Vermouth: Angel Is Mine!

After a brief eye contact, Fujino looked away.

He turned his gaze back to the window, adopting the air of a melancholy young man, and pondered, "Now that English teacher Jodie has made her appearance, shouldn't that woman be here too?"

In his memory, Jodie wouldn't have come to Teitan High School as an English teacher if she was just bored and wanted to relive her school days.

Her goal was to find Vermouth, who was disguised as Tomoaki Araide.

That's right, not long ago, Vermouth orchestrated a car accident that resulted in the death of the Shinichi family.

Fortunately, the FBI noticed her plan and pulled off a stunt, saving Tomoaki Araide and his family and sending them to the America under the Witness Protection Program.

Unaware of this, Vermouth successfully impersonated him and infiltrated Teitan High School.

Jodie is fine; she's just the world's policeman and poses no threat to him.

What he cared about was Vermouth.

As Fujino guessed, Vermouth's purpose could be many things.

It's possible that they were hunting down Shiho Miyano had escaped.

While I'm at it, I'll take a break and check on my little angel to make sure that Kudo Shinichi isn't really dead.

Pulling herself out of her thoughts, Fujino looked out at the azure sky. "Since these two are here... then that man should be arriving soon."

During lunch break, Fujino and his classmates went to the Teitan High School gymnasium to watch the rehearsal.

Since it was just a rehearsal, none of the students in the class were wearing costumes. The students stood in their respective positions, holding their scripts, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ran, also wearing a school uniform, recited her lines vividly to Sonoko in front of her. "Not just once, but the second time... Who exactly are you, the one who saved me?"

"..."

Sonoko didn't say anything, she just gave him a quick kiss.

"Huh?! Sonoko, we haven't gotten to that part of the story yet!"

Ran was taken aback, and her face immediately turned red.

"Hey-hey..."

Sonoko scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I forgot."

"Then why did you kiss me?"

"I just feel that this way I can feel more immersed in the story."

"The Sonoko!"

"Alright, alright, let's do it again!"

"..."

Fujino sat in the audience, his eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the teenage boys and girls rehearsing on stage. When he saw Sonoko give Ran a quick Ran, he was speechless.

The performance Sonoko is preparing this time is probably a love story between Black Knight and Princess.

Although it involves some conflicts of interest and grand worldviews.

But overall, it's still a romantic fairy tale.

But if Sonoko and Ran were to act together...

Why does it smell like lilies?

Fujino shook his head and turned to Tomoaki Araide, who was standing to the side.

At this moment, Tomoaki Araide was holding the script and watching the performance on stage intently.

I could vaguely sense that his gaze was fixed on Ran.

I don't know what he's thinking.

"Doctor Shinide, how was our performance just now?"

Just then, Sonoko and Ran, having finished their rehearsal, walked over and asked Tomoaki Araide, "Is there anything we can improve?"

"Ran's performance was alright... but she seemed a little distracted and somewhat conservative."

Tomoaki Araide gave his evaluation, paused, and then continued, "Sonoko, your performance was the opposite of Ran's; it was a bit too unrestrained... You should tone it down a bit."

As he spoke, he turned to Fujino and asked, "Fujino- kun, what do you think?"

"I'm just sitting here watching... cough, after all, I'm not a professional actor, but as far as I'm concerned, it's alright."

Fujino subconsciously replied, then coughed lightly after regaining his composure. He glanced at the thick script in Tomoaki Araide's hand, then asked Sonoko curiously, "Speaking of which, Sonoko, did you write all these scripts?"

Sonoko patted her chest. "Of course!"

"Written in such a short time?"

Fujino said in surprise.

"Actually, Sonoko finished writing this script last year."

Ran chuckled and explained, "It's just that last year's program was Shinichi's mystery show, so we lost..."

"So that's how it is."

No wonder this young girl was so eager to seize power during the election.

It turns out they came prepared.

"Shinichi must be Kudo Shinichi, right?"

At that moment, Tomoaki Araide suddenly asked, "By the way, where did Kudo-kun go? I don't think I've seen him for a while."

Ran paused for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "Shinichi has some cases to handle, so he can't come back for the time being..."

"Only you, Ran, can put up with that guy. He's been missing for so long without even a word."

Sonoko clicked her tongue indignantly. "The character of the Black Knight was clearly designed based on that guy, but we can't find him when we want to."

