Chapter 29: The Wealthy Sisters (Tuesday Request for Follows, 25k1)

Early the next morning… or rather, around noon.

Fujino was still deep in sleep when the shrill ringing of a phone abruptly woke him up.

"Who the heck is it…"

He sighed as he picked up the call.

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

It was Sonoko's voice on the other end.

"Didn't we already resolve that yesterday…"

"What do you mean resolve?"

Sonoko sounded confused. "Didn't we agree yesterday that today's a holiday and we'd all go visit the Medieval Art Museum together to check out that wandering suit of armor?"

Fujino finally came back to his senses. "Ah… that's what this is about…"

"You didn't forget, did you, senpai?"

Sonoko asked suspiciously.

"Of course not!"

Fujino quickly sat up from his bed.

Clearing his throat, he added, "I was just about to head out, actually. And since Ran lives right across from me… want me to pick you up on the way?"

"You already have a driver's license, senpai?!"

"Of course I do!"

Fujino couldn't help but complain, "Did you forget? I usually commute by driving."

In Japan, you could get a driver's license after turning eighteen, but the examination process was pretty strict…

Luckily, the original Fujino was fairly skilled—he'd gotten his car license right after turning eighteen and had even earned a motorcycle license at sixteen.

"That's amazing!"

Sonoko's tone carried a hint of admiration. "In that case, I won't bother asking my family's chauffeur to take me today…"

"Chauffeur…"

Fujino's eyes went dead for a second.

As expected of the young lady of the Suzuki family…

After hanging up the phone, Fujino quickly washed up, picked up Ran (while Conan gave him resentful looks), and headed toward Sonoko's home.

"Rich people really do live differently…"

Fujino stopped the car and looked at the luxurious villa before him, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

The Suzuki family's wealth… was beyond imagination.

"Fujino-senpai! Over here!"

At that moment, Sonoko came running out the door, dressed casually, waving enthusiastically and calling out to him.

Is this really how a rich young lady is supposed to act?

Fujino frowned slightly at Sonoko's reckless behavior.

"Sonoko, try to be more ladylike!"

A calm, refined voice drifted from the villa. Another girl stepped out from inside.

She wore a long dress, her eyes slightly narrowed, her demeanor dignified and composed—a stark contrast to Sonoko's lively demeanor.

It was none other than Suzuki Ayako.

Fujino stared at Ayako, his mind briefly wandering.

These two are really sisters? Doesn't feel like it at all…

"Got it, Sis!"

Already standing by Fujino's car, Sonoko turned her head and chuckled, scratching the back of her head awkwardly.

"And this is…?"

"You probably haven't met yet, senpai…"

Sonoko finally realized something and introduced her, "This is my older sister—Ayako!"

"This gentleman… I suppose I'll have to trouble you to take care of my younger sister."

Ayako approached Fujino's car window and gave a slight, graceful bow.

"What are you talking about, Sis? Fujino-senpai is my classmate! Sure, he's a year older, but he's still a high schooler."

Sonoko reminded her hastily.

"Is that so?"

Ayako covered her mouth in surprise, a hint of apology in her voice. "I'm terribly sorry… I thought…"

"It's fine."

Fujino shook his head. "People often mistake me for older at first glance…"

Then, he introduced himself politely, "My name is Fujino Tōji. I'm a detective—and currently Sonoko's classmate."

"Then I'll leave Sonoko in your care, Fujino-kun."

Ayako smiled softly and nodded.

"Hehe…"

Just then, Sonoko seemed to think of something mischievous again.

After getting into the car and sitting next to Ran, she leaned forward and whispered to Fujino, "My sister's twenty-four this year… in grad school… Oh, and by the way—she's single."

"Sonoko!"

Hearing that, Ayako's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she complained to Sonoko.

"Fujino-senpai, drive!"

…

Medieval Art Museum, Sky Exhibition Room.

"Wow! These paintings are so beautiful!"

