In Detective Conan: Intercepting Miwako Sato at the Start

Yuuki Takada walked along, but seemed somewhat absent-minded.

On second thought, thinking about Shinichi Kudo, the two of them unknowingly walked until they arrived at the entrance of Yumi Miyamoto's apartment.

The motion-activated lights in the apartment building's hallway turned on with their footsteps, the dim light barely dispelling the small shadows.

Sato Miwako fumbled for the key in Miyamoto Yumi's bag and clicked open the door.

The room was pitch black, with the slightly cool air left by the person who had been living alone for a short time.

Miwako Sato skillfully found the light switch on the wall, and warm-toned light instantly poured down, illuminating the slightly messy but lively living room.

Yuki Takada carefully placed Yumi Miyamoto on the bed in the bedroom, his movements gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her sweet dreams.

Yumi Miyamoto mumbled something, tilted her head and sank into the soft cushion, quickly falling into a deep sleep again, her cheeks still flushed from being drunk.

Just as Yuki Takada was about to leave the bedroom, his hand was suddenly gripped tightly by Yumi Miyamoto. She used considerable force, her nails almost digging into the skin of his wrist.

"Hideyoshi...don't go..." she murmured again, her voice trembling with sobs, and tears seemed to glisten in the corners of her eyes.

Yuki Takada was naturally aware of the breakup between Hideyoshi Haneda and Yumi Miyamoto.

but……

Being pestered by the drunk Yumi Miyamoto right now is not a solution.

Yuuki Takada tried calling out to Miwako Sato, asking her to come and help.

"Officer Sato?" Yuki Takada had no choice but to raise his voice slightly and call out towards the living room.

Footsteps immediately followed.

Sato Miwako appeared at the bedroom door. Upon seeing the scene before her, she was stunned for a moment, then revealed a knowing yet helpless expression.

"Yumi, she again..."

"Hmm." Yuki Takada nodded slightly awkwardly, carefully trying to pull his hand away, but the drunken Yumi Miyamoto gripped it even tighter, like a drowning person clinging to a piece of driftwood.

"Hideyoshi...this time...you're not allowed to leave again..." she murmured intermittently, pulling Takada Yuuki's hand to her chest and hugging it tightly.

No?

This is not good!

Yuuki Takada thought to himself, "But really, the feel of her body is indeed unique."

Miwako Sato walked over quickly, sat down on the edge of the bed, and gently patted Yumi's shoulder: "Yumi, let go, it's me, Miwako." Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable firmness, "You've got the wrong person, let go, Takada-senpai."

Yumi Miyamoto opened her eyes halfway, her gaze unfocused, as if she were trying to recognize the person in front of her, but then again, she couldn't.

“Mi…Kazuko?” she repeated vaguely, her grip loosening slightly for a moment. “What happened? How did you get here? Where is Hideyoshi…?”

Yuki Takada seized the opportunity and quickly and gently withdrew his hand.

A faint red mark has been left on my wrist.

"Okay, it's alright now, go to sleep." Sato Miwako continued to comfort Yumi, tucking her in.

Yumi hummed a few times, but ultimately succumbed to the overwhelming drunkenness and drowsiness, and drifted off to sleep again, this time much quieter.

The two exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuki Takada gently moved his wrist.

"I'm sorry, Takada-senpai, you've suffered." Sato Miwako lowered her voice and said softly, "Yumi... she's never been able to let go of her feelings."

“I understand.” Yuuki Takada shook his head, indicating that it was nothing to worry about.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Miyamoto Yumi's tear-streaked sleeping face. The girl, who was usually full of energy and carefree, looked exceptionally fragile at this moment.

"Relationships don't get over so easily."

They tiptoed out of the bedroom, gently closing the door behind them, leaving the room quiet for the sleeping person.

Only the two of them remained in the living room.

After that little commotion, the silence of the night seemed even more pronounced.

The wall clock ticked away, indicating that it was already late.

"Would you like something to drink? I remember Yumi should have some tea bags here." Sato Miwako walked towards the small open kitchen, trying to break the suddenly awkward atmosphere.

"No need to trouble yourself," Yuki Takada said softly, but he still walked to the sofa and sat down, leaning back slightly, revealing a hint of fatigue.

Sato Miwako boiled some water, took out two clean cups, and put in tea bags.

While waiting for the water to boil, she leaned against the counter and looked at Yuki Takada: "Don't worry, Yumiko is always like this when she drinks too much. Let her sleep for a while, she'll have a headache tomorrow morning."

She sighed, her tone carrying a mixture of helplessness and concern for her friend.

Under the lights, Yuuki Takada's profile appeared more defined and somewhat aloof than usual.

"Shinichi Kudo..." He almost silently repeated the name, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the back of the sofa.

"Takada-senpai?" Sato Miwako noticed that he seemed somewhat distracted ever since he received the call to meet Ran Mouri and the others. "You seem... particularly concerned about that child?"

Yuki Takada stopped tapping and turned his head. His face returned to its usual gentle and slightly aloof expression, but a trace of inquiry lingered deep in his eyes.

“I was just a little surprised,” he replied calmly. “That kind of skill and precision is not something an ordinary junior high school student could possess. Even if he ‘accidentally’ kicked the ball, it wouldn’t have caused such a big impact on the assailant.” He deliberately repeated Ran Mouri’s explanation, his tone revealing neither belief nor doubt.

