Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

Matsumoto Kiyoshi used a tactical head tilt.

Before Kogoro Mouri could even lash out at Conan's comment, Sano calmly replied, "What do you know? Love knows no bounds. I can't just hang myself on one tree, can I?"

As he spoke, Sano put his arm around Matsumoto Kiyotaka's shoulder, tilted his head to look at Kogoro Mouri, and sighed, "I just don't know what kind of luck these two old men had to snag such a good catch. It's incomprehensible."

"Hey! That's enough, kid!"

Kogoro Mouri finally couldn't hold back anymore... Originally, after seeing Sano's behavior towards Midori Megure, he was thinking that he might never have to encounter such a thing again.

Unexpectedly, before they could even express their gratitude and remorse to Inspector Megure, they discovered that their misery was far from over.

And then I was inexplicably mocked.

How can anyone tolerate this?

Kogoro Mouri was about to fight Sano with his claws outstretched, but his two best friends stopped him and persuaded him gently, which calmed him down a bit... Although he was still a little sullen, he drove away first.

Sano and the others didn't just walk back. Instead, they waited at the door for a while until Sato Miwako hurriedly came out and drove them home.

After getting into the car, Conan couldn't help but ask Sano out of curiosity, "Sano-nii, do you really like that... auntie? You're not kidding, are you?"

Sano glanced at Conan: "It's both a joke and not a joke."

"...What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that those two really fit my aesthetic, so I said I wasn't joking, but they're both married... Of course, marriage isn't important, what's important is that they're unlikely to fall for someone else."

"I can see that. Even if they really do fall in love with someone else, I, the warrior of pure love, will not accept it. I will only feel disappointed and will no longer be interested in them. So, unfortunately, that was indeed a joke."

Upon hearing Sano's answer, Conan and his two best friends nodded thoughtfully.

"Even if it's a joke, isn't this kind of joke a bit inappropriate?"

Conan tentatively offered his opinion: "Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, Uncle Mori and the others will really get angry."

The two best friends nodded in agreement, although Sano's next words stunned them once again.

"Let them be angry, they can't do anything to me. Besides, if I annoy them, it might have other consequences, like relationship problems or even divorce. In that case, one of the two high-quality women might be disappointed and give me an opportunity. That wouldn't be considered falling in love with someone else, and I'd be happy to take over."

Conan: "..."

How wicked!

Ran Mouri's heart tightened, and she secretly resolved that when she got home, she would remind her father not to let Sano provoke him, otherwise...

If things really come to that point, then there's nothing Ran Mouri can do.

While Sano was discussing the matter, Sato Miwako, who was eavesdropping in the driver's seat, looked "greatly shocked." Although she didn't know everything they were talking about, she could probably still understand what they were saying.

Sano seems to have developed feelings for a married woman.

And there were two of them, and one of them was Kogoro Mouri's wife!

Wow, are all young people these days this good at having fun??

Only Sonoko Suzuki had thoughts completely different from the others.

...Ran Mouri's mother, Eri Kisaki, piqued Sano's interest, as did Inspector Megure's wife, Midori Megure. He had met his own mother before, but she hadn't shown any interest. Did that mean...?

In Sano's eyes, his mother is not considered "cabbage" (a derogatory term for someone who is easily taken advantage of).

Ok?

This focus seems a bit off, and it's even a bit unfair to my own father.

But it's not entirely without reason!

...To be honest, even Sonoko Suzuki herself doesn't think her mother is more charming than Eri Kisaki and Midori Megure.

But Sano's behavior really gives the impression that he is being ostracized.

unhappy.

Sonoko Suzuki pouted.

Just as the people in the car were having different thoughts.

Sonoko Suzuki's train of thought gradually veered further and further off course.

That said, in the last case, it was only because Inspector Megure's wife acted as bait that the culprit was lured out and caught red-handed.

Because of the previous case, Inspector Megure was unwilling to use bait again, and in the end, he was fortunate to have the help of his senior colleague...

Ok?

Sonoko Suzuki paused, recalling the situation of taking her statement, and suddenly realized...

In fact, no evidence was found in this case.

Just like the previous case, they caught him red-handed. As for why they were able to catch him red-handed, besides Sano's efforts, it seems... he also contributed to the effort?

Wait a minute, if that's the case, wouldn't I be the bait?

Just as Sonoko Suzuki was about to marvel at the coincidence, she realized something was amiss.

According to the police, Sano had discovered the killer's true identity a long time ago, but lacked evidence, so he later left alone to find evidence.

But in reality, Sano wasn't looking for evidence; instead, he discovered that Suzuki Sonoko had been "targeted" by the murderer, so he went to save her.

