Conan: The Man Behind the Romance

Chapter 74 Kudo: Sorry, Xiaolan
"Besides, my house is still under renovation, so the kitchen is completely unusable. I have made reservations at this secret restaurant these days and borrowed their kitchen to cook. Didn't you notice this when you and the police were investigating me?"

Xuesong Qingzi continued.

While she was speaking, the proprietress who had previously received Yingsheng and his friends came out and said apologetically:
"Ms. Kiyoko, I'm so sorry, Kitchen No. 1 is already occupied today."

"It's okay. I didn't book the place. I've seen Kitchen No. 2 before. It has everything."

Qingzi's voice was very gentle, which made the proprietress feel a little relieved. She actually wanted to reserve the larger Kitchen No. 1 for this regular customer, but she ran into the couple here by chance and they gave her too much money, so she really couldn't say that.

The so-called Kitchen No. 1 and Kitchen No. 2 are actually connected, and are only separated by a white curtain.

There is also a lightly painted landscape painting and two elegant Chinese characters on it.

Title:

Qingyuan.

When Kudo Shinichi just entered Kitchen No. 2, the lights were not on yet, but the lights next door were bright, which naturally projected two black silhouettes onto the curtain.

The next second, the proprietress turned on the light.

Although it was just a quick glance, for some reason, Kudo Shinichi always felt that it seemed somewhat familiar?

Especially the hairstyle, that corner...

Hmm, suddenly I thought of someone who is still angry with him.

Sorry, Xiaolan.

Kudo Shinichi sighed in his heart. He was indeed wrong in this matter, but since he had promised Xuesong Kiyoko, he had to do it.

Of course he knew that Xiaolan would be upset with him for this, especially after she asked for clarification and was rejected...

But, to be honest, he was really worried about Xiaolan's confidentiality.

Although Xiaolan clearly knew some information about Yuzuki Kiyoko this time, she never told anyone when asked. Even when Sonoko asked, she just repeated the public part in the newspaper from her own perspective, which surprised Kudo Shinichi.

However, the impression formed previously cannot be changed so easily.

Kudo Shinichi always felt that Xiaolan was too enthusiastic and extroverted, and her desire to communicate and share was too strong.

Where did this impression come from in the first place?

Don’t really remember.

In short, he felt that Xiaolan had lived too carefree a life since childhood and was unable to realize the seriousness of many things.

If he told her about Xuesong Qingzi's matter, who knows if she would spread the matter to everyone the next day, just like she usually spreads gossip among girls?

In that case, the reputation of Yuzuki Kiyoko's Teitan High School would be greatly damaged, and she would definitely transfer to another school.

By then, he can't just follow suit.

Although this is also a solution, it would be more troublesome than the current situation.

correct.

This morning during the break, when he was being harassed and questioned by a group of classmates, Shuiyue pulled him out. What did she say?

Seems to be……

——"Kudo, Xiaolan is not an idiot. If you explain it to her seriously, there is no way she will not realize the seriousness of the problem. Let me ask you, isn't trust mutual? Isn't trust cultivated from small things?"

——"Really, whether you are worried about her getting hurt or you think she will hold you back. If you keep excluding her, small secrets will become big secrets that you can't tell. You will never be able to be honest with each other."

——"If that develops, I can almost conclude that in the future, I'm afraid that any passerby will understand you, Kudo Shinichi, better than Xiaolan."

——"After all, you have been finding all kinds of excuses to hide it from her. Even if you meet someone else who knows the truth, you will probably ask that person to keep it a secret from her as well."

--"Is it right?"

——"When this concealment gradually becomes a big web, then no matter what your original purpose was, your world has completely excluded her." ——"If you want to repent, now is the time. Xuesong's matter is just a small matter. Start with it."

The memory is over.

Kudo Shinichi smiled bitterly and shook his head. Did Shuiyue become a good doctor after suffering from illness for a long time? He is really good at preaching.

My answer at that time seemed to be...

——"That won't happen. This is just an exception. I will resolve it as soon as possible."

Teeth white.

Now that I think about it, this answer seems very perfunctory.

However, most of his attention was on Xuesong Qingzi at that time, and he didn't pay much attention to Shuiyue's preaching, so this reply was normal.

In short, he admitted that what Shuiyue said made some sense, but reasons were just reasons and could not be done at all.

It was impossible to talk to Xiaolan about the case seriously and let her think about it. She would be distracted after about half a minute, and even if she sat there and looked at him, her mind would probably drift to somewhere else.

Girls are basically creatures from alien planets. What’s in their heads is totally beyond the imagination of boys.

Xiaolan...

A girl like her, who is the same age as Nadeshiko, is good at cooking, housework, and playing the piano. If she were to be a housewife, she would definitely be an excellent person.

But if you talk about helping him solve cases or even becoming his Watson, that would be totally overthinking.

Ugh.

Sure enough, the previous list of mystery novels that was requested was definitely taught to Xiaolan by Shuiyue.

How should I put it? I'm very grateful for his kindness, but it must be wishful thinking. Xiaolan won't watch it. She said before that she gets a headache when she hears the word Sherlock Holmes.

When I get home in the evening, I'll just make a list of books and give it to Xiaolan to complete the task, and also give a copy to Shuiyue.

Shuiyue will definitely understand what he means. She only needs to read the beginning of the first book and then talk about this with Xiaolan by chance to discover the truth.

A slightly pungent spicy smell came from the kitchen next door, and Kudo Shinichi shrugged his nose.

OK, I have finished thinking about these trivial matters and am back to the topic.

Kudo Shinichi looked at Xuesong Kiyoko. She had put on a light blue apron and was washing fresh bamboo shoots by the sink. Her movements were skillful and brisk. Although her back was slender, she had a sense of vitality. She seemed to be a family head...

Cough!

In this case, it is impossible to find any abnormality.

Kudo Shinichi felt quite helpless. He followed Yuzuki Kiyoko like a follower today. His primary purpose, of course, was to see if he could find some connection between her and the mastermind behind the scenes.

The second is the analysis of personality.

If you want to conduct a thorough investigation, you must first know what kind of person is on the other side, whether it is Xuesong Kiyoko or the mastermind behind her.

But for now, neither has gained much.

After all, there are differences between men and women, and Kiyoko Sugimoto is not a truly recognized criminal, so Kudo Shinichi's observation has blind spots.

As for personality...

Kudo Shinichi curled his lips. This guy is definitely an excellent actor and has a lot of experience. Even if he wants to face her true nature, it seems that he can't do it in a short time.

"Kudou-kun, are you allergic to seafood?"

Xuesong Qingzi asked softly.

Kudo Shinichi had no choice but to come again.

(End of this chapter)