Chapter 29: Wealthy Sisters

## Chapter 29: Wealthy Sisters

The next morning... well, it was actually noon.

Fujino was deep in sleep when he was rudely awakened by the sound of a ringing phone.

"Who is it...?"

Fujino sighed and picked up the phone.

"Fujino-senpai, are you ready to go to the Medieval Art Museum?"

Sonoko's voice came from the other end of the line.

"Didn't we solve that yesterday..."

"What did we solve?"

Sonoko asked in confusion, "Didn't we agree to take a day off today and visit the Medieval Art Museum to see that walking armor?"

Fujino suddenly remembered, "Oh, that."

"Senpai, did you forget?"

Sonoko asked suspiciously.

"Of course not!"

Fujino quickly sat up in bed.

Clearing his throat, he continued, "I'm already getting ready to head out. Ran lives just across from us... should I pick you up on the way?"

"Senpai, do you already have a driver's license?!"

"Of course I do!"

Fujino retorted, "Did you forget? I usually commute by car."

In Japan, you can get a driver's license after turning eighteen, though the process is quite strict. Fortunately, the original Fujino was skilled enough to get his driver's license right after turning eighteen and even got a motorcycle license at sixteen.

"Amazing!"

Sonoko's voice carried a hint of admiration, "In that case, I won't ask my family's driver to take me today..."

"Driver..."

Fujino's eyes became expressionless.

As expected of the eldest daughter of the Suzuki family...

After hanging up the phone, Fujino hurriedly washed up, picked up Ran despite Conan's resentful gaze, and headed to Sonoko's house.

"Rich people really live differently..."

Fujino muttered as he parked the car and looked at the upscale mansion in front of him.

The Suzuki family was beyond wealthy.

"Fujino-senpai! Over here."

Dressed in casual clothes, Sonoko emerged from the house, waving and shouting at Fujino.

Is she really a rich heiress?

Fujino raised an eyebrow at Sonoko's unrestrained behavior.

"Sonoko, behave yourself!"

A female voice called out from inside the mansion. Another girl walked out, dressed in a long dress, with a calm and mature demeanor that starkly contrasted with Sonoko.

This was none other than Ayako Suzuki.

Fujino looked at Ayako, deep in thought.

Are these really wealthy sisters?

Doesn't seem like it!

"I know, sis!"

Sonoko, now next to Fujino's car, turned back and grinned sheepishly.

"Who is this...?"

"Fujino-senpai, you might not know her..."

Sonoko introduced, "This is my older sister, Ayako!"

"Nice to meet you, sir. My sister might trouble you a bit."

Ayako approached the car window and slightly bowed.

"Sis, what are you saying? He's my classmate, only a year older, but still a high schooler."

Sonoko reminded her sister.

"Is that so?"

Ayako covered her mouth in surprise, apologizing, "I'm sorry... I thought..."

"It's fine."

Fujino shook his head, "A lot of people make that mistake when they first see me..."

He then politely introduced himself, "I'm Toji Fujino, a detective, and currently in the same class as Sonoko."

"I'll leave my sister in your care then."

Ayako smiled and nodded.

"Hehe."

Sonoko suddenly seemed to think of something mischievous.

After getting into the car next to Ran, she whispered to Fujino, "My sister is twenty-four, a graduate student... and single!"

"Sonoko!"

Ayako's face flushed as she scolded her sister.

"Fujino-senpai, let's go!"

...

At the Medieval Art Museum, in the Sky Exhibition Room.

"Wow! These paintings are so beautiful!"

Ran exclaimed as she looked at the paintings on the walls.

"I think this one is by Picasso..."

Sonoko examined a painting on the wall. Although she wasn't very interested, she still said, "It's not one of his famous works."

"Young lady, you have a good eye!"

An elderly voice suddenly came from behind them.

They turned around to see a hunched old man approaching.

"The name of this painting is 'Leisurely Angel.' As the young lady said, it's not a famous piece."

The old man stood in front of the painting, "But although it's not famous, I really like the warm brushstrokes and the sense of transparency it conveys."

"You really know your art, sir!"

Sonoko remarked, feeling a sense of familiarity with the old man's assessment, and asked, "Are you an art critic?"

"Young lady, I'm not an art critic."

The old man chuckled, narrowing his eyes, and introduced himself, "I'm the curator of this museum. My name is Ochiai."

"So you're the curator. No wonder you know so much."

Sonoko said, suddenly understanding.

"There's hardly anyone here, as usual."

A disdainful voice came from not far away.

They turned to see a middle-aged man with a protruding belly in a white suit walking over, criticizing as he walked, "These are just junk!"

"Ochiai, what are you doing here?!"

"It's my museum in ten days anyway. What's it to you?"

The man's tone was infuriating.

But his annoying comments didn't stop there; he turned to a young man beside him and shouted, "Designer, show them the design plans."

Ochiai's whole demeanor darkened, and his gaze towards the portly man turned murderous.

Noticing the tension, Fujino stepped forward and patted Ochiai's shoulder.

Ochiai understood and nodded.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, he sternly addressed the man, "Mr. Manaka, I remember we agreed when signing the contract that the museum would not be used for any other purpose!"

"Haha."

The man sneered, "It'll be mine soon anyway. A little breach of contract fine won't bother me."

"If that's the case, then I won't let you take the museum so easily!"

Ochiai's tone became resolute, "Mr. Manaka, if you want to breach the contract, we'll see you in court. I'm ready to find a lawyer to sue you!"

"Go ahead and sue!"

Manaka's face showed a hint of guilt, but he raised his voice to cover it, "Without my acquisition, this rundown museum is doomed to close!"

"That's none of your concern, Mr. Manaka!"

Despite his age, Ochiai's eyes flashed with sharpness.

Seeing Ochiai's demeanor, Fujino couldn't help but be impressed.

To support such a large museum and attract investment single-handedly...

Even in his old age, to have the strength that made Fujino feel threatened...

This old man must have been quite something in his youth.

After the portly middle-aged man left, Ran, who had overheard the conversation, curiously asked Ochiai, "Is this museum really going to close soon?"

"Yes..."

Ochiai nodded, "The recent economic downturn in Japan caused the company that originally invested in the museum to go bankrupt... then Mr. Manaka came in saying he wanted to buy the museum..."

"He promised to keep the museum running, but after the contract was signed, he went back on his word and wants to turn it into a big restaurant."

Ran spoke with a tone of reproach, "That man is really awful!"

Sonoko also glared at Manaka's back with disgust, indignantly saying, "I can't stand those fat, arrogant bosses who bully others!"

"There's nothing that can be done..."

Ochiai sighed sadly, "The contract is signed, and there's no turning back now... I'm trying to find a reliable lawyer to fight him in court, but I haven't found one yet."

"By the way, isn't Ran's mom a lawyer?"

(End of Chapter)