“Indeed.” Sato Miwako leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, recalling the scene. “The power and speed of that kick were almost like it came from someone who had undergone special training… or…”

She joked, "Are all the ace players in the soccer team this good?"

Chapter 77 Will You Eat Me Up?

Yuki Takada did not deny it immediately. He hesitated for a moment, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the armrest of the sofa.

"A high school student, in that chaotic situation, was able to accurately knock down a running thug with a soccer ball that he accidentally kicked... This cannot be explained by mere coincidence or good athletic ability."

"You suspect him?" Miwako Sato raised an eyebrow. "But Inspector Megure trusts him a lot, and he has indeed helped our police solve quite a few minor cases in the area."

“It’s not doubt,” Yuuki Takada corrected, seemingly choosing his words carefully. “Actually, to be precise, it should be… curiosity.”

"Moreover, the time and place of his appearance, and the composure and judgment he displayed beyond his years..."

After pausing for a moment, Yuki Takada looked at Miwako Sato and asked, "Sato, you were working under Inspector Megure before, so you must have had contact with him. What kind of person do you think he is?"

As Sato Miwako pondered, the kettle hummed. She turned around, turned off the heat, and poured hot water into a teacup, whereupon steam immediately filled the air.

"I don't know much about this, since Inspector Megure used to communicate with him personally."

"This is also the first time I've met Shinichi Kudo in person."

"He's very smart, smarter than a middle school student. Sometimes I feel he's even more perceptive and composed than many adult police officers, and his thinking is quite agile."

“But occasionally…” she walked over with two cups of tea, handing one to Takada Yuuki, “he would occasionally show a side that was appropriate for his age, a bit reckless and hot-blooded. Overall, he’s a good kid with a strong sense of justice.”

Yuuki Takada accepted the teacup and thanked him.

The warm cup dispelled some of the night's chill.

“Yusaku Kudo’s son…” he repeated in a low voice, as if the name itself were a mystery to be solved.

"Do you know Mr. Kudo?" Sato Miwako sat down on the single sofa next to him and asked curiously.

“I’ve heard of him, a great writer I’ve long admired.” Yuki Takada smiled, but the smile didn’t fully reach his eyes. “I just didn’t expect his son to be so…special.”

He lowered his head, blew on the hot tea in his cup, and didn't continue the topic.

The living room fell silent again, with only the soft breathing of the two people and the subtle sounds of them sipping tea.

The night outside the window grew even darker.

After a while, Yuuki Takada placed his teacup, which he had only taken a few sips from, on the coffee table and stood up. "It's getting late, I think I should go back too. Sato, you..."

“I’ll stay and keep Yumi company for the night,” Sato Miwako said, standing up as well. “I’m worried about leaving her alone like this, so drunk.”

"Alright then." Yuuki Takada nodded. "See you at the Metropolitan Police Department tomorrow."

"and many more……"

Yuuki Takada was about to arrive at the apartment entrance.

Sato Miwako quickly called out, "Why don't you stay here tonight, Takada-senpai?"

"Ah..." Takada Yuki exclaimed instantly, then turned to look at Sato Miwako, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate? Besides, I'm a guy, and I feel like I might be causing you some inconvenience by being here."

Seeing this, Sato Miwako quickly waved her hand and explained, "No, please don't misunderstand, Takada-senpai. It's just that it's getting late, and we don't know if Yumi and the others will repeat what happened before. If I'm alone, I really don't know how to deal with it."

Yuki Takada thought for a moment.

So much has happened tonight, and perhaps everyone is feeling unsettled.

At the same time, the night breeze brushed against Takada Yuuki's face, calming him down.

"But... wouldn't this be a bit inappropriate?" Yuuki Takada thought for a while and finally said in a low voice.

Seeing this, Sato Miwako quickly explained, "Takada-senpai, please don't misunderstand. I just felt that it was so late, and aside from the fact that the area has been somewhat chaotic lately, there might still be danger. If something happened, I wouldn't know how to explain it to Inspector Megure."

"Don't worry, even if there is any danger, I can handle it at any time," Yuuki Takada said calmly.

"But... this area isn't as safe as you think. Think about it, we've already dealt with two minor issues along the way. If something happens to you on your way back, I'll feel guilty."

Miwako Sato sighed helplessly, "Besides, tomorrow is a day off, so let's just wait until tomorrow morning before going back. Also, Yumi's place still has guest rooms, so let's just stay at Yumi's apartment tonight."

"Takada-senpai, I think we should decide on this." Sato Miwako said softly, but seeing Takada Yuuki looking at her strangely, she whispered, "Or is it that you're afraid, Takada-senpai?"

"What are you afraid of?" Yuuki Takada said softly. "Why are you looking at me? Fine, fine, I'll stay here tonight, okay? Who said I'm scared? Do you two think you can eat me up?"

Sato Miwako closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a soft breath.

They managed to force Takada-senpai to stay, since he was a little scared to be alone with Yumi.

but……

This is a rare opportunity for her and her senior, Takada, to be alone together.

Or, we could seize the opportunity and take them down in one fell swoop...

No, no.

She shook her head, as if trying to shake off these distracting thoughts, and decided to wash up first, and then check on Yumi's condition.

……

After leaving Yumi's bedroom.