Conan: The Romantic Daily Life of a Ghost Detective

Chikako Ikeda dropped her umbrella on the ground.

Her head was tossed high into the air before landing at her feet a few seconds later.

After rolling around a few times along the muddy dirt road, it bumped into an umbrella, its eyes fixed on Takahashi Ryoichi's rain boots.

.

Wooden villa, second-floor guest rooms.

The four of them sat on the edge of two single beds, looking at each other.

Although the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Ai Haibara still crossed her arms and looked at the two of them expressionlessly: "No matter what, eavesdropping on other people's conversations is always impolite, isn't it?"

"sorry."

Ran and Sonoko bowed their heads and apologized.

“We were worried you’d be bullied by Wen Shui-kun,” Suzuki Sonoko added. Wen Shui glared at her.

However, Wen Shui also knew that Ai Haibara was not really angry. She was just worried that Ran and the others might accidentally overhear the Black Organization's secrets and get into trouble, so she deliberately put on a stern face and lectured them.

However, it seems that Xiaolan and the others have realized that they were wrong.

It's time for him, the "atmosphere conditioner," to step in.

After all, we'll still have to investigate the case together in the future, and it wouldn't be good to let this strain our relationship too much.

So Wen Shui imitated Ai Haibara's mannerisms and said in a pretentious tone, "If you make this mistake again, you'll be punished by having to scrub Ai's back."

Ran and Sonoko Suzuki immediately glared at Nukumi.

Xiaolan's eyes held a hint of shame and anger, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

Ai Haibara gave Nukaku a deep look, seemingly sensing his intention to help ease the tension.

Ai Haibara suddenly laughed and said, "Actually, it's not that serious. I just felt a little embarrassed when Wen Shui-kun suddenly called me that way and someone overheard it."

"Is this the first time you've been called 'Warm Water Guy'?" For some reason, Xiaolan suddenly became a little concerned about this question.

Xiaolan thought to herself, "I'm probably worried that Wen Shui Jun will be deceived in his feelings by a bad woman."

Ai Haibara thought for a moment: "Probably, but I don't know if he's rehearsed it in his mind."

"How could such a thing be possible?" Wen Shui cried out, vehemently accusing herself.

Sonoko Suzuki pulled out a notebook from somewhere and started writing as she spoke: "The culprit, Numizu, seems to have an Oedipus complex; he likes to fantasize about the girls around him..."

"I already said no! And when did I become a criminal?" Wen Shui couldn't help but complain.

This commotion eased the atmosphere in the room considerably, making them feel like they were back in the Literature Club activity room, eating potato chips and discussing which anime was better.

At that moment, an alarm suddenly sounded from the laptop that Ai Haibara had placed next to her.

It's likely that the previously captured data packets were successfully cracked.

Ai Haibara took the computer, and after doing a few things on it, a folder quickly appeared on the screen.

"This is information I downloaded from an underground forum about the Slit-Mouthed Woman attack incident. It's not very complete, but it might be of some help to us," Ai Haibara explained, turning the screen towards everyone.

In fact, Ai Haibara originally intended to share these materials only with Numizu.

However, since they were caught red-handed, they had no choice but to find a reasonably plausible excuse to cover up the true origin of the information.

"There are websites like that?" Xiaolan looked incredulous.

Sonoko Suzuki patted her on the shoulder: "Ran, the dark side of this world is much greater than you can imagine."

Sonoko Suzuki's sudden display of behavior befitting a wealthy heiress made Nukusui somewhat uncomfortable.

But then, she put her hands on her hips and said in a very arrogant tone, "That's why we, the Lily of the Valley Detective Club, are needed to maintain world peace!"

The lukewarm water made my mouth water.

However, I feel that this kind of garden is more welcoming.

Ai Haibara opened the folder, which contained detailed on-site exploration data as well as several photos of the scene.

However, because the data package was incomplete, the information and photos from the crime scene did not match.

In conclusion, the only useful information was the relatively complete clues related to one of the victims, "Matsusaka Ume".

But apart from their real names, ages, and addresses, no further information was disclosed.

However, there is a photo of the scene taken at the time of the incident.

The photo is taken against a nighttime street background. The girl is sitting under a roadside lamppost, covering her mouth with her hand, which has been slashed open by the slit-mouthed woman. She is covered in blood.

The gruesome wounds on the girl's face made Ran and Sonoko instinctively look away.

Ai Haibara, however, calmly observed the details of the photo: "The wounds are basically the same as those of the deceased we witnessed last time."

"They're about the same age, and they're probably wearing a school uniform from a high school near Shinjuku. But why are they still out so late?" Wen Shui used her Insight Level 2 skill to analyze the information in the photo.

Ran and Sonoko then remembered that they were detectives.

So, gritting my teeth, I also started observing.

Not long after, Xiaolan seemed to suddenly realize something: "I remember now, this girl might be the first victim."

Xiaolan pointed to the top corner of the photo.

I took a picture of the sign for a pub (Japanese pub) behind it.

