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

"You two are really in sync. Watch me."

Sonoko put down the Coke bottle, walked to another spot, and picked up a baseball bat.

"Do you need me to give you some pointers?" Shiraishi asked instinctively.

"No need. It's just like playing tennis. I'm a key player on the tennis club!"

Sonoko confidently swung her baseball bat toward the pitching machine.

With a "bang!", the ball was hit precisely.

……

When it was time for dinner, the three of them went to a well-known curry restaurant in Shimozawa Kita.

Led by the waiter, Ran and Sonoko sat side by side on the sofa, while Shiraishi Gen sat opposite them.

The two seemed to be in high spirits, and their friendship appeared to have deepened.

Shiraishi ordered a large portion of spicy beef curry. Sonoko and Ran ordered mildly spicy chicken curry.

After a short wait, the waiter brought each person two servings of potatoes with the skin on, along with cream.

Xiaolan tried to cut the potato with a fork, but it didn't go smoothly, so she finally just picked it up with her hands. She tore at it with force, her hands trembling slightly, but the potato still wouldn't separate.

Seeing this, Shiraishihara couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he used a fork to help her cut the potato in half, and Ran immediately showed a happy smile.

Holding half a potato, she spread butter on it as she continued, "But after walking around for so long today, you must have some feeling about it too, right?"

"How does it feel?" Shiraishihara sprinkled some salt on the potato and took a bite.

"Um... it's just..." Xiaolan hesitated, her gaze turning to the garden.

Sonoko rested her chin on her hand and said, "Ran, just say what you want to say. Why are you looking at me?"

"Let's forget about it." Xiaolan smiled shyly.

Not long after, the waiter brought over the curry that the three of them had ordered.

The rice was sprinkled with cheese, and crispy plums and pickled vegetables were placed around the edge of the plate.

Ran and Sonoko's curry was served in a curry pot with a stylish handle, while Shiraishihara's large portion was served in a deep dish.

Shiraishi poured all the curry sauce over the rice, took a bite, and thought it tasted pretty good.

This curry is generally of a common European style, but its spiciness contains a rich and mellow flavor, along with a strong sweetness.

Large chunks of beef are stewed until extremely tender, easily cut with a spoon, and the savory flavor instantly spreads throughout the mouth when placed in the mouth.

Add the remaining potato to the curry, break it into smaller pieces with a spoon, and eat it together. The spiciness becomes milder, and the taste is just as wonderful.

"Hey, can I have a bite of your beef?" Xiaolan suddenly said.

"The only thing you can share on a date is popsicles in the summer, right?" Shiraishihara asked, looking confused.

"I do not care!"

Just as Shiraishihara was feeling both annoyed and amused, Ran reached out a spoon towards the beef curry.

"I also want!"

Seeing this, Sonoko wasn't going to be outdone and started scooping beef into Shiraishihara's plate.

Shiraishi Hara secretly rejoiced, thankfully he had ordered the large portion, otherwise it really wouldn't have been enough.

Just as he was secretly relieved, Ran scooped up some chicken covered in curry with a spoon and brought it to Shiraishihara's lips.

"Shiraishihara, open your mouth."

"Xiao Lan, what are you doing?"

"In layman's terms, this is called feeding."

"There's no need for this."

"That's what it feels like to be lovers!"

Xiaolan's face turned bright red as she spoke. Indeed, such behavior had a sweet atmosphere between lovers, even though they were currently only in a state of being lovers but not quite.

So Shiraishihara leaned closer and opened his mouth, and Ran, with trembling hands, fed him the spoon... It was as heartwarming and fun as a couple feeding each other cake at a wedding.

"Really delicious."

Shiraishi praised it sincerely, saying that putting aside the taste of the chicken curry, the interaction of feeding it alone filled him with joy.

Sonoko watched Ran and Shiraishihara with a helpless expression. She thought to herself, if Ran didn't know that she also had feelings for Shiraishihara, she probably would have confessed to him long ago.

After a fun-filled day, the three of them took a car back to Beika Town, ending their date.

Before parting, Sonoko pulled Shiraishihara aside to talk.

"I'll invite you to the Suzuki Foundation's 60th anniversary celebration on the cruise ship. You'd better put in your best effort to win over my mom then."

Sonoko knew that Shiraishi was hesitant because he feared her family's power, and she was very considerate of Shiraishi's feelings.

"As long as my mom agrees, you can date me. If you still want to be with Xiaolan then, I'll help you."

"Thank you... Sonoko." Shiraishihara was deeply moved by Sonoko's thoughtfulness in considering his needs.

"You're welcome." Sonoko boldly gave Shiraishihara a light kiss on the cheek, then waved goodbye to him.

At 5:40 p.m., in a port on the coast of Yokohama, a super luxurious cruise ship rested quietly on the shore under the fiery red sunset.

The sounds of arguing mingled with the crashing waves, faintly reaching everyone's ears.

"It must be stopped! This anniversary celebration must be canceled!"

The speaker was Inspector Nakamori, who had led a group to ambush Phantom Thief Kid on the rooftop of the Beika Hotel.

At that moment, he pointed towards the boarding gate in the direction of the cruise ship, where people were constantly boarding, his face flushed, and he argued vehemently.

Kaito Kid always manages to escape cleverly, causing the Metropolitan Police Department to lose face, and he has made a significant "contribution" to this.

"Alright, alright... Nakamori, stop yelling like that. I don't want to embarrass myself with you."

"Inspector Chaki, this isn't about being shameful! That's Kaito Kid! If he wanted to, getting through that kind of security check and boarding the ship would be a piece of cake!"

"Okay, okay..."

