Chapter 79: The Chocolate Problem

"I don't look fat?"

Kogoro gave his daughter a strange look. "You're just growing up. How could that be considered fat?"

From his perspective, Ran wasn't fat at all. Her body had simply matured earlier than most girls her age, similar to what happened with her mother.

"I remember Eri was the same way," he recalled. "Her second growth spurt happened when she was in her third year of high school. It drove all the guys around her crazy with envy."

Thinking back, Kogoro felt a bit proud. He and Eri had started dating before they even graduated and had met each other's parents right after. Even now, he could vividly remember the jealous looks on his friends' faces.

Click!

"Ahaha~ So Dad is really proud of Mom."

The sound of a camera shutter pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned his head just in time to see Ran pointing her phone at him, a sly smile on her face.

"If you don't want me showing Mom what you just said, you better get her a gift for Valentine's Day."

"You…"

Kogoro looked at his daughter, feeling like he was staring at a mischievous little devil dancing in front of him.

He was done for. This was going to cost him.

He hadn't even noticed how much of a schemer his daughter had become since moving out. Before, she had been his precious little girl, but now it felt like his "little cotton-padded jacket" was full of holes.

Still, considering all the men hovering around Eri lately, it was probably best to play it safe. He'd lose his mind if Ran's warning actually came true.

Click!

Just as Ran was feeling triumphant, the sound of the door opening behind her made her turn.

Standing there was a small boy with a schoolbag, a red bow tie, and black-framed glasses.

Ran's smile immediately disappeared.

"Dad, I'm going to the kitchen."

Without another word, she turned and left.

Kogoro sighed, rubbing his temples before looking at the boy at the door.

"Kid, this isn't your fault. It's your brother's."

He knew Conan was unlucky. The problem was that he looked exactly like Shinichi did when he was a child.

"It's only been a few days. She won't be able to accept it easily."

"…I know, Uncle."

Conan wasn't surprised. If Ran could accept him so easily, she wouldn't have moved out in the first place.

If he were just Edogawa Conan, he might have felt a bit wronged.

But he wasn't. He was also Kudo Shinichi.

Ran's biggest problem with him was that he reminded her too much of her childhood friend.

After all, they were the same person. Unless he got plastic surgery, there was no way to change that.

For now, all he could do was wait and hope Ran would move past it soon.

"How are you adjusting to school?"

"I'm still not used to it," Conan admitted.

He might look like a kid, but mentally, he was still a high school student. Trying to fit in with a bunch of childish elementary schoolers wasn't easy.

"It'll get better. You just came back from abroad, so it makes sense that you're not used to things yet. Besides, your dad said you've been through a lot, so you're more mature than most kids your age."

Kogoro didn't treat Conan like a typical child. The kid was obviously sharp more mature and intelligent than most.

Not to mention, he was exactly like Shinichi.

Kogoro had to admit, this kid had a sharp eye and a good head on his shoulders. Thanks to him, they had solved a few cases together.

Still, he now understood why Kudo Yusaku and Yukiko had dumped the kid on him.

He had a habit of running straight into danger just like Shinichi.

This boy needed some discipline, or at the very least, a sense of self-preservation.

"I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but listen up. Your parents left you with me to take care of you, and I don't want you ending up like Kudo. Got it?"

"…I got it, Uncle."

Conan nodded, but whether he actually listened was another matter.

Kogoro didn't press the issue. Changing someone's habits wasn't something that happened overnight.

Over time, he'd make sure this kid understood just how dangerous detective work could be. A real detective didn't just chase after cases blindly.

"By the way, Uncle… why did Sister Ran come home today?"

"What else? To give me advice on how to live my life."

Figures.

Thinking about the state of Mouri Kogoro's apartment, Conan wasn't surprised that Ran came back to check on him. If she didn't come home often, the place would probably turn into a garbage dump.

"And also… something about Valentine's Day."

Kogoro muttered, "Seems like she's planning to make chocolates for someone."

Conan froze.

His entire body tensed at those words.

He knew exactly what it meant for a girl to give chocolates on Valentine's Day.

…No way.

Ran had just learned about his death. She was still grieving.

There was no way she had moved on so quickly.

Taking a deep breath, Conan forced himself to calm down.

Logically speaking, Ran was probably just giving chocolates as a friendly gesture.

Still… he couldn't help but be curious.

Who was she planning to give them to?

Unfortunately, with Ran avoiding him so much lately, gathering information had become difficult.

To make matters worse, his real identity as Kudo Shinichi was officially dead.

In order to keep his transformation into a child a secret, he had erased all traces of his old self.

Which meant…

There was no way to just call her and ask.

After all, what kind of dead person could pick up the phone and ask his childhood sweetheart who she was making chocolates for?

***

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