Part 1: The Mysterious Moving Day 🚛
The morning sun was just starting to warm the streets of Beika as Conan walked toward Teitan Elementary School. His small hands gripped the straps of his red backpack, and he hummed quietly to himself. It was going to be another ordinary day—or so he thought. 😊
As he turned the corner onto the main street, something unusual caught his eye. A massive mansion that had been empty for as long as he could remember was now buzzing with activity. Conan stopped walking and stared. 👀
"What's going on over there?" he muttered.
A fleet of expensive black moving trucks was parked in perfect formation outside the mansion's tall iron gates. These weren't ordinary moving trucks—they were sleek, identical, and looked more like they belonged to a government agency than a moving company. 🚛✨
Conan's detective instincts immediately kicked in. He ducked behind a nearby telephone pole and watched carefully.
Men in dark suits were coordinating the move with military-like precision. They wore earpieces and spoke in low, professional voices. These definitely weren't regular movers—they moved like a security team. 👥
"Be careful with that case," one suited man said as they unloaded a large silver box. "The equipment inside is extremely sensitive."
Conan's eyes widened. Through the gaps between the movers, he could see boxes labeled with scientific symbols and what looked like high-tech computer equipment. What kind of family needed to move laboratory equipment into their home? 🔬
"Conan-kun!"
The familiar voice made Conan jump. Professor Agasa was walking toward him, carrying a bag of groceries and looking just as curious about the activity at the mansion.
"Agasa-hakase! Good morning," Conan said, quickly stepping out from behind the pole. 😅
"My, my," Professor Agasa said, adjusting his glasses as he looked at the moving operation. "Quite an impressive setup they have there. I haven't seen security like that since..." He paused and glanced down at Conan meaningfully.
Conan knew exactly what the professor was thinking. This level of security reminded them both of dangerous organizations they'd encountered before. 😰
Just then, a luxury black sedan pulled up to the mansion gates. Conan and Professor Agasa watched as the car doors opened.
First, two women stepped out. They wore elegant black and white maid uniforms, but something about the way they moved caught Conan's attention immediately. They scanned their surroundings like trained bodyguards, their eyes sharp and alert. The older woman had long black hair tied back and moved with the grace of someone skilled in martial arts. The younger woman had brown hair and a friendlier expression, but Conan noticed she kept one hand near a small bag at her waist—probably containing some kind of equipment. 👭
"Those are some very interesting maids," Professor Agasa whispered.
Then, the most surprising part happened. Two small children stepped out of the car. 👦👧
The first was a girl who looked about seven years old. She had midnight blue-black hair that fell to her shoulders and serious indigo eyes. Even from a distance, Conan could see that she carried herself with unusual grace and confidence for a child. She wore a perfectly pressed blue dress and small white gloves.
The second child was a boy, also around seven. His dark hair was slightly messy in a cheerful way, and his bright teal eyes sparkled with energy. He wore casual clothes but moved with the easy confidence of someone very athletic. As he stepped out of the car, he did a small flip and landed perfectly on his feet, making one of the suited men smile despite himself. 🤸♂️
"Riku, please be more careful," the girl said quietly. Her voice was calm and mature—much more so than Conan expected from someone her age.
"Sorry, Sora-nee," the boy replied with a cheerful grin. "I just couldn't help it!"
The security team immediately formed a protective circle around the children as they walked toward the mansion. Conan watched in amazement as the gates opened automatically and the entire group disappeared inside.
"Well," Professor Agasa said, scratching his head. "Those certainly aren't ordinary children."
Conan nodded slowly. Everything about what they'd just witnessed raised questions. Why did two seven-year-olds need a security team? Why were they moving scientific equipment? And why did those maids look like they could handle themselves in a fight? 🤔
As the last moving truck drove away and the mansion gates closed, Conan realized he was going to be late for school. But his mind was already racing with questions about his mysterious new neighbors.
"I should get going," he said to Professor Agasa. "But something tells me we'll be seeing those kids again soon."
Professor Agasa chuckled. "With your talent for finding mysteries, Conan-kun, I'm sure you will."
