Chapter 124 It must be Zhu Fu...
Conan's thoughts were drawn back to Hawaii many years ago.
The scorching sun, the salty sea breeze, the hotel's opulent lobby... As a child, I was imitating my father, making naive deductions about the hotel staff. Then, turning around, I saw a strikingly handsome older brother leaning against a pillar, looking at me with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. It was Nekono Ikuya.
The hazy memories gradually became clear, the images flowed, and then another figure intruded into Conan's memories.
He was a boy who looked to be about the same age as Nekono Ikuya at the time. He had neat black hair, and deep blue eyes with a cat-like shape very similar to Nekono Ikuya's, with slightly upturned corners, only the lines were softer, and he had less of that aloofness. His temperament seemed gentle and calm, like a calm harbor on a windless afternoon.
He strode quickly from the corridor on the other side of the lobby, his steps unhurried and composed. As he approached, he asked in a tone that was both affectionate and questioning, "Yu Mi, what are you doing here? Aren't we leaving?"
His gaze was initially fixed on Nekono Ikuya, who was leaning against a pillar, with a natural and attentive look. Then, as if only then, he seemed to notice the little bean sprout next to them, its eyes wide open and its face turned upwards, staring at them.
When his gaze swept over young Shinichi Kudo, a gentle and friendly smile appeared on his lips. He nodded slightly but did not linger.
Hearing the voice, Nekono Ikuya turned around, smiled at the person, seemed to explain something in a low voice, then waved to the younger boy before turning and leaving with the black-haired, blue-eyed older brother. Before leaving, Nekono Ikuya didn't forget to turn back and wink at him, smiling as he left behind that unforgettable "little detective."
The affectionate nicknames, the natural atmosphere, the unspoken understanding that made them oblivious to everyone else... and most importantly, the other person had black hair and blue eyes!
Conan suddenly recalled the playful teasing he'd heard from the officer in the Virginity Unit a few days ago: "Tsk, black hair and blue eyes. Nekono, you really do have a soft spot for this cosplayer. Is it just a case of loving the house because of the dog?"
Conan Edogawa, sitting on the sofa, took a deep breath, his sapphire-like eyes widening.
Could the lover that Kaito Kuroba mentioned, who had been in a long-term relationship with Ikuya Nekono, be the black-haired, blue-eyed boy he saw in Hawaii?!
It should be.
So, here's the question. The little detective's brain is working at lightning speed.
Their jobs are special—they're not only police officers but also former undercover agents in the organization. They have a great relationship—they have a long-term, fixed room at the Nekono family's house, and they've been together since at least high school—the long-term companionship of childhood friends, and the "him" that Kuroba Kaito mentioned—even their genders match up.
And then there's that almost tangible resentment I felt when I saw Nekono-nii interacting with Amuro Tooru...
Could that black-haired, blue-eyed older brother he saw in Hawaii, the legendary mysterious lover of Nekono-nii, be Akashi Teru before his disguise?!
The young detective fell into deep thought.
...
This question didn't puzzle Conan Edogawa for long.
Perhaps it was an accident that triggered his exceptionally strong luck in intelligence gathering, because not long after, on an ordinary night, the answer was delivered to him in an unexpected way.
That day, the feeling of thirst woke Conan from his sleep. He groggily got up, rubbed his eyes sleepily, and groped his way downstairs to get some water.
Only one wall lamp was on in the living room, casting a soft, warm glow in the dead of night. He drank half a glass of cold water, which cleared his head a bit. Just as he was carrying the rest of the water back to his room, he heard a slight noise from the entryway.
The key turned, and the door was gently pushed open.
Nekono Ikuya and Akashi Teru walked in one after the other, their bodies still carrying the slight chill of the night air. They looked like they had just returned from outside.
"Don't worry so much, Hiro." Nekono Ikuya's voice carried a hint of relaxed laughter. He casually took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack, his emerald green eyes still bright in the dim light. "It's just a honey trap at most. Do you think I'd fall for it?"
Don't underestimate his feelings for Zero! And don't doubt his intelligence; surely he can tell the difference between genuine and feigned affection? Any honey trap with ulterior motives, whether romantic or platonic, won't work on him.
Nekono Ikumi's eyes gleamed with confidence: "Don't forget, I'm also very good at honey traps."
Although this talent is mostly used when playing various games with Rei Furuya...
It seems she also used it while disguised as someone else to help Bourbon complete the organization's mission... Oh, so that counts as being caught in a honey trap.
In short, he has extensive experience in both honey traps and being honey-trapped.
Akashi Teru, following behind him, closed the door, his tone somewhat disapproving. He lowered his voice, clearly mindful of the late hour: "Yuya, you can't approach suspicious individuals knowing there's something wrong with them." And to approach them directly using your real identity, "Who knows what they're up to?" That suddenly appearing pink-haired graduate student is definitely suspicious!
Conan only vaguely caught the keyword "honey trap".
Honey trap? Could it be referring to that suspicious blonde waitress?
Does Nekono-nii think he's using a honey trap on her? Surely Nekono-nii can't be using a honey trap on the other person... right?
Really?
Conan suddenly remembered the scene he and Akashi Teru witnessed at the restaurant. It seemed that the person folding roses with napkins at that time was... Nekono Ikuya?
he:"……"
It must be a counter-strategy, that's right, a counter-strategy.
