## Chapter 8: Communication Through a Special Gaze

### Mori Detective Agency

"Ran-neesan!"

Conan, dressed in his signature suit, noticed Ran about to head out. He approached her with his innocent voice, asking, "It's so late, where are you going?"

"I'm going to check if Senpai Fujino has eaten dinner properly," Ran replied.

Remembering the piles of instant noodles in Fujino's place, she felt a twinge of sadness.

"Senpai?"

Conan pondered for a moment, unable to recall anyone with the surname Fujino he knew. "Who is that?"

"He's a classmate of mine. He lives across the street," Ran patiently explained. "I heard his parents passed away a year ago, and now he lives alone. He makes a living as a detective... He's so malnourished."

"He even fainted during class once and had to be taken to the nurse's office. It took him half a day to regain consciousness. The school nurse found a lot of bruises on him."

"Teacher Hiratsuka specifically asked me to keep an eye on Senpai Fujino. If anything happens to him while he's alone at home, it would be too sad."

Ran put on her shoes and rose on her tiptoes.

"Fujino? How come I don't know any high school detective by that name?" Conan frowned, puzzled.

But he didn't dwell on it. After all, he was just going to check on the situation. Nothing major.

...

"Senpai!"

Just as Fujino and the others were about to get in the car to head to Yoko Okino's place for an investigation, a familiar voice called out from behind.

Fujino turned to see Ran.

She was in casual clothes, wearing a yellow sweater and a blue skirt with a brown apron in front, giving off a homely vibe.

"Ran?"

Fujino, seeing it was Ran, asked in surprise.

"I was about to make dinner. I was wondering if Senpai Fujino..." Ran's words trailed off as she noticed the girl next to Fujino.

Cute! Could this be Senpai Fujino's girlfriend?

She couldn't help but wonder.

She was going to invite Fujino over for dinner, but seeing such a pretty girl there, she decided against it, thinking it might be inappropriate.

However, after a closer look, she realized the girl seemed familiar. A moment later, she exclaimed, "Oh! Isn't this Yoko Okino?!"

"Shh!" Fujino quickly covered Ran's mouth. "Ran, keep your voice down. Miss Yoko is here for a secret job."

"I see..." Ran sighed in relief, her hand, which was ready to strike, slowly lowered.

Fujino, eyeing Ran's now lowered hand, felt a cold sweat on his back.

That punch could break a power pole and also end his life! She was definitely someone he couldn't mess with!

"Detective Fujino, is this your girlfriend?" Yoko Okino asked, a knowing smile on her face. "She's really cute."

"Ah!" Fujino coughed lightly, quickly clarifying. "We're just classmates, Miss Yoko, please don't misunderstand!"

"Exactly!" Ran quickly nodded. "Fujino-senpai and I are just classmates who happen to live nearby."

"In that case, you must be childhood friends, right?" Yoko Okino said with a smile, her expression saying, "I understand, you don't need to explain."

She then added, "Young people are so nice."

"Ah?!" Ran blushed, looking like a shy girl.

Faced with Yoko Okino's wild imagination and Ran's inexplicable blushing, Fujino was at a loss for words.

He sighed and said, "Ran, I appreciate your kindness, but I have work to do now. Maybe another time."

"Okay! In that case, I won't bother you, Senpai Fujino!" Ran, her face still red, hurriedly left.

But as she walked away, she glanced back at Yoko Okino, a look of regret in her eyes.

"Why don't you come with us, Miss Ran?" Yoko Okino invited suddenly, seemingly picking up on something from Ran's glance.

"Huh?" Ran turned around, surprised. "Wouldn't that trouble you, Miss Yoko?"

"It's fine!" Yoko Okino waved her hand dismissively, giving Fujino a meaningful look. "I don't think Detective Fujino would mind, right?"

"Ah... This is your job, Miss Yoko. If you don't mind, then it's fine," Fujino said, scratching his head, smiling awkwardly.

He had no idea what had just happened.

Of course, Fujino wouldn't understand.

After all, it was a communication unique to women through their eyes.

Whether they were on the same page was another story.

Thus, with Yoko Okino's warm invitation, Ran also headed to Yoko Okino's home, bringing along a certain "third wheel"...

"A celebrity's house, wow!" In the car, Conan, wearing his blue suit and glasses, was excited like a real child.

'Is he really pretending? It doesn't seem like it...'

Fujino thought to himself, curious, as he looked at Conan sitting between him and Ran.

"Conan!"

Ran reminded Conan, "Be good and don't get in Senpai Fujino's way, okay?"

"Yes, Ran-neesan!" Conan responded with his innocent voice.

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Fujino.

So, this is the Senpai Fujino Ran mentioned?

Did Ran come out so late just to see this guy?

Damn, a high school detective, and a classmate he had never seen before?

Could it be...?

Suddenly, Conan felt a heavy weight on his neck, as if his head was surrounded by a green glow.

Thinking about it, he looked at Fujino with increasing hostility.

"So, Ran, is this your little brother?" Fujino asked Ran, feeling uncomfortable under Conan's gaze.

"No," Ran shook her head. "This child is a relative's kid staying with us for a while. His name is Edogawa Conan."

Fujino smirked and curiously said, "Edogawa Conan, what a strange name."

"Speaking of which, Fujino-niichan's name is strange too, like Fujino Comrade or something," Conan retorted in Chinese.

"Conan! That's very rude!" Ran scolded Conan. "It's very impolite to call people by their names casually!"

"I understand, Ran-neesan," Conan replied meekly, glaring at Fujino's smug smile.

Damn it! This guy is definitely mocking me...

"I'm sorry, Senpai Fujino," Ran sighed, apologizing to Fujino. "This child insisted on coming when he heard we were going to Miss Yoko's house. He usually isn't like this."

"It's fine, he's just a kid," Fujino waved his hand, laughing. "It's normal for children to be mischievous."

Then he looked at Conan and asked, "Isn't that right, little Conan?"

"Yes, Fujino Comrade!"

"Conan!" Ran scolded again, then educated him, "You should use polite language with elders!"

"Yes, Ran-neesan, Fujino-niichan," Conan responded, looking at Fujino with dead-fish eyes, feeling utterly defeated.

This guy is definitely doing it on purpose!

(End of chapter)