Is that so?

Upon Tomoaki Araide thought for a moment, then changed the subject. "Alright, just talking about it is a bit vague, let me demonstrate for you."

With that, he slowly walked onto the stage and began his performance.

Tomoaki Araide's performance was outstanding, playing two roles: a charming and alluring Princess at one moment, and a cool and handsome knight at the other.

Suddenly, even these somewhat suffocating romantic phone calls became exciting.

When that kind of acting came on, I knew she was that woman—General MacArthur, a five-star general.

"Doctor Shinide's performance was amazing..."

Ran and Sonoko couldn't help but express this sentiment.

Fujino stared at Tomoaki Araide on the stage, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It really is you, Vermouth."

As someone who loves spoilers, he had completely seen through the woman in front of him from head to toe.

The new glasses on stage are single-bar style.

Combined with Jodie's new job, her excellent acting skills, and the same alluring yet cold temperament that he had seen with Vermouth before, it was a perfect match.

He was certain that the newcomer on stage was the Thousand-Faced Witch.

After Vermouth's performance, Ran and Sonoko went back on stage.

Their acting skills have improved a lot this time.

It's obvious that he's figured it out.

Fujino would glance at the two people on the stage from time to time, and then look at Vermouth to the side.

He was somewhat curious.

How did Vermouth, such a large creature, manage to hide it?

A breast wrap?

Or is it some other strange little gadget?

Fujino couldn't figure out who his sister was.

"Fujino- kun, what's wrong?"

Vermouth noticed Fujino's gaze and asked with some confusion, "Is there something on my face?"

"No."

Fujino calmly shook his head and said with emotion, "I'm just a little surprised... I didn't expect that Doctor Shinide not only had two and a half years of basketball experience, but also such amazing acting skills."

"Fujino- kun is joking."

Vermouth gave a forced smile, feigning a boyish demeanor as she said sheepishly, "I only played the male lead a few times back in my school days, that's all ancient history..."

"Oh... I see. You really can't judge a book by its cover."

Fujino nodded knowingly, chuckling as he tentatively said, "I thought someone with Doctor Shinide's personality would be rather introverted."

Vermouth just smiled and didn't say anything.

From the very beginning, she felt that the High School Detective was watching her.

That look in his eyes was a little strange, and a little familiar.

However, she didn't think much of it; after all, that's how detectives are.

But I still felt a little uneasy.

I have a feeling that my true identity is about to be exposed.

Although it seems that her angel and this guy have a good relationship, what if she really discovers her secret...?

This child must not be allowed to live!

On the other side, Fujino turned around, his eyes slightly narrowed, and did not continue to pester or probe.

Just now, he vaguely sensed a hint of killing intent.

With his keen senses, he immediately captured it.

Clearly, he couldn't ask any more questions.

Otherwise, the other party might very well try to seduce him in the middle of the night and dig a hole to bury him.

"Ah!"

Then a familiar scream rang out.

Fujino looked up at the sound and saw Sonoko accidentally fall heavily onto the stage.

"The Sonoko!"

Vermouth rushed out before Fujino and came to Suzuki Sonoko's side, gently bending down to carefully examine her injuries.

"Doctor Shinide Sonoko, how is Sonoko?"

Ran stood to the side, her tone slightly anxious.

Although Vermouth wasn't a professional doctor, as an executive of the organization, she still knew a bit about medicine. She glanced at Ran's worried expression, smiled inwardly, and then replied in a deep voice, "Sonoko's wrist is dislocated... She needs to be taken to the hospital quickly."

"Hospital?!"

Sonoko was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. "Then what about the rehearsal?!"

"After the dislocation is reduced, you will need to rest for about a few weeks."

Vermouth shook her head regretfully. "Sonoko, you probably can't continue participating in the rehearsals."

"How could this happen..."

Sonoko was a little sad, and the faint stinging pain in her wrist made her feel even worse.

"Sonoko, it would be better to go to the hospital first..."

Ran felt a mix of emotions, including some self-blame.

If she had reacted quickly enough and caught Sonoko, this wouldn't have happened.

Is your wrist dislocated?

Fujino walked over with his hands in his pockets.

He glanced at Sonoko's wrist and murmured, "If that's the case, it should work."

"Fujino- Senior... what's feasible?"

