"Ran-neesan… did I say something wrong?"
After coming home, Watanabe Tetsu took the lunchbox out of his bag and handed it to Ran. Then he asked cautiously.
"Eh?"
Ran blinked in surprise. "Why do you think that, Ko-chin?"
"If I didn't say anything wrong, then why did Ran-neesan look unhappy earlier?"
Watanabe lifted his small face to look at her.
"Was it because I did something bad?"
"Of course not."
Ran bent down so her eyes were level with his.
"It's… it's Shinichi. That guy."
"That guy is so annoying. Sure, he's good at deduction, but did he really have to talk about Dad like that? Saying things like 'what could he possibly teach you'…"
Seeing Ran so upset, Watanabe comforted her:
"Ran-neesan, don't be angry. My mom used to tell me something: 'A sword honed for ten years draws with a shining edge.'
Even if Uncle Mouri isn't famous now, I believe… one day, he'll become a detective known by everyone."
He said it earnestly, though Ran simply took it as kind consolation. She gently ruffled his hair.
"I believe in Dad too. Right—Ko-chin, how was school today? Are you getting used to it? No one bullied you, right?"
"Mm. Everyone was nice to me. And during math class, I even got praised by Kobayashi-sensei."
"Really? Ko-chin, that's amazing!"
…
Dinner was sukiyaki.
The broth was made from bonito and kombu, and then pork slices, mushrooms, tofu, and napa cabbage were added in.
The pot bubbled with a lively glug glug, surrounded by other ingredients, dipping sauces, and Kogoro Mouri's beer.
During the meal, Kogoro asked about Tetsu's school day. Hearing that he'd adapted just fine, he relaxed and poured himself another drink.
After dinner, after bathing, and after watching some TV with Kogoro, Ran—having finished the laundry—called out that it was bedtime.
Watanabe happily followed her into the bedroom.
Golden points of sunlight filtered through the thick leaves outside the window, scattering across the floor.
Mid-May had arrived, and the weather was getting warmer.
The alarm rang…
Watanabe and Ran opened their eyes at the same time.
"Morning, Ran-neesan."
"Good morning, Ko-chin."
Ran sat up, her silky black hair falling over her shoulder, where her collarbone peeked through.
"Ko-chin, sleep a bit longer. I'll go prepare breakfast."
"Okay."
Half an hour later, Watanabe left the room. Ran already had breakfast set on the low table.
Seeing him come out, she reminded him:
"Ko-chin, wash up first before eating."
"I know, Ran-neesan."
After they finished breakfast, the little "siblings" left together for school.
Teitan Elementary didn't require uniforms on regular days. Watanabe didn't mind.
Girls at age seven or eight? Nothing to see there anyway.
"Ko-chin!"
A silvery voice called from behind.
Watanabe turned around. Ayumi was wearing a red dress today, flanked like a bodyguard by Genta with his bullet-shaped head and Mitsuhiko with his serious straight face.
He greeted politely:
"Good morning, Yoshida-san, Kojima-san, Tsuburaya-san."
Ayumi puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
"Aren't we already friends? Why are you still calling me Yoshida-san?"
"Hey, Ko-chin, do you not think of us as friends yet!?" Genta shouted.
Watanabe had no choice but to give in:
"Okay, Ayumi."
Only then did she beam happily.
…
The first class of the morning was Japanese with Kobayashi-sensei. She stood at the lectern teaching new kanji.
Watanabe stared at the board, mind completely blank.
Pretending to be attentive was honestly exhausting.
"Itou-san, could you use the new characters we learned today to make a sentence?"
"Yes, Kobayashi-sensei."
A little girl with a bun hairstyle stood up nervously.
Finally surviving the morning classes, the moment the teacher announced lunch break—
While the room was still quiet from class—
Genta shouted loudly:
"Lunch tiiiime!"
He yanked his bento from his bag, ready to dig in.
"Wait, Genta."
A hand blocked him. Mitsuhiko scolded seriously,
"You have to wash your hands before eating. Otherwise bacteria will get into your stomach and it'll hurt."
"Fine, fine. I'll go wash."
Genta grumbled, reluctantly putting down the bento and heading outside.
Watanabe washed his own hands and opened his lunchbox.
Ran had packed him tonkatsu, veggie salad, and several strawberries for dessert.
"Wow, Ko-chin has strawberries in his lunch!"
Ayumi peeked over, envy sparkling in her eyes.
Watanabe smiled slightly and pushed the box toward her.
"Want some? I'll share half with you."
"Can I?" Ayumi lit up like a bulb.
"Then I'll trade you my fried meatballs! My mom's meatballs are super delicious!"