Detective Conan: The Literary Genius is Actually a Great Scientist

Smelling the aroma of the noodles, Miyano Akemi watched Lin Ran eat, hesitated for a moment, and then picked up her chopsticks.

She ate a warm mouthful of noodles, taking small bites as she waited for Lin Ran to continue.

Lin Ran swallowed the noodles in her mouth and wiped her mouth.

"Who am I? As you can see, an ordinary Chinese transfer student, just turned 18 this year, currently a sophomore at Teitan High School, and occasionally enjoys doing some research... a little inventor?"

"Pfft~ Cough cough!"

Akemi Miyano's hand holding the chopsticks trembled.

She quickly covered her mouth, choking so badly that tears welled up in her eyes.

Ordinary? Transfer student? Inventor?

"Don't be so surprised."

Lin Ran shrugged. "In a place like Beika Town, you don't feel safe going out if you don't have some kind of skill. Look at today, if I hadn't brought enough experimental equipment, we'd probably be discussing the philosophical question of how to gracefully face death with Brother Gin right now."

He spoke of it casually.

But Akemi Miyano sensed the danger lurking behind her.

Gin... that man who was like a nightmare himself, was indeed forced to retreat by this seemingly harmless boy in front of him today.

This in itself is a miracle.

But... as Miyano Akemi chewed the noodles in her mouth, she still felt that something was missing.

A woman's intuition told her this.

The excessively handsome young man in front of him shouldn't have risked his life to save him, a traitor to the organization, just because of simple reasons like "disliking Gin," "maintaining the city's appearance," or "just happened to be passing by."

Lin Ran looked at the woman before him—her fair, jade-like face was flushed slightly from the heat and food, her delicate eyebrows arched, and her gentle demeanor was like that of cherry blossoms in early spring, her eyes filled with doubt…

He didn't answer immediately, but got up and walked to the living room.

Lin Ran picked up a newspaper from the coffee table and walked back.

Do you read books regularly?

He suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"?"

Akemi Miyano was taken aback, then pouted somewhat defiantly.

What nonsense! What kind of talk is this!

Although her IQ is slightly lower than her younger sister Shiho's, she still tries her best to read and improve herself when she's not carrying out organizational missions, so as not to bring shame to the Miyano family!

She likes things like: "The Rebirth Diary of the Underworld Queen", "To Save Her Sister, the Older Sister Turned Evil", "The Cold Empress's Runaway Sweetheart"... She usually reads these before bed!

These books have dramatic plots, delicate and moving emotions, and are full of wisdom and power. How can you say she doesn't read books?

Lin Ran smiled slightly at her little expression that said, "You can question my fighting ability, but you can't question my reading taste."

He placed the newspaper on the table next to Akemi Miyano's hand.

Akemi Miyano looked down and saw it was the Yomiuri Shimbun.

As the most influential and authoritative newspaper in Japan, its weight is beyond doubt.

However, today's front page headline, contrary to its usual practice, didn't report on any major international events or political and economic news. Instead, it featured a very simple headline in bold, extra-large font, almost filling the entire page—

This is "the best book of the year"

This assessment is exaggerated.

Keep in mind that only half of the year has passed.

But when Akemi Miyano's gaze shifted downwards and she saw the title of the book that had received such high praise, her initial doubts vanished instantly. Instead, she felt that the Yomiuri Shimbun's assessment... seemed not excessive, and might even be quite fitting.

The Devotion of Suspect X

Author: Xia Mo

As a mystery masterpiece that quickly ignited a reading frenzy across Japan after being serialized in newspapers this year, becoming the talk of the town, the level of discussion it sparked can be described as phenomenal.

Its author, the extremely mysterious and never-before-seen genius new writer "Xia Mo," also became a legend overnight because of this.

Today marks the full release and sale of the physical copy of "The Devotion of Suspect X".

The newspaper featured a lengthy commentary personally penned by Yuichi Matsumoto, editor-in-chief of the Yomiuri Shimbun. This renowned journalistic heavyweight, known for his rigor and critical thinking, was now lavishing praise upon the article.

"...At a time when contemporary detective novels are increasingly mired in a quagmire of trickery competition, 'The Devotion of Suspect X' is like a thunderclap, splitting open the silent night sky. It makes us realize with astonishment that detective novels can carry such emotional weight and depth of humanity."

The brilliance of the puzzles in Xia Mojun's writing lies not in "how to do it", but in "why it is done"...

This book transcends the categories of "classic mystery" or "social realism." It is a mirror, forcing every reader to gaze into the abyss and ponder: To what extent can one love someone? And what price are we willing to pay to protect a sense of warmth?

Calling it "the best book of the year" is not a gimmick, but a responsibility as journalists—we must announce to the nation that a genius worthy of being recorded in literary history has arrived.

The phrase "to declare to the people" is highly inflammatory and historically significant.

Even those who haven't read the book beforehand will be tempted to buy a copy and critique it after seeing such high praise, to see if it truly lives up to its reputation.

Lin Ran's voice rang out: "So, have you read this book?"

Akemi Miyano looked up from the newspaper and nodded. "Yeah, I've read it. I followed the serialization in the newspaper before, I didn't expect the physical book to be released so soon."

During the six months she worked disguised as a bank employee, Masami Hirota, her colleagues did strongly recommend this novel to her. At the time, she was so moved by Tetsuya Ishigami's profound, almost obsessive love and sacrifice that she secretly cried until her pillow was wet.

She cried even harder when she thought about how she had been taken advantage of in that relationship.

Ugh, why can't I find this kind of love... Waaah~

But... what does this have to do with her question just now?

Miyano Akemi looked at Lin Ran, and the doubt in her eyes not only did not lessen, but increased.

Lin Ran sat down again in the chair opposite her:

"Do you know why Tetsuya Ishigami in the book would go to any lengths, even bear the stigma of murder, to take the blame for that mother and daughter?"

Akemi Miyano was taken aback by his sudden question. She put down her chopsticks, thought about it seriously, and, based on the book's content and her own understanding, said uncertainly:

"Because... he was repaying a debt of gratitude? When Yasuko Hanaoka and her daughter were at their most desperate, they gave him a glimmer of warmth and a will to live."

"Yes~"

Lin Ran's voice was soft, tinged with emotion: "For Ishigami, he was not taking the blame, but repaying a debt of gratitude. He used all his wisdom, logic, and even his life to repay the insignificant yet immense warmth that illuminated his dark life."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Akemi Miyano, her clear eyes now filled with a seriousness that sent shivers down one's spine.

"So, I'm not trying to help you."

"I am repaying a debt of gratitude."

"Repaying a debt of gratitude?!"

Akemi Miyano was completely stunned, her mind once again thrown into chaos.

Repaying a debt of gratitude?

When did she ever do this mysterious young man a favor?

Before this, Akemi Miyano's life trajectory was completely parallel to the words "China," "high school student," and "handsome boy."

The boy stared at the bewildered woman, then suddenly lowered his head, letting strands of hair fall to partially obscure his eyes, revealing only his chin and slightly pursed lips. His voice also lowered, carrying a sense of fleeting recollection.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Ms. Akemi."

We meet again...

These four words unlocked Akemi Miyano's memories.

She looked at the boy with his head down in front of her, his slightly lonely profile, his face half-hidden by his hair... her pupils contracted.

The image of a boy sitting alone on a deserted bus stop bench in the pouring rain, soaked to the bone and looking forlorn, floated into her mind.