As Conan hurried toward school, he couldn't shake the feeling that the peaceful neighborhood of Beika was about to become much more interesting. The twins—Sora and Riku, he'd heard the boy called—were clearly not ordinary children. And in Conan's experience, extraordinary children usually meant extraordinary mysteries. ✨
He just had no idea how right he was.
Part 2: First Encounters at Teitan Elementary 🏫
The morning at Teitan Elementary School started like any other day in Class 1-B. Ayumi Yoshida was happily arranging the flowers she'd brought for their classroom, while Genta Kojima was already thinking about lunch. Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya sat at his desk reading a science book, and Conan slipped into his seat just as the bell rang. 🔔
"Good morning, everyone!" Kobayashi-sensei said cheerfully as she entered the classroom. But today, there was something different about her smile—she looked especially excited. ✨
Haibara Ai glanced up from her book and noticed Conan looked distracted. He kept looking toward the window, as if expecting something to happen.
"Class, I have some wonderful news to share with you today," Kobayashi-sensei announced. "We have two new transfer students joining us!"
Ayumi's face lit up immediately. New classmates were always exciting! Genta perked up from his desk, and Mitsuhiko closed his science book to pay attention. Even Haibara looked mildly interested. 😊
"Please come in," the teacher called toward the door.
Two children entered the classroom, and Conan's eyes widened. They were the same kids he'd seen at the mansion that morning! 😲
The first was the girl—Sora. She walked into the classroom with perfect posture and a calm, confident expression. Her midnight blue-black hair was neatly arranged, and she wore the standard school uniform with an elegance that made it look almost formal.
The second was the boy—Riku. He bounced into the room with a bright smile, his teal eyes sparkling with curiosity as he looked around at all his new classmates. He waved energetically at everyone.
"Please introduce yourselves to the class," Kobayashi-sensei said kindly.
Sora stepped forward first and bowed politely. "Good morning, everyone. My name is Tsukishiro Sora. I am seven years old, and I hope we can become good friends." Her voice was clear and mature, and she spoke with perfect manners. 🎭
Riku jumped forward next. "Hi everyone! I'm Tsukishiro Riku! I love sports and games and making new friends!" He grinned widely and waved again, making several students giggle. 😄
"Twins!" Ayumi whispered excitedly to herself.
"Tsukishiro-san and Tsukishiro-kun, please take the empty seats near Edogawa-kun and Haibara-san," the teacher said, pointing to two desks that happened to be right next to Conan and Haibara.
As the twins walked to their seats, Conan watched them carefully. Up close, he could see even more details that confirmed his suspicions from the morning. Sora moved with the careful awareness of someone trained to notice everything around her. Riku looked cheerful and carefree, but Conan noticed his eyes quickly scanned the room, taking in all the exits and windows.
Both twins wore small pendant necklaces that were mostly hidden under their shirts, but Conan caught a glimpse of what looked like intricate metalwork. 💎
"Welcome to our class!" Ayumi called out cheerfully from her seat.
"Thank you," Sora replied with a small smile.
"Are you really twins?" Genta asked loudly. "You don't look exactly the same!"
Riku laughed. "We're fraternal twins! That means we're different but still twins. Sora-nee is older than me by about three minutes, so she's always reminding me to be more careful."
"Only three minutes?" Mitsuhiko asked, adjusting his glasses. "That's fascinating from a biological perspective—"
"Mitsuhiko-kun," Ayumi interrupted with a giggle. "Don't start with the science talk already!"
The morning classes went smoothly. During math, Conan noticed that both twins finished their problems remarkably quickly. Sora's work was neat and perfectly organized, while Riku's was correct but showed he'd found creative shortcuts to the answers. 📚
When it came time for Japanese literature, Sora answered the teacher's questions with insights that seemed far beyond elementary school level. Riku, meanwhile, entertained the class by perfectly imitating the teacher's reading voice when asked to read a passage aloud. 🎭
By lunch time, the Detective Boys were bursting with curiosity about their new classmates.
"Tsukishiro-san! Tsukishiro-kun!" Ayumi called out as students began unpacking their lunch boxes. "Would you like to eat lunch with us?"
Sora and Riku exchanged a quick glance—a wordless communication that Haibara noticed immediately.
"We would be very happy to," Sora said politely.
