However, Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko's disappointment was that Professor Agasa's old friend had not stood them up. Instead, he had arrived a few minutes early.
"Agasa!" A seven-seat commercial vehicle stopped outside the courtyard gate, and a kindly smiling middle-aged man stepped out. He raised a hand in greeting to Professor Agasa. "Let's go. Do you have a lot of luggage? Need any help?"
Conan looked at the man and suddenly understood. "So it's Mr. Sakaguchi."
Jiang Xia's ears twitched. "Someone you know?"
Conan shook his head, a nostalgic look appearing on his face. "Not really, but he has a German Shepherd. Back in elementary school, I passed by his house every day on my way to and from school. That dog recognized me well enough that it even ate bread from my hand through the courtyard gate. If I count right, it should be nearly eight years old now. Time really flies."
As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and lowered his voice to Jiang Xia. "If you ever get caught street racing, you can go to him too. I remember he's a lawyer specializing in legal matters involving minors. Since you're neighbors, he'll definitely be able to get you out."
Jiang Xia glanced at him. "...There's no evidence, but I still think you're more likely to get caught racing your skateboard than I am to get caught." After all, a versatile Spirit Medium could abandon his vehicle at any time, turn into a leopard, and leave through the upper floors, while some elementary school student's Solar Skateboard was not nearly so convenient.
But mention of this lawyer did vaguely remind Jiang Xia of something else. "When we were in third or fourth grade, did something happen at his house?"
Conan nodded, his expression growing a little heavy. "His son