Several days later.
The afternoon sun cast shadows on the floor through the glass door of the Video rental store.
Rin sat behind the counter, a newspaper spread open in her hands.
The headline on the social page prominently read, "Sleeping Kogoro Solves Another Baffling Case," accompanied by a triumphant photo of Mouri Kogoro surrounded by reporters.
"It seems the Shinigami Elementary Schooler has started making his move," Rin mumbled, a slight smile playing on her lips.
She hadn't been idle during this time either, successfully drawing several residents from Sixth Street using the Film provided by Conan and the Mouri family.
This included General Chop ramen shop and Asha's arcade, adding a familiar flavor to the street.
She believed that soon, she might even be able to replicate another Sixth Street within the world of Conan.
Ding-a-ling.
The store door was pushed open.
"Rin, I brought my friends back."
Ellen's lazy voice rang out, followed by Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko, who were curiously looking around.
"Ellen, bringing friends to play? Welcome, welcome."
Ellen's character setting was a transfer student, so to connect with the main characters so quickly, her efficiency was quite high.
Rin put down the newspaper and stood up with a smile.
Only then did she notice that Edogawa Conan had also come along, but because he was too short, she hadn't seen him while sitting.
"You're the sister in her twenties Ellen mentioned?" As for how much 'more' than twenty, that remained unknown.
Suzuki Sonoko scrutinized Rin, a surprised expression on her face,
"You look about our age! Your skin is so good! Do you have any beauty secrets?"
Ran Mouri also looked over curiously.
Rin touched her own face and casually made up an answer: "Ah… just get more sleep and drink more water."
After the girls introduced themselves, they quickly started chatting about skincare, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Edogawa Conan, who had been introduced by Mouri Ran and then ignored, had no interest in women's topics.
He habitually looked around the store.
The store wasn't big, the videotapes were neatly arranged, but customers were scarce.
His gaze was quickly drawn to a tightly closed door—the door to the workroom.
He walked over and tried to twist the doorknob, but it didn't budge; it was locked from the inside.
Something was off, this Video rental store was too strange.
Not to mention, not many people watched videos anymore.
Just the layout of the Video rental store and the door that could only be locked from the inside were very problematic.
It was as if this store was specifically used to throw people off, not caring about how much revenue it generated.
Edogawa Conan's old habit of suspicion kicked in.
He pushed up his glasses, walked to the counter, looked up, and asked in an innocent tone, "Rin-neechan, why is that room locked? Is it a storeroom?"
Rin looked at Edogawa Conan's deliberate cuteness, laughing inwardly but showing no change in expression: "Yes, it's a storeroom, for old tapes and miscellaneous items. It's locked to prevent thieves."
Edogawa Conan's glasses flashed with a reflection.
A storeroom locked from the inside? Who are you kidding?
This structure clearly meant someone had to be inside to lock it.
Since the door was tightly closed, there should be someone inside.
He continued to press, "Rin-neechan store is on a commercial street, so the rent must be expensive, right? But the store is so deserted, and hardly anyone watches videotapes anymore. Can you even make money?"
His tone carried a child's curiosity, but his questions were full of probing.
Rin picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said casually, "This building is mine, so there's no rent. Running a Video rental store is a personal hobby. I have rental income from other places, which is enough to live on."
She had already prepared her explanation, specifically to deal with Edogawa Conan.
Edogawa Conan pouted.
No rent pressure? A hobby? This explanation seemed reasonable,
but in the eyes of a detective, it reeked of contrivance!
In Beika, a place with simple folk customs, if there was such a feeling of contrivance, then there must be a problem.
Just as it's impossible for anyone to be interested in Sonoko, if someone expresses affection for Sonoko, there must be a problem.
He looked at Rin, about to ask again.
Rin put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, stared at Edogawa Conan's face, and gave a playful smile:
"Oh? Conan-kun, the way you tilted your head just now to think looked so familiar."
Edogawa Conan's heart skipped a beat.
