The moment Mouri Kogoro heard she was here to hire him, he immediately ushered Yoko Okino to the sofa, once again completely ignoring the fact that Takayanagi Ichiro had been the one to bring her.
Ran gave Ichiro an apologetic smile—after all, it was thanks to him that such a high-profile client was here.
She knew very well that without Ichiro's introduction, a celebrity like Yoko would never have sought out her father's services. In her eyes, the one most deserving of thanks right now was Ichiro.
Conan, however, felt a bit pleased. If Mouri Kogoro dismissed Ichiro as unimportant, then Ichiro would have less reason to keep coming around the detective agency.
Ichiro could read the smugness in Conan's expression. Placing a hand on the boy's head, he said, "Kid, my lending business is legal and aboveboard. Even if you bring in those police officers you know, they can't touch me."
The remark caught Ran off guard—he was speaking to Conan as though addressing an adult.
"Conan, do you know other police officers?" Ran asked curiously.
Conan instantly realized she was suspicious and quickly replied in a childish tone, "You mean Inspector Megure and Officer Takagi? Yesterday was the first time I met them."
Ran accepted the explanation. Ichiro didn't expose him either, because just then Mouri Kogoro's loud voice rang out from deeper in the office.
"Ichiro, did Yoko Okino come here to take out a loan from you and now wants me to investigate your background?"
"Cough, cough!" Ran coughed hard to stop him.
"What's wrong, Ran?" Kogoro looked over at his daughter—only to spot his creditor, Takayanagi Ichiro, standing beside her with a grin.
"Detective Mouri, I didn't expect you'd be interested in digging into me."
Realizing Ichiro had been in the office the whole time and had heard everything, Kogoro panicked and laughed awkwardly. "No, no, nothing like that! I'm just saying I'll handle whatever request Yoko-san has."
Yoko handed him a signed board, then said, "This request has nothing to do with Ichiro-san. Recently, my apartment has often been disturbed—things moved around, and I've been receiving strange photographs from my events and performances. It's making me uneasy."
"A stalker and an intruder?" Kogoro's expression turned serious—this was, after all, Yoko Okino's case.
"Something like that. I haven't suffered any real harm or loss yet, which is why, through Ichiro-san's introduction, we thought to have you investigate discreetly."
"Then we should head to your apartment right away. This can't be delayed," Kogoro said decisively.
"Alright." Yoko and Yamagishi were pleased with his promptness and stood to lead the way.
"Dad, I want to come too. I've never seen an idol's home," Ran requested.
Partly, she was curious about a celebrity's private life; partly, she wanted to keep an eye on her father to ensure he didn't mess up—especially with a case from a star he adored.
"I don't mind," Yoko agreed.
"Then maybe Ichiro-san could watch Conan for me? I'll come get him when the case is over," Ran suggested.
Unfortunately, Conan was entirely uncooperative. Using every bit of childish stubbornness, he insisted on going to Yoko's apartment.
In the end, Yamagishi agreed to keep an eye on him and glanced at Ichiro.
Ichiro walked to the agency's window, making a show of looking toward his own home—though in reality, he was watching the street below, where a group of kids' actions caught his eye.
"I think I have something to take care of on my end. I'll sit this one out," Ichiro said.
Yamagishi quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
A detective like Kogoro, accompanied by Ran and a child, could still be explained away as a normal gathering. But if Ichiro got involved, the situation could easily spiral out of control.
With Ichiro voluntarily stepping back, Yamagishi quickly said, "When the matter's resolved, I'll visit again to thank you."
With that settled, the group left the agency and crossed the street to the building below Ichiro's home to get to Yamagishi's car—parked there since earlier, ready for departure.
(End of Chapter)
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