“I heard my dad mention that the first attack on the slit-mouthed woman happened in front of the Torira Izakaya in Shinjuku Ward. The proprietress was very familiar with my dad.”

Xiao Lan explained.

Wen Shui's eyes lit up: "So, this girl is the victim you told me about before, the one who, along with the police officer who arrived quickly and the izakaya owner, witnessed the Slit-Mouthed Woman disappear into thin air?"

“That’s right.” Xiaolan nodded.

Wen Shui pondered for a moment: "Then I think we can investigate along the line of Matsusaka Ume. The perpetrator may have left more clues on their first offense."

Not to mention, three witnesses simultaneously saw the Slit-Mouthed Woman vanish into thin air, something that completely defies scientific principles.

"But the Metropolitan Police Department should have investigated such an obvious clue already, right?" Xiaolan hesitated. "Besides, that girl suffered such serious injuries and was disfigured. Wouldn't it be a bad idea to reopen her wounds?"

“We have to give it a try, and besides, we’re helping Matsuzaka Ume find the killer,” Wen Shui said. “If we don’t catch the killer soon, more people will get hurt, won’t they?”

Xiaolan was quickly persuaded by the warm water.

After deciding to return to Mika, the group began investigating this lead.

The tentatively agreed-upon task assignments are as follows:

Ran should ask her father, Kogoro Mouri, about the izakaya owner, hoping to get some information from a regular customer.

Given how big the incident has become, the izakaya owner has likely been ordered by the Metropolitan Police Department to keep quiet, and it would be difficult to get the truth from someone who isn't an acquaintance.

Sonoko Suzuki is tasked with using her extensive social network to investigate the connections between the victims.

On the other hand, Wen Shui planned to use Sato Miwako's connections to see if he could meet with the eyewitness police officer, hoping to use his detective skills to discover some clues that the officer hadn't noticed at the time.

As for Ai Haibara, besides continuing to search for useful clues in the vast amount of information on similar underground forums.

They will also cooperate with other people's investigations.

.

After deciding on the division of labor, Wen Shui and the others went downstairs to the restaurant.

There were already plenty of cooked ingredients on the table, and the aroma of the food could be smelled from the stairs.

Hiroki Kakutani sat at the dining table, fiddling with his camera while chatting with Masaru Ota.

Ayako Suzuki carried a pot of fragrant mushroom soup from the kitchen and asked with a smile, "I was just about to call you guys. So, have you decided on the content for the literature club's journal?"

"Hmm, I'm starting to see some progress." Sonoko Suzuki glanced at the dishes on the table, rubbing her stomach, and said, "Sis, I'm starving! When is that super delicious grilled fish ready?"

“It’ll be done soon. Mr. Amuro is finishing up the last bit,” Ayako Suzuki said.

"What about Chikako and Takahashi?" Ota asked.

Ayako Suzuki: "Takahashi is still working on the roof. Chikako said she's not feeling well. I'll go and call her again later."

Ota Katsu nodded.

Hiroki Kakutani seemed to have completely broken ties with Chikako Ikeda, his face expressionless.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ryoichi Takahashi, wearing a gray raincoat, appeared in the second-floor corridor.

"Takahashi, the meal is ready. Is the roof repaired?" Ayako Suzuki looked up at the second-floor corridor.

Ryoichi Takahashi: "It's almost done. I'll pack up my tools and come down."

Not long after, Amuro Tooru, dressed in a chef's uniform, placed a large metal plate in the center of the dining table.

Open the lid, and inside is cod that has been stewed for several hours and then grilled using a special method.

As it's formed, the fish skin crackles open, revealing the snow-white, delicate garlic cloves of meat inside. The hot oil still sizzles on the scallions and cilantro, releasing an enticing aroma.

Wen Shui thought to herself that Amuro Tooru's nickname "Emperor of Part-Time Jobs" was well-deserved.

Although I haven't tasted it yet, its presentation alone is enough to convince people that he is an excellent chef with a proven track record.

"Wow, this is so lavish!" Sonoko Suzuki's eyes sparkled.

Given Sonoko's status, she could easily eat anything more luxurious, so she shouldn't have reacted so dramatically.

But that's just the personality of Sonoko Suzuki; she can enjoy a discounted ice cream she buys at a convenience store after school.

Moreover, she has said more than once that the best food in the world is the fried chicken that she snatched from Xiaolan's plate.

Sonoko doesn't seem to have any of the airs of a wealthy heiress.

However, after a brief encounter, Wenshui discovered that the two Suzuki sisters seemed to share this personality.

Ayako Suzuki also has a very approachable personality, is very caring, and seems to value the friendships she formed during her university years.

Although Wen Shui really enjoys being friends with this kind of person.

But can this really ensure the inheritance of the Suzuki Group? Won't unscrupulous individuals seize the Suzuki Group by marrying into the family?

Nukumizu began to worry again about the future of the Suzuki Group.

"Mr. Amuro, please sit down and eat with us," Ayako Suzuki said with a smile.

Amuro Tooru: "This isn't a good idea..."