He's in Detective Conan, and he's the mastermind behind everything.

When drunk, memories of the past may be triggered by alcohol affecting the function of the hippocampus.

Actually, verifying this is quite simple. You just need to think back to where you went to school before you transferred to the Sakura Class.

Shinichi Kudo was silent for a moment: "That's the point, I just can't remember."

Ying Sheng asked, "Do you think it's just that childhood memories are inherently unclear?"

"for me……"

"You're a genius, with an exceptional memory since childhood, practically photographic. Why would you forget something like this?"

"..."

Although I'm happy to be praised like that, does Shuiyue really know him that well?

Shinichi Kudo scratched his head, about to speak, when he heard Hotaru say softly:

"If you don't want to keep deceiving yourself, why don't you just call your parents and ask them why they arranged for you to transfer schools back then? They might not have told you in the past to protect you, but you've grown up now, haven't you?"

Shinichi Kudo was certainly aware of this, but after hesitating for a moment, he said with considerable distress:

"I didn't want to tell them about this."

Ying Sheng asked doubtfully, "Why don't you just hide the fact that you were at the research institute and say that you said some strange things while you were drunk and that someone overheard you? Besides, you were drunk by some unreliable guy who forced you to drink. You're completely innocent."

“I know, but after I tell them, my mom might come back to China. Even if she doesn’t, she’ll definitely ask other people about my situation, and then… sigh, you know, a lot has happened lately.”

Shinichi Kudo sighed repeatedly.

Ying Sheng still couldn't understand: "Is there something wrong with your recent situation? Solving cases and doing everyday youthful activities, isn't it the same as before? Does your mother already think that Xiao Lan is her future daughter-in-law, and she'll be furious when she finds out that you're getting close to Xue Song?"

Xiaolan: "..."

Kudo: "..."

Why is this guy so casual?!

Shinichi Kudo sighed: "Speaking of which, what exactly is your relationship with Ran now?"

"What do you think?" Ying Sheng asked in return.

"Are you officially dating?"

"Almost there. Any thoughts?"

"Congratulations to you all, and...would it be too shameless of me to say I'm a little disappointed?"

"It's human nature, there's nothing wrong with it, and there are many kinds and levels of loss. Which category do you fall into?"

"Um... can this be quantified?"

"of course can."

Ying Sheng asked, "Do you feel disappointed, regretful, sad, or empty?"

Shinichi Kudo thought for a moment: "It seems a little off, no, it's not in these directions."

"Then this kind of disappointment is very simple. The simplest criterion is: how long do you think this event will make you feel down? A day, a week, or a month? Will it affect your daily life and work?"

Shinichi Kudo scratched his head: "Even if you ask me to think about these things now, I can't be sure."

Ying Sheng pondered for two seconds: "Question: Three people, A, B, and C, each ordered an iced Americano in a coffee shop and chatted together. An hour later, A and B were fine, but C died. Police tests showed that all three cups of coffee were poisoned. What was the reason?"

"The information is too brief; there are many possibilities."

"Ignoring external factors and relying solely on the question itself to determine the greatest possible outcome."

Shinichi Kudo pondered for a few moments: "The poison is in the ice. A and B drank it quickly, while C drank it slowly, and the ice melted. When they were chatting, someone might have been controlling the pace of the conversation. If C was of lower status or didn't like the bitterness of an iced Americano, then this method was more likely."

“It’s perfect.”

Ying Sheng exclaimed in admiration, then continued, "A question: A collector of orchids was murdered in a secret room. There was black soil on his collar. His wife said he had recently had an argument with a gardener, and the last person he met before his death was an orchid merchant. It was drizzling that day, and there was soil on the entrance hall..."

Yingsheng stopped talking.

Shinichi Kudo waited two seconds without any response, then hurriedly asked, "What's in the entryway? Water stains, soil, flower petals, or footprints? Are they regular in shape?"

"Well, I feel like it would be too much trouble to make it up, I haven't thought of anything yet." Ying Sheng smiled. "Besides, this isn't a reasoning question and answer session. Think about the original topic, you need to grasp the key points."

Shinichi Kudo remained silent for a long while, then suddenly let out a bitter laugh: "So, the question was whether my emotions would affect my thinking? Obviously not. Then, regarding the orchid question, shouldn't I immediately think of Ran?"

Shuiyue, I have to say, your method of judgment is so unreliable, it's practically just a distraction.

Besides, when I'm solving cases, I never even think about Xiaolan, so this proves nothing.

Ying Sheng said, "This explains something, but I'm not a professional, so I won't speculate. I only have one question for you: while you felt lost because of Xiao Lan's departure, did you also feel a sense of relief?"

Shinichi Kudo was speechless for a long time...

