Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Tokyo, just like any other city.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows act like a mirror, bringing the dazzling night view of Tokyo Tower into the room without reservation.

The luxurious coffee table was now submerged in a sea of ​​pink, with piles of little girls' dresses of all styles stacked up like mountains.

Hongye sat elegantly on the sofa, wearing a modified kimono that blended classic and modern designs, exuding the noble air of a young lady from a prestigious Kyoto family.

Opposite her, Sera Masumi was a completely different character.

She was wearing an oversized hoodie, her hands in her pockets, sitting casually on the armrest of the sofa, chewing gum and making "smack smack" sounds.

"You're Ai's younger sister?" Koyo turned her head slightly, scrutinizing Sera Masumi with a condescending gaze.

"Looks like... no wonder I can only have a crush on someone in secret." Hongye's voice was very soft, almost muttering to herself.

She withdrew her gaze and refocused her attention on the dress in her hands, a faint smile playing on her lips.

In her opinion, this tomboy who lacked femininity and dressed like a boy was not the type that Jung Il-hwa liked at all.

"what?"

Sera Masumi keenly caught the whisper, and she blew a bubble, making a crisp "pop" sound.

His eyes narrowed instantly, filled with a dangerous aura.

Has this rumor spread that far? Even people in Kyoto know about it?
Her heart skipped a beat. Did that mean that Zheng Yi and Xiao Ai also knew about this rumor?
Sera Masumi's eyes darted around, and she quietly turned her head to glance at Ai on the single sofa next to her.

Ai was holding a steaming cup of hot cocoa, her eyes calmly gazing at the night view outside the window beneath her short, brown hair.

She just wanted to enjoy this moment of peace and not be forced to wear those strange children's clothes that Hongye had brought.

Seeing Ai's calm demeanor, Sera Masumi breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, it seems that Ai didn't doubt herself, nor was she upset by the rumor.

Since Ai doesn't care, then she has nothing to worry about.

"It's all just rumors. I have no feelings for Zheng Yi." She deliberately dragged out her words, her tone full of provocation. "But you, judging from your tone, you sound so jealous. Could it be that you're the one who secretly loves Zheng Yi?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sera Masumi regretted them.

This was the line I used when I was arguing with Officer Sato. It's not really appropriate to say it to this young lady from Kyoto. What if she gets angry?

Just as she was about to apologize and ease the tension, she didn't expect Momiji's reaction to be much stronger than Sera Masumi had imagined.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Hongye's ears instantly turned crimson, as if her secret had been touched.

She suddenly stood up, the tutu embroidered with gold thread in her hand crumpled into a ball, the delicate lace trim deformed.

While rambling incoherently, she grabbed a velvet cushion from the coffee table and hurled it at Ai.

"what!"

Ai hugged her pillow innocently, blinked, and looked completely bewildered.

It's Sera Masumi who's speaking. Why are you taking your anger out on me?
Just because you and Sera Masumi aren't close, and I'm her older sister, does that mean I'm your punching bag?
Ai, who had been tormented by the autumn leaves, finally reached her breaking point.

She put down the hot cocoa and slowly stood up.

"Admit it, Momiji."

Ai walked to the coffee table, picked up a pink dress with bunny ears, and held it up against Momiji, her eyes full of mockery.

"If you don't like Zhengyi, then why did you buy this whole closet of children's clothes?"

"Huh? Of course it is..." Hongye subconsciously wanted to refute.

"Of course it's for your and Masakazu's future children." Ai interrupted her mercilessly, her words daring to be shocking. "You've thought very far ahead, even considering the children."

"you……"

Hongye's face instantly turned red, from her cheeks all the way to the base of her neck, like a boiled shrimp.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I want to be a fashion designer, that's why..."

"Hiss~"

Ai crossed her arms and said with a mischievous smile, "Then why do you only focus on children's clothing? Wouldn't adult women's clothing better showcase your design talent?"

"Of course, it's because of you as a model."

Hongye blurted out.

Wasn't it just that she initially only wanted to dress you up like a doll, but Zheng Yi suddenly praised her talent in fashion design, and that's when she became interested in it?
Looking at Ai's face, which seemed to say "Keep making this up," she knew that the little one was deliberately trying to tease her.

She stepped forward and roughly ruffled Ai's hair, making a mess of her carefully styled brown short hair.

She's only seventeen! How could she possibly think that far ahead?

