What kind of kid would do this?
"He really grouped my chest six or seven times in a row, he really never changed!"
A rainy night loomed overhead.
"When I get out of here, I'll show him what it means to be taught a lesson!"
Sherry's cold, delicate face bore a faint blush, adding a soft touch to her usually aloof expression. Her blue eyes shimmered with a quiet sense of expectation for the future.
Her beauty in that moment was breathtaking.
But sitting alone in the back seat of the car, no one was there to see it.
The vehicle entered the gates of the Black Dove Pharmaceutical Factory.
Sherry stepped out of the car and headed straight to the research lab, while a group of bodyguards reported to the factory supervisor.
The supervisor, as per routine, asked, "Anything unusual to report?"
The guards exchanged quick glances, silently deciding it was better not to mention Sherry-sama's earlier misstep of tripping and nearly falling on the street. Reporting such a trivial incident might lead to an earful from the supervisor.
All of them shook their heads firmly.
"Good," the supervisor muttered.
---
Meanwhile, at the Mōri Detective Agency:
Yūsaku was locked in a tense discussion with Kogoro.
"…Detective Mōri, my brother-in-law's condition has taken a sudden turn for the worse, and I need to go abroad immediately," Yūsaku began.
"I hate to trouble you, but I haven't been able to locate Shinichi. I have no choice but to ask you to look after my child for a while. Of course, I won't ask this of you without compensation."
Kogoro, initially reluctant, perked up when a thick envelope was placed on the table before him.
He opened it to find it stuffed with crisp 10,000-yen bills.
Happiness flash in his eyes, the disheveled detective slapped his chest in assurance. "Brother Edogawa, don't worry at all. Go with peace of mind! Leave your son to me, and I guarantee he'll live comfortably!"
"Dad!" Ran exclaimed, her face showing both frustration and embarrassment at her father's shameless display.
She had initially thought Conan would be leaving, but to her dismay, it seemed he would remain in their household for the foreseeable future. Letting out a resigned sigh, she muttered under her breath.
Conan, standing nearby, was momentarily taken aback.
"Huh? Huh?" he thought. "Ran… are you not happy to have me here?"
Just then, Yūsaku's phone buzzed.
Answering the call, his expression grew grave.
Seeing this, Kogoro quickly pocketed the envelope, thinking to himself, 'Well, if Conan's uncle is no longer alive, the boy won't need to stay here… but regardless, the money is non-refundable. '
Hanging up, Yūsaku spoke hurriedly. "Detective Mōri, something urgent has come up. I have to leave now."
Kogoro waved him off without hesitation. "Go on, go on!"
Yūsaku wasted no time standing up and heading downstairs, with Conan trailing close behind.
Neither Kogoro nor Ran followed, assuming the father and son wished to speak privately.
Once outside, Conan couldn't contain his curiosity.
"Dad, what happened?" he asked with concern.
Yūsaku then spoke, his voice low and serious:
"Your mother just called. A group of men in black broke into our home. It's likely the same organization that gave you the poison."
Conan's expression immediately tensed.
"What about Mom? She didn't go inside, did she?" he asked anxiously.
"No," Yūsaku reassured him. "She didn't dare go in. She spotted them near the house, turned around, and left immediately. She said she'll spend the night at a friend's house."
He sighed and continued, "I suspect that since the poison didn't kill you and they haven't received confirmation of your death, the organization might begin a thorough search."
"For now, neither of us can return home."
Conan's face grew more solemn as he processed the information.
Yūsaku added, "Luckily, your mother and I returned to Japan secretly this time and didn't go back to the house. If we had, we could have walked straight into their trap."
He placed a reassuring hand on Conan's shoulder. "Don't worry too much. I've already asked some trusted friends to spread rumors about your death. It should throw them off your trail for a while."
"But since you've chosen not to come to the United States with me, you need to be extra careful. Don't expose your identity or drag anyone else into this."
Yūsaku's eyes drifted upward to the Mōri Detective Agency on the second floor.
Conan nodded resolutely, his determination clear.
"Good," Yūsaku said, patting Conan's shoulder once more. "Relax. I have many friends in the U.S., and I'll have them investigate this organization thoroughly. We'll get to the bottom of this."
He glanced at his watch. "Alright, let's get going."
With that, Yūsaku got into his car and drove toward Dr. Agasa's house. Returning home wasn't an option. If the organization had bugged or surveilled the house, any attempt to reenter would be disastrous. For now, professionals would need to be hired to sweep the property before it was safe again.
---
Meanwhile, at Eri's residence:
After a visit to her secretary, Midori, Eri returned home—only to be greeted by a familiar, exasperating sight.
Standing in her living room was Yukiko Kudo, her face beaming with delight.
"Eri, you're back!" Yukiko exclaimed, waving enthusiastically. "Come on, hurry and try the food I made! Chicago hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and grilled chicken are just about ready!"
Eri's head filled with metaphorical black lines as she stared at Yukiko.
"Yukiko, why are you at my house?" she asked, her tone flat and unamused.
It was clear she found Yukiko's antics utterly exhausting.
Her gaze shifted to the young shota, Akashi, standing nearby. She couldn't help but silently lament, 'I didn't expect this woman to abduct Akashi and bring him here. '
Meanwhile, Yukiko, ever the dramatic, put on a pitiful expression.
"Eri, it's not my fault! When I got home, I discovered that a water pipe had burst, and now my entire villa is flooded. I couldn't stay there, so I had no choice but to come here!"
She clung to Eri's arm, pouting and whining like a child. "Come on, Eri, we've been friends forever. Can't you let me stay for just one night?"
Eri sighed deeply, her resolve already crumbling. "Fine, fine. You win. Stay if you want."
Yukiko's face lit up with triumph. "I knew you were the best, Eri!" she declared, planting an exaggerated kiss on Eri's cheek.
But Eri quickly raised a hand, her tone firm. "Let's get one thing straight. You can stay here, but your husband and son are 'not ' allowed to come over. Understood?"
Yukiko's playful demeanor faltered for a moment. "Oh, them? Don't even mention it," she said, her voice tinged with annoyance. "They're always off chasing some case. Honestly, they're more trouble than they're worth. It's better to just spend time with you!"
Eri rolled her eyes but allowed Yukiko to drag her to the dining table. Together with Akashi, they began to enjoy the feast Yukiko had prepared.