Director, This Isn't How the Script Goes~

"Yunwen, have fun with your friends, and be sure to come home before ten tonight. Also, take care of yourself. Don't play any games that are too intense. If you start feeling unwell, call an ambulance right away, understand?"

At the door, Kojima Mie gave him a concerned reminder.

Shu Yunwen agreed to everything. After walking some distance, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His aunt really was very good to him, but she was keeping such a close eye on him that he could barely take it! Shu Yunwen was already thinking that after a little while, he might be better off moving back into his own place. Come to think of it, his house had been empty for so long that he'd need to find a cleaning service to tidy it up...

He felt around in his pocket and pulled out the check Yamazaki Akiji had given him yesterday. With a whistle, he headed for a nearby bank.

In a taxi heading to Tropical Land.

Shu Yunwen held the small camcorder he'd just bought, feeling a little glum.

Yesterday, Yamazaki Akiji, that sucker, had shown up and handed him fifty thousand dollars. Shu Yunwen had thought he could live it up for a while. Who'd have guessed that buying the best small camcorder had already eaten up more than half of it?

All those tens of thousands of yen sounded like a lot, but they sure didn't go far!

Well, if he hadn't wanted to record the bizarre moment when Kudo Shinichi went from big to small, he probably wouldn't have needed the thing.

The taxi stopped in front of Tropical Land. Shu Yunwen paid the fare, glanced around the entrance, and spotted Tsukamoto Kazumi waiting there in a pale green dress that came down to her knees.

When Tsukamoto Kazumi saw Shu Yunwen approach, she came over at once and waved lightly in greeting. "Yunwen-san, you're here."

"Ah... Sorry, Kazumi-san. I think I'm late..." Shu Yunwen's gaze lingered on Tsukamoto Kazumi for a moment before he apologized.

Tsukamoto Kazumi looked so beautiful dressed like that. Shu Yunwen could hardly believe he was getting the chance to go on a date with someone so gorgeous.

Tsukamoto Kazumi shook her head. "No, I got here early. I live nearby, and I wanted to look around the area..."

They chatted as they paid for their tickets and walked into Tropical Land.

After they'd wandered around a bit, Tsukamoto Kazumi's gaze settled on an ice cream stand. She seemed to really want some.

Shu Yunwen froze for a moment, then immediately pulled out his wallet. "Hello, could we please have two ice creams?"

Tsukamoto Kazumi quickly waved her hands. "No, you don't have to spend money on me. I'm the one who invited you..."

Shu Yunwen smiled. "No need to be polite, Kazumi!"

The stand was run by a young woman wearing a uniform from the amusement park. She seemed to be working part-time. She took the money, then handed Shu Yunwen the change and the ice creams. "Thanks for your business. And your daughter is beautiful..."

"Pfft..." Tsukamoto Kazumi burst out laughing beside him.

"Uh..."

Shu Yunwen felt like he'd turned to stone. In his mind, a little demon appeared, grabbed the ice cream vendor by the collar, and slapped her over and over. Who said I was her father? Say that again! I dare you!

Of course, Shu Yunwen only imagined doing something so violent. He'd never actually do it.

Fine. I won't stoop to your level!

He pocketed the change and handed one of the ice creams to Tsukamoto Kazumi. "Kazumi-san, this one's yours."

"Thank you, Yunwen-san." Tsukamoto Kazumi thanked him, then took the ice cream and licked it in small, delicate strokes.

The gesture looked rather alluring.

After a few licks, Tsukamoto Kazumi noticed Shu Yunwen staring at her and bashfully lowered her head. "Yunwen-san..."

"Ah..." Shu Yunwen came back to himself and hurriedly apologized. "Kazumi-san, I'm sorry. That was very rude of me..."

Before he'd even finished speaking, and before Tsukamoto Kazumi could reply, a child's voice came from nearby. "B-Brother Yunwen, w-what are you doing here?"

Shu Yunwen turned his head and saw three little kids staring at him.

One was a chubby boy with a shocked expression; the other two were a dazed-looking little boy and a cute little girl. The boy had freckles on his cheeks, while the girl was dressed adorably.

"Genta? You? Did you sneak off to have fun?" Shu Yunwen was taken aback. Then he suddenly remembered that Genta had appeared briefly in the Tropical Land case too.

