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

"It's about my garden."

"I probably understand."

Shiraishi Hara sighed softly; just as he had predicted.

Tomoko Suzuki led Shiraishihara to a beautifully furnished study. At that moment, only the two of them were in the room.

Tomoko Suzuki warmly invited Shiraishihara to sit down and even personally brewed him a cup of black tea. It must be said that Mrs. Suzuki was graceful and elegant, and every movement she made while brewing tea exuded a refined air, truly making a striking impression.

"Ohara-kun, please have some tea."

"Thank you, Auntie. You're too kind. There's no need for you to go to so much trouble."

"Xiaoyuan, Auntie wants to ask, is my Yuanzi dating you?"

"That's not true, Auntie. Sonoko and I are just good friends."

"But Auntie heard some different versions of the story."

"Those are definitely baseless rumors and should not be believed."

"really?"

Seeing the doubt on Suzuki Tomoko's face, Shiraishi Hara quickly explained, "Auntie, I have a clear understanding of myself and know that I am just an ordinary person and am indeed not good enough for your daughter. Don't worry, Auntie, I know this very well."

Having her thoughts read aloud by Shiraishihara, Suzuki Tomoko smiled somewhat awkwardly.

"Xiaoyuan, you are such a sensible and good child. If you could become my daughter's future partner, I believe she would be very happy."

“Sigh…” Suzuki Tomoko first praised Shiraishihara, then sighed heavily, “As a daughter of the Suzuki family, having enjoyed wealth and honor, she naturally has to shoulder the responsibilities bestowed upon her by the Suzuki family… As the saying goes, if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. Sonoko also has to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the family’s arranged marriage.”

Hearing Suzuki Tomoko's words, Shiraishi Hara couldn't help but find them somewhat laughable. It was nothing more than a common tactic used by the upper class to maintain their status. Humans are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm, which is understandable, but there was no need to present it in such a high-sounding way.

This reminded him of an incident involving Samsung Group, one of South Korea's most powerful conglomerates. The youngest daughter of the group's chairman fell in love with a man from an ordinary social class, but due to numerous family obstacles, she was driven to suicide. The man was forced to move to the United States and could never return to South Korea. The situation before him was strikingly similar.

Shiraishi said, "Auntie, you don't need to say anything more, I understand. Sonoko is my good friend, and I won't put her in a difficult situation."

Hearing Shiraishihara's magnanimous response, Suzuki Tomoko admired him even more, secretly thinking that Sonoko really had good taste.

Tomoko Suzuki couldn't help but exclaim, "Ohara-kun, you are so sensible. The more I look at you, the more I like you."

“If you came here specifically to warn me, Auntie, I have already received that warning.”

As he spoke, Shiraishi stood up, preparing to take his leave.

"stop."

Tomoko Suzuki's tone suddenly hardened: "That's far from enough. Because of you, Sonoko is extremely resistant to many of the Suzuki family's arrangements. I hope that you, Ohara-kun, can completely sever ties with Sonoko! If you can't do that, the Suzuki family won't mind having you transfer schools."

In the Suzuki family's mind, only Hakuba Saguru was a suitable match for Suzuki Sonoko. The union of a top-tier political heir and a top-tier wealthy heir was undoubtedly an excellent combination of political and business power. A marriage between the Hakuba and Suzuki families would greatly benefit the power of both families. Therefore, they believed that Hakuba Saguru was the best choice for Suzuki Sonoko, and that ordinary commoners like Shiraishihara should not even dream of marrying into such a high social class.

Shiraishi Hara frowned slightly. As the Phantom Thief of Hearts, with a system by his side, why would he fear the mere Suzuki family? His previous politeness was entirely due to the fact that Suzuki Tomoko was Suzuki Sonoko's mother.

"Mrs. Suzuki, are you threatening me?"

"This is not a threat, just a suggestion. In return, the Suzuki family will provide you with some compensation."

"What compensation?"

Shiraishi Hara secretly wondered to himself, "Could it be that this mother is going to develop a relationship with me in place of her daughter?" For a fleeting moment, he seriously considered this possibility.

Tomoko Suzuki smiled slightly: "Ohara-kun, as long as you obediently listen to me and cut off all contact with Sonoko, I will give you financial compensation."

"Mrs. Suzuki, are you joking?" Shiraishihara looked at Suzuki Tomoko with displeasure. He was not the kind of person who could be bought with money.

