**Chapter 71: Encountering a Murder Case While Filming a Show**
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"No problem…"
Fujino looked at Ran and awkwardly responded.
He then turned his gaze to Denshō Yūzō, who had been knocked out cold.
Let's hope he's alright!
Reflecting on it, this was probably the first time Fujino had witnessed Ran subdue a criminal…
To be honest, her level of ferocity was even greater than that of a certain tough woman from Beika.
Never provoke Ran.
Fujino silently vowed to himself.
...
After some time, Ikizawa Yūko and Okiyo Yōko finally sent Fujino a message.
They were scheduled to record the show today.
On the day of the show, it was winter.
Fujino put on his black trench coat for protection.
Before pulling out his motorcycle from the underground garage, he paused to wrap a red scarf around his neck, then donned his black helmet.
As Fujino emerged from the garage on his beloved motorcycle, he saw a green car parked in front of the Mouri residence.
At the moment, Ran and Uncle Mouri were standing at the door, talking with a plump woman by the green sedan…
Soon after, the woman drove off.
Also taken away was Conan, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.
"Ran, was that Conan sitting in the front passenger seat of that car?"
Fujino slowed his motorcycle and asked Ran in confusion.
"Yes!"
Ran looked at the receding car with a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I heard that Conan's parents have been discharged from the hospital, so they came to pick him up…"
"Is that so?"
Fujino turned his gaze to the departing car. "It makes sense; it's indeed a bit awkward for him to stay at a stranger's house."
He then revealed a slightly meaningful smile beneath his helmet.
If he remembered correctly, the person who took Conan away was indeed his mother.
Not a fake mother, but his real mother, Kudo Yukiko.
If memory served him right, the Kudo couple had returned to Japan together this time.
They had disguised themselves as members of the Black Organization, intending to make a deal to persuade him to give up his investigation into the organization and settle down in America.
However, Fujino had no intention of involving himself in this matter.
After all, such personal family affairs were not his concern.
...
That night, backstage at NichiMai TV.
"Yūko? What are you doing here?"
"That's what I should be asking!"
Okiyo Yōko and Ikizawa Yūko exchanged surprised glances.
After a moment, Ikizawa Yūko seemed to notice something and turned her head.
She saw Fujino lounging on a chair, pretending to be idle.
Gazing at Fujino, Ikizawa Yūko's face darkened, and suspicion showed in her eyes. "Detective Fujino, care to explain what's going on here?"
"Ahem."
Seeing he couldn't avoid the issue, Fujino cleared his throat. "Actually, after Miss Yūko called me, Miss Yōko also called me, both inviting me to be on the show."
Ikizawa Yūko frowned. "So, you accepted both of our invitations?"
Fujino nodded, showing a troubled expression. "Honestly, I was in a dilemma, as both of you are my 'friends.' I couldn't refuse either, so I chose the most balanced approach."
"I see. You're after double the commission, aren't you?"
Ikizawa Yūko muttered to herself.
"I didn't expect Yūko to send you an invitation too."
At that moment, Okiyo Yōko, who had been listening, showed a guilty expression. "I'm really sorry for causing you trouble."
"It's okay. Miss Yōko, you meant well," Fujino waved his hand. "If something like this happens again, feel free to contact me. For the sake of 'friends,' I don't mind the trouble!"
Okiyo Yōko nodded. "Alright."
Meanwhile, Ikizawa Yūko, who had witnessed the exchange, was speechless.
Did Yōko really believe Fujino's excuses?
Others might not know his character, but she did.
...
As the filming time approached.
The guest seats for today's show were unusually full.
In addition to the regular host Matsuo Takashi and host assistant Nagai Ayako, there were also Fujino, the invited detective, and special guests Okiyo Yōko and Ikizawa Yūko.
With two popular idols as guests, the filming went smoothly, and the ratings naturally reached a new high.
"Oh dear!"
During the commercial break, the host sitting aside began to groan while holding his stomach.
"Mr. Matsuo, are you okay?"
Host assistant Nagai Ayako asked Matsuo Takashi, who looked pained. "Will we be able to continue the filming?"
"My stomach has been acting up since this morning, but it's okay. I should be able to hold out until the recording is finished."
Saying this, Matsuo Takashi waved his hand and then called over a passing staff member. "By the way, where has Suwa gone? I haven't seen him since this morning."
Suwa was the producer of the show.
He was the one who invited Okiyo Yōko and Ikizawa Yūko to this recording.
However, the staff member informed him that the producer was not currently present.
Upon hearing the name Suwa, Fujino was momentarily puzzled.
Why did the name Suwa sound so familiar…?
Could he be the brother of Suwa Yūji? He should ask about it next time he visits the Konoha Kendo Dojo.
The show continued filming for a while.
Soon, it entered another four-minute commercial break.
Host Matsuo Takashi, apparently having eaten something wrong, finished his brief instructions and left the stage.
"Ding! New detective profession task detected. Please check the details!"
[Detective Profession Task: Live Murder Case
Task Objective: Solve the live murder case
Task Reward: 600,000 yen, 200 detective reputation points
Task Location: NichiMai TV]
Fujino: "?"
When Matsuo Takashi returned to the scene, Fujino's ears picked up a system notification.
Hearing this, Fujino looked at Matsuo Takashi with surprise.
Under Fujino's gaze, Matsuo Takashi appeared flustered but soon regained his composure.
With his method of committing crimes, no one would guess it easily, right?
Fujino examined Matsuo Takashi for a moment and then turned his attention back to the system task interface.
Reflecting on the task of the [Live Murder Case], his mind raced.
No wonder he felt so familiar with "Perspectives of Neon Detectives" and the producer named Suwa.
This was indeed a live murder case.
After the broadcast ended, Producer Suwa Tadahiko remained missing.
Later, his body was discovered in the conference room on the fourth floor.
**(End of Chapter)**