Chapter 2: Higashino-kun… Thank You!
Saturday. Tropical Land.
"This is so incredibly fun!"
The short-haired girl said, practically vibrating with excitement.
"But it's incredibly bad for your heart."
"Can we please go home now?"
The freckled kid and the chubby little dumpling huddled into themselves, clearly scared stiff.
"Come on, let's ride the roller coaster one more time!"
The short-haired girl was all smiles, bouncing around with boundless energy.
"Yoshida Ayumi, Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko, Kojima Genta!"
Higashino Makoto looked at the three elementary schoolers across from him.
Sure enough, everything was unfolding exactly as the original story dictated.
Plot location—check. Main cast members—check.
Both check-in conditions were satisfied at the same time.
Without a moment's hesitation, Makoto tapped the [Check In] button.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! Check-in at Tropical Land successful. Reward: 100% shares of Tropical Land!]
"100% shares?"
A smile tugged at the corner of Makoto's mouth.
This check-in was an absolute jackpot.
After all, Tropical Land was one of Japan's largest theme parks.
It comprised five themed islands—Pioneer Adventure Island, Wild Ancient Island, Cosmic Science Island, Magical Fantasy Island, and Dream Fairytale Island.
Annual visitors exceeded 20,000,000, annual revenue topped 350,000,000,000 yen, and net profit came in at 80,000,000,000 yen.
In other words, with his 100% shares, Makoto was set to earn 80,000,000,000 yen a year without lifting a finger.
From today on, money would never be a problem again.
"There are still seats open on the Mystery Coaster—should we go…"
"Higashino-kun?"
Mouri Ran's eyes went wide as she called out in surprise.
"Mouri-san—and… Kudo-kun."
"Don't tell me you two are on a date?"
Makoto asked, genuinely curious.
"We are not!"
"What date? I don't even like this girl."
"A girl like this—nothing but muscle for brains, only knows karate, doesn't understand the first thing about deduction—even if I stayed single my whole life, I could never like someone like her!"
Kudo Shinichi went red in the face and hurriedly rattled off a string of words that were the exact opposite of what he felt.
He was crazy about her inside, but every word that reached his mouth came out completely backwards.
"Shinichi, is that really what you think?"
Ran bit her lip, her bright eyes shimmering faintly with tears.
"Of course it is!"
"I only lost a bet—there's no way I'd be hanging out with you otherwise."
"You don't actually think this is a date, do you?"
"Ha ha ha… idiot. Ran really is an idiot!"
Shinichi put on an exaggerated laugh, each cackle louder than the last.
"Fine, fine, I get it!"
"I'm not on a date with you either!"
Ran wiped at her eye and immediately turned to Makoto. "Oh right—Higashino-kun, did you come alone?"
"Yeah. Why?"
Makoto blinked, and paired with his sharp, chiseled features, it made him look unusually kind and innocent.
"Then want to come with me?"
"I'm alone too!"
Ran said, shooting Shinichi a withering glare.
Shinichi, meanwhile, was a tangle of nerves and regret—but too proud to back down, he could only steel himself and act like nothing had happened.
"That… might not be a great idea."
Makoto said with a hint of awkwardness.
"What's wrong with it? It's not like anyone cares!"
Ran pouted and, seizing the moment, looped her arm through his.
"Ran, you—"
The sight of it made Shinichi so furious his lungs nearly burst.
"What is it?"
"Kudo-kun, who has absolutely nothing to do with me!"
Ran asked with a smug look on her face.
The more she saw Shinichi react like this, the more satisfied she felt.
Served him right.
That's what he got for saying something like that.
"N-nothing!"
"You're not my girlfriend anyway—go hang out with whoever you want."
Shinichi shoved his hands in his pockets and started to saunter away.
A massive green hat was practically being planted on his head.
He couldn't stand to watch another second.
"You…"
Ran clenched her teeth, the words dying in her throat.
"Kudo-kun, why don't the three of us hang out together?"
"I heard the Mystery Coaster here is something else."
"If you don't mind, let's all ride it together."
Makoto asked with a warm smile.
At the same time, right in front of Shinichi, he gently released Ran's arm.
Sir Humphrey, the conscience of Great Britain, once said—to destroy a person, you must first become their friend. Only then can you get behind them and drive the knife in deep.
And right now, Makoto was working hard at becoming Kudo Shinichi's good friend.
"Oh?"
"Well, if that's the case, I guess there's nothing I can do—ha ha ha ha…"
Shinichi turned back around, laughing boisterously as he came back.
He had been looking forward to this date for a long time and had been preparing for it just as long.
And now a ridiculously good-looking Higashino Makoto had suddenly appeared at Ran's side—he wasn't about to leave her alone with him.
Even if the guy seemed decent enough!
"I know you two are on a date."
"What he said earlier—he was just being sulky."
"Kudo-kun is only 17. A little childishness is only natural—just be patient with him."
Makoto said quietly.
"Higashino-kun… thank you!"
Ran was a little moved.
Tall, handsome, and genuinely understanding.
More importantly, not the least bit lecherous.
Even with her being this forward, he could still read the situation between her and Shinichi clearly—and was actively trying to smooth things over.
Nothing like that deduction idiot—lecherous, arrogant, and conceited, spending all day on nothing but deduction and cracking cases, or else going on and on about a Sherlock Holmes who might as well not even be real.
And mentally, not the least bit mature—saying something that awful right to her face!
Higashino-kun was right. He was just a kid—an immature little brat.
…
…
Tropical Land — A fictional amusement park in the Detective Conan universe. It is the setting of the series' opening episode, where Shinichi Kudo witnesses a suspicious transaction and is subsequently poisoned and shrunk into a child.
Sir Humphrey — Sir Humphrey Appleby is a fictional character from the British political sitcom Yes Minister (1980–1984). A cunning and manipulative senior civil servant, he is known for outwitting politicians through bureaucratic maneuvering and veiled scheming.
…
…
Higashino Makoto — Protagonist. Transmigrated.
Kojima Genta — Detective Boys.
Kudo Shinichi — High school detective. Series: Detective Conan.
Mouri Ran — Shinichi's childhood sweetheart. Series: Detective Conan.
Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko — Detective Boys.
Yoshida Ayumi — Detective Boys.
…
…
Translated by CheapBiscuit.
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I mass released 20 chapters per novel at the start.
You can read more chapters and find the RAW title on the "CheapBiscuit" website. Check the "About" section in my profile or the "Synopsis" section.
I can't post any links here or reply to comments. Not sure why — sorry if I don't respond!
Don't forget to read my other translation works.
‣ In Detective Conan with [Choice System]
‣ Reviving My Family Line, Starting with Kasumigaoka Utaha!
‣ Stealing Mouri Ran Right from the Start!
‣ The Eldest Princess of Planet Deviluke Is in My... Bathroom?!
‣ The Heroines Can Hear My Inner Voice
‣ These Heroines Are So Bold and... Ecchi!
‣ This Lord's First Kiss Gone Right From the Start?!
‣ ... and more.