You Have to Call Me Uncle

With Fujino's intervention, the Idol Bloodstained Incident was successfully resolved in less than an hour.

The police concluded that Akiyoshi Fujie, who had been secretly in love with Yoko Okino but met with rejection, ultimately came to hate her out of unrequited love and committed suicide at her home, intending to frame her for the crime.

Furthermore, amidst Juzo Megure's repeated calls of "Imperial Brother," Fujino officially became his favored subordinate, hence "Imperial Brother."

As for Yoko Okino's commission fee... although Fujino hadn't uncovered anything substantial, she willingly paid the remaining balance.

She knew that if it weren't for Fujino today, she would likely have been branded a murderer.

Moreover, Fujino had indeed found the "culprit" who had been stalking her.

Whether he was the true culprit or not, that remained unknown.

On the way home from the Metropolitan Police Department.

"What Senior said just now was so meaningful!"

Ran said, hands behind her back, a faint smile on her face. "But speaking of which, if Sonoko saw how heroic you looked just now, she'd probably get all lovey-dovey again."

Even though she had just experienced a terrifying suicide case, Ran still appeared cheerful and optimistic...

It was unclear if she was genuinely that optimistic or if she was hiding her true feelings.

"Sonoko..."

Fujino murmured, then asked Ran, "You're not talking about that girl with short hair, are you?"

"That's right."

Ran nodded, then added, "She seems quite interested in Senior."

"It's just the stirrings of adolescence."

Fujino put his hands in his pockets and let out a self-deprecating laugh. "But it's good to enjoy precious youth at this age."

It was likely that his age wouldn't change for quite some time... This Conan World was truly terrifying.

'Speaking of which, aren't you just a high school student? What's with this demeanor of someone who's been beaten down by society?!'

Conan, holding Ran's hand, stared at Fujino's weathered expression, feeling a bit speechless and remarking inwardly.

Unlike Ran's liveliness, Fujino's face was etched with weariness.

He looked like a corporate slave who had just finished a long day of work and was dragging his exhausted body home.

Even Ran hadn't noticed that Fujino was only eighteen years old.

"Rumble..."

At this moment, a faint, uncooperative rumble sounded.

Fujino stopped walking, and a blush crept onto his usually calm face.

"Senior probably hasn't had dinner yet, right?"

Ran turned her head upon hearing the sound and covered her mouth with a smile.

"Cough... cough..."

Fujino coughed as if he had choked on his saliva, then scratched the back of his head and said, "I haven't eaten all day, actually... I was planning to eat tonight, but then I got the commission..."

"How about coming to my place for dinner?"

Ran suggested. "I was just about to make dinner anyway."

"I think I'll pass..."

Fujino hesitated at Ran's invitation.

If he got too close to Ran, that Little Southeast Asian King of Jealousy probably wouldn't let him off the hook.

Of course, he didn't mind for himself.

But his house couldn't handle that kind of disturbance!

A house worth seventy-five million Yen would immediately depreciate by a third if someone died in it.

If they filmed two or three episodes at his place, he would probably want to die!

Maintaining a certain distance from Ran might not yield any benefits, but at least it would avoid unnecessary trouble.

With that thought, Fujino awkwardly scratched his head.

Just as he was about to refuse, a system prompt suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Ding, student career mission detected!"

Immediately after, a system interface appeared before his eyes.

[Student Career Mission: Enhance Classmate Friendship

Mission Objective: Have a meal at a classmate's home.

Mission Rewards: 100,000 Yen, 50 Student Proficiency points

Mission Location: Mori Detective Agency]

Staring at the system interface before him, Fujino's mind briefly spun.

What the heck?

Students get missions too?!

Could it be that the Unicorn Immortal has manifested?

Fujino originally wanted to refuse.

But that was one hundred thousand Yen!

Plus fifty points of Student Proficiency, which would directly lead to an upgrade!

After thinking for a moment, Fujino made his decision, scratching the back of his head and reluctantly saying, "I don't really know Ran that well. Inviting a strange man home for dinner this late, I'm afraid it might cause some misunderstanding..."

"So that's how it is."

Ran nodded upon hearing this.

She finally understood why Fujino always rejected her.

It turns out he was just embarrassed!

It was indeed abrupt of her.

After all, she had only met Fujino a few times.

It would be a miracle if she agreed.

With that thought, Ran breathed a sigh of relief, then waved her hand and smiled lightly at Fujino, "It's okay, after all, Fujino-senpai, you're my neighbor. It's nothing to invite a neighbor home for dinner..."

As she spoke, Ran also asked Conan, "Don't you think so, Conan?"

It would be a miracle if there were no problems!

However, given Conan's identity, he couldn't say that.

He could only grit his teeth, his mouth twitching as he forced a fake smile: "N-no, you're right!"

"Grumble..."

At this moment, a low rumbling sound echoed again.

Fujino scratched the back of his head and said sheepishly, "Since that's the case, I'll have to trouble the Mori family for dinner today..."

Uncle Mori appeared very wary of Fujino's presence.

However, this small issue was not an issue for Fujino.

A signed poster of Yoko Okino and a bottle of expensive foreign liquor worth ten thousand Yen were enough to placate Uncle Mori!

Just like that, Fujino successfully dined as a guest.

Ran's cooking was excellent, reminding Fujino of his mother's cooking.

With good food and good wine, Fujino and Uncle Mori naturally enjoyed themselves to their heart's content.

After Uncle Mori finished a bottle of sake, the atmosphere was just right, and in his excitement, he directly swore brotherhood with Fujino.

That night, in front of the Mori Detective Agency.

A drunken Kogoro Mori waved towards Fujino, who was walking back to his own home across the street, shouting reluctantly as he waved, "Fujino-otouto!"

"Dad!"

Ran Mori supported Kogoro Mori, complaining, "Honestly! I told you to drink less, but you wouldn't listen!"

"You've let Fujino-senpai see you in this embarrassing state!"

"What do you mean drink less, senpai, that's my otouto!"

Uncle Mori, with a flushed face, lectured Ran, "You should call him 'shujue'!"

"Honestly! I'm done with you!"

Ran Mori huffed proudly, then dumped Kogoro Mori outside the door.

Despite this, Kogoro Mori still enthusiastically shouted at Fujino, "Fujino-otouto! Remember to come again next time!"

"I know, Mori-onii!"

Fujino waved his hand behind him and walked towards the four-story building opposite the Mori Detective Agency without looking back.