"Yeah! That sounds great!" Riku added with enthusiasm.
The group gathered in their usual spot by the window. Conan watched as the twins unpacked their lunch boxes, which were elegant wooden boxes containing perfectly arranged food that looked like it came from an expensive restaurant. 🍱
"Wow, your lunch looks amazing!" Ayumi said admiringly.
"Our... guardians prepare our meals for us," Sora explained carefully.
"Guardians?" Mitsuhiko asked curiously. "What about your parents?"
Again, that quick glance between the twins.
"Our parents are... traveling," Riku said, his usual cheerful expression becoming a bit more guarded. "They travel a lot for work. So Akari-san and Yuzu-san take care of us."
"Are they your relatives?" Genta asked while munching on his sandwich.
"Not exactly," Sora replied. "They've been with our family since we were babies. They're like our big sisters and teachers all in one."
Haibara spoke up for the first time. "What do they teach you?" Her voice was casual, but Conan recognized her tone—she was gathering information. 🔍
"Oh, lots of things!" Riku said brightly. "Math, science, languages, history—"
"Physical education," Sora added quietly, with a meaningful look at her brother.
"Physical education?" Ayumi asked.
"We do a lot of... exercise and activity training," Riku explained, seeming to choose his words carefully. "For our health."
Conan's detective instincts were going crazy. Everything about these twins suggested they'd received far more than ordinary tutoring. Their knowledge, their awareness, their careful word choices—it all pointed to some kind of specialized training. 🤔
"What about hobbies?" Mitsuhiko asked. "What do you like to do for fun?"
Sora's expression softened a little. "I enjoy reading and solving puzzles. Logic problems are particularly interesting."
"I like sports and games!" Riku said. "And I'm pretty good at doing voices. Want to hear?"
Without waiting for an answer, Riku perfectly imitated Genta's voice: "Wow, your lunch looks amazing!"
Everyone burst out laughing, including Genta, who was amazed at how perfect the imitation was. 😂
"That's incredible!" Mitsuhiko said. "How did you learn to do that?"
"I just... pick it up easily," Riku said with a modest shrug. "It's fun to practice different voices."
As lunch continued, the Detective Boys found themselves charmed by their new classmates. Sora was quiet but kind, always listening carefully to what others said. Riku was energetic and funny, making everyone laugh with his jokes and impressions.
But Conan and Haibara both noticed the same thing: despite their friendliness, the twins were very careful about what information they shared. They were skilled at answering questions without really revealing anything important.
When the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of their break, Ayumi clapped her hands together excitedly.
"This is going to be such a fun semester with you two in our class!" she declared.
"We hope so too," Sora said with a genuine smile.
As they headed back inside for afternoon classes, Conan couldn't help but feel that these new classmates were going to make his school life much more interesting—and probably much more complicated. 😊
Part 3: The Missing Chalk Mystery 🖍️
After lunch, Class 1-B headed to the art room for their weekly creative session. Ayumi loved art class—there was something magical about creating colorful pictures and letting her imagination run free. Today felt even more special because they had their new classmates, the Tsukishiro twins, to share the fun with! 🎨
"Alright, children, today we're going to practice color mixing," announced Yamada-sensei, their art teacher. He was a kind man with paint-stained fingers and a cheerful smile. "I want you to experiment with creating new colors using just the basic—"
He stopped mid-sentence and frowned as he opened the chalk box at the front of the room.
"Oh, not again," he muttered, shaking his head. 😤
"What's wrong, Yamada-sensei?" Ayumi asked, raising her hand politely.
"The colored chalk is missing again," the teacher sighed. "This is the third time this week. Someone keeps taking specific colors from our art supplies."
Ayumi's eyes lit up immediately. A mystery! 🕵️♀️
"Which colors are missing, sensei?" Mitsuhiko asked, always ready with a logical question.
Yamada-sensei looked through the chalk box carefully. "Let's see... the red chalk is gone, the blue chalk is gone, and the yellow chalk is gone. But all the other colors are still here—green, purple, orange, white, black."
"That's so weird!" Genta said loudly. "Who would just take some of the chalk?"
