135: Chapter 135: The Gaze of Cheaters

"Is that really okay?"

Nakamori Aoko hesitated, looking towards Fujino.

"You need a partner for the event, I want the grand prize. We both get what we need,"

Fujino nodded, then paused before adding, "But we need to agree beforehand – if we win, all the prizes belong to me."

"Well... I wasn't planning on winning anyway,"

Aoko murmured. After a moment's thought, she sighed, "Alright then, it's decided."

"But before that, we still need to work on your skiing technique."

Fujino glanced at Aoko's skis, recalling her earlier face-plant, and sighed helplessly. "Although I can carry the team, Aoko-san, you still need to practice a bit... Competing is secondary; the main goal is to help you learn how to ski."

"Ah!"

Thump!

With a cry, Aoko fell again.

Fujino watched Aoko tumble into the snowdrift, sighing inwardly.

Taught her so many times, yet she still can't get it...

It's a bit ridiculous.

Normally, people should pick this up relatively quickly.

Even if not proficient, they shouldn't keep falling.

For a moment, he was speechless.

"Perhaps it's about the person..."

Fujino suddenly remembered something, stroking his chin. "If it were that Kuroba Kaito kid teaching her, she probably would have learned easily, right?"

Ran and Sonoko rushed forward to check on Aoko.

"I'm really sorry..."

Aoko scratched the back of her head, saying sheepishly to Ran and Sonoko, "Even though you've been teaching me so seriously, I still can't get the hang of it."

Just then, Kuroba Kaito and the red-haired girl from earlier skidded to a stop nearby.

Fujino recognized the red-haired girl: Koizumi Akako.

"I say, Aoko, your skiing technique really sucks!"

Kaito teased, looking at the snow-covered Aoko.

Kaito and Akako...

Aoko's expression faltered as she saw the two returning from skiing. She glanced back at Ran, Sonoko, Conan, and Fujino.

"Urusai!" (Shut up!)

She struggled up from the snow, brushed herself off, and retorted, "I'm trying my best to ski, okay!"

"I think you'd be better off building snowmen over there!"

"What did you say?!"

While Aoko and Kaito bickered, Koizumi Akako's gaze drifted towards Fujino, who was adjusting his snowboard nearby.

Sensing the stare, Fujino looked up, meeting her gaze directly.

Being met with Fujino's gaze, Akako felt a strange sensation.

It was as if this guy knew her, but she didn't know him...

No, wait. Logically, he should be the one feeling that way.

Thinking this, she shot back what she considered an even fiercer glare.

Four eyes met.

Stare...

Hmm, confirmed by the look in their eyes – two Conan world cheaters. (Referring to both having special abilities/knowledge).

"Speaking of which, Aoko, you haven't decided yet, have you?"

Kaito suddenly dropped his flippant demeanor, asking seriously, "About teaming up for the evening ski meet."

Before Aoko could answer, he flashed a dashing smile. "Honestly, you're helpless. Since you don't have a partner yet, I guess I'll team up with you!"

"Eh?"

"Eh?"

Both Akako, who had averted her gaze, and Aoko gasped in surprise.

Aoko felt happy hearing this.

But after a moment's thought, glancing at Akako and remembering what Akako had told her earlier, she sighed and mumbled, "Actually... I've already teamed up with Detective Fujino."

"Fujino, ah... Huh?"

Kaito paused, stunned. "The Fujino you're talking about... couldn't possibly be..."

"Ah! Detective Fujino, over here!"

Saying this, Aoko waved towards Fujino behind her.

Kaito followed Aoko's wave and saw Fujino, dressed all in black.

Seeing the familiar Fujino, Kaito felt utterly speechless.

Good grief...

How does he run into this guy everywhere?

Wait, how did this guy end up teaming up with Aoko?!

Fujino walked over in response and looked at Koizumi Akako curiously. "And this is?"

"This is Koizumi Akako, my... classmate," Aoko introduced.

"Ah, so it's Akako-san. My name is Fujino, Fujino Douji. Please take care of me."

