Conan: Science Cartoonist Kudo Yuji

So you've still decided to go?

Looking at her two children who had returned from spending the weekend at a friend's house, Mrs. Kudo turned to her daughter with some concern.

"Yes, Yate said that I can stay at the main family home in Tokyo. Although we don't have a very good relationship, I think it's probably okay to lend them a detached house because of his parents."

"I see. It's a pity your father is very busy these days, so there's not much point in me accompanying you. It would be better if your other classmates had their fathers with them..."

Unfortunately, Kuromaru Yata is an "orphan". Kuroba Jintaro transferred to Kyoto alone because his father seemed to have another family in Hokkaido. Fujimine Yuji's temporary guardian on the information form for enrolling in Izumi Shin High School is the Kudo couple.

This suggests that, on the surface, four people cannot form a pair of parents who can accompany their children on a study trip.

"Actually, I was against participating in this school trip. There's really nothing fun to do in Tokyo."

"No way, Yuuji-kun has helped the three of us a lot, so when Yata said he wanted to visit Fujimine-kun's parents, the three of us unanimously agreed."

Over the course of that year, the three of them developed different feelings towards Yuuji. To Marina, it was as if she had suddenly gained a genius-like younger brother who seemed to handle everything with ease. Except for occasionally burying his head when encountering birds or something, he was very reliable in all other situations.

As for Jintaro, he could sense that Yuuji would often help him, creating opportunities for him to talk to Marina.

In Kuromaru Yata's view, although this kid's appearance was a bit suspicious, it was clear from their daily interactions and various other aspects that he did not come from an ordinary family. Therefore, his initial verbal explanation of running away from home gained his trust.

For this life controlled by his "father," that false lie actually had a certain exemplary quality.

"We really need to pay a proper visit to Fujimine-kun's parents." Mrs. Kudo was excited. In the past year or so, she had been extremely satisfied with every aspect of her adopted son. Although her husband didn't quite like him and was always worried that the boy might get involved with their daughter, Fujimine Yuuji's performance was too good.

It's as if what was said that day wasn't a joke; this boy really treats Marina like a mother, which makes Mrs. Kudo feel sorry for him.

She gets up and washes up at the same time every day, and her room is always clean and tidy... Where else can you find such an outstanding boy who is the same age as your daughter? She is not satisfied with either Kuromaru Yata or Kuroba Jintaro.

In this era, for an American man to marry into the Kudo family in Japan, the Kudo family, while not aristocratic, was certainly not an ordinary family either. Mrs. Kudo was more interested in finding a capable man for her daughter to marry into the Kudo family.

“After this year, Marina will really be 17 years old. If she doesn’t go to university, your father and I will have to start looking for a husband for her.”

Mrs. Kudo walked to the cabinet in the living room, took out a wooden box, and sat down on the tatami mat amidst the curiosity of Yuji and Marina.

"This is... a blue gemstone?"

Yuji Kudo glanced at it and found it uninteresting. It was just some family heirloom. Even if Mrs. Kudo gave it to Marina now, he would definitely be able to find it at home when he returned.

“This is your father’s. He bought it at an auction in a small town a few years ago when he was traveling in Europe. Legend has it that the owners of this gem have always been women, and they have all been very happy after marriage. So he bought it to give to you on your wedding day.”

Mrs. Kudo let Marina glance at it before putting it back in the cupboard, actually observing Kudo Yuji's reaction. Seeing that he didn't care at all and was more focused on the food on the table, she sighed regretfully.

"By the way, this gem is called Pira." (End of Chapter)