Mizuo Sosuke had no family. His parents died early and his only brother committed suicide long ago, so his funeral and memorial service were organized by Tanaka Publishing.
With huge financial support, the only remaining remains of Mizuo Sosuke were found. According to his last wishes, he will be buried in the cemetery in his hometown of Ringo Town.
His funeral was very grand. Even though the book "Twilight" caused a lot of trouble for the Japanese government, many government officials still had to hold their noses and publicly express their regret and condolences for the passing of Mizuo Sosuke on social media, unless they didn't want his approval rating to rise this year.
For a time, Mizuo Sosuke became even more famous than before.
Rei Furuya and Conan come to Ringo Town again. This dilapidated town that has long been forgotten by everyone has regained new vitality because of Mizuo Sosuke. Just like Dazai Osamu to Tsugaru, Ringo Town has also become a tourist destination because of Mizuo Sosuke.
Fans from all over the world flocked to the town to visit the childhood home of the great writer. Their arrival brought huge business opportunities to the town, and many residents who had moved out of the town returned to Ringo Town. The local area even held an apple festival to commemorate Mizuo Sosuke, just like the cherry blossom festival held by Dazai Osamu's fans.
This is the third time that Conan and Rei Furuya have come to Ringo Town. Compared to the previous two times when the town was in a state of desolation, the whole town is now thriving.
"Uncle Yotaro, we are here to send Brother Sosuke home." Conan had two big dark circles under his eyes.
Since Mizuo Sosuke passed away, he couldn't sleep or eat well. He kept thinking about how he could save Mizuo Sosuke if he could go back to the past. But after thinking about it, he found that the safest way was the one chosen by Mizuo Sosuke, because if there was a slight mistake, everyone might have died at that time.
This realization made him torn. Mizuo Sosuke's words before his death kept ringing in his ears, and he didn't know how to face Xiaolan. These days, Conan hid back in Kudo's house, quietly thinking about the past and the future.
Yoshikawa Yotaro's image was not much better, with unshaven beard and haggard appearance. "I'm ready, come with me."
He walked in front holding Xiao Huang, while Conan and Furuya Zero followed behind without saying a word.
When they arrived at the cemetery, there was no one there except for a few staff members. Furuya Rei placed the urn in his hand into the coffin and said, "Mr. Mizuo, we are home."
The workers waved shovels and the soil gradually buried the coffin.
The breeze was blowing on my face and the midsummer sun was so hot that it brought tears to my eyes.
Furutani Rei took out the apple pie from the incubator and placed it in front of Mizuo Sosuke's tombstone. Before he came, Miyazaki Ren had Morobushi Kagemitsu specially deliver it to him. "Mr. Mizuo, this is the apple pie that Miyazaki made. I'm sorry it took so long."
Conan took out a few red apples and placed them in front of the tombstone. "Sosuke, these are your favorite apples. I brought them to you."
"Tsk." Yoshikawa Yotaro scratched his hair irritably. "People are dead, so why bother putting so many of them here? They'll just feed the bugs."
He pulled the rope on his hand and scolded, "Xiao Huang, be good and don't eat it."
Little Yellow, who was peeking at Apple Pie, lowered his head after hearing his master's scolding, and occasionally let out a frustrated and flattering hum from his throat.
"This is not a sacrifice to the dead, but a comfort to the living." Furuya Rei didn't care about Yoshikawa Yotaro's cold words. Although they had not been together for a long time, it was enough to see what kind of person he was.
"Uncle Yotaro, Brother Sosuke told me to show off to you. He used all his savings to rebuild Ringo Town. Brother Sosuke said that he has become a real big shot."
"What kind of big shot is this person buried underground? A real big shot should be high up in the sky, calling the shots, not like this cowardly kid, sleeping here without even a complete body."
Conan knew that Yoshikawa Yotaro was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, but his emotions had accumulated to a peak over the past few days. "No, Sosuke-kun is a hero! He saved everyone, you can't say that about him!"
