At noon, without Shinichi Kudo, Ran, Sonoko, and Hanyu Nan still sat around the sturdy old tree, eating lunch together, just like yesterday.
Sonoko's bento today was exceptionally lavish, much more than usual. Then, Sonoko kept putting various delicacies into Hanyu Nan's lunchbox. When she realized her own bento was almost empty, Sonoko unhesitatingly extended her 'claws' towards Ran.
"Sonoko!" Ran exclaimed, dodging Sonoko's chopsticks.
Seeing no hope of snatching food, Sonoko took a swift leap and pounced on Ran, hugging her tightly, and pleaded with a smile:
"Oh, Ran, give me a little bit to eat, just a tiny bit. Can you really bear to see your best friend starve?"
Faced with Sonoko's shameless behavior, Ran was helpless. She gently tapped Sonoko's forehead, and when the latter feigned pain and clutched her head, Ran finally shared some of her bento with her.
Having received food, Sonoko immediately sat back in her original spot, content, and proudly showed off to Hanyu Nan:
"Ta-da, Nan, look! This is Ran's handmade bento made with love! It's perfect in color, aroma, and taste!" As she spoke, she winked at Ran.
Looking at Hanyu Nan, who was eating his bento nearby, smiling as he watched the two bicker, Ran smiled shyly, then shared another portion of her bento with Hanyu Nan.
Hanyu Nan also accepted the kind gesture without hesitation.
Hanyu Nan knew that if he wanted Ran to leave Shinichi Kudo, the primary task was to make Ran disappointed in Shinichi Kudo.
However, achieving this goal was not easy; it required time and a series of events that would disappoint Ran.
Hanyu Nan pondered these issues, while also handing back the bento Sonoko had shared with him to both of them.
The three sat together, eating and chatting, with continuous laughter… "Ran, Nan, see you tomorrow!"
As soon as the school bell rang, Sonoko slowly packed her bag, preparing to go home.
Today, the Suzuki Family was holding a family gathering, so Sonoko had to go home early. She reluctantly said goodbye to the two, promising to go out and play together tomorrow.
After seeing Sonoko off, only Ran and Hanyu Nan remained, walking side by side on their way home.
Hanyu Nan noticed that Ran's mood seemed to have been low since the afternoon, so he proactively asked:
"What's wrong, Ran? I noticed that your mood has been down ever since you went out to answer a call this afternoon. Did something happen?"
Hearing Hanyu Nan's words, Ran just lowered her head, shook it slightly, and softly said, "It's nothing." Her voice was a little low, as if she didn't want to talk much.
Hanyu Nan walked side by side with Ran, his hands clasped behind his head, and turned his head to look at Ran, saying earnestly:
"If there's something bothering you, just say it. We're friends, after all. You should learn to confide in your friends, whether it's happy things or sad things. Facing them together, we'll always find a solution."
Hearing Hanyu Nan's words, Ran seemed to find an outlet. She stopped, looked up into the distance, and said in a low voice:
"Shinichi called me this afternoon. He said someone asked him to handle a very difficult matter, and he can only come back after it's done." A hint of worry and disappointment was revealed in Ran's eyes.
"Shinichi has no idea how worried I am about him! Why can't he tell me when something happens? At least let me know if he's safe now…"
The more Ran spoke, the more agitated she became, her voice unconsciously rising a few octaves. She clenched her fists tightly and waved them a few times, as if wanting to vent all the dissatisfaction in her heart.
Hanyu Nan listened silently to Ran's lament, and gently patted Ran's shoulder to comfort her:
"Kudo indeed went too far! No matter what happened, as long as he is safe, he should immediately report his safety to everyone. How can he make his childhood friend worry about him?"
Then, Hanyu Nan turned to Ran and said, "Ran, don't worry. When Kudo comes back, I'll give him a good lecture for you!"
However, Shinichi Kudo might never come back… But it doesn't matter, there's still Conan. Conan can take his place; after all, they are the same person, no difference.
"Forget it, I don't want to bother with him anymore. Shinichi is always like this!" Ran said indignantly.
"Ran, don't be too angry. I'm going to visit Uncle Mouri later and learn from the Great Detective. I hope to taste your cooking then, Ran."
"Ah, Nan, you're coming to visit Dad? Then I'll go back and tell Dad to prepare."
"No need to go to such trouble. I mainly want to taste your cooking, Ran, after all, your bentos are especially delicious."
"Hehe, not at all, it's just average."
...Since he was going to visit the Mouri Detective Agency, he definitely had to prepare some gifts for Kogoro Mouri to leave a good impression.
After selecting a few bottles of good wine from the supermarket, as Kogoro's favorite is drinking, Hanyu Nan, with the items packaged by the clerk, carried the gifts to the Mouri Detective Agency.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Knock three times for people, four for ghosts. After knocking three times, Hanyu Nan called out, "Excuse me," and stood at the door, waiting quietly.
"Just a moment, Dad, we have a visitor. Go open the door quickly."
Ran's voice could be heard from inside, urging her father to open the door.
Kogoro Mouri lay lazily on the sofa in the room, holding a beer, his eyes hazy as he stared at the horse racing on the TV screen. He slowly sipped his drink, listlessly changing channels, seemingly uninterested in anything.
Hearing Ran's anxious calls, Kogoro Mouri reluctantly sat up, staggered towards the door, muttering:
"Alright, alright, I'm coming…"
When he opened the door, a handsome man with a smile on his face, carrying things in both hands, stood upright at the entrance.
Kogoro Mouri narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the stranger, inexplicably feeling a bit annoyed.
Kogoro Mouri muttered to himself, "Hmph, these pretty boys are the best at pleasing women. Just looking at him is irritating."
"Hello, Uncle Mouri!" Hanyu Nan greeted politely:
"I am Ran and Sonoko's classmate. I've long heard of your great reputation and know you are a Great Detective. Today, I specifically came to visit. This is a small gift; please don't refuse it."
Hanyu Nan bowed slightly and handed the prepared gift to Kogoro Mouri.
Kogoro Mouri's gaze was instantly drawn to the gift in Hanyu Nan's hand, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, and his initial displeasure with Hanyu Nan vanished without a trace. This young man suddenly became much more pleasing to the eye.
"Oh, so you're Ran's classmate! No wonder you're so handsome, haha. You're too polite, your presence is enough, why bring gifts?"
Kogoro Mouri's face was wreathed in smiles, verbally very polite, but his hands didn't stop, quickly taking the items and not forgetting to praise Hanyu Nan a few times.