Ran looked at the oil paintings hanging on the walls and couldn't help but exclaim loudly.

"I think this one is probably by Picasso…"

Sonoko glanced at the artwork on the wall. Though she wasn't particularly interested in paintings, she still casually said, "But it's not one of his famous works."

"Young lady, you have quite the discerning eye!"

At that moment, an elderly voice suddenly came from behind them.

They turned their heads and saw an elderly man with a stooped posture slowly approaching.

"This painting is called Leisurely Angel. Just as this young lady said, it's not a particularly well-known piece."

Ochiai walked up to the painting. "Although it's not famous, I love its warm brushstrokes and the sense of transparency it conveys."

"Looks like you know your art, old man!"

Sonoko felt that his evaluation sounded familiar and remarked with admiration. Then she asked curiously, "Old man, are you perhaps an art critic?"

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

Ochiai chuckled softly, squinting his eyes as he introduced himself, "I'm the curator of this museum. My surname is Ochiai."

"Oh, so you're the curator! No wonder you know so much."

Sonoko suddenly understood.

"As usual, not many visitors here…"

At that moment, an unpleasant voice came from nearby.

They turned their heads and saw a pot-bellied middle-aged man in a white suit striding toward them.

As he walked, he muttered complaints under his breath, "What is this junk? Looks like nothing but garbage."

"Manaka! What are you doing here?!"

"Anyway, this museum will be mine in ten days. What, are you going to stop me?"

The man's tone was infuriating.

But that wasn't the end of his offensive remarks. He barked at the young man beside him, "Designer! Hurry up and show me the blueprints!"

Hearing this, the atmosphere around Director Ochiai instantly turned dark, and a cold, murderous glint appeared in his eyes as he glared at the overweight man.

Seeing that something was off, Fujino frowned.

He stepped forward and lightly patted Ochiai on the shoulder.

Ochiai understood immediately and gave a slight nod.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he looked at the man and spoke in a deep voice, "Mr. Manaka, I distinctly remember that when we signed the contract, it was stipulated that the museum could not be used for other purposes!"

"Heh."

Manaka let out a contemptuous laugh. "So what? It's going to be mine anyway. At worst, I'll pay you the penalty for breach of contract."

"If that's how it's going to be, then I'm afraid I can't hand over this museum to you so easily!"

The aged but determined Ochiai straightened his posture and spoke firmly, "Since you're planning to break the contract, we'll take this matter to court. I've already prepared to hire a lawyer to sue you!"

"Then go ahead and sue!"

Manaka frowned upon hearing this, his voice rising as if trying to cover his guilt, "Without my acquisition, this crappy museum is doomed anyway!"

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

Though elderly, Ochiai's gaze was sharp and unwavering.

Looking at Ochiai at that moment, Fujino couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

For someone to single-handedly manage a museum of this scale and attract investment…

Even in his old age, he still had a fighting spirit that Fujino found formidable.

This old man… must have been something extraordinary in his younger days.

After the pot-bellied middle-aged man finally left, Ran, who had overheard their argument, curiously asked Director Ochiai, "Is this museum going to close down soon?"

"Unfortunately… yes."

Ochiai nodded bitterly. "With Japan's economy in a slump lately, the company that originally invested in this museum went bankrupt… Afterward, Mr. Manaka said he wanted to acquire the museum…"

"He promised to continue operating it as a museum, but after the acquisition contract was finalized, he broke his word and said he wanted to turn it into a restaurant."

Ran's voice carried a hint of reproach, "That's awful of him!"

Sonoko also glared at Manaka's departing figure with disgust, indignantly exclaiming, "I can't stand fat-cat businessmen who like to bully others with their power!"

"There's nothing I can do about it…"

Ochiai sighed with frustration. "The contract's already signed; there's no going back now… I'm trying to find a trustworthy lawyer to take him to court, but I haven't found one yet."

"Wait, isn't Ran's mom a lawyer?"

(End of this chapter