Yukiko and Ran couldn't sit still.
The two women immediately stood up and walked outside, leaving behind Eri, who remained calm and composed, sipping the freshly brewed coffee served by Amuro.
Eri and Haibara shared similar temperaments—cool and aloof. Their vibes were strikingly alike.
Ran couldn't help but glance back in surprise seeing her mother hadn't followed.
But Yukiko had already pushed open the door, and Ran trailed right behind her.
The moment they stepped out, they directly intercepted Kogoro and Conan, who had just returned.
Ran grabbed Kogoro's ear.
Yukiko grabbed Conan's.
The little devil Conan instantly turned pale with fear!
Of all the people he didn't want to see right now… it was his mom and Ran—together!
What kind of mental damage was this supposed to be?!
Conan had been speechless since last night.
Kogoro had dragged him to a club in Kabukicho.
Claiming he just wanted to vent a little, Kogoro ended up ordering a bunch of escort girls.
Conan, unfortunately, got swept into the mess—surrounded by women.
Strangely enough, the little devil was incredibly popular.
All the daily humiliation he suffered in front of Akashi seemed nonexistent.
The older girls kept saying he was cute.
He hadn't heard that kind of praise since turning into a child.
He felt like he was floating on air—everyone there looked good, spoke sweetly, and treated him like royalty.
For a moment, he was completely enthralled and couldn't bring himself to leave.
By the time he did, his little face was covered in lipstick marks.
"Dad! How could you? Going is one thing, but dragging Conan with you?!"
Ran twisted Kogoro's ear and began to apply pressure.
But the drunken Kogoro seemed completely numb to the pain.
"Oh, Ran~ You're back! Hahaha!"
"Come on, let's drink some more!"
Wobbling on his feet, Kogoro broke free from Ran's grip and stumbled upstairs.
The club staff quickly followed to assist him.
Ran watched helplessly as her father made a fool of himself.
She turned to look at her mother inside the café, but Eri didn't even glance their way.
Ran had no idea how to even begin cleaning up her father's mess.
As for Conan, he had it worse.
Yukiko gave him a solid knock on the head.
"You went to a place like that too?!"
"Conan, I'm honestly disappointed in you!"
A large red bump formed on Conan's head, but he had no time to worry about it. He frantically waved his hands:
"It's not like that, Ran! I didn't want to go! Uncle Mōri forced me!"
Yukiko, arms crossed and bear plush in hand, sneered.
"You have your own legs. If you didn't want to go, you could've left. Don't act like you were imprisoned."
"And before you say anything else, how about wiping those lipstick marks off your face, hmm?"
Everything she said was spot on.
Conan was speechless.
Dead!
He's completely dead!
Mom, what are you doing?!
My image in front of Ran is ruined!
Conan wanted to dig a hole and crawl in.
If Ran ever found out he was really Shinichi, he'd lose any chance with her!
He looked toward Ran with desperate eyes.
But Ran didn't spare him even a glance.
She ignored him completely.
"To think you're already so messed up at your age! Disgusting!"
"You know what? I'm going to tell your father all about this!"
That was the last straw.
Conan immediately covered his head and ran for it!
"Stop yelling! Stop yelling!!"
Inside the café, Akashi calmly sipped his coffee and enjoyed a slice of cake.
Meanwhile, outside, Conan was being scolded into oblivion.
Unable to take it anymore, the little devil dashed up the stairs and disappeared into the detective agency office.
Yukiko and Ran didn't chase after him.
The two women returned to the café, still fuming.
Even though Ran longed to see her parents reunite...
At this moment, she didn't feel like saying a word.
In truth, she didn't even want to stay in that office any longer.
"Mom, I want to stay with you tonight."
Eri gave a soft chuckle.
"Of course. But bring your schoolbag—you still have class tomorrow."
Ran nodded and turned to go upstairs, heading off to pack.
Today, Kogoro and Conan had gone too far.
Even someone as patient as Ran had reached her limit.
By the time she came downstairs with her bag, lunch had finished, and everyone headed out to the car.
The blue mini-cooper slowly pulled away from the curb.
Back at Mōri's house, Conan—still soaking in the bath—had no idea Ran had stormed out in anger.
He was stuck taking care of the drunk and disheveled Kogoro.
The poor little devil had hoped to get closer to Ran.
Yet ironically, by living here, he'd ended up stuck with Kogoro instead!
As the car drove off, Amuro Tooru narrowed his eyes.
Kudo Yukiko... there's something off about her.
Didn't her son's body just get discovered recently?
Why didn't she look even a little sad?
With suspicion in his eyes, Amuro glanced up toward the second floor.
The car soon arrived at Eri's residence.
After returning home, the girls all took time to rest.
Sitting in a car for hours had worn everyone out.
Well... not everyone.
Akashi wasn't tired in the slightest.
The moment they got home, he gently pushed Haibara and took her by the hand.
"Ai-chan and I have something to do at school. We're heading out first."
Before the women could say anything, Akashi grabbed Haibara and ran out the door.
As they exited the building, Haibara looked at him with confusion.
"What's at school? Did something happen in the lab?"
Akashi just shook his head and smiled.
"Don't ask. Just follow me."
Without answering further, he led her to the elevator.
Haibara sighed inwardly.
Once outside, the two hailed a cab.
The driver was an older gentleman, so there was no need for hypnosis.
Akashi calmly gave the destination.
The taxi began to move.
But the direction... was nowhere near Teitan Elementary School.
Haibara raised an eyebrow.
She had a hunch.
And strangely... a flutter of anticipation grew quietly in her chest.