Wanting to Become Light?

Kikuemon was also a bit confused upon hearing this, his head full of question marks.

He wondered when he had given the answer.

You've already forgotten what you just said?

Could it be Alzheimer's disease?

That shouldn't be the case; he just went to the hospital for a checkup a while ago...

Kikuemon scratched his bald head, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Detective Fujino, what do you mean?"

"Ahem, since that's the case, then I'll explain properly."

Fujino coughed lightly, crossed his arms, and said, "Mr. Kikuemon previously said, 'Bring out the tea set I use to entertain distinguished guests.' There's no problem with the distinguished guests, since Mr. Kikuemon quite admires me. But the tea set used to entertain distinguished guests just seems a bit out of place."

"Ordinary families would not prepare a special set of teacups to entertain distinguished guests. Mr. Kikuemon, Ceramics Master and a highly respected figure in the art, would never do something like dividing guests into different classes."

"I think the reason is most likely that there was something fishy about the teacups that were prepared in advance. But when I got them, I didn't see anything unusual about them... However, the teacup in my hand was different from the other people's teacups in color and craftsmanship. The tea in it was clear and bright. I suppose the person who could make it must be the same quality as Mr. Kikuemon."

"In that case, there must be something special about the teacup in my hand, and considering what Mr. Seto mentioned earlier, and the fact that you made that suggestion..."

He paused, then lowered his voice, adopting a mysterious demeanor, and continued, "I think this must be the hint that Mr. Kikuemon gave me. Perhaps he was already planning to give me this teacup, and using such a clever hint is a test for me."

Kikuemon looked completely bewildered.

No, how could I not know that when I'm so smart?

He simply reminded his daughter-in-law not to forget to take out the cup.

Does this mean he gave us a hint?

As expected of Great Detective!

Confused as he was, the old man was still quite pleased that this had elevated his own wisdom, and he even praised himself for his noble character and the reasoning in his work.

He then went up and started bragging. "Haha, as expected of Detective Fujino!"

"Not only did you analyze so much so quietly, but you also deduced all of this from my clues, and even saw the essence of the work. You truly deserve the title of Great Detective!"

"Not at all, Mr. Kikuemon is truly a national treasure..."

"In that case, I'm a bit too old to accept the responsibility."

"No, Mr. Kikuemon is indifferent to fame and fortune. Even if outsiders don't say it, I know his character very well..."

"I wish we had met sooner!"

Kikuemon beamed with delight and sighed, clearly pleased by Fujino's flattery.

The two then began to flatter each other.

Conan: "..."

No, what are you two doing?

How come I didn't see that hint?

Isn't it just a case of blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse and pulling out a classic model?

Furthermore, the work itself reveals the other party's noble character and indifference to fame and fortune, suggesting that it was originally intended as a gift for you.

How shameless!

Ai Haibara sat to the side, watching obediently, her eyes revealing that she had already seen through the truth.

She probably already guessed how Fujino figured it out...

Hmm, they probably did their research before they came.

When she was eating breakfast at the restaurant that morning, she saw Fujino, the sixth child, reviewing his pottery materials...

While reasoning is certainly a possibility, the main reason is definitely to take that teacup in a very 'appropriate' way.

Judging from the daughter-in-law's behavior, the teacup must have been very valuable, and giving it away like that would definitely elicit some objections.

But if you reason it this way, it's completely different. What started as an accidental selection becomes a test that the old man had prepared long ago, and he gave it to Fujino, who felt like he had met him too late.

This way, you can completely take into account the other person's family harmony, enhance their social standing, and incidentally, you can also legitimately take the teacup with you.

All I can say is that you are truly exceptional...

He's really good at navigating social interactions and interpersonal relationships.

Thinking this, Ai Haibara glanced at Conan, who looked speechless beside her: Compared to him, this guy is just like an idiot.

Conan: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ai Haibara shook her head meaningfully and sighed, "It's nothing, the difference between detectives is just too great..."

Conan: "???"

After exchanging compliments, Fujino and the ceramic artist Kikuemon got along very well. If they had a little wine, they probably would have brought out an incense burner and, with Heaven and Earth as witnesses, sworn brotherhood and conspired to rule the world together.

"As the saying goes, a fine horse is easy to find, but a discerning eye is rare. My favorite teacup has found a good home today, thanks to my friend Fujino..."

Kikuemon picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and called out to Masuko Tsuchiya, who was standing nearby, "By the way, Masuko, quickly bring over my new Feng Shui Pill for my young friend to taste!"

"Yes, I'll go get it right away!"

Watching Masuko Tsuchiya walk out of the house, Kikuemon glanced at his two apprentices in the open corridor outside the door and asked in confusion, "Speaking of which, since you two are here, where did my other apprentice go?"

"That guy Otani is still at the kiln."

"Still practicing? That kid doesn't even know how to take a break."

Kikuemon stood up. "In that case, it's perfect. Fujino- kun, would you like to come with me to see the large kiln I usually use for making pottery?"

"A brothel?"

Fujino suddenly misheard something and thought of a good place, but then he asked doubtfully, "But Otani... isn't your apprentice surnamed Sono, and is he very good at making soup?"

"Um, his name is Ootani Kaoru, not Sono. As for his cooking skills, I don't know, but he doesn't seem to be very good."

"That's alright. I suddenly remembered an old friend who turned into light."

"Oh..."

Kikuemon led everyone on a tour of the kiln.

The large kiln is located in Kikuemon's warehouse, the same large warehouse you see when you enter.

Upon entering the warehouse, the first thing you see is a huge earthen kiln. There is a trapezoidal shape in the middle of the kiln, which may be to make it easier to go to the top of the kiln, or it may be to prevent the smoke from flowing back.

In front of the brothel, a young man with pockmarked face and a pointed chin was licking firewood inside.

"What a huge brothel!"

Ran couldn't help but sigh as she looked at the enormous kiln in front of her.

"Ahem, after all, it's a kiln for firing pottery. If it's not big enough, it definitely won't be enough to fire..."

Fujino coughed lightly, feeling that Ran's words were a bit strange, almost vulgar.

I never expected Ran to be such a pretty girl.

His opening remarks are so vulgar...