Little Ai: This Was a War of Attrition

"Just because you're a police officer, does that mean all you know how to do is lecture a child?" Scholar Guchuan angrily pointed at Inspector Megure.

"I'm sorry. I sincerely apologize," Inspector Megure said earnestly.

"What use is apologizing to me now? You let such a small child face an armed criminal. Is this how your Metropolitan Police Department operates? How can we citizens feel safe leaving public security in your hands?" Scholar Guchuan said indignantly.

Inspector Megure bowed at a ninety-degree angle, his apology utterly sincere. If he had not been professionally trained, he could never have done it so smoothly.

But Scholar Guchuan had no intention of stopping and continued berating the police.

"I will definitely file a complaint against you!"

"I'm sorry!"

"We sincerely apologize!"

The officers lined up in a row.

Although Scholar Guchuan looked extremely angry, Little Ai had already caught that trace of amusement in his eyes.

He definitely wasn't laughing at the police's apologetic attitude. He was laughing at me!

She had never cried in front of Scholar Guchuan before, and he was quite the actor himself. He would definitely be able to tell that her tears were fake.

Terrified of dying from embarrassment in front of Scholar Guchuan, Little Ai kept covering her eyes and crying, not daring to show her face.

"Big brother, are you Scholar Guchuan?" Ayumi cautiously walked over to Scholar Guchuan and tugged at his sleeve.

"Uh, yes." Scholar Guchuan crouched down in surprise.

I never thought I'd become this famous just by saying some nonsensical crap. Even a little brat this young has heard of me.

"Brother Guchuan, I really like—"

"Waaah!"

Little Ai's crying suddenly grew louder. Scholar Guchuan picked her up, wanting to see what she was trying to pull.

"What's wrong, Little Ai?" Scholar Guchuan asked.

"That scary auntie frightened me just now. After that police uncle came in, he was mean to me too. I'm so scared." Little Ai covered her eyes as she cried.

She had been crying for ages already, so her tears had long since run dry. Only by covering her eyes could Little Ai keep pretending to cry.

"I'm sorry!"

Inspector Megure came over again and bowed to Scholar Guchuan and Little Ai.

Scholar Guchuan did not even acknowledge him.

"There, there. The bad auntie and bad uncle have both been beaten away." Scholar Guchuan said, barely holding back his laughter.

In Scholar Guchuan's arms, Little Ai could clearly feel the vibrations in his chest. He had to be trying hard not to laugh.

"Sniff..."

Little Ai kept sobbing. Even if I sob all the air out of my lungs, I have to keep crying.

Little Ai had already prepared for a war of attrition. The moment she stopped, Scholar Guchuan would definitely mock her immediately.

And if Scholar Guchuan tried to expose her, she would deny it to the bitter end. A child who had gone through such a terrifying incident crying for a little longer was perfectly normal, right?

Bang!

"What happened?" Inspector Megure asked in shock.

"Inspector Megure, a man in a pink suit shot Silver Fox and then got away," Takagi said frantically.

"What!? One man managed to kill Silver Fox despite our police force holding him under layers of guard? If we don't catch that man, the police will be utterly disgraced!" Inspector Megure drew his gun and headed out.

"Takagi, stay behind and protect these civilians. Everyone else, move out."

"Yes!" Takagi snapped to attention and saluted.

"Kid, it's too dangerous outside. Wait here for a while," Takagi said, grabbing Conan, who was about to run out.

The sudden incident drew everyone's attention. The three children huddled together for comfort, Conan struggled uselessly in Takagi's grip, and Little Ai instinctively lowered her hands and looked outside.

Only Scholar Guchuan kept his eyes fixed on Little Ai.

When Little Ai came back to her senses, she saw Scholar Guchuan staring at her. She touched her face—not a single tear remained.

Scholar Guchuan said nothing, but Little Ai already wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Damn it!

"Sniff..."

Little Ai continued crying against Scholar Guchuan's shoulder.

As long as I'm not embarrassed, then it's everyone else who's embarrassed. She had learned at least thirty or forty percent of this shamelessness from Scholar Guchuan.

"Little Ai, when did you get so thick-skinned?" Scholar Guchuan stroked Little Ai's hair.

"Thick skin generally refers to the thickening of facial skin. It may be caused by prolonged friction, or by illnesses such as hives and keratosis."

Little Ai began giving Scholar Guchuan a serious scientific explanation.

Seeing her put on such a solemn face in an attempt to change the subject and stop him from mocking her fake crying, Scholar Guchuan could not help but laugh.

Seriously, she was adorable to death.

"That guy in the suit has already run far away. You can leave first," Takagi said with a goofy smile as he looked at them.

"Guchuan, can I have your phone number? An email address would be fine too." Ayumi looked at Guchuan pleadingly.

Little Ai watched Guchuan and Ayumi with a wary expression.

Guchuan was obviously a perverted Loli-con. Ayumi, why were you still volunteering to walk right into this guy's mouth?

"Of course."

Little Ai: Pervert!

Guchuan agreed readily. After living this long, he had never expected the first person to ask for his number to be a girl—and an elementary school student at that.

Little Ai tugged at Guchuan's hair to stop him, but it did not make him change his mind.

Conan witnessed this "harmonious sibling" scene.

These two siblings had such a good relationship. It was just that Guchuan's little sister was awfully possessive. Ayumi had only asked Guchuan for his contact information.

Wait, why did Ayumi want Guchuan's contact information?

Guchuan picked up Little Ai's backpack and left. Ayumi stared blankly at the phone in her hand, so dazed that she did not know what to say even after Guchuan had gone.

Little Ai followed behind Guchuan with a speechless expression.

Great. He just gave Ayumi his own phone. That perfectly fits my stereotype of Guchuan. He really is a mentally unstable patient.

"Little Ai, the first time anyone has ever asked me for my number in my life, it turned out to be an elementary school student. It's kind of amazing," Guchuan said wistfully.

"Oh?" Little Ai's mouth twitched.

"I originally thought the first person to ask for my number would be a robber. At the very least, it should have been some delinquent. I never expected it to be such a delicate little elementary school student." Guchuan sighed emotionally.

"The younger generation is truly formidable."

"Heh heh." Little Ai gave a cold laugh.

Even after being with Guchuan for so long, she still had not completely figured this man out.

By the time she truly figured him out, perhaps the two of them would be fellow patients in a psychiatric hospital.

"Didn't you already give your phone to Ayumi? Why do you still have another one in your hand?" Little Ai asked curiously.

"Isn't it normal for a man to have several phones?" Guchuan retorted.

One phone for normal use, another for looking at things unsuitable for children, and a third for looking at things even more unsuitable for children.

Little Ai did not understand.

"Then what are you doing now?" Little Ai jumped up, trying to see what Guchuan was doing.

"Getting you a leave of absence. Honestly, look."

Guchuan handed the phone to Little Ai, looking utterly guiltless.