Ke Ai: Growing up with Xiao Ai

Chapter 18: "To become the main character, you must have obvious characteristics, such as liking strawberry toast and hating mice! The main character seems to be a bit bland lately!What do you think, Mr. Youkai?"

On a cold January day, there are snowflakes floating outside, and it is white. There were very few pedestrians, and half of the day had passed.

As usual, Gray Yuan and I sat and relaxed in the Maori Detective Agency.

"Hey, by the way, my sister is dating today, right? Where's the lady again?"

But maybe it's a date, who knows

?" "Is it okay for her to be out alone?"

"The old man is not at home, and of course I won't let her go out alone." However, where did the doctor go today?"

"With Miss Sakie, I originally said that I would come back in the evening, but it turned out to be a trip that I came back in the evening, and told me not to worry about her. "

I'm reading mystery novels in the living room, and Gray is in the kitchen fiddling with snacks.

"It smells so good. What are you doing?"

"I'll give you something to eat later, just wait a minute. "

“...... Am I like a child?"

"Well, I don't deny that. This is true both on the outside and on the inside. That's

when the phone rang.

"Hey, Mr. Maori.

"Oh, little Maori-kun? It's me, in front of the bed. It's been a long time, are you okay?Is Mr. Kogoro here?

"The old man is on a business trip today, what's the matter?"

"Oh, it's okay, I just want to hear your voice." Goodbye. "

The voice was vibrant, and it was rough. I can't help but think of the flamboyant woman who asked the old man to be a bodyguard before.

"This lady has a very rich voice. "

Gray Plains came from inside. The volume of the phone is set quite high, so the sound can still be heard despite the distance. Lan once said: "Otherwise, if a woman calls her father, she may be fooled by him."

"By the way, you're saying, 'Hey, Mr. Maori here'. And the other party also calls you 'Little Maori-kun'. "

Huh?"

Suddenly, I made a somewhat silly sound.

"Hey, how long are you going to stay in the detective agency?" "How long are you going to stay?"

"

No, I mean, why are you still living in a Maori detective agency?"

First of all, although I already have a girlfriend, it's really a bit strange to live with a friend from my childhood.

"You can live at Kudo's house by yourself, or even come to our house (Akasa's house)

......" "No, there is a ...... There's a reason. I don't think I told you...... "

After destroying the Dark Order, I considered leaving the detective agency because I thought it would give me better information about those guys. However, at that time, I was already doomed to not be able to return to Kudo Shinichi's identity. After all, a child in the second grade of elementary school lives alone, and Lan will definitely not agree. Although Edogawa Mint disguised himself as Edogawa Fumiyo to pick me up, and could also consider going overseas, I didn't want to leave Japan and I didn't want to leave Ran's side.

"Oh, there's someone next to my sister? A

voice came from the kitchen, and although the face was not visible, it sounded less angry than teasing.

"Shut up, Barrow. And

the trigger happened a year later, just after Lan revealed my true identity.

That's right, after that, the obstacles to my living alone have disappeared.

Of course, I can choose to go abroad, but I don't want to leave Japan and leave Ashbara's side.

"What do you always think is convenient?" The

sound of the kitchen was more interesting than it had just been.

「... Barrow.

So I discussed with Ran and decided to ask Yukiko Kudo to help pick me up and take me to Kudo's house and live with her.

Since I was known as a distant relative of Kudo Shinichi, it was said that the house where the Kudo family had no one to live was rented to me by Yusaku, so that the old man was satisfied, and that's what it meant.

"Otherwise, no matter how you think about it, you will be suspected by the old man.

"'Even if, no matter how you think about it'... Are you laughing at me, too?"

...... a few days later

"So husband, Kogoro-kun, thank you very much for taking care of Brother Conan.

Yukiko Kudo comes to visit the detective agency.

"Oh, it's okay. But the last man you lived alone, it was enough.

"There's Dr. Asa next door, so it's okay. You can't keep causing trouble for Kogoro-kun, can you?"

"Exactly. This guy is causing me a lot of trouble. "

Where's the addition..."

Mother told the old man the reason Lan and I had come up with as her own.

The old man was my high school classmate, so he quickly discussed it.

"So, when are you moving?" he

asked me after my mother left.

"I'll move out this weekend. Thank you, uncle, for all this time.

"Barrow. It's finally time to be free.

"It's done. Ash

brought lemon pie from the kitchen.

"Oh! it looks delicious. How do you know this is my favorite?"

"Oh, I know everything about you. ... Just kidding. My sister told me. I also taught her how to do it.

"Let me see—"

I said, taking a bite and being surprised.

「... It's delicious.

"Oh, really? Sure enough, it's my sister's recipe.

"It's not... How to say it... It's better than what the predecessors made and what Lan made. That's amazing, Ashbara.

That's true. Lemon pie is really my favorite, I've tried many people to make it, but this one is really the best I think.

「... Really?"

"yes. My tongue doesn't lie!"

"That's... I'm so happy. After

the mother left, in the evening.

Lan came back directly after taking college classes, and I sat at the dinner table with the old man.

"That's right... Reach... Conan-kun, you're really moving out. I can't help it, but it's still a little lonely. No

way. This is probably the real feeling of knowing that I am Shinichi Kudo Goran.

