A strange trio suddenly appeared, leaving Conan thinking how unpredictable life could be.
After getting no answers from the professor, Conan turned his questioning gaze to Haibara. 'Haibara, what's going on between you and the teacher?'
Haibara caught Conan's look but didn't respond. She was still getting used to the feeling of having a mother to take care of her, though Ada was so young she felt more like an older sister.
"Haibara, are you racing with that pretty onee-chan?" Ayumi asked, not knowing Ada at all. "But who is she?"
Mitsuhiko and Genta were also completely confused.
"Registration is now closed. Will all participating students and parents please step up to the starting line."
"Why is Teacher Ada with Ai-chan?" Ran was puzzled too.
Kogorō, however, instantly sobered up at the sight of a beauty. He stood straight, all gentlemanly. "So she's the new teacher at Ran's school. As expected, a true beauty. Too bad she's already a mother."
"Dad, how do you know that?"
Kogorō grinned smugly. "Don't underestimate the great detective Mōri Kogorō. When it comes to women, I've got a sharp eye. Hahahaha~~"
'Dirty old man,' Conan muttered inside. But the questions still lingered—he could only wait until after the race to ask.
"On your marks!"
Parents and kids lined up at the starting line. The course was 400 meters, a tough challenge for first graders. Rhythm mattered more than speed.
As one of the most important events, it drew the attention of countless parents and students. Everyone crowded around the track, cheering for the runners.
The referee raised the starter pistol.
Bang!
The signal echoed, and in a wave of cheers the parents and kids set off. They weren't fast, but their fighting spirit was no less than an Olympic race.
The kids' strides were short, and parents had to match them, so naturally they couldn't go too fast.
As expected, the Kojima family took the lead. With Genta's big body and his strong parents, the three of them charged forward at top speed. "Mitsuhiko has been cheering for me, so I can't lose!" The encouragement of his friend drove Genta to push even harder.
"Go, go, go——!!" Mitsuhiko yelled at the top of his lungs. "Go, Haibara——!"
Pff! Genta felt all the strength he had built up scatter at Mitsuhiko's cheer. 'Traitor Mitsuhiko, favoring beauty over friendship!! After the race, I'll make sure to teach you a lesson.'
"Go, Conan!" Ayumi cheered faithfully, but Conan had Kogorō as a burden. How could they possibly get ahead?
Kogorō's movements were completely uncoordinated, forcing Ran and Conan to match his clumsy steps. He looked like a bumbling bear trying to walk upright. Conan had already given up on winning. He didn't even care about the top three anymore.
"Dad, faster! One, two, one!" Ran urged, unwilling to fall behind, not wanting to let Conan down.
"I know, I know, stop rushing me. I'm already doing my best. This hangover feels like someone's prying open my skull. Just walking is impressive enough. Don't push me, my head hurts worse now."
"Honestly, Dad. You knew you had Conan's sports day today, yet you stayed out all night. If I'd known, I would've asked Mom to come instead." Ran complained.
"Eri is busy. Don't trouble her over small things like this," Kogorō defended his wife.
"Then Dad, put in more effort."
"I know, I know!" But he was still the same as always.
Meanwhile, Haibara's group was doing pretty well. The professor wasn't athletic, but he gave it his all. Ada found it too easy, simply keeping pace with the other two.
It was Haibara's first time playing this kind of game, but it felt surprisingly good. Both sides matched her steps perfectly. It was as if Ada had known her for a long time. No matter if Haibara's stride was long or short, Ada could adjust instantly. There was no awkwardness at all, smooth like a well-oiled engine.
Efficient. Even though Haibara wasn't the fastest, her success rate in stepping was the highest. Before long, their team had already moved up to the front of the pack.
"Huff… huff… huff…" The professor's heavy breathing grew louder. He was running out of steam. Age was catching up to him, and he had never liked sports. After a short while, he was already exhausted.
Naturally, Haibara's team began to slow down.
"Professor, are you okay?" Haibara asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. It's just been too long since I exercised," the professor panted. "I can keep going."
But this was only 100 meters in, with 300 meters left. This was where the test of endurance began for the kids. And for the professor, as someone their grandparents' age, it was an even greater trial.
The race was intense. The first graders ran with their parents, none of them wanting to lose.
By the time they reached 200 meters, no one had energy left to talk. From here on, it wasn't just physical—it was a battle of determination and will.
Genta charged forward with his parents, fired up and refusing to lose. He couldn't, not to Conan. He held his breath and pushed forward with all his might. Maybe this was the only event where he could defeat Conan fair and square.
"Mom, Dad, keep going!" Genta shouted, pumping his legs furiously to stay in first place.
Some had already fallen. And once they fell, they couldn't get back up. Many middle-aged parents looked healthy on the surface, but just a bit of exercise left them gasping harder than seniors.
After 300 meters, even the kids started struggling. The three-legged race was tougher than just running, which made Ada's steady coordination all the more crucial.
"Come on, kids, hang in there! Some have already dropped out, but don't give up!" Teacher Kobayashi cheered from the sidelines, trying to lift their spirits.
But more and more failed to finish. Even Haibara's group grew slower. The professor couldn't keep up. "Sorry, but I can still run," he wheezed. He hadn't given up yet, even if his pace had slowed.
"Let's just stop," Haibara said. After all, she wasn't really here to win first place anyway.
So negative—she was giving up even when the professor hadn't. On the surface, it looked like she was being considerate, but in truth, it was just her taking the easiest way out, unwilling to push forward or change herself.
"Haibara!" Mitsuhiko cried when he saw their group falling to the very back with no chance of victory. He couldn't hide his disappointment.
"Once you give up, it means the race is already over!! So until the very last moment, never give up——!" Suddenly, a voice boomed from the loudspeakers, echoing across the entire schoolyard.
That was it. Giving up meant ending the race early. It was the famous line of Coach Anzai, one that had moved a whole generation and inspired countless youths. Whether in sports or in the battlefield of society, it was the same: once you quit, you've ended your own race—abandoning your life.
The playground fell silent for a moment. Then, as if sparked by those words, the teams that had fallen started getting back up again. The race wasn't over yet. It was still too early to give up! Stirred by that one line, they rose again. Yes, they had to hold on until the very end.
"A'dou really does know how to talk." That one sentence from her husband had swayed an entire group. Ada's smile gave her away completely—she was proud of him.