Detective Conan: Is Miss Haibara planning to assault a police officer again today?

Things are developing perfectly as expected.

"Brother Dongye, come over here."

At this moment, Inspector Megure, who had finally spotted Higashino Yasuto after searching around, called out loudly.

Higashino Ningya also walked over quickly.

A moment later, Mu Shisan lowered his voice and said, "Brother Dongye, you've been really lucky lately, managing to snag a promotion opportunity."

"Did you take some strange route?"

Higashino immediately retorted, "No, no, without the opportunity you gave me, Inspector, to protect Representative Tunkou, how could he possibly have paid attention to me?"

"I owe this opportunity to you."

Inspector Megure naturally wouldn't take this level of flattery seriously, but he also knew it wasn't appropriate for him to continue asking.

He patted Higashino Ning on the shoulder, "Then you should get ready, Higashino, your promotion will be announced in front of these reporters later."

Without hesitation, Higashino Ning replied, "I'm ready."

Inspector Megure: "..."

No, isn't your desire to improve a bit too obvious?

He coughed twice. "Now that you're ready, let's begin."

As he spoke, Inspector Megure looked at Yuki Nagasawa, who had followed him over, and said, "Officer Nagasawa, just do it the way we rehearsed this morning."

Yuki Nagasawa smiled sweetly, "Mmm!"

The five-minute preparation time passed quickly.

This time was mainly spent explaining the procedures to Higashino Ning.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Metropolitan Police Department will now officially hold a promotion ceremony for Officer Higashino Ning. After the ceremony, the interviews will begin on the spot!"

Megure shouted with great vigor.

As his voice faded, the group of criminal police officers split into two lines and lined up in an orderly "V" shape along the long staircase.

Having composed himself, Higashino Ning slowly descended the steps to greet the reporters and share his excitement over the live television broadcast.

Step down the last step.

Megure Juzo stood at attention and began to speak loudly in sync with the music.

"On behalf of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, I hereby formally offer a new promotion opportunity to our outstanding detective, Higashino Ning, and confer upon him the rank of Inspector, Violent Crimes Division 3, First Investigation Division!"

This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading!

Holy crap, why is it still the police inspector who's in charge?

Higashino Ning didn't have time to think much and quickly continued with the scene according to the procedure.

Then Nagasawa Yuki walked over from the side, and Megure Juzo took the new police ID from her and formally handed it to Higashino Ning.

The identification document is still the same, but the position has changed to Police Inspector.

Just a step away from the police inspector.

We're just one step away from being able to get system rewards on a large scale for free.

Higashino Ning carefully put away his new credentials, said some polite words, and then began to answer reporters' questions.

These guys came right off the bat with some tough questions.

"Officer Higashino, it's said that you proactively requested the First Investigation Division to intervene and provide protection for Representative Tunguchi. Can I assume this was a deal between you and Representative Tunguchi?"

Higashino Ning shook his head seriously, "That's baseless speculation. Besides, you think that Congressman Tunkou can do business with me? That's giving me too much credit. Next."

"Officer Higashino, you seem to have purchased a new Toyota a few days ago. It's quite expensive, and your income doesn't seem sufficient to cover such an expense. What's your explanation for this?"

Without pausing, Dongye Ning said, "The money to buy the car came from my savings and bonuses. My bank statements are verifiable, and the source of the funds is transparent."

He continued to embellish his image, saying, "Besides, I rarely have the opportunity to go out and spend money because of my work, so I save most of my salary. When I'm out on a case, I don't spend much money on simple boxed meals."

The interview continues.

After the pointed questions, there were some more normal questions, which Higashino Ning answered one by one.

As dusk approached, the interview finally came to an end.

As Higashino Ning hurried away, he was caught up in an impromptu interview. The reporter had just been publicly criticized by him, and now he was clearly speaking with ulterior motives.

"Officer Higashino, are you on your way to celebrate your exceptional promotion?"

Higashino Ning didn't turn around. "I need to go back and get some rest. I still have 12 hours of missions to carry out tonight, so I can't keep you company."

Chapter 108 Offensive and defensive changes

The Kudo family.

Higashino Ning dragged his tired body through the door.

Hearing the noise, Ai Haibara quickly ran over from the living room on the right side of the main entrance.

