Never Far from Her Mother

"Actually, I don't do any special skincare. I just stay at home most of the time, so my skin is not exposed to wind and sun, and it looks much better."

Hattori Shizuka also noticed the strange atmosphere around her and changed the subject to Ran's approval.

"Ahem."

Fujino couldn't stand it any longer, so he coughed lightly and interrupted the conversation, "By the way Ran, you were cleaning your room just now, weren't you?"

"That's right."

Ran immediately chimed in, "I was indeed cleaning the room just now, and there's still some dust floating around..."

As intelligent as she was, she naturally understood the true intention behind Fujino- Senior's words.

If she's not mistaken, she must be helping her mother assert her dominance!

Ran nodded, feeling that her Senior was still as helpful as ever, and then continued, "It must be this dust that's causing you to cough, Senior, right?"

"Yes."

With a smart person cooperating, Fujino felt a little more relaxed and continued, "Recently, my nose has been feeling a bit uncomfortable, and I cough involuntarily whenever I smell dust."

"Ahem, I see."

Hattori Shizuka was standing next to her, also understood the meaning and coughed lightly twice, covering her face.

Being approached by someone while married is not a pleasant experience.

But she always felt that this was not a good idea, after all, she was currently single.

After thinking for a moment, she added, "I've had a bad bronchi since I was a child, no wonder I felt a bit uncomfortable in my respiratory tract after I came in."

"In that case, let's go somewhere else."

Fujino stood up. "It's a good time to discuss the case."

"Uh-huh!"

Ran nodded in agreement, then glanced at Mori Kogoro and said resentfully, "Dad, you're something else. People come here to consult about cases, but you always talk about irrelevant things."

"I'm just asking about the case..."

Mori Kogoro clicked his tongue, unaware of the unspoken understanding among the others.

Meanwhile, Conan, with a deadpan expression, secretly lamented that Uncle Mori was far too oblivious.

But then he looked at Hattori Shizuka's fingers and asked curiously, "By the way, what happened to the injury on Ms. Ikenami's hand?"

"This is a cut I got from accidentally chopping vegetables."

Hattori Shizuka looked up and explained, "My cooking skills aren't very good. I haven't used a knife in a long time, and I didn't expect to get injured like this."

Conan frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

There were bandages on Hattori Shizuka's index finger, ring finger, and thumb.

Normally, it's quite common to cut your thumb and forefinger while chopping vegetables.

He was very curious about how his ring finger had been cut.

"I can't cook..."

Taking the opportunity Mori Kogoro continued, "Actually, it's not a big deal if you can't cook. After all, a woman with a few flaws is more attractive than a woman who is perfect."

"But I have so many flaws."

Mentioning the injury on her hand, Hattori Shizuka also felt that the injury to her ring finger was a bit strange, and added cautiously, "Otherwise, she wouldn't still be all alone at this age."

"Well?!"

Mori Kogoro exclaimed in surprise, "Ms. Ikenami, you're not married yet?!"

"Yes... yes."

Hattori Shizuka was slightly taken aback, clearly startled and somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Even a hint of Kansai accent slipped out unintentionally.

"It's astonishing that no one has noticed such a noble lady as yourself..."

Mori Kogoro said indignantly, "If you ask me, all the men around you are truly blind!"

Hattori Heizo: "???"

Hattori Heiji: "???"

Fujino subconsciously thought of the Osaka police chief and the bewildered look on the face of the Heiji when he heard those words.

"Ahem!"

At this moment, Ran coughed lightly, interrupting Mori Kogoro to continue, "Speaking of which, my mother isn't very good at cooking either. You two are really alike."

She paused, then narrowed her eyes slightly, saying meaningfully, "But what you say makes sense. I really don't know if some people are blind to even leave such a beauty aside. I really don't know what they're thinking!"

"Hello..."

Mori Kogoro glanced at his obedient daughter, who was teasing him, and was somewhat speechless.

Am I wrong?

Ran also glanced at her father, her eyes narrowed, like a cunning fox.

"Ahem."

Fujino coughed lightly again, interrupting the argument between father and daughter. "Speaking of which, shouldn't we find another place to talk?"

