Conan: When Shinjiu and Maolilan swap bodies

After dinner, I lay on the recliner quietly reading, creating my own world. Afterwards, we played some games and then rested.

The next day, after Vermouth and the others left, he went back to his room to rest.

This person seems to be separated from his surroundings—even from the world—by an invisible membrane.

Only when he is with Xiaolan does that sense of distance quietly disappear.

This sense of "alienation" and "distance" undoubtedly stems from his mental illness.

She sighed, "Xiao Lan said that Qing Ze has depression. I didn't quite believe it at first, but now it seems to be true."

depression?

Conan was startled.

Depression is a mental illness, but it is also a physical illness.

Patients may experience persistent low mood, loss of interest or interest, and even feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, and guilt.

In addition to these mental discomforts, there are also physical discomforts.

For example, sleep disorders, insomnia or excessive sleepiness, decreased appetite, decreased energy, and even more serious physical pain.

"How serious is it? Is it mild, moderate, or even severe?"

Conan couldn't help but feel nervous.

Depression is a very dangerous illness. If a person's mood becomes too low, they may have suicidal tendencies.

"It should be mild, but I feel like he's not sleeping well. We went to the mountains for two days, and he slept most of the time..."

Sera Masumi guessed that Aozawa probably had sleep disorders such as "difficulty falling asleep", "light sleep" and "excessive sleepiness".

She selectively recounted some of the things Xiaolan had told him:

"Xiao Lan said that Qingze hadn't had a good life before. His adoptive father was extremely controlling and demanded that he do everything perfectly. I'm afraid Qingze's depression stems from this..."

A child with amnesia already lacks a sense of security. After being adopted, they will definitely want to demonstrate their value and do their best to gain a sense of security.

"Demanding perfection in everything" is a phrase that immediately puts immense pressure on people.

Coupled with the controlling nature of the parent, it's hard for a child not to develop mental problems in such an environment.

"If you hadn't told me, it would have been really hard to find out about this..." Conan sighed, somewhat worried about Aozawa.

"Yes, you can't tell at all normally."

As she spoke, Sera smiled and said, "However, Aoze's mental state is much better now than when I first saw him. With Ran around, it should only be a matter of time before he recovers."

Sera Masumi did not answer Conan's question.

What kind of person is Qingze in her eyes?

She couldn't give an answer until she figured out his relationship with Koniak.

After chatting about some unrelated topics, Sera Masumi checked the time and got up to leave.

The ward fell silent, and Conan looked at his parents who had been listening to them talk.

"Dad, you've met Qingze, haven't you? What kind of person do you think he is?"

Upon hearing this, Yusaku Kudo shook his head:

"Everyone has a different perspective, a different level of intimacy, and therefore sees things differently."

"I cannot make an evaluation of someone I have only met twice and exchanged a few words with."

"But I think he's not a bad person at heart."

"Depression is a mental illness that torments oneself, while evil people and bad people will not be trapped in self-criticism and repeatedly torture themselves with pain."

Chapter 461 The suspicion seems to have lessened somewhat.

The school bell rang, and Sonoko Suzuki looked at Sera Masumi's empty desk, wondering what was going on.

It's been two days, why hasn't Sera come to school yet?

Are you feeling unwell? Is it serious?

She secretly passed a note to Xiaolan.

Ran Mouri took a look, glanced at the empty desk next to her, and sighed softly.

—Sera isn't sick, she's transferring schools.

It seems she hasn't told Sonoko yet.

Ran Mouri picked up her pen and wrote on the note:

Sera is transferring schools.

Sonoko was startled when she received the note.

Transferring schools? So suddenly?

Her shoulders slumped slightly, and her originally cheerful mood seemed to be shrouded in a thin mist.

Sera Masumi, whom the two girls were thinking about, was standing in front of the Matsui family's gate.

Conan told her this address last night.

Since we're going to investigate, the sooner the better.

She rang the doorbell, and soon the new housekeeper came to open the door.

"you are?"

"My name is Sera Masumi, I'm a detective, and I'd like to visit Mrs. Matsui."

"A detective?" The butler was puzzled. What was a detective doing at their house?

"What specific matter is it that you wish to visit Madam on?"

"It concerns the lady's nephew."

The butler was taken aback. "Let me ask Madam."

When the butler told her that a detective had come to see her, Sachiko Matsui narrowed her eyes slightly.

How long has it been since Zhiyu came over to give instructions, and now a detective has come knocking?

What exactly is that child involved in?

"Tell her to go to the meeting room."

"Yes."

Sera Masumi successfully met the matriarch of the household. Her gaze fell upon this distinguished middle-aged woman, and she was immediately drawn to her gentle eyes, which were remarkably similar to Aozawa's.

"Hello, my name is Sera Masumi. I am a detective and a friend of Aozawa."

During a meal at Aozawa's house earlier, she overheard Aozawa mention to Uncle Mori that he didn't want the Matsui family to know of his existence. Now, she wasn't sure if the Matsui family already knew, but bringing up Aozawa himself seemed like a suitable starting point.

