The next day.
"Ran, Ran." During break, on the way to the restroom, Sonoko nudged Ran with her elbow, wearing a teasing grin. "How was your date with your hubby yesterday? You must've had a great time, right?"
"Ah! Oh..." Ran seemed distracted. "Cut it out, Sonoko! If you keep saying that, I'm going to get mad!"
After a pause, Ran continued, "Shinichi and I just went out to have fun yesterday. Oh, guess who we ran into at Tropical Land?"
"Who? Was it Shinichi's parents? Don't tell me you've already made things official?" Sonoko continued to tease her. "So that guy Shinichi was so happy he stayed up all night, then overslept and skipped class today?"
"Sonoko, you just love making up all sorts of nonsense." Ran looked helpless, then lowered her voice. "I'll tell you, but you absolutely can't go spreading it around. Shinichi and I ran into..."
Sonoko nodded as she listened, then suddenly raised her voice. "What? You ran into Yunwen and Xiumei-senpai on a date at Tropical Land yesterday, and then you all hung out together?!"
Several nearby students glanced over curiously.
Ran looked flustered. "Sonoko, keep your voice down!"
"Oh! Right!" Sonoko nodded quickly, looking eager for more gossip. "Anything else? What else happened?"
"Nothing else!" Ran shook her head. "Oh, there's someone new living at our house now! He's a child from one of Professor Agasa's relatives, a little boy named Edogawa Conan. Conan's really cute. I'll introduce you to him sometime."
Sonoko waved dismissively. "A little kid? He's not some handsome guy, so I'm not interested!"
"But Conan really is cute!" Ran insisted.
Sonoko still looked uninterested. "Anyway, where's Shinichi? Why didn't he come to school today? Did he meet some pretty girl and elope with her or something?"
"As if!" Ran shook her head. "He must've run into another difficult case, so he's still investigating it. Oh, and Sonoko, after school today, Dad and I are taking Conan to Teitan Elementary School to sort out his enrollment. So about our plans to get cake at Beika Department Store..."
"What? We have to cancel? A famous pastry chef is making an absolutely amazing dessert today!" Sonoko complained. "I finally had a chance to try it. And tomorrow's Sunday, so we don't have to worry about homework today..."
Ran smiled as she explained, "But Conan's enrollment is important too! Some other time, okay? If we get the chance, I'll treat you next time."
"Aw..." Sonoko sighed. "All right."
When they came out of the restroom and returned to class, Sonoko's sharp eyes caught sight of a Band-Aid on Ran's arm. She exclaimed, "Ran, did you hurt your arm?"
Ran raised her hand to look at it, then smiled. "I hurt it by accident yesterday! A kidnapper had taken a little girl, and I got hurt while fighting him..."
"What? A kidnapper?" A flash of anger crossed Sonoko's face. "How dare he hurt you, Ran! Unforgivable!"
Ran smiled. "It's fine, really! It's just a little scratch. It'll be better in a few days."
The bell rang, and the math teacher walked into the classroom. The room fell quiet at once.
Shu Yunwen withdrew his gaze from Ran and Sonoko and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Tomorrow was Sunday!
Come to think of it, he should go check out the agency his cheap father had left behind.
There were a few issues he needed to take care of, too.
After all, that spirit-exorcism agency belonged to him!
Time flew by, and the dismissal bell rang. The students left school in twos and threes.
Shu Yunwen returned to Kojima Genji's house, hurriedly finished his homework, then began practicing sorcery.
After absorbing the souls of two murdered people, Shu Yunwen's strength had increased a little. By his estimate, if he absorbed the souls of another fifty murder victims, he should reach the level of a beginner sorcerer. And with that advancement, his strength would certainly make a great leap. He might even be able to get rid of that middle-aged uncle's face.
At five in the afternoon, Kojima Mie's voice suddenly came from outside the room.
"Yunwen-chan, are you there?"
Shu Yunwen quickly opened the door. "Aunt Mie, what can I do for you?"
Kojima Mie was holding a rice paddle. "Yunwen, Genta's making notes for a book report in the school library this afternoon, and he might be there until six. Someone needs to pick him up. I was going to have your Uncle Genji pick him up on his way home from work, but Genji just called to say he has to work overtime, and I need to cook dinner..."
Shu Yunwen immediately offered, "Aunt Mie, I'm free right now. Why don't I go pick up Genta?"
