Early the next morning... or rather, noon.
Fujino was still deeply asleep when a ringing phone woke him.
"Who is it...?"
Fujino sighed and answered the phone.
"Senior Fujino, are you ready to go to the Medieval Museum?"
Sonoko's voice came from the other end.
"Didn't we settle that yesterday...?"
"Settle what?"
Sonoko sounded puzzled. "Didn't we agree yesterday that we'd take the day off and go check out that suit of armor that can walk at the Medieval Museum?"
Fujino came to his senses. "Oh, that..."
"Senior, don't tell me you forgot?"
Suzuki Sonoko asked suspiciously.
"Of course not!"
Fujino hurriedly sat up in bed.
After clearing his throat, he continued, "I'm already getting ready to drive out. Ran lives right across from my place... Want me to pick you up on the way?"
"Senior, you already have a driver's license?!"
"Of course I do!"
Fujino complained speechlessly, "Did you forget? I usually commute by car."
In Japan, people could get a driver's license after turning eighteen, though the licensing process was fairly strict...
Fortunately, the original Fujino had been quite skilled. He got his automobile license shortly after becoming an adult and had even earned a motorcycle license at sixteen.
"That's amazing!"
There was a hint of admiration in Sonoko's voice. "Then I won't need to ask my family's driver today..."
"A driver..."
Fujino gave a deadpan look.
As expected of the Suzuki family's young lady...
After hanging up, Fujino quickly washed up. Under Conan's resentful gaze, he picked up Ran and headed for Suzuki Sonoko's home.
"Rich families really are different..."
Fujino parked the car and couldn't help twitching at the sight of the luxurious villa before him.
The Suzuki family was unimaginably wealthy.
"Senior Fujino! Over here!"
At that moment, Sonoko came out after changing into a light outfit. She waved and shouted at Fujino as she approached.
Was she really a rich young lady?
Fujino watched Sonoko's unrefined behavior and frowned.
"Sonoko, be more composed!"
At that moment, another female voice came from inside the villa. Another girl walked out.
She wore a long dress, her eyes slightly narrowed, carrying herself with a dignified, mature, and steady air that sharply contrasted with Sonoko.
It was none other than Suzuki Ayako.
Looking at Ayako before him, Fujino couldn't help feeling a flood of thoughts.
Were these really rich woman sisters?
They didn't seem like it!
"Got it, older sister!"
Sonoko, who had already reached Fujino's car, turned back with a grin and scratched the back of her head.
"This is...?"
"Senior Fujino, you probably haven't met her yet..."
Sonoko finally realized and introduced her. "This is my older sister, Ayako!"
"Sir, my younger sister may be troubling you."
Ayako came to Fujino's car window and gave a slight bow.
"Older sister, what are you talking about? He's my classmate. He may be a year older, but he's still a high school student."
Sonoko reminded Ayako.
"Is that so?"
Ayako covered her mouth in surprise, her voice full of apology. "I'm terribly sorry... I thought..."
"It's fine."
Fujino shook his head. "A lot of people get it wrong when they first see me..."
He then introduced himself politely. "My name is Fujino Doji. I'm a detective, and I'm currently in the same class as Sonoko."
"Then Sonoko will be in your care, Fujino."
Ayako smiled and nodded.
"Hehe."
At that moment, Sonoko seemed to have come up with another mischievous idea.
After opening the door and sitting beside Ran, she quietly told Fujino in the driver's seat, "My older sister is twenty-four this year and is working on her graduate degree... And by the way, she's single!"
"Sonoko!"
Ayako's face flushed, and she complained to Sonoko.
"Senior Fujino, drive!"
Medieval Museum, Sky Exhibition Room.
"Wow! These paintings are so beautiful!"
Ran couldn't help exclaiming loudly as she looked at the oil paintings on the walls.
"I think this is by Picasso..."
Sonoko examined the painting on the wall. Though she wasn't particularly interested, she still blurted out, "It's not one of his famous works."
"You have a good eye, miss!"
An old man's voice suddenly came from behind them.
They turned around and saw a hunched old man walking toward them.
"This painting is called Leisurely Angel. As that young lady said, it isn't a famous work."
Ochiai walked up to the painting. "But although it isn't well known, I greatly enjoy its warm brushwork and the sense of transparency it conveys."
"You really know your paintings, old gentleman!"
Sonoko found the old man's assessment familiar and remarked, then asked Ochiai, "old gentleman, are you an art critic?"
"Young lady, I am not an art critic."
Ochiai chuckled and introduced himself with narrowed eyes. "I am the librarian of this Museum. My surname is Ochiai."
"So you're the librarian. No wonder you know so much."
Sonoko suddenly understood.
"Just like usual, there's hardly anyone here."
At that moment, an unpleasant voice came from not far away.
They turned and saw a potbellied middle-aged man in a white suit walking toward them.
As he walked, he criticized everything around him. "What is all this junk? It's practically garbage!"
"Manaka, what are you doing here?!"
"This Museum will be mine in ten days anyway. What business is it of yours?"
The man's tone was infuriating.
But his irritating remarks did not stop there. He instead shouted at the young man beside him, "Designer, hurry up and bring out the blueprints."
Upon hearing this, Ochiai's entire presence darkened, and killing intent surged into his gaze as he looked at the potbellied man.
Seeing that something was wrong, Fujino frowned.
He stepped forward and patted Ochiai on the shoulder.
Ochiai nodded in understanding.
Only after taking a deep breath and calming down did he say solemnly to the man in the distance, "Mr. Manaka, I recall that we agreed when signing the contract that the Museum was not to be used for any other purpose!"
"Hehe."
The man sneered disdainfully. "It'll all be mine then anyway. Isn't it just a penalty for breach of contract? At worst, I'll pay you!"
"If that is the case, then I cannot simply hand the Museum over to you!"
Though elderly, Ochiai's tone became firm. "Mr. Manaka, since you intend to breach the contract, then we shall settle this in court. I am already prepared to find a lawyer and sue you!"
"Go ahead and sue, then!"
Manaka frowned. As if trying to conceal his guilt, his voice gradually rose. "Without my acquisition, this lousy Museum will go bankrupt anyway!"
"That is not something you need to concern yourself with, Mr. Manaka!"
Though Librarian Ochiai was already old, a sharpness still naturally radiated from his eyes.
Fujino couldn't help staring blankly at Librarian Ochiai's appearance.
The ability to support such a large Museum alone and attract investment.
And combat ability that could still make him feel troublesome despite his old age.
This old man had clearly been no ordinary person in his younger days.
After the potbellied middle-aged man left, Ran, who had heard their conversation, curiously asked Librarian Ochiai, "Will this Museum be going out of business soon?"
"That's right..."
Ochiai nodded. "Japan's economy has been poor lately, and the company that originally invested in the Museum went bankrupt... Later, Mr. Manaka said he wanted to acquire this Museum..."
"He clearly promised to keep operating the Museum, but after the acquisition contract was issued, he went back on his word and said he wanted to turn this place into a large hotel."
There was a trace of condemnation in Ran's voice. "That person is really awful!"
Suzuki Sonoko also looked disgustedly at Manaka's retreating back and said indignantly, "I can't stand bosses like that—fat, arrogant, and always throwing their weight around!"
"There is nothing we can do about it..."
Ochiai sighed painfully. "The contract has already been signed, so there is no way to go back on it... I'm currently looking for a reliable lawyer to fight him in court, but I haven't found one yet."
"By the way, isn't Ran's mother a lawyer?"
Before you continue