You're Actually Acting Up

Sonoko Suzuki is a true beauty chaser, through and through.

She'd travel to a mansion in the remote countryside just to see a handsome guy, only to stumble upon a serial murder case in a snow-bound villa. Or she'd drag her best friend across Japan to meet an online acquaintance, only to encounter... a serial murder case in a snow-bound villa.

Though the endings were always similar, her love for good looks remained steadfast and unshakable.

So, when Conan, who had been waiting for Ran to finish school, walked down the stairs of the detective agency, he saw Sonoko Suzuki sitting in a booth at the Polo Cafe with Ran Mouri, talking sweetly to the guy across from them.

Ran Mouri knew Sonoko's tendencies well and listened helplessly as she made awkward conversation. She turned her head and met Conan's gaze as he peered through the glass with wide eyes. She quickly beckoned him over.

It was too awkward, ridiculously awkward. Sonoko had gone from discussing family backgrounds to local customs to celebrity gossip. If no one interrupted her, Ran feared she'd start talking about international affairs and financial crises.

Tang Ze was quite patient, constantly responding with "Mhm," "Ah," and "Really?" to keep the conversation going. However, Ran Mouri, sitting beside him, felt her toes curl so tightly she thought she might crack the floor tiles.

"This is a child staying with us, Conan Edogawa. Isn't he cute?" Ran Mouri grabbed Conan, who had run over, and pushed him towards the table, interrupting the new topic Sonoko was about to launch.

"Ran-neechan! Who are these big brothers and sisters?" The fake elementary schooler immediately darted inside, putting on a cute act and speaking in a high-pitched voice. His eyes flickered towards Tang Ze's handsome face, and his internal alarm bells went off.

He'd only been physically small for two days, and where did this handsome guy from Teitan High School come from! And this Sonoko girl, if she wants to hit on someone, can't she do it without involving Ran? Can't she be more independent?

The two high school girls didn't react much, but Tang Ze flinched when Conan spoke.

The thought of all the murderers, detectives, and police officers being surrounded by this fake child with his overly sweet "Aha?" sent a shiver down his spine.

"This is Sonoko Suzuki, and this is Tang Ze Zhao. They're both Ran's classmates. You should greet them, Conan."

Conan loudly agreed, continuing to stare at Tang Ze.

Judging by his uniform, he was also a student at Teitan High, but Conan had never heard his name before.

"Oh, so this is the child you told me about? He's quite cute! But..." Sonoko Suzuki bent down to look Conan in the face, her eyes slowly narrowing. He had a cute little face, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to like him. "I feel like I've seen this child somewhere before?"

"Oh no, Sonoko has seen me when I was younger too!" Conan's heart tightened. He forced a dry laugh and adjusted his glasses with both hands, afraid that Sonoko, who had been in his class since kindergarten, might casually take them off, making his exposure even easier.

Just then, a voice rang out, sounding like heavenly music to Conan's ears.

"Are these your classmates, Tang Ze?" Amuro Tooru, wearing an apron and holding a tray, approached their table with a gentle smile.

"Yes, Amuro-san. This is Ran Mouri, and this is Sonoko Suzuki. They are my classmates."

Conan, who had just turned his head to look at Amuro Tooru, was drawn back to Tang Ze because Tang Ze's voice had noticeably lowered. He turned back and saw that Tang Ze, who had been relaxed and calm moments ago, had lowered his head and was gripping the fabric of his knees tightly.

He was very nervous. Why?

The little detective's instincts kicked in, and he looked back and forth between them, subconsciously trying to figure it out.

"Hello, ladies," Amuro Tooru said with a practiced smile, placing his hand on Tang Ze's head. "I'm Amuro Tooru. Tang Ze is currently under my care. This child is a bit introverted and doesn't talk much. If anyone bullies him, please let me know."

Tang Ze almost couldn't maintain his act when Amuro Tooru patted his head.

