Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

"Yes, I'm coming right away!"

Seeing Sato Miwako immediately abandon him and happily run towards Inspector Megure, Takagi Wataru froze on the spot.

...Seriously? It's one thing for this guy to be jealous of Shiratori Ninzaburo, but why is he also jealous of Inspector Megure?

Sano and Conan exchanged a glance and, unusually, reached a consensus.

"Oh, Sano-kun, I didn't even notice you. Is the statement already taken?"

Finally, Inspector Megure also noticed Sano.

Sano nodded calmly to the other person, thinking that the next step was to invite him to some kind of celebration banquet, but he didn't expect the other person to start changing the subject.

"Speaking of which, the fact that the Toto Bank robbery was resolved so smoothly is largely thanks to Brother Sano. I've already heard about it from Sato. But I'm really curious, Brother Sano, how did you realize that Masuo Keizo was suspicious and even wanted to kill Mrs. Masuo at that time? Did he reveal any flaws?"

Sano squinted at Inspector Megure for a moment, then gave a perfunctory answer: "Intuition."

Takagi Wataru, standing to the side, was slightly speechless, because in the extensive notes he had taken from Sano that afternoon, there were many words like "intuition" and "coincidence."

Meanwhile, Conan was also speechless.

...How could I have thought Sano would answer the questions seriously? I'm such an idiot.

Conan thought to himself, his lips twitching.

"Hahaha, intuition! You truly deserve to be called a famous detective!"

Inspector Megure didn't seem to care much. After giving Sano a thumbs up, he finally got down to business: "By the way, since you've finished taking statements, and the Toto Bank case was resolved thanks to you, why don't we go to a celebration party and have a good meal together?"

Before Sano could speak or nod, Inspector Megure suddenly slapped his forehead again: "Oh dear, I forgot, Sano, you haven't taken your statement for the Toto Bank case yet, right? Let's take it while we're at it. As for dinner, let's do it next time. Next time you come to take your statement, I'll definitely arrange a good meal for you!"

"That's it, Officer Sato, let's go!"

Inspector Megure grabbed the still-unresponsive Miwako Sato and made a hasty escape.

...That sounds nice, but really it's just that they want me to finish taking the statement in the Dongdu Bank case first, and then tell me that if I want a "big meal," I should be more proactive, more efficient, and faster when taking the statement next time.

This little chubby ball is quite playful, isn't it?

If that's the case, then you can't blame yourself for being heartless.

Sano turned his gaze to the five-person squad behind him: "Are you hungry?"

...That's pure nonsense, of course I'm hungry.

After all, we came here right after lunch and stayed until dark, so it was time for dinner.

The group had already finished giving their statements, and apart from Conan, who was interested in the East Capital Bank case, the others could have gone straight home.

There's no need to talk about whether you're hungry or not.

Since Sano didn't say they could leave, the trio didn't dare to leave on their own initiative, while Ai Haibara didn't care and stayed until now.

When Inspector Megure suggested going out to eat together, the trio were actually quite interested... even though he immediately changed his tune and ran away.

Of course, the most important thing right now is Sano's problem.

Are you hungry?

Sano still needs to take another statement for the case. If the rest of them said they were hungry, it would undoubtedly slow down the other party, so they couldn't say they were hungry.

I have to say I'm not hungry!

The trio reached a conclusion.

Before the trio could finish speaking, Sano glared at them again: "Think carefully before you answer."

Although the trio didn't quite understand the situation, they quickly changed their tune and said they were hungry.

"Hmm, that's not bad. So, please tell me what you'd like to eat."

Sano nodded in satisfaction and then picked up the phone on his desk.

"This……"

The trio looked at each other, and finally hesitantly revealed what they wanted to eat.

"...I want to eat eel rice, is that okay?"

The chubby boy, Genta, asked cautiously, because he was really unsure whether Sano meant he could "just say it".

Although Ayumi and Mitsuhiko had already mentioned what they wanted to eat, neither of them were expensive.

On the other hand, eel rice, although it is indeed Genta's favorite main meal, is so expensive that it is a high-end product that he can only indulge in occasionally, even at home.

Therefore, Genta didn't know whether his "truthful answer" would be seen as "pushing his luck" in Sano's eyes.

However, what happened next was unexpected, and even a little creepy, that Sano actually agreed to buy eel rice for Genta.

"Sure, of course! Eat up, eat as much as you want. How about ten bowls? If that's not enough, I'll add more. Or, just order fifteen bowls. If you can't finish them, you can take them home."

Not only did they agree to eat eel rice, but they also seemed to be planning to choke the little fat boy to death with it.

What? What's going on? Why is this guy so kind that it sends chills down my spine?

Is he being sarcastic?