"I have studied some traditional Chinese medicine. A dislocated wrist is not a serious injury, and I can handle it."

As he spoke, Fujino placed his hand on Sonoko's wrist and uttered his classic comforting words. "I'm being a little rough, so bear with it..."

Click!

The sound of bones cracking.

Ah—a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

[Treatment activity detected]

[Congratulations, host, you have gained 50 points of proficiency in the Physician profession]

"Sonoko, how is it?"

Ran anxiously squatted down to check the condition of the Sonoko.

"Waaaaah..."

Sonoko wiped away her tears.

Coming to her senses, she glanced at her wrist and exclaimed in surprise, "It doesn't hurt anymore!"

"It doesn't hurt anymore?"

Ran, standing to the side, looked somewhat bewildered.

Vermouth glanced at Fujino with surprise.

Ran asked Fujino curiously, "Fujino- Senior, have you studied traditional Chinese medicine?"

Traditional Chinese medicine, as has been said before, is very rare in Japan.

Although it doesn't have a very high status in its home country, it is very popular in Japan.

"Yes, a long, long time ago, I met an old gentleman with a venerable and otherworldly air..."

Fujino once again brought up the routine of unexpectedly meeting the old man and learning his superb medical skills, fooling the group for a while, before changing the subject and saying, "But Sonoko, you still need to go to the hospital to get checked out."

"Huh? You, Fujino- Senior, have already healed me and I don't feel any pain at all, so why do I still need to go to the hospital?"

Sonoko didn't quite understand.

As the saying goes, "It takes a hundred days to recover from a broken bone or tendon..."

Fujino said in a serious tone, rubbing Sonoko's wrist. "Even if it's a dislocated shoulder, you'll need to rest for a week or two."

"Waaah..."

Sonoko still felt some pain. "But if I leave, who will play the Black Knight?"

"Alright, Sonoko, go and get some rest."

Ran smiled and said, "We can find someone else to play the Black Knight role."

"Yeah, my acting wasn't very good either..."

Sonoko nodded like a chick pecking at rice, then looked at Fujino: "In that case, Fujino- Senior, I'll leave this role to you!"

Fujino: "...??"

Although he was happy to see Conan's expression of wanting to kill him, it just didn't feel right...

Fujino thought for a moment and then declined, saying, "I'll pass. There's not much time left, and as for my acting skills... to be honest, I don't have much confidence."

With that, Fujino shifted the blame to Vermouth, laughing, "Compared to me, Doctor Shinide is more suitable for this role, isn't he?"

Vermouth: "...??"

"Why are you shifting the blame to me?"

But then I thought, if they were to change the actor, then the actor would most likely be a man, and there would even be a kissing scene at the end...

Thinking of this, she gave an awkward smile and decisively agreed, "In that case... then I'll take this role for now."

Angel is hers!

In other words, even if it's fake, Angel's kiss absolutely cannot be taken by anyone else...

Besides her!

On the drive home, Fujino held the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the street ahead, lost in thought.

Vermouth has arrived, and the FBI has entered the fray. Next, we should be moving into the main storyline of Detective Conan, where a whole bunch of overpowered characters from Detective Conan will gradually emerge.

Although he didn't really want to get involved in these people's affairs.

But there are some things he can't simply choose not to do.

But then he thought, this struggle might bring him some benefits.

"Ring ring!"

Just then, a telephone rang.

Fujino took out his phone and saw that it was Su Fang Hongzi calling, so he answered the call.

The gist of it is that there's a party tomorrow and he's been invited to attend.

Fujino naturally agreed, after all, the other party was the employer, and also a rare good person in Mikasa, a city of vice.

Fujino drove to Teitan Elementary School, picked up Ai Haibara, and took her home. Then he received a letter from Akemi Miyano.

It is said that it was left by a mysterious guest during the day.

"Letter?"

Back in his fourth-floor bedroom, Fujino looked at the envelope addressed to him as "Detective Fujino, please open this envelope," feeling somewhat puzzled.

Who would write to him?

This reminded him of Asai Makoto from Moonlight Island last time.

With that thought in mind, he opened the envelope.

[Don't attend the charity gala hosted by Su Fang Hongzi, or you'll regret it— The Messenger of the Cursed Mask]

"Cursed Mask?"

Fujino stared at the letter written in newspaper text, related terms and memories flooding his mind, and he was momentarily stunned.