He's still holding a grudge just because I dodged him yesterday? Bourbon, stop it, my hair's going to get flat!

Tang Ze, diligently maintaining his persona, couldn't avoid Amuro Tooru's hand ruffling his hair, and he glared at the tabletop in silent suffering.

Conan's gaze grew more suspicious.

Did Mr. Amuro say something significant? Why did Tang Ze freeze up like a cat whose scruff had just been grabbed?

"Wow, Tang Ze lives here? And even the waiters are this handsome. Ran, you're so lucky," Sonoko Suzuki was immediately drawn to Amuro Tooru's handsome, exotic face. "And they're both mixed-race handsome guys, that's amazing..."

"Sonoko..." Ran Mouri quickly held her back, preventing her from saying anything more embarrassing.

Sonoko Suzuki's dreamy whisper reached Conan's ears, but he focused on a different part.

"Tang Ze-niichan, what do you mean you live here? Is the cafe your home?" Taking advantage of his elementary schooler status, Conan directly asked Tang Ze.

Due to his height, Conan could see Tang Ze's lowered face staring blankly at the tabletop. With his question, Tang Ze's expression grew even more somber, as if the words had wounded him.

"Yes, Conan-kun. This is my home now." Tang Ze met Conan's probing gaze and spoke in a weak, breathy voice.

It didn't sound like an act; he seemed genuinely weak.

It was because Amuro Tooru had started to run his fingers through his hair and wouldn't stop. Even with leather gloves, if he didn't let go soon, his hair would get static and stand on end.

Enough already! Haven't you ruffled it enough?

"Tang Ze-kun will be staying at the Polo Cafe for a year. Miss Mouri, you're the daughter of Detective Mouri upstairs, right? I'll have to ask you to look after Tang Ze at school," Amuro Tooru said, finally satisfied after ruffling Tang Ze's trembling head. His smile became much more sincere.

That's more like it. What's there to hide about a guardian ruffling your head a few times? It's like he's terrifying.

The subtle undercurrents between the two regarding the head-ruffling appeared as something else entirely in Conan's eyes.

Tang Ze Zhao seemed to be very afraid of Amuro Tooru. His cowering and tense posture made him look like he was being threatened, yet Amuro Tooru's words were just normal pleasantries. He shouldn't be able to scare someone that much.

Unless, these words had a different meaning for Tang Ze.

Like "under my care" and "let me know"... was it a warning? Warning Tang Ze that Amuro Tooru knew his every move and that he shouldn't act rashly?

Was their relationship more like that of a guard and a prisoner?

If Tang Ze heard Conan's wild speculation, which surprisingly arrived at the correct answer, he would probably be so moved he'd cry tears of joy.

Finally, finally, his hours of acting weren't a battle against thin air. Finally, the persona he wanted to convey had been fully understood by someone.

"What would you like to eat? Would you like drinks?" Amuro Tooru, remembering he was still working, asked the students. "My treat, as a thank you for looking after Tang Ze."

After politely refusing a couple of times, the two high school girls excitedly began studying the cafe's menu.

While they weren't paying attention, Tang Ze looked up and met Amuro Tooru's gaze.

His blue eyes, still glistening with moisture, were hazy, and coupled with his furrowed brow, the look of helpless pain was immediately conveyed.

Tang Ze silently mouthed "onegai."

Tooru Amuro nodded and smiled, indicating he wouldn't say a word.

It seems he's really afraid of his juvenile delinquent status being known, Amuro thought to himself, beginning to ponder how to use this to extract information about Tang Ze's case.

What's going on? Compared to the guard and the prisoner, it's starting to feel more like a kidnapper and a hostage. Conan, observing from the side, peered over the edge of the table, his gaze growing sharper.

Tang Ze, feeling his objective had been achieved after playing his part, quietly resumed his usual expression and looked affectionately at the two girls who were murmuring about the menu.

This is so useful. Look, all the main characters have arrived at once.