Ayumi stood up with determination, her hands on her hips. "Yamada-sensei, don't worry! The Detective Boys will solve this mystery!" ✨
Conan looked a bit embarrassed by Ayumi's enthusiastic declaration, but he was clearly interested in the puzzle too. Haibara just sighed quietly and prepared to go along with whatever investigation was about to happen.
"Detective Boys?" Sora asked curiously.
"That's us!" Ayumi explained proudly. "We're a group of detectives who solve mysteries together! There's me, Conan-kun, Haibara-san, Genta-kun, and Mitsuhiko-kun. And now you two can be part of our team too!"
Riku's face brightened immediately. "Really? That sounds awesome!"
Sora looked thoughtful. "We would be honored to help," she said formally, but Ayumi could see genuine interest in her serious expression.
"Wonderful!" Yamada-sensei said, looking relieved. "If you children can figure out what's happening to our chalk, that would be very helpful. In the meantime, I'll get some backup supplies from the office."
As soon as the teacher left, Ayumi took charge of the investigation. "Okay, everyone! Let's examine the scene!" 🔍
The newly expanded Detective Boys group gathered around the chalk box. Ayumi watched as each of her friends contributed their skills to the investigation.
Mitsuhiko immediately started taking notes. "So we know that red, blue, and yellow chalk are missing, but all other colors remain."
"Maybe someone just really likes those colors?" Genta suggested, scratching his head.
Conan was examining the chalk box carefully, looking for any clues. Haibara stood back and observed the scene with her usual analytical expression.
But it was Sora who made the first real breakthrough.
The quiet girl knelt down beside the chalk box and studied its contents with intense focus. After a moment, she looked up with a thoughtful expression.
"Ayumi-chan," she said softly. "I think there's a pattern here."
"A pattern?" Ayumi asked excitedly, crouching down next to her new friend.
"Yes. Red, blue, and yellow—these aren't just random colors. They're the three primary colors," Sora explained. "In color theory, these are the most important colors because you can mix them to create all other colors." 🎨
Ayumi's eyes widened. "So whoever took them knows about art!"
"That's a great observation!" Mitsuhiko said admiringly. "Someone with knowledge of color theory would know that primary colors are the most valuable."
Sora wasn't finished with her analysis. She stood up and began examining the area around the chalk box. "Ayumi-chan, look here," she said, pointing to the floor near the supply cabinet.
Ayumi looked where Sora was pointing and gasped. There were tiny specks of colored dust on the floor—chalk dust!
"It's a trail!" Ayumi exclaimed. "The person who took the chalk left a trail of chalk dust behind them!"
Riku bounced excitedly. "We're like real detectives! This is so cool!"
"Everyone, let's follow the trail and see where it leads," Ayumi declared, feeling very proud to be leading such an important investigation.
The group of seven children carefully followed the faint trail of chalk dust. It led out of the art room, down the hallway, and toward the older students' section of the school. 👣
As they walked, Ayumi noticed how naturally the twins fit into their detective work. Sora moved quietly and observed everything carefully, while Riku kept everyone's spirits up with his enthusiasm.
The trail led them to a stairwell that was rarely used by elementary students. There, sitting on the steps with tears in her eyes, was an older girl—probably a fourth or fifth grader. In front of her was a large piece of paper with a beautiful, half-finished drawing. 😢
"Um, excuse me," Ayumi said gently, approaching the older student. "Are you okay?"
The girl looked up, startled. When she saw the group of younger children, her face turned red with embarrassment.
"Oh no," she whispered. "You found me."
Ayumi's detective instincts told her this was their chalk thief, but her kind heart was more concerned with why the girl looked so sad.
"What are you drawing?" she asked, sitting down beside the older student.
"It's... it's supposed to be a welcome mural," the girl admitted quietly. "For the new transfer students in the elementary classes. I heard there were two new kids starting today, and I wanted to make something special to welcome them."
Ayumi looked at the drawing and gasped. It was beautiful! The girl had used the red, blue, and yellow chalk to create a stunning rainbow design with the words "Welcome to Teitan Elementary" written in decorative letters. ✨
"But I was too embarrassed to ask permission to borrow the chalk," the girl continued. "I thought I could just use a little bit and return it before anyone noticed. I'm really sorry!"
Riku stepped forward with his bright smile. "You made this for us?"
