Detective Conan: Becoming a Tycoon in Tokyo! [32]

“You!”

To the already furious Satō, Shōichi’s calm tone was like pouring gasoline on open flames.

And Forensic Examiner Nagamune, ever loyal, helpfully tossed in a match.

“Inspector Satō, as I said, you need to trust the professionals. Even if you don’t believe my forensic analysis, surely you believe Mr. Mouri Kogoro—Tokyo’s most famous detective?”

Shōichi nodded along earnestly.

Exactly right—what Nagamune said was perfectly reasonable.

But as Satō’s expression darkened further, Shōichi grew genuinely confused. They were simply explaining the truth of the case to her. Why did it feel like they were cornering her instead?

So strange.

Satō’s glare flicked toward Mouri Kogoro.

He was still “asleep,” eyes squeezed shut.

You know exactly how shameful this looks, don’t you? Pretending to solve cases in your sleep so you don’t have to face the public?

“Ahem.” Inspector Megure coughed lightly. “Since the case is solved, let’s wrap things up.”

“But—!”

“Satō!” Megure leaned close, whispering quickly, “Shōichi has an alibi. There’s no way to tie him to the murder. Fujiwara was deep in debt, and everything points to suicide. It’s best we close it quietly.”

In truth, suicides were common—one more wouldn’t raise eyebrows.

And if they made an exception just because Shōichi was involved, it’d look like they were giving a zaibatsu heir special treatment.

“How can we just label it suicide so easily?” Satō protested.

The forensic examiner was Shōichi’s man. Who knew what the autopsy really showed? The victim might have been killed elsewhere and dumped in the lake.

And that “alibi”? Laughable.

Would a zaibatsu heir dirty his own hands? More likely, he just ordered someone else to do it.

Megure sighed. “There’s no evidence against him right now. If you still doubt the result, you’ll have to look into it yourself, quietly.”

“I understand,” Satō said at last, voice tight.

Her eyes never left Shōichi.

One day, she’d catch him slipping—and when that day came, she’d drag him down herself.

The scene—her glare, his calm smirk—was instantly immortalized by a reporter’s camera.

An evil zaibatsu heir, corrupt police, a lone righteous female officer—what a perfect headline.

“Pack it up,” Megure ordered.

Forensic Examiner Nagamune carefully loaded the remains into the police car.

Then Shōichi called out cheerfully, “Inspector Satō, you promised to drive me home. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

Haibara’s pupils shrank.

Can’t you find anyone else to drive us? With her behind the wheel, we might end up in a fiery crash.

“Coming,” Satō said flatly, striding over with a stormy face.

Officer Takagi reached out to stop her but thought better of it.

After Satō slammed the door, Shōichi leaned out the window. “Want a ride?” he asked Sonoko and the others.

“No, no—we’re fine,” Sonoko said quickly.

Inspector Satō looked seconds away from committing another homicide.

If they got in, would they even make it home alive?

Haibara quietly fastened her seatbelt—bracing for the worst.

Shōichi glanced at her and sighed.

This kid is way too timid. A short drive and she’s acting like it’s the end.

“With Fujiwara dead, buying up his cinemas should be a lot easier,” Shōichi said casually.

Haibara’s eyes widened.

Is this really the time to talk about that? The man’s body isn’t even cold!

Satō’s grip on the steering wheel tightened dangerously. The car swerved, narrowly missing a trash can.

Provocation.

He was deliberately provoking her—just like a killer returning to admire his handiwork.

His arrogance, his mockery of the law—it made her blood boil.

Maybe this bastard didn’t even think he was doing anything wrong.

These zaibatsu heirs… Japan’s ugliest tumors.

But for now, she had no choice but to swallow her rage.

Shōichi turned to Haibara. “Have you learned anything from my business methods yet?”

Haibara blinked. “Huh?”

Learn what—how to kill anyone who won’t sign a contract?

She shot a quick glance at Satō and shook her head.

No way. Absolutely not.

Shōichi looked disappointed. “If you don’t open your eyes soon, how can I trust you to run my company one day?”

Haibara wrinkled her nose.

Run your company? I’m planning to avenge my sister and probably die right after. I’m not applying for your CEO position.

“Sincerity!” Shōichi declared suddenly. “The key to doing business is sincerity.”

Haibara almost laughed out loud.

You literally just killed a man for not cooperating, and now you’re preaching sincerity?

“Heh.”

Satō let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Your kind of sincerity—is that offering half-price for Fujiwara’s cinemas and then killing him when he refuses?”

“No, no,” Shōichi said quickly, shaking his head. “First of all, I didn’t kill Mr. Fujiwara. Despite what the Tokyo press says, I’ve never even killed a chicken in my life.”

The fact that he never sued for slander, he thought, only proved how kind and peace-loving he was.

Satō and Haibara both snorted in unison.

Satō thought: Fujiwara, Okino Yōko’s ex-boyfriend—how many “suicides” are we supposed to believe?

Haibara thought: So my sister “committed suicide” too, huh?

Shōichi looked down, meeting Haibara’s gaze.

You don’t believe me either?

Caught off guard, Haibara quickly yawned and leaned her head on his shoulder, pretending to be half-asleep.

Shōichi smiled faintly and patted her head, gentle as ever.

Haibara shut her eyes tight.

Patience. I’ll endure—for now.

“Secondly,” Shōichi continued, “Fujiwara-san was buried under debt. Offering half the price for his cinemas was already incredibly sincere. Go ask around—who else would’ve offered anything at all?”

Now that Fujiwara had “killed himself,” Shōichi didn’t even have to pay half.

As expected, sincerity always paid off.

Now taking suggestions for the new company name—thank you to all shareholders.

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This is a fan translation of 柯南：我在东京当财阀 by 倒霉的菜狗. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!