"Okay~" Vermouth dipped her brush in paint, gripping Jiang Xia's arm with one hand to hold him steady as she reached toward his face with the other.
Just as she was about to apply it, someone hesitantly called out from the side, "...Jiang Xia!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Vermouth's fingers twitched, and her brush went crooked.
"..."
Without changing her expression, she hid a tissue in her palm and, under cover of the night, wiped away the crooked stroke.
Then she turned toward the voice and saw three people.
—Mouri Ran, Mouri Kogoro, and Conan beside them.
One minute earlier.
The Mouri Father and Daughter and Conan had been discussing their plans for the evening.
As they talked, Mouri Ran suddenly spotted a figure in the crowd who looked a lot like Jiang Xia. Looking more closely, it really was him.
But Jiang Xia actually seemed to be on a date. After hesitating for a moment, Mouri Ran decided not to disturb him.
Who would have thought that the somewhat streetwise-looking woman would soon lead Jiang Xia toward a bar?
Mouri Ran, who had intended to quietly watch the drama unfold: "..."
Conan, who had noticed Jiang Xia following her gaze: "..."
...This didn't feel good.
Remembering how Jiang Xia never liked refusing people and would go along with anyone who invited him somewhere,
Mouri Ran couldn't help stepping forward and calling out to them, stopping the two before they reached the alcohol.
Watching the three Mouris approach,
Vermouth leaned against Jiang Xia and chuckled in the relaxed tone of an observer. "Oh my, your friends found us."
"..." Jiang Xia hadn't expected to run into his favorite trio of neighbors here.
He glanced at the time.
At this hour, Mouri Ran would normally already be cooking dinner.