Around seven o'clock the next morning, a warm, savory aroma drifted through the apartment.
When Ren Kuroda stepped out of his bedroom, he wasn't surprised in the slightest—Ran Mouri had already made breakfast.
After the two of them ate together in quiet politeness, Ren grabbed his jacket and walked her back to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Standing at the entrance to the building, Ran hesitated. Her hands fidgeted with the strap of her bag, and her expression betrayed her nerves. "I… I don't know if I can go up. What if Dad's awake and starts scolding me again?"
Ren gave a small, knowing smile. "Relax. At this hour, your old man's definitely still asleep."
"…You're right," she admitted, managing a faint smile. With that reassurance, she took a breath, squared her shoulders, and started up the stairs.
Once they reached the landing, Ren said, "After you freshen up, head straight to Dorabika Amusement Park. I've got something to take care of first."
"Okay." Ran nodded softly. As she watched him walk away, a look of gratitude flickered across her face. She knew exactly what he was doing—keeping a little distance to avoid any misunderstandings.
Kuroda-kun really is such a thoughtful person… she thought as she quietly made her way upstairs.
On the third floor, she slipped her key into the lock with delicate care.
Click.
She froze, holding her breath, straining her ears for any sound inside. Silence.
Only after a few seconds did she dare to turn the knob, step into the genkan, and gently close the door behind her.
She switched into her slippers, crept across the floor like a cat, and tiptoed to the bedroom door. Then, moving with exaggerated slowness, she turned the handle and slipped inside.
The entire process was executed with the precision of a burglar. Even her breathing was silent.
By eight-thirty, Sonoko Suzuki had already arrived at Dorabika Amusement Park, dressed to impress and brimming with energy.
In one hand she carried a thermos of freshly hand-ground coffee—because of course she did.
But what surprised her most was seeing Ren Kuroda already there, waiting near the entrance.
"Kuroda-kun!" she called out brightly, breaking into a light jog.
"You're early, Sonoko," Ren greeted her with an easy smile, handing her a small bottle of warm sweet milk. "Here—got this for you."
"For me? Thank you!" Her eyes lit up. It wasn't about the drink—it was the thought behind it that made her cheeks warm with happiness.
Trying not to look too giddy, she handed him her own offering in return. "And this is for you! I made it myself—fresh coffee."
Ren looked at the elegant packaging and chuckled softly. "You really went all out."
He unscrewed the lid and took a sip. Just as he expected—slightly sweet, just the way Sonoko liked it.
"Well?" she asked eagerly. "Is it good?"
"Perfect sweetness," Ren said with a nod of approval. "Keep making it like this."
Sonoko practically glowed. "I'm so glad you like it~~!" she said, hugging the warm bottle of milk he'd given her.
"Come on," Ren said, turning toward the ticket gate. "Let's head in."
"Huh? We're not waiting for Ran and Shinichi?" Sonoko asked as she followed him.
"No need," Ren said easily. "It's not their date I came for."
That line made Sonoko's heart flutter a little—though she'd never admit it aloud.
Once inside, Ren led her through a few of the tamer attractions first—the spinning coffee cups, the carousel—keeping things light and relaxed. It set the tone before they moved on to the bigger rides.
Eventually, they climbed aboard the Ferris wheel, where they could rest and take in a panoramic view of the park.
But while Sonoko was gazing dreamily at the scenery, Ren's focus was elsewhere.
He scanned the rooftops, noting the park's high vantage points.
In the "reset" version of this case—the one his system had already previewed—Chianti and Korn, two of the Organization's top snipers, had hidden in this very amusement park.
When the robbery began, he'd need to locate them immediately.
"Ah! Isn't that Ran?" Sonoko's excited voice pulled him from his thoughts. She pointed toward the park's entrance.
Ren followed her gaze and spotted Ran waiting alone near the gate, looking around anxiously.
"It's already nine-thirty…" Sonoko muttered, puffing out her cheeks. "Where the heck is Shinichi? What's he doing this time?"
"Does he usually show up late?" Ren asked casually.
"'Usually'? He always does!" Sonoko exclaimed, taking a big sip of her milk before launching into a rant. "One time, he was two whole hours late! Two hours! And when I asked why, he said he got caught up solving a case and 'forgot' about their date! Can you believe that?"
Ren had to fight the urge to clap. The sheer audacity. How big of a heart do you have to "forget" you have a girlfriend waiting for you?
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he quoted quietly, "The favored ones always act without fear."
"Yes! Exactly!!" Sonoko pointed at him in emphatic agreement. "You nailed it! Shinichi totally takes advantage of how much Ran likes him. He acts all high and mighty because he knows she'll forgive him every time!"
Watching her indignant face, Ren couldn't help recalling all the times Sonoko herself had teased Ran in front of Shinichi—calling her "Mrs. Kudo," "Detective's Wife," things that always left Ran blushing like crazy.
And Shinichi, that oblivious fool, never noticed a thing.
He'd even had the nerve to snap at Sonoko for "talking nonsense," calling her a "nosy busybody."
Unbelievable, Ren thought. She spends all her time trying to play cupid, and that's the thanks she gets.
He smirked to himself. Even Cupid would give up on a guy that dense. Shinichi's probably spent all his romance points maxing out deduction skills instead.
"Huh? Looks like he finally showed up!" Sonoko sighed in relief as Shinichi appeared in the crowd. "Thank goodness. Only half an hour late this time."
Her relief quickly shifted into indignation. "If he'd made Ran wait any longer, I was going to drag her in here to play with us!"
Ren had no doubt she would've done exactly that.
Then his gaze sharpened slightly as he noticed where the pair was heading.
Shinichi and Ran were walking hand in hand toward the Drop Tower.
Ren blinked, stunned. The Drop Tower? Really?
That's what you pick first on a date?
He pinched the bridge of his nose. You take your girlfriend to an amusement park, and your first stop is the ride designed to make her scream for her life?
What next—the haunted house?
Sonoko followed his gaze—and when she saw it, she nearly exploded. "That idiot! Is he blind? Ran's wearing a skirt! Who rides the Drop Tower in a skirt?!"
She fumed, gripping her milk bottle tight enough to crush it. "He can't even notice something that obvious?!"
"Detective, my foot!" she yelled in exasperation. "He's an idiot, that's what he is!"