Sachiko Matsui quietly observed the visitor before her. Her eyes were bright and sharp, radiating youthful energy; she appeared to be a high school student. Although dressed in a neutral style, she seemed like a girl.

"Are you Xiaoze's friend?"

Matsui Sachiko naturally knew Aozawa's current name, but this was the first time she had called him that out loud.

"It seems that Madam already knows of Qingze's existence."

"I didn't know it before, it was just a coincidence..." Sachiko Matsui sighed softly as she slowly recounted the past.

"My little Wu was playing by the lake when he accidentally fell into the water. A kind person rescued him. I wanted to thank him, but I never even met him. He just left after saving me..."

"Later, Xiao Wu found some old photos and discovered that the brother who saved him looked a lot like the person in the photos, so he came to ask me..."

"I always thought Zhiyu was dead, I never imagined he was still alive..."

At this point, Matsui gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

“That child doesn’t remember me at all. If it weren’t for Xiao Wu, I probably would never have seen him again in my life…”

She didn't give a specific account of how she saw it, but what she did say was enough to make the detective's connection.

Sera Masumi seemed to be deep in thought.

It turns out there's a story behind how the Matsui family knew about Aozawa's existence.

Saving the child from the water... Qingze's suspicion seemed to have lessened a bit.

Sachiko Matsui stood up, took a photo frame, and gently stroked the glass surface with her fingertips, her eyes filled with a warm sense of nostalgia.

The photo shows two women standing side by side with strikingly similar faces, differing only in their hairstyles, each accompanied by a child.

The two children looked to be about the same age. One was smiling innocently and brightly, while the other had no expression and just stared quietly at the camera.

“This is what Ozawa was like when he was little,” Sachiko Matsui said softly, as if touching a fragile piece of time, “Doesn’t it look a lot like now?”

She handed the photo frame to Sera Masumi, her gesture conveying a natural sense of sharing a treasured possession.

Sera Masumi took the photo, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

It turns out that Sachiko Matsui and Reiko Fukuda are twins. No wonder Aozawa's eyes look exactly like hers.

Her gaze fell on the child on the left with a slightly aloof expression.

When Qingze was a child, his facial features were indeed not much different from now. However, his outline had not fully developed yet, and his childishness already hinted at the sparse features he would have today.

She handed the photo frame back and replied softly:

"They really look alike."

Sachiko Matsui carefully put the photo away, her gaze returning to Sera's face. Seeing this, Sera Masumi offered an explanation:

"Actually, I came here today because I happened to hear about Aozawa from Mr. Mori... I wanted to tell you that your nephew is still alive. But now it seems that you already knew, so it makes me seem like I was just being redundant."

"Do you know Mr. Mori?" Sachiko Matsui slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze carrying a gentle yet clear inquiry.

"Yes, I'm Mr. Mori's student." Sera Masumi raised her hand and scratched her cheek, unconsciously revealing an expression that was somewhere between shy and straightforward.

"I see......"

Sachiko Matsui remained silent for a moment, then let out a barely audible sigh. The sigh was so soft, yet it subtly revealed a deep, unyielding worry between her brows.

“You’re Xiaoze’s friend, can you tell me about what’s happened to him all these years? That kid came to our house once, but he only stayed for a short while before leaving. I asked him how he’s been doing all these years, and he just said ‘it’s alright’…”

Sera Masumi thought to herself, if Ran's words were true, Aozawa's life these past few years hadn't been so good.

After a moment's consideration, she relayed what she had heard from Xiaolan:

“I don’t know much about Qingze. I heard that his adoptive father was very strict with him, very controlling, and demanded that he do everything perfectly. Later, he developed health problems and spent most of his time in the hospital…”

Qingze suffers from depression and has no relatives or friends. Now that he finally has family again, the care from his family may bring about a good healing effect.

She herself was unaware that her suspicions about Qingze had gradually dissipated.

As Matsui Sachiko listened, her eyes quickly reddened. "I knew he must have had a hard time these past few years. How can a child who has left home have a good life..."

She was somewhat out of control of her emotions and it took her a while to calm down.

She wiped away her tears and apologized for her rudeness, saying, "I'm sorry."

“It’s alright, I shouldn’t have said anything like that…” Sera Masumi’s tone softened, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the table. “But Aozawa has depression, so I was thinking that maybe I should ask you… to pay more attention to him and show him more care.”

"depression?"

Sachiko Matsui repeated it blankly, as if she couldn't immediately grasp the weight of the word.

The next second, the tears that she had finally managed to stop burst forth again, streaming hot down her cheeks.

That child... no matter what you asked him, he would only say "I'm fine".

A lump formed in her throat, and she tried to calm herself, but her voice still trembled: "Could you tell me more about his illness in detail?"

Chapter 462 So that's why

Sera Masumi pursed her lips.

Say or don't say?

A brief silence filled the air.

But looking into the other person's red eyes and the genuine, heart-wrenching concern, her heart softened.