Chapter 16
The Detective Who Was "Isolated"
"Shinichi, what brings you here today? Usually at this time, you're at home tutoring Jonah, aren't you?"
Professor Agasa placed a cup of hot cocoa in front of Conan Edogawa, chuckling as he watched him. He then sat down with his own cup of hot cocoa, and as he reached out to add a sugar cube, Ai Haibara, sitting opposite him, glanced at him and then chuckled as she placed the sugar cube into Conan's cup.
"And why do you look so tired? Have you encountered any trouble lately?"
"Kudo has been like this since he went to school during the day. He must have had something happen with Ran at home."
As she flipped through a fashion magazine, Ai Haibara, who had already finished all her homework at school, spoke in a cool voice. However, when she looked up at Conan Edogawa, the smile in her eyes revealed that she was in a good mood.
At school lunch today, Jonah finally finished the boiled vegetables, which weren't very tasty. Ai Haibara was very pleased. If Conan Edogawa hadn't already given Jonah his dessert, Ai Haibara would have given Jonah hers as a reward.
Two desserts are fine, but three are a bit too much.
"However, based on my observations, it might also be related to Jonah."
"Jonah? That kid is so obedient, what could he possibly ask... Well, sometimes Jonah is indeed a bit unusual."
Professor Agasa, who had a good impression of Jonah, subconsciously wanted to defend Jonah, but when he thought about what Conan Edogawa had told them about what Jonah had done at the Suzuki family villa, he felt that his words were not very convincing.
"So what exactly happened?"
"I'm not telling you, you'll definitely laugh at me if you find out."
Looking at Professor Agasa and Ai Haibara with disdain, Conan Edogawa didn't want to give them a chance to laugh at him.
"Oh, is that so? I think you've forgotten about the secret you told Jonah. Well, I'll call Jonah myself and ask him what happened. Do you think he'll tell me?"
Nodding knowingly, Ai Haibara picked up her phone and casually waved it in front of Conan Edogawa, then covered her mouth and nose, revealing her curved eyebrows.
"You wicked woman! All you do is deceive Jonah!" Staring angrily at Ai Haibara, Conan Edogawa couldn't understand why Ai Haibara, who treated him and the other members of the Detective Boys with a neutral attitude, was so nice to Jonah, and Jonah usually really listened to Ai Haibara.
"What do you mean by deceiving? I've only been doing things that are good for Jonah. Jonah is a good boy, and he can naturally tell who is doing what's best for him."
With a smirk, Ai Haibara waved her phone again, staring aggressively at Conan Edogawa.
"So, will you personally satisfy my and the Doctor's curiosity, or should I ask Jonah?"
"Damn it! Fine, I'll say it then!"
Forced into a corner, Conan Edogawa had no choice but to recount his conversation with Jonah that morning. As expected, Professor Agasa and Ai Haibara couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing the whole story.
"Haha, Shinichi, you'd better watch out, Jonah is really strong."
Clutching his stomach, Professor Agasa laughed so hard he hiccuped. Although Conan Edogawa was in a terrible state, how could anyone not laugh when they heard this?
"What? Aren't you guys going to comfort me?"
"Why should I comfort you? Was Jonah wrong? To protect those who are good to him from being hurt, he was even willing to hurt you despite violating his agreement with Attorney Hefei. You can say Jonah isn't a good person in the strictest sense, but you can't say he's not a good family member."
Compared to Professor Agasa, Ai Haibara's words were much more aggressive, leaving Conan Edogawa speechless, unsure of what to say in response.
After all, Conan Edogawa truly felt guilty towards Ran Mouri.
"So, Shinichi, you should find a chance to call Ran sometime."
"I want to, but if I call her, she'll keep asking questions. And I can't go back to her as Shinichi Kudo right now, so it would be a lie no matter what."
Frustrated, Conan Edogawa scratched his hair and subconsciously looked at Ai Haibara.
"What? Are you going to blame me again? If so, I'll go and rest now."
"That's not what I meant. I just mean, Haibara, are you even able to develop the antidote?"
"As I've already said, there's a lot of research data on that drug, and I can't remember it all just by relying on my memory. At least, if I could get my hands on the drug and analyze it, there would be a better chance. I'm already trying my best to study it using what I have in my mind, so please don't rush me, okay, Detective?"
Looking coldly at Conan Edogawa, Ai Haibara, though indifferent to others' attitudes, did not want her abilities to be denied.
"I didn't mean that. I was just a little anxious. Never mind, I apologize."
Seeing that he was about to anger Ai Haibara, Conan Edogawa quickly apologized. Ai Haibara was a rare ally of his now, who could bring him information about the Black Organization and was also the hope for the development of an antidote. He couldn't afford to really offend her.
"snort."
With a soft hum, Ai Haibara lost all interest in reading the magazine, got off the sofa, and turned to walk towards the basement.
"Hey Shinichi, Ai seems to be in a bad mood lately. Could you keep an eye on her while you're at school?"
"In a bad mood? When has she ever been in a good mood?"
"What are you saying? I can see that Ai has become much more lively since I first brought her back, but recently, for some reason, she's suddenly acting strangely again."
Scratching his head, Professor Agasa looked worried. Having never married or had children, he had long regarded Ai Haibara as his own child, so it was inevitable that he would worry about her too much.
"Alright, I'll take a look, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to glean anything from that perpetually cold face of hers. Achoo!"
"Why are you sneezing? Do you have a cold?"
"I don't know, maybe I caught a chill last night? Never mind, I'll head back now, bye-bye, Doctor."
Carrying his schoolbag, Conan Edogawa returned home and saw Jonah watching TV as soon as he opened the door. He thought of what Ai Haibara had said, and his eyes showed some complicated emotions.
"Conan, you're back. Ran-neechan has club activities today, and Uncle went out to play cards. We'll have to cook dinner ourselves tonight."
"Oh, really? How about we go downstairs to eat then?"
"Sister Xiaolan said that the ingredients at home are at their best today, otherwise they won't be fresh. Let me cook something to eat."
"Oh, Jonah, you can cook? Great! You go ahead and start cooking, I'll go wash my hands and then come help you."