Conan: I'm Really Not the Manipulator

Thinking of the commission, Edogawa Conan looked at Suzuki Sonoko. He wanted to ask how things were going at the museum, but when he saw her clothes clearly, the question became -

"Sister Yuanzi, you are dressed so exquisitely today."

This was something he had just noticed.

Suzuki Sonoko is a person who doesn't care about details. She can wear limited edition expensive jewelry and accept free accessories from department stores. She wears whatever she likes and does what she likes.

And what she is wearing today is rare...it suits her status.

Suzuki Sonoko's cheeks reddened suspiciously: "Because we have guests, my sister didn't come today. As the only junior present, I can't embarrass myself."

Edogawa Conan stared at her suspiciously.

An ordinary young lady would think about maintaining her image on an important day, but this was Sonoko, who was carefree at ordinary times, and made him believe that "if someone took a fancy to her one day, it must be for some other purpose"...

...Being the only junior is just an excuse. The real reason is probably that there is a handsome guy among the guests, right?

Maori Kogoro didn't notice the half-moon eyes of the child next to him. He went straight to the point: "How is the art museum doing recently?"

This time he came with a commissioned mission, not just for sightseeing, so before coming, he had already asked Mao Lilan about the basic situation.

When it comes to business, Suzuki Sonoko instantly returns to her normal state: "I just arrived in Osaka last night, so I don't know the details..."

As she spoke, she seemed to have thought of something and turned her head to look at the driver in front: "Mr. Nishino, do you know what it's like there?"

The driver was a squinty-eyed man wearing glasses. He was one of the chairman's secretaries.

Hearing his young lady's question, he thought for a moment and shook his head, "There has been no strange news in the past few days. Everything is normal, and the security guard has been discharged safely."

Suzuki Sonoko turned her head and smiled at them again: "This may be a misunderstanding - Uncle, don't worry about it, just think of it as a trip to Osaka. We will cover your food and accommodation this time."

Kogoro Mouri nodded, but his expression did not relax.

Edogawa Conan noticed his expression and remembered what happened before.

Two days ago, the day when organization member Shirley transferred to the school, Kogoro Mouri came back very late and refused to say a word about the reason for his late return.

The next day, Conan Edogawa saw the news and learned that a shooting occurred in the hospital and the deceased was a foreigner. The news did not reveal the casualties or the specific identities of the deceased.

Since the deceased was from the United States (this information could still be reported), Conan Edogawa thought that Aoyagi Akimitsu might know about it, but he had no way to contact him.

Kudo Shinichi's cell phone number and email address are no longer valid, and Edogawa Conan didn't give him his - even if he did, he might not be willing to tell the children.

and……

Conan Edogawa secretly glanced at Mao Li Ran.

In addition to Uncle Maori, he felt that Xiaolan was also acting strange these two days.

He occasionally noticed that she was looking at him, but when he raised his head, she was always looking somewhere else... He didn't know if it was his illusion or she was intentionally avoiding him when he looked over.

The detective's eyes behind the lenses stared at the girl, but she seemed to know nothing about it and was still communicating with her friend enthusiastically.

What will happen at tomorrow's opening ceremony, which exhibits are worth seeing, what's good to eat and do in Osaka, how to plan the schedule for this afternoon and evening...very common topics, no different from usual.

"We're almost there," the secretary reminded.

The secretary's words interrupted Edogawa Conan's thoughts.

The car turned at the next intersection, and a building with a unique appearance came into view. It was the new art museum built by Suzuki Group in Osaka. The car drove all the way to the entrance of the exhibition hall and slowly stopped.

Conan Edogawa stopped thinking about all that mess and followed Kogoro Mouri out of the car.

……

As soon as they entered the gallery they went straight to the reception room.

As soon as Edogawa Conan stepped in, he saw a familiar person sitting on the single sofa with his back to the door.

An emerald sparkled in the other's thick long hair. The man was talking to someone else, but he seemed to notice some movement at the door, and he turned his head to look at them.

The light disappeared in the surrounding darkness in an instant.

"Mr. Maori?" Aoyagi Binguang looked surprised. "Why are you here?"

Chairman Suzuki, who had wanted to introduce them, was surprised to see that they knew each other. He looked at his daughter and the guests who had just come in, then at Aoyagi Akimitsu, and did not speak for a while.

Edogawa Conan was about to step forward to ask when his eyes fell on the guest next to him.

One man in particular caught his attention.

She was a very beautiful woman, standing very close to Aoyagi Binguang. She had long hair tied into a low ponytail, and was wearing a neat professional women's suit. Under her slightly curly hair were a pair of bright blue eyes.

It’s the famous host, Rena Mizunashi.

Why is Nichimi TV here? Is it recording a show or an interview?

Edogawa Conan was a little confused.

He didn't notice that the cameraman carrying equipment next to the beautiful host was quietly looking at him, and something seemed to flash in his eyes.

----

Kidd will not appear in this article because his father has returned home.

Chapter 275: An ineffective fortune?

"Welcome, Mr. Maori."

Chairman Suzuki walked up to Kogoro Mori and greeted him.

"I have always been following the detectives in the country. Your reasoning in the hospital last time was truly ingenious." He smiled in a casual and honest manner, and stretched out his hand to shake hands with Kogoro Mouri.

Maori Kogoro had no memory of that reasoning. He laughed dryly and shook his hand back: "No, no, it's really flattering... Uh, do you have other guests now?"