Momiji's face turned red from Ai's words, and Ai's face turned red from Momiji's pinching.

"Oh—" Sera Masumi sighed meaningfully as she watched Ai being bullied by Momiji, whistling as she watched the spectacle. "High school students these days really think too much."

"Shut up! You two!"

Hongye stomped her foot in exasperation, her usual elegant young lady image instantly crumbling.

She looked around and finally fixed her gaze on the man who had been standing idly by in the corner.

Zheng Yi and Curaçao sat in the corner, listening to their argument and secretly encouraging them, saying that their argument was so gentle.

"Zhengyi! Are you just going to stand by and watch them spout nonsense?"

Zheng Yi, who had been sitting on the sofa playing games, finally looked up.

He was wearing a loose black loungewear outfit, the collar slightly open, revealing his collarbone; it was unclear who he was trying to seduce.

Hongye angrily pointed at herself, then at the pile of children's clothes, and questioned, "Would I have a crush on someone like you?"

Zheng Yi put down his phone, stroked his chin, and said with a profound expression, "It's hard to say."

"Huh?" Hongye's eyes widened, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Zheng Yi raised his hand to tidy up the stray hairs on his forehead, and gently pressed his fingertips on the top of his head, combing the messy hair into a casual slicked-back style.

He looked at Hongye with a serious expression, his tone full of self-righteous narcissism: "If it were me, it would be normal for anyone to have feelings for me. After all, my charm is undeniable."

"Pooh!"

"Pooh!"

"Pooh!"

The three of them sneered in unison, uttering disdainful sounds in unison.

Sera Masumi paused in her bubblegum blowing motion, and the pink bubble that had bulged out of her cheeks slowly deflated.

She pursed her lips, letting out a very soft "tsk," and turned her face to the window, pretending to look at the night view, but her ear tips twitched slightly as she tried hard to control herself from rolling her eyes.

She knows so many people, but it seems like she only knows that Officer Sato has a crush on Masakazu.

The garden doesn't count.

Sonoko likes anyone who is handsome.

"Your charm?" Ai asked, squinting. "You just got your hair slicked back, do you think you look handsome?"

Zheng Yi smiled reservedly.

Ai said coldly, "I feel more like petting an animal."

Zheng Yi's smile froze.

"Zhengyi!" Hongye said speechlessly, "You still have the nerve to say 'it's normal for anyone to have ulterior motives'?"

She really didn't know where Zheng Yi got the courage to say such a thing.

She said sarcastically, "Your charm? It's more about your thick skin! Thicker than the steel frame of Tokyo Tower!"

"Absolutely not!" Zheng Yi objected, but his tone was not firm.

Because Tokyo Tower was rebuilt by his company, he guaranteed it with his bank account balance; the steel frame of Tokyo Tower might not even be as shameless as he was. Seeing the three of them unanimously opposing his charm, Zheng Yi was somewhat disappointed.

He curled up on the sofa and said, "I'm not actually narcissistic."

The three of them looked at Zheng Yi together.

Is that really not true?
Zheng Yi pouted and said, "I just saw you two were about to start arguing, so I wanted to mediate. I think my mediation was very successful."

The three of them sneered again.

It's a desperate attempt to save face after being mocked, right? We all understand.

Seeing that his good intentions were not understood, Zheng Yi shook his head.

Oh well, he's been misunderstood for a long time now, he's gotten used to it.

……

Hongye sat in the center of the sofa, her phone tightly gripped in her hand.

The phone had just stopped bombarding me with messages, and the screen was still slightly warm from overheating.

"explain."

Hongye raised her head, but her eyes were now bloodshot.

"Why did my grandfather specifically ask Iori to tell me that 'although he doesn't approve of early marriage and childbirth, the bloodline of the Ooka family cannot be allowed to flow outside'?"

She stood up abruptly, her gaze sweeping over the three people in front of her like a knife.

Sera Masumi was leaning against the window, casually twirling her phone, while Ai sat on a single sofa, holding a book, her expression calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, and with a clear conscience.

"who is it?"

Hongye asked through gritted teeth, approaching step by step.

"Who else but the three of you could spread such a ridiculous rumor?"

The topic was brought up, and in the blink of an eye, it became known to everyone!
She first stared at Sera Masumi.

This girl has a criminal record; she's the one who spread the rumor that Sato had a crush on Masakazu.

Sera Masumi stopped spinning her phone, raised her hands in a gesture of surrender, and blinked innocently.

