Solving cases with Detective Conan's science? No, I'm a cultivator!

"Don't even mention it. All he does is solve cases; he's practically never home," Yukiko Fujimine sighed.

Conan rolled his eyes.

"Stop talking about me, Chris. Haven't you found someone you like yet?" Fujimine Yukiko took Vermouth's hand and changed the subject from Shinichi Kudo.

"The person I like..."

Vermouth was slightly lost in thought, but after a moment, she came to her senses and shook her head.

“Something’s not right, something’s very wrong. I don’t believe you like this!” Fujimine Yukiko stared into Vermouth’s eyes with an expression that said, “I’ve seen through everything.”

Vermouth did not deny it again, but simply said, "I don't want to repeat that woman's failed life."

Yukiko Fujimine was speechless for a moment. She knew that the woman Chris was talking about must be Sharon.

Sharon's marriage was a failure, and her husband's identity was a mystery, even to Yukiko Fujimine.

She was caught in the middle between the mother and daughter who had a bad relationship, and it was a difficult situation for her. She had tried to reconcile the two of them, but all her attempts ended in failure.

It seems that even though Sharon has passed away, Chris still hasn't let go.

“Let’s talk about something else.” Vermouth smiled and asked, “Weren’t you doing just fine in America? Why did you suddenly come back? Looks like you were planning to stay for a while?”

She didn't know before that Conan had moved back to his home. Now that Conan is back, it means that Fujimine Yukiko won't be returning to the United States for the time being.

She did not experience being saved by Shinichi Kudo and Ran in the original timeline; to her, Shinichi Kudo was merely her friend's son.

When Vermouth asked about this, Yukiko Fujimine looked a little awkward. She was about to confide in her best friend when she suddenly remembered Conan standing next to her.

"Conan, go play in your room!"

Although Conan knew that Fujimine Yukiko wanted to get rid of him, under her kind gaze, he could only reply "Yes" and go upstairs to his room.

Only after Conan disappeared did Yukiko Fujimine slowly begin to explain the whole story to Vermouth.

"Yukiko, what do you plan to do? Are you just going to let things remain at this stalemate?"

Fujimine Yukiko said with distress, "I don't know what to do either, and there's something else..."

She hesitated whether to tell Vermouth, as it didn't feel right.

Vermouth noticed this but didn't press for details, letting Fujimine Yukiko figure it out herself.

After struggling with the decision for a while, Yukiko Fujimine decided to speak up. Keeping it bottled up inside wasn't a good idea, and it was rare to have someone to confide in.

She shifted her position, moving closer to Vermouth, and spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Well, there's this guy, we get along really well, and he seems to like me, but he's more than ten years younger than me, and... and he already has a girlfriend..."

Yukiko Fujimine spoke vaguely and intermittently.

Vermouth frowned as she listened, especially when she heard that the man had a girlfriend; she felt that he was just lusting after Fujimine Yukiko's body.

After all, Yukiko Fujimine was a hugely popular star in the past, and she hasn't aged or lost her beauty; on the contrary, she's become even more charming.

"Chris, do you believe in magic and spells?"

Vermouth's expression was somewhat strange.

“I really enjoy the feeling of going on adventures with him!” Fujimine Yukiko’s face was flushed, and she didn’t notice Vermouth’s strange behavior.

“Wait a minute,” Vermouth asked, “What does he do for a living?”

“He is an exorcist.” At the end, Yukiko Fujimine added, “He’s the kind who is truly skilled and knows magic.”

Vermouth finally confirmed that Yukiko Fujimine was referring to Taki Kitagawa.

That guy really knows how to attract women!

Do you prefer the feeling of adventure, or do you prefer being with him?

Yukiko Fujimine was taken aback by Vermouth's question about jumping around. Recalling the days she spent with Taki Kitagawa, she said confidently, "I like being with him!"

"Then let's get a divorce!"

After saying that, Vermouth took out a cigarette case, took out a cigarette, and lit it with a click.

"You got married on a whim and even gave up your career for it, so it's normal that things have come to this."

Yukiko Fujimine had considered this idea, but she hadn't made up her mind to do it.

"But I have to compete with his girlfriend, and I've practically watched that child grow up..."

"What about Shinichi?"

Yukiko Fujimine murmured softly, as if asking Vermouth, or perhaps asking herself.

Vermouth pondered for a moment and guessed that Fujimine Yukiko was probably referring to Ran. She had met that girl before; she was very clean and pure.

"Let's keep it from him for now and tell him when the time is right."