"Suiyue."

"Ok?"

"You're actually a professional, aren't you?"

"Ha, have you forgotten that I am a firefly?"

"Ah—that's right, no wonder he's a top-tier male escort. Sorry, do you mind if I say that?"

"I'm very happy to receive recognition from the famous detective," Ying Sheng said with a smile.

"Ha, you guy."

Shinichi Kudo lay completely on the hospital bed, raising his hand to cover his cheek. After a brief moment of darkness, his eyes reappeared, bright and piercing. His voice had also fully regained its usual energy, though it was rather calm:

"To say that I have no feelings for Xiaolan would be a lie, but sometimes I don't really know how to get along with her."

Honestly, we are quite different in terms of interests, personality, values, and life goals.

To put it simply, I love reasoning, and it takes up a large part of my life.

But Xiaolan would only feel disgusted by it.

For example, Sherlock Holmes. I'm sure that's one of the words she hates the most. Shuiyue, last time you asked Xiaolan to ask me to give her a reading list, I bet she didn't read any of them.

But it doesn't matter. Your kindness towards me ultimately benefited you, which is a good thing.

Upon hearing this, Ying Sheng instinctively wanted to refute it.

Xiaolan actually watched it, and she watched it very attentively.

But before he could speak, a finger sealed his lips. Ying Sheng looked up and saw Xiao Lan with a calm smile on her face, gently shaking her head.

On the phone, Shinichi Kudo continued:

"Xiaolan and I used to get along normally, and it seemed like we were getting along quite well. But actually, it was mostly Xiaolan who was accommodating me. I would always leave her behind to solve cases, and she would forgive me again and again, and would even suggest the next date."

For example, in this karate competition, actually two weeks ago, Ran…

Shinichi Kudo paused for a moment: "Did Ran tell you about this?"

Ying Sheng said, "Two weeks ago, she said that if you won the championship, you would have to go on a date with her at the tropical park, right?"

"Yes, so that person has now been replaced by..."

"excuse me."

Ying Sheng asked, "Whether or not Xiao Lan can win the karate championship depends on her own determination and ability. Why can't she fight for herself? If it's just one of us who wants to go on a date with the other, why can't we just say so directly?"

"Eh? But..."

"There are no 'buts', Kudo. This isn't your problem, or at least not only your problem. Let's continue."

"I...sigh, I'm sorry, I understand what you mean. I've been too self-centered." Shinichi Kudo said sadly. "Just like I said, I rarely take the initiative. It's always Ran who accommodates me."

Can I say something really shameless?

Considering Xiaolan's presence, Yingsheng spoke for him: "Actually, it's Xiaolan who's pursuing you, right?"

"Right, that is it."

Shinichi Kudo smiled wryly: "To be honest, I've had feelings for Ran ever since the Sakura Class. Her smiling face really touched my heartstrings."

But as we grew up, things turned out the way I just described.

It's my fault for not taking the initiative, leaving Xiaolan waiting without receiving a response.

But the reason I don't take the initiative...

Those are the ones from before.

Sonoko always says that Ran and I are both tsundere, otherwise we would have been together a long time ago.

But there are many moments when my heart fluttered, and I really wanted to tell her that I like her.

Why not?

Ha, I always think about other things, like the source of the sense of relief you mentioned before. I wonder if Xiaolan will have more demands on me if we become a couple, or if she will take up more of my time.

What if I have to solve the case later?

What should I do if I want to read mystery novels?

Before we were in a relationship, I could just give her a few perfunctory words and then ignore her. But after we're in a relationship, do I have to put in the effort to comfort her?

Does this mean that if I'm questioning a suspect in the future, while I'm immersed in a rainy London night, and she comes along, all I can do is go shopping with her?

To be honest, I have a vague sense of dread about this.

Ok……

Perhaps it doesn't rise to the level of fear, but there is such an obstacle, and you should be able to understand that, Shuiyue.

"of course can."

Ying Sheng said, "The fear of losing personal space after establishing a relationship is a very common and widespread mentality, which is why crazy single nights come about."

Don't be upset about this. It actually shows you're being responsible. Even though you know Xiaolan will accommodate you, you still want to take on more responsibility. On the contrary, a jerk like me never considers these things when dating women.

"..."

Shinichi Kudo was speechless: "Thank you for your understanding. It makes me realize that I'm not so bad after all. But you won't still be like this after you get together with Ran, will you?"

Ying Sheng said, "Xiao Lan is special. I will change for her. Let's continue talking about your matter."

"It's special..."

Shinichi Kudo murmured for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh: "I really can't say something like that. As for Ran and me, I've already said everything, haven't I? She's a very good person, an ideal and perfect Yamato Nadeshiko, but we're not suitable for each other."