Over there, the two great detectives are engaged in a life-or-death race.
Meanwhile, at Yuzuru's residence, a different kind of tranquil scene unfolded.
As soon as Yuzuru stepped into the house, he sensed an unusual atmosphere.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of cocoa powder, melted butter, and sugar, along with the cheerful laughter, whispers, and clinking of dishes among the girls.
Curious, he followed the sound to the kitchen and discovered it was a veritable "gathering of beauties," truly a stunning kitchen in Beika Town—
Akemi, wearing a cute floral apron, is weighing flour; Ran and Sonoko are huddled together studying a recipe book; Reiko Akiba is elegantly stirring chocolate in a bowl; and the shrine maiden is trying to make chocolate with her mind...
Meanwhile, our pastry master, Princess Xia Mei, was patiently instructing the girls on every step of their movements, looking every bit like a commander-in-chief.
The girls were so engrossed in making handmade chocolates that they didn't even notice when he returned.
"Wow, it's so lively here! What are you making? The whole house smells sweet." Yu Sheng Nan smiled and went over to see what they were busy with. "Do you need any help? I'm pretty good at cooking, especially when it comes to tasting."
"Oh! Young Master Yuzuru is back!"
"No, no, Nan, you can't look!"
"Get out! Get out! This is a secret! It's a girl's time!"
"Push him out!"
The girls, like a swarm of startled bees, hurriedly and cheerfully pushed him away, their faces flushed with a mysterious and excited blush, as if they were planning some earth-shattering secret operation.
Xiaolan even pushed him out of the kitchen door with her hands still covered in chocolate sauce: "Nan, go rest in the living room first! Don't peek!"
Yuzuru was both amused and exasperated by their coordinated reaction, and could only raise her hands in surrender, backing away step by step: "Okay, okay, I won't watch, I won't watch, thank you for your hard work, my princesses~"
He stroked his chin, looking puzzled and amused, and strolled into the living room, where he saw a little girl nestled on the sofa, holding a book so thick it could knock someone unconscious, reading with complete "concentration," without even lifting her eyelids.
"Ai," Yuzuru sat down next to her and asked curiously, "What's going on with them? Did they all sign up for a chocolate baking course? Are they planning to open a shop?"
The haughty little girl then raised her icy blue eyes from behind the book, glanced at him with the look one would give a prehistoric creature, and said in a flat tone: "Idiot, tomorrow is February 14th."
Yuzuru Nan was taken aback, blinked, and then suddenly realized, slapping his forehead: "Oh—right, Valentine's Day!"
There's no way around it; in the world of Detective Conan, yesterday might have been the Mid-Autumn Festival and tomorrow could be Valentine's Day. He still hasn't gotten used to it.
Emperor Gin shattered time; his power was terrifying.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is a very special holiday, and it is celebrated in a completely different way than the Qixi Festival or other Valentine's Day celebrations in China.
In Japan, Valentine's Day is a day when girls give chocolates and gifts to boys they like.
He has to give a thumbs up to this excellent traditional culture.
Thinking about the various handmade chocolates he might receive from his beloved ladies tomorrow, Yuzuru couldn't help but smile with a delightful curve.
In a great mood, he noticed that the haughty little girl next to him, although holding a book and looking indifferent with an "academic supremacy" attitude, seemed to have slightly red ears, and that thick book... seemed to be held upside down?
He mischievously leaned closer and teased her in a flirtatious tone: "Oh, I see~ So, my dear little princess~ my little Ai~ did you prepare a chocolate-filled treat for me?"
Ai Haibara reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, instantly bristling with fur. She held the book even higher, almost completely obscuring her face, leaving only the tips of her two reddened ears visible. Her voice tried her best to remain calm and disdainful:
"Ha, you wish. I would never do something so childish. Only little girls with pink bubbles in their heads would be interested in such boring rituals."
She paused, then added, as if to emphasize: "Moreover, excessive sugar intake can lead to obesity, high blood sugar, decreased attention, and even impaired intelligence. For health reasons, I suggest that even if you receive those 'love bombs' tomorrow, you should eat less, or send them directly to my lab for ingredient analysis."
A typical Ai-chan-style concern—using the most sarcastic words to express the most awkward care.
Yu Sheng Nan felt great pleasure at seeing her hypocritical and evasive behavior, and his wicked sense of humor was greatly satisfied.
Just as he was about to continue teasing the little girl, Yuzuru noticed with his sharp eyes that when Ai hurriedly held up the thick book in her hand, titled "Detailed Analysis of Difficult Problems in Advanced Physics," a discordant edge with colorful illustrations seemed to flash across the pages.
Moreover, the thickness of the spine and the font of the title seem to have a slightly incongruous feel.
It looks more like a...deluxe cookbook?
He deliberately drew out his words: "Oh—really? So our little scientist Ai is reading such advanced physics books~ How studious~ Let me learn too~"
As he spoke, he suddenly reached out with lightning speed, as if to snatch the book away.
"no!"
The haughty little girl reacted extremely, suddenly clutching the book tightly to her chest, curling up into a ball like a little animal guarding its food, her cheeks flushed red, her eyes filled with panic: "This, this is my book! You're not allowed to look at it!"
This reaction is utterly like trying to hide something obvious.
Yuzuru suppressed a laugh and stopped teasing her, only looking at her meaningfully: "Alright, alright, I won't watch then, but... I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's 'surprise'~"
He emphasized the word "surprise".
Ai buried her face in the book and muttered in a low voice, "...No surprises, just a lab report. Take it or leave it. Don't blame me if it poisons you."
But her bright red earlobes and slightly upturned lips betrayed her true feelings.
Yu Sheng Nan leaned back on the sofa in an extremely happy mood, watching the busy figure in the direction of the kitchen, and then glancing at the pastry chef disguised as an academic loli beside her. She was already looking forward to Valentine's Day tomorrow.
I wonder what kind of sweet "surprise" all you lovely ladies will bring him?
.........
.........
(Tomorrow is Qixi Festival, and I, the author, would like to wish all of you a happy Qixi Festival and hope you all receive your own special gifts!)
(づ￣3￣)づ╭?～)
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