"Uh... Please take care of me too."

Akako strangely felt the other party was being overly familiar.

Must be because of her inherent charm, right?

After all, all men in the world were captives of her, the witch.

Thinking this, Akako, reassured, smiled, her laughter sharp. "In that case, how about we have a competition? Let's see whose score is higher tonight."

"?"

Hearing this, Fujino's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he stared directly at Koizumi ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Akako.

What did this witch mean? Was she trying to compete with him for the prize money?

Probably not, she didn't lack money.

Was it just wanting to compete with Nakamori Aoko?

However... this conflicted with his interests.

Absolutely not!

Thinking this, his gaze, besides its usual depth, seemed to acquire a hint of... hostility?

Meeting his gaze, Akako was startled.

What was wrong with this guy?

She shouldn't have offended him...

As the heiress to a magical society, her intuition was naturally sharp.

Yes, there was definitely hostility in that gaze!

And deep hostility... the kind that wanted to stab someone!

No! As the leader of the Red Magic society, how could I lose in a battle of presence!

"Since Aoko teamed up with Fujino, then this Kaito fellow is mine... Muahahaha!"

Saying this, she grabbed Kaito's arm and quickly dragged him away.

Hmm, this definitely wasn't being scared off by him; it was a strategic retreat!

After the two left, Aoko lowered her head slightly.

Her eyes seemed momentarily distant, then she looked towards the cable car carrying the pair away, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

Ran observed Aoko's smile, feeling a sense of déjà vu.

"What the heck! So that red-haired girl is the one who stole your childhood friend, Aoko!"

Sonoko, however, became indignant, looking quite cross.

"You actually really wanted to team up with that Kuroba Kaito guy, didn't you?"

Amidst Sonoko's indignant cries, Fujino walked over and asked Aoko plainly.

"Of course not,"

Aoko denied sheepishly. "I'm just happy that someone finally likes him..."

"Happy for him?"

Fujino gazed towards the distant cable car, saying meaningfully, "Sometimes, gentle kindness only ends up hurting yourself and others."

"Well... let's not talk about that."

Aoko gathered herself. "Let's hurry up and practice! We definitely can't lose to those two!"

"Let's stop practice here,"

Fujino shook his head instead.

"Eh?"

"Skiing... short-term improvement doesn't come from diligent practice, but from the heart..."

Saying this, Fujino turned and headed towards the hot springs at their accommodation. "Let's take a break. There's still plenty of time before the skiing event starts. I think there are hot springs here. Maybe soaking in the hot springs will help you digest what we taught you, leading to a big improvement in your skiing skills."

"Oh..."

Aoko looked puzzled by Fujino's sudden change of plans.

But somehow, it felt strangely logical.

Inside the men's bath.

"So this is a hot spring?"

Soaking in the hot spring water, Fujino's body felt noticeably relaxed. But after thinking for a moment, he added, "Why does it feel pretty much the same as a bathhouse in Northeast China?"

Honestly, Fujino didn't see much difference. With his current physique, he should be able to detect subtle changes.

Yet there were no changes, nothing remarkable to mention.

Maybe long-term soaking was required for effects?

Fujino shook his head, then started thinking about the evening skiing event.

As things stood, even if he participated, winning wasn't guaranteed.

It was pair skiing; if one partner couldn't ski at all, it was useless...

Conversely, Kuroba Kaito and Koizumi Akako.

Although their individual skills might not match his, their combined skiing ability far surpassed his and Aoko's pairing.

"In this situation, I'll have to find another way..."

Fujino stroked his chin, thinking for a moment. He quickly found a solution: "Anyway, I'm only participating for the prize money and the voucher... In that case... why not..."

Thinking this, a merchant-like grin spread across Fujino's face, strongly resembling a certain three-tailed fox elder from Mount Tushan.

Soon, dusk approached, and the event was about to begin.

All participants collected their costumes for their assigned roles.

Following Aoko's idea, Fujino dressed up as Kaito Kid.

