Conan: Death is Watching Me

Chapter 232 Black Cat and Miyano Akemi

"Happy birthday to 11-year-old Shiho... Have you become a good child?"

"For 12-year-old Shiho..."

"call!"

In the middle of the night, it suddenly started snowing heavily in Beika. The cold wind and snow sounded like ghosts wailing, but Ai Haibara, wearing headphones, slept soundly.

The old cassette player started turning slowly.
From age 1 to 20, the gentle female voice anticipates each year of her daughter's growth, completing her conversations with her daughter well in advance.

Despite having listened to these recordings repeatedly in her past life, Ai Haibara still wore a happy smile and slept soundly.

The fear and grievances of two lifetimes seemed to vanish in this moment.

"Dad, Mom, sister... I have a new family now..."

"Meow~"

The black cat licked Ai's cheek, its expression one of human reminiscence. It looked at her affectionately for a while before skillfully slipping into bed, vaguely revealing the figure of a gentle woman.

Miyano Akemi.

Perhaps because her longing for her sister was too strong, she possessed the black cat under the call of the unseen.

She was only awake for a short time each day, with only brief periods of activity at night, yet she was still fortunate enough to come to Shiho's side.

and……

The detective who took Shiho in wasn't so bad; he genuinely cared for her. He said he was doing it to save on rent for the Kudo family, but in reality, he treated Shiho like family.

"Buzz!"

The phone screen on the bedside table lit up, and the message from Shuichi Akai made the female phantom's expression complicated.

"Someone took the item, and the organization is investigating. Please give me some more time..."

Shuichi Akai initially dated her under the alias Dai Moroboshi, and it was through her that he met Shiho. He joined the organization through Shiho's connections and rose through the ranks to become an executive.

Two years after Akai's identity was exposed, the two have not been in contact since for safety reasons.

She joined the FBI Witness Protection Program not only because of her sister Shiho's arrangement, but also because she originally wanted to reunite with Akai. In the end, she still couldn't escape her fate.

The good news is that I am living in a form of spirit; the bad news is that I no longer have the ability to communicate with people.

Nothing can be done.

The phantom leaned down and tried to touch the tip of her sister's hair.

But now she doesn't ask for anything more; being able to stay by her sister's side is enough.

"what?"

Gao Mo was reading the projected book "Takato Yoichi's Magic Guide" in his study when he suddenly sensed an unknown aura. He opened his mental network and discovered that the aura originated from Ai's room.

A female phantom image then appeared in his mind.

Silly cat?

Gao Mo subconsciously got up, but found that the phantom did not show any malice. It was just keeping Ai company and quickly fell silent.

Are they not supernatural beings, but undead?
No wonder it was so strange.

This world is getting more and more surreal.

It's supposed to be a detective world, but there are so many random things coming out of nowhere.

Unfortunately, he wasn't some kind of psychic detective, otherwise he wouldn't need to use reasoning to solve cases; he could just find the answers from the spirits of the dead.

Thinking of how the black cat usually cuddled with Ai, Gao Mo shook his head and sat back down.

As a level 5 magician with amazing talent, coupled with the boost from the level 3 notes, Takato Yoichi's magic guide didn't take him too long.

As the clock struck midnight, all the projected books were finally cleared away. As if his obsessive-compulsive disorder had been released, Gao Mo felt so comfortable that he entered a state of sagehood.

Things have calmed down for now, and the Grim Reaper doesn't seem to be making any new moves against him. After all, he's just a rule-incarnation without self-awareness, and his main abilities are focused on executing death.

What he needs to do for the next period of time is to start three new professions.

Currently, becoming a chef seems relatively easy, and leveling up shouldn't be too difficult either. Kendo and similar skills are also worth considering. With his current level, reaching level 5 shouldn't be a problem.

He has basically mastered swordsmanship, judo, and karate. The biggest obstacle to leveling up is probably time. If the task requirements are related to competitions or ranks, it is difficult to complete them in a short time.

