Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

The sudden concern caught Ai Haibara off guard.

Having lived all these years, this was the first time she had ever heard a man say these words to her.

How should I describe this feeling?

A bit greasy...

However, she doesn't dislike it.

Seeing Kitagawa Isao's gentle and serious expression, the little girl finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Okay, I understand. I'll try my best to treat you like family from now on. But thank you anyway, Kitagawa-nii."

"It's nothing. Speaking of which, there's still some time before lunch. How about we take a walk around your future school and show you around? We can get you familiar with the place, then we can have some barbecue later, and then we can buy the blanket you need for tonight in the afternoon?"

"Ok!"

"Okay, then it's decided."

Kitagawa Isao chuckled, then, as if remembering something, suddenly looked at Haibara Ai with a playful expression, "Speaking of which, I noticed you were wearing your pajamas hood all morning. Do you really like bear patterns? Maybe when we go buy blankets and sheets later, I can help you with that..."

"Need not!!"

Ai Haibara quickly reached out to stop Kitagawa Isao's dangerous behavior, "I can choose by myself, Kitagawa-nii... it's better not to trouble you with this kind of thing."

Just kidding. If Kitagawa Isao were to choose, Ai Haibara has no doubt that he would pick out some bizarre and ridiculous designs for her.

What, the whole room is pink... or the entire set of bed sheets and blankets are embroidered with teddy bear patterns...

Just thinking about these embarrassing scenarios makes Ai Haibara's toes clench.

She vowed that if it happened again, she would never let Kitagawa Isao help her choose clothes or blankets again.

The thought of such a scene is terrifying enough...

wrong……

If this is how it is when choosing things for her, then Kitagawa Isao himself...

At this moment, Ai Haibara's expression froze completely. She began to wonder if the white T-shirt that Kitagawa Isao was wearing was the best-looking one in his wardrobe.

This is truly beyond words.

Feeling somewhat ashamed, Haibara sighed.

She felt it was time to buy some fashion magazines and subtly change this guy's aesthetic sense.

……

Of course, Kitagawa Isao is currently unaware of the things the little girl is thinking about.

After taking Ai Haibara for a walk around Teitan Elementary School to familiarize themselves with the location of the playground and restrooms, they left the school and had a quick meal at a nearby yakiniku restaurant.

Later that afternoon, the two went to the Mihua Building and picked out a few sheets and blankets that looked pretty good.

Of course, they were all personally selected by Ai Haibara.

Kitagawa Isao didn't mind at all.

After leaving their address and indicating that they hoped the mall would arrange for delivery, the two left the building and then went to a nearby restaurant for dinner, thus completing their day's itinerary. They then returned home to start decorating their room.

Kitagawa Isao's apartment wasn't very big, but the two-bedroom, one-living room, one-bathroom layout still made the interior space look quite spacious.

Ai Haibara's room was right next to his, separated by only a wall, but the room was noticeably smaller.

Ai Haibara didn't mind these things, since her body was still that of a child, and living in a room that was too big wouldn't make any difference.

After quickly laying out the sheets and blankets, she took her newly bought toiletries and went into the bathroom.

After a day of wandering around outside, the little girl needs a nice, warm bath.

Meanwhile, in the living room...

Sitting on the sofa, Kitagawa Isao, pretending to be engrossed in a mystery novel, couldn't help but feel a little distracted as he listened to the 'splashing' sound of water coming from the bathroom.

No way! I've only known Ai Haibara for two days, how can I be in such a hurry?

Kitagawa Isao, Kitagawa Isao, have you forgotten your public persona?

Now is the perfect time to cultivate a caring older brother image and enter Ai Haibara's inner world. How could he possibly think about such sordid things?

After silently admonishing himself a few times, Kitagawa Isao simply put down the novel and went straight back to his room to force himself to fall asleep.

As a result, more than half an hour passed. When Ai Haibara finished showering and wanted to remind Isao Kitagawa that she could use the bathroom, she discovered that he had fallen asleep sometime earlier...

……

Morning arrived in the blink of an eye, and nothing unexpected happened in the new day.

The two of them were doing their own things at home, and neither of them bothered the other.

Aside from some conversations during meals, they mostly sat on the sofa reading. Occasionally, when Ai Haibara yawned, Kitagawa Isao would ask her what she was reading, and Ai Haibara would respond.

It's clear that they are both trying to adapt to each other's pace of life, but how could this be accomplished overnight?

Soon, the next day arrived.

Ai Haibara woke up very early that morning because it was the day she would officially start attending Teitan Elementary School.

So she woke up early in the morning and began to try to adjust her lifestyle.

However, when she stepped out of the room, the aroma of breakfast wafting through the air told her that Kitagawa Isao, this seemingly unrelated person, appeared to have gotten up even earlier than her…

"Oh? Ai, you're already awake? I made you porridge and a sandwich today, and here... this is a boxed lunch I prepared. Today is your first day of school, and I'll take you there later. I can also pick you up at the school gate after school."

When Ai Haibara approached the dining table, Kitagawa Isao, carrying a lunchbox, began to give some instructions.

Although Ai Haibara already knew what he was talking about, the little girl listened very attentively at this moment, without the slightest hint of perfunctoriness.

By the time Kitagawa Isao finished speaking, the cooked porridge had almost cooled down.

Ai Haibara carefully scooped up two spoonfuls and gave Kitagawa Isao a faint smile:

"Thank you, Kitagawa-nii, really... thank you so much. But I can go to and from school by myself."

She didn't want to cause trouble for the people around her, especially since these were just trivial matters.

If she can't even do this simple thing right, then she'll really just be a burden to those around her.

Ai Haibara did not want to accept such a thing.

She also has her own pride, although...

There's currently no way to prove this pride.

Seeing Ai Haibara's serious expression, Kitagawa Isao stopped insisting. He gave the little girl a few more instructions on her safety, and then Ai Haibara, carrying her schoolbag, began her own school life.

Kitagawa Isao saw this and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

After seeing the little girl off, he quickly tidied up the dishes, then lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.

A new life for Ai Haibara has begun.

Now, he is about to embark on the next phase of his mission.

He hadn't been spending all these days at home reading detective novels to pass the time.

In fact, a new plan of sabotage had already taken shape in Kitagawa Isao's mind.

After Ai Haibara's first day of school, according to the original timeline, the Junior Detective League would recruit her as a new member.

Then, this afternoon...

They will be facing their first case since the Junior Detective League was officially established.

Together, a criminal gang involved in a counterfeit currency case.

If he remembered correctly, the leader of that counterfeit money ring was a woman named 'Silver Fox'...

Yes, that should be it...