Chapter 12: My Love Is the Stars and the Sea
'Unbelievable!'
This guy was exactly as underhanded as he'd expected—buying the old man off with money, just like that.
Conan watched Kogoro and Makoto chatting away like old friends and could do absolutely nothing about it.
Right now, he was just some stranger's kid—an elementary schooler with no standing to say a word.
If only he were still Kudo Shinichi…
Conan squeezed his small fists tight, eyes fixed on Higashino Makoto, burning with open hostility.
"Um, well…"
"I'll leave Conan with you for the time being—here's money for his expenses."
"I've got a conference to get to, so I'll be heading off!"
Professor Agasa held out an envelope and, the moment he finished speaking, made himself scarce.
"All right, all right—go ahead!"
"I'll take good care of the kid!"
Kogoro gave Conan a pat on the head, then squeezed the envelope to gauge its thickness.
Very satisfying.
At least 100,000 yen.
"That professor, honestly!"
Conan muttered under his breath.
His only ally had bolted—now it was just him, fighting alone.
Though at least the money-hungry old man had agreed to let him stay.
Which meant…
A gleam came into Conan's eyes as they landed on Ran—who was wearing denim shorts—and he couldn't help swallowing.
"Oh, Dad—is it okay if I move out?"
Ran asked, picking her words carefully.
"No!"
Conan shouted before anyone else could react.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Every eye in the room snapped to him in an instant.
"Haha… I—I mean, who's going to cook for me and Uncle if Ran-neechan isn't here?"
Conan scratched his head and played dumb with a goofy laugh.
"He's got a point!"
"I could manage on my own, but with this kid to look after too, that's a problem."
Kogoro stroked his mustache with a frown.
Life without Ran—he genuinely couldn't picture it.
Laundry, cooking, cleaning—he'd have to handle everything himself.
And now he'd have an elementary schooler to look after on top of it.
"Ran, it's still too early for all that—wait until you get into university first."
"The day you graduate is the day I propose."
Makoto spoke softly.
"Propose?!"
Conan and Ran said it at exactly the same time.
Both flushed crimson at once, staring at Makoto in shock.
Though for one it was sheer alarm, and for the other, pure shyness.
"Well, I think that's wise—that sort of thing is still too early for you both."
"Son, having that kind of sense—it puts my mind at ease!"
Kogoro clapped him on the shoulder and gave a satisfied nod.
This future son-in-law wasn't just handsome and well-off—he was mature, and genuinely responsible.
Generous, too, and unfailingly polite.
Nothing like a certain someone who walked around every day acting like the whole world was beneath him.
"Phew—"
Conan, off to the side, let out a long, slow breath.
Good—the scheme hadn't worked after all, and Ran had barely escaped being stolen away.
"Don't worry, Uncle—"
"I'll take good care of Ran."
Makoto smiled, but behind his eyes a parade of beautiful women was drifting through his mind.
Miyano Shiho, Miyano Akemi, Suzuki Sonoko, Toyama Kazuha, Nakamori Aoko, Koizumi Akako, Sera Masumi, Sato Miwako, Kisaki Eri, Vermouth, Kudo Yukiko, Hattori Shizuka, Kuroba Chikage, Uehara Yui, Mizunashi Rena, Jodie Starling…
'My love is the stars and the sea!'
"Hm? A call?"
"Hello? Hello!"
"Ah, I see—not to worry!"
"Of course! Of course! Leave it to Mouri Kogoro, Great Detective—no case is beyond me!"
Kogoro answered the phone.
He started off measured, but as the conversation went on, his eyes lit up and his face broke into a wide grin, making bold promises all around.
"Dad, is something wrong?"
Ran asked curiously.
"It's probably another missing cat or lost dog."
"Or investigating someone's affair."
Conan said with a look of disdain, drinking his milk.
The great detective Mouri Kogoro?
Nothing but a booze-soaked, useless middle-aged lush.
"Hmph!"
"A prominent businessman's daughter has been kidnapped by men in black."
"His butler called personally to commission me—the great detective—to investigate and rescue the young lady!"
"A thorny case like this can only be cracked by me, Mouri Kogoro!"
Kogoro straightened his tie and swapped into a fresh suit with a look of supreme satisfaction.
"Men in black?"
The color drained from Conan's face.
A jolt ran through him—his mind went to the two Men in Black from Tropical Land.
'Could it actually be them again?'
"Hahaha… six months—six whole months—and I've finally landed a real case!"
The serious composure from moments ago vanished on the spot, and out burst a laugh so ridiculous it was practically a pig squeal.
"That's wonderful, Dad!"
"Now we can finally buy some beef!"
Ran dabbed at her eyes, genuinely moved.
"That's right—and a big, ice-cold beer to go with it!"
"Fsss—ahh—"
Kogoro mimed raising a glass to his lips, his face entirely blissful.
Conan: "…"
Higashino Makoto: "…"
The two of them—outsiders who had no idea about the Mouri family's finances—stood there completely slack-jawed.
The great detective Mouri Kogoro—out of work for six months?
At the very least, pick up some odd jobs!
Investigate someone's affair—anything!
…
…
Agasa Hiroshi— Genius inventor. Kudo's family neighbor. Series: Detective Conan.
Edogawa Conan — Shinichi's alternate identity. Series: Detective Conan.
Higashino Makoto — Protagonist. Transmigrated.
Mouri Kogoro — Ran's father. Series: Detective Conan.
Mouri Ran — Shinichi's childhood sweetheart. Series: Detective Conan.
…
…
Translated by CheapBiscuit.
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