Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 180 Holding Ai in his arms, yet thinking of another woman

"I'm so tired."

As soon as Ai got home, she collapsed to the floor.

Her workload now seems to be even greater than it was within the organization.

"You only need to work a few hours a day, why are you so tired?" Zheng Yi asked, puzzled.

"Going to school is tiring too," Ai said with dissatisfaction.

Zheng Yi said, "Isn't going to school easy for you? It's practically like taking a break."

I get a full day off and only need to work in the evenings.

Shoichi felt he had been too good to Ai.

Ai Haibara, on the other hand, only wanted to strangle Masakazu.

If it weren't for the opportunity to research antidotes in the lab, she would have run away with her sister long ago.

"Then let me give you a massage."

Zheng Yi walked behind the sofa and massaged Ai's shoulders.

Ai shrugged, surprisingly feeling that Shoichi did have some skill, so she didn't refuse his offer.

I work for Zheng Yi to earn money, and Zheng Yi owes me all of this.

"Be gentle," Ai said.

"No problem." Zheng Yi nodded.

As she was pressing, Ai was suddenly hit by something very heavy.

Zheng Yi fell straight from behind, landing on top of Ai.

"What are you doing?" Ai asked.

Shoichi pressed down on Ai, his eyes tightly closed, without making a sound.

Xiao Ai's heart suddenly raced.

Could it be that it's dead?
She struggled to pull her arm out and placed her hand on Zheng Yi's nose.

And breathing.

"Get up quickly, stop making a fuss!" Ai said.

Zheng Yi still did not respond.

Ai punched Shoichi in the back and slapped him in the face, but Shoichi didn't react.

Could he have fainted?

"Hmm~ That's all there is to it."

Ai rolled her eyes.

Are you pretending to talk in your sleep?

"Curaçao!"

Ai shouted loudly for Curaçao to come and help, but Curaçao, Zheng Yi's personal bodyguard, mysteriously disappeared.

After Ai shouted and yelled for a long time, she finally got tired.

After biting Zheng Yi's shoulder, he fell asleep without realizing it.

Curaçao came down from upstairs.

Seeing Shoichi and Ai sleeping together, I took a blanket and covered them with it.

……

"I wasted a whole pot of magic potion."

Looking at the unprocessed potion, Hongzi had no desire to prepare another pot for Zhengyi.

But Zheng Yi's revenge had already come, so of course she had to return the favor.

Hongzi looked at the mirror behind her.

"Tell me how I can make Zheng Yi submit to my charm."

The frame of the magic mirror may be made of matte black metal, with intricate and mysterious runes carved along the edges, and a faint purple sheen.

The mirror is not ordinary transparent glass, but rather a deep dark purple or dark blue, with a dynamic effect resembling flowing water.

After Hongzi asked the question, a blurry human face appeared on the mirror.

"The key to unlocking the mystery of charm lies in the true reflection."

The magic mirror gave this mysterious answer.

Hongzi expressionlessly took out a broom.

"I believe Lady Akako can understand what I mean." The Magic Mirror's words were full of flattery.

“I don’t understand,” Hongzi said.

“The Mirror Maze,” the Magic Mirror said. “Lord Hongzi can use the Mirror Maze to reflect Zhengyi’s understanding of charm, and then prescribe the right medicine to make him submit to Lord Hongzi’s charm.”

Hongzi put down the broom.

That's a very good suggestion.

However, it seems that her magic doesn't work on Zheng Yi.

It's even more outrageous than Kaito.

She simply couldn't make Kaito succumb to her charm, and none of her magic worked on Shoichi.

She couldn't pull Zheng Yi into the mirror maze.

The magic mirror knew what Hongzi was thinking, and it said, "Although you cannot force him to come in, you can invite him in."

The Mirror Maze is a harmless spell; he will agree if you invite him.

The Magic Mirror continued, "He's a proud fellow, just like Lord Hongzi, so he probably won't refuse your invitation."

"A proud fellow?"

The magic mirror quickly tried to cover it up, saying, "Lord Hongzi's..."

"enough."

Hongzi swept the magic mirror into the trash heap with a broom.

While it offers some good advice, some of its statements are wildly wrong.

Hongzi began setting up the magic array.

"Let's add Kaito too," Akako whispered.

