Detective Conan: Becoming a Tycoon in Tokyo! [26]

Thankfully, Satō was a rational woman.

Shōichi and Haibara arrived safely at the Beika Hotel.

After dropping them off, Satō left without a word.

Inside a private dining room, once they’d ordered, Shōichi immediately picked up his phone, leaving Haibara staring blankly at the TV.

[Gin]: Has the money issue been resolved yet?
[Shōichi]: Can’t rush things like this; if we move too fast, the losses will be huge.
[Gin]: Do it quickly.
[Shōichi]: I will. But does the Organization only need this much handled? I’ve already set up a large framework; I can take on a bit more.
[Gin]: Good. I’ll send you more soon.

Shōichi cheerfully put his phone away.

Gin really was his angel investor—far more generous than his biological father.

With money, everything became easier.

He glanced at Haibara, who was still eating, and frowned. “Can you stop thinking about food all the time? I brought you here to discuss business, to broaden your horizons—so you can inherit my assets someday.”

Haibara dabbed her mouth with a napkin.

I’m still a child, and you’re already grooming me to be your future wage slave?

To avoid that fate, she really had to avenge her sister sooner rather than later.

But then again, maybe she was overthinking it. By the time she “grew up,” Shōichi would’ve probably gone bankrupt a dozen times, leaving nothing for her to “inherit” anyway.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

At the sound, Shōichi tucked away his phone. Okino Yōko and Yamagishi Eiichi entered nervously, one after the other.

At Shōichi’s invitation, they sat down.

Yamagishi opened his mouth, but Yōko quickly spoke first, voice trembling. “Excuse me, Shōichi-san—does your entertainment company still need artists?”

Haibara blinked. Weren’t you the one who flatly rejected him earlier?

“Of course,” Shōichi said easily.

Right now, his entertainment company didn’t have a single artist—it was an empty shell.

“Then… may I join your company?” Yōko asked softly.

She knew she’d offended him before by turning him down. Now, she was joining under duress and could only pray she’d be treated decently.

But with the memory of the dead man in her home, she had no choice.

Fortunately for her, Shōichi had always been magnanimous toward those who came around.

“Of course. You’re welcome.”

He pulled out a contract and handed it to her. Then, as if remembering his earlier “business training” talk, he handed Haibara another copy.

Haibara stared at the paper blankly. You actually want me to read this?

Okino Yōko took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and signed without reading a word.

No matter what the terms were, she had no right to refuse.

Haibara’s eyes widened at her decisiveness.

Meanwhile, Shōichi assumed Yōko had been moved by his sincerity—believing someone as “honest” as him would never mistreat her.

“Welcome aboard,” Shōichi said warmly, extending his hand.

Yōko shook it, her heart sinking.

Even with a promised lead role in a future film, her unease didn’t fade.

After they left, Shōichi turned to Haibara with the air of a mentor. “Remember this, Haibara—sincerity is always the ultimate killer move.”

Haibara stared at him.

I’m not sure about sincerity, but the ‘killer move’ part is definitely accurate.

Thinking of the man who’d died in such a bizarre way, Haibara’s expression darkened.

This man’s façade was flawless. If not for the blood debt between them, she might have mistaken him for nothing more than a quirky, harmless heir.

I absolutely can’t be fooled by him.

She was already picturing what would happen after her assassination attempt inevitably failed—her own “accidental” death.

Hopefully, she wouldn’t end up like that guy, Fujie.

Falling backward onto a knife? That had to be excruciating.

As her thoughts wandered, Haibara turned her eyes to Okino Yōko’s contract.

To her surprise, the terms were extremely generous. Despite the coercion, it was a good contract—especially from an outsider’s perspective.

Shōichi patted her head gently. “That’s how I do business. You must treat your employees well.”

That was unavoidable.

After all, in the world of Conan, even minor grudges could turn into murder cases—let alone hatred toward one’s boss.

In this world, being a company president was definitely a high-risk occupation.

Haibara looked at him oddly.

So… ruthless toward competitors, kind to subordinates? That’s your business model?

Shōichi, unaware of her inner commentary, remained convinced he was sincere to everyone.

...

After dinner, they walked together down the street to digest.

Shōichi kept talking about his new entertainment company until Haibara’s head started to throb.

I’m just a grade-schooler, yet I have to attend high school classes and listen to you ramble about business? Why?!

Finally, she snapped. “Your company doesn’t even have a single project yet. How exactly are you planning to make Okino Yōko a film heroine?”

“Projects can always be created if you want them,” Shōichi replied breezily.

With money, some help from his father, and the Organization’s backing, it shouldn’t be hard to start production.

And if it was hard, well—he’d just pray for divine luck.

“Come on, let’s watch a movie. Whatever genre we see, I’ll write a script in that same style,” Shōichi declared confidently.

Haibara stared at him.

You’re already rich, and now you want to dabble in screenwriting? Is this what happens when people have too much money?

But judging from his house, she hadn’t even seen a proper study. So his creative writing prospects? Grim.

He was definitely inching closer to bankruptcy—and maybe a dramatic fall from a high-rise.

I just hope he lasts long enough for me to avenge my sister.

...

“Isn’t Shōichi-san’s contract a bit too generous?” Yamagishi asked later, staring at the document in disbelief.

Not only were the pay and terms excellent, but the restrictions were minimal.

Most astonishingly, Yōko was guaranteed a lead role in one major film per year.

As an idol, she’d never received that kind of genuine film opportunity before—only fan-service movies meant to cash in on her popularity. Shōichi’s terms were unreal.

Yamagishi cautiously glanced at her.

With conditions this good… does he expect you to repay him in some “other” way?

---

T/N: Slander! Shōichi is a good person!

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!