Hearing Ran defend him so passionately, Akashi felt a warm current flow through his heart.
Yet, he didn't want this girl to bear all the pressure on his behalf. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and said firmly:
"Detective Mōri, I don't agree with the adoption either."
"However, I don't want to return to the orphanage."
"So, I will stay at Aunt Eri's house temporarily."
"When I'm capable enough to protect myself, I will leave on my own."
Kogoro was stunned by the child's words. His eyes focused on Akashi, and he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of awe.
"These words… they're too well-thought-out! This doesn't sound like something a seven or eight-year-old would say!"
He recalled what Ran had mentioned earlier—that Akashi was the one who unraveled the truth of the case.
Kogoro suddenly found the child's intelligence unsettling.
"Such a sharp mind in someone so young…"
For a moment, his previous objections wavered. Though he still had reservations, he began to see the potential value in adopting Akashi.
Ran, meanwhile, was deeply moved.
To her, Akashi's words seemed so selfless, prioritizing others over himself.
"He doesn't even think about his own needs! He's only saying this to avoid a conflict between me and Dad."
She felt a pang of guilt as she thought, "How could any orphan truly not want a home of their own? And he's even saying he'll leave when he grows up!"
Looking at Akashi's composed expression, Ran's heart melted.
"Such a sensible, well-behaved child… how can Dad not see it?"
What Ran didn't know was that every word Akashi spoke came from a place of calculated truth.
---
In an instant, Ran's demeanor changed. Her high schooler's resolve flared, and she turned her determined gaze to her father, her voice resolute:
"You're not going anywhere, Akashi. Don't say such silly things!"
"Akashi, you are my little brother."
"With me here to protect you, don't worry—no one can force you to leave!"
Kogoro felt a chill run down his spine as Ran's words hit him like a wave of icy determination. The murderous aura she exuded was palpable, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Before he could formulate a response, he hastily shifted his focus, pointing toward Conan instead.
"Then… who is this kid?"
Conan, feeling utterly disregarded, watched Ran's attention remain fixed on her father, waiting for his stance on Akashi.
The dismissal hit Conan like an arrow to the heart.
"Unimportant?!" he thought bitterly, feeling the chill of rejection wash over him.
Seeing that Ran had no intention of introducing him, Conan reluctantly took matters into his own hands.
"My name is Edogawa Conan. I'm a distant relative of Brother Shinichi," he explained, his tone polite yet forced.
"Since my family is undergoing surgery, I've been staying at Brother Shinichi's house. But because he's busy investigating an important case, he asked if I could stay here at the office temporarily… if it's not too much trouble."
It was embarrassing to explain his fabricated backstory, but he had no choice.
Kogoro frowned.
"Another one wanting to board?!"
The disdain in his tone was impossible to miss, and it hit Conan like a second blow.
---
As they climbed toward the second floor, Kogoro grumbled:
"Ran, you know our family's situation, don't you?"
"This detective agency hasn't had a single case in half a year. Taking in two kids—it's a burden we can't afford!"
He muttered bitterly, "And your mother didn't even consult me! Deciding on something as big as adopting a child without saying a word… unbelievable—"
Before he could finish, the office door swung open.
Kogoro froze mid-sentence, his throat suddenly dry.
Standing in the doorway was an uninvited guest.
She wore a tailored purple suit and skirt, her long, slender legs encased in black stockings. Gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, complementing her sharp features. Holding a teddy bear in one hand, her figure exuded confidence and authority.
Her hair was tied up neatly, adding to her commanding presence.
It was none other than Eri Kisaki.
Her expression was icy, her gaze cutting straight through Kogoro.
Clearly, she had overheard his complaints.
With a frosty glint in her eyes, she spoke coolly:
"For a bumbling, failed detective like you, of course, I wouldn't bother to consult you."
"Why would you need to know about this?"
Kogoro's face flushed with anger as her sharp words pierced through him.
"What's with your attitude?!"
At that moment, Ran entered the office, gently holding Akashi's hand.
"Mom, why are you here?" she asked, surprised.
Eri's stern expression softened the moment her eyes fell on Akashi. Ignoring Kogoro entirely, she approached with a warm smile.
"Akashi, I'm here to pick you up! No one bullied you today, right?"
Ran immediately replied, her tone protective:
"No way! I've been taking care of him!"
She added enthusiastically, "Mom, you don't know how amazing Akashi is. We encountered a case today, and he was the one who solved it!"
Eri's expression turned to one of pleasant surprise, her eyes lighting up.
"That's truly impressive!" she said, a hint of admiration in her tone.
"Much better than a certain incompetent, useless detective I know."
The barb landed squarely on Kogoro, whose forehead veins bulged in anger. He pointed at Akashi, his tone sharp.
"Eri, are you really set on adopting this child? I'm telling you, without my consent, it's impossible!"
Eri smirked, her gaze cool and dismissive.
"You underestimate the capabilities of a lawyer."
"All I need to do is sign the divorce agreement. After that, you'll have no say in what I do!"
She added with a sharp edge, "After all, this separation has dragged on long enough. Just wait for the papers."
With that, she took Akashi's hand and began walking downstairs, leaving a stunned Kogoro in her wake.
Overwhelmed by her declaration, Kogoro's face turned red with fury. He picked Conan up like a prop and yelled after her:
"Don't think you're the only one who can adopt a child! I'll adopt one too!"
"This kid here—he's my son now! How does that make you feel, huh?"
Conan was utterly bewildered, his face pale with confusion.
"What's going on? I only wanted to stay here, not pick up some cheap dad!"
Eri glanced back, her sharp, almond-shaped eyes briefly resting on Kogoro. She shook her head, her expression a mixture of exasperation and pity.
"Childish," she muttered under her breath before continuing her way out with Akashi.
As the sound of her heels faded, Kogoro slumped against the wall, utterly deflated, like a defeated dog licking its wounds.
---
Meanwhile, Ran quickly ran after her mother.
She fully supported the idea of her mother adopting Akashi.
But she absolutely didn't want her parents to divorce.
On the contrary, Ran had been working tirelessly to reconcile her parents and couldn't simply stand by as this new conflict erupted.
Conan, still processing the chaotic scene, glanced at Kogoro's pitiful state.
He considered running after Ran but hesitated.
"I can't leave him like this," Conan thought grimly.
With a resigned sigh, he decided to stay behind and keep an eye on Kogoro.
---
Eri, meanwhile, wasn't in a rush. She strolled at a steady pace, allowing Ran to catch up with her easily.
"Mom, what you said back there… that was a joke, right?" Ran asked cautiously, her voice tinged with worry.
Eri chuckled, a playful smirk on her lips.
"It could be true," she teased lightly.
"That man… if I don't scare him a little, he'll ruin everything for me."
"Do you know how hard it's been to finalize Akashi's adoption paperwork?"
Hearing this, Ran let out a relieved sigh.
Her shoulders softened as she relaxed, her hands lightly resting against the plush fullness of her chest, gently patting it as if to soothe the tension within herself.
The tension melted away as she realized her mother's words weren't entirely serious.