It wasn't that he was targeting Conan, but rather that Conan was the most suitable candidate.

He and Ai Haibara definitely won't work out.

Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta are all real children, so they can't be allowed to go.

That leaves only Conan, right?

Just kidding.

Although it was a bit crowded, it wasn't so crowded that you couldn't sit down.

He and Ai sat in the passenger seat; there was enough space.

However, since Professor Agasa, Fusae, and the others need to sit in the back, although they can squeeze in, the riding experience is really not good.

So, Kōyū and Ai gave up the passenger seat.

They prepared to walk back.

Anyway, Teitan Elementary School isn't far from Professor Agasa's house.

I have to walk there every day to and from school, so I just treat it as a walk and I can also buy some groceries while I'm at it.

After everyone else boarded the car, Conan, on behalf of everyone, said goodbye to the two:

"Then we'll be going now."

"Okay." Kwang-yu nodded in agreement.

After a brief farewell, the car slowly started moving, and Guangyou and Xiao Ai watched everyone leave.

After everyone left, Kōyū immediately took Ai's hand.

Ai glanced down at it, her lips curving slightly upwards before she quickly regained her composure.

“Let’s go then,” Kōyū said to Ai. “Let’s go buy some groceries. I’ll cook a big meal tonight to celebrate.”

"Okay." Ai nodded in agreement.

Walking hand in hand with Ai on this path, Kōyū said:

"I guess the PhD student is finally out of the single life, right?"

"Although it's not decided yet, it's almost done."

"However, to be fair, when Fusa and the Doctor stand together, you really can't tell that they are from the same era."

"They're practically like father and daughter."

“It’s not that you can tell,” Ai Haibara agreed.

The two are 52 and 49 years old, respectively, a difference of two years.

But judging by appearances alone, they look at least ten years apart.

"As long as they both feel it's a good match, that's fine." Guangyou didn't think there was any question of whether they were a good match or not; as long as they both felt it was a good match, that was enough.

"I feel like you want to say something." Ai keenly sensed that Kousuke seemed to have something he wasn't saying.

"Really?" Guangyou shook his head in denial. "That's not true."

"Really?" Ai asked again.

"Really," Guangyou nodded in reply.

"Alright then." Ai didn't ask any more questions.

The decisiveness with which he gave up asking questions gave Guangyou a sense of familiarity.

"Actually, it's just a very small thing."

After clearing his throat, Kōyū asked Ai:

"Look, even the professor is no longer single. Fusa will probably move in in a year or two."

"So, when are you moving out?"

"Move out?" Ai gave Kousuke a meaningful look.

"I was just asking casually." Kwang-yu tried to keep a calm expression.

"Wait a little longer..." Ai didn't finish her sentence.

It feels like stopping halfway through a sentence, like having food stuck in your throat—you can't get it out, and you can't swallow it down.

"What are we waiting for?" Guangyou asked her.

But Ai didn't respond.

She glanced at Guangyou, then let go of his hand, put her hands behind her back, and continued walking forward.

...