"Well, home is close, and it's okay to show your face once in a while. But don't come too often, it will be annoying.

"Don't say that, Dad!"

"Oh, don't be angry, it's just talking. Anyway

, after dinner, Lan said she was going to sort out the college research reports she was going to hand in, and then went to her room.

"Alright then, it's time for me to go to bed too. There is no Yoko-chan show today, and there is an investigation to deal with tomorrow. "

Dad, it's so early, it's only 10 o'clock. "

Less verbose. That's not bad once in a while, right? Don't stay up late. "

“...... Hey, you say it's delicious, but if you eat so much in one sitting, you'll become like Kojima-kun. "

No, it's really delicious.

"If you get fat, eat the same thing as the Doctor, and it's better not to forget. "

It's past 1 o'clock in the middle of the night.

I woke up and heard someone talking.

Lan was busy studying alone, and his father should have slept. Is it a thief?, I cautiously walked in the direction from which the voice came.

"Ah, yes..."

I opened the door slightly, peeking into the room...

"Sorry for being so late. "

It's Dad.

Dad seems to be talking to someone on the phone, so why are you sneaking around at this time?

Although I feel inappropriate, I can't help but prick up my ears and listen.

"No problem, but Conan-kun lives alone...... "From

the phone in this house, the voice is quite loud. The other person's voice can also be heard clearly.

It's the mother's concubine, the wife of the father's separation.

"As I said, you'll have a lot easier when I leave. "

Did you say ......?"

"But when I really left, I suddenly felt so lonely."

"Oh, that's true.

"I feel that after Conan-kun came, I could unload a lot of baggage in front of him. "

Well, after Conan-kun came, the fifth child was called 'Sleeping Kogoro' by the world.

"It's not just that. Before Conan came, I had been an incompetent father to Ran. There is almost no experience of taking Ran out on a trip, or going out with her.

"That's right.

"Thanks to Conan, I took a fresh look at myself. After all, he was a schoolboy. The ugly image of a family master can't be shown, right?"

"Yes, he takes the role of you, the father.

Dad's voice gradually increased.

"Fishing, outings, traveling, playing mahjong, and even working detective work together. Conan seems to have some similarities with me. The

mother's voice grew clearer and clearer.

"Yes, speaking of... Sometimes the expressions, the way you speak, and even the actions are very similar to you... Is he your illegitimate son?"

... But, Yingli. Conan already feels like a real son to me. "

You......

"Of course, I know it's different. Someday I'll leave this home, and I know that. It's supposed to be... But... "

You... Are you crying?"

Suddenly I felt very lonely. It's like saying goodbye to your real son. When

I heard those words, my heart warmed.

Dad probably always thought I was a troublesome kid, I always thought so.

I didn't expect him to think that, and I'm so happy.

"Is Shinichi crying too?"

I asked in a whisper as I suddenly noticed Ran standing behind me.

"Barlow, I didn't cry. "

"... Hey, Shinichi. So, will you still be in this home in the future?"

"Hmmm...?" "

Because, it's the first time I've seen a dad who looks very lonely like this. "

Daddy... "

Yes, and then...

Gray Yuan nodded in agreement.

"Yes, after that, I asked my mom again for help to cancel my plans to live alone. "

Is the Maori detective happy?"

"Barlow, Dad is never so honest. ... But, Lan said, while he looks unhappy, he is actually very happy.

"Oh, that's right, that sounds good. "

Yes... Shinichi Kudo's biological father is Yusaku Kudo, but Conan Edogawa's biological father is Kogoro Mori. This can be said explicitly. "

Well, me too, now my biological parents only have one doctor... In other words, I see PhDs as biological parents.

"We're so lucky. "

In the end, the two of us finished the whole lemon pie while chatting. What if I really became like Motota...

"If you think it's so delicious, I can always make it for you again. "

Oh, thank you. But is it really made according to the recipe? Does it feel like there's something special added

to it?" "Yes, because I made it for you." It's full of love. Recently

, Gray Yuan was able to say such embarrassing words so confidently, and he still smiled so calmly.

I blushed instead.

"Well, since we're together, why don't we play games together instead of reading separately?"

"Well, okay. Can you help me with my previous mission?"

"Haven't you cleared the level yet? You're really not good at that. "

It's okay, then, what's going to eat tonight?"

You're still young, and you're still thinking about dinner after eating so much...

"Maybe the old man will take us out to dinner?"

"Barlow, you have to trust my father. A

few hours later.

"Huh, Kogoro, did you just go home?"

"Yes, the investigation is over.

"How about that? Lan also went out just now?"

"I'm sorry, I'm going to restrain myself today. "

What's the matter, you haven't been very sensible lately?"

"Conan is waiting for me at home, and it's likely that Lan is with him as well. "

Oh, Conan-san, you have a girlfriend at such a young age. It's so fast, and the bloodline can't be violated. "

He's my child... No... Well.

"But if that's the case, wouldn't it be better?"

"Barlow, even as a couple, can't leave two children at home and go for a drink. In that case, I'm going to take my two kids out to dinner.

"Oh, I see.

"That's it. Because I'm him... Conan's father. "