"Yesterday, Kaguya went to Tropical Land ?"

  This news left the Suzuki couple momentarily stunned.

  "Yes," Sonoko firmed.

  "I was w why someone like her, a proper young dy who usually spends her weekends practig etiquette and archery, would suddenly decide to go to an amusement park."

  "She said it was to rex, but I think she was ag strange."

  "Indeed, she's ag strange," Shiro agreed.

  Kaguya's trip to the amusement park, followed by Nagi Sanzenin's visit to her home the day, and then Mikado Sanzenin's sudden move against the Shinomiya family, these events couldn't just be ces.

  "There must be a eaybe we start by iigating Tropical Land," Shiro said, gng at his wife.

  Tomoko immediately caught on.

  "Sonoko, the Shinomiya family's way of raising their children is very strict. It's nothing like our family," Tomoko expined.

  "Of course I know that," Sonoko replied with a sigh.

  "But it seems like Kaguya's upbringing has made her emotionally stiff. She es across as cold and overly rigid. It's holy irritating to even look at her sometimes."

  Though she wouldn't admit it ht, Sonoko had noticed how strid stifling Kaguya's life must be. Raised as the perfect princess, Kaguya was undoubtedly groomed to shoulder her family's responsibilities.

  It wasn't pity, but more a sense of frustration. Sonoko couldn't figure out how to approaeone like Kaguya, who was so closed off. She was like a frozen fortress, giving no ohe ce to get close.

  The Suzuki couple exged gnces, silently aowledging their daughter's point. They decided to steer the versation elsewhere.

  "Sonoko, you said you apanied Raerday. Why did you go out again today?"

  "Because of those two!" Sonoko excimed, her irritation immediately rising.

  "After their so-called date at the amusement park, Kudo and Ran haven't spoken a word to each other. It's infuriating!"

  Tomoko raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What happened?"

  "Don't get me started!" Sonoko fumed. "Mom, do you know what that blockhead Kudo did? He agreed to go to the amusement park with Ran, but the moment a case popped up, he ran off to solve it!"

  "Ran was clearly shaken after what happened, but instead of taking care of her, he said, 'I have something urgent to do. You and Sonoko go home together.' you believe it?!"

  "Kudo's brain must be wired wrong! Shouldn't he have at least walked Ran home? How dense someone be?"

  The more Sonoko thought about it, the angrier she got. She still remembered how lifeless Ran had looked afterward.

  "Uh…" Tomoko didn't know how to respond. She hadn't expected the date to end so poorly.

  She felt a pang of pity for Ran. Kudo Shinichi might be brilliant, but his emotional intelligence was clearly g.

  "If only he could apply even a fra of his reasoning skills to retionships, I'm sure Ran would've fessed to him by now," Tomoko mused.

  But Kudo Shinichi was far from that kind of person.

  "Sonoko, make sure to keep Ran pany for the time being," Tomoko said gently.

  "Anyone would feel down after something like that."

  "Of course, Mom. That's what I po do," Sonoko replied.

  "I just hope Kudo actually talks to Ran at school tomorrow. If he keeps ag like this, even Ran won't be able to take it forever."

  "Did you try finding Kudo today?" Shiro asked.

  "He wasn't home," Sonoko grumbled.

  "I went with Ran to look for him, but he wasn't there. He probably ran off somewhere to solve another case, pletely fetting about Ran."

  Tomoko sighed. "That boy really is a handful."

  But she couldn't help feeling relieved. "At least you don't have a crush on someone like Kudo, Sonoko. Otherwise, your father and I would be pulling our hair out."

  She had always taught Sonoko to be cautious when f retionships, especially romanties. Dating was fine, but it had to remain simple. No living together, no rushing into decisions.

  After all, as the future heir to the Suzuki family, Sonoko's choice of partner would determihe future of their glomerate.

  Fortunately, Tomoko knew her daughter well. While Sonoko was undeniably a face-, she had a good head on her shoulders.

  Still, Tomoko felt the o offer some advice.

  "Sonoko, if things don't improve, maybe you should try persuading Ran to resider her feelings for Kudo."

  "If she stays hung up on him, I don't think it'll end well."

  As an elder, Tomoko k wasn't her pce to interfere directly. But as someone who cared for Ran, she couldn't bear to see the girl trapped in a one-sided retionship.

  "I've already tried!" Sonoko excimed. "But no matter what I say, Ran always ends up thinking about Kudo again."

  "I just wish a handsome guy would e along and sweep her off her feet. Then maybe she'd finally fet about that idiot Kudo."

  Sonoko's words were blunt, but she meant them sincerely. She truly wanted her best friend to find happiness.

  Meanwhile, the person they were talking about was sneezing untrolbly in a hospital bed.

  "Achoo!"

  "Achoo!"

  "Achoo!"

  Shinichi shree times in a row, his head spinning as he tried to recover.

  "Let me be clear," he said, rubbing his nose and gring at his parents. "I'm not pnning to run away with you."

  Yusaku and Yukiko exged troubled gheir son's stubbornness was as unyielding as ever.

  "Shinichi, the situation you're in is incredibly dangerous," Yusaku said.

  "The two men you saw are likely high-ranking members of a dangerous anization. They won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who gets in their way."

  "I know," Shinichi replied, his hand instinctively toug the back of his head where he'd been struck.

  If the blow had been any harder, he might not have survived.

  But even so, he remained resolute.

  "Dad, do you really think running away will make me safe?"