"It's good for a coward to be protected by others. Why do you want to show off?" Yoshikawa Yotaro had a mocking smile on his face, which was more sad than crying. He stroked the tombstone and said, "What's wrong with being a coward for a lifetime? At least I can laugh at myself instead of asking you for help."
"Mr. Yoshikawa, I know you are also sad, but at least don't say this here. Mr. Mizuo will be angry if he hears it." Furugaya Rei clenched and unclenched his fists, and finally spoke.
Yoshikawa Yotaro let go of the dog leash, but Xiao Huang continued to rub his head against his calves instead of rushing to the apple pie he had been salivating over. "If he is so angry, why not just get up and scold me? Isn't he very powerful and good at talking? Why doesn't he do it himself?!"
The huge sadness in his heart burst out with these words. Compared to Akai Takuma, whom he once hated, Mizuo Sosuke's feelings for Yoshikawa Yotaro were not that complicated. Among the children of the same age in Ringo Town, he and Miyazaki Ren got along best with Mizuo Sosuke.
Even when he once resented Amaai Takuma, he never got angry at Mizuo Sosuke. He had lived in Ringo Town for a long time and didn't know that Mizuo Sosuke had faked his death. In his heart, Mizuo Sosuke just moved out of Ringo Town and lived with Amaai Takuma.
They have known each other since they were toddlers. Mizuo is timid, clammy and tearful, but he is smart and likes to act nice and clever in front of adults, which makes him very popular with adults. He also has good grades and is a typical child from other people's families.
In comparison, Yoshikawa Yotaro is much more lively. Like all boys of his age, he is naughty and mischievous. Every time his parents educate him, they always use Mizuo Sosuke as a positive example.
He said that Mizuo Sosuke was so weak, but in comparison he was so well-behaved and smart, and studied so hard. He, who had a healthy body but only knew how to climb trees and catch fish every day, should learn more from Mizuo Sosuke.
Yotaro is a carefree child. He never hates Mizuo Sosuke for this because he always takes revenge on the spot and never holds a grudge overnight. Therefore, the two of them often clash with each other.
But it is undeniable that Yotaro and Mizuo Sosuke are friends, very good friends. When Miyazaki Ren and Amagi Takuma are not around Mizuo Sosuke, he always stands up to protect Mizuo Sosuke, and when Yoshikawa Yotaro is blackmailed and bullied by seniors, it is Mizuo Sosuke who gives advice and teaches those people a lesson.
When Mizuo Sosuke grew up, he became a powerful figure as expected, but such a smart man suddenly died one day. How ridiculous it was. Yoshikawa Yotaro always felt that this was a prank directed and acted by Mizuo Sosuke just to see everyone crying for him.
Bending down and pulling up the dog leash again, Yoshikawa Yotaro looked at Furuya Rei and Conan, "Every time you come, there will be bad news. I hope you can bring me something happy next time." He tightened the leash in his hand, "Let's go, Xiao Huang."
Conan looked at Yoshikawa Yotaro. If he had an accident in the future, would Xiaolan be so sad? Shouldn't it be said that she would be 10,000 times sadder than this? Was his self-righteous concealment really for Xiaolan's good?
How arrogant he is, Conan despised himself in his heart. Xiaolan is a strong girl. What he thought was good for her might actually hurt her the most.
He tugged at the corner of Amuro Toru's clothes and said, "Mr. Amuro, let's go back to Tokyo as soon as possible. I want to see Xiaolan for something."
"good."
.....
Beika City, Maori Detective Agency.
Conan found Maori Ran while Kogoro Maori was out buying wine.
"Xiaolan, I have something very important to tell you." Conan looked up and said seriously.
Xiaolan squatted down, and as usual, she bent her index and middle fingers and gave him a slap, "Don't be rude, Conan. You should call Xiaolan sister."
