Ai spoke very seriously.
Time, one of the key elements in the four-dimensional space theory, was prominently mentioned in Einstein's theory of relativity.
No one should challenge time, nor is anyone qualified to do so.
"Oh, isn't that great?"
However, after hearing what Ai said, Keisuke Kumiko smiled slightly and replied,
"Even if the current takes us away, even if time is already in chaos, at least we can be sure of one thing."
Keisuke Kumiko placed his hand back on Ai's head and gently stroked it.
"You and I met by chance and have lived together until now."
"As long as we can keep living and living well, as long as life continues to exist, nothing else matters."
"So abandon your foolish and potentially fatal research."
"Live well with me."
Ai lifted her head and looked back at Keisuke Kumiko's face.
The two of them stared at each other in silence.
After a long while, a faint smile appeared at the corner of her delicate mouth.
"You really are... You always say inexplicable things, making it difficult for people to understand what kind of person you are."
Keisuke Kumiko smiled slightly and said, "Does it matter what kind of person I am?"
"Of course, it matters. After all, you don't pay me."
"What are you talking about? Not paying you is meant to motivate you more. Young people should learn to endure hardships and cultivate a spirit of hard work and perseverance! Do you come to work just for the money? Only those who endure the greatest hardships can achieve success."
"I think only a person with a heart of stone would believe your lies."
"I'm doing this purely for your spiritual well-being, Doraemon. To train you properly, why don't we cut your pay in half starting next month?"
"Well, before you think about that, there's something I need to remind you of."
"What?"
"Ran Mouri just broke your camera a moment ago."
"Damn! I was so caught up in talking that I completely forgot about that! Should I write a letter to a lawyer and demand a hefty compensation?"
"Anyone in court would have to be kicked in the head by a donkey to accept your case."
In the courthouse hallway, their conversation gradually faded.
In any case, from now on, Keisuke Kumiko would not allow Ai to conduct any research related to drugs.
This includes the Black Organization—we must not let them find us.
…
It was dinnertime.
At the Princess Law Office, where Princess Eri worked and lived.
Kogoro Mouri stood in front of the door, his finger on the doorbell, hesitating.
The verdict in Conan's lawsuit required him to pay 5 million yen in compensation to the other party.
However, his personal account couldn't generate that much cash flow at the moment.
After much deliberation, he had no choice but to shamelessly ask his ex-wife for help.
His daughter, Ran Mouri, accompanied him.
As for the mastermind behind the entire incident, little Edogawa Conan, he was still lying in the office groaning.
After all, he had been beaten up badly during the day, so he needed some time to recover.
After hesitating for a long time, his inner self finally overcame his pride, and he pressed the doorbell.
After a while, the door opened.
At that time, Eri Kisaki's secretary, Midori Kuriyama, had already left work, so it was Eri Kisaki herself who answered the door.
"Come in."
"Uh, okay."
After they all sat down, Eri Kisaki spoke expressionlessly.
"You lost a lawsuit again?"
"Well… If I lose, I have to pay 5 million yen..."
Kogoro Mouri spoke in a low voice, unable to lift his head.
Japanese men are extremely patriarchal, and this time he had truly risked his dignity by coming here to seek help from the wife who had left home because of him.
Seeing Kogoro Mouri's embarrassed expression, a trace of pain involuntarily appeared in Eri Kisaki's otherwise emotionless eyes.
"Don't worry. People like Keisuke Kumiko are difficult to deal with."
"Uh…"
"How have things been at home lately?"
"Fortunately, the detective business is going well."
"You haven't found another woman, have you?"
"What are you talking about? How could I do something like that?"
"Haha, I don't believe you."
"…"
The couple was chatting about family matters.
At that moment, Ran Mouri, who had been silent since arriving with her father, suddenly spoke.
"Mom, I have a question for you."
Eri Kisaki turned her head and looked at her daughter in surprise.
She noticed that Ran Mouri's expression seemed strange, as if something was weighing on her mind.
"If you have a question, just ask."
"Mmm."
Ran Mouri nodded.
Her eyes shifted back and forth between her father and mother.
After hesitating for a moment, Ran Mouri said, "Mom, what do you think is the right way for boys and girls to get along?"
Looking into her daughter's inquisitive eyes, Eri Kisaki was slightly stunned before feeling relieved.
She understood that her daughter was, after all, a teenager, and it was normal for girls at that age to have some wild thoughts.
"It's very simple. Men are not something you should rely on."
Eri Kisaki deliberately glanced at Kogoro Mouri.
The latter looked embarrassed and turned his head away angrily.
"I suppose your Kudo Shinichi has come back to bully you again, hasn't he?"
Eri Kisaki took her daughter's hand and smiled.
"Ignore him. You should focus on yourself. Think more about yourself. Remember, you are independent. Your personality, your life, and your future plans belong to you. Think about yourself, free yourself, and showcase your own life. This is your true self."
"My personality, my life..."
Ran Mouri murmured to herself.
Gradually, a spark of light began to appear in her gray eyes.
"Mom, I have something to ask of you."
Ran Mouri stood up and solemnly bowed to her mother.
Eri Kisaki was startled, then smiled and said, "We're family; there's no need to be so formal. What's the point of asking for favors?"
"Mmm."
Ran Mouri nodded.
"Mom, from today onward, I want to move in with you and learn about law from you."
"Hey, why haven't I heard you talk about this before?"
When Kogoro Mouri heard this, he immediately started shouting.
"Ran, if you move out, what about me? Who will cook for me?"
"You can order takeout."
Eri Kisaki rolled her eyes.
When she heard that her daughter wanted to move in with her, of course, she was delighted. She immediately took Ran Mouri's hand and pulled her to sit by her side.
"Ran, I'm so happy that you've made such a firm decision. You can move in with me right away! Mother and daughter—we don't need to rely on those smelly men!"
As she spoke, she glared at Kogoro Mouri.
"…"
Kogoro Mouri felt incredibly frustrated.
But he couldn't get angry—after all, he had come here to ask his wife for a favor.
"But, Mom, I am curious—why have you suddenly decided to learn law from me?" Eri Kisaki asked.
"That's because..."
Ran Mouri opened her mouth.
At that moment, she unconsciously recalled what Keisuke Kumiko had told her during the day.
It was as if a heavy hammer had struck her heart.
She didn't have good feelings toward Keisuke Kumiko and even found it difficult to agree with anything related to him.
But she had to admit that some of the things he said made sense.
Should women really rely on men to exist?
Shouldn't women have their own personal rights?
Just because she was born in Japan and is a Japanese woman, does that mean she has to follow Japan's traditional rules and never achieve anything? After getting married, should she only stay at home, take care of her husband and children, and dedicate everything to her man?
Shinichi—ever since the beginning, when she had been waiting for him like a stone waiting for its master, hoping for his return—where had he been?
For the first time in her life, Ran Mouri truly thought from the depths of her heart.
(End)