Back in his room upstairs, Kurosawa Hoshino lay down on the bed and finally opened Miyano Shiho's message.
[I Don't Drink Sherry] : Tsk tsk, I just saw a news article online. It said Kurosawa Hoshino helped the police solve a five-year-old cold case this afternoon. Some people really are just lucky.
Kurosawa Hoshino chuckled and shook his head, turning over in bed.
Normally, he would have launched straight into a verbal sparring match. But seeing that Miyano Shiho's words weren't particularly aggressive this time, he decided to play it safe and reply more gently.
[I Really Didn't Cheat] : Lucky? Is it that hard to admit someone's actually skilled?
Less than a minute later, Miyano Shiho's response appeared.
[I Don't Drink Sherry] : And that's not luck? I read the full article. A kid saw light coming from a villa that had been empty for five years, called the police to check it out, and coincidentally, they solved a five-year-old case. What else would you call that?
[I Really Didn't Cheat] : Ah, I get it now. You didn't come here to discuss this. You came here to pick a fight with me.
[I Don't Drink Sherry] : I'm tired from work tonight. A little bored. So... shall we begin?
[I Really Didn't Cheat] : Fine. You go first. Let's see if your roasting skills have improved lately.
And so it began.
Shiho Miyano's first probing strike arrived swiftly—the usual opening move.
[I Don't Drink Sherry] : What's that dog of yours barking for?
Kurosawa Hoshino looked at the screen, a smile tugging at his lips. His fingers flew across the keyboard.
[I Really Didn't Cheat] : His name's Big Yellow. Got a problem with that?
In the lab, Shiho Miyano stared at the message, her expression unchanged—but a small smile crept onto her usually cool face.
This guy... not playing by the rules at all. Didn't expect that kind of comeback. I've learned something new. His move now.
Back and forth they went for half an hour, trading barbs and banter, until finally exchanging a simple "Next time" and parting ways.
It wasn't the first time. They bickered like this most nights. At this point, they'd practically reached an unspoken understanding.
Sunrise came. A new day dawned.
Kurosawa Hoshino didn't sleep in today. He got up on time and started getting ready.
But he wasn't the earliest—Conan was up even earlier, probably afraid of being left behind again.
Truth was, they'd already agreed last night to head to Beika Shrine in the afternoon. No need to leave in the morning. Conan knew the address. Even if he got left behind, he could find his own way there.
What's the rush?
"Hoshino-nii, I'm done washing up. I'm going to Ran-neechan's place."
Conan announced this and then hurried out, dashing across the street to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Kurosawa Hoshino said nothing. He changed clothes and slowly made his way over.
But the moment he stepped into the third-floor apartment, his lips twitched.
Mouri Kogoro stood in the living room, dressed head to toe as Sherlock Holmes—deerstalker cap, Inverness cape, magnifying glass in hand.
"Ran, how do I look?" Kogoro asked his daughter, striking a pose.
Sonoko was there too, but her face was buried in her best friend's shoulder, her whole body shaking with suppressed laughter.
"It looks great!" Conan, a true Sherlock Holmes fan, had no complaints. His eyes sparkled as he stared at Kogoro.
"Uh..."
Ran opened her mouth, unsure what to say. She shot a helpless look at Kurosawa Hoshino, who had just walked in.
Kogoro followed her gaze. "Kid. What do you think?"
Kurosawa Hoshino chose his words carefully. "Uncle Mouri, maybe just wear your regular clothes? You're going to watch a shoot, not film one yourself. No need for... all this."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ran jumped in. "Dad, I think Hoshino's right."
"Sigh... fine, fine."
Kogoro reluctantly gave in and shuffled back to his room to change.
Pfft—HAHAHAHA!
The moment he was gone, Sonoko burst out laughing. She doubled over, clutching her stomach, tears welling in her eyes.
"I can't—I can't take it! Uncle Mouri is too much! Hoshino, Ran, help—my stomach hurts from laughing!"
"Are you going to do something about her?" Hoshino asked Ran.
"Nope."
Ran walked toward the door.
"Ahem."
Sonoko straightened up, climbed off the tatami, and asked, "Ran, where are you going?"
"Sonoko." Kurosawa Hoshino's voice was calm. "Try to be a little more ladylike. That look... it's a bit awkward."
"Really?"
Sonoko froze. She quickly smoothed her clothes, rubbed her face, fixed her hair, blinked her big eyes, and asked, "How about now?"
"Not bad." Hoshino nodded.
"Hehe." Sonoko grinned smugly.
Conan stared blankly at the scene.
He knew Sonoko well. Years of friendship had taught him exactly how she usually reacted.
He had fully expected Sonoko to fire back, to argue with Hoshino until sparks flew.
Instead... she just obeyed. Quietly. Willingly.
Conan's gaze flicked between Kurosawa Hoshino and Sonoko. He noticed the way her eyes kept drifting toward him.
His eyes widened.
Sonoko... likes Kurosawa?
If that's true...
If I tell Ran, she'll definitely keep her distance from him—for Sonoko's sake.
But I need proof. This is just speculation. I need to observe more.
While Conan was lost in thought, Ran had already reached the stairs.
"Wait for me!" Sonoko snapped out of it and dashed after her. "Ran, where are you going?"
"Just downstairs. I'm going to ask Azusa-san at the coffee shop to make some sandwiches. I'll pick up some other stuff for breakfast on the way back."
Kurosawa Hoshino stepped out and overheard this.
He was about to speak when he felt someone squeeze in beside him. He looked down—Conan.
"Conan. What are you doing?"
"Hehe, Hoshino-nii. I'm bored all by myself. Thought I'd tag along with you guys."
Conan had his reasons. He suspected they might be trying to ditch him. After being abandoned twice before, he wasn't taking any chances today.
"Is that so?"
Kurosawa Hoshino stared at him suspiciously, looking him up and down, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
"Hoshino! What kind of sandwich do you want?"
Ran's voice floated up from the bottom of the stairs.
Kurosawa Hoshino ignored Conan and headed down. "Wait up. I'll pick it myself."