Heiji: What if I'm Not Really Their Son?

"Ah--"

"Hmm—"

"Aww—"

In the pitch-black night, a series of deafening howls echoed from the backyard of the Hattori family's residence in Osaka Headquarters.

Fortunately, the Hattori's house is a detached Japanese-style courtyard house; otherwise, people might mistake it for someone's wolfhound that had broken into a pack.

The courtyard, covered with lawn, was filled with dust.

Hattori Heiji lay on the grass, covered in mud and wearing protective gear, looking utterly despondent.

It's just a friendly spar, why are you hitting people so hard?

There were no injuries after the fight was over...

Just pure pain, who could bear that!

The celebratory dinner prepared by Ooka Momiji ended, and it was already dark.

Since the Hattori family invited Fujino this time, Mori Kogoro didn't come along. Ran, Conan, and Conan went back to the hotel prepared by the school ahead of Sonoko.

The rest of the group went to visit the Hattori family.

At this moment, Akemi Ai, the Shimo-Kasa Sisters, and Kazuha are helping Hattori Shizuka prepare a late-night snack.

As for Ooka Momiji, since it was a wealthy family, and it was getting late, and their home was nearby, it wouldn't be appropriate for them to ask someone else for lodging...

Meanwhile, Fujino took advantage of the darkness to begin his 'sparring' with Hattori Heiji.

"Heiji, your training is far from sufficient!"

Hattori Heizo sat cross-legged on the open-air corridor and shouted, "As long as you can still stand up and continue fighting, show some manly spirit!"

"That's right!"

Fujino, holding his Wooden Sword, nodded slightly. "Only by experiencing life-and-death struggles can one break through to a higher level in swordsmanship!"

"Look at Fujino, he beat you up without even breaking a sweat."

Hattori Heizo felt a sense of relief, then looked at Hattori Heiji with disappointment and said, "Look at you, you've only been hit twice and you're already in this sorry state."

"Dad, you make it sound so easy!"

Hattori Heiji cried out, on the verge of tears.

How can anyone treat their son so badly?!

Mom let a thief into the house, and Dad encouraged her to beat his own son!

Are you sure they're biologically related?!

"Kata!"

At that moment, the sliding door to the corridor opened, and Hattori Shizuka peeked out from behind it. She glanced at Hattori Heiji, who was battered and bruised, and called out, "The midnight snack is ready."

"Is the midnight snack ready?!"

Hattori Heiji seemed to have grasped at a straw and quickly stood up. "Hey, Fujino, you must be tired from hitting me, right? My mom's cooking is really delicious, let's go get some late-night snacks!"

"Call..."

Fujino let out a long sigh of relief, glanced at his Rolex, and said, "It's really not too late. Let's call it a day."

"Very good!"

Hattori Heiji clenched his fist, as if he had grasped the future. "Time for a midnight snack!"

"Heiji!"

Hattori Shizuka glanced at the disheveled Hattori Heiji, "Go and clean yourself up before you come back to eat!"

Hattori Heiji: "..."

He once again had the idea that he was not his biological son.

Why should he have to clean up, but Fujino doesn't?!

Inside the Japanese-style room, everyone sat around a long table.

The hot pot was steaming hot, and its aroma filled the room.

Besides Fujino Toyama Kazuha Hattori group, the Hattori family was also present, along with Kazuha Toyama and her father Toyama Ginshiro.

"Miss Jinghua's cooking skills are really good."

Akemi Miyano, holding her rice bowl, praised it.

"No, no."

Hattori Shizuka smiled shyly, "It was only with the help of Akemi, Honami, and Minaho that it was made. You all have excellent skills."

As she spoke, she looked at Ai Haibara and said, "And Ai-chan is really amazing. She knows how to cook at such a young age. She'll definitely be a great bride in the future."

"Um."

Ai Haibara, her hand holding the rice bowl paused, she nodded slightly, and then continued eating.

"Hello."

Hattori Heiji glanced back at Toyama Kazuha, who was now asleep and leaning against him. "How come you fell asleep while holding chopsticks?"

"Isn't it because you ran off to solve a case halfway through your kendo match?"

Hattori Shizuka to the side, said irritably, "Kazuha -chan saw you run out and chased after you for ages. It's already quite late now, so you must have fallen asleep because you were so tired."

"Who would have thought a murder would happen..."

Hattori Heiji clicked his tongue, feeling somewhat helpless.

It feels like this family no longer loves him.

"But speaking of kendo matches, Fujino- kun seems to have defeated Okita Soji, right?"

At this moment, Hattori Heizo said, "I just gave him some pointers, and it's true, whether it's swordsmanship or reasoning ability, Fujino- kun is superior to my son."

"Not at all, Heiji's Yagyu Shinkage-ryu is also incredibly skillful, truly remarkable."

Fujino chuckled awkwardly, "Compared to kendo, his detective skills are actually better; he can directly determine that a murder has occurred."

"That's too kind of you."

Hattori Heizo chuckled, clearly quite pleased with Hattori Heiji: "However, compared to Fujino- kun, I'm just showing off my limited skills. Whether it's swordsmanship or solving cases, this guy relies entirely on intuition."

"Intuition is also a kind of talent."

Fujino picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and replied without changing his expression, "For a detective, having such talent is even more enviable. I've come this far by paying a price that most people can hardly understand."

"..."

Hattori Heiji looked at Fujino with suspicion in his eyes.

Hey, I don't see any sign of sadness in you.

Why do you seem like a middle-aged man?

The two of them talked back and forth, exchanging words about human relationships and social customs!

Talking about me with my dad is as easy and natural as talking about a younger generation.

How exactly did they do it?

"Heiji, you should learn more from Fujino- kun in the future."

Hattori Heizo ruffled Hattori Heiji's hair. "A young man as outstanding as him is a rare find. Even if you only learn a little bit, it will be more than enough!"

"I see..."

Hattori Heiji responded somewhat speechlessly.

Excellent? Or is he just an excellent schemer?

"Speaking of which, a young man like Advisor Fujino has indeed transcended the limitations of age."

Sitting to the side, Toyama Ginshiro picked up his wine glass and took a sip. "Even among the police, there are very few people who have achieved as much as him."

"Yes."

Hattori Heizo couldn't help but remark, "It's unprecedented for someone to become an advisor at such a young age... I guess the Metropolitan Police Department definitely wants to give him important responsibilities in the future."

He paused, then looked at Toyama Ginshiro: "But speaking of which, are you sure you're okay with drinking? I remember you have to drive back."

Don't worry!

Toyama Ginshiro didn't seem to care. "I've wanted you to take me back for a long time."

Hattori Heizo's expression turned serious. "I've had some alcohol too."

Toyama Ginshiro: "..."

The Japanese-style room fell silent for a moment.

Hattori Heizo looked at Fujino beside him. "Fujino- kun, I remember you have a driver's license, right... how about giving us both a ride?"

Fujino: "..."

Should I take you both back together?

Chief, are you going too?

Why do I have a feeling this is a conspiracy?