Chapter 22: Truly Arranging Conan

Conan hung his head, remaining silent.

"Under normal circumstances, it would be like the relationship between Mr. Akai and Miss Akemi."

(Ai rolled her eyes here.)

"As long as one can distinguish the situation and the context, I don't believe a romantic relationship would hinder the fight against the organization. However, unfortunately, for you, Kudo Shinichi, that is not the case," Ji-yi continued. "Because you are a dead man—someone recognized by the organization as deceased. You should know what the consequences would be if they discovered you were still alive."

"I know..." Conan felt terrible, but he couldn't deny that everything Ji-yi said was true.

"I won't explicitly forbid you from returning to the Mouri Detective Agency, but you must think clearly. If you decide to go back, the only path is to explain the risks to them."

Conan did not answer; he simply looked around the room. Kudo Shinichi, usually a man of firm convictions, rarely found himself hoping for someone else to offer him guidance.

Yet, everyone in the room remained silent, simply staring at him.

"Ah..." He rubbed his head in frustration. The answer was actually quite clear; it was just...

"Are you going to drag the Mouri family into this?"

"No..."

Once the word was out, Conan felt much better.

"Very well. From this moment on, Kudo Shinichi is dead," Ji-yi nodded. "You have made your decision, and I expect you to stick to it. Whether it's the voice-changing bowtie or any other method, you are not allowed to act as Kudo Shinichi in any form."

"Not even... a phone call?" Conan still clung to a sliver of hope.

"No," Ji-yi flatly rejected the idea. "From now on, until the organization is destroyed, you are Conan, and you can only be Conan. Do you understand?"

Ji-yi didn't want to gamble. She had seen him leak secrets to Subaru Okiya and Rei Furuya while being explicitly warned not to, even adding, "My teacher told me not to say anything." It was only by some stroke of divine luck that he hadn't been exposed; if the person asking had been a member of the organization, it might have been the premature end of the story.

Either keep her completely in the dark or tell her everything. Only total ignorance or a complete understanding of the severity of the situation could prevent leaks.

From the successful rescue of Akemi and Ai Haibara's premature arrival, Ji-yi knew clearly that her actions were bound to cause a butterfly effect. She had to eliminate any possibility of negligence. Being careless was simply being irresponsible with her own life.

"I understand that you've moved into the home of the girl you like, and through this child's body, it feels like cheating to know that 'the girl I like, likes me back.' And I have clearly seen Miss Mouri's personality," Ji-yi said. "She is someone who needs a sense of security and relies heavily on others. Your disappearance will leave her bewildered, fearful, and worried, perhaps even angry due to her own overthinking. But you must understand that, regardless of anything else, at least she is safe."

"I cannot guarantee how long it will take us to fight the organization, nor can I guarantee whether she will fall for someone else while you are 'gone,' or if she will choose to forgive your deception when it is all over.

"Perhaps this is too early and too cruel for a high school sophomore, but this is your own decision.

"Everyone in this room respects your choice. We treat you as an adult capable of cooperation; therefore, from now on, you must take responsibility for your decisions like a true adult.

"So, now, before we leave this room, you still have a chance to change your mind."

"Kudo Shinichi, look me in the eyes and tell me, have you thought this through!"

Conan took a deep breath, though his heart was filled with pain and reluctance. He knew she was right. Because of his momentary recklessness and impulse, he had to grow up early and walk into the future as an adult.

"I understand," the confusion in Conan's eyes vanished. "I will abide by the decision and let Kudo Shinichi temporarily disappear."

Conan seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "Do I need to move into the Professor's house?"

"..."

Ji-yi froze.

"No. I already moved into the Professor's house before you. Furthermore, your childhood sweetheart knows the Professor. If she discovers that you weren't picked up by some 'mother,' but instead moved in with the Professor, it might lead to new suspicions," Ai said, helping the Professor refuse. "Combined with your appearance—perhaps she doesn't remember now, but if she finds out, all our efforts will have been in vain."

"Aren't you living with your sister?" Conan was surprised. Wasn't she supposed to be living with Akemi Miyano at the Kudo residence?

"Are you stupid? That man will need to have frequent contact with the FBI later. Do you think I can be directly exposed to the FBI in this state?" Ai rolled her eyes at Conan and said nothing more.

"..."

How come it feels like you just don't want to live with that FBI agent?

"Then what about me? My own house is out, the Professor's house is out—do you want me to live on the streets?" Conan retorted with half-lidded eyes.

"..." Ji-yi hadn't expected that while lecturing Conan had been satisfying, realizing now that Conan was essentially "homeless" outside of the Mouri residence was a blow. Was Conan really this pathetic at this point in time?

"Hey, you said so much just now, but you didn't have a plan for what happens next?" Conan looked at Ji-yi with half-lidded eyes again. How could she have so much to say earlier, but be speechless now?

This was a blunder. She had completely overlooked the fact that, due to her own interventions, Conan was truly homeless if he didn't go to the Mouri agency and didn't go abroad...

"How about Shinichi lives with Inspector Tono?" Yukiko suggested with a smile. "That way, if the Inspector has any news, he can inform Shinichi as soon as possible. Plus, isn't there that case the Inspector is struggling with? Couldn't Shinichi help with that?"

*Huh?*

Ji-yi was truly stunned this time. How did she bring this upon herself? Am I raising the God of Death? Is this for real? This isn't just about him coming to my house to film an episode—are you trying to turn me into Kogoro?

"No, I'm too busy with work; I have no time to take care of him," Ji-yi refused flatly.

Conan's mind, however, began to race. Living with Tono Ji-yi actually sounded quite good! As an inspector, he would certainly have access to many cases, and he wouldn't need to hide as much as he did at the Mouri Detective Agency. Moreover, he had become interested in the case his mother just mentioned. A case that could stump Tono Ji-yi? It must be fascinating.

*Oh no, Conan is looking at me.*

Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Ji-yi could tell from Conan's face that he was seriously considering this living arrangement. She had really invited trouble now.

"Alright," fortunately, Yusaku Kudo intervened. "It's impossible for Inspector Tono to look after Shinichi. After all, it would be the same as living at the Professor's house—if Ran were to see him, she would still be suspicious."

"That's true..." Yukiko tapped her chin with her index finger. "Then what should we do?"

"The only person who can take care of Conan without raising any suspicion is, of course, Conan's mother, Fumiyo Edogawa," Yusaku Kudo said with a mischievous smile.

Yukiko: "Huh?"