The "Cocoon" Launch Event, Part 1
"Professor, just get to the point already..."
Conan let out a small, weary sigh. None of this had anything to do with the news that Miss Ningguang would be returning to Japan soon.
"Patience, Shinichi, we're almost there." Professor Agasa soothed him. "Here it is: the Cocoon project has essentially finished development, and Japan will be hosting the official Cocoon game launch event in the next few days. As one of the project's principal contributors, Miss Ningguang is certain to attend."
Conan lowered his head, lost in thought. So that's how it is.
"Don't be in such a hurry — there's one more thing," Agasa went on with a smile. "Part of the game's script for Cocoon had your father's involvement. So, Shinichi, how about it? Want to give it a try? As one of the game's designers, Yusaku should be able to secure you a participant slot, you know."
Conan gave the professor a half-lidded stare. "Heh. Sorry, Professor, but I'm not a little kid anymore. Games just don't interest me much these days."
Agasa wasn't about to let it go. "Oh, don't be so sure. Who knows — once you hear about the game's setting, you might change your mind."
...
With Conan quietly counting down the days, the date of the Cocoon launch event arrived before he knew it.
"Professor, is Miss Ningguang actually going to show up or not?" Conan stood in the middle of the event hall, watching the crowds drift back and forth around him — most of them children of politicians and business moguls, there for the Cocoon playtest. Yet no matter how carefully he searched, he couldn't catch a glimpse of her anywhere.
"Of course she'll be here, Shinichi — just relax." Professor Agasa bent down and murmured into Conan's ear, "I just asked Yusaku. Miss Ningguang has already arrived. She's simply waiting for the ceremony to officially begin before she makes her appearance."
Knowing that she was already on-site put Conan's mind at ease.
"Professor, what are you and Edogawa-kun whispering about over there?" Haibara's calm voice sounded suddenly behind him, startling them both.
"Haibara, do you ever make any noise when you walk?" Conan steadied himself, then turned around and shot her an exasperated look.
"You two were just too absorbed in your little chat." After that brief explanation, Haibara repeated her question. "So — what were you talking about?"
Then something seemed to occur to her, and her expression shifted. She leaned in close to Conan, a trace of fear in her voice. "Don't tell me you've found another clue recently — that the Organization is planning to move at this event?"
When Conan realized she'd assumed it involved the Black Organization, he shook his head quickly in denial. Not wanting to worry her more than necessary, he told her instead about everything concerning Miss Ningguang today.
Learning that it only involved the people who wore those so-called Visions, Haibara's expression eased considerably — though she still added a serious warning. "If we already know those people have ties to the Black Organization, then you can't rule out that Organization members might be here today."
"Relax..." Conan comforted her. "Miss Ningguang was in America until recently, and since my old man's been in frequent contact with her over this Cocoon project, I asked him to quietly keep an eye on her surroundings — see if anyone suspicious ever turned up."
"A while back he messaged me with his findings. Miss Ningguang behaves exactly like an ordinary businesswoman, and no one who looked like a criminal ever appeared anywhere near her. If anything, the only oddity was that she seemed a little too invested in the Cocoon project. Other than that, nothing — at least as far as he could tell."
Conan mulled over the investigation results. His father's assessment of Miss Ningguang had been remarkably high. In his own words: she was a woman of tremendous personal charisma — razor-sharp instincts for commercial information, exceptional intelligence-gathering ability, constant vigilance, and superb emotional intelligence. During the Cocoon partnership, even employees of Sindora Company who'd dealt with her came away full of admiration.
It wasn't often he heard his father praise anyone so lavishly. Even his mother, on her occasional phone calls home, was never stingy with her compliments about Miss Ningguang.
That only deepened Conan's curiosity. Now he wanted, more than ever, to know what secret the Vision was hiding — something powerful enough to bind so many extraordinary people together. And what were the other Vision-bearers like?
"Besides, Haibara, aren't you able to sense Organization members? Do you feel anything right now?" Conan asked her.
Haibara shook her head. "No. I don't sense anything at all."
"Well, there you go. That means the Organization really doesn't have anyone here today — and Miss Ningguang may not be connected to them after all. You can rest a little easier, right?"
Conan glanced around the hall, then gently nudged her. "And anyway, today is a game launch event. Look at all these kids around us. Once in a while, try actually acting like the real little kid you are — loosen up a bit."
Haibara gave him a look of pure disdain. "Heh. Save that advice for yourself."
Conan: "......"
Oh, come on. He was trying to be nice here — no need to make it sound like he'd just insulted her.
Just then, Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko — who'd been playing nearby — noticed Conan once again huddled off in a corner whispering with Haibara, and immediately swarmed over.
"Conan, what are you two talking about?" Ayumi asked, brimming with curiosity.
Genta sounded distinctly put out. "Conan, you've been ditching us a lot lately. What are you keeping from us?"
Mitsuhiko chimed in from the side. "Yeah! Aren't we supposed to be a team?"
Conan winced inwardly at the questions and waved his hands frantically. "No, no — I was just discussing something with Haibara..." He fumbled for a plausible excuse, cold sweat breaking out under the curious, probing stares of Ayumi, Genta, and Mitsuhiko.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the children lining up to receive their game-test badges — and inspiration struck. "We were just talking about how to get one of the playtest badges! Haha..." Conan scratched his head, laughing a little stiffly. "Professor Agasa got me one, but you guys don't have any, right? It's not every day we get to attend the launch event of a project this big — wouldn't it be way better if we could actually play the game ourselves?"
"Huh. Good point." Having heard Conan out, Genta was already getting interested in the day's main event.
"But how would we even get badges?" Ayumi fretted.
Mitsuhiko thought it over for a moment — then suddenly lifted his head as if an idea had come to him. He cupped his hands and whispered something into Genta's and Ayumi's ears, and all three of their faces lit up. Ready to spring into action, they bolted off at once.