The next day, when Heiji opened his eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. Kazuha, who had been beside him, was already up.
From outside the room came the clear, joyful laughter of the girls.
Last night, to thank Heiji, Okino Yoko had insisted on having him as a guest for the second half of the concert. In front of tens of thousands of people, he had truly enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.
"Kazuha, did you and Heiji... you know... last night?"
Ran shot Sonoko a look, her face turning red. How could she ask someone something like that?
Kazuha lowered her head, her cheeks burning. Of course they had, but how could she tell anyone something like that?
"Sister Ran, is breakfast ready?"
Conan walked out, looking sleepy and yawning.
"Hey, kid—can't you see we're discussing something important? Shoo, shoo," Sonoko said, glaring at Conan.
[Heh, that Sonoko is such a gossip.]
Conan gave Sonoko a speechless look and went to wash up.
Heiji came out of the room.
After returning from the concert, at Kazuha's insistence, he had spent the night at the Mouri Detective Agency.
"Heiji, you're up," Kazuha was the first to spot him.
"Good morning, Heiji," Sonoko gave Heiji a sweet smile.
"Good morning, Heiji," Ran said softly.
Just then, Conan came out of the bathroom, his expression immediately souring: That Ran! She didn't greet me, but she greeted Hattori. Damn it.
"Kid, you're done. My turn."
Heiji didn't bother with the jealous brat and walked straight into the bathroom.
"Heiji, the toothbrush, toothpaste, and towel are in the same place as before. Ran specially kept them for us," Kazuha's voice came from outside.
By the time he finished washing up, breakfast was ready.
Beep beep~~~!!!
A car horn sounded from downstairs.
"It must be Sister Yoko," Sonoko said happily, running to the window to check.
Heiji was speechless. He found that since coming to this world, he hadn't had a single chance to properly sleep in on the weekend.
"Kazuha, you and the others can go hang out with Okino Yoko."
"No way. Miss Okino specifically asked for you to come along, Heiji. She said it was to thank you," Kazuha said, giving Heiji a pointed look.
"Actually, even without me, Uncle Mouri could have solved the case. Right, famous Detective Mouri?"
To achieve his goal of not going shopping, Heiji had to speak against his conscience.
"Hmm? Naturally! With me, the great detective Kogoro Mouri, on the case, no mystery is too difficult for me! Wahahaha."
Kogoro Mouri chuckled to himself: So that Hattori kid isn't so bad after all.
Kazuha and Ran gave an awkward smile.
Conan covered his face in exasperation: Uncle is so embarrassing.
"No, Heiji has to go with us today," Kazuha said, pouting.
Heiji really didn't want to. What was the point of him tagging along with a bunch of girls going shopping?
"You promised me—you can't take it back," Kazuha said, acting spoiled.
"When did I promise to go shopping with you?" Heiji looked at Kazuha, confused.
"That night, you promised me..."
Thinking of that night, Kazuha's face turned red. For her, what happened was a breakthrough, and also something she was too shy to talk about.
Remembering that night of both pain and sweetness, Heiji felt helpless. "Alright, fine."
"Yay!"
Kazuha let out a happy shout, then immediately started discussing with Ran where they should go.
"Why isn't Conan coming?"
Heiji wanted to drag Conan along.
"Brother Heiji, I have plans to play soccer with my classmates. You can go have fun with Sister Ran and the others."
A drop of sweat trickled down Conan's forehead: Heh, there's no way I'm going.
"It's fine, we weren't counting him anyway," Sonoko said nonchalantly.
Conan's face darkened.
Okino Yoko sat in the car, wearing a baseball cap, an orange long-sleeved shirt with a blue sweater tied around her shoulders, a pair of blue capri jeans, and black high-heeled boots, looking fresh and charming.
"Mr. Heiji, good to see you again."
Her sweet smile was captivating.
Heiji gave a faint smile. "Miss Okino, it's a rare day off. Why don't you get some rest?"
"I was planning to rest, but I suddenly felt like going out for some fun and relaxing. Is Mr. Heiji not happy to have me?"
Okino Yoko winked playfully.
"Of course not. If Miss Okino's fans knew I was able to hang out with their idol, I'd probably be in great danger."
"Mr. Heiji, you're joking. I'm the one who's a fan. Your reasoning is just too amazing; it's as if you saw it happen with your own eyes."
Okino Yoko's pretty eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Alright, we're ready. Chauffeur Heiji, let's go."
A short while later, the three girls were finally dressed. Since it was summer, their outfits were also quite fresh: long-sleeved shirts and shorts, with their slender, beautiful legs wrapped in gray thigh-high socks that reached all the way up to their shorts.
Okino Yoko sat in the passenger seat, and the driver was, without a doubt, Heiji.
Kazuha and the other two girls sat in the back, chattering nonstop.
Along the way, Okino Yoko fit right into the girls' conversation, without a trace of awkwardness.
"I can't believe Miss Okino is so easygoing," Ran said in surprise.
"I know, right? Turns out idols are interested in the same things we are," Kazuha remarked.
"Idols are people too. Besides, you're all my good friends now. If you'd like, you can just call me Yoko," Okino Yoko said gently.
"We should probably call you Sister Yoko, like Sonoko does," Ran said softly.
"I get to call an idol 'sister'! I'm so excited," Kazuha said excitedly.
After getting closer, the atmosphere in the car became even livelier.
Heiji drove quietly, treating their laughter as a piece of music—albeit a slightly chaotic one.
The group arrived in one of the busiest areas of Tokyo.
Due to Okino Yoko's special status, the girls didn't go too wild. They just browsed the mall, bought a bunch of things, and then returned to the car.
Heiji breathed a sigh of relief, started the engine, and prepared to go home.
"Heiji, this is for you."
Just then, Kazuha stuffed a bag into Heiji's hands.
Heiji opened the bag curiously. A pair of black swimming trunks lay inside.
"Swimming trunks?"
"Yeah. It's so hot today. We talked it over with Sister Yoko and decided to go swimming," Sonoko said expectantly.
"Swimming?"
Heiji's brow furrowed. He didn't really like the idea of Kazuha going to a public place like that, even in a swimsuit.
Call it a bit chauvinistic, but it was the kind of selfishness any man would have.
"Don't worry, it's Sister Yoko's private swimming pool. No one else will be there."
Kazuha knew what Heiji was thinking and murmured softly in his ear.
Heiji's brow relaxed slightly.
"You're no fun, Heiji. Aren't a few beautiful girls like us at least a little tempting?" Sonoko said with disappointment.
"Mr. Heiji, I guarantee no one else will be there," Okino Yoko said.
Heiji could only nod helplessly.
"Oh yeah~~~!!!"
The car was filled with joyful laughter.
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The Crime System now has 202 chapters.
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