The Different Color Tracks in the Detective Conan World

Ran's birthday party was more lively than expected. The Mouri Detective Agency was decorated with balloons and ribbons, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of cake and the sizzling smell of grilled meat. Mouri Kogoro, unusually, was not drinking and was busy running between the kitchen and living room wearing an apron. Although his movements were clumsy, he couldn't hide his smile.

When Lin Mo arrived, Ishikawa Yuki had just placed the last strawberry on the cake. On the pink and white cream, the words "Ran, Happy Birthday" were written in chocolate sauce, and there was a small detective doll next to it—obviously Conan's idea.

"Lin Mojun, you're here!" Lan, wearing a beige dress, came up to him and took the gift from his hand. "Come in and sit down. Sonoko and Sera are playing games over there."

In the living room, Sonoko and Sera were locked in a fierce battle at the game console, shouting and yelling at the screen. Conan watched the spectacle, occasionally chiming in with a sarcastic remark. Haibara sat quietly on the sofa by the window, a glass of juice in her hand, observing everything with a faint smile playing on her lips.

"This is for you." Lin Mo handed Lan a simply packaged box.

"Thank you!" Lan's eyes sparkled as she immediately unwrapped it—it was a silver bracelet with a small cherry blossom pendant. "So pretty! I love it!"

"You have good taste." Sonoko leaned over for a look and nudged Lin Mo's arm. "Much better than that guy who only knows how to deliver soccer balls."

Lan's face flushed instantly, and she gently patted Yuanzi: "Don't talk nonsense."

Lin Mo smiled and sat down next to Haibara. "I'm not late, am I?"

"Just in time for dinner." Haibara's gaze fell on his wrist—he was wearing a bracelet made from the star trail bookmark she gave him, the silver metal gleaming under the light. "The bookmark...is it still working?"

"Very practical." Lin Mo shook his wrist. "It would be more convenient to carry if it were a bracelet."

Haibara's ears burned slightly as she turned her head to look out the window. The setting sun was slowly sinking, bathing the streets in a warm orange glow.

The party officially began, and everyone sat down around the table. Kogoro Mouri served up some meat skewers he had grilled himself. Although they were a little burnt, Ran ate them with great relish, repeatedly saying, "Dad's cooking is the best." Yuki Ishikawa's cake won everyone's praise, especially Conan, who ate two pieces in one go, his mouth smeared with cream like a little kitten.

Sera suddenly suggested playing "Truth or Dare," and Sonoko immediately agreed. The bottle spun around a few times and first pointed to Ran.

"Truth or dare?" Sonoko asked with a mischievous grin.

Lan hesitated for a moment: "Tell me the truth."

"Then let me ask you," Sonoko drawled, "who is the person you most want to see right now?"

Ran's face instantly turned bright red, and she whispered, "Shin-Shinichi..."

Everyone laughed, while Conan, head down, drank his juice, his ears turning a subtle red.

The bottle spun again, this time pointing towards Lin Mo.

"Truth or Dare!" Sera blurted out, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "I've heard Lin Mojun is quite skilled. How about... we spar? Just some basic fighting stances."

Lin Mo stood up helplessly: "That's enough."

The two stood in the center of the living room, assuming their starting stances. Shi Liang's movements were crisp and clean, displaying the sharpness of Jeet Kune Do; Lin Mo, on the other hand, leaned more towards defense, her movements steady, always managing to evade her attacks at the last second. After several rounds, Shi Liang suddenly changed her move, launching a side kick straight at Lin Mo's waist. Lin Mo seized the opportunity to grab her ankle, gently pulling her back, causing Shi Liang to somersault and land on her feet. She smiled and conceded defeat: "Okay, you win."

"Thank you for your kind offer." Lin Mo released her hand and noticed a faint scar on her wrist, like an old injury.

The party atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Lan received many gifts and couldn't stop smiling. Looking at her smile, Lin Mo felt a tension in his heart ease. Although this world is full of dangers, there are always such heartwarming moments that make everything feel worthwhile.

As evening fell, everyone gradually said their goodbyes. Ishikawa Yuki helped clear the table, and before leaving, she slipped Lin Mo a note: "The star trail diagram you drew last time is finished. Would you like to come to the studio to take a look sometime?"

Lin Mo looked at the neat handwriting on the note and nodded with a smile.

As Shiliang left, she patted Lin Mo on the shoulder: "During the sparring just now, your movements reminded me of someone I know." She paused, her gaze somewhat complicated, "But maybe I was mistaken."

Lin Mo didn't ask any further questions, but simply said, "Be careful on the road."

