What Kind of Lewd Thing Was That?

Actually, even without the other party mentioning it, he would have made Iori Muga forget about it. However, since Iori Muga so sensible, it has saved Fujino some trouble.

Given the connections of the former police officer, it would be quite easy for the FBI to specifically investigate a few individuals who entered the country illegally...

But Fujino didn't want Ooka Momiji to get involved in these matters at the Alcohol Company.

He didn't know how powerful the other party's family was, nor whether they could use their family's influence to destroy the Alcohol Company.

He just... didn't want a girl who liked him to be in danger.

As they got to know each other better, he sensed the other person's feelings and how she was gradually changing for him.

Whether it was due to a misunderstanding or something else back then, this sentiment was undoubtedly genuine.

To be honest, it's very lucky to meet a girl who is willing to change herself for you.

Fujino was well aware of this and naturally cherished this good fortune.

In his memory, this sentiment should have belonged to someone else, but now, for reasons he himself wasn't quite sure about, it had become his.

But since it's him, he wouldn't choose to ignore this sentiment.

At least she will no longer be the one bound by a cruel twist of fate, forced to stand still and silently watch her beloved leave with someone else, and hated by some.

After seeing the people from Kyoto off, Fujino then took the children home.

On his way back, he parked his car next to a bridge.

I opened the car door and slowly leaned against the bridge.

I gaze at the winding, rugged river that flows into the distance.

Fujino mentally reviewed the information he now knew, combining it with his own memories.

He stirred things up at the Alcohol Company using an alias, and now those people will most likely think that an animal organization is behind it.

Ai Haibara's current situation is not considered dangerous, after all, the last time Gin and Vodka saw Ai was in her complete form.

As for Vermouth...

In his opinion, the other party was most likely staying in Japan because of Kudo Shinichi and Ran.

Disguised as Tomoaki Araide, he operated at Teitan High School without revealing anything unusual.

As for whether she was actually fooled by the animal organization's tactics, Fujino is not yet certain.

Vermouth, this Old Auntie, leans towards the mystical side. Even in her memory, the other party discovered that Ai Shiho Miyano was Ai Haibara through some unknown method.

Fujino had heard rumors that Vermouth had seen Shiho Miyano as a child, which is what Ai looks like now, and thus suspected that the other person was Shiho Miyano.

In his view, this was also possible; if so, then the other party might have already noticed Ai.

This cannot be determined at the moment...

"I wonder how big a splash a pebble can make in a long river..."

Fujino tossed a pebble, which traced an arc in the night before landing on the still-unfulfilled moon in the dark river, creating ripples.

The FBI's main focus now is on surveillance of Vermouth and a deeper investigation into the Alcohol Company.

A while ago, Vermouth stole his and Mori Kogoro's files, leading the FBI to believe that the two of them were being watched. Shuichi Akai is here to monitor them because he is investigating Vermouth and, incidentally, to provide protection for himself and Mori Kogoro.

This action was precisely Vermouth's tactic of diverting the FBI's attention.

Fujino did not intend to get too involved in the actions of either side.

As long as it doesn't conflict with his interests, he's happy to turn a blind eye and watch the fun unfold.

"It's almost a full moon..."

Fujino looked up at the crescent moon and murmured something.

Originally, there was no need for him to go to such great lengths for Shiho Miyano.

Even if he liked someone in his past life, that person was still just a stranger. Fujino had a clear head; he couldn't bring himself to take risks for a stranger.

When he turned Akemi Miyano into Soul Puppet, he actually had some selfish motives involved, such as the 1 billion yen and her soul.

Ultimately, all he wanted was a family member he could come home to and say, "I'm home"... Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed her to move around freely and fabricate her older cousin's identity.

To be honest, he is indeed a selfish person, and he doesn't deny that.

However, despite his initial selfish motives, they have now become indispensable to him.

If someone truly wanted to harm them, they would stop at nothing to have their white robes stained with blood.

Fujino raised his eyes, and the long river, winding and flowing again, stretched into the distance. A hint of gentleness in his gaze turned into a cold, white glint through the lenses of his glasses.

The next afternoon, Teitan High School

"That's the meaning of X. Of course, if a girl gives you this mark, it doesn't necessarily mean she likes you. She might just be teasing you. Guys, please take note!"

Jodie stood on the podium, pointed to a large X mark, and tapped the blackboard with a serious but actually somewhat unserious expression.

"I'm getting more and more used to being a teacher..."

Fujino sat by the window below the podium, looking at Jodie on the stage, resting his chin on one hand, and murmured to himself.

Jodie has been a teacher for a while now. Although she was a little reserved at first, her lessons have gradually become more interesting.

Well, compared to being an FBI lackey, she's quite suited to be a whining teacher.

"Hey! Mori-kun, are you even listening to my lecture?"

Jodie then came down from the podium, noticed Mori Ran was lost in thought, and went over to ask her.

"Ah?!"

Ran snapped out of her daze upon hearing this and hurriedly replied, "Yes!"

"Do you know what that symbol on the blackboard means?"

"Is it... X?"

"Hahaha!"

Amidst laughter, Ran's face gradually turned crimson.

"Um, Ran..."

"Time is up!"

Sonoko, Sonoko was sitting at the next table, was about to offer a suggestion when Jodie interrupted her, "Suzuki-san, let's let Mori-san think about what X means before the next class..."

As she spoke, she looked at Ran and smiled, "You must find the answer yourself, because it's very important for a cute girl like you!"

"Oh..."

Ran nodded blankly, but she couldn't understand why X had any other meaning.

The riddles are so hard to guess!

After school.

Fujino, wearing his school uniform, walked with Conan, Ran, and Ai Haibara Sonoko, who had just been picked up from Teitan Elementary School.

"Fujino- Senior, didn't you drive today?"

Ran, carrying her schoolbag in both hands, asked Fujino curiously, who was walking, a rare sight for him.

Fujino: "...?"

What kind of inappropriate language is this?

I didn't drive today...

Um, I don't drive every day, do I?

Fujino paused for a moment, realizing that his thoughts were not quite right, before explaining, "The car ran out of gas and broke down in the parking lot."

"So that's how it is..."

Ran nodded slightly, then fell into thought again, and said with a hint of resentment, "But what exactly does X mean... Fujino- Senior and Sonoko, neither of you will tell me."