Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Shizuka Ikenami specially drove them to Osaka Station.

Along the way, no one spoke much, and a faint sense of reluctance filled the air.

The street scene outside the window rushed past, familiar buildings, shops, and street corners flashing by one by one, as if saying a silent farewell.

Ikeba Shizuka was focused on driving, but Lin Xiuyi could see from the rearview mirror that her expression was somewhat forlorn.

Although we experienced danger and tension during this time together, we also built a deep friendship.

Parting is always a sad thing.

Upon arriving at the station entrance, the crowds began to surge. Osaka Station is a transportation hub in the Kansai region, bustling with people at all times.

Ikenami Shizuka straightened Reiko's slightly crooked collar and adjusted her backpack strap.

"Once you arrive in Tokyo, remember to let me know you've arrived safely. A text message or a phone call will do; just let me know you've arrived safely."

"Yes! I definitely will!" Reiko nodded vigorously, then rushed over and gave Ikenami Shizuka a big hug. "Goodbye, Shizuka-neechan! I'll miss you!"

The little girl's voice had a distinct nasal tone, and her eyes were a little red.

She truly couldn't bear to part with this gentle yet capable older sister.

Shizuka Ikenami gently patted Reiko's back, a warm smile on her face: "I'll miss you too. Next time you come to Osaka, I'll take you to eat more delicious food and visit more fun places."

After releasing Reiko, Ikenami Shizuka straightened up and glanced at the others.

Fei Eri, Yukiko, Tomizawa Chikage, Orikasa Midori, Ruri, Mouri Kogoro...

Finally, her gaze settled on Lin Xiuyi.

"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do it after all these days," the girl suddenly sighed.

The others didn't understand what she meant and looked puzzled.

Lin Xiuyi immediately realized what was going on.

Why is this girl so insistent on me calling her "sister"?
Although he found it somewhat amusing, seeing the girl's dejected expression, Lin Xiuyi couldn't help but say something:

"Welcome to Tokyo! You can try it again sometime... cough, you can try it again then."

He didn't make a specific promise, but his words themselves were a concession, implying that once we got to Tokyo, on my turf, there might be an opportunity.

“…Then it’s settled!” Ikeba Shizuka nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face.

The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

The tacit understanding and subtle interaction made Eri Kisaki slightly narrow her eyes, Yukiko pouted, and Chikage Tomizawa even snorted and turned her head away.

"Alright, alright, it's time to get into the station," Kogoro Mouri glanced at his watch and reminded him, "If we don't leave now, we'll miss the boarding time."

Only then did everyone realize what was happening, picked up their luggage, and headed towards the ticket gate.

Lin Xiuyi walked at the back and glanced back.

Ikeba Shizuka was still standing there, wearing a light-colored dress, which made her stand out in the crowd.

She raised her hand and waved, her lips moved, but no sound came out. Lin Xiuyi understood immediately; she was saying, "Be careful on the road."

Lin Xiuyi waved, then turned and followed his companions. ...

As the train slowly started moving, Lin Xiuyi looked out the window and saw that Ikenami Shizuka was still standing at the station entrance, her figure growing smaller and smaller against the backdrop of the rapidly receding platform.

She kept her hand up, waving at the train, until the train completely left the platform and her figure disappeared from sight.

Lingzi leaned on Lin Xiuyi's shoulder, her little hands gripping her brother's arm.
"Onii-chan, I'm a little sad to see Shizuka-neechan leave. And Osaka... when can we come back again?"

The little girl's voice was muffled, clearly indicating that she had not yet recovered from the separation.

Lin Xiuyi patted his younger sister's head, a gentle smile on his face: "It's okay, we'll come to Osaka again in the future. Jinghua said we're welcome to come anytime. And she'll come to Tokyo to see us too, then you'll be able to meet her."

“You should come alone next time,” said Eri Kisaki, sitting in the opposite seat, holding a magazine but clearly not reading it.

Her face was stern, and her tone clearly showed displeasure.
"It's better if we, these burdens, don't come along. Otherwise, we might delay your 'appointment' with someone else."

"that is!"

Yukiko immediately nodded in agreement. She sat down next to Eri Kisaki, clearly having formed a "united front" with her.

She deliberately imitated Ikebami Shizuka's tone, saying in an exaggerated voice, "Then it's settled!"

Her imitation was incredibly lifelike; she even captured seven or eight tenths of the slightly formal yet expectant tone of Ikeba Shizuka's voice.

"Hey, what kind of riddles are you two playing? What secret agreement are you making that you can't let us know?"

“Yeah, Onii-chan,” Reiko finally realized, lifting her head from Hayashi Hideichi’s shoulder, “Are you and Shizuka-neechan hiding something from us? What do you mean by ‘try again’? Try what?”

Although Tomizawa Chikage and Orikasa Midori didn't speak, their gazes also drifted over.

With so many eyes staring at her, Lin Xiu felt a headache coming on.
"What agreement? Don't you already know about this? I've told you about it before."

"Did you say that?" Yukiko frowned, trying hard to remember. "I don't recall. When did you say that?"

Eri Kisaki finally realized what was happening. She put down the magazine, adjusted her glasses, and...

"Are you talking about... her wanting you to call her 'sister'?"

“This is it,” Lin Xiuyi shrugged, looking helpless. “During our stay in Osaka, I’ve either been busy solving cases or sightseeing with you guys. I haven’t had time to make any private plans with Jinghua.”

"Judging from your tone, you seem quite disappointed."

Tomizawa Chikage sneered, her tone clearly sarcastic.
"It seems that in your heart, you still feel that we came along to be a third wheel and that we're hindering you and Jinghua from developing your relationship?"

“I…” Lin Xiu was speechless for a moment.

……

Beside him, Kogoro Mouri watched the commotion with a smile, intending to say something sarcastic, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he was glared at by Ruri beside him.

"What, are you envious of Shuichi?" Ruri asked softly, her voice not loud, but loud enough for Kogoro Mouri to hear clearly.

"No, absolutely not!" Kogoro Mori hurriedly shook his head, his movements so exaggerated he almost twisted his neck. "What's there to envy about Shuichi! Being surrounded by girls asking him all the questions all day long must be exhausting! I prefer a quieter life!"

"Nothing is best," Ruri snorted coldly, withdrawing her gaze, but leaving behind a sentence that sent chills down Kogoro Mouri's spine, "If I find out you're hiding something from me about having some kind of agreement with other girls..." (End of Chapter)