Sometimes he couldn't understand why Mori always had to strike up a conversation with a pretty woman he saw.

It's fine that they're divorced, but the key issue is that, strictly speaking, Eri Kisaki is still his wife...

Although there was no actual consumption of oil, it did make people feel somewhat uncomfortable.

It's no wonder that Ran keeps talking about her mother.

If it were him, he probably would have already gone up and looted the old guy's gold coins.

"Yes, speaking of which, the dust here is getting worse and worse."

Ran Lan smiled kindly, "Isn't that right, Dad?"

"Oh oh..."

Mori Kogoro was slightly taken aback, feeling a chill run down his spine.

Fujino shook his head helplessly.

It looks like Uncle Mori is going to get a scolding again tonight.

The group moved to Snow King Ice City.

"Actually, the reason I wanted to find him was to retrieve a photograph."

"That photo is the only one I have. It was taken when I was in third grade and participated in the competition. It shows me holding the trophy from the finals. Just recently, my grandmother accidentally lost the medal, which is why I wanted to get that photo back. At least it will be something to remember me by."

Hattori Shizuka was explaining, according to her own script, why she was looking for that man named Shibata Shiro.

Fujino sat silently across from her, listening, secretly lamenting that it was a real shame she didn't become a screenwriter.

If he remembers correctly, all of this was actually orchestrated by Hattori Shizuka from beginning to end.

Whether it's looking for photos, identifying oneself, or entrusting something else.

The purpose was to test his and Mori Kogoro's character.

Judging from the current situation, he has likely passed the test.

As for Uncle Mori, it's hard to say.

Have you decided what you'd like to order?

At this moment, Akemi Miyano, wearing a pink apron and holding a small notebook, walked over and asked the group a question.

"Still the usual Green Tea?"

"Green Tea is fine."

"I see..."

Akemi Miyano nodded knowingly, then asked the others, "Where are you all?"

Mori Kogoro thought for a moment and said, "Coffee."

Ran simply laughed and said, "Snow King Special Offer Lemon Juice."

Conan pondered what he wanted to order, looking somewhat hesitant. "Then I'll just have..."

Hattori Shizuka looked around and said, "RELKO..."

"Um?"

Conan was taken aback by what he heard and turned to look at Hattori Shizuka.

"Reiko?"

Mori Kogoro was taken aback by this question. "Who is she?"

"It's nothing, he just calls me that all the time."

Hattori Shizuka was taken aback. "Because he always said that my personality was similar to the protagonist in the book he borrowed from me, the one with that photo inside, so he called me Reiko..."

Akemi Miyano then asked Conan, "Little Brother Conan, what would you like to order?"

Conan said childishly, "I want an iced coffee!"

Hattori Shizuka was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and glanced at Conan.

RELKO is actually just iced coffee, a name specific to Osaka.

She blurted it out unconsciously when ordering drinks, but then she realized that if people found out she was from Osaka, it would likely expose her, so she quickly changed her mind.

But this kid actually wants an iced coffee?

Did they discover something?

"I'd like an iced coffee too."

Hattori Shizuka thought about it and felt it was unlikely.

After all, he just looks like a child.

"By the way, Miss Ikenami, I still don't know your name."

At this moment, Mori Kogoro suddenly asked Hattori Shizuka.

He was so busy talking about other things that he only knew the surname Ikenami.

"I'm so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself... My name is Jinghua, Ikenami Jinghua."

Hattori Shizuka doesn't really want to talk about her own name.

She was very cautious in her attempt to deceive the Great Detective, and had basically covered up all the information that could prove her identity.

But as for the name...

It shouldn't be a big problem.

"Jinghua? She really suits your temperament."

Mori Kogoro was about to exchange a few pleasantries when Ran interrupted him, "Dad, do you have any ideas about Mr. Shibata?"

"..."

Mori Kogoro pursed his lips, rested his chin on his hand, and examined the photo on the table. He said helplessly, "Right now, all we have is a name and this photo from thirty years ago. There are far too few clues."

Conan was also pondering something related to that photograph.

He quickly found a breakthrough.

"Hey hey!"

