shiro nodded.
Mouri watched Nakamori pick up the 800-million-yen egg on the table. "Moving it to the exhibit hall?"
"The hall's egg is fake."
"We used to be too honest, putting the target where he knew. That's why Kid always won," Nakamori said, a sly smile spreading.
"This time, we'll muddy the waters so Kid can't find the real one!"
Only he, Officer Chaki, and Shiro knew the plan—foolproof.
"I see. Where's it going?" Mouri nodded, impressed.
"I'm not telling you. Only me and my men know," Nakamori said, tugging his subordinates' faces to confirm their identities.
Mouri stood, reaching out to someone.
Tsuneo and the other youngsters watched, mouths agape, eyes wide.
Shock!
Two middle-aged men doing that in public!
(Chapter End)
------------------------------
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