Chapter 257: The

Holy crap! This, this is really eating a huge melon.

This shocking melon left Ren Amamiya incredibly surprised.

This was a part not mentioned in the story; the relationship between Kogoro Mouri and Eri Kisaki was indeed quite complex. Normally, a dozen years of separation would have resulted in a divorce.

Yet this couple had stubbornly lived apart for over a decade while still maintaining contact; that was quite miraculous.

To insist it was for Ran’s sake was indeed a bit of a stretch.

Especially since Ran was already sixteen; a child at this age wouldn't be unable to accept their parents' divorce like a small child.

Who knew she would get such a huge melon from Ran’s own mouth.

This couple was in contact regularly, and even met often.

So, was Ran some kind of play for this couple?

This couple really knew how to play.

As a result, it was truly shocking enough to make one’s jaw drop to the floor.

"I’m saying this to tell you that I am not a fool."

Ran Mouri always felt like she was being treated as a fool.

"As for the dating issue... I don’t know. But if you let go of your hand, I’m leaving."

Ren Amamiya understood these words very clearly, so he had no intention of letting go.

Since things had reached this point, he might as well be a scumbag clearly and openly.

Take initiative, accept, and take responsibility.

"I won't let go."

Feeling the hand on her waist tighten, Ran Mouri was a bit happy and a bit shy.

"Mm. But you have to be a bit more reserved around others. I’ve already said you’re dating Sonoko. If Dad finds out about our relationship, he’ll probably jump through the roof."

"So, we have to hide it for now?"

"Exactly."

Considering her family situation, Ran Mouri still felt that hiding it a bit was the right decision.

Dating really couldn't be too obvious, otherwise, it wouldn't just be at home; it wouldn't be appropriate at school either.

The two of them walked like this, snuggled up, to the foot of the mountain.

Of course, when they reached the foot of the mountain, Ran Mouri had already maintained a certain distance from Ren Amamiya.

The Benkei Hot Spring Inn was clearly quite a distance from the one they had booked.

Clatter!

Pulling open the door, the sound drew the attention of the front desk staff inside.

Seeing two young people, and even wearing thick yukatas, she understood they were guests from another hot spring inn.

"Hello, may I help you two?"

"Yes. My name is Ran Mouri. My father, Kogoro Mouri, is having a class reunion at this hot spring inn, and I’ve come to find him."

The staff didn't even need to check the registry to know, because only six guests had made reservations for this weekend, and one of them was Kogoro Mouri.

"Please come in, your father is in the main hall."

"Thank you."

Ran Mouri thanked her, and together with Ren Amamiya, changed into indoor slippers and headed toward the main hall.

Sure enough, as she walked into the main hall, she saw her father and his group all gathered together, though she didn't know what they were looking at.

Ran Mouri walked over quietly and tapped her father, who had an inexplicably gloomy aura.

"!?"

Kogoro Mouri was startled. Turning around, he saw his precious daughter standing behind him—that was a pleasant surprise. But the bespectacled boy standing next to his precious daughter was a shock to his heart.

"Startled you, didn't I, Dad?"

Looking at his daughter’s happy expression, Kogoro Mouri felt like he was having a myocardial infarction; he was truly going to be scared to death by this daughter.

"Ran, why did you come here?"

"Because I ran into Aunt Yumi earlier and found out you were having a class reunion at a hot spring inn this weekend, so I thought I’d suggest it, and my suggestion was accepted. So, our club’s weekend outing location is this hot spring inn."

Good grief, that reason was truly casual.

Almost everyone present couldn't help but have that thought.

You have to know that due to rising prices recently, domestic travel was much more expensive than international travel. To decide on a weekend trip just because of a casual suggestion—what kind of economic condition was this?

"No wonder. Sonoko didn't come today?"

"They all came. But we just finished soaking in the hot spring, and Sonoko is currently lazing on a massage chair refusing to get up. I thought I’d come over to see Dad, and Ren accompanied me."

Ran Mouri explained with a smile.

The very sufficient explanation and reason made Kogoro Mouri’s emotions stabilize a bit; thankfully, it wasn't what he had thought.

Noticing Kogoro Mouri’s intention, Conan Edogawa rolled his eyes directly.

He is Sonoko’s boyfriend, Uncle, what on earth are you thinking?

Knowing the relationship between Sonoko and Ran, one would know that such a thing was completely unrealistic.

"Ren Amamiya, this is our third time meeting, Mr. Mouri."

Ren Amamiya spoke quietly, like a shy boy; his voice wasn't loud, yet it allowed everyone to hear every word clearly.

"Ah, hello."

After the introduction, Ren Amamiya’s gaze swept over everyone present, and then he spoke with a hint of apology:

"Although it’s a bit rude, Mr. Mouri, this class reunion of yours might encounter some trouble."

"Trouble?"

Kogoro Mouri couldn't help but frown; he didn't understand the meaning of these words.

Ren Amamiya took in all this unease. He didn't offer any explanation, but simply made a grabbing motion, and then a tarot card appeared in his hand.

"The Grim Reaper has visited this class reunion. Mr. Mouri, I think this class reunion of yours might be stained with some bright red."

"Huh!?"

Kogoro Mouri’s expression changed, and the bad temper in his heart soared instantly; he couldn't help but stand up.

"Dad!"

But the next second, Kogoro Mouri, who was about to stand up, was pressed back down by his daughter.

"Ren, although he sometimes says things that don't sound nice, his fortune-telling is very accurate. You should listen to what he has to say first."

Kogoro Mouri, forcibly pressed into his seat, felt as if his shoulder had been pressed down by a crane; the sudden violence made his shoulder ache.

However, for the moment, Kogoro Mouri couldn't dwell on the question of why Ran’s strength had increased so much.

He could only temporarily focus his attention on the words spoken by this arrogant kid in front of him.

"Fine... listening is fine too."

PS: New book is out, asking for data.