Reading settings
To dispel Mr. Kataoka Shigeru's concerns, Inspector Megure explained, "Mr. Kataoka, Brother Chi is Mori Kogoro's Disciple Kuroki Jiro, and his younger sister is a transfer student at Teitan Elementary School, in the same class as Conan, so she should also be Xiao Chun's classmate."
"That Famous Detective?" Mr. Kataoka Shigeru was momentarily surprised, then smiled at Chi Feichei, "Due to Xiao Chun spraining his foot previously, we haven't participated in many school activities. It's a pity we haven't met you, and we'll have to trouble you to look after Xiao Chun today."
"It's nothing." Chi Feichei replied politely.
His teacher's reputation is quite useful sometimes.
It's normal for Mr. Kataoka Shigeru, who owns a Company, to worry about his Child being Kidnapping again by someone with malicious intentions.
If he said he was the Young Master of Shinchi Group, it would be like saying, 'I wouldn't stoop to Kidnapping your son.' Although that's the logic, it would make people uncomfortable, and he didn't want to engage in mutual Business flattery.
Bringing up the Reputation of 'Mori Kogoro's Disciple Kuroki Jiro' is different. At least he's a Disciple Kuroki Jiro of a Famous Detective, and with a good Relationship with the Police, it can also put people at ease.
The group left the Kataoka Residence.
Mr. Kataoka Shigeru instructed Xiao Chun a couple more Sentences, then accompanied Esaki Sachiko as they got into the Police Car.
Chi Feichei led Conan and Xiao Chun towards the Street Corner, the Three People silent the whole way.
Xiao Chun was full of inner conflict. He wanted to ask Chi Feichei if he disliked him, but when he looked up, he saw Hissashi quietly poking his Little Head out from Chi Feichei's collar, making him feel even more heartbroken.
The Feeling of being disliked was unpleasant, but he couldn't bring himself to ask.
Conan sensed that the Atmosphere was off and was also considering what to say.
Sigh, Chi Feichei is just someone whose emotions are hard to read. He wouldn't really be sulking with a Child, would he?
When they reached the Street Corner, Chi Feichei stopped in front of a Cafe, turned his Head, and asked the two Kids, "Just Cola for both of you?"
"Huh? Okay!" Xiao Chun Nodded blankly.
"Then wait for me here." Chi Feichei went into the Shop to buy Cola.
Xiao Chun watched Chi Feichei's Figure and murmured softly, "So he doesn't dislike me after all..."
"Brother Chi is just like this sometimes, he definitely doesn't dislike anyone." Conan comforted him.
Uh... Although he had previously speculated whether Chi Feichei was sulking.
Conan remembered what Haibara Ai had said, and taught his Classmate the Skill of talking to Chi Feichei, "Next time, just ask him directly, don't keep it bottled up and guess."
Xiao Chun looked like he had 'learned his lesson,' Nodded, and started talking to Conan about Hissashi, "Hissashi is your Junior Detective League's Group Mascot, right? He's really good at playing Game..."
When Chi Feichei came out holding two cups of Cola, Xiao Chun was still chattering away to Conan.
"Here."
"Thank you," Xiao Chun took the Cola, and said thank you with Conan. Then he suddenly asked, "Brother Chi's younger sister... is she Classmate Haibara? Although your Eyes and Hair Color are different, your Expressions seem similar."
The World of Children is simple. Xiao Chun recalled all his Classmates, and looking at Chi Feichei's cold face, the image of that cute transfer Student with a similarly cold face popped into his head.
It's definitely Haibara Ai, no mistake!
Chi Feichei replied speechlessly, "Uh-huh."
Conan almost laughed out loud, but receiving Chi Feichei's cold Line of Sight, he decided not to back down and retorted, "Well, it is!"
"Duang~"
Chi Feichei gave Conan a bump on the Head, observing it carefully.
Conan's Head is indeed magical. Even a light Boxing can raise such a big bump.
