What Era Is It, Still Writing Traditional Diaries

Did she drive to the rich neighborhood?

There were steel buildings next door, but here it was all detached houses and villas.

The Miyauchi family's property was about five to six hundred square meters. Including the courtyard, the properties in this rich neighborhood were probably over a thousand square meters!

Her younger brother couldn't have bought a house in a place like this, right?

No way, definitely not. It must be a regular detached house or an apartment next to the rich neighborhood, right?

Miyauchi Kazaho muttered to herself, then heard the car's navigation system announce their arrival.

She stopped the car and looked to her right, spotting a luxuriously decorated mansion.

Beika Town... 2-chome... number 23...

Miyauchi Kazaho matched the address her younger brother had given her, word for word.

Then she heard her younger brother wake Kouka: "Kouka, don't sleep, we're here."

Miyauchi Kazaho looked at her younger brother in silence.

The Miyauchi parents looked around, their eyes revealing a hint of confusion.

They had originally thought their son would at most buy a detached house, but this place... while it was indeed a villa with a courtyard, it seemed a bit too extravagant.

Even though their Miyauchi family was considered a "prestigious clan" in Asahigaoka, was this a place for them country folk to visit?

Sensing the doubtful and shocked gazes of his parents and older sister, Miyauchi Hiyage grinned.

"Honestly, I was pretty surprised myself when I secured this place."

"Anyway, I've already made arrangements. Someone is waiting for us inside. Let's go inside and put our luggage down before we talk about anything else."

Under the dreamlike gazes of his parents and older sister, Miyauchi Hiyage opened the iron gate and walked into the courtyard.

As for Kouka?

She was still asleep and groggy, completely unaware of what was happening.

As their group, along with a groggy Kouka, entered the mansion, an old butler dressed in a tailcoat had been waiting at the entrance for a long time.

He was the former butler of this mansion and had worked there for over ten years before Miyauchi Hiyage arrived. The Diary's reward had given Miyauchi Hiyage his contact information.

He was now here to hand over the mansion and provide instructions on its daily maintenance and any potential renovation work.

Miyauchi Hiyage naturally didn't want to deal with these things, as mansion maintenance was very troublesome.

However, he hadn't found a suitable butler yet. Koshigaya Suguru would definitely be fine; he was naturally suited for this kind of work.

But the young man was still studying and would be the leader of the Asahigaoka revitalization plan in the future, so Miyauchi Hiyage couldn't bring himself to do that.

Until a suitable candidate was found, Miyauchi Hiyage felt it was best to let this experienced old butler continue handling these matters.

The old butler, while observing Miyauchi Hiyage in his casual attire and his relatives behind him looking visibly awkward, felt a bit surprised.

But as per butler etiquette, he politely led everyone to the reception room.

Upon entering the luxuriously decorated reception room, Miyauchi Kouka finally woke up completely.

As expected, another scream came from the reception room.

Fortunately, the mansion's soundproofing was good, so it shouldn't disturb Professor Agasa, who was working next door.

Chapter 18: Renge and the Detective Boys

It took them most of the lunch hour for the Miyauchi family to calm down.

In the afternoon, his parents were already discussing whether to plant something in the courtyard, while his older sister took Renge to find a spot in the courtyard to sunbathe.

As for Miyauchi Kouka, she was now running around the mansion, excitedly exploring every room.

She was already envisioning her future life as a Tokyo noblewoman, waking up served by butlers and maids, enjoying meals prepared by a top chef, and then commuting to school in a luxury car.

To prevent his second sister from raising her future expectations too high, Miyauchi Hiyage unceremoniously dashed her hopes.

"I've already contacted a real estate agent to help find a suitable apartment. Once school starts, you'll live in the apartment for convenience in commuting."

As expected, Miyauchi Kouka was shocked to hear this and pointed a trembling hand at her younger brother, not understanding why he could say such cold words.

Miyauchi Hiyage's response was simple.

He took out his wallet and pulled out a few ten-thousand-yen bills, flashing them in front of his older sister.

Looking at the five Fukuzawa Yukichi portraits in front of her, Miyauchi Kouka subconsciously swallowed.

Back in the countryside, this was almost her allowance for over a year.

Knowing this trick worked, Miyauchi Hiyage continued, "This is your allowance. You'll live in the apartment during the week, and you can come visit during holidays. But you can't bring anyone else, and don't talk about our family at school. If anyone asks, just say we're ordinary students from the countryside."

Listening to her younger brother's conditions and requirements, Miyauchi Kouka knew she wouldn't be able to live the life of a rich young lady from a TV drama.

She pouted a little, feeling wronged. Before she could even start acting pitiful, she heard her younger brother's voice again.

"If you can do that, I'll cover your living expenses for the apartment too. And after Mom and Dad go back, I can take you to Shibuya and Ginza to buy a few new clothes."

With the money stuffed into her hand by Miyauchi Hiyage, coupled with the tempting prospect of Shibuya and Ginza, Miyauchi Kouka instantly forgot her recent grievances.

Come to think of it, her personality really wasn't suited for being a noble lady. Living in a place like this, it took her half the night to walk to the kitchen for a snack.

She might as well just live in the apartment her younger brother arranged for her and be a normal high school girl in Tokyo.

With Miyauchi Kouka's matter easily resolved, Miyauchi Hiyage once again looked around the Western-style house with satisfaction.

Although he'd likely encounter various murder cases in Beika Town from now on, with Conan around, he didn't need to worry about such things at all.

As long as he wasn't dragged into Conan's main storyline before he grew up, Conan could do whatever he wanted.