Yukiko Fujimine nodded thoughtfully.

"As for that girl, why bother competing with her? You can just keep things to yourselves."

"Huh? Then I've become a little..." Fujimine Yukiko couldn't finish her sentence.

Vermouth covered her mouth with the gesture of smoking; let alone three, even among those she knew, four or five were out of the question.

"It's up to you."

Vermouth felt she had said enough. She had originally intended to break the ice, but changed her mind after learning it was Kitagawa Taki.

"Ah—" Fujimine Yukiko suddenly hugged Vermouth, "I've finally been defeated by him!"

Vermouth's lips curled into a slight smile as she thought to herself, "This is all I can do to help you."

……

For the next few days, Vermouth visited the Kudo family every day.

As a result, Conan was often forced to retreat to his room by Yukiko Fujimine, which made him very resentful.

On this day, Fujimine Yukiko found Conan.

"What? You're going to America?"

Conan looked at Fujimine Yukiko with a puzzled expression, "What are you going to do?"

"I'll go with Chris and we'll be back in a few days. Just order takeout for the time being," Fujimine Yukiko lied.

"Oh fine."

Conan didn't think much of it.

"By the way, Mom, do you feel like someone is watching us? I have a bad feeling about this, especially today, the feeling is particularly strong."

Yukiko Fujimine said, "I don't feel anything. Maybe it's the paparazzi who follow Chris? She even complained to me that her place has been exposed and said she wants to move to a different place!"

After listening to Yukiko Fujimine's explanation, Conan nodded hesitantly.

Chapter 269 Ikebab Shizuka

Inside a hotel in Beika Town.

Sera Masumi told Akai Mary about her investigation over the past few days.

"Yukiko Fujimine? That actress?"

Mary Akai murmured, remembering seeing him ten years ago.

"Yes, it was her, but that's not the point, Mom. Guess who I saw at her house?"

Sera Masumi looked somewhat excited as she spoke, pulling out a photograph.

Mary Akai frowned as she looked at the person in the photo, then suddenly exclaimed, "Isn't he the boy we met at the beach before?"

"Yes."

Sera Masumi remembers clearly that she could never make Hide-chan laugh, but he did.

Mary Akai recalled, "I remember, his name was Shinichi Kudo!"

Sera Masumi said, "I've already investigated. Shinichi Kudo used to be very famous in Japan, but now he has suddenly disappeared and even dropped out of school."

The timing of this little boy named Conan Edogawa's appearance perfectly matches the timing of Shinichi Kudo's disappearance!

Mary Akai pondered, "Conan Edogawa... that name does sound like a fake name."

“He must have been given that drug just like you, Mom!” Sera Masumi said with absolute certainty.

Mary Akai asked, "But why are they connected to that woman?"

Sera Masumi guessed, "I don't think they know Chris's true identity. Fujimine Yukiko used to be a big star and spent many years in the United States, so it's not surprising that she knows Chris."

“I hope so.” Mary Akai thought for a moment and then said, “Masumi, why don’t you transfer here? We can start our investigation from Shinichi Kudo’s side.”

Sera Masumi nodded.

……

That day, Kitagawa Taki was on his way to the Mouri Detective Agency when he encountered a refined and elegant lady downstairs.

With fair skin, striking looks, and long, jet-black hair neatly styled in a bun, she wore a simple yet elegant kimono and carried a handbag. She was looking up at the office sign on the second floor.

Kitagawa Taki recognized him immediately from that outfit.

He had long since grasped the true essence of Prime Minister Cao's teachings, and now he was reviewing them again on the spot.

"Madam, are you also going to the Mori Detective Agency?"

“Yes.” Seeing Kitagawa Taki, Ikenami Shizuka was a little surprised. She also recognized Kitagawa Taki because Hattori Heiji had mentioned him and she had also seen an interview with him on TV.

Ikenami Shizuka asked, "Are you Mr. Kitagawa Taki?"

"Madam recognizes me."

"I am Shizuka Ikenami. Mr. Kitagawa, please don't call me 'Madam' anymore. I'm not married yet!" Shizuka Ikenami said with a light laugh, covering her mouth.

As she spoke, she coughed occasionally, appearing frail and delicate.

"I misunderstood, Ms. Ikebami, I'm sorry."

Kitagawa Taki quickly realized what was going on. Although he didn't understand why she wanted to hide her identity, he figured he might as well play along.

"It's nothing." Shizuka Ikenami asked, "Does Mr. Kitagawa know Detective Mori?"