"Let's break up, Sister Natsuya!!"
After struggling for a long time, Conan finally uttered those cruel words, feeling an immediate sense of relief. Once the words were spoken, there was no turning back, and he found he could say them with ease.
"That guy, um, your senior, really didn't lie to you. He just… well, he just doesn't want to date you, but he still… anyway, he's a total jerk. You really shouldn't take it seriously…"
"Pfft." Qianben Xixi found Conan's expression as a grade-schooler quite amusing, so she teased him, "How do you know that, Conan? Did you deduce it?"
"It's not deduction, but I just know!" Conan's face flushed slightly. "I'm a boy too, so of course I know what boys think!"
"Oh, I see, little boy." Qianben Xixi chuckled and patted his head. "Got it, but I don't plan on breaking up with him."
Just as Conan breathed a sigh of relief, he was puzzled by her answer. "Why not?"
"Because…" Qianben Xixi raised an eyebrow and deliberately winked. "Because I don't plan on dating either, so it works out perfectly."
Conan: …
Hah, the adult world is so complicated. All that agonizing for nothing… Conan twitched his lips in exasperation.
"Haha." Seeing Conan's frustrated little expression, Qianben Xixi couldn't help but laugh. Who told this kid to act all-knowing and grown-up all the time? She just wanted to tease him.
"Alright, Conan, what do you want to eat? My treat." Qianben Xixi asked kindly after finishing her laugh. "As a reward for your analysis and deduction just now~"
Conan: …
Hearing that made him even less inclined to eat.
Seeing his awkward expression, Qianben Xixi didn't wait for his answer and instead made him an ice cream. "We have chocolate flavor today~"
Over the past couple of days, she had thought about it. Since her saved JJ Coins were still far from enough for an upgrade, she decided to use them first to upgrade the egg pancake and ice cream. As a result, the ice cream now came in chocolate and strawberry flavors, and the egg pancake had many more toppings, allowing her to create a deluxe version.
Although she had used up her JJ Coins, she could now sell more each day.
Currently, a basic egg pancake cost 2 JJ Coins, adding a vegetable topping cost an extra 1 JJ Coin, and adding a meat topping or cheese cost an extra 2 JJ Coins. The same applied to ice cream: the original flavor cost 2 JJ Coins, and adding another flavor cost an extra 1 JJ Coin. This way, she could earn much more per sale than before.
"Actually, the ice cream is enough, Sister Natsuya." Seeing Qianben Xixi about to make him a deluxe egg pancake, Conan quickly said, "I'm actually here to buy lunch for Sister Ran! She gave me money!"
As he spoke, he hurriedly took out the money for three deluxe egg pancakes and placed it on the counter. "Three, with all the toppings!"
"Oh, okay." Since it was for the family's lunch, Qianben Xixi didn't hesitate to take the money. While cracking eggs, she casually asked, "Did Ran finally decide not to cook for you today?"
"Hah, Sister Ran would never." Conan pouted. "She has a club activity today. There's a competition coming up, so she's been training at school during the holidays. She's just busy lately."
"Oh, what a shame." Qianben Xixi flipped the egg pancake and casually remarked. "But you came just in time—I was actually about to head out soon."
Conan couldn't help but retort, "How is your shop still open when you never run it properly?"
Hmph, who's really to blame for me not running the shop properly? Don't you have any idea in your mind?
Qianben Xixi curled her lip and explained, "I have something to do at the internet cafe."
"What are you going to the internet cafe for?" Conan looked at her strangely. "Don't tell me you're still an internet-addicted girl."
"Of course not, I'm going to make money," Qianben Xixi chuckled twice. "After all, my shop is about to close."
Conan:…
This girl really holds a grudge.
"You plan to make money using a computer?" Conan thought for a moment and said, "Actually, you don't have to go to the internet cafe. Professor Agasa has a spare laptop at home that you can borrow for now."
"Really?" Qianben Xixi's eyes instantly lit up. "Is the professor you mentioned the same Professor Agasa who helped you make the Power-Enhancing Shoes and skateboard?"
Actually, when she first started getting frequently dragged into incidents by Conan, she had the chance to see some of his detective gadgets. They were practically Black Technology, completely defying common sense. Like the skateboard she coveted the most—how did Conan manage to stand on it so steadily without being thrown off at such high acceleration? With something like that, who needs a car? And those Power-Enhancing Shoes were even more incredible, truly the pinnacle of Black Technology.
"Yeah, I just need to ask the professor. But…" Conan suddenly paused for effect.
Qianben Xixi: "But what?"
"You have to tell me what you plan to do with the computer. After all, if you use the professor's computer for something bad, he'll be held responsible." Conan said this without batting an eye.
Qianben Xixi: "…"
She knew this little brat wouldn't offer help without a reason. But she didn't mind, so she told him about writing novels for submission to earn money.
Conan was also surprised, looking her up and down several times, still finding it hard to believe. "You actually write novels?"
"Hmph, what's wrong with that? Can't I?" Qianben Xixi raised an eyebrow. "I read some novels by Mr. Yusaku Kudo and found them quite interesting, so I suddenly wanted to give it a try. Besides, even if I fail, there's no real loss—just some sacrificed leisure time."
As she spoke, Qianben Xixi noticed Conan's even more peculiar and surprised expression and asked curiously, "What, can't I even read novels?"
"No, no," Conan quickly waved his hands with a dry laugh. "I just didn't expect you to read that person's novels. Do you like detective stories too?"
Perhaps because he found a kindred spirit, or maybe because his father's books were appreciated, Conan suddenly felt much more favorably toward Qianben Xixi.
It seemed she really had nothing to do with the Black Organization. After all, Qianben Xixi usually preferred wearing white clothes, enjoyed reading detective novels written by his dad, and even tried writing novels herself. Someone like that definitely couldn't be a bad person, at least not someone from that Organization.
"Wait for me a moment. The professor should be awake by now. I'll go borrow the laptop for you."
As Conan put down his skateboard and was about to leave, Qianben Xixi quickly stopped him.
"Wait, I'll go with you." Qianben Xixi said worriedly, "I'll see you home as well."
Conan: …
He wasn't actually an elementary school student.
So, Qianben Xixi closed the door and took Conan on her skateboard all the way to Professor Agasa's house.
The one who opened the door was Ai Haibara, and Qianben Xixi was momentarily stunned.
It wasn't because she was surprised that the other person lived at Professor Agasa's house, but rather… she looked exactly like the girl in the photo Gin had sent her that morning.
The same hairstyle, the same delicate features, and the same cold gaze.
So, after borrowing the computer and on her way back from seeing Conan home, she took a moment to send an email to Gin.
[I think I saw a girl who looks just like the one in the photo. —Asti]
Unexpectedly, Gin's reply came quickly.
[Where? —Gin]
But before Qianben Xixi could reply again, the other party called. Qianben Xixi glanced at Conan, who kept looking at her, and answered anyway.
Gin: "Where is she?"
Qianben Xixi: "Actually, I forgot to mention earlier—that girl is only seven years old. I was just remarking on the resemblance."
Gin: "…"
Gin hung up the phone with a sharp click.