Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the blinds.

Xiaolan held the book "Complete Illustrated Guide to Taxonomy and Specimen Preparation of Large Mammals" in her hands. Although her eyes were fixed on the complex skeletal diagrams on the pages, her mind was not on anatomy at all.

"Um... Ai?" Ran finally broke the silence.

She put down her book, rested her chin on her hands, and tentatively probed, "I always feel that you sometimes speak and act like a mature adult."

Upon hearing this, Ai didn't even look up. She just yawned casually, her eyes still fixed on the pages of the book, showing no reaction to Ran's somewhat abrupt remark.

Seeing Ai's unyielding attitude, Ran's curiosity only grew stronger.

She leaned forward, her tone tinged with gossip: "By the way, Ai, tell me honestly, do you have any special feelings for Zheng Yi?"

"What particular idea?"

Ai finally stopped turning the pages of the book. She looked up and stared at Ran with a speechless expression.

“Mouri-kun,” Ai sighed, “please get your facts straight. I’m just a seven-year-old elementary school student. At my age, my mind should be filled with amusement parks and cartoons, not men.”

Xiao Lan, who was a little choked, scratched her cheek.

But your brain isn't filled with cartoons or anything like that.

She quickly followed up on Ai's words, asking, "That's true... But when you grow up, will you like that type of boy?"

With a soft "snap," Ai neatly closed the heavy illustrated guide in her hand.

She stared intently at Xiaolan.

"Ran, do you have some misunderstanding about me?" Ai said.

"I'm not some monster who accidentally became young again. Why can't you believe that geniuses and child prodigies exist in this world?"

Ran was stunned; she hadn't expected Ai to be so direct.

Ai, feigning the narcissistic air she learned from Shoichi, said helplessly, "Because I have displayed extraordinary intelligence, many people think that I have become young again."

Seriously, we need to believe in science, okay? How can someone turn back into a child or be reborn with their memories intact?

Xiaolan scratched her head, feeling embarrassed.

She stared intently into Ai's eyes and said, "I feel that you and Conan both..."

"He dares to compare himself to me?"

Ai said arrogantly, "He's only a first-year student, while I'm already a high school student. There's no comparison at all."

High school students are at a much higher level than elementary school students.

"And I've also taught myself biology and chemistry, so I can continue my studies after I go to university. Can he do that?" Ai asked.

Xiaolan shook her head.

Conan probably wouldn't be able to do it.

"Then how can he compare to me?"

Ai shrugged and continued reading her book.

Xiaolan frowned.

Is Ai really not?
"Xiao Lan, why have you suddenly lost interest in these things?" Xiao Ai asked.

"Oh, I just find these things difficult," Xiaolan said. "And I don't know what the point of learning these things is."

"She can dismember people skillfully," Ai said sinisterly.

Xiao Lan slapped her forehead in exasperation.

I was just trying to scare someone, you wouldn't actually think that way, would you?
It seems I need to talk to Zheng Yi about paying attention to Ai's physical and mental health.

"Do you really not like Zheng Yi?"

"Heh." Ai sneered, "When you were my age, did you already have a man you liked?"

Xiaolan shook her head, resting her chin on her hand, and asked softly, "Don't you like your brother either?"

Ai said with a slightly annoyed tone, "If you lived with Shoichi, you would never have that kind of feeling."

You only want to kill him; you have absolutely no affection or respect for your elder brother.

But it's hard to say.

Xiao Ai's eyes darted around.

Zheng Yi's way of interacting with others might be because he himself is not a child.

Back when he and Hongye were childhood sweethearts, he must have taken good care of her and seemed to have stood up for her quite a bit, otherwise Hongye wouldn't be staying at Zheng's house now.

Xiao Lan scratched her head.

Do I live with Zheng Yi?
Isn't this a bad idea?

Xiaolan looked at Xiaoai and said, "Since you don't like her, how about I introduce Zhengyi to a girlfriend?"

"Ok?"

Ai stared at Ran.

"Who?"

“My classmate,” Xiaolan said.

"Who?" Ai continued to ask.

Isn't your classmate my classmate?

Xiaolan blinked: "She was my elementary school classmate, but we didn't go to the same high school."

……

"You're back."

When he saw Ai come back, Masakazu eagerly took her schoolbag and then used today's hug coupon.

