After long deliberation and failing to find a better method, Hoshimiya Yuu decided to go to Tropical Land first thing Sunday morning and wait.
As long as he found Ran and Kudou Shinichi, he could definitely get involved by sticking with them.
There was a slight risk of being a third wheel, but that made it even better.
A great girl like Ran was too good for Kudou Shinichi, a guy whose head was only filled with deductions and cases. It was better to leave her to him.
And he could acquire System rewards in the process.
With a plan in mind, Hoshimiya Yuu started his happy time of slacking off.
Japanese high schools dismiss students early in the afternoon, usually around three o'clock.
The remaining time is dedicated to club activities.
Teitan High School ends a little later, at half-past three.
If he wasn't on duty, Hoshimiya Yuu would be off work by now.
But as the school nurse, he had to wait until club activities finished, meaning he would leave at half-past five.
He endured another two hours, during which nothing happened; no injured students came to the infirmary.
Just as Hoshimiya Yuu took off his white coat, ready to return to his apartment, Ran and Suzuki Sonoko arrived again.
Ran had probably just finished practice at the Karate Club. Her fair, pretty face was flushed with a faint pink, making her look even more adorable and charming.
"Mouri-san, Suzuki-san."
Hoshimiya Yuu nodded, greeting them.
The two girls politely returned the greeting, "Good afternoon, Mr. Hoshimiya."
"Mr. Hoshimiya, are you heading home?" Suzuki Sonoko asked, looking at Hoshimiya Yuu with curiosity.
"I'm off work, so naturally I'm going home."
"You're so young, Mr. Hoshimiya. Don't you have any plans after work?"
Suzuki Sonoko grew even more curious, looking him up and down. "You're so handsome and just graduated from college. Doesn't anyone ask you out after work?"
"They do," Hoshimiya Yuu shrugged. "But I turned them all down."
"Huh? Why?"
"Simple. I have to work a part-time job," Hoshimiya Yuu spread his hands, not feeling awkward in the slightest.
He had lived through his own hard work for so many years and felt absolutely no shame.
Suzuki Sonoko was generally thick-skinned, and as a Zaibatsu heiress, she truly had no concept of money.
Ran, however, who had taken charge of the household finances early on, understood immediately.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hoshimiya. Sonoko didn't mean anything bad. She just…"
"It's fine, I understand."
Hoshimiya Yuu locked the infirmary door. "Enough about me. Did you come to find me for something? We can talk as we walk."
"Okay."
Suzuki Sonoko and Ran nodded obediently.
At this point, Suzuki Sonoko also realized her earlier lapse in judgment and toned down her behavior considerably.
She was just boisterous; she wasn't truly brainless or ill-mannered.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, thank you so much. After sleeping this morning, I feel much better."
On the way, Ran thanked Hoshimiya Yuu again.
"It was nothing. The key is for you to get good rest tonight. The finals are tomorrow."
"About that…"
Ran lowered her head shyly and said softly, "I was actually hoping to ask Mr. Hoshimiya for a favor."
Looking at the girl's bashful demeanor, Hoshimiya Yuu suddenly had a thought.
"You're not going to ask me to massage you again so you can sleep soundly tonight, are you?"
The girl's face was flushed, her slender hands clenched tightly, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.
It really was that?
Was this Karate Final so important to Ran?
He didn't remember any details about it.
Just as Hoshimiya Yuu was surprised and confused, Suzuki Sonoko spoke up.
"I suggested it. Ran's dad is home anyway, so Mr. Hoshimiya can just leave once Ran falls asleep."
She paused, as if realizing something, and added, "We can pay you. We'll calculate the price based on my family's masseur's daily wage."
A moment later, seeing that Hoshimiya Yuu hadn't responded, Suzuki Sonoko said nervously,
"Mr. Hoshimiya, I didn't mean it that way. I meant that if it interferes with your part-time job, we can compensate you…"
Hoshimiya Yuu glanced at Suzuki Sonoko, looking at her with some amusement.
He had simply been thinking about how to interact with Mouri Kogoro later to get a System reward.
Should he say the Suzuki family had good manners, or that she didn't act like a Zaibatsu heiress, being so polite when offering money?
"Your family is very wealthy, Suzuki-san. A masseur's daily wage must be higher than my part-time pay. I accept this job."
Suzuki Sonoko's nervous look was a rare sight. After exchanging a knowing glance with Mouri Ran beside him, Hoshimiya Yuu said easily.
Relieved that Hoshimiya Yuu wasn't angry, Suzuki Sonoko sighed.
"Sonoko, don't be so nervous. Mr. Hoshimiya is a very kind person."
Ran covered her mouth and chuckled, teasing, "That's what you've been saying all along. How did you forget now?"
"Huh?"
Suzuki Sonoko gave her friend a puzzled look, only now realizing that the two of them were making fun of her.
"By the way, Mr. Hoshimiya, are you free tomorrow?"
Seeing Hoshimiya Yuu agree, Ran also felt a sense of ease. "Since you've gone to so much trouble for me, I'd like to invite you to watch the finals tomorrow."
"Sure."
Hoshimiya Yuu looked at Suzuki Sonoko and joked, "I just started this job, and I've put my other part-time work on hold recently, so I actually have a lot of free time. I didn't expect to have some unexpected income today. Thank you for your generous gift, Suzuki-san."
Suzuki Sonoko's cheeks turned pink. She glared angrily at Ran and Hoshimiya Yuu, prompting them to chuckle again.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, since you're going to massage her anyway, why don't you just come with us and have dinner? It will save you the trouble of making your own meal."
Ran also nodded. "Yes, it will also save you the trip back and forth, sensei."
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony."
Hoshimiya Yuu readily agreed. Not only did he get an extra bit of cash, but he also saved on dinner.
As for feeling embarrassed…
He didn't feel it at all.
Right now, they were the ones who needed his help.
And after years of struggling, if nothing else, his audacity had certainly been honed.
The three of them chatted and laughed, soon arriving together at the Mouri Detective Agency.
Looking at the three-story building, which gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, Hoshimiya Yuu felt a moment of wistfulness.
It really is the Conan World…
Although he had confirmed it yesterday, seeing this classic building still made him feel a bit sentimental.
While waiting for Ran to cook dinner, Hoshimiya Yuu had a brief introduction to the drunken Mouri Kogoro.
But whether due to the latter's intoxication or insufficient interaction, he failed to trigger a System reward.
Furthermore, perhaps because Suzuki Sonoko was present, Mouri Kogoro simply went to bed after dinner.
After helping Ran clean up and waiting with Suzuki Sonoko for her to finish her shower, Hoshimiya Yuu used the Peaceful Sleep talent again to help Ran fall asleep, following the same procedure as in the infirmary that morning.
Perhaps because she had showered and was in her most familiar environment, Ran fell asleep faster and deeper this time than she did in the morning.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still think Mr. Hoshimiya's massage is amazing."
Suzuki Sonoko looked at Hoshimiya Yuu in awe. "Hey, Mr. Hoshimiya, I want to try it too. Could you come to my house?"