This is my first time meeting her, how could I look familiar?
Could it be that she recognized me as Kudo Shinichi?
Rin showed a mischievous smile, thinking it was her turn to play, and said:
"I heard Ellen say that there used to be a detective named Kudo Shinichi in her class, and I happen to be a fan of his. I think you, Edogawa Conan, look a lot like that famous detective's poster."
"No such thing," Edogawa Conan retorted in a panic.
Rin suddenly reached out and, before Edogawa Conan could react, took off his glasses. "Ran, come take a look, doesn't this child look exactly like Kudo Shinichi?"
Mouri Ran was stunned, carefully looking at Edogawa Conan's face after his glasses were removed, and exclaimed, "Ah! It's true, he really does look like Shinichi when he was little!"
Edogawa Conan instantly felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, filled with fear of Rin.
So sharp, she noticed this on their first meeting.
Could it be… she's with those Black Organization members? Is she specifically testing me?!
He feigned composure, but his voice was a little tight: "Ku… Kudo Shinichi? He's my distant relative! It's normal for relatives to look alike!"
Mouri Ran nodded slightly, Dr. Agasa had told her this.
"Oh? A distant relative?"
Rin's mischievous smile deepened,
"Edogawa Conan… that name is also very special.
Edogawa Ranpo, Conan Doyle… Tsk tsk, all names of famous mystery novelists.
That name sounds like a pseudonym."
Edogawa Conan's heart pounded as if it would burst, and cold sweat seeped down his back.
How much does she know?! Did she really recognize me?
If Rin was with the Black Organization, wouldn't Mouri Ran be in danger?
Rin deliberately paused, enjoying Edogawa Conan's nervous expression, and continued to escalate:
"Actually, Edogawa Conan, you're not Kudo Shinichi's distant relative at all, but Kudo Shinichi…"
Edogawa Conan's pupils suddenly constricted, utterly flustered.
It's over! She really knows! Is she going to make her move?!
"…'s younger brother!" Rin's tone suddenly shifted, and she made a definitive conclusion.
"Huh?" Mouri Ran and Sonoko were both stunned simultaneously.
Edogawa Conan almost couldn't catch his breath, his mind a blank.
"Younger brother?" Mouri Ran retorted doubtfully, "But Shinichi is an only child, I've never heard him having a younger brother…"
"That's not complicated, is it?"
Rin showed a gossipy smile, preemptively stating Edogawa Conan's famous line: "There is only one truth, and that is—"
"Edogawa Conan is actually Kudo Shinichi's father, Yusaku Kudo's illegitimate son! That's why this child was sent to Beika and given such a 'homage'-filled name."
"Ille… illegitimate son?!!" Mouri Ran and Sonoko covered their mouths in shock, their eyes all falling on Edogawa Conan.
Although this guess was outrageous, if you thought about it… it seemed to make a little sense?
Edogawa Conan's face alternated between red and white, filled with shame and indignation.
Rin decided to let him off the hook for now and then started to backtrack:
"Haha, don't take it seriously, these are all my random deductions. Kudo Yusaku-san isn't that kind of person. Something like an illegitimate child can only be confirmed by a paternity test."
The speaker was unintentional, but the listener was attentive.
Ran Mouri mumbled 'paternity test' and secretly made a mental note.
Just then.
"Edogawa Conan—!"
The store door was flung open, and Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta of the Detective Boys rushed in, panting.
"We run through several streets and finally caught up with you Conan! We found a treasure map! Come quickly, if we get the treasure, we'll have endless eel rice!"
Edogawa Conan felt as if he had received a great pardon, and wanting to escape from there, he loudly responded, "Coming!"
He didn't dare to look at Rin again, grabbed his glasses, put them on, and rushed towards the door as if fleeing, leaving only one sentence: "Ran-neechan, I'm leaving first!"
Watching Edogawa Conan's hurried escape, Rin picked up her teacup, glanced at the rising Film count, and chuckled to herself.
Teasing Edogawa Conan was just so much fun.