Someone's sudden Violence startled Xiao Chun so much that he almost dropped the Cola Cup in his hand onto the Ground.
Conan touched the bump on his Head, and with Half-Moon Eyes, said, "Why did you hit me again?"
Chi Feichei was very frank, "I can't stand your gloating look."
Conan choked, suddenly not wanting to argue with Chi Feichei. Right, he wouldn't lower himself to argue with someone so unreasonable and self-righteous. "So, are we going to start the Investigation now?"
Chi Feichei Nodded.
"Investigation?" Xiao Chun asked, puzzled.
"The Kidnapper pasted a Honeybee Home Delivery Printed Sticker on the Truck Bed, which can serve as an Investigation Direction. The Police are also investigating whether Honeybee Home Delivery has any Truck Bed Stickers missing, but there's no News yet," Conan explained, then looked up and asked Chi Feichei, "Should we investigate if related personnel have any connection to printing factories? Or should we first investigate Miss Esaki's Alibi?"
Him saying he wanted Chi Feichei to treat them to Cola was just an Excuse. In reality, he definitely wanted to call on his Little Friends to secretly go investigate.
"No need to investigate the Alibi," Chi Feichei directly eliminated an Option. "Since the other party intends to frame her, they're likely to target the time when Miss Esaki doesn't have an Alibi to act."
Conan Nodded and added, "Printing that kind of unusual Sticker would definitely arouse the suspicion of printing factory Employees. The other party should have worked at a printing factory before."
"Do you think she's not the Kidnapper's Accomplice or the Murderer?" Xiao Chun couldn't help but ask.
"Doesn't seem like it," Chi Feichei said, "But before there's Evidence to prove her innocence, she's still under Suspicion."
Xiao Chun, remembering that he had previously questioned Chi Feichei for judging by appearance, felt a little embarrassed. The words of Apology reached his lips but he couldn't say them, so he could only change the Topic, "By the way, Brother Chi, what did you mean when you said she wasn't that kind of 'amazing Woman'?"
"Facing Police questioning, she couldn't express her Ideas in an organized way. Moreover, as a stepmother, she doesn't consider the estrangement between herself and the Child, and dares to Teach a Lesson when she thinks the Child is wrong," Chi Feichei evaluated. "Overall, she's a naive Woman like a Child, not someone who seems capable of Deception. Even if she were to use Deception, she wouldn't be able to fool your Old Dad."
Actually, Esaki Sachiko didn't need to Teach a Lesson to Xiao Chun. As a stepmother, treating the Child gently would have been enough. Teaching a Lesson when the Child is wrong might actually make her future Predicament more difficult.
Not considering those things, she's really quite naive.
"Hey, hey..." Conan said, Speechless. "Isn't that a good thing? It shows that Miss Esaki sees Xiao Chun as her own Child, that's why she got so angry."
"It is good, but I understand Xiao Chun's Feelings," Chi Feichei said in a calm yet firm Tone. "My Parents have been separated for so many years, and in my Eyes, apart from my Mother, all other Women who Approach my Father are just gold-digging hussies."
"Gold-digging... gold-digging hussies?" Conan almost choked on Chi Feichei's wording.
Chi Feichei looked at Conan.
Dare Conan say he wouldn't think that way?
Conan was speechless.
Okay, he admitted, if other Women were to get close to his Old Dad, he wouldn't be happy either.
Xiao Chun was stunned by Chi Feichei's wording. Holding his Cola Cup, he took a sip of Cola to calm himself down, "Do you all think she's not bad?"
Conan was just about to give Xiao Chun an Analysis when he heard Xiao Chun say something.
"I also think she's not bad..."
Conan: "..."
(#－.－)
Then why were you being difficult?
