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

To become a police officer in Japan, you need to pass a civil service exam, which has three categories.

One type of civil servant is also known as the professional group, such as Shiratori Ninzaburo. These people start as police inspectors and can be promoted to police superintendents in three to five years.

Takagi, who took the civil service exam, could start as a patrol officer.

Higashino Ning was in a worse situation. Because he had only attended a junior college and took the civil service exam for a third-class position, he not only had to start from the lowest level of inspector, but also needed three years of practical experience to take the promotion exam.

This is the third year.

Megure nodded upon hearing this, "Hmm... You and Takagi have had a hard day. How about this, you and Takagi go home and rest first, and take half a day off tomorrow morning."

He didn't give Higashino Ning a chance to refuse and continued, "Officer Sato said you weren't in very good spirits this morning. You need to rest more so you can work better."

Having said all that, Higashino Ning himself was indeed getting sleepy, so he simply stopped insisting.

Takagi Wataru once again gave him a ride home.

Upon arriving at his doorstep, Higashino Ning noticed small footprints on the ground in front of the door that were particularly noticeable due to the dampness.

But he knocked on the door first, and when there was no response, he took out his key and opened the door himself.

The evening breeze was a bit chilly.

Change your shoes and go inside.

The house was empty, just like always, and Dongye Ning felt the same way—still empty and indifferent.

After sitting down on the sofa, the note and cash on the table were quite conspicuous.

After thinking for a moment, he reached out and picked up the note.

Goodbye, you idiot cop~ Thank you so much for your kindness and help, I'm really grateful! Please return the extra clothes. But I'm sorry I broke our promise, because I'll cause you more trouble. This time... you can curse me, because I really am a jerk. Goodbye!

"Who would scold you... It was just... Never mind."

Higashino Ning slowly folded the note and put it into the piggy bank. Then he went to the refrigerator, took out a small bottle of Wichow whisky, poured it into a glass, and took a sip.

Drinking is a very private matter.

For him, Wei Que is a delicious and inexpensive wine, and having a glass when he's not extremely tired is very helpful for sleeping.

It's time to sleep.

...

The next day.

Higashino Ning still went to work as soon as he woke up—it was already past 1 p.m. when he woke up, only a few tens of minutes before his lunch break ended.

After quickly washing up and tidying himself up, he rushed to the Metropolitan Police Department to report for duty.

Once a corporate slave, always a corporate slave.

Not having enough money for a taxi, Higashino Ning had no choice but to run all the way from the station to the Metropolitan Police Department.

The system gave me a notification as soon as I stepped into the Metropolitan Police Department.

[Congratulations, host, your physical fitness has improved slightly. Keep up the good work!]

"Thank you, but I wasn't exercising. You've insulted me."

Physical fitness is not included in the skill category, and there are no specific skills listed.

The system clearly assumes he is exercising on his own.

Higashino Ning muttered a curse to himself as he rushed upstairs, then slowed down before entering his office to catch his breath and wipe away his sweat.

In social situations, personal image is very important, as it can reveal a person's character and many other details.

"Oh, Brother Higashino, you've arrived."

The door opened, and Inspector Megure walked in with Wataru Takagi. He looked very happy. "You seem to be in much better spirits today."

Higashino Ning greeted them first, then asked, "Where are you all headed? And what about that prisoner from yesterday...?"

“Inspector Megure and I are going to find that criminal now,” Takagi Wataru continued. “Although he won’t say anything, we found out he has a criminal record after comparing the information.”

Megure added, "Yeah, I think the person in charge of this counterfeit money gang is Silver Fox."

He said angrily, "I didn't expect that she would still be so unruly after being released from prison. I think she's probably planning to go down this dark path."

At this point, Inspector Megure suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "By the way, I heard from Takagi that a little girl from one of your relatives is staying with you temporarily. If you need to take care of her, I can approve a few more days of leave for you."

"If there are any other issues, such as transferring schools, you can certainly tell me."

Higashino Ning was not surprised that Takagi Wataru would tell Inspector Megure about this, nor did he ask him to keep it a secret, as that would be suspicious and would only attract more professional investigation within the police system.

As for Inspector Megure mentioning transferring schools... that makes sense too.

After all, there really are no holidays now. A little girl who should be in school staying at a relative's house is either transferring schools for some reason or something more serious has happened.

As a superior, his appropriate expression of willingness to help was already very humane.

Higashino Ning chuckled twice. "Thank you. I will certainly not hesitate to ask if you need anything."

At that moment, Miwako Sato suddenly walked over hurriedly, her expression grave. "Inspector Megure, we just received a call reporting that her son has been missing for a week."

