Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

The question is, what methods are used?

Also.

Another possibility is that the "dangerous factor" is not just Kaito Kuroba.

all in all.

Just to be on the safe side, Sano decided to stay with her.

So, Sano arranged for someone to pick up the little girl.

...The psychological trauma is not so easy to fade away, especially for a kindergarten child, so even if a long time has passed.

The little girl still doesn't dare to sleep alone.

To be precise, I can only fall asleep if Sano is next to me... Well, it's not that mysterious, I can only say that I sleep better with Sano next to me.

At least it hasn't reached the level of a mental illness.

After all, the "treatment" was done relatively early, but it was within the Tokyo area anyway.

They weren't busy with anything else, so there's nothing wrong with taking it over to sleep.

"Are we going to sleep on the floor here tonight too?"

The little girl looked up at Sano with some confusion and asked... She really couldn't understand why he wouldn't sleep in his perfectly good bed at home.

I came here specifically to sleep on the floor.

Sano then raised his hand and pressed down on the little girl's head.

"No need, he's the only one sleeping on the floor, we have beds to sleep in."

"Oh."

"It's nice to meet you again, Detective Sano."

Just then, Sonoko Suzuki's mother suddenly appeared, greeted Sano cheerfully, and then turned and walked towards Makoto Kyogoku.

Seeing this, Sano stopped in his hurry to leave and began to watch with great interest.

Afterwards, Makoto Kyogoku and his future mother-in-law had a conversation and made a bet.

The bet stipulated that if Makoto Kyogoku successfully protected the jewel, he would no longer interfere with Kyogoku's relationship with Sonoko Suzuki; however, if he failed to protect it...

Then naturally we have to break it.

Is this a test from the mother-in-law?

"...Of course, since it's just the two of us betting, the strength of other people can't be taken into account...Don't you think so, Detective Sano?"

Tomoko Suzuki looked at Sano and said with a smile, "After all, as Tokyo's number one detective, if you get involved, then I think this bet would be completely meaningless... But to be honest, compared to a blockhead who only knows how to practice martial arts, I think someone as well-rounded as Detective Sano is more suitable to be with my Garden Girl. Besides, the two of you are classmates and spend a lot of time together... I remember Detective Sano doesn't have a girlfriend, right?"

Sano: "..."

That old woman.

You kindly offered to be free labor without asking for a penny, but they actually used you as a shield. Isn't that a bit too unfair?

"You don't need to try to provoke me by mentioning my seniors. I'm not stupid enough to be successfully sown apart by such tactics... Besides, I also think what you said makes sense."

Kyogoku Makoto looked at Sano, exhaled, and said earnestly, "Senpai, this is a test for me alone. I'm sorry, but I don't want you involved..."

"That's a bad word."

Before Kyogoku Makoto could finish speaking, Sano interrupted him.

"First and foremost, it's about you. You need to understand that this isn't a battle you're fighting alone."

Sano stared at Makoto Kyogoku and said, "I won't argue with you about grand principles. I'll just say the simplest thing: you want to fight Kaito Kid one-on-one, so you think it would be unfair if I got involved, right? Well, you seem to have forgotten that Kaito Kid also has assistants... Of course, it's possible that you don't even know that, but it's something that can be found out with a little research."

"In other words, if I don't join you, and you actually fail later, and it just so happens that there's a difference of one assistant between you two... Think about it, you'll regret it to death if you have to give up your relationship with Sonoko Suzuki because of this little bit of pride."

Under Sano's patient persuasion, Kyogoku Makoto's expression began to waver slightly.

"This……"

...Indeed, Makoto Kyogoku has his own arrogance and persistence, but compared to someone as crucial as Sonoko Suzuki...

It seems that it's not that important anymore.

Suzuki Tomoko frowned, about to speak, when Sano spoke up again, silencing her: "Also, Mrs. Suzuki, you've already given your reasons. What I just said to Kyogoku can also be considered as what I wanted to tell you, but that's not enough, it's just one point."

"Oh?"

After a few seconds of silence, Tomoko Suzuki smiled with interest.

"Are you trying to convince me, Detective Sano? Fine, I'll listen to what you have to say."

...They said they wanted to hear what Sano had to say, but judging from Suzuki Tomoko's dismissive look...

Sano was certain that this old woman was determined to keep pressing the issue.

No matter how eloquently one tries to refute Tomoko Suzuki's arguments one by one, ultimately, the right to final interpretation belongs to the organizers.

Therefore, it is not enough to simply overturn the argument; the starting point must also be overturned.

