Detective Conan: Developing a younger version of Ran Eri, and the stunning Yukiko.

After Kudo Yusaku was forced to bow his head and apologize, his wife's expression finally improved.

Even so, Yukiko Kudo did not immediately agree to her husband's request, but instead looked at Shiraishihara and asked for his opinion.

She knew in her heart that her husband insisted on going with her not for her sake, but because he was after Shiraishihara.

"I think it's a good idea for you two to go skiing together and strengthen your relationship, so I won't get involved."

"no!"

The Kudo couple both rejected Shiraishihara's proposal.

Finally, the three of them went to Sapporo International Ski Resort together.

Upon arriving at the ski resort, Yusaku Kudo was exceptionally proactive, renting a full set of ski equipment for the three of them and arranging accommodations for the night, taking care of everything perfectly.

Considering Yusaku Kudo's proactive behavior, Yukiko Kudo reluctantly forgave him.

When the Kudo couple discovered that Shiraishihara was a beginner skier, they both vied to teach him, which completely baffled Shiraishihara.

Surrounded and instructed by the Kudo couple, Shiraishihara couldn't experience the joy of skiing at all.

Fortunately, Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort is indeed very good. The area is spacious, the snow is fine, and the distant snow-capped mountains shimmer in the sunlight. Even if you don't ski, just sitting in the rest area with a hot drink and watching the snow scenery is very pleasant.

In the afternoon, the three checked into a hotel with a hot spring.

The hot springs at the hotel are separated for men and women.

So, in the evening, Shiraishihara and Kudo Yusaku soaked in the men's bath of the hot spring.

Kudo Yusaku took the opportunity to ask Shiraishihara some questions.

For example, regarding the drug APTX4869.

“Mr. Shiraishi, I think the same way as you. APTX4869 was not originally developed as a poison, but was developed in pursuit of immortality. Logically speaking, there should be no antidote.”

According to Shinichi, after drinking strong liquor, he briefly returned to his original state. How did this happen?

"Mr. Kudo, your question has stumped me. I suggest you go directly to the researcher who developed the APTX4869 drug. I think only the researcher can answer your question."

"Shiraishi-kun, you must be joking. How could I possibly find a researcher who develops the APTX4869 drug?"

It's obvious that the research data on APTX4869 must be top secret of that organization, and finding the researcher would be impossible.

"I have an idea."

"any solution?"

"So you join that organization and become an officer, then you'll have the opportunity to learn more, right?"

"Ah this..."

What Shiraishihara said makes sense; joining that organization is indeed the most direct way to understand APTX4869.

To be honest, Yusaku Kudo didn't have much hope of finding an antidote for APTX4869; it was very likely that there was no antidote for this drug at all.

However, Yusaku Kudo still has a strong interest in APTX4869.

After all, it was a divine medicine that could supposedly determine the life and death of humankind, and anyone with a modicum of sense would not underestimate its value.

Are you a member of that organization?

Kudo Yusaku looked at Shiraishihara with a serious expression. He had suspected from the beginning that Shiraishihara was connected with that organization, otherwise Shiraishihara would not have known so much classified information.

"no……"

Shiraishi answered calmly and truthfully.

"Then how did you know these confidential matters?"

"No comment..."

Shiraishi Hara adopted an attitude of "I won't say it, what can you do about it?"

"Hahaha……"

Kudo Yusaku broke the awkward atmosphere with a hearty laugh, "If Shiraishi-kun doesn't want to talk about it, then forget it."

Shiraishi-kun has already helped my Shinichi a lot, and I completely trust him. I completely understand that Shiraishi-kun has his own difficulties, so please don't take it to heart.

Even so, how could Yusaku Kudo give up so easily?

Dinner time arrived quickly.

Shiraishihara and the Kudo couple changed into yukatas at the inn and sat in the warm, private dining room.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast: charcoal-grilled king crab steamed, salmon sashimi glistened with freshness, and fine sake was served alongside.

Kudo Yusaku personally poured sake for Shiraishihara, saying with a smile, "Shiraishi-kun, please don't be so formal. This is Hokkaido sake, Chitose Tsuru. It's smooth and mellow, and it's perfect for pairing with seafood to cut through the richness. Why not give it a try?"

Seeing this, Yukiko Kudo scolded, "Yusaku, what are you doing? Shiraishi-kun is still a student. Drinking alcohol is bad for your health."