The older girl looked confused. "For you?"
"We're the new transfer students," Sora explained gently. "Tsukishiro Sora and Tsukishiro Riku."
The girl's eyes went wide. "Really? Oh no, and here you are catching me stealing chalk to make you a welcome sign! I'm so embarrassed!" 😅
But Ayumi was already smiling widely. "This is the sweetest thing ever! You made this beautiful picture just to welcome our new friends!"
"It really is amazing artwork," Mitsuhiko added. "Your use of primary colors to create the rainbow effect shows excellent understanding of color theory."
"And the lettering is so fancy!" Genta said admiringly.
The older girl looked around at all the younger children, surprised by their kindness. "You're not mad at me for taking the chalk?"
"Well," Sora said thoughtfully, "taking things without permission isn't right. But your intention was very kind. And now we know why only the primary colors were missing—you needed just those three to mix all the other colors for your rainbow."
Ayumi nodded enthusiastically. "That's what makes you so smart, Sora-chan! You figured out the pattern!"
Riku was practically bouncing with excitement. "This is the best welcome present ever! Can we help you finish it?"
"Really?" the older girl asked hopefully.
"Of course!" Ayumi declared. "But first, let's go tell Yamada-sensei what happened. I'm sure he'll let you borrow the chalk officially if you explain about the welcome mural."
As the group headed back toward the art room, Ayumi felt incredibly happy. Not only had they solved their first mystery with the twins, but they'd also helped someone and made a new friend in the process. 😊
"Sora-chan," she said as they walked, "that was amazing detective work! How did you figure out the pattern so quickly?"
Sora smiled—a small, genuine smile that made her serious expression soften. "I just tried to think logically about what kind of person would need those specific colors. Sometimes the answer is simpler than it first appears."
Ayumi was impressed. Having the twins in their Detective Boys group was going to make their investigations so much more exciting! 🌟
Part 4: Sora's Brilliant Deduction 💡
After school, the Detective Boys gathered in their classroom to celebrate solving the chalk mystery. Conan sat at his desk, but his mind wasn't on the celebration—he was completely focused on what he'd just witnessed from Tsukishiro Sora. 🤔
Her deductive reasoning had been extraordinary. Too extraordinary for a normal seven-year-old.
"Sora-chan, that was incredible!" Ayumi was saying, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "The way you figured out the pattern with the primary colors was so smart!"
Genta nodded enthusiastically while munching on a snack. "Yeah! And then you found the chalk dust trail like a real detective!"
Mitsuhiko was practically glowing with excitement. "Your logical approach to the problem was very impressive, Tsukishiro-san. You identified the pattern, analyzed the evidence, and made accurate deductions."
Sora accepted the praise with a small, modest smile. "Thank you, everyone. I just tried to think about it step by step."
But Conan wasn't satisfied with that explanation. He'd been solving mysteries for years, both as Shinichi and as Conan, and he recognized advanced analytical skills when he saw them. Sora's approach hadn't been the simple logic of a bright child—it had been the systematic methodology of someone trained in investigation. 🔍
"Sora-chan," he said carefully, "that was really amazing reasoning. Where did you learn to think like that?"
Sora and Riku exchanged one of their quick, meaningful glances. Conan was becoming very familiar with that look—it happened whenever someone asked them about their background or training.
"We had very good teachers," Sora replied diplomatically.
"What kind of teachers?" Conan pressed gently. In his experience, being vague usually meant there was something to hide.
Riku jumped in to help his sister. "Akari-san and Yuzu-san taught us lots of things! They're really smart!"
"They taught us problem-solving techniques," Sora added. "How to observe carefully and think through problems logically."
Haibara, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "That level of analytical thinking requires extensive training. What else did they teach you?"
Another glance between the twins.
"Oh, lots of subjects," Riku said cheerfully. "Languages, science, history, mathematics—"
"Physical fitness and... safety awareness," Sora added carefully.
Conan's detective instincts were going crazy. "Safety awareness" was an interesting way to describe what sounded suspiciously like self-defense or security training. Combined with the high-tech security he'd witnessed at their mansion that morning, he was becoming more and more convinced that these twins were far from ordinary. 🚨
"You must have had very advanced tutoring," Mitsuhiko said admiringly. "Private education can provide such wonderful opportunities."