The chubby boy immediately looked terrified. "I-I've been found out! Brother Yunwen, please don't tell Mom!"

The chubby boy in front of him was Genta. The other two were naturally Yoshida Ayumi and Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko.

Mitsuhiko looked at Genta's expression and gave a helplessly exasperated comment. "Genta, you're making it even more likely that this gentleman will tell your mom."

Ayumi looked at Tsukamoto Kazumi. "W-What a beautiful big sister! Did you come here with this uncle?"

Tsukamoto Kazumi giggled again.

Shu Yunwen's mouth twitched, and an angry vein popped up on his forehead.

Damn it! Don't call me uncle!

He forced a kind smile and said, "You two don't have to call me 'uncle.' I'm not that old. I'm Genta's cousin. It's nice to meet you."

"Huh? Genta's cousin? Can a cousin be that much older than Genta?" Ayumi covered her mouth with one hand, looking incredulous.

Mitsuhiko stroked his chin, looking very wise. "I think it must be because their parents were very far apart in age. So even though he's already fifty, he can still be Genta's cousin..."

F-Fifty?

Shu Yunwen felt himself about to turn evil, but when he looked at the little kids in front of him...

Whatever. Kids say the darndest things. I won't stoop to their level.

"Heh-heh..." Shu Yunwen gave them a faint smile. "If you call me 'big brother' instead of 'uncle,' I'll treat you to ice cream."

"R-Really? Even though we've only just met?" Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko exclaimed happily. Then he turned to the ice cream vendor. "Could I have a strawberry one, please?"

Hey, you sure didn't hesitate, even though we've only just met!

"I want an apple one!" Yoshida Ayumi ordered her ice cream, then thanked Shu Yunwen. "Thanks for the treat, big brother."

"I-I want one too, banana flavor." Genta ordered his as well.

The amusement park employee smiled and handed the three kids their ice creams. Shu Yunwen took out his wallet to pay, but a rather smug voice suddenly came from beside him. "Shu-san, are you at the amusement park today too? Treating the kids to ice cream, huh..."

Shu Yunwen turned his head and saw Kudo Shinichi and Mori Ran waving at him nearby.

How did I run into them here? The roller coaster's still a ways away!

That was what Shu Yunwen thought, but aloud he said politely, "So it's Student Kudo and Student Mori. Would you two like one as well?"

"Well, I'd hate to make you go to all that trouble!" Kudo Shinichi said, scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed look.

Shu Yunwen nearly spat blood.

Damn it, this guy doesn't know what it means to be polite!

Only after everyone had their ice cream did Kudo Shinichi and Mori Ran notice Tsukamoto Kazumi. They hurriedly greeted her. "Xiumei, we're really sorry. We didn't notice it was you just now. That was so rude of us."

Tsukamoto Kazumi smiled. "Hello, Student Kudo and Student Mori. Are you two on a date?"

"Ah~~ It's not like that~" Steam practically rose from Mori Ran's face.

Tsukamoto Kazumi said, "I never expected to run into you here. Since we have, why don't we all have fun together?"

"Together? W-Wouldn't that be imposing?" Ran and Shinichi looked at Shu Yunwen, then at Tsukamoto Kazumi.

Those two must be here on a date too, right?

And Kazumi-senpai seems like a completely different person. Everyone knows Tsukamoto Kazumi has always been cold and distant. Why does she act like this when she's with Shu Yunwen?

Tsukamoto Kazumi smiled. "Of course not. As it happens, Yunwen-san ran into his younger brother and his brother's classmates too. It'll be livelier if we all play together..."

"Then we'll take you up on that." Ran agreed.

Shu Yunwen rolled his eyes and looked at Genta and the others. "Genta, you and your friends stick close to me from now on, got it?"

"Got it, Brother Yunwen." Genta agreed.

Ayumi quickly bowed. "Thank you, big brother. My name is Yoshida Ayumi. It's nice to meet you!"

Mitsuhiko bowed too. "My name is Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko. It's nice to meet you."

Then Ayumi and Mitsuhiko looked at Kudo Shinichi with admiration. "Could this big brother be the legendary high school detective, Kudo Shinichi?"

"Huh? That's right, it's me!" Kudo Shinichi was momentarily surprised, then answered.

"That's so cool!" the three kids cried.