Either way, it can explain why Nekono-nii has a lover but still goes on a date with Amuro Tooru.
Little Detective: Amuro Tooru must be the culprit!
What Nekono Ikuya said next seemed to confirm Conan's guess.
He walked to the sofa, turned to look at Akashi Teru, his emerald eyes gleaming mischievously in the light: "Isn't it more interesting because there's a problem? And..." he drawled, "don't you think it would be more efficient to use his approach to gather information about him?"
It's more fun, isn't it?
Morofushi Kagemitsu sighed helplessly, clearly understanding his friend's tendency to enjoy watching the drama unfold and even try to take the lead.
His friend just loves excitement.
Never mind, Yumi should know what's going on.
Morofushi Kagemitsu said no more, shook his head, and seemed to feel that he could completely relax now that he was home, and began to skillfully remove the disguise from his face.
It wasn't the kind of disguise his mother used—the kind that could be easily removed with a tear or pull, but which was too risky to remove by pinching his face. Conan saw Akashi Teru take out wet wipes and a special solvent.
The disguise technique used by Morofushi Kagemitsu was specially designed for him by Nekono Ikuya, perfectly suited for someone like him who doesn't need to change disguises instantly but seeks a long-term, stable disguise. Its unique feature is that this disguise is impervious to pinching or even washing. The only drawback is that the disguise can only be dissolved with a special solvent, and applying makeup requires some effort.
There are also disguise techniques that balance speed in changing appearances with durability against facial tearing, which is what Nekono Ikuya herself uses, but those are extremely difficult and not something the average person can learn. They require not only top-tier disguise talent but also years of practice. Even if Nekono Ikuya were to teach them everything she knew, it would be very difficult for others to fully grasp them.
So Morofushi Kagemitsu gave up. He was quite easygoing; as for disguises, they were good enough as long as they worked.
Anyway, the disguise expert is right next to him, so if he really needs help, he can just ask Nekono Ikuya for assistance.
Morofushi Kagemitsu carefully wiped the lines of his cheeks and jaw with a wet wipe, the disguise slowly softening, and then the material used to alter his contours was peeled off.
Under the light, a face completely different from "Akashi Teru" gradually appeared.
He still had his neat short black hair and his deep blue eyes, but those striking phoenix eyes had turned into cat eyes. The contours of his features, the specific appearance of his eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips, had changed back to those of "Akashi Teru". However, his temperament had not changed much; he remained gentle and calm—a stark contrast to the cold and reserved demeanor of Morofushi Kagemitsu within the organization.
That's him!
Conan's eyes widened slightly as he recognized him.
Although many years have passed and the boy has grown into a young man, shedding his original immaturity and maturing considerably, the charm in his eyes remains undeniable.
This face perfectly matches the black-haired, blue-eyed boy who took Nekono Ikuya away, whom Conan tried to depict in his Hawaiian memories!
You guessed right!
Akashi-nii is the same person he met with Nekono-nii in Hawaii. If that's the case, then he must be Nekono-nii's lover, as described by Kuroba!
Conan smiled slightly, feeling a sense of joy from solving a mystery.
Perhaps because their observation was too obvious, the two adults noticed Conan's presence.
Morofushi Hiromitsu paused in his movements, but didn't react much, only seeming to realize something like, "Ah, I've been seen." Conan always felt that he was mentally prepared for being seen in person.
"Conan? You're... getting up to drink water in the middle of the night?" he asked gently, casually removing the last bit of material to reveal the true face of Morofushi Kagemitsu.
Conan, holding his water glass, nodded vaguely, "Yeah, I'm a little thirsty."
He tried to make his expression look natural, but he felt a little uneasy inside. Although it wasn't intentional, it was still quite embarrassing to suddenly stumble upon someone's disguise.
Nekono Ikuya also looked over, his emerald green eyes gleaming in the dim light. He raised an eyebrow slightly: "Huh? What a coincidence, Conan is awake too."
Suddenly, as if a brilliant idea had struck him, a lightbulb seemed to light up above his head, and he enthusiastically suggested, "Since that's the case... since this is a rare opportunity, how about we grab a late-night snack together?"
"Late-night snack?!" The sudden change of topic caught Conan Edogawa completely off guard. How did he get switched to the Midnight Diner in a second?
Morofushi Kagemitsu, however, did not find it strange, as if he had long been accustomed to Nekono Ikuya's erratic thinking.
He looked at his friend, his tone carrying a hint of habitual helplessness and indulgence: "Shall I cook? Yu Mi, what do you want to eat?" As he spoke, he naturally walked towards the kitchen, looking every bit the domestic type, ready to put on an apron.
Then he paused and looked at Conan: "Conan, what do you want to eat?"
I accidentally forgot that I have a little child.
Conan, who feels like he's just an extra: ...Is this dog food (a slang term for public displays of affection)?
“Hmm…” Nekono Ikuya suddenly became interested, her blue eyes gleaming with eagerness, “I’ll make it! I haven’t finished trying that recipe from last time!”
He rolled up his sleeves and headed to the kitchen: "Just wait and enjoy the delicious food!"
"!!!" Morifushi Kagemitsu's eyes widened. You even have a recipe for cooking?!
“Wait, Yumi, you’re tired, let me do it…” Morofushi Kagemitsu quickly followed.
The Forgotten Conan: ...It's just dog food, isn't it?
Cunning adult!
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