Winning is everything: Conan

Hearing the sound, everyone turned to look.

They saw a young man leaning against the door of the house.

It was Keisuke Kumiko, who had come downstairs after hearing the commotion.

"You're so strict when criticizing your own kind, yet so tolerant of other species with lower forms of life. Is anti-intellectualism starting to prevail again?"

-----

"It's you!"

Conan frowned, recalling what had happened on the subway that morning.

"Conan, what did he mean just now?"

Several children nearby looked at Keisuke Kumiko in confusion, then turned to Conan in unison.

"It's not good to say such things. Don't think too much about his meaning," Conan said solemnly.

----

Perhaps it was because of his aura as a lawyer, but the man in front of him exerted a strong pressure the moment he appeared.

----

Ayumi Yoshida, Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya, Genta Kojima, and this boy who took medicine and shrank—originally a high school detective, Shinichi Kudo, now renamed Edogawa Conan—these people formed the so-called Detective Boys.

---

Keisuke Kumiko glanced at them casually, memorizing their names.

"Aren't you ashamed to be getting angry at a group of kids?"

----

At that moment, a mature, slightly cold female voice came from the side.

"Keisuke, you're still the same as ever!"

The woman who had spoken was one of the two prosecutors.

She had long black hair, delicate features, and a sharp, eagle-like gaze. Dressed in a neat and formal prosecutor's uniform, she exuded an air of elegance and heroism.

This was Reiko Kujo, 33 years old, a top-tier prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office, also known as the "Madonna of the Prosecutors."

-----

"Oh, isn't this my dear teacher, Kujo?"

Keisuke turned his head to look at her, scanning her from head to toe, then spoke in an exaggerated tone.

"I haven't seen you in a while. You've become even more beautiful! But the fat on your waist hasn't changed at all. Sigh! When people reach middle age, all sorts of undesirable things start happening!"

------

"You little bastard..."

The veins on Reiko Kujo's forehead bulged.

She had known Keisuke Kumiko for quite some time. When he was interning during his judicial training, she had taught him for a while as a mentor. She had been deeply impressed by the boy's sharp tongue and difficult personality.

Even though she hadn't seen him for several months, this guy was still as insufferable as ever.

Kujo Reiko took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

"I heard you took on the case of this dog-breeding murder," she said coldly. "I advise you to give up as soon as possible. There is clear evidence in this case identifying Masayoshi Sakaguchi as the murderer. This is your first case since your debut. For the sake of your future, don't lose your first battle!"

"Oh? You seem to be quite well-informed about the Prosecutors' Office's affairs."

Keisuke raised an eyebrow.

"So, this is the case you took on, and now you want to go against me?"

"Of course not! It's me!"

At that moment, the prosecutor standing next to her spoke up.

"Keisuke, I won't let you be so arrogant this time! I'll be taking over for Prosecutor Kujo and crushing you!"

Ryusu Masami, a Second-Level Assistant Prosecutor at the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors' Office, had taken the judicial exam in the same class as Keisuke.

His defining feature was the square glasses on his face. Whenever he took them off, his eyes would squint because of his poor eyesight.

Although he was an assistant prosecutor, he often followed Reiko Kujo to gain experience, acting as her assistant and secretary.

"Oh, it's you."

Keisuke Kumiko didn't even bother to look at him.

"A coward who gets so scared when the elevator breaks down that he nearly wets his pants—don't come here trying to show off. First, find an antenna, stick it on your head, and measure your own position!"

"You…!"

Ryusu Masami gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn't win in a verbal duel. He snorted coldly instead.

"Keisuke, all you're good at is talking. A real court trial isn't like those mock practices. Just prepare yourself!"

"I'd advise you to take yourself seriously and be a proper lawyer!"

Reiko Kujo also added a comment. The two of them shot one last look at Keisuke, greeted the police officers around them, took the dog out of the cage, tied it up in the yard, gave it some food, and left.

Keisuke Kumiko shrugged, walked over to the dog, and carefully observed it.

It was a standard German Shepherd, covered in black and yellow fur, with fierce eyes and a strong build—intimidating at first glance.

Keisuke Kumiko took out a measuring tape and measured the German Shepherd's size, examining it as evidence.

"Hahaha~"

As the stranger approached, the German Shepherd, which had appeared fierce just a moment ago, suddenly went quiet for some reason. It wagged its tail at Keisuke Kumiko, appearing very affectionate.

"That's strange! John is actually wagging his tail at a stranger!"

"Yeah, what's going on?"

Ayumi and the others looked at Kumiko in surprise.

They often came to visit the dog and had grown quite fond of it. Seeing this scene, everyone was curious.

Meanwhile, Conan thought for a moment and spoke up.

"Uncle, did you visit your client this morning?"

"Yes, you figured it out?"

Keisuke Kumiko didn't even turn his head; he just crouched down and continued playing with the dog.

"Because the next stop on the subway I took this morning leads to the Tokyo Detention Center!"

Conan said in his innocent voice.

"And, Uncle, didn't you just come in through the door? That means you're here for an on-site investigation."

He looked at John as he spoke.

"The evidence is that John, the dog, doesn't usually approach strangers, but he took a liking to you at first sight. This means you might have the scent of someone he's familiar with. If you think about it, you may have had physical or material contact with Uncle Sakaguchi, and he gave you the key to his house, which is why you're here. Otherwise, wouldn't you be considered a trespasser?"

"Oh? So you also know the term 'trespassing'!"

Keisuke turned around and looked at Conan with a half-smile.

"..."

For some reason, Conan felt that this person's gaze was very strange—almost as if it had a penetrating power that could see through his heart.

His words were sharp, making people uncomfortable.

------

Conan secretly frowned but kept an innocent expression on his face.

"Uncle, of course I know! Our teachers always teach us to be law-abiding citizens and not to kill people!"

"So, except for killing people, you can do anything, right?"

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Keisuke looked at him with a smirk.

"I really envy kids your age. You have bad intentions in your heart and do bad things, but you can always escape punishment under the law and be forgiven… If I could, I'd love to change from an adult to a child too!"

(End of this chapter)