I'm Not Mentally Ill

"Because that replica was dirty and I didn't want to clean it," Guchuan answered frankly.

"Then how do you know Curator Ochiai was the one who killed Boss Manaka?"

"Just a guess."

Guchuan's attitude piqued Conan's curiosity even more.

"Kid, why did you insist on coming to the Metropolitan Police Department?!" Kogoro Mouri punched Conan on the head.

If it weren't for this kid's insistence, he'd already be home watching Miss Yoko's new show.

"That guy took the art museum's armor without permission. That's really suspicious," Conan grumbled, rubbing his head.

"What's so suspicious about it? People only do things like that for money!"

If Ran hadn't pulled him back, Conan would have had another lump on his head.

"He wasn't doing it for money," Yumi Miyamoto said from the side.

"Guchuan Ning does things like that simply because he 'likes' to."

"Haha, Young Master Guchuan is just young and naive. A simple reprimand and some education will do," Inspector Megure said, walking in, sweating profusely.

He had long lost the smugness he'd displayed earlier in front of Kogoro Mouri.

Who would have thought a high-ranking official's son would steal something, and that they'd actually catch him? This hot potato was something they truly didn't want.

If Guchuan hadn't stolen something from a murder scene, they could have just handed him over to the traffic department.

"Inspector Megure, this big brother's actions don't seem like ordinary theft at all," Conan said, wriggling free from Kogoro Mouri's hand.

"I was just young and naive, that's all. You shouldn't be too harsh on a minor. Who hasn't made mistakes when they were young?" Guchuan said indignantly.

As a nineteen-year-old minor, Guchuan felt he wasn't protected by the minor protection law.

"I'm just a child!" Guchuan Ning said angrily.

Little Ai reacted well, but Conan was stunned by Guchuan Ning.

"But minors should also obey the law!" Conan felt he should correct Guchuan Ning's misguided thinking.

"Little friend, you actually have such a high level of awareness," Guchuan said, looking at Conan in surprise.

"Of course."

Conan adjusted his glasses.

"But when I was at the art museum, I saw you tampering with a murder scene, deceiving the police to illegally access surveillance, and seizing evidence. You don't seem like a law-abiding person either."

Guchuan felt that he and Conan were birds of a feather, both lacking basic respect for Japanese law.

Being called lawless by Conan felt strange to Guchuan.

"Uh, I didn't," Conan retorted, lacking confidence.

He was just trying to find the culprit faster.

Besides, it was legal for detectives to use other methods to get to the truth, wasn't it?

Inspector Megure watched the two arguing, his head aching, unsure how to handle the situation.

"Uh, Inspector Megure, a doctor came in outside. He said he's looking for Guchuan Ning," a police officer said, entering.

"A doctor?" Inspector Megure frowned.

"Yes, he said he was entrusted by Guchuan Yuan to examine his son."

Inspector Megure looked at Guchuan Ning. "Young Master Guchuan, are you feeling unwell?"

"No," Guchuan Ning shook his head.

He wasn't familiar with Guchuan Yuan at all. With Guchuan Ning's moral compass, he could fully accept the convenience that came with his current identity, but also effortlessly reject the emotional responsibilities. He wondered what was wrong with that person, wanting to check on him.

Could it be that he felt he had changed too much from his usual self and was suspicious?

But, soul possession was something from fantasy, and a doctor wouldn't be able to tell.

"Then please invite him in," Inspector Megure said.

Young Master Guchuan's health was not to be trifled with. If anything happened, his position would be in jeopardy.

A middle-aged man in a white suit walked in and naturally pulled out a business card, handing it to everyone present.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Fukuyama Shien, director of Aoyama Mental Hospital."

"Mental hospital?" Inspector Megure said in surprise.

Could it be that Mr. Guchuan Yuan wanted to get a mental illness certificate for Young Master Guchuan so he could legitimately get him out? As expected of a high-ranking official, they could always solve problems for their subordinates.

Inspector Megure had a few junior police officers bring chairs, and Guchuan Ning and Fukuyama Shien sat opposite each other.

"To diagnose a mental patient, the first step is a horizontal comparison: evaluating the patient's differences from normal people around them," Fukuyama Shien said, putting on his glasses and staring intently at Guchuan Ning.

"He really is very different from normal people around him," Little Ai said.

He was much more messed up than normal people.

"Is that so," Fukuyama Shien said.

"What precisely are the differences?"

"Would not being able to tell his own home from someone else's count?" Little Ai asked.

"Of course it counts," Fukuyama Shien replied.

"I don't think it counts," Guchuan Ning said, displeased.

How could his impeccable reputation be ruined by being labeled mentally ill?

"I was just new to that house; it's perfectly normal not to know my way around. Some people can't even tell their own spouse from someone else's. I'm much more normal than them," Guchuan muttered under his breath.

Fukuyama Shien adjusted his glasses, a glint of tears in his eyes. His own wife couldn't tell her husband from another man either.

"Let's move on to step two," Fukuyama Shien said, unwilling to continue with the first.

"Longitudinal comparison: Is there a significant change compared to previous behavior?"

"Yes," Little Ai answered, raising her hand.

"He's perfectly normal when he's asleep, but very abnormal when he's awake."

"Heh heh, little one, that's not how it works," Fukuyama Shien chuckled.

"Then, does Guchuan unconsciously trying to steal my things when he's near me count?" Little Ai continued.

"And he also likes to suddenly burst out laughing, as if he's gotten something good."

"Hmm, I understand," Fukuyama Shien said, scribbling on his paper.

"Is it possible that I really did get something good?" Guchuan asked, looking at Little Ai.

"You were just standing there, motionless. How could you get anything?" Little Ai pouted.

"What if it fell from the sky?" Guchuan said, stating the truth.

Fukuyama Shien glanced at Guchuan, then wrote down Guchuan's symptoms on the paper.

'Patient exhibits symptoms of delusion.'

"Alright, I have a clear understanding now," Fukuyama Shien said, interrupting their argument.

"Step three: Does the patient's words and actions conform to the prevailing social culture or their current situation?" Fukuyama Shien was now referring to Guchuan Ning as "the patient."

"Absolutely not," Little Ai answered enthusiastically.

"He doesn't obey laws, doesn't respect his parents, doesn't respect the elderly or care for the young, and he likes to steal things. He's completely out of step with society."

Am I really that bad?

Guchuan examined himself, feeling like he should be a good person.

"Well, perhaps Guchuan Ning is just a simple scumbag," Yumi Miyamoto said.