"Yes," Sora agreed simply, clearly not wanting to elaborate.
Conan decided to try a different approach. "The way you analyzed the chalk theft—looking for patterns, examining physical evidence, making logical deductions—that's exactly how professional investigators work."
Sora's expression remained calm, but Conan noticed her posture become slightly more guarded. "I suppose logical thinking is useful in many situations."
"But most seven-year-olds don't think to look for chalk dust traces," Conan pointed out. "That's forensic awareness."
"Conan-kun," Haibara said quietly, and he recognized the warning tone in her voice. She was telling him not to push too hard.
But Riku, perhaps not realizing how much his sister wanted to avoid the topic, spoke up enthusiastically. "Akari-san always tells us to pay attention to small details! She says you never know when noticing something tiny might be really important. She teaches us to look for things like—"
"Riku," Sora said quietly, and her brother immediately stopped talking.
Conan caught the exchange and filed it away. Akari—that was the serious-looking maid he'd seen that morning. She was teaching them to notice small details for safety reasons. Combined with their earlier mention of "physical education," the picture was becoming clearer. 🧩
"Well, however you learned it, you're really good at detective work!" Ayumi said happily. "I'm so glad you're part of our Detective Boys team now!"
"Thank you for including us," Sora said warmly. "We're looking forward to working with all of you."
Genta stretched and yawned. "All this detective work made me hungry! When do we get to visit your house, Sora-chan? I bet you have great snacks!"
"Would you like to come over now?" Riku asked excitedly. "Yuzu-san always makes the best cookies, and we have a really cool house!"
The twins looked at each other again—another silent communication.
"If you'd like to visit, you're very welcome," Sora said formally. "Though our home is... rather large."
Conan perked up immediately. This was exactly the opportunity he'd been hoping for. Seeing where the twins lived might give him more clues about their mysterious background. 🏠
"That sounds great!" Ayumi said enthusiastically.
"I'd love to see your house," Mitsuhiko added. "And meet your guardians!"
Haibara nodded quietly, clearly just as curious as Conan about these mysterious newcomers.
As they packed up their school bags, Conan reflected on what he'd learned so far. The twins were highly intelligent, extremely well-educated, and had received training that went far beyond normal tutoring. They were careful about what information they shared, and they lived with guardians who taught them "safety awareness" and attention to detail. 🤓
Most telling of all, they lived in a mansion with security that looked more appropriate for protecting government officials than two children.
Whatever the Tsukishiro twins were hiding, Conan was determined to figure it out. In his experience, children with that level of training and security were usually connected to something dangerous—and danger had a way of finding everyone around them.
As they left the classroom together, Conan made a mental note to stay alert. His peaceful school life in Beika was about to become much more complicated. 😊
But he had to admit, having someone with Sora's analytical skills as a classmate could be very interesting. As long as whatever secrets she and Riku were hiding didn't put the Detective Boys in danger.
He had no idea how wrong that assumption was going to be.
Part 5: New Friendships and Hidden Questions 🤝
The expanded Detective Boys group walked through the streets of Beika together, chatting excitedly about their solved mystery and their new friends. The afternoon sun cast long shadows as they made their way through the residential area, with Sora and Riku leading the way toward their home. 🌅
"I still can't believe how smart you are, Sora-chan!" Ayumi said, practically skipping alongside her new friend. "The way you figured out that pattern was like magic!"
"It wasn't magic," Sora replied with a small smile. "Just observation and logic."
"Don't be so modest, Sora-nee!" Riku laughed, walking backwards so he could face the group while talking. "You're really amazing at solving puzzles!"
Genta was already thinking about snacks. "You said your guardian makes great cookies? What kind of cookies?" 🍪
"All kinds," Riku said enthusiastically. "Yuzu-san is an incredible cook! She makes these chocolate chip cookies that are better than anything you can buy in stores!"
Mitsuhiko adjusted his glasses thoughtfully. "I'm very curious to meet your guardians. They sound like remarkable educators."
As they walked, the neighborhood gradually changed. The houses became larger and more expensive-looking. The streets were wider and lined with beautiful trees. Conan noticed that there were fewer people around—this was clearly a very wealthy, private area of Beika. 🏘️
"We're almost there," Sora said quietly.