Chapter 10 Reexperience of Haihara Ai’s elementary school

"You mean Duojiu?!"

Megure was stunned. "They only reported it missing a week later???"

Miwako Sato sighed helplessly, "Yes, the location is in Beika Town. It is said that they disappeared a week ago in the evening and have not returned since."

"Sigh... these are truly turbulent times..." Inspector Megure counted on his fingers, "The bank robbery of 1 billion yen, the fire at the pharmaceutical company a few days ago, the counterfeit money case, and now another missing person case has emerged. So many heinous incidents have occurred in just over ten days, leaving us short-handed."

After a brief moment of thought, he looked at Dongye Ning and said, "How about this, you go and investigate that family first to see if it's a missing person or a kidnapping. Once the case is classified, the people handling the pharmaceutical company fire case will be able to relax a bit, and then we can arrange manpower to handle it together based on the situation."

So, before he could even formally step into the office, Higashino Ning arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department building again, holding a car key in his hand.

Although he was on a solo call today, he was still allowed to use a police car.

Since it's all public property anyway, might as well use it; once you use it, you'll want to use it again.

Moreover, he vaguely remembered that Conan's involvement in the counterfeit money case began when the Junior Detective League took over the case of his classmate's missing brother.

I wonder if Shiho Miyano is now a moe elementary school student at Teitan Elementary School.

Logically speaking, it shouldn't be this fast, considering the other party has only been gone for less than a day.

Moreover... given Shiho Miyano's current personality, she probably won't stay in that emo phase for long.

I got into the police car and started to feel hungry.

I didn't have a late-night snack last night, and I didn't eat breakfast or lunch today either.

After thinking it over, Higashino Ning decided to grab something to eat before heading to his target location for investigation and interviews. The sudden hunger was incredibly strong, and he felt like he was about to faint.

Today I'm just having a simple pork chop rice.

...

Didan Primary School.

"Haibara-san!"

"Shall we go back together?"

Ayumi, with happy steps, caught up with Ai Haibara, who was walking alone ahead, and warmly invited her over.

Ai Haibara also snapped out of her daze.

There's no need to hide it; she was thinking about Higashino Ning just now.

She wondered what the other person would say and think after seeing the note she left behind.

I also wondered if the other person was still busy today, and if dinner would be casual and make do again.

Strictly speaking, Higashino Ning was the first person she officially came into contact with after entering this world.

The previous organizational life was too closed off; it couldn't even be considered life at all, but rather a template-based procedure.

"I'm out of school now, are you off work yet...?"

Ai Haibara composed herself and glanced back at Shinichi Kudo... no, he should be called Conan Edogawa now.

A barely perceptible smile curved her lips as she nodded gently. "Okay."

Ayumi immediately made a "V" sign, hugged Ai Haibara's arm, and walked in sync, "You must have just moved in, right?"

"Our Junior Detective Club will definitely get you home safely today!"

Ai Haibara was slightly confused, "The Detective Boys?"

Mitsuhiko quickly chimed in, "We have to be active every day to solve all the cases you guys ask us to investigate!"

Ayumi chimed in, "Haibara-san, why don't you join us too?"

Ai Haibara blinked. "Is it just the few of you? There's no one like Sherlock Holmes?"

Genta asked with a naive look, "What's 'Sherlock Holmes style'? Is it something you can eat?"

Mitsuhiko broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, "It's Sherlock Holmes, the protagonist of detective novels, Genta!"

As he spoke, a look of amazement crossed his face, and he puffed out his chest with a touch of pride. "So, Haibara-san thinks we're part of the Baker Street gang? But we investigated and solved the cases ourselves!"

"By the way, Haibara-san, you like Sherlock Holmes too? I like him a lot too!"

Mitsuhiko was incredibly excited to find common ground with a female classmate he liked at first sight. He had already started imagining a story where he and Ai Haibara would get to know each other better because of their shared interests, and eventually become childhood friends.

But Ai Haibara's gaze drifted to Conan's face and lingered briefly. "I wouldn't say I like him that much, I just know a little about him."

Conan pouted. He had almost come to believe that this Ai Haibara was someone worth befriending, but it turned out that he only knew her to a certain extent?

Even so, Ai Haibara's performance still left a deep impression on him; her mature demeanor was too conspicuous among the elementary school students.

"So, was this guy just acting difficult in class because he was nervous?"

Just as Conan was thinking this, he suddenly heard Ai Haibara speak.

Has he joined you too?

The other person's gaze was fixed on him.