At Dr. Agasa's house.
"You finally robbed a bank?" Ai tilted her head, glancing at the briefcase full of ten-thousand-yen bills.
I knew it—this day was coming...
"I'm a model citizen of Mikan Town; I never break the law." Tsuneo flicked her forehead.
As a scientist, you can question my appetite, but never my character!
Just wait—the third Best Repairman award will be mine!
"Oh!"
"I remember now. You mentioned this afternoon that you'd pick up a reward tonight." Dr. Agasa recalled their repair outing earlier.
But this reward is way too much...
"Pisco?" Miyano stood aside, rubbing her little sister's head with a smile.
Only Mr. Tsuneo can handle Shiho; I can't at all.
"Yeah, and tonight I learned something interesting."
Tsuneo thought of the female CEO shot dead in the park.
Who knew the organization was behind it.
First target down—likely more to come: second, third, fourth.
"Don't dwell on it..." After a pause, Ai looked into Tsuneo's eyes seriously.
Some things you shouldn't meddle in or get curious about.
Not you, not that Edogawa guy.
Chasing it leads nowhere good.
The antidote has a direction now—no need for extras.
"I notice whenever the black organization comes up, she burrows under the covers and hides her head." Tsuneo watched her turn away, telling Dr. Agasa and Miyano.
"That's right." Dr. Agasa nodded with a laugh.
That organization isn't easy to deal with.
"Mm..." Miyano agreed with her sister.
But some things aren't that simple.
Even if the antidote succeeds, these kids can't live openly...
"Oh, keep tonight secret from that guy!" Tsuneo reminded.
Meaning the dog-headed detective.
Smart, but hot-blooded.
If he uncovers more targets, chaos could ensue.
He can't watch people die.
"Got it, but why give me all this money..." Dr. Agasa glared at the stack of bills.
"Call it my meal fees!" Tsuneo patted the fat old man's shoulder with a grin.
"Nonsense! I charge for food?!"
The doctor looked angry, unusually serious.
"Just pocket change; don't overthink." The repairman checked his phone for a text.
Weird clients always...
"Pocket change?"
"With money, buy a house first?"
"Then think marriage, kids—expenses everywhere..."
Dr. Agasa broached new topics.
"No problem; I can rob a bank then."
"Absurd!"
Miyano smiled from the side, watching the old and young bicker.
It's been a while...
...
Next day.
Teitan Elementary, familiar classroom.
Conan opened his bag, pulled out snacks Tsuneo asked him to deliver, and shared with the Detective Boys.
"Quite generous!" Ai chuckled.
Yeah, getting the repairman to help with cash is easy, but food? Harder than climbing heaven!
"Right..." Conan shrugged as the kids bragged.
He didn't even save me any...
"Conan, did Brother Tsuneo strike it rich?" Genta eyed the foreign-labeled bag curiously.
Days ago, he promised eel rice.
"Yeah, he had the doctor buy premium beef for weekend camping." Ai nodded.
"Wow!"
The three crowded in.
"Hey..." Conan turned.
How do I not know this?
Met Tsuneo with Ran in the park this morning—he said nothing.
What else are you hiding...
"You're busy investigating, right?" Ai told the kids the plans, then smiled at Conan.
That CEO murder must be tough.
"Police still investigating—no clues."
"No suspects even."
The detective sighed; he'd called the hall in Tsuneo's voice—nothing.
"Speaking of, maybe he found a rich family to marry into?" Conan chin-propped, smirking.
Feels possible somehow.
"Hear that, no good juice for you!" Ai eyed his butt mischievously.
It'll swell for sure...
Yeah, I'll tell him!
"Hey, learn something good?" Conan shifted uncomfortably.
"Conan, calling Brother Tsuneo 'that guy' is rude!"
"Yeah!"
"Conan's awful."
The snacking trio lectured the detective.
Conan: ...
Bought-off traitors.
These are from my parents...
"Hehe, some need better lessons." Ai pulled out her textbook, flipping boredly.
"You three want snacks forever?"
The scientist eyed the boys.
"I-I get it." Genta felt her glare like his mom's...
"Haibara can be scary."
Back in seats, Mitsuhiko whispered to Genta.
"Yeah, maybe two faces..." Genta nodded.
The night-transforming kind...
"That bad?" Ayumi thought Ai gentle to her.
"Yeah, Brother Tsuneo said last time..." Genta lowered voice for secrets.
Then a voice behind:
"What did he say." Ai arms crossed, staring at the caught whisperers.
"M-Mitsuhiko, nice weather!"
"Sure is!"
Conan glanced at the gloomy sky.
Idiots...
(Chapter end)
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