"Miss Hongye, I'm innocent! I know you, but we're not close. Why would I spread this rumor?"
Besides, I'm British, so I don't know many people in Japan, let alone anyone from Kyoto. Even if I spread the word, it wouldn't reach Kyoto.

Hongye nodded slightly.

Sato's rumor was limited to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and didn't spread far; Sera Masumi's words didn't even reach Kyoto.

"how about you?"

Hongye turned to look at Xiao Ai, her gaze even sharper.

Ai closed the book: "I know you. Although the eldest daughter of the Ooka family is proud, arrogant, obsessed with saving face, and stupid, even..."

Momiji was so angry she wanted to hit someone, but Ai explained, "But when you were messing with me, Masakazu didn't help me. Even if he was afraid of your revenge, he wouldn't have spread this rumor."

"It's you in the end!"

Hongye rushed up to Zhengyi and ripped off his headphones.

"Zhengyi! Is that you?"

Zheng Yi frowned slightly, somewhat displeased.

"I know you."

Zheng Yi said angrily, "What I hate most is rumors. I've been ruined by rumors! Lawless, serial killer, royal terminator, all sorts of ridiculous titles have been slapped on my head."

I'm also a victim of rumors, why would I spread your rumors?

Hongye remained noncommittal about Zhengyi's words.

Those rumors about you are not false.

Zheng Yi continued, "Moreover, such a rumor that would severely damage my reputation couldn't possibly have been spread by me."

"you!"

The red leaves were unusually angry.

This is clearly very damaging to my reputation!

She suspected Zheng Yi the most.

Because her grandfather said that only her family knows the situation, and no one outside knows about her 'affair'.

She can take a year off from school and continue her studies after the baby is born.

Of these three people, it seems only Zheng Yi's story reached Grandpa's ears.

But Zheng Yi simply refused to admit it.

Hongye looked at the three people, each of whom spoke with great conviction.

Her fist hardened and then relaxed, relaxed and then hardened again.

This kind of rumor is too low-class, too melodramatic, and completely unbecoming of the eldest daughter of the Ooka family. Even if you're going to spread a rumor, you should create a romantic story of "Shoichi willing to go against the whole world to pursue me," not this kind of ethical drama about "premarital pregnancy."

Hongye looked at the prime suspect, Zhengyi: "If it's not you, then who is it?"

She said with a forced smile, "Could it be that Curaçao?"

After saying that, she laughed.

Curaçao was usually taciturn, rarely spoke, and did not participate in other people's conversations; he was simply a dutiful bodyguard.

How could she possibly spread her rumors?

"By the way, where's your female bodyguard?" Hongye asked.

“They went to Kyoto,” Masakazu said.

"Huh?" Hongye's eyes widened.

She went to Kyoto?
Zheng Yi said in a low voice, "I borrowed Curaçao from someone else's company. She has a mission to go to Kyoto."

"Can the original company still use the people you borrowed?" Hongye asked.

Zheng Yi nodded.

Because the organization is inhumane and exploits its employees, it can't help but send Curacao to do other things when it sees that it has nothing to do.

I don't know who they learned this from, but they're exploiting their employees like this.

"Could it really be her who spread it?" Hongye said incredulously.

Would someone who looks so honest and quiet really spread rumors?
“Not necessarily, I trust Curaçao’s character,” Zheng Yi said.

"Who spread that message? You?" Hongye stared intently at Zhengyi.

Zheng Yi whispered, "Maybe it's because you have so many children's clothes that your family misunderstood and thought you had a child."

"With Ai Haibara wearing it, how could there be such a misunderstanding?"

Ai said, embarrassed and annoyed, "Is it possible that they know my real age, and that they know I won't wear those clothes?"

She stared intently at the red leaves.

Who would have thought that someone with the mindset of an eighteen-year-old would wear those kinds of clothes?
Hongye was a little embarrassed: "But that shouldn't be the case, since the clothes are for seven or eight-year-old girls. If... we had some baby clothes, we would have more reason to suspect, right?"

Sera Masumi said, "Maybe it's because you went back to Tokyo with Masakazu that your family is overthinking things?"

"Huh? No way?" Hongye said softly.

When she was in Kyoto, she didn't go home and lived with Masakazu and Ai. Did she already have suspicions back then?

Her sudden interest in fashion design, especially children's clothing, and her subsequent return to Tokyo with Masakazu, only deepened their suspicions. (End of Chapter)