"Fujino-senpai! You look just like Kaito Kid in that costume!"

Sonoko exclaimed, looking slightly excited as 'Kaito Kid' emerged from the changing room.

"Although I've never seen Kaito Kid myself..."

Ran also chuckled softly. "Somehow, it feels exactly like the real Kaito Kid."

Nearby, Conan observed Fujino, lost in thought.

He had seen the real Kaito Kid up close.

This guy Fujino didn't just look like him; he was practically identical!

If he hadn't fought alongside Fujino before, he would definitely be suspicious right now, ready to serve up a soccer ball greeting.

"Do I?"

Fujino glanced at his reflection in a nearby full-length mirror, then fell silent.

Turning his head, he saw Conan staring at him, glasses flashing white.

"..."

Alright, another inexplicable development.

"Kid-sama!"

Just then, a commotion of girls' voices erupted from behind.

Fujino turned and saw a large group of girls gradually approaching him...

"Crap!"

A figure in a white suit and cape dashed down the corridor, pursued by a horde of girls.

Wearing the Comfort-Step Seniors' Shoes, he moved like the wind, quickly losing the girls around a corner.

"Don't I just wear Kid's clothes? Is this necessary?"

Leaning against the corridor wall, Fujino gasped for breath, complaining.

After the chase, he finally figured out why they were pursuing him.

They mistook him for that Kuroba Kaito kid!

"Kid-sama!"

"Trouble!"

Hearing the voices again, Fujino frowned and looked around.

Realizing he was near the Ekoda boys' dormitory, he knocked on the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nearest door.

"Come in!"

Fujino pushed the door open, and his eyes met the fish-fearing boy in a blue school uniform – Kuroba Kaito.

Well, well, Kaito?

"You?"

Kaito looked up, surprised to see Fujino opening the door, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Fujino listened to the noise outside. Seeing the girls move away, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Must have been Aoko's idea, right?"

Kaito looked at Fujino's white suit and cape. "Something about Inspector Nakamori and Kaito Kid definitely winning."

"Yeah, she dressed up as Inspector Nakamori."

"But your costume... you really look exactly like Kaito Kid."

Kaito finally understood what felt strange... This guy Fujino looked too much like Kaito Kid!

"Do I?"

"Definitely."

He was the real Kaito Kid. If he said it looked like him, how could it not?

"By the way, how about ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we make a deal?"

Fujino suddenly proposed.

"A deal?"

Kaito looked perplexed.

Fujino fixed his gaze on Kaito, saying meaningfully, "You give me fifty thousand yen, and we switch identities."

"Eh?"

Kaito made a strange face. "Hey, hey, hey! Switching identities costs money now? Why do I have to pay fifty thousand yen?"

"Konno-sensei said the winner of this competition gets fifty thousand yen prize money and a resort voucher,"

Fujino explained. "To be honest, my only reason for participating is to win the prize money and the voucher."

"Nakamori-san actually knows how to ski, she just needs the right person to guide her. And that right person is clearly you."

Saying this, Fujino chuckled softly. "As things stand now, even if Nakamori-san and I team up, we can't win... If you team up with Nakamori-san, you can easily win the fifty thousand yen."

"Wait, we haven't known each other that long, have we..."

Kaito paused, stunned. "In such a short time, you figured out so much."

"Don't forget, I'm a detective."

"You detectives are really terrifying."

Not just their observation skills, but their calculations were lightning fast too.

Kaito thought for a moment, then agreed. "Alright, deal!"

Afterward, Fujino handed the Kaito Kid costume to Kaito, changing back into his classic black windbreaker and suit.

Pausing, he added, "However, you'll have to take my place skiing with that Akako girl..."

"Akako? The red-haired girl?"

"Correct."

Kaito nodded. "Well, anyway, she wants me to dress up as a snowman, so if I don't show my face or talk, she probably won't be able to tell."

"About that..."

Fujino thought for a moment. "If you ski with Koizumi-san, you'll have to add another fifty thousand."

"Deal!"

Kaito agreed readily.