Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

"Our latest news: Sawaki Kohei, the suspect in the serial attacks two days ago, was abducted in prison by a mysterious individual. The individual broke into the prison, anesthetized the guards, and abducted Sawaki Kohei. His body was eventually found in the prison's utility room. The cause of death was excessive blood loss from multiple stab wounds. Now, I'd like to invite Inspector Megure of the Metropolitan Police Department to explain this case in detail..."

The TV screen switched to Officer Megure, who looked serious. He cleared his throat and said to the camera, "Ahem, I'm Megure. First of all, we at the Metropolitan Police Department are deeply sorry for the death of Sawaki Kouhei. Although he was a criminal who committed a serious crime, he still has human rights. We strongly condemn this act of private execution! The Metropolitan Police Department deeply regrets the death of Sawaki Kouhei!"

The scene changed, and the reporter asked, "Does the police have any relevant clues?"

Officer Megure looked embarrassed and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Regarding this... because it involves confidentiality, I can't disclose it at the moment. Sorry."

"Pop!" Maori Kogoro turned off the TV with a complicated expression. He took a sip of his coffee and, after a moment's silence, whispered to Chen Shuo, who was busy at the bar, "Thank you."

He looked down at the coffee in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Maori Kogoro hated Sawaki Kohei, the man who had attacked his wife and targeted his daughter.

He had imagined countless times catching this villain himself, but as a detective, his identity and professional ethics strictly suppressed him and prevented him from crossing the line. However, when he learned of Sawaki Kouhei's death, he felt a sense of pleasure in his heart, which made him feel uneasy - it turned out that he was just an ordinary person and could not escape the instinctive reaction to hatred.

Meanwhile, Conan stared at the now-black TV screen, lost in thought. Upon seeing the news, his sharp mind instantly zeroed in on the suspect. However, he felt no compulsion to expose the truth. This was the second time, following the case of Teiji Moritani, that he'd felt this complex emotion—even knowing the truth, he didn't want to pursue it further. Why was this happening? He had always upheld justice, but this time, his reason and his emotions seemed to collide quietly.

Conan clenched his juice glass, feeling an unprecedented sense of confusion. As a detective, solving mysteries and upholding justice were his missions, but at this moment, his inner conflict led him to ask himself: How many forms of justice does justice take? Does every case have to be pursued to the end?

---

In the evening, in the basement of the "Jingxin" cafe.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A barrage of gunfire echoed through the soundproofed chamber Chen Shuo had meticulously converted. A variety of weapons were scattered around, ranging from daggers and pistols to submachine guns, shotguns, and even a Stinger anti-aircraft missile. This spacious basement also housed a sizeable shooting range, a private practice area Chen Shuo used to maintain his form. Normally, he was the only one in the area, but today, he had a new visitor.

Wearing noise-canceling earmuffs and holding a Glock 19, Mao Lilan focused her gaze on the target and repeatedly pulled the trigger. Her usual delicate and sweet appearance was completely gone, replaced by a heroic temperament.

This Glock 19 is a perfect pistol for beginners, lightweight and easy to operate. Mao Lilan chose this gun because Chen Shuo had chosen it specifically for her, believing its accuracy and stability would be perfect for her. Seventeen rounds were quickly fired, and Mao Lilan removed her earmuffs and eagerly looked at Chen Shuo, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Chen Shuo, with a hint of resignation in his smile, pulled the target in front of him. He looked at Mao Lilan with some embarrassment at the intact target. There wasn't even a bullet hole in it.

Seeing this, Xiaolan's eyes widened and she asked in disappointment, "Eh...didn't I even hit a single shot?"

After witnessing Chen Shuo's precise strike a few days ago, Mao Lilan had become extremely curious about his work. However, her interest wasn't in Chen Shuo's profession as a killer, but rather in the art of shooting itself. Furthermore, Chen Shuo had praised her talent as a spotter, which further intrigued her. Today, after pestering Chen Shuo all day, she finally persuaded him to take her to the basement to try his hand.

Chen Shuo couldn't help but laugh at Xiaolan's aggrieved look. He patted her shoulder and comforted her, "It's okay. It's your first time. Everyone goes from not knowing how to do it to knowing how to do it."

Mao Lilan pouted, put her hands on her waist, and looked a little unwilling: "But... I didn't even hit the target."

"That's not a problem. I'll definitely hit it next time." Chen Shuo said in a serious tone, but inwardly he was delighted. After the previous shooting sessions, he had already confirmed Xiaolan's shooting talent...it was hard to describe.

However, seeing her serious look, Chen Shuo couldn't help but smile and said softly, "You're already very good. At least you didn't break the wall. Let's practice again next time. I guarantee that you will become more and more accurate."

After hearing this, Mao Lilan finally showed a little smile on her face and regained her confidence: "Really? Then you must teach me well next time!"

"Of course, I'll teach you step by step." Chen Shuo smiled and replied, thinking that he would have to spend more time on Xiaolan's shooting training. However, he was happy to be able to accompany Xiaolan.

---

In the "Jingxin" cafe, Kogoro Mouri and Conan looked at Ran with confusion as she hummed a song while cooking dinner at the bar. They both didn't understand why Ran Mouri was so happy today.

Mao Lilan cast a puzzled look at Chen Shuo, who was holding a cup of coffee and admiring Mao Lilan's back.

