Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

"To be honest, it has been a long time since I've seen Auntie."

"Yes, even I haven't seen her in a long time. My mother's reputation is growing, and she's taking on more and more cases..."

At this point, Xiaolan also sighed.

Although she was genuinely happy for her mother, as Eri Kisaki became increasingly busy, the opportunities for the two of them to meet were indeed becoming fewer and fewer. Not to mention Ryūno, even she herself hadn't seen her mother for almost a month.

Not to mention any "cooking class". Apart from the first time Ran took Eri there, Eri never went again.

Today, Eri finally had some time to rest, so she invited Ran and Ryūno to have lunch together.

Shortly after, a door in the hall opened, and Eri Kisaki and her two clients came out.

"Thank you so much this time! We were able to win the case thanks to you!"

"No, it's only right."

"..."

After seeing her client off, Eri approached Tatsuno and Ran, clasping her hands together in a gesture of apology: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I'm so sorry, something suddenly came up that I have to take care of, so I'll have to make it up to you another time..."

Before Longye and Xiaolan could answer, the female assistant came over and said, "Attorney Fei, the car is waiting for you outside."

"Thank you. Oh, by the way! Kuriyama, why don't you go out for something nice to eat with Ran and the others later?"

"Ok."

After saying goodbye to Ryuno and the other person, Eri Kisaki turned to leave.

Just then, a beautiful long-haired woman walked over carrying a square handbag.

"Attorney Fei, you're still as busy as ever! I heard you agreed to take on Shinji Usami's case."

Hearing that familiar voice, Eri Kisaki slowly turned around and greeted her, "Ms. Kujo, I was hoping to find some time to say hello to you."

Watching the two exchange pleasantries, Xiaolan leaned to the side and whispered, "Miss Kuriyama, who is this person?"

"She is Reiko Kujo, an elite prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, known as the Madonna prosecutor. This case that Attorney Kiyoshi has taken on is being handled by her."

"Yeah……"

Ten minutes later, Ryūno and Ran followed Ms. Kuriyama into a restaurant.

The three of them ate the dishes on the table and chatted.

"You two have really grown up! I remember you two were always inseparable when you were little, and I didn't expect you to still be like that now!"

"Really! Ms. Kuriyama~"

Seeing Ran's slightly flushed face, Ms. Kuriyama couldn't help but smile.

As someone who's been through it all, how could she not see that although Xiaolan looked very shy, there was an irrepressible smile hidden between her lips and brows?

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile, staring intently at Xiaolan.

Ran became even more shy under Ms. Kuriyama's gaze and immediately changed the subject: "By the way, Ms. Kuriyama, why does it feel like there's something off between my mother and that Prosecutor Kujo?"

Hearing this, Ms. Kuriyama was slightly surprised: "As expected, Ran noticed it too..."

Seeing that Ms. Kuriyama seemed hesitant about whether to reveal the matter, Tatsuno chuckled, "Ran, the reason you feel this way is probably because of the case they were talking about earlier. After all... lawyers and prosecutors are natural rivals~"

After listening to Longye's words, Xiaolan understood.

Lawyers and prosecutors may seem similar, but in reality, their powers and roles in court are completely different.

In the same case, the prosecutor thinks from the perspective of the prosecution, while the lawyer thinks from the perspective of the client, that is, the defendant. Therefore, it can be said that lawyers and prosecutors are "arch-enemies"!

Moreover, Eri Kisaki is the "undefeated queen" of the legal profession, while Reiko Kujo is the "strongest Madonna" of the prosecutor's profession; their positions are inherently different.

When two people are in charge of the same case, a fierce battle without bloodshed is bound to occur.

Thinking of this, Xiaolan immediately asked Miss Kuriyama about the details of the case.

"About a month ago, a man's body was found at a construction site in Beihu Township. According to the police investigation, the victim was an ordinary office worker named Hirasawa Tsuyoshi. It was confirmed that he died from being struck in the head directly by a steel pipe at the scene."

Ryūno: ?

Upon hearing the words "steel pipe," Longye immediately became interested, and his eyes showed a more serious expression than before.

Under the earnest gazes of Ryuno and Ran, Ms. Kuriyama finished recounting the entire incident.

-

The prime suspect is Shinji Usami, who is defending Eri Kisaki in this case. The police identified him based on a car key left at the scene.

Of course, the police wouldn't consider him the "prime suspect" based solely on a car key.

The police identified him as the prime suspect because the victim, Hirasawa, had gotten drunk one day three years ago and pushed Mr. Usami's child down the stairs, killing Usami's son, Masaki, instantly.

Although Hirasawa was immediately convicted, because he was intoxicated at the time, the judge ultimately granted him a suspended sentence, and Hirasawa didn't even have to go to jail.

Therefore, the police and prosecutors unanimously believe that Usami killed Hirasawa Takeshi in order to avenge her son.