She had been watching the live TV broadcast, but she didn't expect Higashino Ning to go home so soon, since there's usually a celebration party or something like that afterward.

"Congratulations, you idiot, you've been promoted to assistant inspector so quickly."

Ai Haibara's little brain could naturally guess that there were complex political factors behind Higashino Ning's promotion, but she chose not to ask.

Knowing these things would at most satisfy her curiosity, but saying them would only make the already exhausted Higashino Ning even more tired.

It's perfectly normal for people to be quiet when they're exhausted, and being bombarded with questions during this time can easily breed anger.

She didn't want to cause trouble for herself or the stupid policeman for no reason.

Higashino Ning was helped into the living room by the little girl and sat down, finally finding a place to relieve his fatigue.

He sighed deeply, "I'm exhausted. These reporters are such a nuisance."

The television footage remained focused on the Metropolitan Police Department, where reporters were interviewing other detectives.

"Here, have a blueberry."

Ai Haibara took a small handful of blueberries from her pocket, then pinched one and fed it to Ning Higashino's lips.

She likes blueberry jam, and naturally she also likes blueberries.

However, this stuff is quite expensive. She usually uses her allowance to buy a box and put it in the refrigerator. She carries a handful in her pocket when she goes out and eats one every now and then.

Although the blueberries weren't as fresh, they still had a slightly crunchy texture.

It's normal for your fingers to touch someone's lips when you're feeding them.

Ai Haibara's fingertips felt a little cold.

Just as Higashino Ning was about to say something, the reporter who had just finished the interview suddenly touched his in-ear monitor and then said to the camera:

"I received a message from a colleague that Officer Higashino, who had just been promoted to Assistant Inspector, was suspected of driving while fatigued after leaving the Metropolitan Police Department."

"Although the case is urgent, I think all criminal police officers, including viewers watching the live broadcast, should also keep driving safety in mind."

"But Inspector Higashino's tireless efforts in handling the case still deserve our respect..."

Higashino Yasuto was completely numb.

That shady reporter from earlier!

I just said, "I still have 12 hours of work tonight," and you're saying I'm suspected of driving while fatigued?

I'm truly impressed by how much they can hold grudges!

Sure enough, when you're out in the world, it's best not to mess with reporters.

The screen flickered, and the TV turned off.

Ai Haibara put down the remote control, then held the blueberries to Higashino Ning's lips, coaxing him in a sweet tone, "Don't be angry~ I'll make you something delicious after you finish this."

Higashino Ning: "......"

Seeing Ai Haibara like this instantly dispelled all my anger.

The blueberries are delicious, the breeze outside the window is gentle, and the moonlight tonight will surely be beautiful.

Dongye Ning shook his head. "You eat by yourself. I'm going to take a nap. I have to stay on duty tonight."

Ai Haibara didn't insist, "Okay~"

After thinking for a moment, Dongye Ning asked, "Are you interested in taking two days off? I should be able to rest for a while after I finish my mission here, and then I'll take you out to play."

This was a bit of a surprise, and Ai Haibara was slightly taken aback. "Didn't we already attend the school fair?"

Higashino Ning raised an eyebrow. "After I've spent time with you, shouldn't you spend time with me too?"

Okay, that makes sense.

Ai Haibara pretended to think, "Where should we go? You're not planning to take me to some remote mountain forest and abandon me, are you?"

"What are you thinking about all day?" Dongye Ning tapped the little girl's silly head. "Why would I throw you away? It would be such a waste to lose such a good cook."

Ai Haibara immediately became furious, "Hey! I'm just a cook!!"

Higashino Ning retorted, "Then what else do you want to be?"

Ai Haibara: "......"

Okay, okay, so we've suddenly found ourselves in this verbal battle again, haven't we?

She stated that she wasn't intimidated at all, and blurted out, "Of course it's my girlfriend, what else?"

Now it was Higashino Ning's turn to be at a loss.

Damn it, Ai Haibara is changing her tactics!

Or has the other party figured out his methods and found his weaknesses?

Higashino Ning also wanted to be brave, but the words just wouldn't come out.

To be honest, if it were Sister Tong or Yumi Miyamoto, he would probably have already called her "baby" by now.

But now he is facing Ai Haibara.