12: Chapter 12: You Gotta Call Him Uncle

Thanks to Fujino's intervention, the "Bloodstained Idol Case" was wrapped up in less than an hour.

The official police conclusion: Fujie Akiyoshi, tragically obsessed with Yoko Okino, took his own life in her apartment out of despair and spite, attempting to frame her for his death.

And, amidst Inspector Megure's repeated exclamations of "Fujino-kun!" (kun being a suffix often used for younger males or juniors), Fujino officially became Megure's go-to young consultant.

His "bro," if you will.

As for Yoko Okino's payment... even though Fujino hadn't technically found the stalker (since the stalker was dead), she willingly paid the remaining balance.

She knew that without Fujino, she might have been wrongly accused of murder.

Besides, he had identified the "culprit" behind her torment, even if the circumstances were... complicated.

On the way back from the police station.

"Senpai, what you said back there was really insightful!" Ran remarked, walking with her hands clasped behind her back, a gentle smile on her face.

"You know, if Sonoko had seen how cool you were handling everything, she probably would have swooned on the spot."

Despite having just witnessed a disturbing suicide, Ran seemed remarkably cheerful... or perhaps she was just good at hiding her true feelings.

"Sonoko..." Fujino murmured the name.

"You don't mean the girl with the short brown hair, do you?"

"That's her," Ran nodded. "She seems quite interested in you, Senpai."

"Still, it's good to enjoy these precious years while you can." Especially since time seems to stand still for teenagers in this world... this Conan-verse is terrifying.

'Speaking of which, aren't YOU just a high schooler?' Conan thought, silently judging Fujino's world-weary demeanor as he held Ran's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hand.

'What's with the whole 'survived the corporate grind' vibe?!'

Unlike Ran's bright energy, Fujino carried an air of profound exhaustion, like a salaryman dragging himself home after pulling an all-nighter.

Even Ran didn't seem to fully register that he was only eighteen.

Grumble...

An embarrassing growl suddenly broke the silence.

Fujino stopped walking, his usually calm face flushing slightly.

"Senpai, you haven't had dinner yet, have you?" Ran turned, stifling a giggle.

"Ahem..." Fujino cleared his throat, feigning a cough. He scratched the back of his head.

"Actually, I haven't eaten all day... Was planning to eat tonight, but then the case came up..."

"Why don't you come eat at my place?" Ran offered brightly.

"I was just about to go home and start cooking anyway."

"Ah, maybe not..." Fujino hesitated.

Getting too close to Ran felt like playing with fire.

He could practically feel the jealous glare of a certain shrunken detective burning into his back.

He could probably handle it, but his apartment building couldn't.

That 75-million-yen property value would tank if even one murder happened there.

A couple of three-episode arcs set in his building, and he'd be financially ruined! Keeping a respectful distance seemed wiser, even if less... advantageous.

He scratched his head again, preparing to politely decline, when a familiar chime sounded in his mind.

"Ding! Student Profession Task Detected!"

The system interface popped up:

[Student Profession Task: Foster Classmate Bonds]

Objective: Have dinner at a classmate's house.

Reward:100,000 Yen, 50 Student Proficiency Points

Location: Mouri Detective Agency

Fujino blinked. What the...? Student tasks? Is this real life?

He'd been ready to say no.

But... 100,000 yen! And 50 Student Proficiency points – enough to level up instantly!

After a moment's internal debate, Fujino shifted his stance, scratching his head again, feigning reluctance.

"Well... Ran, we don't know each other that well. Inviting a guy you barely know over for dinner so late... I wouldn't want to cause any misunderstandings..."

"Oh, I see," Ran nodded, finally understanding his hesitation.

He's just being considerate and maybe a little shy!

"I guess it was a bit sudden."

It makes sense he'd be hesitant.

She waved her hand dismissively.

"Don't worry about it! We're neighbors, Senpai! It's perfectly normal to invite a neighbor over for dinner..."

She turned to Conan.

"Right, Conan-kun?"

Normal my foot! Conan screamed internally. But trapped in his kid persona, he could only force a strained smile.

"R-Right!"

Grumble...

His stomach growled again, louder this time.

Fujino rubbed the back of his head, looking suitably embarrassed.

"Well, in that case... I guess I'll have to impose on the Mouri family for dinner tonight..."

Predictably, Kogoro Mouri was initially wary of Fujino's presence.

But that was nothing Fujino couldn't handle.

One autographed Yoko Okino poster and a bottle of premium 10,000-yen whiskey later, Kogoro was practically putty in his hands.

Fujino successfully secured his place at the dinner table.

Ran's cooking was excellent, reminding Fujino vaguely of his own mother's food. Good food, good alcohol... Fujino and Kogoro hit it off splendidly.

After Kogoro polished off an entire bottle of sake, the atmosphere was sufficiently jovial, and in a burst of drunken camaraderie, he declared Fujino his sworn brother.

Later that night, outside the Mouri Detective Agency.

A thoroughly intoxicated Kogoro Mouri waved enthusiastically as Fujino walked back towards his own building across the street.

"Fujino, my bro!" he slurred loudly, waving goodbye repeatedly.

"Dad!" Ran sighed, propping up her staggering father.

"Honestly! I told you not to drink ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so much, but you never listen!"

"Look at you, making a scene in front of Fujino-senpai!"

"Whaddya mean, 'senpai'? That's my bro!" Kogoro slurred indignantly at Ran.

"You gotta call him Uncle!"

"Ugh! I give up! I'm not dealing with you!" Ran huffed, depositing Kogoro unceremoniously on the doorstep.

Despite being abandoned, Kogoro continued yelling cheerfully after Fujino,

"Fujino, my bro! Come back again soon!"

"Will do, Mouri-aniki!"

Fujino called back over his shoulder with a wave, not breaking stride as he headed into the four-story building opposite the Mouri Detective Agency.

(Aniki is a respectful term for an older brother or senior figure, often used in gangs but also informally between close male friends.)