Ai Haibara: Meow?

Perhaps because he was so approachable, Fujino almost forgot again that Suzuki Sonoko was a rich heiress.

Although he doesn't look like a rich kid, he really is.

After a moment of silence, Fujino thought again about the Ceramics Master that Sonoko had mentioned.

Fujino felt it was worthwhile to visit the home of this Ceramics Master.

Of course, he wasn't there to get the pottery for free.

The main purpose was to offer my condolences to the elderly gentleman who is over eighty years old.

She's over eighty years old and still pursuing him...

The old sword is still sharp.

After a brief invitation, Fujino and Sonoko returned to Ran's place with Candy Apple.

Ai Haibara took the Candy Apple and ate it in small bites.

The activities at Japanese festivals are pretty much the same old things: shooting, goldfish scooping, ring toss, and various food stalls.

Shooting that thing can basically be skipped.

Fujino vaguely remembered the pitiful little girl leaving with a broken eggplant in half.

So now, the only games worth playing are ring toss and goldfish scooping.

The goldfish scooping stall was a little further ahead, so the group went to a stall with relatively luxurious prizes and a kind-looking owner.

The ring toss game here is different from the normal ring toss game. It is supported by a nine-square grid of sticks, with points ranging from one to nine. Three rounds cost 300 yen, and the points can be redeemed for prizes.

The top prize is a large plush Game machine console, while the others are various dolls, masks, and small items, all worth over 300 yen.

"Damn it, only 5 points!"

Sonoko handed over 300 yen, angrily threw the plastic ring away, and complained, "Three rings, and I still didn't get one?!"

"Alright, Sonoko!"

Ran smiled and said, "Actually, this kind of game also depends on luck!"

As she spoke, she silently tossed out a few rings.

I deliberately threw it off course to comfort Sonoko.

But the result was that they all bounced back and hit the biggest point, number 9.

Sonoko: "..."

Why do I feel like you're in Versailles?

Fujino: "..."

She truly lives up to her reputation as a lucky unicorn girl.

Fujino glanced at the hunched old man, then at the 300 yen, which was 270 yen after his Student Discount, and he was even offered a 30 yen refund—a very reasonable price—as well as the Game machine that had been pre-ordered.

Feeling sorry for him, I casually tossed out a second prize.

It's rare to see such conscientious businesses these days; they need to be protected, otherwise Ran might drive them out of business.

Then Conan wasn't as lucky as Ran, and he threw out a third prize.

As for Ai... she just watched silently eating her Candy Apple, showing little interest in the game.

"Okay, one first prize, one consolation prize, one second prize, and one third prize!"

The shop manager, an elderly man, showed no sign of reluctance and led everyone to the prize shelf. "You can take almost any of the corresponding prizes..."

As he spoke, he brought out a box. "The consolation prize is what's inside this box."

"Ah?!"

Sonoko looked at the box full of small toys in front of her, a little resentful. "There's nothing good in it at all..."

"It's just a consolation prize, what more could you ask for?"

Fujino glanced at it and suggested, "But Sonoko, if you don't find anything you like, you can trade with me."

"May I?"

"Sure."

"Thank you, Fujino- Senior!"

Sonoko was overjoyed, grinned foolishly, and happily went to pick out the second-prize doll from the shelf.

Fujino squinted and searched through the box of consolation prizes before reaching for something he had already set his sights on.

When they turned around, everyone had already chosen their prizes. Conan swapped his first prize with Ran, which was a Game machine, while Sonoko got a small green dinosaur plush toy, and Ran chose a panda figurine as her third prize.

"Fujino- Senior, what did you choose?"

Sonoko glanced at Fujino, whose hands were empty, and thinking about the basket of small toys that had been empty earlier, she figured that Fujino probably hadn't chosen anything he wanted.

After thinking about it, he decided to give his little dinosaur to the other person.

Before she could even offer it, Fujino opened his hand, revealing a small ornament shaped like a flower with white and purple petals. "As for me, I chose a hair clip."

"A hairpin?"

Ran leaned closer to take a look. "It looks like an iris. I didn't see it in that little basket earlier..."

"It was hidden on the edge of the frame. I only noticed it after looking closely. But I think it's an iris... Anyway, I thought it was pretty, so I chose it."

Fujino glanced down at it and said, "But I'm a man, so I don't need this."

As he spoke, he turned to Ai Haibara and asked, "Ai, do you think this suits you?"

"Um?"

Ai, who was licking Candy Apple, looked up and saw Fujino squat down and gently clip a hair clip to her short side hair. "It suits you quite well."

"Consider it a return gift for the phone charm from last time."

"Thanks..."

Ai Haibara gently tugged at her short side hair, stared at the hair clip for a while, and suddenly paused, remembering the meaning of irises.

Um... Fujino so oblivious, he probably wouldn't know, right?

"..."

Sonoko looked at the hair clip, then at the little dinosaur in her hand: Suddenly, the little dinosaur didn't seem so appealing anymore...

While walking and browsing, the apple was eaten clean.

Ai Haibara pursed her lips, feeling a sticky sensation. She hadn't eaten Candy Apple many times before, and she was indeed a little unaccustomed to it.

"Why is the food so dirty?"

Fujino wiped the red syrup stains off with a handkerchief. "You've become a little glutton, haven't you?"

"Meow...?"

Ai Haibara was momentarily stunned, then instinctively cried out. Realizing her lapse in judgment, she couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.

Fujino couldn't help but tease, "You've really turned into a cat?"

"Hmm..."

Ai Haibara lowered her head, not daring to say a word.

Although she didn't know if it was sugar or something else, she just felt it was a little sweet, much sweeter than anything she had ever eaten before.

I definitely want to eat Candy Apple again next time.

"...?"

Conan, standing nearby, looked on in shock. "I didn't know there was such a thing!"

Yeah, Candy Apple do easily get on your lips, and then you can find a chance to wipe them... I thought only little kids ate them, I never thought you could play with them like this!

Haibara, you're ruthless!

After a moment of silence, Conan tugged at Ran's yukata cardigan. "Ran- neechan, I want Candy Apple too?"

"Huh?"

Ran was taken aback. "But the Candy Apple stall is already quite far away!"

"Ran, you just don't understand, do you?"

Sonoko, who was standing nearby, was carrying a small dinosaur doll. She glanced at Conan and immediately saw through the truth of the matter.

Then, with a mischievous grin, he said to Ran, "If you ask me, this kid must have seen that Ai had her mouth wiped by Fujino- Senior, so he wants you to wipe it for him too!"

Conan: "..."

Don't talk nonsense, or I'll sue you for defamation!