Tomoko Suzuki wasn't angry; she maintained her amiable demeanor and slowly said:

"Ohara-kun, don't rush, let me finish... After you graduate from high school, I can use the Suzuki family's connections to help you get into any university in Tokyo that you like. After you graduate from university, I can also arrange for you to join a Suzuki family company, starting as a management trainee. It won't be difficult for you to enter the Suzuki family's management in the future. How about that? With my help, your future is bright!"

Tomoko Suzuki's description was incredibly effusive; if Shiraishihara hadn't been a time traveler, he might have genuinely been swayed by such generous offers. After all, in this fiercely competitive era, getting into university is incredibly difficult, and finding a good job is even harder.

Shiraishi's face was resolute, but a hint of anger flashed in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Auntie, I can't do as you say!"

"Huh? Why? Aren't the conditions I offered tempting enough?" Suzuki Tomoko seemed surprised that Shiraishihara would refuse. In her opinion, such generous conditions should be irresistible to someone like Shiraishihara who has no background.

“You are asking me to sever ties with Sonoko, which will inevitably hurt her! I cannot bring myself to hurt Sonoko. Sonoko is my good friend, and I would never hurt my friend.”

Shiraishihara, with an air of righteous indignation, mercilessly condemned Suzuki Tomoko's despicable actions.

Upon hearing this, Tomoko Suzuki looked ashamed.

“You’re right. If you really break off your friendship with Sonoko, she will definitely be hurt.” Suzuki Tomoko thought for a moment and felt that Shiraishi Hara’s words made sense. “Ohara-kun, you can assure your aunt that you will never develop a relationship with Sonoko that goes beyond friendship.”

"Mrs. Suzuki, I cannot make such a guarantee."

No. .

118. Mother disagrees. Sonoko: We'll talk about it later.

Chapter 118

Upon hearing Shiraishihara's reply, Suzuki Tomoko became annoyed. It seemed that all her words had been ignored.

"What do you mean? Do you really have to date Sonoko? Let me tell you, even if you do date Sonoko, she will never marry you. You'll just be waiting to be dumped."

"It's not that I necessarily want to be in a relationship with Sonoko. You are Sonoko's mother, and I respect you. But what gives you the right to demand that I make promises to you? First you threatened me, and now you want me to make promises. Others may fear the Suzuki family, but I don't!"

A powerful aura suddenly emanated from Shiraishihara, instantly stunning Suzuki Tomoko and causing her body to stiffen.

As the queen of the Japanese business world, Tomoko Suzuki was always the one being flattered; no one had ever dared to speak to her like this before…

Shiraishi's eyes were filled with domineering confidence, showing no fear whatsoever. He truly didn't take the Suzuki family's power seriously at all; such courage was truly admirable! Oh no, I've actually been drawn in by his aura!

Seeing Suzuki Tomoko staring at him in shock without saying a word, Shiraishihara simply left...

Back at the dance venue, Shiraishihara found dealing with the girls' parents to be a real headache.

As soon as Sonoko Suzuki saw Shiraishihara appear, she immediately put on her high heels and ran over enthusiastically like a cheerful little bird.

"Oh?" Sonoko Suzuki approached Shiraishi Hara, her face full of curiosity, and asked, "Shiraishi-kun, what did my mom say to you?"

"Your mother was worried about me dating you, and specifically told me not to have any improper thoughts about you."

Shiraishi told the truth.

How could my mom say that to you!

Sonoko Suzuki was a little annoyed. Although she had expected it, she still pressed on, "So what did you say to her?"

"Of course I had to agree, what else could I do?"

"Ugh... Why is my mom like this! This isn't what we agreed on!"

"What did your mother tell you before?"

“My mom says that I can make my own decisions about dating now, but I'll have to listen to my family's arrangements when I get married in the future…”

Shiraishi Hara secretly pondered that if 06 was really dating Sonoko, the relationship would be far more complicated.

"Your mom is just trying to make you happy."

"No way!" Sonoko Suzuki pouted. "You must have angered my mom, that's why she doesn't like you and that's why she said that."

"Sonoko, what do you want me to do?"

"Go and win my mom's favor, and get her approval."

"No, no... I don't have that ability." Shiraishi Hara shook his head, after all, he wasn't some rare object that everyone loved.

"Just think of it as doing it for me," Sonoko Suzuki said sweetly, clinging to Shiraishi Hara's arm.

“Even for you, I can’t do it… Tell me, how am I supposed to please your mother? Your mother and I feel like we live in two completely different worlds, we have almost no chance to interact.”

“I’ll figure something out. I’ll create opportunities for you and your mom to spend time together. All you need to do is figure out how to make your mom like you.”