After hugging Masakazu, Ai also started taking off her shoes.

On a large sofa not far away, Hongye was sitting with her legs crossed, holding a glass of red wine, her gaze shifting away from the television.

"Did you have fun today?" Hongye asked.

Ai poured herself a glass of ice water, tilted her head back and took a sip, then turned around.

"I'm 100% sure." Ai put down her water glass and said with certainty, "Ran has completely doubted Conan's identity."

"Oh?" Zheng Yi, the straight man, asked, "How so?"

"She pretended to be nonchalant on the surface, but tentatively asked me some strange questions, and even implied that Conan sometimes acted like an adult." Ai's lips curled into a playful smile.

"That kind of look that sees through things but doesn't say anything, yet can't help wanting to verify it, is absolutely right."

After listening to Ai's analysis, Koyo was taken aback for a moment, then put her wine glass on the coffee table, rested her chin on her hands, and showed excitement and anticipation on her face.

Zheng Yi's focus, however, was different from hers.

Zheng Yi asked, "What strange question did Xiao Lan ask you?"

Xiao Ai glanced at him sideways.

Given your personality, shouldn't you be gloating and watching Conan get killed and blood flow like a river?

Why am I suddenly interested in those strange questions?
"I won't tell you," Ai said.

"She wouldn't ask you if you like me, would she?"

"Snapped!"

As soon as Zheng Yi finished speaking, Xiao Ai's little hand landed on his face.

Masakazu grabbed Ai's hand and squeezed it.

It seems I was right.

Zheng Yi sighed helplessly.

There's no way around it; she's just too good-looking, and Ai spends all her time with her, so it's normal for Ran to suspect that Ai might have a crush on her.

Like Sato, who kept causing him trouble.

Isn't it just because she's obsessed with her own beauty that she tries to get his attention?

Zheng Yi was already used to this.

“There’s nothing shameful about liking me,” Zheng Yi said.

Ai glared at Masakazu.

It's so embarrassing.

No, what does it have to do with her whether it's shameful or not?
"Stop being so narcissistic. How could Ran ask such a question?" Ai said.

Shoichi fiddled with Ai's fingers and said softly, "I feel like Ran would ask this kind of question. These days, high school students are all about dating and don't have any interest in studying."

Ai's eyelids twitched at these words. She turned to Momiji and said, "I have a feeling Conan will end up in a really bad way. Even though Ran already knows about him, he still pretends to be crazy in front of her."

"When Ran no longer wants to play with Conan, we can bring a coffin to collect her body."

"Don't change the subject."

Hongye stared at Xiao Ai and asked, "So what was your answer to Xiao Ran? Did you like it or not?"

"Of course I don't like it!" Ai exclaimed, her face darkening.

Damn it, even the topic-changing tactic didn't work?
“Sigh! You’ve been exposed too,” Zheng Yi said.

"what?"

Xiao Ai turned her head in surprise to look at Zheng Yi.

How did I give myself away?

Masashi said to Ai, "How can you say you don't like it? That's so fake."

Ai suddenly wanted to bare her teeth at Masakazu.

What do you mean by saying you don't like it is a lie?

Zheng Yi said, "I'm so likable, it would be a lie to say you don't like me. Then Xiao Lan would start to doubt that you're lying about not having reversed your aging process."

"Are you misunderstanding your own charm?" Ai couldn't help but retort.

Zheng Yi shook his head.

You've misunderstood my charm.

Zheng Yi said, "Look, Ayumi likes me quite a bit. Why wouldn't a little girl your age like me?"

"How much contact have you had with Ayumi?" Ai asked.

Ayumi doesn't know you well and is still naive, which is why she likes you as an older brother.

But my persona is that of a precocious prodigy, and I've spent so much time with you.

"Ai," Momiji said to Ai, "If you lie now, Ran will definitely suspect you. So, won't she suspect that we're also hiding this from her with Conan?"

Ai stared wide-eyed at Momiji.

Do you also think that Ai should like Masakazu?

What's the logic behind this?
“That won’t do. I can’t be someone who aids and abets evil.” Zheng Yi said, “My business persona is one of sincerity and justice. If people misunderstand that I’m lying and helping others deceive my friends, my business empire will be greatly affected.”

