Conan: When Shinjiu and Maolilan swap bodies

The gentle smile that once graced those eyes at the dinner table was replaced by a calm and composed demeanor.

It's like shedding a shell, transforming from "Ran Mouri" into that mysterious "Agate".

Kaito Kuroba was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“If I’m not mistaken,” he said in a low voice, “it should be my father.”

There is no need to hide it.

Qingze clearly knew something, and seemed to have some issues with his father.

Tonight's unexpected events, along with that premonition, have made this feeling grow stronger and stronger.

Ran Mouri raised her eyebrows slightly.

Kuroba Touichi?

It turns out that the "person behind the scenes" that Aze was talking about was Kuroba Toichi.

If the existence of the organization and the mastermind behind APTX4869 are both Toichi Kuroba—then this matter is truly terrifying.

She tightened her grip on the teacup slightly, without saying a word.

Kaito Kuroba lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on a certain point in the void.

The light cast a soft shadow on his face, making his young face suddenly appear somewhat heavy for his age.

“The reason I became Phantom Thief Kid,” he began, his voice so soft it was almost a soliloquy, “was initially to find out the truth behind my father’s death.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

There was no smile in that curve, only self-mockery.

"Now I understand..."

The words were left unsaid, but the meaning was already conveyed.

What did we learn?

I know my father is not dead.

Knowing that what they were pursuing would ultimately lead to an absurd answer.

Even more absurdly, her mother knew, and Yusaku Kudo knew too.

They all knew that the person was still alive.

But no one told him.

Just watching him search for clues like a fool, chasing after a mystery of "death" for so long, turning over every corner, all for one answer.

He couldn't figure it out.

What's the point of this?

Is it a test?

Is this a test of his obsession with his father? Is it a test of whether he can find the truth on his own?

Or is it simply that he doesn't need to know, or shouldn't know?

What happens after the test?

Now that he knows, what's next?

Ran Mouri held her teacup without saying a word.

The steam in the teacup had long since dissipated. Her fingers touched the slightly cool rim of the cup, her gaze fixed on the silent face opposite her, but she didn't know what to say.

The living room fell silent again.

The ticking of the clock on the wall was like a silent question.

The night outside the window was dark and oppressive, pressing down on the entire street. Occasionally, the headlights of distant cars would flash by, casting fleeting shadows on the ceiling—coming and going, nothing could be held onto.

Kaito Kuroba just sat there.

He wasn't looking anywhere; his gaze was fixed on a point in the void, and it was unclear what he was looking at or thinking.

That poker-face mask has finally been removed.

There was no expression on their faces.

empty.

Footsteps came from upstairs.

Yusaku Kudo and Aozawa walked down the stairs one after the other. Their expressions were both very ordinary, so ordinary that no one could tell anything was amiss.

There was neither the relief of reaching an agreement nor the heaviness of a breakdown in negotiations; just two calm faces, as if nothing had happened.

Kaito Kuroba's gaze swept across the two faces before falling back down.

"Qingze-kun, I'll take my leave now."

Yusaku Kudo stood in the entryway and nodded politely to Aozawa. Then he turned around, his gaze falling on the two people in the living room, his tone as gentle as that of an ordinary elder.

"See you next time, Ran, Kaito."

Ran Mouri stood up.

"Uncle Yusaku, I'll take you there."

The night was deep.

The two walked through the courtyard, their footsteps echoing softly on the stone path.

The halo of streetlights shone down from overhead, casting two elongated shadows on the ground.

When he reached the gate of the courtyard, Kudo Yusaku stopped.

He didn't rush to leave, but instead looked back—Qingze was still standing in the entrance hall, his body straight, looking in this direction through the night.

His face was hidden in the shadows where the light didn't reach, so his expression was unclear; only a quiet silhouette could be seen.

Yusaku Kudo withdrew his gaze and looked down at Ran Mouri beside him.

The light from the streetlamp fell on his face, giving him a soft, warm glow.

In those eyes that always seemed to see through everything, there was no scrutiny, no probing, only the unique love and sentimentality of an elder.

“This kid, Qingze,” he said, his voice very soft, “is more suitable for you than Shinichi.”

Ran Mouri looked up at him, somewhat stunned.

The glow of the streetlights shimmered in her eyes.

Looking at her expression, Yusaku Kudo's smile deepened. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, just like he had when they were children.

“You seem very at ease and happy with him,” he said.

The hand lingered on the top of her head for a moment before being withdrawn.

Kudo Yusaku turned around, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Ran Mouri stood there, watching the figure walk away and disappear into the shadows where a streetlamp couldn't reach.

A night breeze blew by, ruffling the stray hairs on her cheeks.

She turned around and looked into the yard.

Qingze was still standing in the entrance hall waiting for her.

He stood there, ramrod straight, like a pine tree in the night. The light from the entryway shone from behind him, outlining his silhouette with a warm yellow hue.

Ran Mouri suddenly smiled.

She strode towards him through the night. Then she reached out and took his hand.

Palm to palm, warm.

"What did you talk about with Uncle Yusaku?"

Qingze looked down at her, a smile spreading across his eyes.

“I promised him that I could contact Koniak if necessary.”

He paused, then tightened his grip on her hand.

"for you."

Ran Mouri looked at him.

His eyes shone brightly under the entryway light, like two small clusters of light. She reached out her free hand, cupped his face, and gently pinched it.

She used a little force, but couldn't bear to really hurt him.

Kaito Kuroba on the sofa: "..."

what is this?

I'm looking for myself?

If Kudo Yusaku knew how badly you tricked him, he'd be furious.

He stared at the two men.

The two of them, one with their head tilted back and the other with their head down, were staring at each other with smiles on their lips, as if they were enveloped in something that no one else could get into.

"Cough cough."

He coughed lightly, not loudly, but loud enough for the two of them to hear.

“I said,” he straightened up, crossed his arms, and said with a hint of despair, “I’m not gone yet.”

Chapter 575 He is Brandy

Qingze glanced at him.

That glance held no particular emotion; it was just a flat sweep. Then he reached out and closed the door.

A soft click shut out the darkness of the night.

"Those who were meant to leave have left."

Qingze turned around and walked towards the sofa. His steps were neither hurried nor slow, each step firm and steady, as if he were walking on some kind of rhythm.

He walked to the sofa, stopped, and looked down at the person leaning against it.

The light shone from behind him, casting a soft shadow on his face.

There was something indescribable in his eyes, like pity, or perhaps a complex understanding.

"Now, it's time to talk about our business, dear Mr. Phantom Thief."

Kaito Kuroba's heart jumped instantly.

coming.

His heart skipped a beat, but he forcefully suppressed it. His face remained relaxed, as if the sky falling wouldn't affect him at all.

He rubbed his arms in a mocking manner, a disgusted smile playing on his lips.

“Don’t call me that so affectionately,” he said, his tone tinged with disgust. “It’s weird, you know.”

Qingze did not respond.

He pulled a lighter from his pocket; the lighter, engraved with roses, gleamed coldly under the light.

With a flick of his wrist, the lighter spun between his fingertips before settling gently back into his palm. His thumb brushed against the roller, and with a click, a flame leaped up, illuminating half his face.

With another click, the fire went out.

The lighter spun and danced between his fingers, igniting and then extinguishing.

The firelight flickered in his eyes, like a silent countdown.

"I really want to give you an A pill right now, you know?"

Qingze's tone was light and casual, as if he were saying that the moonlight was nice tonight.

Kaito Kuroba sensed the almost tangible malice.

He suddenly took a step back and slumped back onto the sofa, with nowhere left to retreat.

A slight smile appeared on Qingze's lips.