Conan was a little disappointed, covering his head. Xiaolan's fighting power was so high, he would not be beaten to death later, but as a detective, he never lacked courage, so he took a deep breath and said, "Xiaolan, I am telling you seriously now, I am Kudo Shinichi."
Xiaolan was stunned. She stretched out her hand and Conan closed his eyes in despair.
The next second, Xiaolan stroked his forehead with one hand and her own forehead with the other. "I don't have a fever. Are you kidding, Conan?"
Conan secretly opened a crack and saw that Xiaolan was not angry, so he breathed a sigh of relief, "Xiaolan, I'm not kidding, I really am Shinichi, Kudo Shinichi! That day in the amusement park, I was tracking down two men in black, and then I was knocked unconscious. When I woke up, I was fed medicine, and now I'm like this." Conan explained.
But it was too unbelievable that a high school student turned into a seven-year-old child. Xiaolan rubbed Conan's head. Could it be that this child had become demented because of the death of Sosuke?
"Yes, yes, Conan is Shinichi." Xiaolan said perfunctorily.
Conan saw through Xiaolan's distrust at a glance, "I didn't lie to you, Xiaolan. If you don't believe me, you can call my parents to verify it. Dr. Agasa can also testify to it."
Looking at the determined Conan, Xiaolan began to waver. She took off Conan's glasses and observed him carefully. Well, he really looked exactly like when she was a child, and she had felt the same feeling about him as Shinichi more than once.
Xiaolan's face darkened. She didn't know what kind of mood she was in. She asked Dr. Agasa and the Kudo couple for recognition respectively, and the result was that Conan was Shinichi.
"Bang--" Conan was thrown over the shoulder by Xiaolan with one hand.
Thinking of how Conan had taken advantage of his childish status to do all kinds of shameful things like hugging and lifting her up, and how she had even taken him for a nap, Xiaolan's face suddenly turned as red as a kettle of hot water. "Get out of here!" she said, and slapped him again.
When Kogoro Mouri came back after buying wine, he saw Conan squatting at the door, covering his red and swollen cheeks, looking so miserable.
"What's wrong, kid? How did you offend Xiaolan?" Mouri Kogoro said smugly.
Conan gave him a sad look, "Ran and I confessed."
Maori Kogoro was stunned. He used his little finger to pick his ear. "What did you say? I didn't hear clearly. What did you confess to Xiaolan?"
"I've already confessed. Tell Xiaolan that I'm Shinichi."
"Dad." Before Maori Kogoro could react, Xiaolan's voice suddenly came from the door, "Did you know that Conan is Shinichi a long time ago?"
Hearing this, Maori Kogoro squeezed a flattering smile on his face, "Xiaolan, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
The door opened with a "swish" sound. Xiaolan was furious. "Dad, stop pretending. You already knew that Conan was Shinichi. Why did you keep it from me?"
Kogoro Mori scratched the back of his head. How could he explain it?
They both don't understand the relationship between Shinichi, the brat, and their daughter. As an adult, don't they understand it either? There's just a layer of veil between them. If they tell this to Xiaolan, based on her personality, she will definitely share everything with the brat. Not to mention that Xiaolan will be in danger, he also doesn't want them to break that layer of veil, otherwise his juicy cabbage will be given away so easily to Kudo Shinichi, a pig who only cares about reasoning!
Xiaolan snatched the beer from Maori Kogoro's hand and said, "As a punishment, all beer is prohibited this month! Dad is not allowed to drink even a drop!"
After saying that, he closed the door with a "swish", leaving Maori Xiaowu and Conan alone outside the door, looking at each other in surprise.
"You little brat, it's all your fault!" Kogoro Mouri grabbed the soft flesh on Conan's cheeks and pulled it hard.
"You little cat, what a mistake." Conan begged for mercy in a slurred voice.
Kogoro Mouri smiled sinisterly and uttered the classic lines from idol dramas, "If apologies are useful, what is the point of having the police?" He increased the strength in his hands.