You can give it a try first.

Even if it doesn't work this time, we'll have to upgrade it eventually.

……

By morning, there was a thick layer of snow outside the office.

Gao Mo had to get up early to shovel snow. It was unusual that Ai, who was recovering from her illness, didn't get up before him to make breakfast. However, Ran stopped by on her way to school and only left after learning that Ai had improved.

"Uncle Kido!"

Ayumi and her friends passed by the office with their backpacks on, and when they saw Gao Mo sweeping snow, they quickly greeted him.

He was quite polite, but it just didn't sound right to me.

Gao Mo gave a casual reply, then turned around and found that Conan had actually stayed behind.

"Did Ran just come by?" Conan asked warily.

"Yes, I've been here. What's wrong?" Gao Mo sensed that the kid was a bit obsessed.

"What kind of look is that?" Conan asked, puzzled. "I just find it strange that she's been so cold when I call her, not as excited as before, and it seems like she's not paying attention to me at all..."

And she was out all evening after school, humming a song before leaving. There was no need for her to be so happy last night before coming to your office, was there? So I'm curious to know where she went afterwards.”

"How would I know?" Gao Mo recalled Xiao Lan's behavior. "Besides you, Xiao Lan was most concerned about her parents getting back together. I think she probably went to Attorney Fei's place."

Instead of continuing the argument with Conan, Gao Mo asked, "By the way, what about that old man? What was his reaction?"

“That old man has no time for Ran,” Conan said, pursing his lips. “He’s been acting strange ever since he went to the hospital. He said he wasn’t feeling well and had a checkup. He even said he’d come with us to see the report tomorrow. He’s been acting like he’s not in a good mood… He must have drunk too much.”

"The inspection report?"

Gao Mo thought of the PhD student next door.

The doctor recently visited the hospital and was told that he must reduce his intake of sweets in the future. He had to reluctantly give him all the snacks and desserts, which had almost filled a small room.

"Conan!"

The three little ones in front shouted.

"What are you still doing? We're going to be late!"

"coming!"

Conan, feeling utterly hopeless, followed a few elementary school students.

The endless schooling is truly a form of torture.

When will I be able to go back to being a high school student?

Haibara always says it'll be soon, but now that she's sick, he can't really ask her.

"Phew, finally done." Gao Mo didn't empathize with Conan; his eyes were only on the snow in front of the house.

Don't be fooled by its white and soft appearance; it's fun to step on, but cleaning it is incredibly tiring, especially if you have a large house.

After cleaning the front yard, he had no further plans for the back yard.

If only someone could help me right now.

Gao Mo reminisces about his part-time jobs with Furuya Rei and Hattori Heiji.

There will be no training today.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Gao Mo opened the mailbox, his breath hot, and took the pile of letters inside back into the room.

Previously, Ai had been handling all the organization, but now he has to take matters into his own hands.

Aside from some thank-you notes, there were various payment reminders, including for taxes and fees related to the luxury apartment.

You have to pay even if the space is vacant, and it's not affected by the chaotic time at all; you pay the full price.

Should we just sell it?

Gao Mo's heart stirred slightly.

He's not short of money now, but the luxury apartment isn't as important as it used to be, so selling it wouldn't have much of an impact. He prefers a villa to a luxury apartment.

After thinking it over, Gao Mo decided to abandon the idea.

That apartment held great significance for him; it was his starting point in this world, whether it was his resurrection or his connection to the notebook.

It won't cost much to leave it there.

"Huh? A memorial service?"

Gao Mo found an invitation in the envelope.

He was specially invited to attend the memorial service for film director Akira Sakamaki. The event was on Saturday evening at the Beika Restaurant.

This director...

"Don't go!" Xiao Ai gasped slightly as she leaned against the wall to get out, her eyes trembling as she looked at the invitation in Gao Mo's hand. "The organization has an assassination plan over there!"

(End of this chapter)