Chapter 117 He really wasn't angry at all...

Yet again, during what should have been lunchtime, he unfortunately stumbled upon a sudden case. After enthusiastically teaming up with Akashi Teru to catch the real culprit, he then completed a lengthy statement with Inspector Megure. By the time the excitement of solving the case gradually subsided, time had already slipped away, and Conan Edogawa felt his stomach was completely empty, with a clear, gurgling sound of protest.

Morofushi Kagemitsu wasn't much better off. Although he was a specially trained adult who could withstand hunger better than Conan, who was still growing, his spirits were visibly weary.

Morofushi Hiromitsu stared blankly: Is there really such a thing as an accident-prone constitution? Have he encountered a lot of cases since he met Conan?

"Brother Akashi, shall we find a place to eat first? Anywhere is fine!"

Conan Edogawa had no idea what Morofushi Kagemitsu was thinking. He simply raised his hand and tugged at Morofushi Kagemitsu's sleeve, his voice weak and listless.

He looked as wilted as a blade of grass exposed to the scorching sun.

He had been so engrossed in the case that his excitement had blinded him to his physical needs. Now that the case was solved and his senses were back at work, the previously ignored hunger surged back like a tidal wave, and he finally understood what it meant to be starving.

Spiritual nourishment can never replace real food; the little detective felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Morofushi Kagemitsu glanced around, then looked at the dejected little detective, and nodded: "Alright, there's a nice-looking restaurant right next door."

He led Conan Edogawa a few steps, then casually pushed open the glass door of the restaurant next door and walked into the restaurant, which had a quiet and elegant atmosphere.

The waiter led them to seats by the window.

Just as they were crossing the restaurant lobby, Conan caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye—

Sitting in a private booth near the restaurant terrace, facing away from them, was a person with short black hair and a pair of exceptionally clear blue eyes that looked even indoors. His appearance and temperament were outstanding. That seemed to be... wait, Nekono-nii?

Conan tilted his head in confusion. What was Nekono-nii doing here?

Before he could decide whether to go over and say hello, Conan's gaze shifted slightly and landed on the person sitting opposite Nekono Ikuya.

Light blonde hair, dark skin, and a strikingly handsome profile that stands out even under dim, warm lighting.

——Toru Amuro? !

Conan suddenly stopped in his tracks. This suspicious waiter who had inexplicably bothered him hadn't been around for a while, and Conan even secretly wondered if the waiter had finally left Beika Town. At that moment, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

So... he didn't leave? The young detective had a very bad feeling.

Nekono-nii wasn't in Beika Town before, and this suspicious waiter also happens to be absent... Could it be that the other person went to get close to Nekono-nii?

What made Conan's eyes widen slightly was that Amuro Tooru was looking at Nekono Ikuya with a smile, his purplish-gray eyes focused and gentle, while Nekono Ikuya lowered his eyes slightly and calmly picked up a napkin with his slender fingers.

...

Under the warm yellow light and with the melodious jazz music playing, Rei Furuya was talking to Ikuya Nekono.

Under the restaurant's soft lighting, the meal was nearing its end. Rei Furuya raised his glass and took a small sip of wine, his purplish-grey eyes appearing deep and gentle in the lamplight.

He glanced at Nekono Ikuya across from him, who was gently fiddling with the rim of his glass with his fingertips but hadn't taken a sip (Nekono Ikuya smiled enigmatically: Drinking? Me? You know perfectly well how I react to alcohol and you still deliberately order me drinks, hmm, do you want to see me pass out? I think you're a pretty cunning police chief!), and suddenly, as if remembering something, a sly glint flashed in his eyes.

“By the way,” he said casually, speaking in a low voice, as if sharing something amusing, “the government will be happy to reimburse me for today’s date expenses, and for our dates afterward.”

He winked playfully at his purplish-gray eyes, looking very happy: "I even deliberately inflated the amount under various pretexts."

Publicly funded dating! This is publicly funded dating! Do you even know the joy of publicly funded dating?!

Upon hearing this, Nekono Ikuya's fingers, which were fiddling with his wine glass, paused. He raised his eyes, his emerald green cat eyes widening slightly before curving into a mischievous arc.

An upright police officer like Jiang Guling would not be willing to misuse police funds, so the only party that could reimburse him is the organization.

It was a bit funny to see him using organization funds for a date.

Sherry's disappearance is a major event for the organization, especially now that the organization has just received some investments, and the chief scientist has mysteriously disappeared.

Her disappearance didn't seem like an official operation. The man had already prepared for the worst, that Sherry was dead. On one hand, he relentlessly sent Vermouth and others to continue searching for Sherry, and on the other hand, he remembered his previous blunder and increased his support for Bourbon in winning over Nekono Ikuya.

Winning over Nekono Ikuya alone could influence the combined forces of Nekono, Cecil, and even Sootome.

"Eh—?" Nekono Ikuya deliberately dragged out her words, leaning forward slightly and lowering her voice, which carried a hint of incredulous mockery. "So, the organization reimburses dating expenses too?"

This must be an exception. Could it be that the organization specially approved honey trap funding for Bourbon?