Standing by the windowsill, Miyauchi Hiyage glanced at the somewhat dilapidated Kudo residence in the distance, then at Professor Agasa's house next door, which was built to the specifications of a research institute, and finally his gaze settled on the iron gate at the entrance of his own courtyard.

His cute younger sister was currently talking to a few children who looked about the same age at the courtyard gate.

Watching Renge interact so well with children her own age, Miyauchi Hiyage felt a sense of relief.

Asahigaoka was indeed still too small. Even though Miyauchi Hiyage had changed many things and increased Asahigaoka's population considerably, there were still too few playmates for Renge her age in the village.

It would be nice if she could make some friends in Tokyo... Wait, children her own age?

Miyauchi Hiyage suddenly realized something was wrong.

He looked carefully at the gate.

The one talking to Renge was a little girl with a headband, and beside her were two boys, one thin and one chubby.

And not far behind the three of them, a child wearing glasses was looking at the Western-style house with a thoughtful expression, seemingly pondering something.

A cold sweat broke out on Miyauchi Hiyage's forehead.

Renge, you really know how to pick your friends. On your very first day in Tokyo, you've already gotten involved with the infamous Detective Boys.

He had previously only worried about Miyauchi Kouka becoming a troublemaker, but he had overlooked Renge.

Who would have thought that Renge, just visiting for a couple of days, would coincidentally meet the Detective Boys who were all heading to Professor Agasa's place while playing outside, and they would actually strike up a conversation?

Miyauchi Hiyage instinctively wanted to go downstairs and scoop up his cute little sister.

Conan himself was not a problem; his "Death Aura" wouldn't affect children.

But the brats around him were the real troublemakers. A bunch of six or seven-year-olds constantly loitering around crime scenes, probably more familiar with corpses and murderers than their own parents. They were the type to run towards danger, never listening to advice.

Miyauchi Hiyage was genuinely afraid that in the blink of an eye, these kids would lead his cute sister to some crime scene.

Renge already had a slight tendency towards a poker face; what if she got scared and developed some mental issues from further stimulation?

But after taking a few steps, he shook his head again.

No, intervening directly might attract Conan's attention.

Since Renge was only here for two days and was planning to visit other places in Tokyo tomorrow, he would let her play with them for a while today, but only within his sight.

With that thought, Miyauchi Hiyage rummaged through his luggage for some agricultural products he brought from Asahigaoka.

He had originally planned to prepare a more elaborate welcome gift to visit Professor Agasa after settling in. Now, due to the Detective Boys, he could only greet Professor Agasa with these rural specialties.

Using the versatile Ripple Chi Kung to slightly stimulate his facial muscles, he made himself look more relaxed.

After planning the upcoming conversation in his mind, Miyauchi Hiyage, carrying the packaged agricultural products and some washed fruits, went downstairs towards the gate.

As he approached, he heard Ayumi talking about a kidnapping case she had recently experienced, stating that she had escaped from the clutches of danger thanks to her own intelligence and wit.

After speaking, she earnestly advised Renge to be careful of bad people when playing outside.

"?"

Yoshida Ayumi, do you even hear what you're saying?

If you could tell who the bad guys were, you wouldn't be taken hostage so often and still hold the record for the most kidnappings in Conan.

It would be best to keep Renge away from them. What if Renge got infected? Then this world would have no reason to exist.

Seeing Renge's rare look of caution, as if she had taken Ayumi's words seriously, Miyauchi Hiyage quickly stepped forward to interrupt the chanting.

"Are you all children who live nearby? Would you like some fruit?"

Chapter 19: Conan's Worries About Japan's Future

Miyauchi Hiyage deployed the fruit offensive.

The fruit offensive was highly effective.

Except for Conan, the Detective Boys were too easy to handle.

They accepted the fruit from a stranger they had just met without a second thought, thanked him, and happily started eating.

While eating the fruit, they also politely shared their names and hobbies with Miyauchi Hiyage.

Seeing their carefree demeanor, Conan shook his head. "Alright, aren't you guys going to Professor Agasa's house to play? They just moved in, so don't cause any trouble for them."

Kojima Genta waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine, it doesn't matter if we're a little late. If you're in a hurry, Conan, you go ahead."

Miyauchi Hiyage put on a confused expression. "Are you going to visit Mr. Agasa next door? Is he an elder to you?"

Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko nodded. "Yes, Professor Agasa is an elder to Conan. He's very approachable. Since he lives alone, we Detective Boys often visit him to play."

He pointed at Conan, letting Miyauchi Hiyage know who Conan was.

Miyauchi Hiyage smiled at Conan and gestured to the agricultural products in his hands.

"I'm Miyauchi Hiyage, and I just moved here from Saitama today. This is my sister, Renge. I was planning to visit Mr. Agasa next door sometime, but it's a coincidence that I ran into you all."

"If you don't mind, could I visit Mr. Agasa with you later?"

Before Conan could reply, the other members of the Detective Boys readily agreed for him.

"Renge, do you want to come with us?" Miyauchi Hiyage glanced at his sister, who nodded vigorously.

What Ayumi and the others were talking about was very interesting. Since they had told her so much, she also wanted to tell them about her life in the countryside.

"Then let's all go together," Miyauchi Hiyage ruffled Renge's little head, hoping she would quickly forget what she had just heard.

However, upon closer inspection, the heads of the children on Conan's set seemed indeed a bit larger than those of normal children, though not as exaggerated as depicted in the anime.

Conan's height was also naturally not as absurd as in the anime. Although he was even a little shorter than Renge, he was still ninety centimeters tall.

With that thought, Miyauchi Hiyage walked to Professor Agasa's doorstep and rang the doorbell, then chatted with the Detective Boys while waiting.

While waiting, Conan secretly observed Miyauchi Hiyage from the side.