Let's take care of Kaito and Shoichi together.

Tomorrow, she will see Kaito and Shoichi fighting over her.

"Hahaha~"

After the magic circle was set up, Hongzi's house emitted a dazzling light in the night.

But this light seemed exceptionally restrained.

It didn't even affect the neighbors.

Hongzi sat upright in the middle of the magic circle with her eyes closed, breathing evenly, as if she were asleep.

Her consciousness had entered a maze, and Zheng Yi was standing next to her.

“Magic is truly amazing,” Zheng Yi said.

When someone invited him to visit the world of magic, Zheng Yi naturally wouldn't refuse.

Hongzi nodded.

Lady Akako's magic is certainly wondrous.

She summoned a mirror. "Would you like to see your own understanding of charm?"

"No rush, it seems you've brought other guests as well," Zheng Yi said.

Kaito Kuroba's image appeared in the mirror.

He wandered aimlessly through the maze, completely dazed.

Inside this maze of mirrors, he kept going in circles in one place.

“Let’s see what his understanding of charm is first,” Hongzi said.

After Hongzi finished speaking...

A mirror blocked Kaito's view.

"What is this?"

Kaito tapped on the mirror in front of him.

Is this a dream?

But this dream felt almost too real.

Could it be Akako's magic?

But isn't Akako supposed to be focused on dealing with Masakazu? She shouldn't be targeting me.

As Kaito pondered, the things reflected in the mirror began to change.

The figure of Kaito himself has been transformed into that of Kaito Kid.

Kaito Kid flies through the mirror, and Shinichi Kudo, Saguru Hakuba, Conan, and Aoko Nakamori flash by in turn.

After several people flashed by, only Kaito Kid remained in the mirror.

Akako whispered, "Is this Kaito's 'understanding' of charm?"

"Hmm~ Nothing special," Zheng Yi said.

Does he really think he's the most charming? How narcissistic!

Hongzi said, "It's hard to understand why he would think those guys are charming."

Kaito thinks Aoko is charming, which is within Akako's comprehension.

Hongzi couldn't understand the rest of the people.

“It’s not hard to understand,” Zheng Yi said. “Bai Ma Tan and the others are all very smart and have the ability to break the deadlock.”

This could create some surprises for Phantom Thief Kid; he probably enjoys that head-on confrontation.

"Is that right?"

Hongzi nodded.

She can create more surprises for Kaito.

But Kaito doesn't consider her one of the most charming people. Shoichi whispered, "Those accidents I mentioned were accidents caused by intelligence."

It's something that can make Kaito exclaim, "Oh? That's interesting."

Instead of Akako simply using unreasonable magic to capture him.

"Alright, it's time to check on you."

Hongzi grabbed a mirror and placed it in front of Zhengyi's eyes.

The first image that flashed in the mirror was also himself.

Hongzi's eyes flickered.

'Hmm~ Hmph~ Nothing special.'

Like Kaito, he's a narcissistic guy.

Then, a woman's figure appeared in the mirror. Hongzi didn't recognize this woman.

“Shiho Miyano is a scientist,” Masakazu introduced to Akako.

"Oh." Hongzi nodded.

What's so special about her?

Is she pretty?
Other figures began to flash in the mirror.

Zhengyi also introduced Hongzi to everyone.

"***, an outstanding entrepreneur."

"***, an excellent politician."

"An outstanding artist."

"An outstanding scientist."

The mirror in front of Seiichi reflected far more images of people than Kaito.

Hongzi also found commonalities among these people.

That is, they are very successful in society, and a large number of them have a lot of wealth.

"Is this what you consider charm?" Hongzi asked, somewhat disappointed.

That's too superficial.

Zhengyi glanced at Hongzi.

Am I superficial?

Aren't those people very charming?

"Their ability to become outstanding scientists, politicians, and entrepreneurs is itself a testament to their remarkable capabilities."

Isn't it admirable to have earned your rightful social status through your own abilities?

Zheng Yi didn't forget to put Hong Zi down.

"You clearly possess powerful magic and could be on a bigger stage, yet you choose to stay in a small high school."

What I do every day is think about how to make everyone fall under my spell with my charm.

You are far more vulgar than I am.

Hongzi clenched her fists.

Lady Akako, I have never heard such rude and direct words before.

