"Damn it! They left me just like that and went by themselves!!"
Walking home, Conan held the takeout box, his mood unusually low.
He kicked a stone by the roadside, feeling quite depressed.
Although he had already made up his mind, when things actually happened, he couldn't help but feel disappointed and sad.
Recalling the past bit by bit, Conan finally sighed silently.
After returning home, he adjusted his mood, pretended nothing had happened, called out, "I'm back," and walked into the living room.
"Oh~~ you're back!" Yukiko was doing aerobics along with the TV. Seeing the takeout box in Conan's hand, she said while jumping, "Huh? That's rare, Shinichi. You actually brought food back for the first time ever!"
"This… Shirashi told me to pack it up and bring it back, saying it would be wasted if left at the agency," Conan said as he placed the takeout box on the coffee table.
Yusaku, who was reading the newspaper on the sofa, said in surprise, "Oh? He's back already after only a few days?"
Conan nodded and said, "Although there's no evidence, I think he probably received some kind of message and confirmed it was safe before coming back!"
"Given your friend's cautiousness, that's very likely," Yusaku also felt this possibility was higher.
Conan continued, "Then a client came to the door and asked him to go onto a ship to investigate, so he went with Ran… He told me to pack the food back."
"Hmm?" Yukiko stopped immediately when she heard this and said, "You mean… your friend Shirashi-kun and Ran went on a ship together for a date?"
"It's not a date! They're going to investigate a case!" Conan emphasized.
"What's the difference!" Yukiko looked at her son speechlessly and said, "Are you just going to watch them get together like this?"
"Mother, stop talking! I've already made up my mind," Conan said firmly.
Yukiko had already thought of what to say these past few days, and immediately said, "As a friend, shouldn't you help Ran keep an eye on him?"
"What if that guy is a scumbag who starts something and then abandons her? Wouldn't Ran be hurt by him?"
"You don't want to see Ran get hurt, do you?"
"…" Conan looked at Yukiko in astonishment. He suspected she might be able to read minds, knowing exactly what he was thinking!
Seeing that this tactic worked, Yukiko continued, "You know, it's about preventing problems before they happen! If it turns out we were overthinking, that's a good thing too!"
"It means Ran is someone who can be entrusted to Shirashi-kun!"
"Then you can focus on solving your own body's problem later!"
"…" These words made Conan struggle internally for a moment, but he finally nodded heavily: "Mother, you're right!!"
Yusaku, who was nearby, was speechless when he heard this.
How much of a blow would it be for a boy to see the girl he likes being affectionate with another boy! This would be a big blow to Shinichi!
Just as he was about to say something, Yukiko glared at him.
Yusaku immediately shut his mouth and dismissed the thought of speaking.
He thought that the hardships Shinichi hadn't experienced before, he would have to experience all of them now. For this child, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Therefore, he decided not to interfere and let them figure it out themselves, as long as they were still alive.
"Yusaku, please help me investigate the situation of that cruise ship!" Yukiko couldn't wait to go upstairs and change clothes, saying, "Conan and I will find a way to sneak onto the ship!"
"Alright. Be careful. What's the name of the client?" Yusaku asked, secretly sighing in his heart.
He actually didn't want to come back to Tokyo at all.
Tokyo was too familiar to Yukiko; as soon as she returned, she would cause trouble.
——————————————————————
Tokyo Pier.
After Baishi Hui and Ran got out of the car, they walked towards the cruise ship entrance with their luggage.
"Relax, don't be nervous." Seeing Ran's tense expression, Baishi Hui took her hand and whispered, "It's okay even if our identities are recognized… We were commissioned by someone, we're not doing anything illegal or criminal."
Hearing Baishi Hui say this, the burden in Ran's heart lessened. She said shyly, "I… I'm sorry, I… This is my first time doing something like this, I'm not used to it!"
"It's okay, I was very nervous the first time I did something like this too," Baishi Hui began talking to Ran intentionally to ease her tension, saying, "There were a few times I impersonated someone, and they said, 'You've changed so much, I don't even recognize you.' Do you know how I replied?"
Ran's curiosity was piqued, and she pressed, "How did you reply?"
Baishi Hui smiled lightly and said, "I just said, 'Really?'… and then they didn't ask any more questions."
"Huh? Is that so?" Ran was surprised and said, "Are they really that open-minded?"
Baishi Hui said, "It's not that they're open-minded, but they won't pry too much into things that don't concern them. Even if they feel strange, they won't say it out of politeness."
Ran said somewhat shyly, "Actually, I'm like that sometimes too… I feel awkward asking."
"So you don't need to worry too much," Baishi Hui reminded her again.
Ran nodded repeatedly.
While chatting, the two arrived at the entrance of the cruise ship.
Baishi Hui glanced at Ran.
Ran nodded, unconsciously gripping Baishi Hui's hand, and said to the attendant, "I… I am Hatamoto Akane."
"Miss Hatamoto, Madam asked me to meet you here… Do you need help with your luggage?" the attendant asked with a smile.
Ran politely refused, "No need, I can manage myself."
"Please follow me, both of you!" The attendant led the way for the two.
After entering the ship's cabin, she introduced the interior of the cruise ship along the way.
There were facilities like restaurants, bars, KTV, gyms, heated swimming pools, etc., it was practically no different from a hotel.
A few minutes later, they stopped in front of a room. After the attendant opened the door, she stood aside: "This is your room. If you need anything, you can press the call bell, and someone will come… Is there anything else you need help with?"
"No… Thank you," Ran said politely.
"You're welcome, it's my job. Wishing you both a pleasant journey at sea," the attendant bowed slightly and left.
The two entered the room with their luggage.
As soon as Baishi Hui closed the door, Ran let out a long sigh of relief. She patted her chest, which was rising and falling, and said, "Phew… We weren't discovered! That's great… My heart was pounding!"
Baishi Hui laughed and said, "This is just the beginning! She was just an attendant. You're already this nervous before even meeting the Hatamoto family. When you meet them later, will you be unable to even speak?"
"This… this shouldn't… happen?" Ran swallowed nervously at the thought of having to pass tests from other Hatamoto family members later.
"Don't worry, I'll be there to help you. Let's unpack first, then we can go out and look around," Baishi Hui said, then went into the bathroom.
It was at this moment that Ran realized she would be sleeping in the same room as Baishi Hui.
She quickly turned around and saw there was only one bed!
Does that mean… they would have to squeeze together tonight?
Thinking of this, Ran's face began to turn red, and her heart started pounding wildly.