"She's very good to me and very patient," Xiao Chun said as he walked forward, his gaze falling on the Road ahead. "Although I always said she was after my Father's money, I know she hasn't spent my Father's money and has been trying hard to get my approval. I'm just scared. My Mama passed away from illness the year I was born. I don't actually have much Impression of Mama, but I'm afraid that after she's here, Father will be taken away. I only have Father left, and I don't want him to leave me too."
Conan chuckled and said to Xiao Chun with a serious gaze, "Don't worry, your Father won't be taken away, never!"
Never?
Chi Feichei thought for a moment and Decided not to argue.
No Matter what, Esaki Sachiko is genuinely treating Xiao Chun well now.
Xiao Chun touched his cheek where Esaki Sachiko had hit him earlier, was silent for a moment, and seemed to have made a Decision. He Stopped, Turned his Head to look at Chi Feichei and Conan, "As long as we catch the real Murderer, she can clear her Suspicion, right?"
Conan was Stunned, then Nodded with a smile, "Of course!"
The Investigation went unbelievably smoothly.
Esaki Sachiko's resume was easy to check, it was available online. She hadn't worked at a printing factory, nor did she have any relatives related to printing factories.
Furthermore, according to Xiao Chun, the finance manager in charge of his Father's Company had joined the Company right after Graduation, and it was said that his Parents were Middle School Teachers. Also, the finance manager couldn't have gotten Esaki Sachiko's Earrings, so there was no need to rush to investigate him for now.
What remained was only the Kataoka Residence's Driver, Goro Kitayama.
Chi Feichei looked up many printing factory Phone Numbers and found a Phone Booth in the Vicinity. He started calling, beginning with the printing factories nearby.
"Hello, I'd like to ask, is Kitayama still working here? Goro Kitayama, almost fifty years old... No? I'm Sorry to bother you."
"Hello, I'd like to ask..."
After making five Phone Calls, they finally got a Clue from the fifth printing factory.
Chi Feichei hung up the Phone Call and said to Conan and Xiao Chun, who were waiting Aside, "Mr. Kitayama used to work at a printing factory. The person on the Phone said he Resignation and went to work as a Driver for someone."
"Then that should be Mr. Goro Kitayama," Conan pondered, touching his chin. "But there's no concrete Evidence to prove he committed the crime yet..."
Then it's the old routine, lure the snake out of its hole!
Conan occupied the Phone Booth and used the Voice Changer to Call Goro Kitayama, "...It's me. Humph, I won't die before I get my share! ...Bring my share and come to the Place where the Child was held before. I'll be waiting for you there!"
The specific Location where the Child was held is only known to the Kidnapper, the Kidnapper's Accomplice, and Conan. Even the Police only left an Address and haven't conducted a detailed Search yet. If Goro Kitayama brings Money and arrives there, it will prove that Goro Kitayama is the Kidnapper's Accomplice and also the person who Murdered the Kidnapper.
Meanwhile, Chi Feichei had already contacted Wataru Takagi using his Mobile Phone from Aside.
The Police still need to continue investigating Esaki Sachiko, and it's fundamentally impossible for them to all rush over just because of a Sentence without Evidence. However, Wataru Takagi said he would come with Sato Miwako, and having those two as Witnesses would be enough.
Afterwards, Chi Feichei took the two Kids to meet up with Wataru Takagi and Sato Miwako. They went to the Abandoned Factory where the Kidnapper had held Conan in advance and hid Aside.
Before long, a Car drove to the Open Ground and stopped. Goro Kitayama, wearing a Work Uniform, got out of the Car, looked around left and right, and walked inside, calling out in a low voice, "Yoshizawa! Hey, Yoshizawa? It's me..."
"Mr. Kitayama," Sato Miwako said, walking out from behind the Wall with Wataru Takagi. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Wataru Takagi asked, "What are you doing here?"
Chi Feichei saw Conan follow, and also Stepped Forward with Xiao Chun.
"D-doing what?" Goro Kitayama panicked, took a step back with his right Foot, his face stiffening. "I'm not doing anything..."