Sano rubbed his fingers together and curled the corners of his mouth: "Mrs. Suzuki, what you want is nothing more than fairness. What I just said is one thing. Secondly, Suzuki Jirokichi and Inspector Nakamori's side will inevitably get involved. What do you plan to do? Thirdly, as the side guarding the jewel, we are in the open, while Phantom Thief Kid is in the dark. He only needs to figure out one way to steal the jewel, but we have to consider countless ways that Phantom Thief Kid might try to steal the jewel."

"Is that fair?"

Fairness is a vague concept; there is no absolute standard.

Sano's words seemed impeccable on the surface, but in reality, Suzuki Tomoko only needed one sentence: the large number of other people, minus his presence, and the advantages and disadvantages of the two sides' situations, to offset each other.

That is fairness.

You disagree?

Then just keep it to yourself.

What else can you do but call the police?

Tomoko Suzuki narrowed her eyes... To be honest, she didn't want to make things too ugly, after all, Sano could be considered an old acquaintance.

Not only had he received help from Sano before, but he was also a promising talent with a bright future, and he was a very close friend of Suzuki Sonoko, but...

This concerns Sonoko Suzuki's life-long happiness.

Even Sonoko Suzuki herself, Tomoko Suzuki, didn't want to give this matter a friendly look.

Let alone Sano?

Just as Suzuki Tomoko was about to speak, Sano moved closer to her.

"Finally, the fourth point... I know that although Mrs. Suzuki outwardly opposes Sonoko and Kyogoku's relationship, seemingly because they are not a good match, in reality, if they were a good match, she might worry about her future situation. So what you are really worried about is that she is young and impulsive, and if she invests too much emotion in Kyogoku, she will suffer a lot if something goes wrong later."

These words were spoken.

In Tomoko Suzuki's eyes, something different immediately appeared.

"But Madam, have you considered that the future is the future, and the present is the present? What you want to test is Kyogoku's character, not his abilities. If you really insist on this, and you actually win the gamble, and forcibly separate the two of you, do you think your daughter, with her personality... might just go abroad with him and have a romantic elopement?"

Having served the softer option, Sano turned around and served Suzuki Tomoko a more substantial one.

Sonoko Suzuki is Tomoko Suzuki's Achilles' heel.

Starting from this point makes it easier to change the starting point.

As expected, Tomoko Suzuki frowned, already beginning to waver.

“With me involved, it’s like you’re taking out insurance for yourself, Madam. It’s not a matter of whether it works or not, but if it does, at least you’ll have a way out.”

Sano put his arm around Suzuki Tomoko's shoulder: "Having two routes planned in advance, whether you can attack or defend, makes people feel more at ease, doesn't it?"

Accompanied by an analysis of the pros and cons of the final move from a neutral perspective.

Tomoko Suzuki's defenses have been completely breached.

"Trust me, this isn't our first time working together, Tomoko-neechan?"

……elder sister?

Upon hearing Sano's address, Suzuki Tomoko blushed and lowered her head slightly to listen to him speak and think, before immediately raising it slightly.

"Well, that's settled then."

"Okay, then it's settled."

Sano distanced himself and swiftly declared, "As a member of the Gem Guardians and a neutral witness to the two bets, I hereby declare..."

"The bet is settled!"

...This guy talks so fast, is he afraid he'll change his mind?

Suzuki Tomoko gave a slightly speechless twitch of her lips. Such a young age, yet she's so thoughtful... If only her own daughter could be half as good.

I guess I won't need to do these unnecessary things anymore.

"On another note..."

Tomoko Suzuki patted Sano on the shoulder and laughed, "If those two really break up... I hope you'll reconsider what I said before."

"What?"

Seeing Sano's puzzled expression, Tomoko Suzuki's smile widened: "Then naturally you'll become the son-in-law of the Suzuki family, Detective Sano."

"..."

This time, it feels like they're serious?

Sano looked away, ignoring what had just been said, and pulled the little girl along.

"Alright, alright, it's time to go to sleep."

Seeing this, Tomoko Suzuki's eyes showed a hint of helplessness... Compared to Makoto Kyogoku, she did appreciate Sano more. Although, according to what he just said, as the future head of the Suzuki family, Sonoko Suzuki's partner might be in danger if he was too scheming, but...

This depends on the situation.

Otherwise, given Sano's mindset and his relationship with Sonoko Suzuki, if he were truly interested in the Suzuki family's resources... to be honest, Tomoko Suzuki had no doubt that her silly daughter would be devoured in no time.

Pity.

……

The next day, in the afternoon, arrived.

The gem exhibition had already begun, and the Suzuki Museum was packed with visitors. The Suzuki family's security forces and Inspector Nakamori and his team were responsible for maintaining order and conducting basic security checks, while Makoto Kyogoku... sat properly on the display stand, wearing the gem.