'Very good. Now I really look like a transmigrator.'
"Takayanagi-kun, are you free right now?"
Just as Takayanagi Ichiro finished experiencing his rewards, a man's voice came from the doorway.
"Detective Mouri, please come in."
Based on Takayanagi Ichiro's memories, this was Mouri Kogoro, the owner of the Mouri Detective Agency next door.
Takayanagi Ichiro's storefront had been bought right next to the Mouri Detective Agency. There was no grand opening ceremony at all. Only his neighbor, Mouri Kogoro, had come over to chat for a bit.
Clatter!
The office door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man walked in.
Although he had tidied himself up somewhat, the dark circles under his eyes were very obvious. One look and you could tell he stayed up late all the time.
And after he got closer, you could even smell alcohol on him.
This was a rather sloppy man.
"Takayanagi-kun, I know you're an outstanding graduate from Tokyo University. I was wondering if you'd be interested in becoming my daughter's tutor?"
"She's currently a second-year student at Teitan High School, but I'm worried that she and that brat Kudou Shinichi getting into a relationship will affect her studies, so I want to hire a tutor to help her catch up."
Mouri Kogoro explained his purpose. He actually wanted to invite Takayanagi Ichiro to be Mouri Ran's tutor.
Mouri Kogoro was indeed in a rather down-and-out state now. All he could do was stay in his detective agency, taking on jobs like finding lost cats and dogs or investigating affairs and mistresses. But he was still quite concerned about his daughter, Mouri Ran.
Of course, Takayanagi Ichiro absolutely did not believe this.
"Detective Mouri, I've only been here for a few days. From what people nearby say, your daughter is a perfect child. You shouldn't need to worry about her studies. You should just explain your real reason."
Takayanagi Ichiro mercilessly saw through him, which made Mouri Kogoro feel a bit awkward.
"Takayanagi-kun, actually I didn't say it all out loud, but I really do want you to share some exam tips with my daughter, Ran."
"And of course, if we could also talk a bit about borrowing money, that would be even better."
So in the end, Mouri Kogoro had come to borrow money. He even used his daughter as an opening. Only Mouri Kogoro could pull something like that off.
"Since we're neighbors, lending money isn't a problem. The interest rate will be a normal one, but the collateral definitely has to be made clear."
Mouri Kogoro and that big-shot lawyer Kisaki Eri were absolutely not divorced right now. If he set Mouri Kogoro up, it was very likely Mouri Ran would go complain to her mother. Facing a top lawyer would be way too much trouble.
So Takayanagi Ichiro did not bring up anything like collateral relative repaying the debt.
"I understand. The most valuable thing I have is my house. I'll use that as collateral."
Mouri Kogoro used to be a police officer with the Metropolitan Police Department and had some dealings with loan sharks, so he understood the rules and brought up his most valuable asset.
"That won't be a problem. How much does Detective Mouri want to borrow?"
"Ten million yen, for one week. I recently got some inside information. There's a batch of horses in great condition that will win at the races this weekend."
"I'll put all ten million yen into it, and I'll definitely make a killing."
"Takayanagi-kun, do you want to try it too? I guarantee you won't lose."
After stating the amount he wanted to borrow, Mouri Kogoro also leaked some inside information to Takayanagi Ichiro and even invited him to join in.
Takayanagi Ichiro shook his head, pointed at the surveillance camera above, and said to Mouri Kogoro, "Detective Mouri, let me remind you of something. So-called inside information is all fake, so I won't take your advice."
"If you fail, you can't drag me into it."
"That's absolutely impossible. I'll take responsibility for my own actions," Mouri Kogoro patted his chest. Since Takayanagi Ichiro wasn't planning to participate, that meant more winnings for himself.
Knowing that kind words can't save someone bent on courting death, Takayanagi Ichiro didn't try to persuade Mouri Kogoro any further. He took out a standard contract, filled in the required items, and had Mouri Kogoro sign and stamp it.
There was nothing wrong with the contract. Even if Kisaki Eri came to review it, it would look perfectly normal. As long as Mouri Kogoro repaid on time, it would be a good thing for both sides.
["Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing a loan transaction.
Reward: One copy of Mouri Kogoro's reasoning ability."]
'The fack?'
After hearing this reward, Takayanagi Ichiro cursed inwardly.
'What kind of level is Mouri Kogoro's reasoning ability? Probably even Mouri Kogoro himself doesn't know it. Even his judo skills are better than his reasoning.'
'Still, I might as well accept it. Maybe it can stack or mutate later.'
'If every loan and debt collection gives good stuff, wouldn't that be broken?'
'There is no rush.'
After the contract was signed, Takayanagi Ichiro wrote another check for ten million yen and handed it to Mouri Kogoro.
Although he hadn't inherited the Takayanagi family yet, he wasn't short on money for running a loan business. Mitsubishi Bank was also one of the Takayanagi family's partner banks.
"Takayanagi-kun, my daughter should have dinner ready by now. Come over to my place and have a meal with us," After getting the loan, Mouri Kogoro was in a great mood and immediately smiled as he invited Takayanagi Ichiro.