Shu Yunwen was annoyed and rolled his eyes. "Let's go!"

The group walked together for a while and played a few games before reaching the roller coaster. After buying tickets and lining up, the three kids started making a fuss about wanting to ride.

"Hitomi, look how lovey-dovey Kishida and Aiko are!"

Someone nearby spoke in a low voice. Shu Yunwen turned and saw four people standing together: a man and three women. One of the couples seemed very close and affectionate. Shu Yunwen paused, then suddenly understood.

These four must be the main characters in the roller coaster case, right?

And the man who gets killed is apparently the one.

If they're here, that means...

Shu Yunwen turned his head and scanned the area, spotting two men in black. One was burly, while the other was tall and thin.

Gin! Vodka!

The two of them really had come.

Beside Shu Yunwen, Kudo Shinichi followed his gaze and spotted Gin and Vodka too. His brow furrowed deeply.

Over the loudspeaker, the staff told the waiting visitors to board the roller coaster. The four people, Gin, Vodka, Shinichi, and Ran moved toward it. Kudo Shinichi kept glancing at Gin and Vodka, deep in thought, while Genta and the other two were practically bouncing with excitement. They went up to Hitomi, Aiko, and the others. "Pretty big sisters, could you let us ride first?"

"Well..." Aiko hesitated, then smiled. "Of course! Mr. Kishida, let's let the kids go first, okay?"

"Sure! No problem." Mr. Kishida readily agreed.

Hitomi paused, then quickly said, "Then I'll give up my seat to one of the kids too."

Beside Hitomi, the woman named Reiko added, "Then I'll wait for the next ride too."

The three kids cheered. "Thank you! Thank you, big sisters, and big brother!"

Shu Yunwen was already staring in disbelief.

He looked at Gin and Vodka, who were seated in the last row, and at Shinichi and Ran, who were in the second row.

Weren't Hitomi and Reiko supposed to sit in the first row, with Aiko and Kishida in the third? Now that these three kids have butted in, Hitomi and the others are waiting for the next ride. Doesn't that mean the murder will happen on the next ride instead? If Kudo Shinichi doesn't witness the murder himself, will it take him even longer to solve the case? If it takes too long, will he fail to follow Gin and Vodka, and miss his chance to take the drug that makes him shrink...?

Director, this isn't how the script goes!

The plot's gone off the rails. The whole story might fall apart!

To make sure Conan-kun could appear as planned, Shu Yunwen stepped in without a second thought and punched Genta on the head. "Genta, don't bother other people!"

Seeing this, Reiko hurriedly waved her hands. "Sir, please don't do that. They're so cute; they aren't bothering us at all! Hitomi, Aiko, Mr. Kishida, let's wait over there."

Hey, why are you leaving already? I'm trying to stop the plot from getting messed up!

By then, Mitsuhiko and Ayumi had already taken their seats in the first row. Genta looked up at Shu Yunwen pitifully. Since Aiko and the others had already walked away, Shu Yunwen could only wave him on and let him get on too.

Tsukamoto Kazumi asked from beside him, "There's still one empty seat. Would you like to ride, Yunwen-san?"

"Well... I'll pass." Shu Yunwen shook his head, while thinking that after this ride, when Kishida and the other three took their places on the next one, he would give up his own seat and let Kudo Shinichi take it, making the case easier to solve.

No matter what, I have to get the plot back to where it started.

When Tsukamoto Kazumi saw that Shu Yunwen wasn't going, she shook her head too. "Then I'll wait a while as well."

Since neither Shu Yunwen nor Tsukamoto Kazumi was riding, the staff found someone who had come alone and gave that person the seat. Once they were all settled, the roller coaster set off.

A while later, the coaster stopped on the track again, and everyone got off. Gin and Vodka coldly scanned the area, then hurried away.

After a quick safety check, the loudspeaker announced that the next group should take their seats. Shu Yunwen was trying to figure out how to trick Kudo Shinichi into riding a second time when he saw Kudo Shinichi say something to Ran, then quickly run off into the distance.

Shu Yunwen's eyes went wide. He almost felt like abandoning the whole thing. "Kudo Shinichi, where are you going?"

Kudo Shinichi turned back and waved. "Sorry, Student Shu. I have something to take care of, so I'm leaving!"

Leaving, leaving, leaving...

