Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

Upon hearing about this, he immediately declined Ran and Sonoko's invitation.

Are you kidding me? His singing is already this bad, and he still goes to a singer's celebration party?

How could a singer's celebration party be complete without a singing segment?

Are you asking for trouble?

Hmph! If it weren't for trying to distract Xiaolan and cheer her up...

He would rather die than attend any singer's celebration party!

Sure enough, Ran, who had been feeling down, immediately smiled and cheered after hearing Ryuno's words: "It's a promise! I'll tell Sonoko tonight that we're going to participate together too!"

After she finished speaking, Xiaolan looked at her father, and just as she was about to say something, she suddenly felt that something seemed to be missing from her father's side.

After thinking for a moment, she covered her mouth and said, "Oh! I almost forgot, how is Conan? Let's go check on that child."

Chapter 71: Can't sing, but can bluff.

Shortly after

The police have left the scene, and Longye and the others are preparing to go home.

On his way out of Tsujimura's residence, Hattori Heiji remained deep in thought.

For some reason, he always felt that there was something left unresolved.

correct!

Where's Shinichi Kudo?!

The guy suddenly appeared in the mansion, and then suddenly disappeared.

Strange, very strange, extremely strange!

How did he know the clues at the crime scene? Who told him?

Kogoro Mouri was under his watchful eye the whole time, and he didn't contact Shinichi Kudo at all.

Could it be Takeda Tatsuno? No, that's not right!

That guy didn't contact anyone. Except for when he took the child to rest and left for a while, he stayed in the study the whole time.

In such a short time, it would have been impossible for Takeda to convey the entire situation at the crime scene to Shinichi Kudo.

If that's the case, how did Shinichi Kudo know this information?

Why does what he says sound like he personally observed the scene?

Why on earth...

— "Beep beep beep, beep beep beep"

Just as he was about to continue thinking deeper, the phone in his clothes interrupted his train of thought.

"Hey?"

"What are you doing, Heiji?! What are you doing?! Why aren't you at school?"

Hearing the angry roar coming from the phone, Hattori Heiji broke out in a cold sweat.

"Kazuha, why are you shouting so loudly! What's the rush? I'm going back tomorrow..."

After hanging up the phone, Hattori Heiji irritably rubbed his hair and headed to the hotel.

……

Sunday

"Thank you so much, Sonoko! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have had the chance to attend the singer's celebration party."

"Haha! You're welcome. I only got the chance to celebrate with them after their performance because of my dad's connections~"

"After all, it's Rex, the hottest rock band right now. Opportunities like this are indeed rare, aren't they?"

Unlike Ran and Sonoko, who were beaming with joy, Ryūno's face grew increasingly dark.

The next moment, he pointed to the sign above his head and finally couldn't help but speak up: "Hey, I said...didn't they just finish performing on stage? Why did they choose to hold their celebration party in a karaoke room?!"

"Aren't they tired? Can't they rest their voices?"

Ran and Sonoko both laughed when they saw Ryuno's helpless expression.

"Longye, don't worry, we don't need to sing later~"

"Yes, it's a very rare treat to hear them sing in person!"

"..."

A moment later, looking at Ran and Sonoko singing happily on stage, Ryūno narrowed his eyes.

After the song ended, everyone applauded for Ran and Sonoko.

"You sang very well!"

"Yes, they sang much better than some other bands!"

At this moment, Tatsuya Kimura, the lead singer of Rex's band, also spoke up to praise them.

Upon hearing his seemingly pointed remark, the band's manager, Terahara Mari, immediately interjected, "Alright, Tatsuya, you've had too much to drink! Didn't you say you had a talk show segment later?"

Tatsuya Kimura turned to look at Mari Terahara and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense, you ugly woman! Get out of my way!"

The drummer, Katsumi Yamada, who was wearing sunglasses, also spoke up to persuade him: "Tatsuya, how can you say that? Mari is our band manager... It's only right that she says that."

Upon hearing this, Tatsuya Kimura slammed his beer mug on the table: "I'd like to ask you, as our drummer, have you done what you're supposed to do?"

He immediately turned his attention to the guitarist, Mieko Shibasaki, standing to the side: "What are you up to today? I've had enough of your lousy guitar playing!"

At that moment, a waiter opened the door to the private room, and a slightly burly man walked in carrying dishes.

Upon seeing the man, Tatsuya Kimura greeted him, "Oh! I've been waiting for you. I'm the one who told the manager to book a room with your hotel!"

Upon hearing this, the man thanked him, saying, "Really? Thank you for always patronizing our business."

Unexpectedly, no sooner had the man finished thanking him than Tatsuya Kimura sarcastically remarked, "But speaking of which, it's truly pathetic that former band leader Go Sumii would open such an unprofitable shop."

Hearing this, Xiaolan and Yuanzi, who were standing nearby, fell silent.

Ryūno covered his face and silently mourned for Tatsuya Kimura for a few seconds.

Young man, it seems you've basically reached the end of your road...

In Mihua's territory, you dare to be so brazenly mocking others? Are you really in a hurry to be reborn?

Suddenly, the famous Christmas carol "Red-Nosed Reindeer" started playing in the private room.

Everyone was immediately puzzled, wondering who had chosen this piece of music.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Tatsuya Kimura, who had been keeping his head down, smiled and said, "Manager, this song is for you."

"This song is specially dedicated to you, who are already in junior high school but still believe in Santa Claus~"

These sarcastic words immediately made everyone present feel uncomfortable.

Upon hearing Tatsuya Kimura's words, the band manager, Mari Terahara, stood up angrily: "Stop talking, I'll sing! Are you satisfied now?"

At this moment, Longye felt that something was wrong.

Although Tatsuya Kimura's words just now did sound like sarcasm, the moment Mari Terahara stepped onto the stage, all that remained in his eyes was desolation.

In an instant, Longye understood.

Childhood sweethearts, right?

You remember even the little things from Terahara Mari's middle school days so clearly, right?

This Tatsuya Kimura seems to be more than just a person with a bad personality; he's also a total tsundere.

A character like that won't last long in this world...

Hmm? Not long to live?

Wait a minute! A secluded karaoke room, an infuriatingly arrogant and haughty character, and a love-hate relationship with your childhood sweetheart!

Damn it, isn't this the standard way a case starts?

I was wondering why this blond kid looked so familiar.

It turns out to be a victim I know!

……

At this moment, Terahara Mari, who was on stage, had finished singing "Is the Red-Nosed Reindeer?" and walked off the stage.

Under the puzzled gazes of Ran and Sonoko, Ryuno walked up to the karaoke machine and pressed the pause button.

The band members also looked at Longye with confusion.

"Longye? Do you have any songs you'd like to sing?"

"Yeah, Longye, did you get so inspired by everyone's singing that you're going to sing a song too? Hahaha!"

Ryūno turned around and glared at Sonoko, saying helplessly, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I just felt that you two were finally having such a good time, and I didn't want you to go home in tears because of some scene."

"If it weren't for the two of you, I wouldn't bother with all this messy stuff..."

"You agree, right, Ms. Terahara?"

When Tatsuno suddenly brought her up, Terahara Mari was taken aback: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Ryūno ignored her and instead looked at Tatsuya Kimura beside him.

"Mr. Kimura, have you ever told Ms. Terahara in person that I like you?"

Tatsuya Kimura: ? ? ?

……

Chapter 72 Steel pipes are best when they're handy.

Upon hearing Longye's words, everyone covered their mouths in surprise.

Tatsuya Kimura immediately roared, "What nonsense are you talking about?! How could I possibly like this ugly woman?"

Upon hearing his words, Terahara Mari fell silent, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.