Detective Conan: Becoming a Tycoon in Tokyo! [20]

Returning home in the company car, Shōichi stepped inside and immediately spotted Ai quietly sneaking out of the bedroom.

“What are you doing?” he asked curiously.

It was already three in the morning—why wasn’t this kid asleep?

Ai calmly showed him the fruit knife in her hand.

“I was hungry, so I went to cut some fruit.” She wiped a trace of watermelon juice from her lips, proof that she’d indeed gone to eat.

“Oh, that’s all? I thought you were practicing moving around the house at night,” Shōichi muttered.

He’d honestly thought she was familiarizing herself with the layout—so she could sneak into his room later with a knife and ask for a “hug.”

Ai stiffly turned her head away.

He’d guessed right.

“There’s still some fruit left in the kitchen. Want some?” Ai asked evenly.

“I’ll have a little.”

Shōichi went to the kitchen, picked up the fruit platter, and speared a piece of melon with a toothpick.

He held it up to Ai’s mouth.

Ai hesitated for a moment before biting down.

He kept feeding her, piece after piece, until her puffed cheeks made her look like a tiny hamster hoarding food.

“Is it good?” Shōichi asked.

“It is,” Ai said stiffly, forcing a smile.

But the corners of her mouth twitched.

Damn it—he’s treating me like a pet.

Shōichi gently rubbed her head, then went to wash the sticky juice from his hands.

Ai brushed her slightly damp hair, frowning.

Don’t touch people when your hands are dirty!

...

After washing up, Shōichi headed for bed.

Spending time around the Grim Reaper Family always ruined his sleep.

He didn’t mind corpses, but the aftermath was unbearable—the police showing up, endless questioning, and somehow he was always a suspect.

Too tired to care anymore, he fell into deep, dreamless sleep the moment he hit the bed.

At five in the morning, a small, hamster-like figure crept into his room.

Ai moved silently toward the bed. Shōichi seemed fast asleep.

Still, she didn’t lower her guard.

It had happened twice before—he’d woken up just before she made her move.

If he woke suddenly this time, she’d be done for.

Step by step, Ai approached.

Just as she lifted something dark, Shōichi rolled over abruptly, his eyes locking onto hers.

Neither spoke. Silence stretched between them.

“What are you doing?” Shōichi finally asked.

Ai quietly held out the umbrella in her hands. “It’s raining today. I was worried you’d get wet going to work, so I brought you an umbrella.”

Rain pattered softly outside.

Ai met his gaze calmly.

Today, she hadn’t brought a knife.

“Thank you.”

“No need,” Ai replied evenly.

Another failed attempt—she couldn’t even approach him holding something harmless.

By now, she was almost used to it.

Though he acted oblivious, Shōichi’s instincts were razor-sharp. Every time she got close, he’d wake right on cue. Hurting him seemed impossible.

Shōichi checked the clock, set the umbrella on the bed, and gently pulled Ai closer.

“Sleep a bit longer. It’s still early,” he murmured, slipping off her shoes and tucking her in.

Ai immediately struggled.

She’d come at five in the morning—was she really going to end up in his bed again?

“I don’t want to—I have school soon. I’ll be late.”

“It’s too early. If you wake now, you’ll be tired all day,” Shōichi said, stroking her hair.

Ai wriggled, refusing to settle.

She didn’t want to be held like a child.

Shōichi patted her back gently, coaxing, “Go to sleep. Yuuko-san will wake you for breakfast. You won’t be late.”

I refuse!

Ai flailed like a fish, twisting in his arms.

To Shōichi, though, she just looked playfully spoiled.

He smiled helplessly.

She must really like me—look how lively she is.

“Do you know Mouri Kogoro?” Shōichi suddenly asked.

Ai froze. “I don’t.”

“What about Conan?”

Her body went rigid. She didn’t dare move, terrified he’d pull out a real knife this time.

“I don’t know him either,” she whispered.

“Oh? I thought you did,” Shōichi said casually.

Ai’s mind spun.

Why was he suddenly asking about Conan and Mouri Kogoro?

Had he figured out Conan’s identity? Was she next?

She curled tighter against him, barely breathing.

Seeing the kitten in his arms finally go still, Shōichi leaned close and whispered in her ear:

“Today I saw Conan hiding behind Mouri Kogoro, solving cases using his voice. They must be playing some kind of game. When you stood behind me earlier, I thought you wanted to play that game too.”

Ai’s ears tingled at his breath, but she didn’t move.

That stupid detective!

He’d let Shōichi see something suspicious!

Idiot—if Shōichi wants to chase you down, fine. Just don’t drag me into it.

At least not before I avenge my sister.

“Maybe they were playing hide-and-seek,” Ai murmured weakly.

Shōichi shook his head. “Doesn’t look like it. The hide-and-seek games I’ve played weren’t like that.”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? All those cases Mouri solved—weren’t they actually Conan’s? Can a kid really be that smart?”

He paused, smiling faintly. “You’re a genius too, Ai. High school age already, so mature—you don’t act like a child at all.”

“Ai, Ai—say something.” Shōichi gently shook her shoulder.

Ai stayed still, eyes closed, face buried in the pillow.

“Huu—”

“Huu—”

“Huu—”

“Asleep already?” Shōichi whispered.

“Huu—huu—”

I’m asleep, I’m asleep—stop talking!

I don’t want to talk about that detective right now.

But Shōichi clearly wasn’t done.

He kept shaking her shoulder lightly. Ai’s eyelids fluttered under their lashes.

He wasn’t going to let her drift off peacefully at this rate.

Still pretending to sleep, Ai carefully reached out and wrapped her small hand around his arm.

That finally quieted him.

And so, at last, the two of them slept soundly together.

---

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!