The next day.
"Ran, Ran." During break, on the way to the restroom, Sonoko nudged Ran with her elbow, wearing a mischievous grin. "How was your date with your husband yesterday? You must've had a great time, right?"
"Ah! Oh..." Ran seemed distracted. "Cut it out, Sonoko. If you keep saying things like that, I'm going to get mad!"
After a pause, Ran continued, "Shinichi and I just went out together yesterday. Oh, guess who we ran into at Tropical Land?"
"Who? Was it Shinichi's parents? Don't tell me you've already made it official!" Sonoko teased. "So that guy Shinichi was so excited he didn't sleep all night, then overslept today and skipped school?"
"Sonoko, you love making up all kinds of nonsense." Ran looked exasperated, then lowered her voice. "I'll tell you, but you absolutely can't go spreading it around. Shinichi and I ran into... at Tropical Land yesterday."
Sonoko nodded as she listened, then suddenly raised her voice. "What? You ran into Yunwen and Xiumei-senpai on a date at Tropical Land, and then you all went on rides together?!"
Some students nearby glanced over curiously.
Ran looked anxious. "Sonoko, keep your voice down!"
"Oh! Right!" Sonoko hurriedly nodded, looking eager for more gossip. "Anything else? What else happened?"
"That's all!" Ran shook her head. "Oh, there's someone else living at our house now! He's a child from one of Professor Agasa's relatives. His name is Edogawa Conan. He's really cute. I'll introduce you to him sometime."
Sonoko waved dismissively. "A kid? He's not some handsome guy, so I'm not interested in that kind of thing!"
"But Conan really is cute!" Ran insisted.
Sonoko still looked uninterested. "Anyway, where's Shinichi? Why didn't he come to school today? Maybe he met some pretty girl and eloped with her?"
"Of course not!" Ran shook her head. "He must've run into another difficult case, so he's still investigating it. Also, Sonoko, after school today, Dad and I are taking Conan to Teitan Elementary School to sort out his enrollment. So, about our plan to get cake at Beika Department Store..."
"Huh? Are we canceling? A famous pastry chef is making an incredible dessert there today!" Sonoko complained. "I've been looking forward to trying it. And tomorrow's Sunday, so we don't have to worry about homework today..."
Ran smiled and explained, "But Conan's enrollment is important too! Next time, okay? If we get the chance, I'll treat you."
"Aw..." Sonoko sighed. "Fine."
After they came out of the restroom and returned to the classroom, Sonoko, with her sharp eyes, spotted the bandage on Ran's arm. "Ran, did you hurt your arm?"
Ran raised it to look, then smiled. "I accidentally hurt it yesterday. A kidnapper abducted a little girl, and I got injured while fighting him..."
"What? A kidnapper?" Anger flashed across Sonoko's face. "How dare he hurt you, Ran! Unforgivable!"
Ran smiled brightly. "It's fine, it's fine! It's only a little injury. It'll heal in a few days."
The bell rang, and the math teacher entered the classroom. The room immediately fell quiet.
Shu Yunwen turned his gaze away from Ran and Sonoko and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Tomorrow was Sunday!
Come to think of it, he should go check out the office his deadbeat father had left behind.
There were some problems he needed to deal with, too.
That exorcism agency belonged to him, after all!
Time flew by, and the dismissal bell rang. Students left school in twos and threes.
Shu Yunwen returned to Kojima Genji's house, hurriedly finished his homework, then began practicing witchcraft.
After absorbing the souls of two murdered victims, Shu Yunwen's strength had improved. By his estimate, if he absorbed another fifty souls of people who had been murdered, he should reach the level of a junior wizard. And once his level increased, his strength would surely make a huge leap. Besides, he'd finally be able to get rid of that middle-aged man's face.
At five in the afternoon, Kojima Mie's voice suddenly came from outside the room:
"Yunwen, are you there?"
Shu Yunwen hurriedly opened the door. "Aunt Mie, what can I do for you?"
