Thinking carefully, it was quite normal for Conan's identity to be discovered.
Given his reckless, self-destructive nature, and all the completely inappropriate actions and behavior for a child, any normal person with half a brain would become suspicious after prolonged contact.
Mouri Kogoro was the exception!
That old man's brain had long been compromised by alcohol and tranquilizer darts.
In the original plot, Ran had suspected that Conan was Kudou Shinichi multiple times.
If it weren't for a few timely interventions from Kaito Kuroba and Ai Haibara using disguises, his identity would have been exposed long ago.
Furthermore, Kudou Shinichi's sudden disappearance would naturally worry Ran considerably.
This would subtly increase the difficulty of Hoshimiya Yuu's interactions with her.
Therefore, whether Kudou Shinichi was alive or dead, finding him immediately was the key.
"Ran, I think I see something over there."
Hoshimiya Yuu pointed to a dark corner, pulling Ran along. "Let's go take a look together."
With his full memory restored, he knew that although Ran had extremely high combat power, she was surprisingly terrified of thunder, ghosts, and the like.
After reaching the shadows behind the Ferris wheel, Hoshimiya Yuu intentionally held Ran's hand and didn't let go.
Feeling the continuous warmth from his palm, the girl nodded softly, her anxious and fearful mood significantly alleviated.
As they got closer, Hoshimiya Yuu turned on his phone's flashlight and walked around to the back of the electrical box.
Ran followed closely, step-by-step. She seemed afraid of seeing something scary, and her slender, graceful body pressed even closer to Hoshimiya Yuu.
If it wouldn't impede walking, she would have completely plastered herself against him.
As the flashlight beam moved, a familiar scene appeared before Hoshimiya Yuu.
A small child with blood trickling down his forehead was lying unconscious on the grass, wearing a set of wide, ill-fitting clothes.
Ran sighed in relief, not having seen anything spooky.
After observing closely for a moment, she asked doubtfully, "These are… Shinichi's clothes?"
"Yes, it appears so."
Discovering that Kudou Shinichi had shrunk, Hoshimiya Yuu figured he hadn't died, but he still leaned in to check his breath.
He was alive.
I put in so much effort to stop Hitomi Kuujo's murder. Such a crucial turning point in destiny really can't be changed so simply.
"This child is injured, but his breathing is stable, so he should be fine."
Hoshimiya Yuu stood up and said to Ran, "Not only are those Kudou's clothes, but Kudou's phone is here too."
"This child must be related to Shinichi's disappearance."
Seeing this scene, any normal person would think so, and Ran was no exception.
"Hoshimiya Nii-san, let's take this child to the hospital first and ask him when he wakes up."
"Alright, I'll carry him."
Just as Hoshimiya Yuu was about to pick up Conan, the child wobbled and climbed up from the ground.
"Where am I…"
Kudou Shinichi, having just woken up, was still confused. It took a moment for him to recall what had happened.
"Those two men in black!"
The shrunken Kudou Shinichi frantically searched around. Seeing that the scenery was still the familiar park, and finding no sign of Gin and Vodka, he finally relaxed.
Calming down, he noticed Hoshimiya Yuu and Ran standing before him.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, Ran, why are you two here?"
Ran's expression was solemn, and she didn't answer. Hoshimiya Yuu feigned an expression of surprise to match the situation.
Seeing that neither of them answered, Kudou Shinichi felt strange but still urged anxiously, "Did you see those two men in black earlier? They're criminals! I recorded evidence; quickly call the police and have them arrested."
As he spoke, he noticed the increasingly peculiar look in Ran and Hoshimiya Yuu's eyes, and Kudou Shinichi's voice gradually faded.
"Why are you staring at me?"
He craned his neck, carefully observing Hoshimiya Yuu and Ran's expressions.
At this point, he also noticed that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Looking at the small boy, whose mannerisms and voice were so familiar, Ran finally asked slowly, "Are you Shinichi?"
"Of course, it's me."
Relieved that Ran had responded, Kudou Shinichi quickly said, "Ran, don't you recognize me?"
At this, seeing the small boy who looked exactly like a young Kudou Shinichi, she finally confirmed her suspicion.
"This is unbelievable…" The girl looked at the small boy before her and exclaimed, "Shinichi, you actually turned into a child."
"What child?" Kudou Shinichi was completely baffled.
Feeling that he had played his part long enough, and realizing Kudou Shinichi probably didn't have time to meticulously observe his expression right now—even if he did, Hoshimiya Yuu felt he wouldn't see anything, as he was very particular about where he aimed his flashlight.
Hoshimiya Yuu took a photo with his phone and handed it over.
"Kudou, see for yourself, and you'll understand."
Kudou Shinichi took the phone. When he saw the small boy in the photo wearing his clothes, with blood still on his forehead, his entire body instantly froze.
After pausing for about three or four seconds, he finally snapped out of it and accepted the reality.
Although he found it highly implausible, the facts were right in front of him, and he had no choice but to believe it.
This also perfectly explained Ran's reaction and the inexplicable sense of disconnect he had felt.
Suddenly becoming a child—his visual perspective and body not matching his consciousness—would naturally feel very strange.
"Right, it must be that drug!"
Kudou Shinichi quickly figured out the key point.
Especially recalling the word "experiment" he vaguely heard before passing out, he was completely certain of his guess.
Kudou Shinichi had shrunk but was unharmed. Ran, no longer worried, asked, "Shinichi, what exactly happened?"
Kudou Shinichi then explained the sequence of events.
He also swore a solemn oath to definitely catch Gin and find a way to turn back into an adult.
Understanding the situation, Ran angrily said, "How many times have I told you not to be so impulsive? See, you got into danger! This time it was a shrinking drug, but what if it had been poison?"
Despite facing such a major crisis and almost losing his life, Kudou Shinichi still didn't think it was his fault.
Confronted with Ran's concerned questioning, he defiantly retorted, "But my judgment was correct! Those two were definitely criminals, and they might even be extremely dangerous ones!"
"You jerk!" Ran was furious, and the two cute little rabbits on her chest heaved up and down.
Due to the angle, only Hoshimiya Yuu could appreciate this beautiful sight.
Conan, shrunken and in the dark below, could only see a patch of black shadow.
"I think those two intended to administer poison, but it was likely a drug still under development that caused an unpredictable change, leading to Kudou shrinking instead."
Seeing Ran consumed by anger and unable to come up with a rebuttal, Hoshimiya Yuu highlighted the critical point.
He wasn't deliberately stirring the pot; this was something easily understood with a moment of calm reflection.
He just couldn't stand seeing Ran so angry yet speechless, so he chimed in to support her.
Ran paused, snapping out of her fury.
She looked at Kudou Shinichi, who turned his head, refusing to meet her gaze.
Instantly, she understood that Kudou Shinichi had already figured this out but was deliberately keeping quiet.
He didn't want to admit his actions were wrong, and he would still do the same thing if such a situation arose in the future.
"Fine, do whatever you want."
Ran let out a long breath, suddenly feeling completely relieved. "Do whatever you want. I won't look after you anymore."