"I haven't known Sonoko for very long, and we haven't spent much time together, so I don't know her well enough yet," Shiraishi E said, tactfully sidestepping Ran's question.
"That's true," Ran nodded knowingly, a sly look in her eyes. "So... that means you don't dislike Sonoko, right?"
"No, of course I don't dislike her," Shiraishi E replied, not noticing the expression on Ran's face.
When they reached the intersection, he didn't part ways with Ran but continued along her route home.
"Huh? Aren't you going home?" Ran asked curiously.
"I am, but I need to stop by the supermarket first," Shiraishi E replied. For the past few days, he had been searching for a restaurant near his home that suited his taste to solve his dinner problem. However, after trying them all, he still couldn't find one he was satisfied with. Left with no choice, he had to start cooking for himself.
Ran initially thought Shiraishi E was just going to the supermarket to buy a bento box to heat up in the microwave at home. But when she saw him skillfully picking out various fruits, vegetables, and meats, she was a little surprised. "Shiraishi-kun, are you going to cook your own dinner?"
"Yeah," Shiraishi E nodded casually, not thinking it was a big deal.
"That's amazing!" Ran praised him repeatedly. "Shinichi can't cook at all. He just buys bento boxes and heats them up at home! He even says he doesn't want to waste time on dinner."
Hearing Ran say this, Shiraishi E paused. He finally realized he had transmigrated, and some things that were perfectly normal for him seemed extraordinary in this country. He hadn't expected to be praised for something as simple as being able to cook dinner.
At that moment, Ran suddenly had an idea and repeatedly invited Shiraishi E, "Shiraishi-kun, would you like to come to my place for dinner tonight?"
"Hmm?" Shiraishi E was surprised. He hadn't expected Ran to invite him to her house for dinner.
"You've been teaching me karate, so I wanted to treat you to a meal to say thank you," Ran said, a little embarrassed. She felt she was taking advantage of him since he was teaching her so diligently and she hadn't given anything in return.
Shiraishi E was about to say that treating him to afternoon tea would be enough, but then he remembered that Ran's allowance wasn't large, and they didn't have time for afternoon tea right now. Besides, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get to know Kogoro Mouri in advance. After all, most of the cases in Conan were related to him.
With this in mind, he nodded and accepted.
"That's great!" Ran cheered happily, glad she could do something in return. She thoughtfully asked, "So, Shiraishi-kun, is there any type of food you like?"
"Yes, Chinese food," Shiraishi E said. Thinking of the butchered versions of Chinese cuisine in the local restaurants, he added, "Authentic Chinese food. Do you know how to make it?"
"I do! I learned online before," Ran nodded confidently. "Then I'll pick a few of my best Chinese dishes!!"
Eager to show off her skills, she started picking out ingredients. After about fifteen minutes, she was satisfied and went to the checkout counter to pay.
However, after leaving the supermarket, she had only taken a few steps when Shiraishi E called out to her, "Ran, wait a minute."
"Hmm? Is there something else?" Ran stopped, holding the groceries.
"I'm waiting for a friend," Shiraishi E said, looking back at the supermarket.
Just then, an office worker came out, carrying a bag. Shiraishi E walked up to him, handed him some cash, and took the bag, thanking him.
He returned to Ran's side and said, "Alright, let's go."
"What's this?" Ran asked, curiously glancing at the bag as they walked.
"I bought a little gift for Mr. Mouri." Shiraishi E certainly wouldn't go empty-handed.
"The shape... could it be... alcohol?" Ran had a vague guess.
"Yeah," Shiraishi E admitted openly.
Ran now understood his earlier action. She said in surprise, "You... you had someone else buy you alcohol?"
"Yes." Seeing Ran's hesitant expression, Shiraishi E immediately said, "This is for Mr. Mouri to drink. I won't have any."
Reassured by this, she breathed a sigh of relief. However, her strong sense of justice and morality compelled her to say, "But... Shiraishi-kun, what you're doing is illegal. If the police caught you..."
Before she could finish, Shiraishi E cut her off. "Ran, you'll keep this a secret for me, right? You wouldn't want to see me get arrested by the police just for buying a gift for your dad, would you?"
Faced with this moral blackmail, Ran was powerless. She said helplessly, "I won't tell... but just this once. You can't do this again!"
"Okay, I promise!" Shiraishi E promised without a second thought. Covering up for someone is like cheating—it's either zero times or countless times.
Arriving at the Mouri Detective Agency, Shiraishi E followed Ran up to the second floor and saw a scruffy Kogoro Mouri. He was lying on the sofa, drinking canned beer and watching TV, his clothes loose and his hair a mess. He looked like a typical disheartened middle-aged man.
The office was also a mess, with cigarette butts, beer cans, files, and crumpled paper scattered everywhere. The air was filled with a mixed smell of alcohol and cigarettes. In short, it was a mess.
"Dad! Didn't I just clean up yesterday? How is it so messy again?!" Ran was shocked. She regretted bringing a classmate over!
"I was looking for some files and accidentally made a mess," Kogoro Mouri said nonchalantly, taking a sip of beer.
"Honestly, can't you clean up after yourself?" Ran's face turned red with embarrassment. She was mortified that her classmate was seeing her home in such a state. She wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.
"There are no clients coming, so why bother cleaning?" Kogoro Mouri said. He then glanced at Shiraishi E standing at the door, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Hmm? Ran, is he... your boyfriend? Why are you dating so early? Didn't I tell you to focus on your studies in high school and not to date?!"
Just as he was starting to get angry, Ran picked up a shoe from the floor and threw it squarely at Kogoro Mouri's face.
She said irritably, "You drink less and stop talking nonsense! This is the classmate I mentioned before, Shiraishi E. He's the one who's been helping me train in karate!!"
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