Xingchuan Hui followed Kazawa out of the restaurant filled with laughter, then asked through clenched teeth, "What are you trying to do?"
"There's going to be a good show tonight." Kazawa stood in the corridor, looking out the window. The city lights and neon signs glittered under the Tokyo night sky. The night had just begun.
Xingchuan Hui narrowed his eyes, thinking of the bottle of wine, and asked in a low voice, "Could this also be related to the organization?"
"It could be," Kazawa said as he raised his index finger and waved it in the air. "Our little detective is so curious about the organization. As his partner, it's only reasonable to satisfy that interest, right?"
"…Oh. You're trying to scare him," Xingchuan Hui immediately caught his subtext.
"What are you saying? Why would I do such a thing?" Kazawa chuckled, not even pretending to feel guilty. "Though, it actually is a little related to the organization."
"Huh?" Xingchuan Hui frowned. Remembering the five or six strangers from Toudou University in the restaurant, his expression turned grim. "Are any of them involved?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Relax." Kazawa patted his straightened back. "If that kind of thing comes up, I'll definitely let you know ahead of time. Why are you panicking? Now come on."
"Where are we going?" Xingchuan Hui, still in enemy-search mode, asked blankly.
"I told you—we're helping in the kitchen." Kazawa smiled and pointed toward the three girls standing in the kitchen.
Mao Lilan was quite tall and wore a sleek black dress. Just from her back, her fair skin and slender figure stood out.
This wasn't her usual style. Considering that Suzuki Sonoko was eyeing Uchida Asami, Kazawa had every reason to suspect that Sonoko had dressed her up today to outshine the rival.
Sonoko did have a good eye. The outfit brought out Mao Lilan's strengths perfectly without being over-the-top—ideal for this sort of social gathering.
...It's just a mystery why Sonoko, who has such good fashion sense, insists on wearing that awful headband all the time.
"You all prepared a lot." Kazawa smiled as he entered the villa's open kitchen. "Can you handle it all?"
"Kazawa! Oh—and Akechi-kun too!" Sonoko's smile became much more genuine. "Actually, we're doing fine…"
"Can I help cut the fruit?" Kazawa rolled up his sleeves. "Akechi, can you toss the salad?"
Xingchuan Hui instinctively put on a smile. "Of course."
Sonoko, who had intended to offer polite refusals, instead found herself captivated by the way the two picked up the fruit knives so naturally. Kazawa even spun the knife in his fingers—she immediately got lost in admiration.
Nearby, Mao Lilan nervously wore high-temperature gloves, watching the countdown on the oven while stealing glances at Uchida Asami.
"It'll be ready in two minutes. Be careful—it's very hot," Uchida Asami said gently. Her hair was tied into a loose bun draped over her right shoulder. Wearing an apron, her usual elegance now came with a touch of gentle softness. "Don't worry. This is a bit tricky for a beginner. Even if it doesn't come out perfect, just use the one I brought. Shinichi won't be coming anyway. Leaving it would be a waste."
Mao Lilan rubbed her gloved hands together and smiled somewhat stiffly. "Senior, you even brought lemon pie for Shinichi? I didn't know he liked it."
"Really?" Uchida Asami paused, then smiled. "Maybe he stopped eating it after leaving the soccer club."
"You were the soccer club's manager… no wonder." Mao Lilan stared into the light of the oven, avoiding Uchida Asami's smile. Her gloved hands clenched the thick fabric. "Did you used to make lemon pie for him often?"
"Yes. Back then I was learning to bake, so I brought lemon pies to the club. Even though they turned out well later, the first ones were terrible—worse than yours. But the guys in the club were always supportive. I'd be so embarrassed if I'd brought leftovers to school," Asami said, laughing behind her hand.
Such a fake smile… She's clearly here with bad intentions… Suzuki Sonoko watched her through narrowed eyes, pulling herself away from admiring the two handsome guys.
Tsk, girls who like Shinichi are scarily good at this… Kazawa glanced at the two women.
Asami might appear calm, not deliberately flirtatious, but every word was laced with nostalgia and subtle competition, always reminding others of her close past with Shinichi. Her tall, graceful figure radiated confidence and drive.
