Detective Conan: Is Miss Haibara planning to assault a police officer again today?

Higashino Ning woke up in bed.

I went to bed quite early last night, which is why I'm still a bit sleepy when I open my eyes now, but I can't fall back asleep even if I wanted to.

"I wonder if any cases will happen today."

Higashino Ninghei lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

He wondered what kind of response Ai Haibara would have given if she had heard his words yesterday.

From a rational perspective, Higashino Ning felt that this was a bit abrupt and premature.

In fact, loneliness in life can be solved by going out more often; it is not necessary to live with someone to seek companionship.

The main reason why Higashino Ning wanted Ai Haibara to live in his house was the feeling of unfamiliarity.

The Ai Haibara he encountered was different from the Ai Haibara he originally knew.

The woman in front of him is his type, while the one he knows is the type of younger sister he wants to protect.

The combination of a perpetually lonely, bored, and emotionally vulnerable personality, along with a contrasting charm, and many other elements, is what fueled Higashino Ning's intense need for Ai Haibara.

Taking it slow is never a bad thing; being greedy for quick results and rushing ahead will directly disqualify you.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Haibara Ai?"

Higashino Ning sat up in bed, hesitated for a moment, then got dressed and opened the door.

Good morning, Officer Higashino!

The chorus of innocent, childish voices left Higashino Ning speechless.

How did the three of you find my house?

"Um... hello." Higashino Ning asked curiously, "How did you find this place?"

The three little ones all looked behind them.

Hidden Boss Ai Haibara reluctantly appears, saying, "Here's the address I provided."

After inviting the group inside, Higashino Ning finally asked for the reason.

He sat cross-legged on the ground. "So, you want me to come along and watch the Emperor's Cup football final on New Year's Day?"

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Ayumi nodded vigorously, "Yes! Because Officer Higashino, you're different from other officers, so we want to be your friend!"

Mitsuhiko added, "Although this may be a bit presumptuous, we still hope that Officer Higashino can agree. We've heard that watching an exciting soccer match together can make you very good friends, so that's why we've come to invite you."

Genta looked around and asked, "After we become good friends, can you treat me to eel rice, Officer Higashino?"

Ai Haibara replied calmly, "That's how it is~"

She felt a little guilty saying that.

Actually, she wanted to invite Higashino Ning to watch a ball game. She had never seen a live game before and really wanted to go. Whenever she thought about going out, she couldn't help but think of the lonely young man Higashino Ning.

Just yesterday afternoon, the three little ones went to Dr. Agasa's house to complain that they hadn't kept up with Higashino Ning's pace in the counterfeit money case, which resulted in Conan stealing the spotlight.

So she suggested that the three kids befriend Higashino Ning, so that Higashino Ning would allow them to participate in cases as a police officer in the future.

Then the three little ones believed it.

Looking at the three little ones whose faces clearly said "I have ulterior motives," Dongye Ning shrugged and nodded as if he was thinking, "Alright then, I promise you, we'll go to the ball game together tomorrow, New Year's Day."

The three little ones cheered together.

Higashino Ningya was secretly pleased.

When a case comes knocking on your door, you might as well go and handle it.

And although I don’t remember it, this is most likely another major case!

The Emperor's Cup final plus the National Stadium = a massive event with nearly 6 attendees.

Even a police officer on leave is still a police officer, and he took on this case!

Chapter 26 Watching the Football Match

The New Year's Day activities have been finalized, and while Ai Haibara is secretly pleased, she is also somewhat worried.

The entire Emperor's Cup final was broadcast on television.

If she were caught on camera, she might be recognized directly by the organization.

After all... she grew up in the organization.

"But surely the people in the organization wouldn't be so bored as to watch a football match?"

Ai Haibara tried to find a reason for herself, but in the end she couldn't convince herself with "luck." She sighed inwardly, "I'll have to hide myself well when the time comes."

...

Since the three little ones had come to his door, Dongye Ning naturally had to entertain them.

However, there were no juices or other drinks in the fridge, but there were two bottles of wine left, and most of the other snacks were already eaten last night when I got back.

