Tokiwa, Please Have Some Self-Respect

Despite being over thirty, Tokiwa Mio is clearly very well-maintained, with delicate skin, short brown hair, and an overall aura of a capable and strong woman.

As the saying goes, "Thirty is like a wolf!"

In Fujino's opinion, there was only one reason why a single female boss would secretly hand out business cards to a handsome young man like him!

That's like an old cow eating young grass!

And he has to take the initiative...

As a respectable person, Fujino naturally couldn't agree to such a thing.

After a brief silence, he said in a deep voice, "This is not appropriate."

"What's wrong with it?"

Tokiwa Mio frowned, then continued quietly with a serious expression, "I can pay more."

"This is not about money."

Upon hearing this, Fujino became even more convinced that the woman had ill intentions, so he shook his head helplessly and said seriously, "This is a matter of principle. Although you are very well-off, I am not that kind of person. Ms. Tokiwa, please have some self-respect."

"...?"

Tokiwa Mio was taken aback by his words, but she quickly realized that this was a strange misunderstanding. Her face flushed slightly, and she explained softly, "You've misunderstood. I was talking about the detective's request."

"A commission?"

Fujino was taken aback when he heard this, not expecting that Tokiwa Mio would entrust him with this task.

After all, a company president like that usually doesn't need a detective to investigate anything...

"It's not convenient to discuss the details here..."

Tokiwa Mio nodded, looking serious, and leaned closer to whisper, "Tomorrow, please choose a place you trust, and we'll meet and talk again."

Fujino nodded and silently put the business card into his system space.

Judging from Tokiwa Mio's appearance, he could roughly guess what the request was about.

It must be a shady business...

However, since it was a commission, he had no reason to refuse.

After all, he is the president of a large company.

The commission fee will definitely be substantial...

"Phew... Thank you for your help."

After going through a series of twists and turns, Tokiwa Mio couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, feeling somewhat exhausted.

The fact that this matter has become so complicated is ultimately his fault.

After all, it was reasonable for her to be misunderstood since she brought up the matter in such a sneaky way.

After all, she had heard of such things before.

Moreover, given his appearance and his status as Great Detective, if it had happened a few years earlier, she might have definitely become a devoted fan and rushed over to him...

"What model was that car downstairs just now?"

"I think it's Porsche 356A?"

"That model is indeed very rare!"

"I never expected to still see that kind of car model nowadays..."

Just then, the VIP elevator doors in the banquet hall suddenly opened, and two staff members in suits walked out, discussing the Porsche 356A they had just seen downstairs.

"What?!"

Conan, who was watching Sonoko educate Genta and Mitsuhiko, perked up his ears upon hearing this and instinctively turned to look at the two workers behind him. He ran up to them and asked, "What color is that car?!"

"Black..."

Just as the two bewildered workers finished speaking, Conan frowned and ran straight into the VIP elevator.

"What a strange child."

"I guess they really like that car model..."

The two workers didn't pay much attention.

Meanwhile, Ai Haibara, who noticed Conan chasing after her like a madman, turned pale.

She could guess that the only thing that could cause Kudo Shinichi to seem to have some kind of stress reaction was someone from the organization.

"But why are people from the organization here?"

Ai Haibara frowned and clenched her fists.

The next day, on a weekend, on a bridge in Beika Town.

Fujino leaned against the railing by the bridge, gazing at the scenery of the bay not far away. His eyes were slightly narrowed, and he would occasionally raise his wrist to check his watch, as if he were waiting for someone.

A short while later, accompanied by the sound of an engine, a convertible sports car stopped in the emergency lane of the overpass.

"Are they here?"

Fujino turned around and saw a woman wearing a gray suit, sunglasses, and a stylish wide-brimmed hat getting out of the car.

It was none other than Tokiwa Mio.

"You're not a big star, aren't you dressed way too conservatively?"

Fujino withdrew his gaze and looked back at the bay not far away, teasing without turning his head.

"Paparazzi don't discriminate between celebrities and company presidents."

Tokiwa Mio placed her hand on the railing. "If they make a fuss about it, that would be troublesome."

"I'm a little curious, why are you coming to see me so cautiously?"

Fujino looked at Tokiwa Mio and asked, "So, can you tell me the specifics of the request now?"

"I need your help investigating someone..."

Tokiwa Mio said in a deep voice, "It's that Councilor Oki you met yesterday."

"Investigate him? Aren't you all in cahoots?"

Fujino said meaningfully, "I remember it was him who amended the Nishitama City Act and helped you build the building... Now why am I being asked to investigate him?"

Tokiwa Mio shook her head. "What do you mean by 'grasshoppers on the same line'? I should say I'm a grasshopper being roasted over a fire."

"Oh, I understand."

Fujino suddenly smiled, understanding many things. "In the end, you are still controlled by him... I heard that you bought and sold Kisaragi Hōzui's paintings at high prices. If I'm not mistaken, you are probably using traditional methods to launder money. As for that money, it should have gone into his pocket. However, after getting the money, his appetite has grown bigger and bigger. He can build that building, and he can also bring it down. But after it falls, your company probably won't be able to recover. And because of the bribery scandal, you can't confront him head-on. Now it's like inviting a god in but getting rid of him, isn't it?"

"..."

Tokiwa Mio did not reply. After a moment of silence, she said, "His demands are getting more and more unreasonable, just like you said."

"For example, what happened yesterday?"

Fujino narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully, "It seems that his goal is not just money or anything. I guess he wants to take you as well. After all, Miss Tokiwa, your appearance and temperament can easily arouse people's desire to conquer you."

Upon hearing this, Tokiwa Mio's expression darkened slightly, and she tightened her grip on the railing, causing the skin around her hands to turn slightly white.

"Since ancient times, merchants have never been more powerful than officials. Even the Tokiwa Group is ultimately subordinate to officials. If they hold you back, your company will probably not have a good time either."

Turning his gaze away, Fujino continued, "I could guess what you were asking me to do. I guess it's to find out some of his scandals so I can check his power, right?"

"You already guessed it... I don't need to say anything more."

Tokiwa Mio was not surprised and simply nodded silently at Fujino's analysis.