They turned one final corner, and suddenly Ayumi stopped walking. Her mouth fell open in amazement.
"That's... that's your house?" she whispered. 😲
In front of them stood the massive mansion that Conan had seen that morning, but seeing it from the front entrance was even more impressive. The building was a beautiful mix of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design, with elegant curved rooflines and large windows that sparkled in the afternoon light. The mansion was surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens and protected by tall iron gates with intricate metalwork. ✨
"It's like a palace!" Genta exclaimed loudly.
"It's so beautiful," Mitsuhiko said, staring in awe.
Haibara said nothing, but Conan could see her analytical gaze taking in every detail—the high walls, the security cameras that were discretely placed around the perimeter, and the sophisticated electronic locks on the gates.
Sora walked up to a small panel beside the gates and placed her hand on what looked like a palm scanner. There was a soft beep, and the gates swung open silently. 🔐
"Please, come in," she said, as if opening massive security gates with palm scanners was the most normal thing in the world.
The Detective Boys followed the twins through the gates and up a long, winding path through the gardens. Ayumi couldn't stop staring at everything—the perfectly trimmed hedges, the small bridges over decorative streams, and the traditional stone lanterns that lined the walkway.
"This place is incredible," she breathed.
As they approached the main entrance of the mansion, the front doors opened before they could even reach them. Two familiar figures stepped out—the elegant maids Conan had seen that morning.
The first was the older woman with long black hair tied back in a perfect ponytail. She wore a crisp black and white maid uniform and moved with the graceful precision of someone highly trained. Her dark eyes were kind but alert as she looked at the group of children.
The second was younger, with warm brown hair in a bob cut and a cheerful expression. Her maid uniform was identical to the first woman's, but she had small, colorful accessories—hair clips and socks that added a touch of personality to her formal appearance.
"Welcome home, Sora-sama, Riku-sama," the older woman said with a respectful bow.
"And welcome to all of your new friends," the younger woman added with a bright smile. 😊
"Everyone," Sora said formally, "these are our guardians. Kanzaki Akari-san and Kanzaki Yuzu-san."
Akari stepped forward and bowed politely to the Detective Boys. "It is an honor to meet Sora-sama and Riku-sama's new classmates. Please, come inside."
Yuzu bounced forward with excitement. "Oh, you must be the famous Detective Boys we've heard so much about! I'm so happy to finally meet you!"
As they entered the mansion, Ayumi felt like she was walking into a fairy tale. The entrance hall had soaring ceilings, a grand staircase with polished wooden railings, and beautiful artwork on the walls. Everything was elegant and perfect, but somehow still felt warm and welcoming. 🏰
"Please, make yourselves comfortable in the sitting room," Akari said, leading them to a spacious room with large windows overlooking the gardens. "I'll prepare some refreshments."
"I'll help!" Yuzu said cheerfully, practically bouncing as she followed Akari toward what must be the kitchen.
As the children settled onto the comfortable sofas, Conan took the opportunity to observe everything carefully. The sitting room was filled with expensive furniture and decorations, but what caught his attention were the small details that most people wouldn't notice.
The windows had reinforced glass. There were discreet security cameras in the corners of the room. And most interesting of all, he spotted what looked like hidden panels in the walls—probably concealing additional security systems. 🔒
"Your house is amazing!" Genta said loudly, bouncing on the sofa cushions.
"Thank you," Sora replied politely. "Our family has lived here for... some time."
"How long have Akari-san and Yuzu-san taken care of you?" Mitsuhiko asked curiously.
"Since we were babies," Riku answered. "They're like our big sisters!"
Yuzu returned carrying a tray of the most delicious-looking cookies Ayumi had ever seen, along with glasses of cold milk and fresh fruit juice. The cookies were still warm and smelled like heaven. 🍪✨
"These look incredible!" Ayumi said as she carefully took a cookie.
"Yuzu-san is the best cook in the world," Riku declared, already reaching for his second cookie.