He simply stood up and called out, "Everyone, come with me on a big shopping spree!"

This was said in a very youthful tone, which is why the three boys were very excited.

Ai Haibara was very displeased with this.

Why have you never spoken to me in this tone before?!

However, she also knew the reason.

It's because she herself has repeatedly emphasized that she is not an ordinary child and that her daily behavior is completely different from that of these elementary school students.

In this situation, Higashino Ning would naturally no longer treat her like an ordinary child.

I felt respected, but there was also a slight sense of regret.

Humans are mostly contradictory, aren't they?

Ai Haibara stopped thinking about it and followed the three little ones out the door with Ning Higashino.

The purchase was made at a regular convenience store.

Higashino Ning, who had just received the prize money, was very generous, and the three little ones were so happy they were almost going crazy.

However, they remained polite and restrained in their spending, not going too far.

Now Ai Haibara finally understood that Higashino Ning wasn't being stingy the day before yesterday; he just genuinely didn't have any money.

"Don't you need to buy anything you want to eat?"

At this moment, Higashino Ning walked up to the little girl, lowered his eyes and asked, and received the answer that she "didn't have a strong desire to shop."

Seeing the expression on Higashino Ning's face, Haibara Ai couldn't help but ask curiously, "You seem very happy watching Ayumi and the others buy things."

“Yes, I’m very happy.” Higashino Ning turned his gaze back to the three children. “It’s not just about being generous to them, it’s also about treating my younger self to a feast.”

Ai Haibara was completely bewildered by these words, but quickly came to her senses.

Higashino Ning is probably saying that when he was a child, he also hoped to be able to buy what he wanted at a convenience store, but he never had that opportunity until the end of his childhood.

Perhaps it was because the family was poor, or perhaps it was because the family members were strict.

If there had been an older brother figure back then who said, "Buy whatever you want, I'll pay," perhaps little Higashino Ning would have been as happy as the three little ones are now.

It has to be said that this interpretation is somewhat depressing.

But Higashino Ning continued, "It's not that I'm dissatisfied with my family's stinginess in the past. They were responsible for the daily necessities of food, clothing, and other necessities, and they had fixed living expenses as well as random social obligations."

"Given that they didn't have much money left, it's not wrong for them to choose necessities over consumables."

"I'm just trying to soothe the regret I had back then."

Ai Haibara was a little unsure how to respond, so she simply asked, "By the way, have you lived in Tokyo since you were little? Where is your family?"

Higashino Ning shook his head. "When I was a child, I lived in a peaceful town in Kyushu. My father died at sea, and my mother also passed away from illness when I was sixteen."

He smiled sadly at Haibara, "The sea breeze there is so free and relaxing. I'll take you there to experience it sometime."

Since Higashino Ning had already given a smile, Haibara Ai had no choice but to swallow her words of "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up" and return a beautiful smile, nodding, "Okay."

The three kids finished their shopping quickly and didn't spend much money.

It's nothing more than some snacks and drinks.

After playing at home for a while, the three little ones said goodbye, "Officer Higashino must come tomorrow!"

Higashino Ning smiled and nodded, then watched Haibara Ai leave with the three little ones.

We'll have lunch out and then return the suit we rented yesterday.

By the way, the three kids reimbursed his ticket, great job!

I spent the afternoon lying down.

With no messages to disturb me and no one to visit, it's the perfect time for a nap.

He slept until nightfall, then went out for a stroll before heading to a nearby izakaya to drown his sorrows.

There's nothing sad about it, I just suddenly felt like drinking.

Higashino Ning did not drink excessively, but there was nothing wrong with using alcohol to enrich his life.

After resolving a minor incident of a drunk man harassing a passing woman, Higashino Ning returned home slightly drunk.

Surprisingly, he even received a reward point for helping others.

Take a bath, go to sleep~

...

The next day.

Higashino Ning's alarm clock woke him up.

My mouth was dry and bitter, and my nasal cavity and throat were filled with the lingering smell of alcohol.