Can't Think of a Title
Xia Yu turned around. "Ran, Conan, what a coincidence running into you two." Then her gaze shifted to the man standing beside them. "Mr. Mouri, it's been a while. When we ran into each other on the Shinkansen, that whole incident happened before we really had a chance to talk. I've heard you've solved quite a few cases lately — and since I'm something of a detective myself, I'd say you're my senior in the field. I look forward to learning from you."
As Xia Yu looked at this "warrior" from the anime who had taken at least a few hundred tranquilizer darts without so much as a scratch, she had to admit that with his suit on and looking serious, he actually seemed fairly reliable. Of course, that impression held only up until Mouri Kogoro opened his mouth—
"Hahaha! To think I'm famous now — even such a beautiful young lady has heard of my exploits!" Kogoro roared with laughter, then abruptly cut himself off and feigned modesty. "Ahem. My record so far is hardly worth mentioning. I've merely been fortunate enough to crack a case or two." By the end he simply couldn't hold it in, and burst out laughing again. "HAHAHA!"
Conan watched Kogoro bask in self-satisfaction, utterly speechless. Oh, come on. The only reason any of those cases got solved is me. On his own, this guy couldn't crack a case to save his life.
Once Kogoro's laughter finally died down, Xia Yu and Ran took the opportunity to introduce themselves to each other properly.
"This is Lisa," Xia Yu said. "A friend I made a few days ago while reading at the library. When I heard Ran mention a suit of armor walking around the art museum today, I got curious, and Lisa happens to enjoy admiring artworks as well, so I invited her to come along."
When Lisa heard the Traveler using her as an excuse, she gave Xia Yu an amused, sweeping glance and said nothing.
Kogoro, upon seeing Lisa, went cross-eyed on the spot. He hadn't expected to run into such a curvaceous, elegant beauty just from a trip to an art museum — this outing had already paid for itself.
Kogoro smoothed down his clothes, sidled up to Lisa, cleared his throat, and began. "Ahem. Miss Lisa, a pleasure. For you and I to meet in a place so full of art — it must be fate binding us together. Who would have thought such a mature, graceful lady would be fond of medieval art? Tell me, which piece do you favor most?"
Watching her father so blatantly fawn over a woman he'd met not five minutes ago, Ran couldn't help clenching her fist, her eyes boring into Kogoro's back like knives.
Conan, too, looked at the old man with open contempt — the way he turned to jelly the second a pretty woman appeared. He noticed Ran's clenched fist and quietly broke into a sweat on Kogoro's behalf.
Lisa showed no particular reaction to Kogoro's gallantries, answering with a smile. "I wouldn't go so far as to say I like it. The medieval artists were shaped mainly by religious doctrine and tradition, so in their work they pursued a sense of solemnity, mystery, and devotion — their pieces carry a rather strong religious coloring. That's mostly what interests me."
"Oh? So you have a taste for religious works, Miss Lisa. As it happens, I've done a bit of study in that area myself. Perhaps you and I could— ahem... mm." Still talking, Kogoro stepped in close beside Lisa, hoping to discuss art with the great beauty at point-blank range.
But before he could finish, Ran's patience finally snapped. Her fist slammed into Kogoro's lower back, doubling him over and swallowing the rest of his sentence whole.
Taking advantage of the moment, Ran wedged herself squarely between her father and Lisa, forcing a solid distance between the two — absolutely refusing to give her father any opening to do something he'd have to answer to her mother for.
Watching all this unfold, Lisa couldn't hold back a laugh.
Hearing it, Ran grew a little embarrassed. "Miss Lisa, I'm so sorry — my father was terribly rude just now."
"No, no." Lisa shook her head. "I find Mr. Mouri quite entertaining, actually. And you, little Ran, are rather adorable yourself. Mm~" Smiling, she reached out and patted Ran on the head.
It was the first time Ran had ever been this close to a mature woman other than her own mother, and being called adorable by Miss Lisa on top of it left her blushing before she knew it.
Seeing the flush on Ran's cheeks, Conan found himself unable to look away — okay, fine, Ran blushing really is pretty cute.
Since they'd stumbled into acquaintances so conveniently, the group decided to tour the museum together.
After that, they made their way through one exhibition hall after another — "Between the Earth," "Between the Sky," "Between the Sea," and the rest.
Along the way, Ran filled Xia Yu and Lisa in on a little of the museum's history.
"Oh my, so the museum is being turned into a hotel? What a shame, really — such beautiful works." Lisa let out a sigh of genuine regret.
"I know," Ran agreed. "That's why we have to make the most of today and walk through as many times as we can. After this, there won't be another chance." She turned back to look at Kogoro and Conan, who were trailing behind. "Dad, Conan — don't you think so too?"
Kogoro and Conan dragged themselves along listlessly. The moment the three women ahead of them finally stopped walking, they collapsed onto a nearby bench, having not caught a single word of Ran's question.
"I'm so tired. Ran-nee-san, can't we go home?"
"Yeah, Ran, I'm hungry too. We've already done the circuit how many times? Can we go now?"
Ran bristled. "Honestly! You're worn out after only a few laps? How come Xia Yu and Lisa haven't gotten tired like you two?"
Kogoro and Conan looked at Xia Yu and the others — as fresh and bright-eyed as Ran herself — and had no comeback. Is this how women get when they go shopping, too? Endless stamina?
"Ran, there's one more exhibition hall up ahead we haven't visited yet," Xia Yu said, her attention catching on a doorway they hadn't tried.
"Huh? You're right. The 'No Entry' sign that was here before is gone — we can go in now." Ran spun around and fixed Kogoro and Conan with a stare, and in defiance of their protests, strong-armed them both back onto their feet.
Before they'd even reached the doorway, Xia Yu suddenly stopped dead, throwing an arm out to halt Ran and Conan as well. "Wait — don't go in. I can smell blood, and it's thick. Something may have happened in there."
Before the words had even left her mouth, Conan ducked around her and bolted inside — so fast that even Xia Yu, with her skills, barely reacted in time. Truly worthy of the Grim Reaper's elementary schooler. The second trouble comes up, he throws everything else to the wind and charges in.
Ran and Kogoro, alarmed by Conan's actions, hurried in after him.
Xia Yu and Lisa exchanged a glance, sighed, and followed. So much for stopping anyone.
"Ow! That hurts!" Conan yelped.
The moment they stepped inside, they were met with the sound of Mouri Kogoro lecturing Conan.