Honestly, it's kind of funny considering that Ikuya Nekono and Rei Furuya were already lovers.

"And you even deliberately inflated the figures under various pretexts..." Nekono Yuuya curled her lips into a smile, her emerald cat eyes flashing with mischievous light, and teased, "Wouldn't you call this using your position for personal gain and lining your own pocket?"

Although the fake report was officially issued by the organization, 80% of the overreported amount was returned to the police for private settlement.

Haha, that makes it even funnier.

"How can that be considered?" Furuya Rei said without changing his expression, looking back at Nekono Ikuya as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He spoke with such seriousness, as if stating the truth, but with a sly glint in his eyes, “This is clearly a necessary investment for a honey trap. Stingy guys can’t achieve anything great.”

Surely the organization isn't naive enough to think that a bowl of plain porridge can win over someone who's been raised in luxury? The warmth of plain porridge is necessary, but it can't just be plain porridge.

Since the premise that Nekono Ikuya was being targeted by the organization could not be changed, Bourbon could only vent his anger by fleecing her.

"Moreover," Furuya paused, his smile widening, his eyes revealing a genuine sincerity, "it feels really good to be able to go on a date with Yuya so openly and honestly."

Especially since it was the organization's money that was spent.

Although they had previously used various disguises to meet by chance quite a few times.

I don't know why, but many of Nekono Ikuya's disguises unintentionally get her involved in the organization's conspiracies; it's a truly tragic fate.

As Nekono Yuuya gazed into Furuya Rei's bright purplish-gray eyes, a sudden thought struck her.

He suddenly picked up the napkin on the table, his fingers deftly flipping and folding it, his movements unhurried and rhythmic.

Rei Furuya's speech gradually slowed down, and his gaze was involuntarily drawn to those hands that seemed to be casting a spell.

"What are you doing?" Furuya Rei asked curiously.

Nekono Ikuya smiled but remained silent, continuing with her actions.

The soft napkin seemed to come alive under his fingertips; with a few pinches and a pull, a lifelike napkin rose quietly bloomed in his palm.

With a smile in her blue eyes, Nekono Yuuya slowly adjusted the curve of the petals with her fingertips, gently pinching the stem and pushing this unique rose towards Furuya Rei.

I received one this morning, and now... I suddenly want to give you one in return.

Nekono Ikuya's voice carried a faint smile. He rested his chin on one hand, and his emerald eyes rippled with a tranquil and moving light under the warm lamplight and the deepening night outside the window, like a pool of spring water, as he quietly looked at Furuya Rei.

His words were not deliberately sentimental; his tone was calm, and he simply stated them naturally, as if he were stating a very simple fact.

There was no particular reason, nor was it due to a surge of competitiveness.

Just at such a moment, with soft lighting, gentle music, and your beloved sitting across from you.

I suddenly had this thought, and then I suddenly did it.

"Oh, that's only natural." Nekono Ikumi blinked her emerald eyes, her mood bright.

Rei Furuya paused slightly, looking at the exquisite napkin rose in front of him, then at his lover's smiling eyes across from him, his heart felt as if it were being gently brushed by the softest feather.

He picked up the rose, his fingertips tracing its delicate folds, and a gentle, bright light shone in his purplish-grey eyes.

“Really…” he chuckled softly, shook his head, his tone filled with undisguised affection, “…damn romance.”

When it comes to creating romance, Yuya is simply gifted. This damn, heart-fluttering romance.

Nekono Ikuya smiled and smiled, "Likewise."

...

Conan Edogawa was somewhat stunned.

Perhaps it was because the atmosphere was so pleasant, or perhaps it was because the smiles were so genuine. For some reason, his inexplicable wariness towards Amuro Tooru lessened somewhat.

Perhaps this suspicious waiter's previous approach to Nekono-nii wasn't malicious, but... well, he just simply wanted to pursue Nekono-nii? Conan hesitated.

Dating? Have they already taken the step of dating?

"……Oh."

Conan Edogawa stopped in his tracks, staring blankly in one direction. Morofushi Kagemitsu naturally followed his gaze.

Upon seeing this, he became furious.

It's hardened; its fists have hardened.

The surrounding air suddenly turned cold, as if a faint resentment was approaching, and Conan inexplicably shivered.

"?" Conan subconsciously turned to look at Akashi Teru beside him.

Akashi Teru was also looking in that direction, his gentle smile completely gone, replaced by a deep resentment. His emotions were difficult to discern.

Conan: Akashi-nii is suddenly so scary!

"Akishi-nii-san? What's wrong?" Conan called out timidly in a low voice.

Akashi Teru took a slow breath, then spoke softly in a tone so calm it was almost imperceptible:

"nothing."

He paused, then a smile that could only be described as "nuclear-skinned" appeared on his face very slowly as he added:

"After a long day of work, solving cases and taking statements, to see such a warm, beautiful, and wonderful scene at the end is truly..."

Zhu Fujingguang's face was shrouded in dark aura: "That's... great!"

He really wasn't angry at all!

Conan Edogawa silently took a step back.

Uh, he felt that Akashi-nii-san wasn't really that good.