He's in Detective Conan, and he's the mastermind behind everything.

Page 23

Chapter 26 Xiaolan Opens the Door to a New World

“I didn’t ask which one it was, but the police said it was in Shinjuku,” Toko said.

Xiaolan felt relieved upon hearing this. Before Kogoro Mouri's accident the night before, she had searched for Watanuki Credit Co., Ltd. online and knew that its address was in Beika Town.

Honestly, she really is overthinking things.

We shouldn't make unfounded connections just because we've heard similar things recently.

Is there something wrong with that company?

Shihezi said, "If it's an important clue, you'd better tell the police."

"No, I just heard that this company is related to the Yakuza, so I asked..."

"Puch-"

Toko couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Little girl, which loan shark isn't backed by yakuza? You just haven't seen enough of them."

I knew it...

Xiaolan gave a self-deprecating laugh, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss Toko. I'm just looking into this matter. Please trust the police investigation and don't tell them."

"No problem, goodbye then..."

"I have one last question."

"Please say."

Xiaolan hesitated for a few seconds, then finally took a deep breath and asked her real question.

Have you ever heard of fireflies?

"Fireflies? Specifically, they refer to..."

"Entertainment venue".

"I see. Is he related to the case? Ryuhoshi..." Toko murmured softly for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Is it that urban legend that's been circulating lately?"

"what?"

"It's that heart-stealing nobleman. He first appeared in Shinjuku Kabukicho and broke this year's sales record in just one day and one night. But he doesn't love money and only symbolically took 500,000 yen."

He said he came seeking love, and once he realized a woman was only after his pleasure, he would leave. Even if that woman gave him everything, he would only shake his head sadly and say:

The gods do not approve.

Aside from the first day when he remained open for business, he would only appear after midnight and leave before dawn. The locations varied, and sometimes he wouldn't show up at all.

According to word of mouth, he was noble and elegant, his words and actions were like a gentle breeze, his eyes were as bright as stars, and he wore a gorgeous black kimono with gold thread, just like a prince of Tang who had stepped out of Heian-kyo from another era.

Those who have met him say he is so wonderful that he seems almost unreal.

Those who had never seen him naturally didn't believe such a person could exist, and over time, they completely regarded him as an urban legend.

Xiaolan listened blankly, remaining silent.

The Mizuki-kun she knew, the scumbag Sonoko spoke of, the urban legend told by Towako...

Could these three distinct images really represent the same person?

"Miss Lan, could someone like that be connected to the events of that night?" Toko asked.

Of course not, this has absolutely nothing to do with the case. She suddenly asked, but...

Just what?

Let's just say it was to get to know a friend properly.

Xiaolan thought this to herself, but what she said was, "Have you seen him before?"

Toko sighed softly, "It's a pity I don't have that destiny, and I've heard that he's been appearing for shorter and shorter periods lately, and these past two days he's been completely out of the public eye. I'm really worried that he'll leave us..."

"Well, maybe this is a good thing. Someone like him doesn't belong in this filthy place."

"..."

Xiao Lan's eyelids twitched as she listened. "You've never even met him, how can you say such protective things?"

You don't understand.

Shihezi seemed to know what she was thinking and said softly, "For people like us who live in the world of entertainment, he is such a transcendent and dreamlike existence."

Even if what we know is not the whole picture, or is even entirely false, just having such a beautiful glimpse is enough to comfort us.

So that's how it is...

Xiao Lan wondered if the Shuiyue Jun she knew was just a silhouette.

What is his full picture?

"Can you find his contact information?" Xiaolan asked.

"Sigh, could he really be involved in the case?"

No, that's another matter.

"Really?"

"real."

Toko was silent for a few moments, then smiled gently: "Thank you for your kind lie, but even if you really found out something, please don't tell me, okay?"

No one believed the truth, which left Xiaolan feeling quite helpless, but she had to admit that her abrupt change of topic was...

Anyone with a normal mind would make that connection.

"Okay, please don't tell the police."

I'm sorry, Mizuki-kun, I hope this hasn't caused you any trouble.

"Of course not, wait a moment."

The call ended again, and Xiaolan felt a strange sense of unease. Fortunately, the phone rang again just three minutes later.

"His phone number is surprisingly widespread around here, but it's said that whether he turns his phone on and whether he answers calls is completely random. I'm not sure if you can get in touch with him. The number is..."

Xiaolan quickly grabbed the notebook and wrote down the number.

"Thank you, Ms. Towako."

"It's nothing." Toko paused and said softly, "Please tell Kogoro that I am grateful for his past care, but it would be better if he didn't come again in the future. It would be better for both of us."

"I know, bye."

Goodbye.

beep-

The phone hangs up.

Xiaolan put down the microphone, slumped heavily in her office chair, and looked out at the already dim night sky, her thoughts a jumble of complex emotions.

She had a feeling that this world, which she had lived in for nearly seventeen years and knew so well, had suddenly revealed to her a mysterious veil called "seeing but not seeing," showing the truth hidden within it...

There was a slight gloom, or even more.

But inexplicably, it also possesses an allure stemming from curiosity and a sense of mystery.

Xiaolan rubbed her cheeks, forced herself to stay awake, picked up her phone, and entered the number into her notebook.

Since we've already come this far, even if we're considering backing out, let's give it a try.

Maybe you won't be able to get through.

With that thought in mind, she pressed the dial button. The other end of the line was not turned off, and the waiting ringtone sounded.

Xiao Lan felt inexplicably uneasy again. Should she just hang up?

If the other end answers, and if it really is Shuiyue-kun, what could she say?

Shuiyue-kun said that, didn't he?

—In this world, everyone except ourselves is someone else.

Even if Shuiyue-kun has done some bad things, what right does she have to comment?

What is her stance?

The ringtone had been ringing for over twenty seconds when Xiaolan's finger unconsciously moved to the hang-up button.

But just as she was about to press the button, the ringing stopped and the call was connected.

Xiao Lan subconsciously held her breath, and it seemed that the person opposite her had the same thought. Time flowed silently, and a full minute passed without anyone making a sound.

No, it wasn't that no one spoke up.

"Sir, our lending conditions are very lenient. As long as you show your ID... yes, we don't care what the purpose of your loan is..."

This is background noise provided by a passerby.

Xiao Lan's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly asked, "Are you at Mian Guan Credit Co., Ltd."

"Xiaolan?"

Ying Sheng's tone was somewhat puzzled, but he quickly calmed down.

"What, are you coming over?"

"Yes, I'll call a taxi right away."

"No rush, change into some clothes you don't usually wear first, I'll come pick you up. What's the address?"

"39, 5-chome, Beika-cho, Mori Detective Agency."

"OK, wait for me."

Chapter 27 Old Deng, someone has come to pick up your daughter on a ghost fire!