The suspect, Usami, was drunk and had no recollection of what happened that day.

After hearing the details of the incident, Longye gradually remembered the case.

No wonder it felt familiar; this case seems to be related to Kogoro Mouri as well. If I remember correctly, Uncle Mouri is the prosecution's key witness.

The perpetrator in this case is likely the suspect Usami's wife.

……

Evening

Eri got out of the taxi and arrived at a small restaurant.

Upon seeing Ms. Kuriyama not far away, Eri immediately waved: "Kuriyama, you... Eh? Tatsuno, Ran? What are you doing here?"

She was somewhat surprised to see Longye and Xiaolan.

At this moment, Ms. Kuriyama quickly explained, "I'm sorry, I asked them to help me find this store."

Seeing the concerned looks on Ryuno and Ran's faces, Eri sighed, feeling a little touched: "Alright~ You guys come with me too."

Upon hearing this, Xiaolan immediately stepped forward, took Eri's arm, and walked into the store with a smile.

After ordering the food, Eri Kisaki began to inquire about her husband, Masako Kameda, from the proprietress.

Upon hearing Eri's question, Ms. Kameda immediately closed her eyes and lowered her head: "I don't remember anything about that person! I'm divorced from him, and I don't want to mention him at all now."

Ms. Kameda's resolute attitude troubled Eri Kisaki and Ms. Kuriyama. They exchanged a glance and immediately began to speak kindly to each other.

Chapter 197 The other way

No matter how the two tried to persuade her, Ms. Kameda remained completely unmoved. She even threatened that if they asked such questions again, they should leave immediately.

Just as everyone was at a standstill, the shop door was suddenly pulled open.

A man with a small mustache wearing a brown coat came into view.

"Dad? Why are you here?"

Uncle Mori, who was about to greet the beautiful proprietress, widened his eyes upon seeing several familiar faces in the store: "Isn't that what I was going to ask? What are you all doing here?!"

Seeing Eri's scrutinizing gaze, Uncle Mori immediately explained, "I... I just happen to come here for a drink or two! Please have a seat, I won't drink today..."

After saying that, before anyone could reply, he quickly closed the shop door and disappeared from everyone's sight.

After Kogoro Mouri left, Eri Kisaki seemed to remember something and immediately looked at the proprietress: "Does he come here often?"

"Well, even that night..." The proprietress immediately covered her mouth as she said this.

Seeing this, Eri Kisaki immediately pressed, "That night? You mean the night the incident happened?"

Realizing it was no longer appropriate to hide it, the proprietress slowly recounted what had happened that night.

Besides Kogoro Mouri, her husband Usami also came to the store that night.

Upon hearing this, Eri Kisaki seemed to realize something and immediately asked, "What time did Mr. Usami arrive?"

Upon hearing this question, a smile flickered across the proprietress's lips.

Upon noticing that smile, Longye confirmed his memory. If nothing unexpected happened, this proprietress should be the real culprit.

After a moment, the proprietress pretended to be trying to remember and slowly said, "I can't quite remember, but Mr. Mori from earlier should remember. You can go and ask him."

Seeing that the case had finally made progress, Eri Kisaki breathed a sigh of relief.

The group stopped asking the proprietress questions and began eating while chatting and laughing.

Half an hour later, the group finished their dinner and prepared to go to Uncle Mori's house to question him.

Watching Ran and the others leave the shop, Ryūno muttered to himself, "For now, one thing is certain. The culprit must have killed Hirasawa Tsuyoshi for revenge. In that case, only two people are most suspicious: besides Mr. Usami, it's..."

At this point, Longye suddenly changed his tone: "Speaking of which, who actually killed the person is completely unimportant. Since even Hirasawa Tsuyoshi was able to escape punishment by exploiting legal loopholes, then you..."

Upon hearing this, the proprietress stopped washing the dishes and stared wide-eyed at Long Ye in front of her.

Longye didn't say anything, but instead placed a note on the table.

Just then, Xiaolan's voice rang out from outside: "Longye? Why are you so slow?"

"Coming right now, I forgot my phone at the store!"

After waving to Xiaolan in the distance, Longye casually picked up a matchbox from the table: "Boss lady, I really like this matchbox, so I'll take it~"

After saying that, Longye closed the shop door and walked out of the shop.

Looking at the empty shop, the proprietress glanced down at the note on the table, which seemed to have a phone number written on it.

……

Fifty minutes later

Maori Detective Agency

They thought Kogoro Mouri would be home, but they've been here for so long and still haven't seen him.

Eri looked up at her watch, then angrily slammed her hand on the table and stood up.

"Damn it! Where did he go so late?!"

——"Click"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a crisp sound of a door opening rang out. Uncle Mori sauntered into the hall.

Upon seeing the people sitting on the sofa, his movements visibly froze for a moment, and the effects of the alcohol subsided somewhat.