Looking into Sonoko Suzuki's pure and clear eyes, Shiraishihara couldn't help but inwardly marvel. He wondered what Sonoko's father would think if he knew how "thoughtful" his daughter was.

"Let's talk about it later..." Shiraishihara said vaguely and perfunctorily.

"Shiraishi-kun, please!" Sonoko Suzuki looked pitiful, as if she would burst into tears if Shiraishi didn't agree.

"Okay, I know." Shiraishihara finally softened; Suzuki Sonoko's coquettishness was enough to make him surrender.

"Shiraishi-kun, you're so kind." Sonoko Suzuki hugged Shiraishi-hara with joy.

After having a quick bite to eat at the ball, Shiraishi Hara decided to say goodbye to Sonoko and go home.

Just then, Tomoko Suzuki, dressed in an elegant and charming gown, gracefully walked up to Shiraishihara.

"Xiaoyuan, why don't you dance with Auntie..."

"Huh?" This sudden invitation left Shiraishihara a little bewildered.

"Xiaoyuan, Auntie didn't mean to make things difficult for you. You won't blame Auntie, will you?"

"No..." Shiraishihara wasn't really angry. As Sonoko's mother, it was only natural for Suzuki Tomoko to care about her daughter's future marriage.

Sonoko, who was standing nearby, was also egging him on: "Shiraishi-kun, quickly promise my mom that you'll behave well."

“Okay, Auntie.” Upon hearing Sonoko’s words, Shiraishihara subconsciously responded.

After receiving the reply, Tomoko Suzuki's lips curled up slightly, revealing a charming smile.

She bowed gracefully to Shiraishihara and extended her hand.

Shiraishi Hara took Suzuki Tomoko's hand and led her through the bustling crowd toward the dance floor.

Inside the ballroom, the grand pianist, violinist, and bassist played elegant classical music together, creating a refined atmosphere.

Suzuki Tomoko gently guided Shiraishihara's hand, and Shiraishihara spun around gracefully. The two danced together with exquisite coordination.

Their graceful dance moves were like a beautiful sight on the dance floor. Not only were their movements perfectly coordinated, but their eye contact also seemed to convey a certain emotion.

"Xiaoyuan, you dance so well. I was thinking of teaching you to dance, but it seems I was just wasting my time."

Tomoko Suzuki thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent dancing with Shiraishihara.

"I only know a little bit of the basics." Shiraishi Hara also felt that dancing with Suzuki Tomoko was quite nice. She had no airs of an elder at all, and she made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

With the music and lights intertwined, the two dancers performed flawlessly, naturally becoming the focus of everyone's attention on the dance floor.

"Mrs. Suzuki is so elegant and beautiful."

"Who's that male dance partner? He's so handsome! Is he a newcomer in the entertainment industry? How can there be such a handsome man!"

"They look so well-matched!"

Even Hakuba Saguru and Suzuki Sonoko, who should have been the center of attention, couldn't help but admire them. Shiraishihara and Suzuki Tomoko's pas de deux was so light and graceful that it drew everyone's attention, making the other dancers around them seem like mere foils.

"Wow, Sonoko, is that your mom?" Hakuba Saguru asked.

"Yes."

"Your mom is so beautiful... They look so well-matched and romantic!" Hakuba Saguru exclaimed sincerely, even imagining himself dancing with Koizumi Akako.

"Hey, Hakuba, what nonsense are you talking about? That's my mom!"

"I'm sorry. I just felt compelled to say it."

Hakuba Saguru scratched his head sheepishly. "By the way, Sonoko. Why aren't you dancing with Shiraishihara? Don't you like Shiraishihara?"

"Because this is the task I assigned to Shiraishihara."

"A task given to me by my master?"

"Yes."

At the ball, Shiraishihara and Suzuki Tomoko were completely immersed in the world of dance. An accidental touch of hands, faces so close together—everything seemed so harmonious and natural.

Tomoko Suzuki smiled happily, her expression relaxed and joyful, a stark contrast to her usual serious business queen persona.

Tomoko Suzuki was unaware that Shiraishihara's cooperation was entirely due to a task assigned to him by Sonoko Suzuki.

"Xiaoyuan, you are both handsome and capable. Auntie admires you very much."

"Auntie Pengzi, you are both beautiful and capable..."

Shiraishihara truly felt the charm of Suzuki Tomoko; her beauty was in no way inferior to that of her two daughters.

"Kohara-kun, don't get any other ideas about your auntie, okay?" Suzuki Tomoko said half-jokingly.

"Ah? I'm sorry..." Shiraishihara was a little embarrassed.

Their laughter blended into the music.