Chapter 025: Teacher Sumiko Is Seduced By Beauty!
Conan's experience was a stark contrast to that of Akashi.
Just yesterday, Conan had been forcibly pinned down by Kogoro, subjected to a relentless barrage of rough handling. His small body had been manhandled so thoroughly, he felt like he'd been rubbed bald.
What's worse, Kogoro's squatting stance while scolding him left an indelible psychological scar—'a true Mōri shadow'!
To add insult to injury, Conan had been forced to share a room with the snoring middle-aged man, resulting in a completely sleepless night.
Meanwhile, Akashi had spent the evening being pampered and cared for by a mature, stunningly beautiful woman.
Two worlds. Two entirely different treatments.
By the next morning, Akashi appeared full of energy, his demeanor composed, his appearance striking and charismatic. Conan, on the other hand, looked utterly worn down, as though a gust of wind might blow him away—a candle struggling in the wind.
---
In the teacher's office, Conan's frustration hit a new peak when Akashi walked in.
The sight of the boy seemed to inject Conan with a burst of energy. His eyes narrowed in determination.
"It's a narrow road for enemies," Conan muttered to himself.
From the very beginning, Conan had found Akashi suspicious. There was something odd about him. How had he managed to get adopted by Eri so easily? And what kind of tricks had he pulled to win over Ran's affection?
To Conan, Akashi's origins were shady and mysterious.
"This guy doesn't seem like a good person," Conan thought, his determination sharpening.
As a high school detective in a child's body, Conan was confident. How hard could it be to deal with a kid like Akashi?
But what Conan didn't realize was that he was about to cross paths with someone far more complex than he could have anticipated.
---
Conan suddenly felt that being at Didan Elementary School was interesting.
But Akashi just feels bored!
"What a waste of time," Akashi lamented internally.
From the moment he stepped into the school, he had begun brainstorming ways to escape. Attending class with a bunch of little kids felt like an insult to his existence.
"Skipping school is a common thing in the world of science," he mused. "Why should I be any different?"
For Akashi, finding a beautiful girl to draw yin energy from was a far better use of his time. After all, this wasn't just for fun—'this was business'. Playing in the mud with brats? That was nothing compared to fulfilling his true purpose.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sharp, rhythmic click of high heels on the floor.
A woman entered the office, her appearance conservative, her hair styled in a strict, old-fashioned way. Thick glasses sat on her face, completing the look of someone deeply serious.
This was Sumiko Kobayashi, the homeroom teacher.
Akashi immediately recognized her. Beneath the unflattering disguise, he knew she was actually quite attractive.
"She's probably just nervous," Akashi thought, recalling that she had only recently started her teaching career. Her exaggeratedly strict appearance was clearly an attempt to assert authority over the children.
Sumiko was a diligent and responsible teacher—Akashi respected that.
---
When Eri, accompanying Akashi, noticed Sumiko, she quickly approached her.
"Kobayashi-sensei, could I have a word with you?" she asked.
The two women stepped aside to have a private conversation, but their glances toward Akashi made it clear who they were discussing.
Though Eri had only been living with Akashi for a few days, she had already noticed his unusual charm. His extraordinary intelligence and striking looks made him stand out far too much, and Eri worried about how this would affect him at school.
She was concerned he might either be bullied by jealous classmates or attract too much attention from the girls.
Eri earnestly requested that Sumiko keep a close eye on Akashi. Being the responsible teacher she was, Sumiko readily agreed.
After much discussion and repeated reminders, Eri finally left, albeit reluctantly.
"Akashi," she called out before leaving, "listen to the teacher and behave at school! I'll come pick you up later."
Akashi simply nodded with a faint smile, his thoughts elsewhere entirely.
---
After a cheerful goodbye, Eri departed briskly, her high heels clicking against the floor.
No sooner had she left than Sumiko leaned in, her curious eyes fixed on Akashi.
"You must be Akashi-kun!" she said warmly.
"My, you're such a handsome boy!"
"Miss Kisaki already informed me—starting today, you need to listen to your teacher."
As she spoke, Sumiko couldn't help herself. Her soft hands reached out, gently patting Akashi's head.
Akashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
'Already making a move?'
He smirked inwardly.
'Does Eri even understand what it means to send a lamb into the lion's den? Leaving a beautiful teacher like this to watch over me—it's like asking a fox to guard the henhouse!'
"Akashi-kun, come with me. I'll introduce you to your new classmates!" Sumiko said, holding his small hand as they walked toward the classroom together.
Akashi followed, a subtle glint in his eyes.
'Hmm… not bad. The system even recognizes her as a source of Yin energy.'
'This Kobayashi-sensei could be quite useful.'
'Now I'm curious to see what she really looks like under this strict persona.'
---
Meanwhile, back in the office, Conan was left in utter disarray, practically blown over by the figurative wind of neglect.
'It's happening again!'
'It's happening again!'
Conan watched incredulously as Sumiko walked off with Akashi without a second glance at him.
'Kobayashi-sensei, have you forgotten something?'
'I'm also a new transfer student!'
Conan clenched his tiny fists in frustration but ultimately had no choice but to trail after them.
When he finally reached Class 1-B and stepped inside, he immediately regretted it.
Every student in the room was fixated on Akashi, who stood at the podium.
Not a single glance was spared for Conan.
The girls in the class all stared at Akashi with starry-eyed admiration, completely captivated. They had transformed into little fangirls on the spot.
Conan, who was used to being the center of attention, felt a surge of irritation.
'This kid is too much!' Conan thought bitterly, glaring at Akashi.
---
Akashi introduced himself briefly and was assigned a seat by Sumiko.
Standing at the podium, Sumiko smiled and addressed the class.
"Akashi-kun is a new transfer student and will be studying with us from now on. You are not to bully him! If I find out anyone dares to cause trouble, they'll have to answer to me!"
She punctuated her warning by brandishing a ruler, slicing it through the air with a sharp 'whoosh'.
The display of authority left the usually unruly students wide-eyed and quiet.
"Alright, let's begin class!" Sumiko declared.
At that moment, Conan froze in disbelief.
'What about me?!'
'I'm here too!'
Unable to hold back, Conan marched forward. Only then did Sumiko seem to notice him.
"Oh, right! There's another new transfer student today!" she said, as if just remembering.
"Uh… what was your name again?"
She furrowed her brow, clearly distracted, her gaze drifting back toward Akashi.
"My name is Conan! Edogawa Conan!" Conan snapped, unable to hide his annoyance.
"Ah, yes, yes—Conan-kun!" Sumiko replied hurriedly.
"The other transfer student is Conan!" she repeated to the class. "Go ahead and sit… um… over there!"
She vaguely gestured toward an empty desk.
Conan sighed in exasperation but chose not to argue. He trudged toward the empty seat, his tiny legs fueled by resentment, and found himself sitting directly behind Akashi.
Akashi, however, paid no attention to him whatsoever.
At that moment, Akashi's focus was entirely on the system interface displayed in his mind.
'Teitan Elementary School…'
'This place is notorious for strange incidents. Maybe this is the perfect spot to get a lucky check-in reward.'
Completely ignoring the sulking Conan, Akashi smiled faintly, his thoughts already drifting toward his next check-in