Upon closer examination, did Sano happen to notice something amiss at that exact moment and rush to the rescue, or... did he deliberately go at that exact moment?

In an instant, Sonoko Suzuki felt as if struck by lightning, and her eyes widened immediately.

Chapter 384, 383, The Real Owner

"Senior! Did you already know that I was being targeted by that guy, but you just didn't have any evidence and wanted to catch him red-handed, so you deliberately didn't say anything and used me as bait!?"

Upon hearing Sonoko Suzuki's question, Conan couldn't help but twitch his eye.

...This guy only realized he was bait now??

Sano raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had assumed that Sonoko Suzuki didn't think there was any problem with it since she hadn't commented on it.

The result was that they didn't react?

That's really true...

...Faced with Sonoko Suzuki's "questioning", Sano did not respond, which can be regarded as tacit acceptance.

Upon seeing this, Sonoko Suzuki's eyes widened even more.

To be fair, Sonoko Suzuki didn't think that she couldn't be the bait, that it was dangerous, or that Sano hadn't said a word.

That shows a complete lack of self-respect.

Or rather, they don't value their own lives.

Sonoko Suzuki just felt that she had been the bait for no reason at all.

He acted as bait, and was treated like a hero. Not only did he receive praise, but he also... well, he gained a love that satisfied him.

Looking at myself...

Before becoming bait, you know nothing; after becoming bait, you still know nothing.

Aside from her best friend Ran Mouri, no one even offered her any comfort when she was frightened... Even with Sano around, almost no one would have thought that Sonoko Suzuki would be in danger, let alone given the circumstances at the time.

Sonoko Suzuki was not the one who was more frightened.

but!

Sonoko Suzuki also wanted to enjoy the treatment of a "hero," even if it was just a few words of praise.

After pouting somewhat aggrievedly, Sonoko Suzuki became withdrawn.

Conan rolled his eyes and then moved closer to Sonoko Suzuki.

"Don't be angry, Sonoko-neechan. It was the best choice given the circumstances. Besides, Sano-nii is known for his entrapment tactics. Moreover, you previously suggested that he cross-dress as a woman and you would act as bait. Given his narrow-minded and vengeful nature, how could he not seek revenge on you?"

Listening to Conan's consoling words, which were clearly meant to stir up trouble, Sonoko Suzuki glanced at him expressionlessly, but then suddenly smiled: "Kid, you seem to have forgotten that you were one of the people who gave me advice back then, weren't you?"

"Hey?"

Conan was taken aback, not expecting that Sonoko Suzuki wouldn't be provoked by him.

Instead of being provoked, Sonoko seemed to realize that her previous words were stirring things up and turned around to mock Conan... Has Sonoko become smarter?

Before Conan could speak again, Sonoko Suzuki leaned out and called out to Sano once more.

"Senior, I want to report this kid! He just said you're narrow-minded and vindictive!"

Holy crap!?

Seeing Sonoko Suzuki, who was raising her hand with a smug and excited expression as if she were a primary school student tattling on her homeroom teacher, Conan's breath hitched. He never expected that after being mocked, he would actually be reported.

"I didn't, I didn't! She's slandering me! She's slandering me, Sano... brother!"

Conan stared wide-eyed and immediately looked at Sano.

Whether Sonoko Suzuki's words are true or not is not important; what matters is whether Sano will believe them.

With the reminder from Sonoko Suzuki's "cross-dressing suggestion," Conan had no doubt that if another one were added, he would be watched closely by Sano.

Fortunately, Sano only glanced at Conan and didn't say anything more.

This made Conan breathe a sigh of relief, while also leaving Sonoko Suzuki somewhat disappointed.

Why am I the only one who's sad?

Slightly disappointed and bored, Sonoko Suzuki pouted and then started the conversation again.

"Senior, do you think that in all your life, there are only those two women who are considered 'cabbage' (a type of cabbage) and no others, including your peers?"

Hearing Sonoko Suzuki call her "cabbage," Sano raised an eyebrow, but didn't look away. He turned his gaze to Ran Mouri thoughtfully: "Ran is actually not bad either, and she's already been taken by that pig Shinichi Kudo."

"……senior!"

Ran Mouri blushed, unsure whether it was because Sano had teased her about being a "cabbage" or because Shinichi Kudo had been teased about being a pig and had been "assumed" by her.

"Besides Xiaolan?"

Sonoko Suzuki persisted in pressing for an answer.

Besides Ran Mouri?

Sano frowned. They should be gone by now... If Heiji Hattori, that dark-skinned guy, were here, he would be happy to add Kazuha Toyama as well.