87: Chapter 87: The June Bride Incident

"Dad, you know Douji-kun?"

Beside them, Matsumoto Sayuri looked surprised, putting her lemon tea down on a nearby table.

She glanced first at the 'harmless-looking' Fujino, then at her father, who, despite being a police officer, looked quite intimidating.

They didn't seem like two people who would normally cross paths.

"Fujino-kun has helped us out quite a bit... Recently, with his assistance, we police have solved several major cases. How could I not know him?"

That's right, they knew each other.

In fact, Fujino had become Superintendent Matsumoto's first 'little brother'.

It all stemmed back to the Moonlight Island drug syndicate case.

On the way back from Moonlight Island, Matsumoto Kiyonaga had casually invited Fujino.

Saying that after graduation, he wanted to invite him to join the MPD...

Because in his eyes, Fujino wasn't just a famous detective; he had the makings of a great police officer.

"If he could join the police force, I'm sure one day he'd become a renowned detective,"

Matsumoto Kiyonaga thought to himself.

"Douji-kun... helped the police solve cases..."

Hearing her father's words, Matsumoto Sayuri frowned slightly.

After thinking for a moment, she seemed to remember something, asking in surprise,

"Could it be... the high school detective Fujino Douji mentioned often in the newspapers lately... is that you, Douji-kun?!"

"I never would have guessed!"

Matsumoto Sayuri smiled.

"Douji-kun, you actually have a talent for detective work."

"I don't think it's about talent..."

Fujino stroked his chin.

"Getting to where I am today, I believe, is purely due to my relentless hard work."

Getting stronger through spending money and skill points is a kind of hard work, right?

Yeah, probably.

"Douji-kun, have you become nearsighted?"

Matsumoto Sayuri asked suddenly, having observed Fujino for a while.

"In the newspaper photos, you were wearing glasses. I didn't recognize you."

"Speaking of which, I remember Fujino-senpai didn't used to wear glasses, right?"

"I've been wanting to ask about that too."

Ran and Sonoko chimed in, having noticed the same thing.

Fujino frowned slightly.

This woman's observation skills are indeed sharp... Easily noticing details others miss?

As expected of the daughter of Matsumoto Kiyonaga, one of the few deduction-capable individuals in the police force.

"Actually, they're just plain lenses,"

Fujino explained, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.

"As a detective, protecting one's eyes is very important."

He added with a mischievous grin,

"By the way, Conan-kun's glasses are also plain lenses, right? Knowing how to protect your eyes at such a young age, very impressive."

Conan: "?"

And just like that, the conversational fire was successfully redirected onto Conan.

Fujino, I'll get you back for this!

Conan tried desperately to explain, shooting Fujino an exasperated, deadpan look.

"Sayuri, are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you really sure you want to marry that brat?!"

Just then, Matsumoto Kiyonaga suddenly gripped his daughter's shoulders, interrupting the conversation.

"It's not too late to change your mind! You don't have to marry some rich young master. There are plenty of promising young men in our police department..."

"Dad! Why are you saying this now, of all times!"

Matsumoto Sayuri protested, exasperated.

"I'm not a child anymore! Didn't you say you wouldn't object, no matter who I chose?"

"So you've made your decision?"

Matsumoto Kiyonaga lowered his head, unable to argue with his slightly angry daughter.

Her expression always reminded him so much of his wife, who passed away many years ago.

Sighing softly, he picked up the lemon tea can that had been placed on the table earlier, mumbling,

"Still drinking this childish junk... That's why I say you're still like a child."

Nearby, Fujino frowned, glancing down at the oolong tea in his own hand.

Speaking of which, counting my past life, aren't I technically in my fifties or sixties now?

"I like drinking this childish junk."

"It's my wedding day, can't you say something nice? Like how this wedding dress looks on me?"

Matsumoto Kiyonaga silently turned away, looking somewhat embarrassed. He turned back, forcing a slightly awkward smile.

"You look beautiful today. Definitely wouldn't lose to your mother."

"If you want to compliment me, just say it directly. I don't understand why he has to be so roundabout,"

Matsumoto Sayuri complained, taking a sip of her lemon tea.

"A father's bashful blessings?"

Fujino watched the departing Matsumoto Kiyonaga with a soft chuckle.

Just then, another person arrived. A man, likely in his early twenties, wearing a dark blue suit with a white tie. He had brown, medium-length hair, round glasses, and held a bouquet of pink roses, giving off a slightly flamboyant vibe.

Fujino recognized the flamboyant guy. It was Umemiya Atsushi, a former classmate who used to be the student council president.

Very popular, but apparently had a thing for older women (specifically teachers). On graduation day, he'd embarrassingly sung a farewell song he wrote for Matsumoto Sayuri in front of everyone.

Cringe level: maximum.

"Sensei, you're still as charming and beautiful as ever."

Umemiya Atsushi walked up to Sayuri, presenting her with the pink roses.

"What beautiful roses."

Sayuri put the lemon tea can down on the table again and accepted the flowers.

"Thank you so much, Umemiya-kun."

"Not at all..."

Umemiya slicked back his hair coolly.

"Lemon tea really does suit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you best, Sensei."

"Still as narcissistic as ever, I see,"

Fujino couldn't help but comment from the side.

"You are...?"

Umemiya Atsushi turned, studying Fujino for a long moment before recognition dawned, his expression turning strange.

"You're... Fujino?"

"Ah, it's been many years. Didn't expect you to still recognize me on sight."

Fujino gave a slight wave.

"How could I forget? You were known as the 'Iceberg', after all..."

Recovering, Umemiya Atsushi smirked slightly.

"But now, it seems the iceberg has melted."

"During the wedding later, our class group will be gathering together. Remember to come join us."

After extending the invitation, Umemiya Atsushi added thoughtfully,

"I really want to see their faces when they see this iceberg has thawed."

Saying this, he picked up the lemon tea can from the table, fiddled with it for a moment, then handed it back to Matsumoto Sayuri.

"Anyway, although it's somewhat regrettable, I firmly believe that I am the only one who can bring Sensei true happiness."

Tied around the straw of the returned lemon tea can was a small, pink ribbon bow.