Sato Miwako Stopped in front of Goro Kitayama, and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "It seems you know Yoshizawa Tadashi."
(End of Chapter)
"That Famous Detective?" Mr. Kataoka Shigeru was momentarily surprised, then smiled at Chi Feichei, "Due to Xiao Chun spraining his foot previously, we haven't participated in many school activities. It's a pity we haven't met you, and we'll have to trouble you to look after Xiao Chun today."
"It's nothing." Chi Feichei replied politely.
His teacher's reputation is quite useful sometimes.
It's normal for Mr. Kataoka Shigeru, who owns a Company, to worry about his Child being Kidnapping again by someone with malicious intentions.
If he said he was the Young Master of Shinchi Group, it would be like saying, 'I wouldn't stoop to Kidnapping your son.' Although that's the logic, it would make people uncomfortable, and he didn't want to engage in mutual Business flattery.
Bringing up the Reputation of 'Mori Kogoro's Disciple Kuroki Jiro' is different. At least he's a Disciple Kuroki Jiro of a Famous Detective, and with a good Relationship with the Police, it can also put people at ease.
The group left the Kataoka Residence.
Mr. Kataoka Shigeru instructed Xiao Chun a couple more Sentences, then accompanied Esaki Sachiko as they got into the Police Car.
Chi Feichei led Conan and Xiao Chun towards the Street Corner, the Three People silent the whole way.
Xiao Chun was full of inner conflict. He wanted to ask Chi Feichei if he disliked him, but when he looked up, he saw Hissashi quietly poking his Little Head out from Chi Feichei's collar, making him feel even more heartbroken.
The Feeling of being disliked was unpleasant, but he couldn't bring himself to ask.
Conan sensed that the Atmosphere was off and was also considering what to say.
Sigh, Chi Feichei is just someone whose emotions are hard to read. He wouldn't really be sulking with a Child, would he?
When they reached the Street Corner, Chi Feichei stopped in front of a Cafe, turned his Head, and asked the two Kids, "Just Cola for both of you?"
"Huh? Okay!" Xiao Chun Nodded blankly.
"Then wait for me here." Chi Feichei went into the Shop to buy Cola.
Xiao Chun watched Chi Feichei's Figure and murmured softly, "So he doesn't dislike me after all..."
"Brother Chi is just like this sometimes, he definitely doesn't dislike anyone." Conan comforted him.
Uh... Although he had previously speculated whether Chi Feichei was sulking.
Conan remembered what Haibara Ai had said, and taught his Classmate the Skill of talking to Chi Feichei, "Next time, just ask him directly, don't keep it bottled up and guess."
Xiao Chun looked like he had 'learned his lesson,' Nodded, and started talking to Conan about Hissashi, "Hissashi is your Junior Detective League's Group Mascot, right? He's really good at playing Game..."
When Chi Feichei came out holding two cups of Cola, Xiao Chun was still chattering away to Conan.
"Here."
"Thank you," Xiao Chun took the Cola, and said thank you with Conan. Then he suddenly asked, "Brother Chi's younger sister... is she Classmate Haibara? Although your Eyes and Hair Color are different, your Expressions seem similar."
The World of Children is simple. Xiao Chun recalled all his Classmates, and looking at Chi Feichei's cold face, the image of that cute transfer Student with a similarly cold face popped into his head.
It's definitely Haibara Ai, no mistake!
Chi Feichei replied speechlessly, "Uh-huh."
Conan almost laughed out loud, but receiving Chi Feichei's cold Line of Sight, he decided not to back down and retorted, "Well, it is!"
"Duang~"
Chi Feichei gave Conan a bump on the Head, observing it carefully.
Conan's Head is indeed magical. Even a light Boxing can raise such a big bump.
Someone's sudden Violence startled Xiao Chun so much that he almost dropped the Cola Cup in his hand onto the Ground.