At this moment, Xiaolan suddenly stuck her head out of the window and yelled at him, "Dad, don't bully Conan!"
Kogoro Mori let go of his hand awkwardly.
Conan rubbed his cheeks, and the fingerprints on his face became more and more obvious, red. He said in a teasing voice, "It's okay, Xiaolan, Uncle Maori didn't use much force, it doesn't hurt me at all, hiss." Then he took a breath of cool air in pain.
Xiaolan felt distressed immediately, opened the door and let him in, leaving Kogoro Maori alone and locked outside.
I'm sorry, Uncle Maori, for the sake of my life, I have to sacrifice you, Conan apologized silently in his heart.
Xiaolan found the ointment and gently applied it to Conan, her eyes full of heartache.
Conan struck while the iron was hot, and for once he hit a straight shot with his IQ bursting, "I'm sorry, Xiaolan, I didn't tell you before because I was afraid of getting you involved. After all, those people are too dangerous. I just wanted to protect you and keep you from getting into trouble."
Xiaolan paused as she was applying the medicine. She thought that protection was too unfair. She pursed her lips and said nothing.
There is hope. Conan looked at Xiaolan, whose expression had eased a little, and continued, "Before leaving, Sosuke-san told me that self-righteous concealment is also a kind of harm. I didn't want to hurt Xiaolan, so I chose to confess."
Mentioning Mizuo Sosuke, the atmosphere suddenly becomes heavy. Xiaolan and Conan grew up with Mizuo Sosuke and have a deep relationship. Although Mizuo Sosuke is timid and hides behind Xiaolan when he is undecided, Xiaolan can feel the care from a male elder in him.
After all, Mori Kogoro and Kisaki Eri separated early, Kisaki Eri was busy with her career, and Mori Kogoro was such an unreliable person, so Xiaolan had to become independent early. During those years, Mizuo Sosuke was her support.
Mao Lilan will always remember that when she was young, Kisaki Eri could not attend the parents' meeting because of a lawsuit, and Mao Li Kogoro was drunk and could not come. It was Mizuo Sosuke who appeared like a hero. He stood in the corridor with a cheerful expression, and the sunlight passed through the glass window, casting a layer of light on him.
"I have long deduced that Mr. Maori is unreliable, so I am here. Are you surprised, Xiaolan? Let me be your parent and attend the parents' meeting!"
In Mao Lilan's heart, Mizuo Sosuke has always been a hero. Even though he is a little timid, he has always been her hero and the elder she relies on.
After Mizuo Sosuke left, everyone was very sad, and Xiaolan was no exception. But everyone was almost crushed by the sadness, so Xiaolan tried hard to be strong. She wanted to be the one that everyone relied on, just like Mizuo Sosuke. She hid all her sadness behind a gentle smile.
But at this moment, Conan suddenly mentioned Mizuo Sosuke, which made Xiaolan unable to hold back for a moment. But after a moment, Xiaolan smiled again, she was strong.
"Conan, no, Shinichi, I don't want to be the last one to know everything. I will also work hard and don't need your protection. After all, I am very powerful."
She bent her arms and made a pose to show her strength. As the Kanto Karate champion, her fighting ability is unquestionable. She may not be as smart as Kudo Shinichi, but she is also proficient in nursing and first aid, and her fighting ability is also high. She is not a dodder that needs to be carefully cared for in a greenhouse.
"Well, I know I was wrong. I'm sorry, Xiaolan." Conan said seriously.
Xiaolan looked at his childish face and gradually overlapped him with Shinichi. She felt that Shinichi had grown a lot since he became Conan and had become more considerate. Thinking of this, Xiaolan's face turned red again.
The atmosphere in the room became a little sticky.
Suddenly, a scream came from downstairs, "Someone's dead!"
Conan jumped up, put on his shoes quickly, and ran downstairs.
Xiaolan held the cotton swab dipped in iodine and laughed, "What? I thought you had improved, but it turns out you are still the same fool at reasoning."