Kojima Mie was holding a rice paddle. "Yunwen, Genta has been taking notes in the school library this afternoon. He may stay until six, so someone needs to pick him up. I was hoping your Uncle Genji could get him 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 replied, "Aunt Mie, I'm free right now. Why don't I go pick Genta up?"
"Sorry for the trouble." Kojima Mie left with the rice paddle.
Shu Yunwen quickly got ready, changed into a new set of casual clothes, and rode his bicycle out of the house at around five thirty.
Teitan Elementary School wasn't far away, 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 petite woman with shoulder-length hair and bangs that reached her eyebrows. She was rather pretty, and her gentle voice gave her a very kind air.
After greeting Toya Sadako, Shu Yunwen went to the library and brought Genta out. He also said hello to Ayumi and Mitsuhiko while he was there.
As he walked Genta to the school gate, Shu Yunwen spotted a familiar figure there.
"Student Mori?"
Shu Yunwen called out. A girl wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt turned around. Beside her, a mustached man in a suit and a little boy wearing a bow tie turned as well.
The three of them were, of course, Ran, Mori Kogoro, and the shrunken Kudo Shinichi, who was now Edogawa Conan!
"Oh? It's Shu. I didn't expect to run into you here. Genta's here too!" Ran greeted them.
Genta exclaimed, "It's the big sister we met at Tropical Land yesterday!"
As soon as Genta finished speaking, Shu Yunwen smiled. "I didn't expect to run into you here either, Student Mori. I came to take Genta home. May I ask what brings you here?"
Although he'd already guessed why Ran was there when he saw the famous "Conan-kun," he still asked.
Ran gave a slight bow, then introduced Mori Kogoro and Conan beside her. "Hello, Shu-san. This is my father, Mori Kogoro, and this is Edogawa Conan, who's staying with us for now. We came to Teitan Elementary School today to arrange Conan's enrollment."
"I see." Shu Yunwen looked as though he understood, then bowed to Mori Kogoro. "Hello, Mori-san. 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 promptly replied, "You're too kind, Shu-san. Ran has told me about you. If she ever causes you any trouble at school, please forgive her."
Indeed, Ran had mentioned Shu Yunwen to Mori Kogoro. He knew that the new student in her class was eighteen years old, yet was unfortunately saddled with the face of a forty-eight-year-old.
After exchanging a few polite words, Shu Yunwen smiled and greeted Conan as well. "And you must be little Edogawa. I hope we get along."
The shrunken Kudo Shinichi hadn't expected Shu Yunwen to greet him specifically, and hurriedly bowed politely. "I'm Edogawa Conan. It's a pleasure to meet you, big brother."
Shu Yunwen nodded, then smiled at Ran. "Student Mori, little Edogawa seems adorable. Have you finished the enrollment process?"
As he spoke, Shu Yunwen reached out and vigorously ruffled Conan's hair.
Conan cursed him silently, while Ran smiled. "Thank you for asking, Shu-san. We spoke with Principal Matsushige and the academic affairs director. Conan will start first grade next week!"
"Oh! Then congratulations, little Edogawa."
Shu Yunwen said it casually, while Conan rolled his eyes furiously. Congratulations, my foot!
"By the way, Genta is a first grader too, in Class 1-B. I wonder if little Edogawa..."
"Ah! Conan's in Class 1-B too. That means you and Genta will be classmates, so say hello, Conan!" Ran said, smiling as she patted Conan's head.
Conan rolled his eyes again. "Hello, Genta. I'm Edogawa Conan. I hope we get along."
Kojima 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 declaration, Shu Yunwen had already smacked him.
Shu Yunwen apologized. "Sorry about that. That was rude of me."
They chatted for a few more minutes in front of the school gate, then Shu Yunwen said goodbye and led Kojima 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 ushered Conan forward. "Conan, say 'goodbye'!"
Conan replied helplessly, "Goodbye."
Pushing his bicycle, Shu Yunwen walked a little farther away and waved over his shoulder.
Goodbye, Kudo Shinichi!
Before you continue