Conan touched the bump on his Head, and with Half-Moon Eyes, said, "Why did you hit me again?"
Chi Feichei was very frank, "I can't stand your gloating look."
Conan choked, suddenly not wanting to argue with Chi Feichei. Right, he wouldn't lower himself to argue with someone so unreasonable and self-righteous. "So, are we going to start the Investigation now?"
Chi Feichei Nodded.
"Investigation?" Xiao Chun asked, puzzled.
"The Kidnapper pasted a Honeybee Home Delivery Printed Sticker on the Truck Bed, which can serve as an Investigation Direction. The Police are also investigating whether Honeybee Home Delivery has any Truck Bed Stickers missing, but there's no News yet," Conan explained, then looked up and asked Chi Feichei, "Should we investigate if related personnel have any connection to printing factories? Or should we first investigate Miss Esaki's Alibi?"
Him saying he wanted Chi Feichei to treat them to Cola was just an Excuse. In reality, he definitely wanted to call on his Little Friends to secretly go investigate.
"No need to investigate the Alibi," Chi Feichei directly eliminated an Option. "Since the other party intends to frame her, they're likely to target the time when Miss Esaki doesn't have an Alibi to act."
Conan Nodded and added, "Printing that kind of unusual Sticker would definitely arouse the suspicion of printing factory Employees. The other party should have worked at a printing factory before."
"Do you think she's not the Kidnapper's Accomplice or the Murderer?" Xiao Chun couldn't help but ask.
"Doesn't seem like it," Chi Feichei said, "But before there's Evidence to prove her innocence, she's still under Suspicion."
Xiao Chun, remembering that he had previously questioned Chi Feichei for judging by appearance, felt a little embarrassed. The words of Apology reached his lips but he couldn't say them, so he could only change the Topic, "By the way, Brother Chi, what did you mean when you said she wasn't that kind of 'amazing Woman'?"
"Facing Police questioning, she couldn't express her Ideas in an organized way. Moreover, as a stepmother, she doesn't consider the estrangement between herself and the Child, and dares to Teach a Lesson when she thinks the Child is wrong," Chi Feichei evaluated. "Overall, she's a naive Woman like a Child, not someone who seems capable of Deception. Even if she were to use Deception, she wouldn't be able to fool your Old Dad."
Actually, Esaki Sachiko didn't need to Teach a Lesson to Xiao Chun. As a stepmother, treating the Child gently would have been enough. Teaching a Lesson when the Child is wrong might actually make her future Predicament more difficult.
Not considering those things, she's really quite naive.
"Hey, hey..." Conan said, Speechless. "Isn't that a good thing? It shows that Miss Esaki sees Xiao Chun as her own Child, that's why she got so angry."
"It is good, but I understand Xiao Chun's Feelings," Chi Feichei said in a calm yet firm Tone. "My Parents have been separated for so many years, and in my Eyes, apart from my Mother, all other Women who Approach my Father are just gold-digging hussies."
"Gold-digging... gold-digging hussies?" Conan almost choked on Chi Feichei's wording.
Chi Feichei looked at Conan.
Dare Conan say he wouldn't think that way?
Conan was speechless.
Okay, he admitted, if other Women were to get close to his Old Dad, he wouldn't be happy either.
Xiao Chun was stunned by Chi Feichei's wording. Holding his Cola Cup, he took a sip of Cola to calm himself down, "Do you all think she's not bad?"
Conan was just about to give Xiao Chun an Analysis when he heard Xiao Chun say something.
"I also think she's not bad..."
Conan: "..."
(#－.－)
Then why were you being difficult?
"She's very good to me and very patient," Xiao Chun said as he walked forward, his gaze falling on the Road ahead. "Although I always said she was after my Father's money, I know she hasn't spent my Father's money and has been trying hard to get my approval. I'm just scared. My Mama passed away from illness the year I was born. I don't actually have much Impression of Mama, but I'm afraid that after she's here, Father will be taken away. I only have Father left, and I don't want him to leave me too."