This is fun. I should record some audio for Conan later.
"It's ready," Asami said after glancing at the oven.
Mao Lilan, a bit dazed, slowly opened the oven, letting out a rush of heat. She pulled out her pie—lopsided and uneven—and placed it on a tray.
Asami looked at the misshapen pie, then quickly lifted her head and hid a victorious smile.
"It smells great…" A hand suddenly reached in, broke off a piece of the crust that had overflowed, and popped it in his mouth. "Let me try it first."
Mao Lilan was stunned for a moment, then looked over gratefully. "Kazawa… this is my first time baking, so it might not be…"
"It's delicious!" Kazawa nodded vigorously and gave a thumbs-up. "Really—not too sweet, strong lemon aroma. Everyone's going to love it."
"Really?" Mao Lilan stared at the pie, then tentatively tore off a piece of crust. Her eyes lit up. "Mm! It's actually pretty good! Ah, senior Asami's recipe is really effective… It's a pity mine doesn't look nice…"
Asami's hand, which had been playing with her braid, froze. She imitated them, tasting a piece herself—only for her smile to vanish immediately.
Huh, miscalculated. Kazawa thought. Being a good cook is a built-in bonus for Mao Lilan. A little scheme like this isn't going to cut it.
"Actually, it just needs a slight fix." Kazawa grabbed the icing tube from the counter and, with a flick of his wrist, piped "HB to Uchida Asami" onto the pie. The cursive letters curved beautifully, covering the messy crust and improving its appearance instantly.
"Wow, Kazawa, you can do that too!" Sonoko beamed. "I should've had you write on the cake! You're amazing!"
Mao Lilan looked down at the pie for a while, then raised her head and smiled gratefully at Kazawa.
"Alright, let's bring everything out. Everyone's been waiting, and drinking on an empty stomach isn't great," Kazawa said, glancing at the emotionless Uchida Asami. "Right, Ms. Uchida?"
"…Yes." Uchida Asami curled her lips, took a skewer from the table, and walked out first. "They must be waiting anxiously."
Tsk… this girl's got a lot of supporters. Not simple at all…
As she left in her slippers, Kazawa turned and patted Mao Lilan's shoulder. "Let's go, Miss Mouri. You did great—smile."
"Even you noticed, Kazawa-kun." Mao Lilan smiled bitterly, then glanced at the pie bearing Asami's name. She asked softly, "Compared to her… I have no chance, right? She's beautiful, poised, a prize-winning mystery writer… It makes sense for Shinichi to choose her, doesn't it?"
"What are you talking about, Mouri-san?" Kazawa picked up a plate stacked with fruit slices and walked beside her. "Is love something you win by beating someone?"
"Eh?" Mao Lilan, who had been weighed down by comparison and self-doubt, was stunned by his calm words.
"Love is something you work for and nurture. Sometimes it's slow and lasting, sometimes intense—but it's between you and him. It's normal to feel possessive or jealous. But love isn't a trophy to be won by defeating rivals. If someone loves you, they'll love you even if you do nothing. If they don't, even picking stars out of the sky won't change that. Don't undervalue yourself, Mouri-san."
"Is that so…?" Mao Lilan murmured. "Then… Shinichi…"
"Be yourself. Be the best version of you—study, dress up, shine. Let the world see you, and he'll see you too." Kazawa smiled and gently brushed aside her curled bangs like a caring older brother. "And whether he loves you or not, you're already amazing. Don't stress too much, girl."
Xingchuan Hui, holding a tray, froze and turned back in horror.
What kind of warmhearted emotional mentor is this? Since when did Kazawa become such a caring big brother?
Kazawa gave him a sideways glare.
What? So what if fans don't want the strong, fast girl to play Yamato Nadeshiko? What's wrong with encouraging her to chase her own goals?
Just then, Kazawa turned around and met Conan's eyes—he'd just stepped out of the restaurant to check on them.
Kazawa's hand was still resting on Mao Lilan's head.
Conan stood frozen like he'd been struck by lightning.
Kazawa: "…"