Yusaku Kudo immediately looked displeased: "It's just a small sip, what's the big deal? Yukiko, don't take it so seriously."

Kudo Yusaku had his own plans. Shiraishihara was very tight-lipped, and he thought that if he got Shiraishihara drunk, he might be able to get him to talk. If he could successfully get him to reveal something, that would be the best outcome, but even if he couldn't, there would be no loss.

Shiraishihara didn't take it too seriously, picking up his glass and taking a small sip. The taste was like diluted high-proof liquor, quite similar to the rice wine his family often drank during festivals before he transmigrated, only a bit crisper, and the flavor was just so-so, nothing special.

"I think eating seafood alone is fine."

Shiraishihara was quite honest; since he found the sake to be just so-so, he didn't want to force himself. As for the sumptuous seafood feast in front of him, it would be a waste not to eat it.

He then picked up a piece of salmon sashimi with his chopsticks, dipped it in wasabi soy sauce, and put it in his mouth.

"Shiraishihara, a real man should taste the flavor of sake. I toast you..."

"Um……"

Shiraishi Hara symbolically raised his glass and took a small sip. It wasn't that he was being disrespectful to Kudo Yusaku, but the sake really didn't taste very good; it wasn't even as good as chilled fruit juice.

Seeing that his plan seemed to be failing, Kudo Yusaku hurriedly kept giving Yukiko meaningful glances.

"Yukiko, don't just focus on eating, talk to Shiraishi-kun."

"Mr. Shiraishi is enjoying his meal; it wouldn't be good to disturb him."

Yukiko Kudo rolled her eyes at her husband. Trying to strike up a conversation while someone is focused on eating would only make them uncomfortable.

“That’s not what I meant…” Kudo Yusaku picked up his wine glass and waved it at her, hinting.

Yukiko Kudo then realized that her husband wanted her to help persuade the man to drink.

"You want me to persuade Shiraishi-kun to drink?"

The exceptionally intelligent Yukiko Kudo instantly understood her husband's intention: to get Shiraishihara drunk in order to uncover more information.

"Yukiko, I'm counting on you."

Reluctantly, Yukiko Kudo could only steel herself and move closer to Shiraishi. She picked up the bottle on the table and poured half a glass of sake into Shiraishi's cup: "Shiraishi-kun, Yusaku may be a bit straightforward, but he genuinely wants to thank you. This sake isn't very strong, so would you like to have just a little more?"

Seeing that Shiraishihara was only focused on picking up food and didn't respond, Kudo Yukiko added with a smile, "Look at these crab legs, they really taste different when eaten with sake, give it a try."

"Aunt Yukiko, I really don't like drinking." Shiraishi put down his chopsticks and looked up at her.

"Just a small sip, and you'll have half a cup with your aunt?" Yukiko Kudo turned slightly to the side, the sleeve of her yukata slipping down a little to reveal her slender wrist. "Otherwise, your aunt won't be able to save face."

Shiraishi's expression turned somewhat helpless. He glanced at Kudo Yukiko beside him, then at Kudo Yusaku across from him, who was looking on expectantly...

Left with no other choice, he raised his glass and took another sip of the light sake.

What followed was a scene where Shiraishihara was left to deal with the Kudo couple's repeated attempts to persuade him to drink...

Shiraishihara quickly witnessed the unique drinking culture of the Japanese. They emphasize "drinking together," and even those with average alcohol tolerance like to encourage each other to drink. The atmosphere is lively, but it takes a lot of energy. Before, when watching Japanese dramas, he didn't understand why people in pubs always liked to gather together and clink glasses, but now he understood—it's probably a way for them to get closer to each other.

Before long, Shiraishihara was no longer drunk, but the Kudo couple were the first to give in.

Kudo Yusaku really made a mistake. Not only was he drunk and slumped on the table groaning, but Kudo Yukiko was also drunk and leaning on Shiraishihara's shoulder, her cheeks flushed and her breath reeking of alcohol.

Shiraishi Haruka felt a terrible headache, especially the heavy weight on his shoulders, making him want to move but afraid of waking her. He looked down and saw that Yukiko's yukata collar was tied neatly, and the ruby ​​pendant on her chest swayed gently with her breath, shimmering with a warm light under the lamp. The ruby's color was perfect; it wasn't the first time he'd seen it, but every time he looked at it, it seemed exceptionally dazzling, and he couldn't help but marvel at the charm of a natural gemstone.