Not to mention the chubby Genta, even Conan hadn't come to his senses when Sano hung up the phone and had Natoto run an errand to buy fifteen bowls of eel rice and deliver them over.

...Judging from this, Sano didn't seem to be being sarcastic just now.

"That Sano guy, could it be that he's planning to...?"

Chapter 290, 289: Tool Person Takagi [Bonus Chapter 1/5 for Junyou's Donation]

Conan and Ai Haibara suddenly exchanged a glance, then tacitly joined the ordering line, ordering without hesitation the things they usually wanted to eat but couldn't bear to eat.

...So when Inspector Megure, still drunk from the celebration banquet the next day and with a dazed head, slowly arrived at his post, all he saw was a list of bills that nearly made his jaw drop.

"...What the hell is this thing?!"

Inspector Megure instantly sobered up completely. His pupils trembled as he read the bill twice from beginning to end, and then he carefully looked at the name at the end of the bill.

Only then did they discover that the applicant for reimbursement was actually "Takagi Wataru".

"Takagi!!"

Amidst the loud roar, Takagi Wataru, who was lying on the desk pretending to be a coward, shuddered and replied with a tearful "Yes."

That's right, the vast majority of the bills in Inspector Megure's hand were eaten by Sano and those kids. As for why it's "the vast majority," and why Takagi Wataru is now applying for reimbursement...

Takagi Wataru's thoughts gradually drifted back to last night.

...After Sano had ordered all the errand services for everyone, including himself, he looked at Takagi Wataru, tilted his head with a smile, and handed him the phone receiver.

"It's your turn, Officer Takagi."

Takagi Wataru blinked, hesitatingly saying, "This... isn't a good idea, Sano? I think I'm fine with instant noodles or a bento box, so I don't want you to spend any more money..."

"It's not Sano who's spending the money."

Conan poked Takagi Wataru's leg and said, "He's planning to make Inspector Megure pay."

"Why!???"

Takagi Wataru, who had assumed Sano was going to treat them, immediately widened his eyes: "How can this be!?"

"Why not?"

Sano leaned closer to Takagi Wataru and said in a tone of dissatisfaction, "Don't forget that all those guys went to have a victory celebration, but left you here all alone, making you do this stupid paperwork. Don't you feel bad?"

"Think about it again. You finally managed to refuse Shiratori Ninzaburo and Sato Miwako took the initiative to invite you to the noodle shop. But because of some fat guy, she was dragged to the celebration party. Sigh, your chance is gone."

"They're over there having barbecue, beer, steak, and wine, and you're here eating instant noodles?"

Is this fair?

"Now there is an opportunity that allows you to take revenge on Inspector Megure and also to enjoy a rare and high-end meal that you might not have the chance to eat even once a year."

"I don't need to tell you how to choose, do I?"

Takagi Wataru was clearly hit where it hurt by Sano. His expression was conflicted for a while before he finally took the telephone receiver, which seemed to represent the rope ladder that meant they were all going to be on the same boat.

"...I want the deluxe sushi!"

At this moment, the honest man, Wataru Takagi, has disappeared.

This is why it is said that "most of the bills in Inspector Megure's hand were eaten by Sano and a few kids," rather than "they ate them all."

Because Takagi Wataru is also involved.

Of course, the story doesn't end here; this is just the prelude to what follows.

...After everyone had ordered, two or three delivery riders from Nadu arrived one after another, carrying large and small bags.

Although the seven people present ordered different foods, and one person even ordered from two or three different stores, the delivery address was the same. Although NaToTong is limited by technology and does not have automatic order dispatch, it still has a dispatch center, so two or three people are enough.

Looking at the food spread across two desks, the group of people couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

"It feels like we're having a party."

"They delivered really fast. I thought I'd have to wait a while longer to get hungry."

"Speaking of which, that 'All-in-One' company seems to be quite famous now; I see their ads all the time."

"..."

Seeing the various delicacies on the table, Takagi Wataru's mood improved considerably. However, a question arose in his mind, and he nudged Conan beside him: "Hey, Conan, you just said that Sano is planning to have Inspector Megure pay the bill, but how is he going to get Inspector Megure to pay?"

"You don't need to worry about that. You just need to know that Sano will definitely make Inspector Megure suffer this loss."

Conan said this.

Indeed, in Conan's opinion, given Sano's petty nature, he would definitely want to retaliate after being tricked by Inspector Megure.

And Sano's unusual "generosity" just now can only mean this.

As for what Sano should do to get Inspector Megure to pay the bill, Conan had no idea.

But Conan simply believed that the other party could do it!

And then.

Takagi Wataru was dragged over by Sano to pay the full amount.

"...Wait, this isn't right. How did I end up paying?"