Conan chuckled and said to Xiao Chun with a serious gaze, "Don't worry, your Father won't be taken away, never!"
Never?
Chi Feichei thought for a moment and Decided not to argue.
No Matter what, Esaki Sachiko is genuinely treating Xiao Chun well now.
Xiao Chun touched his cheek where Esaki Sachiko had hit him earlier, was silent for a moment, and seemed to have made a Decision. He Stopped, Turned his Head to look at Chi Feichei and Conan, "As long as we catch the real Murderer, she can clear her Suspicion, right?"
Conan was Stunned, then Nodded with a smile, "Of course!"
The Investigation went unbelievably smoothly.
Esaki Sachiko's resume was easy to check, it was available online. She hadn't worked at a printing factory, nor did she have any relatives related to printing factories.
Furthermore, according to Xiao Chun, the finance manager in charge of his Father's Company had joined the Company right after Graduation, and it was said that his Parents were Middle School Teachers. Also, the finance manager couldn't have gotten Esaki Sachiko's Earrings, so there was no need to rush to investigate him for now.
What remained was only the Kataoka Residence's Driver, Goro Kitayama.
Chi Feichei looked up many printing factory Phone Numbers and found a Phone Booth in the Vicinity. He started calling, beginning with the printing factories nearby.
"Hello, I'd like to ask, is Kitayama still working here? Goro Kitayama, almost fifty years old... No? I'm Sorry to bother you."
"Hello, I'd like to ask..."
After making five Phone Calls, they finally got a Clue from the fifth printing factory.
Chi Feichei hung up the Phone Call and said to Conan and Xiao Chun, who were waiting Aside, "Mr. Kitayama used to work at a printing factory. The person on the Phone said he Resignation and went to work as a Driver for someone."
"Then that should be Mr. Goro Kitayama," Conan pondered, touching his chin. "But there's no concrete Evidence to prove he committed the crime yet..."
Then it's the old routine, lure the snake out of its hole!
Conan occupied the Phone Booth and used the Voice Changer to Call Goro Kitayama, "...It's me. Humph, I won't die before I get my share! ...Bring my share and come to the Place where the Child was held before. I'll be waiting for you there!"
The specific Location where the Child was held is only known to the Kidnapper, the Kidnapper's Accomplice, and Conan. Even the Police only left an Address and haven't conducted a detailed Search yet. If Goro Kitayama brings Money and arrives there, it will prove that Goro Kitayama is the Kidnapper's Accomplice and also the person who Murdered the Kidnapper.
Meanwhile, Chi Feichei had already contacted Wataru Takagi using his Mobile Phone from Aside.
The Police still need to continue investigating Esaki Sachiko, and it's fundamentally impossible for them to all rush over just because of a Sentence without Evidence. However, Wataru Takagi said he would come with Sato Miwako, and having those two as Witnesses would be enough.
Afterwards, Chi Feichei took the two Kids to meet up with Wataru Takagi and Sato Miwako. They went to the Abandoned Factory where the Kidnapper had held Conan in advance and hid Aside.
Before long, a Car drove to the Open Ground and stopped. Goro Kitayama, wearing a Work Uniform, got out of the Car, looked around left and right, and walked inside, calling out in a low voice, "Yoshizawa! Hey, Yoshizawa? It's me..."
"Mr. Kitayama," Sato Miwako said, walking out from behind the Wall with Wataru Takagi. "I didn't expect to see you here."
Wataru Takagi asked, "What are you doing here?"
Chi Feichei saw Conan follow, and also Stepped Forward with Xiao Chun.
"D-doing what?" Goro Kitayama panicked, took a step back with his right Foot, his face stiffening. "I'm not doing anything..."
Sato Miwako Stopped in front of Goro Kitayama, and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "It seems you know Yoshizawa Tadashi."
(End of Chapter)
