It was the second day since Ran had been discharged from the hospital.
Although her memories hadn't returned, her mood had noticeably improved.
The kids from the Junior Detective League had come to visit again.
Armed with water guns filled with pepper spray, toy handcuffs, and boomerangs, they stood proudly in formation—declaring they would serve as Ran's bodyguards from now on.
"Aren't you joining them too, Ai?"
Hayashi Yoshiki's voice came from behind.
"Ah, it's Brother Yoshiki!"
"Whoa!!"
Ayumi, who was posing in the center, beamed with joy. Even Genta's eyes lit up.
Haibara Ai, dressed in a blue vest with her hands behind her back, glanced sideways and looked vaguely annoyed.
"…Yoshiki-nii."
Ran turned toward the voice.
Despite having no memories, her tone remained gentle.
"Feeling better today?""Mm."
"Brother Yoshiki!"
Genta ran up to him, eyes sparkling.
"Tell us how you beat up those bad boys!"
"Bad boys?"
Yoshiki chuckled.
"That's not too hard. Just study hard."
"Study?"
"Yeah. Get first place in your class. Even the bad kids will start listening to you."
"That's impossible for Genta."Ayumi whispered.
"Yeah, if there were a prize for last place, he'd win easily."Mitsuhiko added.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?"
Genta roared and chased after Mitsuhiko, flailing his arms wildly.
Haibara approached, her gaze fixed on Yoshiki.
"What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?"
She didn't answer.
She was comparing him to the childhood photo she'd seen earlier in the week. It still surprised her... that someone so beautiful and doll-like as a child had grown into this man.
"Brother Yoshiki, want to come upstairs?"Ran asked, pointing toward the stairs of the detective agency.
"Sure. Let's go."
Ran called the other children, who paused their play and followed her.
Haibara and Conan stayed behind.
"Haibara, do you...?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you like Hayashi Yoshiki?"
"???"
She froze, then slowly turned to face him.
Expressionless. Waiting.
"I just noticed how concerned you were for him—especially back at the hospital."
"As expected... you're only good at solving murder cases, detective."
"...So that's a no?"
She didn't respond. She simply walked past him and headed up the stairs.
There was no trace of cigarette smoke in the agency that day. Kogorō Mōri wasn't around—he'd gone out shopping.
Ran sliced fruit for everyone.
"What's your detective agency like, Yoshiki-nii?"
Ayumi swung her legs from a chair, munching on an apple.
"It's kind of empty—not much going on most of the time,"Yoshiki replied, glancing at Haibara."Ai-chan has been there before."
"Hey~! Can we go visit sometime too?"
"Maybe. But right now, I'm short on help—my assistant just took leave."
"You have an assistant?"Conan asked, surprised.
"Yeah. With so many fan letters and emails, I need someone to sort through it all."
"Then I'll be your assistant when I grow up!"Ayumi volunteered eagerly.
Yoshiki smiled warmly and said he'd be waiting.
Ayumi looked incredibly proud of herself.
Later, Kogorō Mōri returned.
"Uncle Mōri."
"Hey, Yoshiki. Has Inspector Megure contacted you today?"
"Not yet."
"He probably will soon."
Mōri turned to Ran, who looked a bit puzzled.
"Good news: Officer Sato's condition is improving. She might wake up soon."
"That's wonderful!"
The children beamed.
Officer Sato was a familiar face to them, and her recovery brought visible relief.
Seeing Ran smile at the news—even if she didn't remember why—Yoshiki nodded.
"When she wakes up, you should go see her. It might trigger some memories."
"Yeah! Maybe it'll help Ran recover!"
"Uncle Mōri, did Megure say anything about the Makoto Tomonari[1] case?"
Conan seized the opportunity while Mōri was in a good mood.
But Mōri shook his head, and Conan frowned.
Though Yoshiki had already caught Kyōsuke Fudō, Conan was still worried about loose ends. Several other suspects hadn't been properly accounted for.
For someone as justice-driven as Conan, leaving any case unresolved was unacceptable.
I'll check it out myself tomorrow...
The children stayed until evening.
After they left, Kisaki Eri arrived—arms full of groceries.
"Oh, Yoshiki's here too."
"Yes, Auntie Eri."
"What's all that?"Kogorō asked, wide-eyed.
"Ingredients. What does it look like?"
"I know they're ingredients... Wait—are you cooking tonight?"
"Of course. We ate out yesterday for Ran's discharge. Tonight, I thought we'd make something warm at home."
She smiled gently at Yoshiki and Ran.
"Ran, stay for dinner, alright? And Yoshiki... Conan too."
Kogorō and Conan both paled instantly.
But Ran, blissfully unaware, smiled and nodded.
Yoshiki smiled back with perfect composure.
"I'm looking forward to it, Aunt Eri."
"No, Yoshiki—don't do this!""Brother Yoshiki!?"
Kogorō and Conan cried out in unison.
Has he never tasted Eri's cooking!?
But Yoshiki just kept smiling.
He had tasted it before.
And to be honest?
It was terrible.
But watching Conan and Mōri's horrified faces was entertaining enough to make it worthwhile.
I'll just slip away with some excuse when it's almost done cooking.
Already planning his escape, Yoshiki chuckled inwardly.
[1] Makoto Tomonari, the dead Chief Inspector's son
https://www.detectiveconanworld.com/wiki/Captured_in_Her_Eyes