"Hey, wake up, don't sleep." Shiraishi gently nudged Kudo Yukiko, who was leaning on his shoulder.

Seeing that Yukiko had no reaction, Shiraishihara reached out and gently patted her cheek.

Her long, light golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, and two small, slightly curled buns draped over her sweet and charming face, making her look playful and captivating. However, she was now smothered by alcohol and lacked her usual energy.

"Clap clap."

Shiraishi raised his hand and gently patted her cheek twice, the touch so light it was almost a reminder. Only a faint sensation remained on Yukiko's flushed face.

"Um, what is it..."

Yukiko Kudo groggily opened her eyes, looking at Shiraishihara with a wronged expression, her eyes still moist from just waking up.

Are you planning to lean on my shoulder and sleep until dawn?

"what?"

Yukiko Kudo seemed to wake from a dream, abruptly sat up, and subconsciously tidied her hair.

Then, she glanced at her husband, who was slumped over the table, and saw that he was so drunk that he couldn't even open his eyes.

"Oh no..." she could only smile wryly, "I'll have to trouble Shiraishi-kun again."

Afterwards, Shiraishihara and Yukiko, who was slightly more sober, struggled to drag the completely drunk Kudo Yusaku back to their guest room.

After making the bed, Yukiko helped Yusaku Kudo lie down on the bed and covered him with a thin blanket.

"Honey, it's been so long since we watched the stars together. When we get back..." Yusaku Kudo mumbled incoherently.

"Okay, okay, you go to sleep now." Yukiko Kudo patted his back helplessly.

"Wife, wife..."

"..."

Yukiko sighed, turned around to clean up the empty bottles on the table, and ignored him.

On the other side, 0.1 Shiraishihara yawned, took out his pajamas from his luggage, changed into them, made his bed, and prepared to sleep.

After a long day of commotion and a full meal, all he wanted to do was sleep. He had no time to pay attention to the drunken Kudo couple and quickly crawled into bed.

Just as Shiraishihara lay down, he saw Kudo Yukiko walk over with a pillow and put it down next to his bed.

"Aunt Yukiko, aren't you sleeping in the same bed as Mr. Kudo?"

"He smelled too strongly of alcohol, I couldn't stand it!"

"Then you don't have to sleep here, right?"

"This bed is wide enough; we can sleep separately without any problem. You're just a student; you wouldn't dare take advantage of me, would you?"

Yukiko raised an eyebrow, her slightly drunken tone carrying a hint of a joke.

"up to you!"

Shiraishi ignored Kudo Yukiko beside him and turned over to face the inside, preparing to go to sleep.

Perhaps Shiraishihara was really too tired, because he slept exceptionally soundly, as if he were above the clouds, surrounded by soft clouds, feeling warm, safe and comfortable, and extremely pleasant.

In those dreamlike clouds, he seemed to see angels, their laughter and chatter like heavenly music, intoxicating all who heard them.

Happiness and joy filled his mind and body, as if all fatigue had been swept away, leaving only the purity and tranquility of his heart.

However, just as Shiraishihara was immersed in this wonderful dream, a series of indistinct murmurs entered his ears, forcing him to open his eyes.

"Mmm...so comfortable..."

When Shiraishihara opened his eyes, he found that Kudo Yukiko was sleeping restlessly because she was drunk, so he moved closer to her as he turned over.

Beneath her smooth, jade-like forehead, a tuft of curly hair, resembling a cowlick, swayed gently with her breath, adding a touch of playfulness to her beautiful celebrity face. However, her drunken appearance at this moment made her seem somewhat vulnerable.

076 After continuous battles with Yukiko, he started sweating.

Chapter 76

Shiraishihara seemed to have stepped into a wondrous, dreamlike world. An unprecedented sense of joy overwhelmed him, as if Sapporo in Hokkaido had transformed into the legendary paradise in an instant.

It turns out that the ultimate joy that humans can experience can sometimes be obtained with such ease.

Yukiko Kudo was also deeply immersed in this wonderful experience. Although her consciousness had become somewhat blurred and confused after drinking, the feelings brought about by this experience were real and tangible.

The brain may occasionally play tricks on people like a mischievous child, but the feelings conveyed by the body do not lie.

"How strange, how strange..."

Yukiko Kudo kept muttering to herself, this strange and wonderful joy filled her with doubt.