"Sorry for the trouble." After saying that, Kojima Mie left with the rice paddle.
Shu Yunwen quickly got ready, put on a newly bought casual outfit, and left home on his bicycle at around five-thirty.
Teitan Elementary School wasn't far, and Shu Yunwen arrived in no time.
After asking the guard at the entrance, Shu Yunwen found Toya Sadako, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B, in the staff room.
Toya Sadako was a short woman with shoulder-length hair and bangs just above her eyebrows. She was rather pretty, and her gentle voice gave her a kind, gentle air.
After greeting Toya Sadako, Shu Yunwen went to the library and picked up Genta. He also took the opportunity to say hello to Ayumi and Mitsuhiko.
When he walked Genta to the school gate, Shu Yunwen spotted a familiar figure there.
"Student Mori?"
He called out, then saw a girl wearing a blue long-sleeved top turn around. The mustached man in a suit beside her and the boy wearing a bow tie also turned around.
The three of them were, of course, Ran, Mori Kogoro, and the shrunken Kudo Shinichi—in other words, Edogawa Conan!
"Oh, it's Shu. I didn't expect to run into you here. Genta's here too!" Ran greeted him.
Genta exclaimed in surprise, "It's the big sister we met at Tropical Land yesterday!"
As soon as Genta spoke, Shu Yunwen smiled and said, "I didn't expect to run into you here either, Student Mori. I came to pick Genta up. May I ask what you're doing here...?"
Although seeing the famous "Conan-kun" had already given Shu Yunwen a pretty good idea of why Ran was there, he still asked.
Ran bowed slightly, then introduced the people beside her. "Hello, Shu-san. This is my father, Mori Kogoro, and this is Edogawa Conan, who's staying with us for the time being. We're here today to take care of Conan's enrollment at Teitan Elementary School."
"I see." Shu Yunwen looked as if he'd just realized. Then he bowed to Mori Kogoro. "Hello, Mr. Mori. My name is Shu Yunwen. I'm your daughter Mori Ran's classmate. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Shu Yunwen had given a fairly formal introduction, and Mori Kogoro immediately replied, "You're too kind, Shu. I've heard Ran mention you. If she ever causes you any trouble at school, please bear with her."
It was true that Ran had told Mori Kogoro about Shu Yunwen. He knew that the new student in her class was eighteen years old, yet sadly had the face of a forty-eight-year-old.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shu Yunwen smiled and greeted Conan as well. "And you must be little Edogawa. I look forward to getting along with you!"
The shrunken Kudo Shinichi hadn't expected Shu Yunwen to greet him specifically, and quickly bowed politely. "I'm Edogawa Conan. I look forward to getting along with you, big brother."
Shu Yunwen nodded, then smiled at Ran. "Student Mori, little Edogawa seems very cute. Have you finished his enrollment paperwork?"
As he spoke, Shu Yunwen reached out and vigorously ruffled Conan's hair.
Conan cursed inwardly, while Ran smiled and said, "Thanks for asking, Shu-san. We spoke with Principal Matsushige and the head of academic affairs. Conan will start first grade next week!"
"Oh! Then congratulations to little Edogawa."
Shu Yunwen said it casually, while Conan was already rolling his eyes. Congratulations to your sister!
"By the way, Genta's a first grader too. He's in Class 1-B. I wonder if little Edogawa..."
"Oh! Conan's in Class 1-B too. That means you and Genta will be classmates, Conan. Say hello!" Ran smiled as she patted Conan's head.
Conan rolled his eyes again. "Hello, Genta. I'm Edogawa Conan. I look forward to getting along with you."
Genta said, "Hi, Edogawa. We'll be classmates from now on. If anyone at school picks on you, I'll beat them up for you! Ow! Brother Yunwen, why'd you hit me?" Before Genta could finish his bold promise, Shu Yunwen had already smacked him.
Shu Yunwen apologized. "Sorry about that. That was rude of me."
They chatted for a little while longer at the school gate, then Shu Yunwen said goodbye and led Genta away.
Before leaving, Shu Yunwen ruffled Conan's hair again and said with a broad smile, "Little Edogawa, I'm looking forward to seeing you again!"
At that, Ran immediately prompted Conan. "Conan, say 'goodbye'!"
Conan had no choice. "Goodbye."
Shu Yunwen pushed his bicycle and walked a little farther away, then waved over his shoulder.
Goodbye, Kudo Shinichi!
Before you continue