Seeing the two women, Kurosawa Hoshino, of course, would not betray them. So he simply made up a story: "Mr. Murakami, I just heard about you from a friend. They said you're losing a lot of hair and have been wearing a wig. You're wearing a hat now, and you're constantly looking at it. I'm guessing your wig might have fallen off, and you're afraid someone will notice—that's why you're wearing a hat and so concerned about it."
"I see. As expected of Kurosawa-kun, your observation is very meticulous." Murakami Shinichi praised.
Ran and Sonoko's fair cheeks flushed, and they finally dared to look over. When facing Kurosawa, they both winked at him gratefully.
"Um, should we leave for a bit?" Kobayashi Sumiko said weakly.
"It's nothing." Murakami said, taking off his hat to reveal his receding hairline.
Kurosawa and the others were alright, but Ayumi and the other two couldn't hold back at all. They burst into laughter that made Murakami's face turn red.
Kurosawa remembered the plot, recalling that the headmaster's wig had apparently been hidden by the school principal. So he asked, "Mr. Murakami, where did your wig fall off?"
"It's strange. My wig fell in the staff office. Someone suddenly opened the window that day, and it blew my wig off. I don't know where it landed in the office. But I've searched for three days—everywhere I could think of—and I just can't find it."
"Mr. Murakami, are you sure you've searched everywhere you could think of?"
"Yes, I'm absolutely sure." Murakami answered seriously.
Kurosawa chuckled. "Mr. Murakami, then it's quite obvious. Your wig was probably hidden. Think about it—who else witnessed you losing your wig that day? Maybe you can think of someone to suspect."
Hearing this, Murakami fell into deep thought. After a while, his eyes widened. He quickly took out his phone and dialed a number. When the other end answered, he roared, "Uematsu, did you hide my wig?"
"Oh ho ho, you finally found out."
"Fine, so it was you who made me search for three days and made me wear a hat for three days straight. You just wait—I'll fight you tomorrow."
While Murakami was yelling into his phone, Kurosawa and the others helped Kobayashi tidy up the classroom. Just as Kurosawa had thought, tonight's events had no Origin Points, and the system panel hadn't changed so far.
"Kobayashi-sensei, who is Uematsu at the school?" Ayumi asked softly.
"I think it's the principal." Ran helped answer. "The principal's name is Uematsu Ryujiro."
Sonoko shuddered. "When I was studying here, the person I was most afraid of was the principal. His beard was so thick—I always hid far away from him."
Kobayashi laughed. "That's true. The principal has never been willing to cut his beard."
More than an hour later, after seeing off Ayumi and the other two kids, they took Haibara back to Professor Agasa's house. Kurosawa, Ran, and Conan finally returned to the Mouri Detective Agency.
On the third floor, upon entering the living room, they saw a familiar scene. Kogorō Mouri, with a stern face, sat at a low table on the tatami mat, staring intently at the three who entered—or more precisely, at Ran.
Kogorō said coldly, "Ran, yesterday you said I came home late. So what do you say today? You're not trying to say you're different from me, so you're not wrong, are you?"
Ran blushed and replied softly, "Dad, I'm not that kind of person. I came home late today for a reason—unlike you, who wasted money. I had important business."
"Heh, then I'd like to hear what you mean by 'important business.'"
"Stage play rehearsals, you know." Ran knelt on the tatami mat, opened her schoolbag, took out the script, and handed it over. Sonoko had been discussing the script here that morning, while Kogorō was still sleeping in and had no idea.
"A Chaotic Romance? I don't think it looks good just from the title." Kogorō said, flipping through the book.
Ten minutes later, the script closed. Kogorō scoffed, "Just as I thought—it's so melodramatic. Nobody will like this kind of stage play. I have a suggestion: just do some famous stage plays. There's no need for this original script. Also, who wrote this? You wrote it?"
"Sonoko wrote it," Kurosawa and Ran said in unison.
Kogorō's expression stiffened, but he remained defiant. "Sonoko's writing won't work either. Anyway, I think it's too melodramatic—I can't stand it. By the way, who's playing the male lead? You brat, it's not you, is it?"
"It's me." Kurosawa shrugged.
As soon as he finished speaking, Kurosawa felt the temperature in the living room drop several degrees, becoming rather chilly.
Kogorō, his face grim, asked softly, "Kid, let me ask you something. How are you planning to act out the kissing scene here?"
"Dad, you're meddling a bit! It's our class's play. You want to interfere too?" Ran said angrily.
"Ran, that's not right." Kogorō realized, stroking his chin. "Even if they're rehearsing a play at school, do they really have to be back at this hour?"
"Uncle Mouri, there are indeed some things to attend to." Kurosawa recounted the events at Teitan Elementary School.
After listening, Kogorō nodded. "I knew it—the timing was definitely wrong. But that Ms. Kobayashi—she really does look a lot like Officer Sato?"
"Yes," Ran affirmed.
"What's wrong with this world? Are there so many people who look alike these days?" Kogorō grumbled.
Just then, a cell phone rang. Kurosawa felt his pocket vibrate, took out his phone, glanced at the number, and answered. "Hattori, is there something you need?"
Kogorō and the others fell silent, listening to Kurosawa's conversation with Hattori Heiji.
"Haha, Kurosawa, long time no see. I just wanted to ask if you have some time lately. Maybe come to Osaka tomorrow?"
"Are you sure it's just for fun?"
"Of course! You treated me to fun in Tokyo, and now that you're in Osaka, I'll treat you. So, are you coming tomorrow? By the way, I'm not just inviting you—I'm also inviting Mr. Mouri and the others later."
"Really? I don't believe you." Kurosawa finished speaking and hung up.
A few seconds later, the phone rang again. This time it was the landline in the living room—probably Hattori calling.
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