Chairman Suzuki withdrew his hand, his expression somewhat embarrassed: "The previous guests have left. They came for an exhibit scheduled to be exhibited tomorrow, but..."

His eyes fell on Qing Liu Bingguang, and after a pause, he said helplessly: "It's just that I'm a little embarrassed."

Kogoro Mori didn't understand and wanted to ask, but he noticed that there was a well-known female host and reporter present (who was said to have a good relationship with Okino Yoko), so he kept quiet.

He didn't say anything, but Mizunashi Rena seemed to notice his difficulty and said to them with a smile: "Thank you for today, Chairman Suzuki. Now we have to go back and prepare for tomorrow's filming, so we won't disturb you anymore."

The interview was over. Maori Kogoro relaxed and watched the other party and the cameraman leave.

After Mizunashi Rena left, Aoyagi Akimitsu realized that Chairman Suzuki would have to receive the new detective next, so he stood up and walked in front of them: "I won't bother you anymore, Mr. Suzuki."

Chairman Suzuki said to him kindly, "I have asked Nishino to book a hotel for you. You can come over anytime."

"Wait--"

Before Edogawa Conan could speak, Suzuki Sonoko squeezed him down and said, "Mr. Aoyagi, Nishino will take me, Xiaolan and Conan to walk around and experience the customs of Osaka. Do you want to come with us?"

Aoyagi Binguang blinked.

He went to look at the other people. Chairman Suzuki smiled and didn't stop him. Kogoro Mouri also didn't react. They seemed very relieved... He went to look at Ran Mouri again.

Mao Lilan felt his gaze and took the initiative to invite him: "Do you want to come, Mr. Qingliu? It will be more lively with more people."

Aoyagi Akimitsu glanced at Edogawa Conan who nodded beside his legs, smiled and said, "Okay, sorry to bother you then."

……

Kogoro Mori was invited to the conference room by Chairman Suzuki, and the other five people left the art museum.

As soon as she left her elders' sight, Suzuki Sonoko started to have fun. She had already forgotten her dignified lady image. "Let's go to the nearby shrine first. It seems to be quite effective."

The secretary certainly had no objection, and the other three guests readily agreed.

Among them, Edogawa Conan finally had the opportunity to ask the question he had been holding back for a long time: "Sister Sonoko, are there many guests visiting Chairman Suzuki today?"

When Suzuki Sonoko heard this, she showed a bitter expression: "Yes, someone came early in the morning, all for the egg."

"Eggs?" Mao Lilan asked in confusion.

"It's called the 'Egg of Memory', and it's a treasure of the Romanov dynasty of Russia."

Secretary Nishino explained in time: "Not long ago, the chairman found one in his home warehouse. It just so happens that the newly opened art museum is going to hold an art exhibition related to the last dynasty, so they plan to exhibit this egg of memories."

"It is said that this egg has a high collection value, so the staff added it when promoting it not long ago." Suzuki Sonoko added, "Then this morning, the four of them came to our door one by one."

Conan Edogawa looked at Aoyagi Akiko: "There are four? Including the TV station and Mr. Aoyagi?"

"No." Aoyagi Akimitsu said, "I and the staff of Nichimi TV came here for work, and the four guests wanted to buy the 'Egg of Memories'."

Secretary Nishino followed his words and introduced the four guests:

"The first to come was Mr. Qian Jiangyi, a well-known domestic art dealer; followed by Ms. Pu Siqinglan, a Romanov dynasty researcher from the flower-growing industry; then Mr. Siluofu Chinikov, the third secretary of the Russian Embassy; and finally..."

There was a strange pause in the secretary's voice.

Edogawa Conan looked over in surprise, only to hear the other party regain his composure and continue to introduce: "...the war correspondent for the TV station the day before yesterday, now a freelance video writer, Mr. Kankawa Ryu."

Mao Lilan was stunned when she heard the name: "Kanchuan Long? Is he the winner of the photography award a few years ago?"

She has no interest in reasoning, but has many other hobbies and knows the names of many celebrities.

"Yes." Secretary Nishino nodded.

Edogawa Conan was not interested in this, so he did not ask Mao Lilan more. His attention shifted to Aoyagi Akimitsu: "Mr. Aoyagi, what job are you here for?"

Mao Lilan subconsciously wanted to stop the child's impolite exploration behavior.

——But when she saw his upturned face, her voice got stuck in her throat. She could only watch him raise his questions.

"I'm here to advise Mr. Suzuki not to display the Egg of Memories for the time being."

Aoyagi Akimitsu sighed softly: "If possible, other cultural relics and treasures related to the Romanov dynasty should also be put away for the time being... But because the exhibition hall has already been decorated and the opening ceremony will be tomorrow, Chairman Suzuki is very embarrassed about my suggestion."

Edogawa Conan: "......?"

Why? Is there something wrong with those treasures?

He had more questions and was about to ask more, but Suzuki Sonoko interrupted him again: "By the way, Xiaolan, how did you and Mr. Aoyagi know each other?"

Ran Mouri hesitated, and her eyes involuntarily glanced at Conan Edogawa.

Edogawa Conan met her gaze and was suddenly startled.

"Xiao Lan?" Seeing that she didn't say anything, Suzuki Sonoko called out in surprise.

"...Last year Shinichi invited me to New York, and he took me to meet Mr. Aoyagi." Mao Li Ran quickly retracted her gaze and said to Suzuki Sonoko.