Before he could finish speaking, Hattori Shizuka interrupted him, saying, "It is precisely because it is difficult that I have troubled you two Great Detective. After all, if it were an ordinary detective, they certainly wouldn't be able to sit here."

She paused, then continued, "If neither of you can find it, could you please ask that person for help?"

"That one?"

Mori Kogoro was taken aback.

"That's right. I've heard people say before that... that High School Detective Kudo Shinichi seems to frequent your detective agency."

Hattori Shizuka smiled and said, "If possible, I wouldn't mind hiring another detective..."

That's right. Besides Fujino and Mori Kogoro, Kudo Shinichi was also one of the targets to be tested in her plan.

After all, besides Fujino, her son usually only had Kudo.

Fujino has already met him, and if possible, she would like to see what Kudo Shinichi looks like.

"Ha?"

Upon hearing this, Mori Kogoro waved his hands repeatedly. "That kid hasn't come to our house at all recently."

"Yes, that's right."

Ran laughed and said, "At most, he just calls and talks nonsense."

"Um..."

Fujino nodded silently. "That kid is never home, he seems to be dealing with some case."

Conan: "..."

Great, am I really that insignificant?

But then he started thinking about his sense of self-worth again.

It's actually good to have no presence.

But this woman actually mentioned his name. Could it be that his story has spread again?

If that's the case, then we'll have to be more restrained with our reasoning in the future.

Exposing too much material can cause problems.

Is that so?

Hattori Shizuka murmured something.

She had heard Heiji say that Kudo Shinichi often visited Mori Kogoro's house.

But the current situation is clearly not like that.

Judging from what I've seen so far, Fujino is a kind and polite child, and doesn't seem like the type to bully others.

Although Mori Kogoro seems a bit frivolous, he has a fairly good relationship with Fujino and doesn't seem like the kind of Senior who would make things difficult for others.

"Could it be Heiji lied?"

Hattori Shizuka frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

"Conan, what do you think?"

Ran noticed that Conan seemed to be about to say something, and recalling past experiences, she asked him about it.

"What's the point of asking Conan?"

Mori Kogoro said speechlessly, "What can a little kid see?"

"But he always manages to notice things that adults miss."

Ran turned to Fujino and asked with a smile, "Isn't that right, Fujino- Senior?"

"Um."

Fujino nodded. "Little Brother Conan, did you figure something out?"

"I have indeed noticed some things."

Feeling valued again, Conan felt like he had been fully recharged.

Finally, I have a chance to show off my reasoning skills!

They completely forgot about the decision they had just made to stop directing.

Conan said in a deep voice, "Since this older brother was able to win the championship in the competition thirty years ago, he might be participating in a kendo competition now."

Everyone present was startled upon hearing this, as if a flash of inspiration had struck them.

Fujino glanced at Conan with interest, then interrupted, "I've considered that too, but I feel the probability is low."

"Ah?"

Conan looked up at Fujino, somewhat puzzled.

I thought that Fujino wouldn't interrupt me this time...

What was bound to happen, finally happened!

However, he did want to hear why his reasoning was not very reliable.

"The way of the sword is a great test of one's moral character."

Fujino pondered, "Those sword geniuses from thirty years ago might not even be learning swordsmanship now... After all, if their resolve is broken, it's not impossible for them to retire. For example, one of my opponents was called a genius, but he retired right after the match."

Conan: "..."

That only applies if you encounter a monster like you, right?

Although he had never seen Fujino compete, he subconsciously thought of Fujino's excellent record.

"I remember that Fujino- kun was indeed learning kendo."

Mori Kogoro nodded, somewhat regretfully. "If that's the case, then the lead has gone cold again."

"That's not entirely true; it is indeed a good direction for investigation."

Fujino paused, then continued, "If it's about kendo, Master Suwa from the kendo dojo where I usually train should have heard of it..."

As he spoke, he took out his phone, intending to call Suwa Yuji directly.

Even though it was already known that this was all a show orchestrated and acted by Hattori Shizuka herself.

But since we've already received the commission, we might as well play along.

Moreover, he still remembered the actor that Hattori Shizuka had arranged, Shibata Shiro, who should have been dead for almost six or seven hours now... If he didn't go over to boost his performance soon, he'd probably be rotting by now.