Chapter 74: Conan's Post-Disaster Daily Life (Part 1)
Tokyo. Three months after the disaster.
The morning sun pierced through thin clouds, falling upon a land that was slowly recovering. The air no longer smelled of smoke and blood. Instead, it was filled with the dry scent of construction dust. The aroma of wheat drifted from a newly opened bakery on the corner, cheap but heartwarming. The sound of hammers rebuilding the city rang out day and night, replacing the explosions and screams of the past. Twisted steel rebar and shattered walls were the earth's ugly scars, silently testifying to the recent nightmare.
The world's population had plummeted to below one billion. But, under the influence of the Conan world's chaotic timeline and the will of the world itself, the population was slowly beginning to refresh, as if appearing from thin air. People were gradually getting their lives back on track. The randomly generated murder cases and malice that once followed a certain someone, however, could no longer attach to him, thanks to the presence of a certain cat.
Pedestrians hurried along the streets, no longer with the lost and desperate expressions of refugees, but on their way to construction sites and temporary markets, all for a meager salary, for their next meal, for the families they were struggling to support. Their eyes were tired, their faces etched with hardship, but at least they were no longer empty.
On the news, officials in suits and ties reappeared, bowing deeply and speaking of apologies and promises of reconstruction. Off-screen, arguments over resource allocation were taking place in silent conference rooms. The shouts of foremen demanding overtime could be heard from distant construction sites.
Order was sprouting in the cracks of the ruins. Life, after all, had to go on.
…
Teitan High School.
The cherry tree at the school gate had miraculously survived and was now sprouting new green leaves. Sunlight filtered through the tender foliage, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Shinichi Kudo, with his backpack on, walked alongside Ran Mouri toward the school gate. He was no longer the tense elementary school detective, Conan Edogawa. After the disaster, with the help of that incredible blue and white cat, he had miraculously escaped his fate of Witchification and returned to his original body. The memories of that despair, and even the guilt, had been blurred by the cat. It seemed Tom didn't want the main characters he was watching to be trapped by the shadows of the past. He wanted them to be happy, even if it wasn't entirely of their own volition.
But regardless, Shinichi Kudo was back. Back to the daily life he had longed for, back by the side of the person he cherished.
"Shinichi, did you figure out the last question on yesterday's math homework?" Ran asked, tilting her head. The gentle breeze lifted the ends of her hair, and her eyes reflected the morning light, holding the simple worries of a high school girl.
"Oh, that one," Shinichi said, scratching his head. "I can explain it to you in the classroom. Tom's being a bit of a handful."
"Okay!" Ran nodded emphatically, the corners of her mouth turning up. They no longer talked about cases, no longer were separated by them. The heavy topics of the past seemed to have receded with the disaster. Now, they just wanted to enjoy the ordinary life of a high school student.
A blue and white figure zipped out from behind a low wall and landed squarely on Shinichi's backpack. It was Tom Cat, wearing a mini student cap he'd gotten from somewhere, tilted to one side. He had half a piece of chalk in his mouth.
"Tom, how many times have I told you not to take the school's chalk?" Ran said, reaching out to gently scratch his chin. Tom closed his eyes in pleasure and began to purr.
The next second, as if spotting something, his body went rigid. With a zip, he shot up into the branches of the cherry tree, leaping nimbly as he tried to catch a butterfly resting on a flower bud. Naturally, this ended with him flailing about, nearly falling out of the tree, which earned a light chuckle from the two below.
The sun was bright, the breeze was gentle. Watching the antics of the cat and seeing the bright smile on Ran's face beside him, Shinichi's heart was filled with an indescribable warmth and peace. His identity as a detective, his search for the truth, had all died in the past. Now, he just wanted to be a normal high school student, Shinichi Kudo, and live every single day with Ran to the fullest.
…
After school, on the shopping street near Teitan High, a new outdoor cafe with simple tables, chairs, and a few potted plants had opened, adding a bit of life to the street. Ran Mouri, Sonoko Suzuki, and Masumi Sera were sitting there, enjoying a rare, peaceful afternoon.