Superintendent Chaki Shintaro is Inspector Nakamori Ginzo's superior. As the saying goes, "like father, like son," his abilities are equally lacking. He and Nakamori Ginzo are often outmaneuvered by Phantom Thief Kid, losing face in the process.

"Inspector Nakamori, tonight's banquet is attended by celebrities from all walks of life. We can't act rashly."

If we were to forcibly halt this anniversary party simply because we're afraid of Kaito Kid stealing, you and I would both be sent to some remote place. You don't want to do it, but I do.

"hateful……"

Although Nakamori was filled with resentment, it was, after all, an order from his superiors, and what they said made sense. In the end, he could only let out a helpless sigh.

In front of so many celebrities, he forcibly ended the Suzuki family's anniversary party out of fear of Kaito Kid. He and Chaki Shintaro probably won't be able to continue their business together.

The key point is, how easy is it to guard against Phantom Thief Kid!

When Shiraishihara arrived at the port, most of the people in the queue to board the ship had already boarded. He was almost at the very end of the queue.

As soon as he boarded the ship, a slender hand squeezed through the crowd and grabbed his elbow, followed by the cheerful voice of a girl wearing a headband.

"Shiraishi-kun, why are you dawdling like this? You're finally here! Come this way with me!"

Even without hearing the voice, Shiraishihara knew that there could only be one person on this ship who could be so comfortable and at ease with him.

No. .

137 Yukiko mounted her horse. Trying to run? Keep running!

Chapter 137

Contrary to Shiraishihara's expectations of a flowing gown, Sonoko's outfit today was exceptionally casual, consisting of only a collared sleeveless vest paired with jeans.

She probably really intends to capture Phantom Thief Kid herself.

Shiraishi responded with an "Oh," and then boarded the cruise ship with Suzuki Sonoko.

"Oh, right, Shiraishi-kun, there's something I need to give you before we go into the venue."

"what is this?"

"That's it."

As she spoke, Sonoko pulled out a small, exquisitely crafted gift box from behind her back. It was only about the size of a palm.

What's in here?

"If you want to know, just open it and take a look." Sonoko laughed happily.

"I suspect the box contains a replica of the Black Star," Shiraishihara deduced before opening the gift box.

"Huh? How did you know?" Sonoko was slightly surprised, her face full of doubt and astonishment.

“Sonoko, you’re wearing it yourself.” Shiraishi pointed to Sonoko’s chest.

On Sonoko's chest was a flower-shaped brooch, with a light gold fabric lining. The fabric formed the petals, and the stamen was a black, round bead that reflected a smooth luster under the light.

"Moreover, I discovered that other guests also received the same box."

"As expected of Detective Shiraishi."

Sonoko praised Shiraishihara, saying, "I'll take you to meet my mother later, so you'd better behave yourself."

"Yeah, I will."

After saying that, Shiraishihara opened the box, and like Sonoko, 06 put on the replica Black Star.

……

Shiraishi followed Sonoko to the cruise ship's office.

Besides Tomoko Suzuki, Ran Mouri is also there, as are Kogoro Mouri and Conan Edogawa.

On such an important anniversary celebration for the Suzuki Group, Shiro Suzuki did not preside over the event himself, but Tomoko Suzuki took on this important responsibility. This shows that Tomoko Suzuki is the true controller of the Suzuki Group.

At this moment, Kogoro Mouri is talking animatedly to Tomoko Suzuki.

"Wow! I never imagined that Mrs. Suzuki was not only beautiful and charming, but also so intelligent."

"Have every guest wear the Black Star; that way, even if Phantom Thief Kid appears, he certainly won't be able to find the real Black Star."

Tomoko Suzuki held a fan, lightly covering her face, and gave a polite smile: "That's right. Detective Mouri truly lives up to his reputation, seeing through my thoughts at a glance."

"Hahaha... I, Kogoro Mouri, have always had a discerning eye!"

Praised by the beautiful woman, Kogoro Mouri became somewhat smug, scratching his head and laughing loudly twice.

Immediately afterwards, he lowered his voice and covered his mouth with one hand:

"So, Mrs. Suzuki, could you perhaps reveal a little bit about where the real Dark Star is located...?"

"Well, that's something you'll have to find out for yourself, Detective Mori."

Tomoko Suzuki smiled and raised one index finger.

"However, I can give you a hint: I have given the real Black Star to the only woman at this party who deserves it."

Kogoro Mouri looked on with a solemn expression: "I see. She must be an exceptionally beautiful woman!"

"Hehehe, well..."

Tomoko Suzuki smiled without saying a word, clearly intending to keep the secret from everyone.

Just then, Shiraishihara's voice came from the side: "Actually, I think Mrs. Suzuki's plan will probably have little chance of stumping Kaito Kid."

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked and turned their gazes toward Shiraishihara.

Kogoro Mouri was extremely displeased. He had wanted to make a good impression on the beautiful and wealthy Mrs. Suzuki, but someone had sabotaged him.

"Shiraishihara, what brings you here?"

“Uncle Mori, like you, as a detective, I’m naturally here for Kaito Kid,” Shiraishi said bluntly.

"Damn it! That annoying high school detective Shinichi Kudo disappeared, and now this high school detective Shiraishihara has appeared!"

Kogoro Mouri gritted his teeth, knowing that as long as there was a high school detective around, his fame would always be overshadowed.

"But, Detective Shiraishi, what is the basis for your statement?" Suzuki Tomoko, sitting at her desk, smiled and looked at Shiraishi with a seductive gaze.

Shiraishihara approached Suzuki Tomoko. The noblewoman before him wore a beautiful and elegant purple dress, exuding nobility and grace in every gesture. Her eyes were charming and alluring, making her extremely captivating.