As they enjoyed their snacks, Conan found himself studying Akari more carefully. She moved with the fluid grace of someone trained in martial arts, and he noticed she unconsciously positioned herself where she could see all the entrances to the room. Her eyes constantly scanned their surroundings—not in a paranoid way, but with the automatic awareness of a professional bodyguard. 👀
"Akari-san," he said politely, "Sora-chan mentioned that you taught them problem-solving techniques. What kind of teaching background do you have?"
Akari's expression remained perfectly pleasant, but Conan caught a brief moment of calculation in her eyes before she answered.
"I have studied various subjects," she said diplomatically. "Education, languages, and... practical life skills."
"Practical life skills?" Haibara asked quietly.
"Safety awareness, physical fitness, situational awareness," Akari explained. "In today's world, it's important for children to be prepared for various situations."
Conan's detective instincts were screaming that "situational awareness" was a polite way of saying "security training," but he didn't want to push too hard in front of the other kids.
"You must be very well educated to teach so many subjects," Mitsuhiko said admiringly.
"Akari-san knows everything!" Riku said proudly. "She speaks like five languages fluently!"
"Riku," Sora said quietly—another one of those gentle warnings.
But Akari just smiled. "Languages are useful skills. And Yuzu-san is excellent with technology and creative subjects."
As if summoned by her name, Yuzu appeared with more snacks and a bright smile. "Are you children enjoying your visit?"
"It's wonderful!" Ayumi said enthusiastically. "Thank you for the delicious cookies!"
"You're very welcome. I love cooking for Sora-sama and Riku-sama's friends," Yuzu replied warmly.
As the afternoon continued, the Detective Boys felt more and more comfortable in the twins' home. Sora and Riku were perfect hosts, and their guardians were kind and welcoming. But Conan couldn't shake his growing certainty that there was much more to this family than met the eye. 🧐
When it was time to leave, Akari walked them to the front gates personally.
"Edogawa-kun," she said quietly, pulling Conan aside while the other children were saying goodbye. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
Conan looked up at her, suddenly very aware that this woman could probably spot his true nature if she was as well-trained as he suspected. "Yes, Akari-san?"
"Sora-sama and Riku-sama are... special children," she said carefully. "They have not had many opportunities to make friends their own age. I hope you will look out for them at school."
It was phrased as a request, but Conan heard the deeper meaning. Akari was asking him to protect the twins, which suggested they might need protection. 🛡️
"Of course," he replied. "They're our friends now."
Akari studied his face for a moment, and Conan had the unsettling feeling that she was seeing much more than a seven-year-old boy.
"Thank you," she said simply. "I believe you understand the importance of taking care of one's friends."
As the Detective Boys walked away from the mansion, chattering excitedly about their amazing afternoon, Conan's mind was racing. Everything he'd seen and heard confirmed his suspicions—the Tsukishiro twins were hiding something big. Their guardians were clearly more than maids, their home was more secure than most government buildings, and their education went far beyond normal tutoring. 🤔
Most concerning of all, Akari's request suggested that the twins might be in some kind of danger.
"That was the best day ever!" Ayumi declared as they reached the end of the wealthy neighborhood. "I'm so happy Sora-chan and Riku-kun are our friends now!"
"They're really nice," Genta agreed. "And those cookies were amazing!"
"Their guardians seem very dedicated," Mitsuhiko observed. "It must be wonderful to have such attentive care."
Haibara walked quietly beside Conan. As the other children chatted, she spoke to him in a voice too low for them to hear.
"They're hiding something significant," she said simply.
"I know," Conan replied just as quietly. "The question is what—and whether it's going to put everyone in danger."
As they reached the familiar streets of their own neighborhood, Conan looked back toward the direction of the Tsukishiro mansion. Whatever secrets Sora and Riku were keeping, he was determined to uncover the truth.
But for now, he was just happy that the Detective Boys had gained two new members—even if those members came with more mysteries than answers. 😊
He had no idea that at that very moment, several very dangerous people were already planning to find out the twins' secrets as well.
End of Chapter 1 ✨
Next Chapter Preview: The annual Teitan Elementary sports festival is coming up, and Riku's incredible athletic abilities are about to be put on full display. But someone else will be watching from the shadows—a mysterious figure with binoculars who's very interested in the twins' unusual skills... 👀🏃♂️