If it were anyone else, they definitely wouldn't get an invitation from Mouri Kogoro. But Takayanagi Ichiro had just lent Mouri Kogoro money, and they were neighbors as well.
Most importantly, with Takayanagi Ichiro's status as a Tokyo University graduate, bringing him home would absolutely not earn him any complaints from his daughter, Mouri Ran.
After all, Mouri Kogoro's estranged wife, Kisaki Eri, was also a Tokyo University graduate.
She was now a famous, up-and-coming top lawyer, completely her daughter's idol.
If Takayanagi Ichiro enjoyed the meal and shared a bit of experience about getting into Tokyo University with Mouri Ran, Mouri Kogoro would feel like he struck gold.
"Sure," Takayanagi Ichiro didn't refuse the invitation, because his uncle's wedding was only happening tomorrow.
And it wasn't a big ceremony anyway, just a family dinner, so leaving tomorrow would be fine.
After locking up here, Takayanagi Ichiro went next door with Mouri Kogoro to the Mouri Detective Agency.
———
"I'm back!", Mouri Kogoro didn't take Takayanagi Ichiro to the second-floor office area. Instead, he went straight up the stairs to the third floor.
He pushed open the door to the living area on the third floor and called inside.
"Dad, I already told you dinner is almost ready, and you still went out—"
A voice immediately responded, and a girl wearing an apron walked out.
'This should be Mouri Kogoro's daughter, Mouri Ran, right at the age where a high school girl is youthful and bright.'
Because she was cooking, her hair was tied up in a high ponytail.
And in Takayanagi Ichiro's memory, those sharp angles that could poke through the Earth or pierce the screen simply didn't exist.
Seeing the unfamiliar Takayanagi Ichiro, a look of surprise appeared on the girl's face as well.
"Dad, why did you suddenly bring someone home without telling me first?", In front of a stranger, Mouri Ran wanted to reach out and tidy her appearance. After all, she had just been busy in the kitchen and had even complained about her father out loud.
"This is Takayanagi Ichiro, the president of Takayanagi Credit next door."
Seeing his daughter's awkwardness, Mouri Kogoro spoke up to introduce Takayanagi Ichiro, which only made Mouri Ran frown even more.
'The president of a credit company? That is definitely a loan shark.
Could it be that Dad borrowed money outside and can't repay it, so he brought the lender home?'
"Dad, what exactly is going on here?", At this point, Mouri Ran stopped fixing her appearance and instead started thinking about going downstairs to call her mother for help.
Although Mouri Kogoro and Kisaki Eri had been separated for ten years, Kisaki Eri had never stopped supporting this household.
If it weren't for her secret financial help, Mouri Kogoro might have already squandered this house away long ago.
Now he had even brought home the president of a credit company. Things must be very serious.
Seeing the expression on his daughter's face, Mouri Kogoro knew exactly what she was thinking and immediately explained.
"Ran, things aren't like what you're imagining, so don't be so nervous."
"The reason I invited Takayanagi-kun over for dinner is, first, because his company is right next to ours."
"We'll continue being neighbors, so it's only right to keep good relations."
"Second, Takayanagi-kun is a graduate of Tokyo University. You could even say he's your mom's junior. Maybe you can learn something from him."
After hearing this explanation, Mouri Ran indeed relaxed a bit. After all, the status of being a Tokyo University graduate was quite persuasive.
As for doubting Takayanagi Ichiro's identity, Mouri Ran didn't have that kind of thought.
Her father used to be an officer in the Metropolitan Police Department. His basic judgment wasn't the kind that would go wrong so easily.
"President Takayanagi, please sit with my dad for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon."
Takayanagi Ichiro's Tokyo University graduate status, plus Mouri Kogoro's talk about neighborly relations, finally convinced Mouri Ran. After greeting him and having him sit down, she immediately turned and went back into the kitchen.
Mouri Ran felt a bit nervous inside. After all, Takayanagi Ichiro was a big handsome guy and also a Tokyo University graduate. Facing him carried a bit of pressure.
Ever since her parents separated, Mouri Ran had been taking care of Mouri Kogoro, so her cooking skills were excellent.
But she had never cooked for outsiders before. Even her childhood friend Kudou Shinichi was no exception.
If Mouri Kogoro saw Mouri Ran spending too much time with Kudou Shinichi, he would definitely step in to interfere. That was also why Kudou Shinichi had never been allowed to stay over for a meal.
Now she was actually serving her own cooking to another unfamiliar man. For Mouri Ran, this was a first-time experience.
.
.
.
Mouri Ran's cooking was very good. At least Takayanagi Ichiro couldn't find many faults with it, which made Mouri Ran let out a big sigh of relief.
"Takayanagi-kun, my daughter Ran's cooking is great, right? You're the first stranger to come to our house for a meal."
"Even that brat Kudou Shinichi who calls himself a great detective, I've never tolerated him staying to eat at our place."
At this moment, Mouri Kogoro started bragging about his daughter, and even bragged about how he interfered in her affairs, which made Mouri Ran's expression look a bit unhappy.