In the end, only Lin Mo, Conan, Ai Haibara, and Ran remained. Ran was washing the last dishes in the kitchen when Conan leaned close to Lin Mo and whispered, "The professor found out. That man in black at the amusement park last time was a 'Watcher' from the organization, and his superior is 'Vermouth'."

Lin Mo's heart tightened. Vermouth, that mysterious and dangerous woman, was a master of disguise and voice alteration, one of the most troublesome figures in the organization. "Why is she targeting us?"

"I don't know, but the Doctor intercepted an encrypted message that mentioned 'birthday' and 'elimination'." Haibara's voice turned cold. "They might be planning to make their move today."

"Lan is still inside..." Lin Mo looked towards the kitchen, where warm lights were shining.

"Don't worry," Conan said, taking out his detective badge. "I've already had Inspector Takagi set up a stakeout in the area. No matter how bold Vermouth is, she won't dare to mess around in front of the police."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Ran wiped her hands and went to open the door. A man in a delivery uniform stood there, holding a package. "Excuse me, are you Ms. Ran Mouri? You have a package."

Lan was a little confused: "I didn't buy anything."

"It was ordered by a gentleman as a birthday gift." The deliveryman smiled and handed over the package.

Lin Mo's intuition immediately went off. He strode over and stood in front of Lan, asking, "Who is the sender?"

The deliveryman paused, his eyes flickering slightly: "I don't know, the customer requested anonymity."

Lin Mo took the package; it was very light, and when he shook it, there was no sound. He noticed an extremely fine black mark on the edge of the tape, resembling a raven with outstretched wings—one of the organization's secret marks.

"This package cannot be accepted," Lin Mo said coldly. "Please take it back."

The deliveryman's expression changed. Suddenly, he pulled a dagger from his pocket and stabbed at Lan! "Die!"

"Lan!" Lin Mo reacted quickly, pushing Lan aside and rushing forward himself. His arm was instantly slashed, and blood gushed out.

"Lin Mojun!" Lan exclaimed in surprise.

Conan immediately used his soccer dribble to shoot the soccer ball, which accurately struck the deliveryman's wrist, causing the dagger to fall to the ground with a clatter. Haibara quickly pressed the alarm on the wall, and a piercing sound instantly rang out.

Seeing that things were going badly, the deliveryman turned to run away, but was stopped by Officer Takagi and Officer Chiba who arrived in time and subdued him on the spot.

"Lin Mojun, how are you?" Lan rushed over, took out a first-aid kit to bandage him, tears welling up in her eyes, "It's all my fault..."

"It's nothing, just a minor injury," Lin Mo said, pressing the wound and smiling as he reassured her. "Don't worry."

Conan frowned as he watched the deliveryman being led away: "He's not Vermouth, he's just a hired assassin. It seems the organization is testing our reaction."

"Or perhaps they want us to lower our guard," Haibara added, her eyes grave. "If Vermouth were to personally intervene, it wouldn't be that simple."

Officer Takagi came to take a statement and confirmed the killer's identity—a wanted fugitive who had been bribed by the organization for a large sum of money. The package contained a miniature bomb, which fortunately did not detonate.

After treating his wound, Lin Mo prepared to leave. Lan insisted on seeing him downstairs, apologizing incessantly along the way, her eyes red-rimmed.

"It really has nothing to do with you." Lin Mo stopped and looked at her seriously. "Protecting you is my duty."

Lan was stunned for a moment, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head and whispered, "Thank you, Lin Mojun."

Lin Mo smiled and turned to walk towards the apartment. The wound on his arm still throbbed faintly, but he felt calm. He knew this was just a test from Vermouth; the real blade was still lurking in the shadows, ready to fall at any moment.

But he is not afraid. Because behind him are people he wants to protect; in front of him are comrades who fight alongside him.

Back in the apartment, Lin Mo unpacked the first-aid kit and re-bandaged her wound, her gaze falling on the Star Orbit bracelet and Ishikawa Yuki's note on the table. Under the warm yellow light, these small objects seemed to carry warmth, dispelling some of the chill.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Ai Haibara: "Be careful, see you tomorrow."

I quickly received a reply: "You too, don't get your wound wet." There was a period at the end, as if he had hesitated for a long time before adding it.

Lin Mo smiled and put away his phone. The night outside the window was still deep, but he knew that as long as there was light in his heart, he would not be afraid of the darkness. The next confrontation might not be far away, but he was already prepared.

Those heartwarming moments and unspoken acts of protection are what give him the strength to move forward.