Ran came to her father's side and said, "Dad, I'm going to learn French cuisine."
"Go ahead and learn." Kogorō Mouri didn't care about this at all. After all, if his daughter learned, he would be the first to taste it.
"In Beika Town. It starts at 6:30 PM and ends at 9:30 PM."
His eyes widened, his tone rising several decibels. "No. It's so late. I'm worried about you. You can't go."
"But I've already talked to the teacher. Besides, Beika Town isn't far. What's the big deal?"
"I said no, and that's final." When Kogorō got serious, he was quite intimidating. Ran couldn't help but shrink back.
For a moment, the father and daughter glared at each other.
After a while, Ran turned her head, looking at Kurosawa with teary eyes—knowing without a word that she wanted him to speak on her behalf.
"I—" Kurosawa had only uttered one word when Kogorō's sharp eyes met his, full of threat.
"Uncle Mouri, I meant I'll go with Ran tonight. I'll just stay there with her."
"Yeah, Dad. Hoshino's going with me. What excuse do you have to object?" Ran's aura suddenly intensified. Hands on her hips, she glared with her beautiful purple eyes.
"I—uh—I—" Kogorō really wanted to say, It's already dangerous enough that you're going out alone so late at night—it'll be even more dangerous if Hoshino goes with you.
"I want to go too." Conan spoke up at the right time.
"Fine, go ahead." Kogorō waved his hand impatiently, deciding to ignore it and sneak out for a bit when his daughter went out that night. After all, the time was clearly stated. It wouldn't end until 9:30 PM. He'd come back right on time, and his daughter wouldn't know he'd gone out to play. It couldn't be more perfect.
"Yay!" Ran was very happy, giving Kurosawa a big smile.
Conan opened his mouth, wanting to say that since he had spoken up for her, she should at least smile at him.
6 PM. Downstairs at the Mouri Detective Agency.
Kurosawa and Conan waited idly for Ran to come downstairs.
"Coming, coming!" Ran's voice came from the stairs, accompanied by hurried footsteps. She soon arrived at the roadside.
Kurosawa glanced at her, then at his own outfit, and his lips twitched.
Ran wore a light beige coat, an orange top underneath, light green trousers, light-colored shoes, and carried a brown bag. Her overall outfit was simple yet refreshing. If one had to say, she looked somewhat mature—not like a high school student, but more like a college student, or perhaps someone who had just graduated.
"What's wrong?" Ran noticed Kurosawa's twitching lips and asked, puzzled.
"I didn't know you were dressed so formally. Compared to you, I look several years younger."
"Oh, I'm going to class. Of course I have to dress formally."
"No, wait for me. I'll go back and change." After saying that, Kurosawa ran toward the other side and disappeared at the stairwell in the blink of an eye.
Ran covered her mouth and chuckled, then looked down at Conan and said softly, "Hoshino is like a little kid. Conan, don't you think?"
Conan listened to her comforting tone and looked at the girl's bright smile, but all of this was not directed at him—which made him feel very depressed. However, he still answered Ran's question. "I don't know, but Shinichi-nii definitely wouldn't do that."
"What do you mean by 'that'?" Ran asked, puzzled.
"It's so ungentlemanly of him to run home to change clothes after waiting for Ran-neechan like that!"
"Conan, why would you think that?" Ran said, amused. "Hoshino was the one who waited for me downstairs the whole time without a single complaint. So how come he's ungentlemanly in your eyes?" Suddenly, her expression hardened, and her tone became serious. "Also, Conan, you're not allowed to talk badly about others behind their backs anymore. Understand?"
Conan was incredibly frustrated. He had intended to give Kurosawa a piece of his mind, but instead, he ended up being lectured. Facing the glaring girl, Conan obediently nodded, feeling sullen. "I know, Ran-neechan."
"Hmm, it's good that you know you're wrong."
"I'm back." Kurosawa appeared at the opposite stairwell, running over with a smile.
"So fast?" Ran was shocked.
"It's alright. That's normal for a guy to change clothes."
"Not bad. It matches my outfit well." Ran looked Kurosawa up and down, smiling as she patted his shoulder.
Kurosawa was wearing a simple white hooded sweatshirt, a light gray casual jacket, dark gray cargo pants, and white sneakers. His overall style was casual yet fashionable, and combined with Ran's fresh and simple outfit, it created a youthful and energetic atmosphere.
"Let's go." Kurosawa walked forward.
"We still need to meet Ms. Chris." Ran followed, reminding him from the side.
"Don't worry, I remember. You agreed to meet at the first intersection on the main street of Beika Town, right?"
"Yeah."
"How about we take a taxi?"
"Sure."
So the two stopped and waited for a taxi on the side of the road. Of course, they didn't forget Conan.
Soon—in less than ten minutes—they arrived at the meeting place with Vermouth. Of course, you couldn't stop at intersections, so the three got out a little further away and walked over slowly.
Kurosawa and Ran saw Vermouth standing on the side of the road from afar. This time, she wasn't wearing sunglasses, but a mask. Her large sun hat had been replaced with a visor. Her long hair was tied into a single ponytail, making her look much more capable.
"Ms. Chris." Ran called out.
Hearing the voice, Vermouth turned slightly, her aqua-green eyes watching them walk over, a smile flashing in them. However, she paid a little more attention to Conan beside them.
"Ran, Hoshino, you're here." Vermouth said softly.
Conan looked Vermouth up and down, thinking to himself, So this is Ms. Chris. It's really strange—wearing a mask so late at night.
"Ms. Chris, let's go." Ran reminded her.
"Okay." Vermouth nodded, her eyes observing their attire, and chuckled. "Tonight, you two are dressed like college students."
"Ms. Chris actually seems much younger to me," Kurosawa teased.
"Are you saying I'm old?"
"Don't overthink it."
"You're such an unlovable boy. No older sister would like you looking like that."
"Which older sister?" Kurosawa looked at her suspiciously.
Vermouth played along, raising her chin—implying she was referring to herself.
Kurosawa laughed.
The boy's laughter was a bit grating to her.
"Stop. Don't laugh like that. I'm afraid I might hit you."