"What about Keiji Aso's case? Is the police reinvestigating?" Dr. Agasa asked, glancing at the silent Tsuneo.
"Thanks to Mr. Yusaku's connections, the Criminal Division's on it, but it depends on their interrogation skills," Tsuneo said, shaking his head. With Moon Shadow Island's scandal breaking, his black-clad antics were barely noticed—maybe Yusaku pulled strings.
"And Dr. Asai?" Dr. Agasa asked, moved by the doctor's three years of cross-dressing.
"Still on the island, waiting for results. He'll likely return to Tokyo after. The Asai family has parents there," Tsuneo said. His phone rang—a new repair job.
Conan watched the red pickup drive off.
"Doc, do you think…?"
"No issue, Shinichi," Dr. Agasa cut in. The world wasn't black-and-white; sometimes, it needed people like Tsuneo.
"Did he feed you some weird ideas?" Conan shot him a half-lidded glare, annoyed his status had plummeted since Tsuneo arrived in Mihama Town two years ago.
"Nope. By the way, don't you have school today?"
"It's the weekend," Conan said, pulling out homework and scribbling.
Dr. Agasa scratched his head. The last few days felt like endless weekends—he'd lost track.
Unnoticed by all, including Tsuneo, the world was subtly shifting.
…
Under NTV's building, Tsuneo stared, exasperated, at the heavily wrapped-up idol.
Yoko Okino's car had broken down—again!
Seriously, consider a new one.
As Tsuneo inspected the engine, Yoko stood by, hands behind her back. "Mr. Tsuneo, are you free tomorrow?"
"Will the car break again?" he asked, feigning innocence.
"Uh, probably not," Yoko said, tilting her head, unsure.
How would she know?
"If it's something else, that's extra," Tsuneo warned.
"Of course, I'll pay!" Yoko nodded, her clear eyes screaming wealth.
Unlike those housewives, she had no ulterior motives—just wanted to be friends.
"What's tomorrow?" Tsuneo asked, slamming the hood and pocketing her payment.
"My concert tickets," Yoko said, pulling out several from her bag.
"Need a bodyguard?" Tsuneo asked, confused.
"No, I want you and the Mouris to come watch," Yoko said, shaking her head, reaching for her wallet.
"No need. I'm free tomorrow night. I'll drop off the Mouris' tickets," Tsuneo said. Paying him to attend her concert? Too absurd, even for him.
Idols' logic was beyond comprehension.
They parted, and Tsuneo drove to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Ring ring.
Ever law-abiding, he braked hard and pulled over.
"Mr. Tsuneo, I'm returning to Tokyo tomorrow," Narumi's boyish voice said.
"Your father's case resolved?" Tsuneo asked, resting his face on the steering wheel, watching pedestrians cross.
"Yes. Someone confessed during interrogation. I don't know the details, but my father's name is cleared," Narumi said, tears unstoppable.
Killing his family and burning himself? The truth was out.
"Yoko Okino's concert is tomorrow. Want to come? I've got tickets," Tsuneo offered, unsure how to console like Conan, so he changed the subject.
With six or seven tickets, he had spares after the Mouris.
Something in his words made Narumi laugh through tears. "Sure, I'll go."
Hanging up, Tsuneo drove to the agency.
Ran opened the door.
After complimenting her unicorn obsession, Tsuneo sauntered to the bored Kogoro, flashing the concert tickets.
"Yoko!!!" Kogoro leapt up.
"These tickets are useless to me. Wish I could give them away," Tsuneo said, feigning distress.
"Tsuneo, please give them to me!" Kogoro handed him juice, practically begging.
Tsuneo glanced at the clock. "Isn't it dinnertime?"
"Ran, cook everything in the fridge!" Kogoro ordered, knowing Tsuneo's appetite might empty it.
"But Conan's not back," Ran said. She didn't mind feeding Tsuneo but worried about the kid.
"That brat can skip a meal," Kogoro said, pushing her to the kitchen.
"Bit harsh, no?" Tsuneo feigned concern, pretending to leave with the tickets.
"No, no!" Kogoro grabbed his shoulder, eyes gleaming with desire.
…
Over an hour later, as dusk fell, Conan returned.
"Tsuneo-nii, what're you doing here?"
"Eating. Can't you tell?" Tsuneo mumbled through a mouthful of rice.
Conan blinked at Kogoro's unusual warmth—pouring water for Tsuneo. Wrong door?
"Conan, wash up and eat," Ran said, having saved him food.
"Mm!"
After dinner, Tsuneo left three tickets amid Kogoro's profuse thanks.
"Uncle, you really think Tsuneo-nii cares about concerts?" Conan asked, tilting his head. Those front-row seats might get sold.
Yoko called him this afternoon, so the tickets…
"No big deal," Ran said, pinching Conan's nose, smiling to cut off his suspicions.
Let Dad stay clueless.
Kogoro was already bragging on the phone. "Yes, front row! Front row!"
(End of Chapter)
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