Damn it! The main character of this manga has left. What am I even doing here?

An angry vein popped up on Shu Yunwen's forehead. He asked Ran, "Student Mori, what's going on with Student Kudo...?"

"He, he seemed to think those two men in black..."

Before Ran could finish, Shu Yunwen had more or less figured it out.

So "Washing Machine" had sensed the murderous aura coming from Gin and Vodka and gone off to cleanse the world of evil. But if he followed them now, would he still end up shrinking?

"Yunwen-san, we're the only ones who haven't boarded. Let's go too!" Tsukamoto Kazumi said, taking Shu Yunwen by the hand and pointing toward the coaster on the track.

Shu Yunwen glanced over. The empty seats were in the second row. Hitomi and Reiko were in the first row, while Aiko and Kishida were in the third.

Well, at least those people are sitting where they're supposed to.

Shu Yunwen hesitated, but then remembered that he needed to absorb the spirit. He got onto the coaster with Tsukamoto Kazumi. Tsukamoto Kazumi waved at Ran and said, "Student Mori, please look after Genta, Ayumi, and Mitsuhiko!"

"I will." Ran nodded.

The roller coaster set off. Tsukamoto Kazumi reached out and took Shu Yunwen's hand. Then she suddenly asked, "Yunwen-san, you don't seem to like this ride. But you used to love it..."

"Is that so?" Shu Yunwen was surprised. "Have I ridden it before?"

"Of course." Tsukamoto Kazumi looked at Shu Yunwen. "When we came to Tropical Land together, you rode the roller coaster every time."

"Uh..." Shu Yunwen paused, then looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I can't remember."

"It's all right." Tsukamoto Kazumi smiled.

Shu Yunwen scratched his head with his free hand, then took the handheld camcorder from his pocket and switched it on, pointing the lens upward.

As the roller coaster picked up speed, Shu Yunwen used his "Ghost Eye" to look around. Tsukamoto Kazumi had already closed her eyes and was trembling. Her grip on Shu Yunwen's hand tightened until it started to hurt.

"Kazumi, are you scared?" Shu Yunwen asked.

Tsukamoto Kazumi opened her eyes, her lashes quivering slightly. "This is my first time on a roller coaster, so I'm nervous. Am I holding on too tightly? I'm sorry for the trouble."

"N-No, it's fine..."

Shu Yunwen thought it over and suddenly understood.

Tsukamoto Kazumi must have been very afraid of roller coasters, while his predecessor had loved them. Now, Tsukamoto Kazumi had forced herself to ride one because she wanted to help him regain his memories.

"Kazumi, thank you," Shu Yunwen said.

Tsukamoto Kazumi replied, "No, you don't have to. We don't need to say 'thank you' to each other."

"Why?" Shu Yunwen asked.

At that moment, the tunnel ahead came into view.

Tsukamoto Kazumi looked at Shu Yunwen and slowly spoke. "Because before your accident, we were dating..."

As she finished speaking, everything around them suddenly went dark.

Shu Yunwen was stunned too.

What was that? Was she confessing to me? If I said yes now, would that mean I was finally off the market?

In my previous life, as a single guy with an uncle's face, I had a pretty rough time.

What was that saying? For that kind of thing, you mostly have to rely on your hands...

But he didn't seem to have any romantic history with Tsukamoto Kazumi at all! Wouldn't it be irresponsible to accept just like that?

Shu Yunwen agonized over it for a while, but in the end, the thought of no longer being single won out. He was about to say something when a sudden scream rang out. Shu Yunwen and Tsukamoto Kazumi turned toward it together—

A woman's body was missing its head, and blood was spurting from her neck.

Holy shit!

Then Shu Yunwen and Tsukamoto Kazumi turned away at the same time and started throwing up.

In Shu Yunwen's mind, the fountain-like scene was downright beautiful. As he kept puking, he suddenly remembered that he'd been about to say a few things and finally stop being single.

With a corpse behind them and Shu Yunwen and Tsukamoto Kazumi throwing up on either side, this was such a heartwarming scene—who the hell was thinking about getting a girlfriend now?!

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

P.S. This chapter was too long. I'd planned to finish and post it last night, but as I kept writing, I couldn't find a good place to end it, so I decided to finish it today before posting.

Well, it's over five thousand characters—plenty of content!