"I say... where were you guys doing just now? Why is Xiaolan so happy?" Mouri Kogoro asked curiously, with a puzzled expression on his face.

Chen Shuo turned around and shrugged: "Proper venting can help to make one happy both physically and mentally."

"What!?" Kogoro Mouri and Conan couldn't help but slam the table after hearing what Chen Shuo said. They were all men, and it was hard not to think of something wrong when they heard a man and a woman "venting", not to mention that this man and woman were in a relationship.

Maori Kogoro grabbed Chen Shuo by the collar, his eyes filled with anger: "Asshole! You promised me..."

Conan also stood on the table, his big head almost touching Chen Shuo's head. He was so excited that he lost his ability to speak and could only shout "Aba Aba" as if he would explode at any time.

Chen Shuo squinted his eyes, speechless, watching the two, one large and one small. He couldn't help but sigh, "Sometimes they really are like a funny father and son." He made an "eight" with his fingers, pointed at Maori Kogoro's forehead, and jokingly said, "Is that it! Is your head full of dirty crap?"

"Uh...ah...so that's it...haha, sorry, sorry!" Maori Kogoro understood in an instant, quickly let go of his hand, helped Chen Shuo straighten his collar, his face full of embarrassment, and sat back in his original seat.

Conan was also hit hard on the head by Chen Shuo, and he immediately sat down obediently, like a real elementary school student, staring at the big steaming bump on his head, staring at the juice on the table seriously, as if he began to think seriously about life.

---

During dinner, Ran looked at Kogoro and Conan curiously. They were both eating quietly and obediently today. They were never so silent during meals, which made Ran a little confused.

Chen Shuo gently took a sip of the soup, a gentle smile on his face: "Xiaolan's cooking skills are getting better and better. She will definitely be a good wife in the future. I am so lucky."

Hearing Chen Shuo's praise, Mao Lilan blushed immediately and immediately shifted her attention from her father and Conan to Chen Shuo. She gently hit his arm and said shyly: "Hate you, Brother Shuo! I'm not that great..."

Maori Kogoro watched the sweet interaction between his daughter and her best friend, with a complex emotion in his eyes, thinking: "If Chen Shuo were ten years younger, it would be perfect. But it's not bad now, at least Xiaolan is really happy." He couldn't help but glance at Conan next to him, thinking: "At least it's much better than this kid!"

Conan bit the salted fish in his mouth, his eyes almost popping out, thinking to himself: "Beast! Who wants to be your wife? Xiaolan is... she is... why doesn't she deny that she is your wife?" Thinking of this, he picked up the miso soup helplessly, feeling bitter in his heart.

"The bitter soup makes my throat ache!" He couldn't help but sigh, and drank several times of the soup to suppress the depression in his heart. He silently shouted in his heart: "I must destroy that organization! I want to change back!"

---

After dinner, several people sat in chairs and chatted. Conan seemed to be stuck in sage time, holding a glass of juice and staring blankly at the table, completely lacking his usual liveliness. Everyone looked at each other, watching this daydreaming boy, and couldn't help but mutter in their hearts, "What's wrong with this kid again?" However, they soon stopped caring and continued chatting among themselves.

Maori Kogoro laughed with his tongue hanging out. He suddenly pulled out a passbook from his pocket and shook it proudly: "Hahaha! Business has been so good recently that the passbook is full with commission fees. I'm going to replace the passbook tomorrow!"

Chen Shuo widened his eyes, looked at him in surprise, and took a breath.

"Hiss—you actually even have commission fees? Which lucky client didn't get killed by you?"

"Uh..." Maori Kogoro was stunned by Chen Shuo's words. The smile on his face froze. Then he glared at him and said angrily: "What are you talking about? How could I possibly kill my client?"

Chen Shuo looked at his guilty expression and couldn't help shaking his head. He continued to tease, "Then calculate for yourself, how many murders have you been involved in? This number is too abnormal. Kogoro, take some time to find a shrine with good luck and worship."

Maori Kogoro blushed slightly and snorted coldly to hide his embarrassment: "Humph! This is called the incident calling me. As a famous detective, I have no choice but to do it!"

"Haha!" Chen Shuo laughed helplessly, but he actually found it amusing. He asked, "But even if you're going to exchange your passbook, there's no need to be so excited, right? What are you so excited about?"

Maori Kogoro's eyes flickered, and he seemed a little speechless: "Uh... well..."

"Hmph!" Mao Lilan put down her teacup heavily, frightening Mao Li Kogoro so much that he shrank his neck. "It's because there's a new teller at the bank who's pretty. You came here just to see the beauty, right?"

"Oh~~~ I see." Chen Shuo immediately understood and looked at Maori Kogoro with disdain: "You old pervert who never changes his ways!"

Maori Kogoro opened his eyes wide and said, "How can you slander someone's innocence like this..."

Mao Lilan snorted coldly: "Huh! What innocence? Last time when we went to the bank, your eyes were almost all over me! You were always peeking at me!"

Maori Kogoro's face flushed red, and veins popped out on his forehead. He argued, "I was just admiring! Admiring, understand? I'm a famous detective. How can the work of a famous detective be called peeping?"

A series of even more incomprehensible words, such as "A good detective must constantly observe" and "You must be meticulous when observing", made Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan burst into laughter, and the coffee shop was filled with a happy atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Conan was still lost in thought, thinking, "People's sorrows and joys are not the same. I just think they are noisy!"