Fujino: Can We Please Stop Talking About Kilns?

"Is that so?"

Ran was also slightly puzzled, feeling like there was a hidden meaning behind Fujino's words, though she did not think too much about it and could not help exclaiming, "I didn't expect Senior Fujino to know about kilns too."

"Ahem, of course. I know all about kilns, you see."

Fujino forced a straight face, righteously patting his chest to signal that he was definitely talking about kilns and nothing else.

"Is that so!"

Kikuemon, standing nearby, looked surprised. "I wouldn't have thought that young friend Fujino not only understands pottery, but is also interested in kilns."

"Just a little interested, not particularly knowledgeable..."

Fujino's expression turned a bit strange. "Anyway, can we stop talking about kilns and talk about something else?"

"Oh!"

Kikuemon did not quite understand what Fujino meant, but changed the subject to introduce an apprentice who was currently firing a kiln. "Let me introduce you. This is the apprentice I just mentioned, Ootani Kaoru."

With that, he asked, "Ootani, how is the situation with the kiln right now?"

"It should be done firing around dinner time."

As soon as Ootani Kaoru finished answering, a child's curious voice suddenly came from nearby. "Ahelei, what's with all these fragments?"

Conan had not been idle since arriving at the kiln area, and was now examining a basket of shards, asking the group out of curiosity.

This guy really can't sit still...

Fujino turned his head, glanced at Conan who looked as if he were inspecting a crime scene, and could not help feeling speechless.

Fragments next to a large kiln—did he really not know what those were?

Just as Fujino thought, these shards were all defective pieces, and the person who broke them was none other than Kikuemon's daughter-in-law, Masuko Tsuchiya.

Masuko Tsuchiya was actually a rare,