So, Ai, just say you didn't know you were an old man, and that you deceived and fooled me.

Ai didn't know what to say.

Sincerity and justice?

He's talked so much that he's started to believe it himself.

Momiji chimed in, "Then I was tricked by Ai too, wasn't I?"

Xiao Ai was indignant.

From what you're saying, do I have to like Zhengyi?
……

Inside a French restaurant in Beika Town.

On one side of the long table sat Mary Akai and her daughter Masumi Sera, who had regained their original mature and sophisticated figures.

On the other side are the Miyano sisters, Akemi and Shiho, who have also recovered.

The two families, who have already recognized each other as relatives, occasionally have family meals together.

Just like when they were still in the organization, Shiho and Akemi would get together every now and then, Akemi and Akai Mary also made a promise to get together every now and then.

Zheng Yi would sometimes come over, adding an outsider to a perfectly good family gathering.

This was just a coincidence.

Mary Akai and Shiho have both returned to their original appearances, so they don't have to face their relatives in their childhood forms, saving them from embarrassment.

Sera Masumi, on the other hand, was very disappointed.

She used to be allowed to have two younger sisters, but now she's the youngest.

The group chatted and laughed, already quite familiar with each other.

Furthermore, Sera Masumi has a cheerful personality and is Shiho's classmate, so she talks more.

The fact that both families quickly became familiar with each other was largely thanks to Sera Masumi.

Just as the atmosphere was gradually becoming harmonious and pleasant, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

"Ta-da! Xiaolan, look at this restaurant's signature dish!"

With a flurry of footsteps, Sonoko burst through the door.

Upon hearing Sonoko's voice, the four people in the private room froze instantly.

"Sonoko?!" Sera Masumi's eyes widened. "What are you doing here?!"

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I went to the wrong private room." Sonoko scratched her head and said apologetically.

"I made an appointment with Xiaolan to have dinner here, but I misread the number on the private room. I didn't expect to end up here."

Although she had come to the wrong private room, Sonoko didn't rush to leave when she saw an acquaintance. Instead, she said in a carefree manner, "Masumi, your family is so beautiful! This lady has such a great presence, she looks just like a movie star!"

Mary Akai's eye twitched slightly, but she nodded with a polite smile.

“This is my mom,” Sera Masumi said.

Sonoko nodded and said, "Auntie looks very young."

“No way,” Mary Akai said with a smile, “It’s much better than yours.”

Sera Masumi then pointed to Shiho and Akemi and said, "These two are my cousins."

"Ok?"

Sonoko looked at Akemi with surprise and asked, "Akemi-neechan is Masumi's cousin?"

Sera Masumi nodded.

"What about Ai?"

“She’s my cousin,” Sera Masumi said.

Sonoko looked at Masumi with surprise.

I've never heard you guys mention this before.

"Then why don't you invite Ai to your family gathering?" Sonoko asked.

Akemi said, "Shoichi took her out to play."

Sonoko nodded, looking bewildered.

What is the relationship between Zheng Yi and you?
It seems like Ai and Shoichi are closer. When the two of them go out to play, they don't let Ai come to the family gathering.

Sonoko looked at Sera Masumi and asked, "What about your sister?"

"She was also taken away by Brother Zhengyi," Zhenchun said.

"oh oh."

The garden feels a bit strange.

Why were the younger ones taken away by Zheng Yi, while the older ones were left behind?
He didn't stay in the garden long; after chatting for a few minutes, he went to find Xiaolan.

The garden has just left.

"Well……"

Mary Akai suddenly groaned, and the knife and fork in her hand clattered onto the porcelain plate.

She clutched her chest in pain, her forehead instantly covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.

"Mom! What's wrong?!" Sera Masumi exclaimed in shock, jumping up to support her.

Almost simultaneously, Shiho Miyano, sitting opposite her, also turned deathly pale. She bit her lower lip tightly, and her body trembled uncontrollably.

"Damn it... the drug is taking effect..."

"Shiho?!" Akemi Miyano was terrified and quickly reached out to help her up.

Akemi and Masumi exchanged a blank look.

what's the situation?
Is it still contagious when the medication takes effect?

With a strange, contracting sound, the two mature women instantly curled up into two balls on the chair.

The oversized clothes covered its entire body, leaving only two fluffy little heads visible. (End of Chapter)