"Kudo, did you get the notice?" A phone call came in the middle of the night. Some ridiculous notice? Conan's mood could be imagined.
"What the hell, do you know what time it is, Hattori? I'm a grade-schooler now, I need to sleep 8 hours every night." Funny how he only remembered he was a kid at times like this.
"It's about investigating Kaitou Kid—the one who stole Mount Fuji."
Conan instantly sobered up. "You got the invitation too?"
"Of course. I'm Hattori Heiji of Kansai." Hattori sounded smug. "What about you?"
"Uncle Kogoro got invited as well."
"As expected. I heard you even met Kaitou face-to-face. How did it feel?"
So he was fishing for intel. Conan understood. "Strange. Kaitou Kid is definitely no ordinary criminal."
"I already know that. Anyone who can make a mountain vanish isn't some simple thief. I'm asking if Kaitou's a man or woman, tall or short, how the voice sounded?"
"You're planning to start from Kaitou's identity?"
"Yeah, what else can I do? I have no idea how a mountain could disappear overnight unless it's magic. So better to catch the Kaitou first."
Conan nodded. "Kaitou is male. But he can disguise himself as a woman. He can perfectly mimic gestures, posture, even voices."
"A master of disguise then? Got it. Anything else useful?"
"He's very young, probably about your height. That's all I know for now."
"Thanks. When I get back from Mount Fuji, I'll go to Tokyo to see you." Since it was a joint investigation, Hattori knew Conan couldn't skip school. He'd carefully investigate, take photos, and bring them back for Conan to analyze.
"Then goodbye."
"Goodbye."
The next day, on the rooftop again, Liu A'dou called Sonoko and Ran over. He silently raised his head to the sky, posing like a brooding prince.
But the moment he opened his mouth, the aura vanished. "So, about my wife, what information have you two gathered?"
He skipped straight past the future and went straight to calling her his wife. Sonoko and Ran thought Liu A'dou was way too self-absorbed.
"Liu A'dou, stop overthinking. Teacher Ada is already married, and she even has a child. She'll never be with you. Why don't you just start a normal romance?" Sonoko said.
"She has a daughter?"
"Uh, yes." Sonoko replied. "But whether daughter or son, you don't stand a chance."
"Then what's our daughter's name?"
At that, the image of Liu A'dou as a total pervert cemented itself in their minds.
Sonoko nearly coughed blood. It was her first time seeing someone this shameless. Better to avoid the rooftop from now on.
Ran felt dizzy. Liu A'dou's bluntness was unbearable. Someone else's daughter had just become his daughter in his mind. This was a family ethics tragedy. "Liu A'dou, be normal."
"I am normal. More normal than ever. And I'm very serious. You two must help me build a happy family with Teacher Ada."
This was basically blackmail. But Liu A'dou didn't use threats of force. Instead he said, "You're my good friends. Please, I'm counting on you!"
"…" The two girls exchanged a look. Best to just leave. Liu A'dou was beyond saving.
But did they think they could shake him off? In Liu A'dou's plan to pursue love again, they were key players.
So during PE class, they saw Liu A'dou making exaggerated gestures at them, sending signals.
"Liu A'dou's moves look just like a gymnast. So cool." That was from a clueless female classmate.
Only Ran and Sonoko knew the truth—Liu A'dou was signaling them for cooperation.
During exams, no one knew how he managed it, but when the teacher wasn't paying attention, little notes would flutter onto their test papers.
In class, every time they opened a book, there would be a bookmark slipped inside—left by Liu A'dou.
So many harassment tricks, endless and relentless. Sonoko and Ran were on the verge of losing it. Liu A'dou was too much. But to everyone else, he was still a dashing, handsome guy. Only Sonoko and Ran knew that behind that handsome face was the ultimate mix of clown and pervert. They couldn't take it anymore.
So that evening, they confronted him again. "If you like Teacher Ada so much, why don't you go after her yourself?"
Should Liu A'dou say it out loud? If he went directly, Ada would never reveal any more info. "Because you're my friends. Helping me is your duty."
What rotten luck to have a friend like this. Sonoko almost cursed out loud, but she held back for the sake of manners. "Liu A'dou, A'dou-kun, Liu-kun, I give up. Please, just let us have some peace."
"Actually, I think this afternoon's stuff was childish too. But if you help me, it won't happen again." Liu A'dou spoke righteously. "All I ask is that you help me get more information. That's it. No other demands."
"If we don't, then we have to keep putting up with your harassment?" Sonoko asked.
Liu A'dou nodded.
"Ran, I can't anymore. It's up to you," Sonoko surrendered.
Ran stepped up to him. "Liu A'dou, I don't want to do this. But your behavior is really troubling us. If you keep this up, I'll…"
A lightning-fast kick—no wonder Ran was the karate champion. Her leg strike was swift, powerful, and precise. Of course, she didn't actually hit Liu A'dou. Instead, she aimed at a concrete utility pole.
With a crack, the pole split open.
Liu A'dou sighed. "What a deadly Kick. But your force isn't concentrated enough. It should be like this…"
He pressed his fist against the pole, then exploded with power at point-blank range—inch force! His punch sank into the pole, punching a hole clean through.
Sonoko's hair stood on end. Even Ran's face changed. Inch force? That was one of the highest-level skills in Chinese martial arts. She never thought Liu A'dou would be this strong.
"So, please, lend me your help," Liu A'dou said.
"Why should we?" Sonoko still resisted.
"Isn't this a contest? Clearly, I did more damage to the pole." The poor pole could only cry in silence.
"Ran!" Sonoko ducked behind Ran, afraid Liu A'dou might use violence. But Ran knew she couldn't beat him.
"I won't use force against you. You're not just my friends—you're my most important knights. I'm counting on you to get me Teacher Ada's information." With that, Liu A'dou turned and walked away.
The two girls were speechless.
"Ran, are we really going to help him?"
Ran gave a bitter smile. "If we don't, I'm sure this afternoon's antics will just continue." Just thinking of that barrage of harassment gave her chills.
"But isn't this betraying Teacher Ada?"
"Not really." They needed an excuse for themselves. "All we're doing is telling him things about Teacher Ada. We won't do anything else. Besides, I think Liu A'dou really does like Teacher Ada."
On that point, Sonoko agreed. "Maybe he really will pursue her… just in a super creepy way."
The two girls watched Liu A'dou's back and made up their minds. They had to settle this quickly.