After getting hit by Ran's slipper, Kogoro Mouri sobered up considerably. Without a word of complaint, he meekly straightened his clothes, smoothed his hair, and stood up to offer Shiraishi E a handshake with a smile. "Ah! So you're the Shiraishi-kun that Ran is always talking about!"
"Thank you for taking care of my Ran. This kid... she's a bit rough around the edges, so please bear with her."
"Ran is very gentle, not rough at all," Shiraishi E said, forgoing the handshake and instead placing the gift directly into Kogoro's hands. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Mouri. This is a small gift."
"Huh? A gift? You're much more polite than that brat Shinichi!" Kogoro Mouri said, surprised and not missing the chance to belittle Shinichi. He glanced at the bag and his expression brightened even more. "Shiraishi-kun, please, have a seat. Ran, hurry and get your classmate... actually, I'll do it!"
With that, Kogoro Mouri turned and headed towards the kitchenette. This scene left Ran speechless, feeling that her father was being far too materialistic. As his daughter, she couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Shiraishi-kun. My dad... he's had a bit too much to drink," Ran said, trying to explain but not knowing how, her face red with shame.
Shiraishi E waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind. "It's fine to have a drink at home... as long as it doesn't interfere with work."
"Exactly!" Kogoro Mouri emerged from the kitchenette. "There's no work anyway! What's wrong with having a drink? When have I ever let drinking get in the way of my job?"
He placed a freshly brewed cup of tea in front of Shiraishi E. Ran wanted to say more, but considering her father's pride, she kept quiet and started cleaning the office.
Kogoro Mouri took out the bottle of sake. "Shiraishi-kun, how long have you been practicing karate?"
"Hmm, not too long," Shiraishi E said, taking a sip of tea.
Ran, while tidying up, added, "Even though it hasn't been long, Shiraishi-kun is amazing! I'm no match for him! It's a shame he doesn't want to join the karate club, otherwise, I wouldn't be the captain."
"That skilled, huh?" Kogoro Mouri was surprised, pouring himself half a glass of sake.
"It's nothing compared to you, Mr. Mouri," Shiraishi E smiled. "Your record of hitting 20 bullseyes at the police academy still stands, doesn't it?"
"Hmm?" Kogoro Mouri, who was just about to lift his glass, put it down immediately, looking at Shiraishi E with astonishment. "You've... heard stories about me?"
"I've heard a little," Shiraishi E said calmly. "I also heard that your judo skills are incredible, Mr. Mouri, and that almost no one is your match. It's a pity you chose to resign after that one case... otherwise, you would probably be a famous detective in the Metropolitan Police Department by now."
Ran, who was cleaning nearby, heard this and expressed serious doubt. "Shiraishi-kun, are you sure you got your facts right? My dad isn't that amazing!!"
"He's not wrong! Your old man was amazing when he was young!" Kogoro Mouri huffed proudly. Seeing that Ran was about to argue, he cut her off. "Alright, alright, it's getting late! Go make dinner."
Ran checked the wall clock. It was almost six. "Ah, I'll go make dinner now. Dad, make sure you entertain Shiraishi-kun well!" she said quickly. She then grabbed the groceries and hurried upstairs.
After Ran left, Shiraishi E said, "It must not be easy raising a daughter all by yourself, Mr. Mouri."
"You have no idea. I don't know how I've managed all these years," Kogoro Mouri shook his head and downed his drink in one go. He then looked at Shiraishi E with a strange expression, feeling that the young man had a maturity beyond his years.
Shiraishi E had already prepared his story. "My parents passed away in a car accident not long ago... I've been taking care of myself since then. It's hard enough for me to look after myself, let alone you having to take care of a child so young."
Kogoro Mouri accepted this explanation. After all, losing a loved one can make a person mature quickly. He said nothing, just silently picked up the bottle and started pouring sake into Shiraishi E's cup. Halfway through, Kogoro realized the boy was still a student and quickly stopped. "Ah, sorry, sorry! I forgot you're still in school."
"It's fine, I drink at home often," Shiraishi E said nonchalantly, taking the cup and drinking.
Kogoro then remembered that the boy had bought the alcohol himself. If he could buy it, why wouldn't he drink it?
"Heh, you kid!" Kogoro Mouri laughed happily. He was about to pour more when he started to worry. "Wait, if Ran finds out I gave you alcohol..."
"Don't worry, I'll say I wanted to drink it myself," Shiraishi E said, taking the bottle and pouring himself another glass.
"Haha, you're alright, kid! I like you a lot more than that Shinichi guy," Kogoro Mouri laughed heartily. He loved people who were unconventional!
Shiraishi E smiled. He had already been working before he transmigrated. He was no longer that clear-eyed university student and couldn't really connect with high schoolers like Ran. On the other hand, he found a kindred spirit in a world-weary, middle-aged man like Kogoro Mouri.
After dinner, Shiraishi E said his goodbyes. Kogoro Mouri, who had rarely found someone to talk to, couldn't help but say, "Shiraishi-kun, you must come over often!!"
"Yes, I will when I have time," Shiraishi E nodded and left.
Ran watched Shiraishi E walk away without stumbling and felt relieved enough to let him go home. She then looked at Kogoro Mouri with a hint of resentment. "Dad! How could you let Shiraishi-kun drink? He's not of legal drinking age yet!"
"He wanted to drink it himself, what does it have to do with me?" Kogoro Mouri quickly pleaded innocence and reminded her, "Don't forget, he's the one who brought the alcohol!"
"That..." Ran was momentarily at a loss for words. She felt her father had a point. After all... Shiraishi-kun was not a model student. He had even considered kidnapping Sonoko.
Kogoro Mouri rubbed his chin and suddenly said, "By the way, Ran. Are you thinking about dating anyone right now?"
"Ah? Dad... you... why are you suddenly asking about this?" Ran was caught off guard by the question.
Kogoro Mouri chuckled. "I don't think dating in high school is such a big deal... I think this Shiraishi-kun of yours is a pretty good catch. If you don't make a move soon, you might miss your chance!"
"Dad!!" Ran said, her face flushing red. "Don't misunderstand, Shiraishi-kun and I are just ordinary friends!! Don't think of it that way!"
Kogoro Mouri pressed on, "At least try going out with him. Maybe you'll grow to like him? Besides, if you don't like him, you can always break up!"
"I think you just want someone to drink with!!" Ran huffed, seeing right through her father's intentions.
"Hehe," Kogoro Mouri laughed sheepishly. "Fine, you don't have to date him, but... you should bring him over for dinner more often! Don't you think it's pitiful for him to eat dinner all alone at home?"
Ran said irritably, "Shinichi is also home alone! Does that mean he's pitiful too?"
"Then bring him over too, how about that!" Kogoro Mouri conceded.
Ran looked at her dad, speechless, wondering what kind of magic potion Shiraishi E had given him to make him so fond of the boy.
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (114 Chapter (Simulpub-Full) )
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (250 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (225 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (90 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (100 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (270 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (98 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (120 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(59 Chapter)
Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (150 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (120 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (80 Chapter)
Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (50 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (80 Chapter)
My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (90 Chapter)
Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (80 Chapter)
Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (65 Chapter)
The Wild History of Type-Moon world (50 Chapter)
Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (60 Chapter)
Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (60 Chapter)
Just a Slacker at Tracen Academy (43 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.