"I'm telling you, Ran," Sonoko said, resting her chin on her hand, "you and that Kudo guy have been way too lovey-dovey lately. You snuck off after school without even waiting for us."
Ran's cheeks grew warm. "N-no we didn't. We were just discussing homework."
"Oh? Discussing homework, was it?" Sonoko teased. "Looked more like you were discussing your next date to me."
"Sonoko!" Ran lightly shoved her.
Beside them, Masumi Sera sipped her drink through a straw, a smile playing on her lips as she watched them. With her disguise dropped, she had more of the vibrant energy of a normal high school girl.
"But seriously," Masumi said, "it's great to see Shinichi-kun back to normal and not getting involved in all that dangerous stuff anymore." The disaster had changed the world, and it had changed many people. For Masumi, having her family reunited and safe was the greatest fortune of all.
"Totally, totally," Sonoko nodded. "This is way better! The three of us can go shopping and get tea after school again, just like old times! Oh, and when the Suzuki Corporation's mall is rebuilt, I'm taking you guys on a shopping spree!" Sonoko's "rich girl" flair was the same as ever.
Ran smiled gently. "Okay. But for now, just having everyone safe is the most important thing."
"Speaking of which," Masumi said, remembering something and looking around, "where's that weird cat today?" She was referring to Tom, who was always appearing and disappearing.
The words had barely left her mouth when a rustling sound came from the flowerbed next to the cafe. Tom Cat emerged, covered in dirt, with flower petals and leaves on his head. He had a dirty toy mouse in his mouth. He had probably been trying to ambush something and had made a mess of it.
Tom's eyes lit up when he saw them. He trotted over, mouse in mouth, wanting to show off his prize. But his paw slipped. He spun around on the tiles and, with a splat, face-planted at Sonoko's feet. The toy mouse went flying.
"Pfft—hahaha!" Sonoko burst out laughing. "Tom! Is this some new kind of greeting?" Masumi was laughing so hard she was slapping the table.
Ran quickly helped Tom up, brushing the dirt off him. "Are you okay, Tom?"
Tom dazedly shook his head. Seeing his mouse nearby, he immediately pounced on it and held it protectively, glancing around warily.
A gentle voice spoke up beside them. "Mouri-san?"
The three girls looked up. A young man in a white shirt was standing by their table. He had a clean-cut look and a faint smile on his face. His sleeves were rolled up, and he was carrying a brown leather doctor's bag. His eyes were clear, though slightly tired.
Ran was taken aback for a moment, then her face lit up with pleasant surprise. "Dr. Asai!"
"Huh? Ran, you know him?" Sonoko asked, looking him over curiously. Masumi also stopped laughing and studied him.
"Yes, this is Dr. Asai Narumi," Ran introduced. She turned back to the young man. "Dr. Asai, long time no see! What are you doing here?"
"I just finished up at the temporary medical station on the corner and was heading home," Asai Narumi explained with a smile. His gaze passed over the three girls and settled on Ran. His voice was sincere. "It's really good to see that you're all alright."
After the disaster, some of the deceased had been able to return. Asai Narumi was one of them. He had put his past behind him and was now helping out at the community medical station, using his skills to treat those in need. He was grateful for this new life, especially to the high school detective who had brought him back.
"Dr. Asai, you're working at the medical station now? That must be hard work."
"I'm just doing my part," he said. As he spoke, Tom, still clutching his mouse, tilted his head and came closer, curiously sniffing his medical bag. Asai looked down at the strange cat with a smile.
Tom seemed to have confirmed something. He let go of the mouse, patted Asai's pant leg with his paw, then retreated to Ran's feet and picked up his mouse again.
"Hehe, he seems to like you, Doctor," Ran said.
"Perhaps," Asai chuckled and glanced at the sky. "It's getting late, I should be heading back. You girls should get home soon too. Stay safe."
"Okay, goodbye, Dr. Asai!"
"Goodbye, Doctor!"