Zheng Yi said, "Therefore, I can't see any charm in you at all."

This last sentence made Hongzi extremely angry.

Before Akako could lose control of her anger, Masakazu grabbed a mirror.

He placed it in front of the red card and said:
"So, let's see what your understanding of charm is."

"I?"

Hongzi's anger dissipated considerably.

Lady Akako is the most charming person in the world.

As Hongzi expected, the person in the mirror was herself.

However, she was horrified to discover...

In her own mirror, she saw only an empty, ornate doll enveloped by the gazes of countless admirers.

When the illusory figures of those worshippers faded away, only a bewildered and helpless ordinary girl remained in the mirror.

Zheng Yi blinked.

Is this really Hongzi's understanding of charm?
"No!"

Hongzi violently smashed the mirror in front of her, unable to believe what was inside.

"Is your magic reliable?" Zheng Yi asked.

“My magic is perfectly fine!” Hongzi said.

Zheng Yi nodded, his expression showing that he believed Hongzi's words, which was a way of comforting her.

"So you don't think you're charming either?" Zheng Yi said.

No wonder you've always wanted all the men in the world to submit to your charm, even if it meant using magic.

"Shut up!" Hongzi said, displeased.

Zheng Yi made a zipping motion, indicating that he had already locked his mouth.

Hongzi nervously grabbed her hair.
They then violently smashed the surrounding mirrors.

When you look directly into the mirror, you see confident figures reflected in it.

When Akako looked in the mirror, all she saw was an empty doll.

"Do you want to go back and rest?" Zheng Yi asked.

Hongzi doesn't seem to be in good condition.

"Shut up!"

Hongzi scolded Zhengyi in dissatisfaction.

She waved her hands nervously, and the mirror maze began to collapse. Kaito, with a bewildered expression, fell into an unfathomable pit.

Hongzi and Zhengyi also disappeared from the spot.

"My master, how was your harvest?"

The moment Hongzi opened her eyes, the magic mirror came forward to ask her questions.

It provided Hongzi with useful advice, and when Hongzi had a good harvest, it would naturally come to ask for a reward.

"We've gained a lot," Hongzi said expressionlessly.

“Congratulations, my master,” the Magic Mirror said. “You are the great heir to the Red Magic, after discovering the true nature of charm.”

With just a slight change, you can make him fall at your feet.

Hongzi calmly looked at the magic mirror.

After the magic mirror finished speaking, she said calmly, "You mean..."

Do I need to change so that he can feel my charm?

"Of course not, my master," the magic mirror said in a panic.

"Humph!"

Hongzi swept the magic mirror into the trash heap with a broom, and this time, a corner of the mirror's frame broke off.

Her charm has never come from the desires and expectations that others project onto you.

No matter how others see her, she is the most charming person.

Hongzi came to the table and took out the crucible.

As for Zheng Yi, that guy saw something he shouldn't have seen and has to completely submit to her charm.

Hongzi decided to increase the dosage.

She added various unknown medicinal herbs to the crucible.

If the dosage is large enough, both Shoichi and Kaito will be affected.

……

"What are you thinking?"

“I’m thinking about Koizumi Akako,” Masakazu said. “I feel like she’s not in a very good mental state.”

"Oh."

Zheng Yi continued, "I have a feeling she'll come to see me tomorrow."

When Hongzi comes over, what kind of talk should I use to persuade her to work for me?

Who is Koizumi Akako?

“A high school student, or a witch?” Zheng Yi said.

Ai nodded.

A high school girl who also likes to wear witch costumes.

So cute.

She must be a very interesting girl.

"Then can you let go of me?" Ai asked expressionlessly.

You've been holding me for a long time.

"Ok?"

Masakazu scratched his head and realized that he was covered with a blanket and was sleeping on the sofa with Ai in his arms.

But now both of them are up.

Ai pushed away Masakazu's arm and stepped out of his embrace.

After putting on her slippers, Ai rubbed her slightly sore shoulders and headed to her bedroom on the second floor.

"I'm going for a rest."

Ai glanced at Shoichi, who was still sitting on the sofa, and continued:
"It's late, you should go and get some rest too."

Stop thinking about your witch all the time; you'll see her tomorrow anyway.

(End of this chapter)