Chapter 75: Unable to Accept

"Dad..."

Ran, who had been covering her mouth and trembling slightly, suddenly spoke.

"This child can stay, but I might not be able to remain."

"!"

The three parents present were startled by these words.

Mao Li Lan squatted down slightly and took the glasses off the child.

"Hmm, he really looks like Shinichi did when he was little."

"... Dad, I don't want to see this child's face for now."

"I don't want to think about Shinichi for now."

"..."

The three parents fell silent for a moment.

"Ah, I forgot that point."

Kudo Yukiko sighed, forgetting the possibility that Ran is unable to face reality all at once.

"This child just learned of Shinichi's death; even if it is one we created, I'm afraid this child does not want to think about Shinichi's death in such a short time."

"That was a mistake."

This was indeed something they had not considered.

As parents, they could accept the matter of Shinichi's death because they knew Shinichi was not actually dead.

But the problem is that Ran does not know.

Ran truly believes Shinichi is dead.

She does not want to see Shinichi in the form of a child in such a short time because she does not know that it is Shinichi himself.

"Ran, if... you can't take it, you can go stay with Eri first."

Considering his daughter's unbearable emotions, Kogoro Mao Li did not force Ran to accept it.

Especially given the relationship between Ran and that boy, perhaps it would be good for Ran to go to Eri's place to adjust.

"Hmm."

Ran put the glasses she had taken off back onto the child.

With her complex emotions, she simply had no way to conceal them.

"Dad, I'm going to take a day off today."

"Hmm, take a rest today. You can contact Eri first and have her come pick you up."

"I'll go contact Mom."

Ran struggled to control her emotions and looked apologetically at Aunt Yukiko and Uncle Kudo.

"I'm sorry, I... can't quite control my emotions."

"No need to apologize, Ran."

Kudo Yukiko stepped forward and pulled Ran into her arms.

"We all know how you feel."

"If that day... ah, it's all in the past. Ran, you don't need to keep thinking about Shinichi in the future."

"..."

Ran forced a smile onto her face.

"Aunt Yukiko, I'm going upstairs first."

"Hmm, go ahead."

Ran pulled herself together and went to the third floor.

The second floor is the Mao Li Detective Agency, while the third floor is where the Mao Li family actually lives.

Actually, there are not many rooms on the third floor; there are only two rooms.

One belongs to Kogoro Mao Li, and the other belongs to Ran Mao Li.

In fact, it has already become very crowded just with one person living here; adding a boy who moved in to live further squeezes the already limited living space.

After arriving on the second floor, all the emotions Ran could not control just now were brought under control.

She walked into her own room.

Ran took out a diary.

"..."

Looking at the words recorded on it, a trace of bitterness rose on her face.

"I really cannot accept it."

She actually knew everything about Kudo Shinichi being hit by a club and fed poison.

She even knew that the child beside Uncle Kudo was Kudo Shinichi.

But what does knowing change?

When she walked with Shinichi, she always became a burden to Shinichi's case investigations.

Facing cases, facing danger, Shinichi always rushed forward the fastest, but her feelings were always ignored.

Plus this deception this time.

Ran truly felt she couldn't take it.

She could accept Shinichi telling her the truth tactfully; even if there were some dangers afterward, she would help Shinichi hide the truth, even helping others conceal the truth together.

But what about now?

Hasn't Shinichi already made his decision?

Hiding it from her, just because of so-called "protection"?

If it really were protection, shouldn't he keep his distance from her?

Mao Li Lan is no fool; she knows why Shinichi was arranged to be by her side.

Completely killing off the identity of "Kudo Shinichi," and even letting himself come to her side—wasn't that just for his own selfish reasons?

Telling her nothing, yet always harboring selfish intentions toward her.

What is he trying to do?

Trying to keep her under his watch, not letting anyone else get close?

"I still can't accept it, Shinichi."

Can't accept being treated like this.

Mao Li Lan also cannot accept Kudo Shinichi's selfishness.

If Kudo Shinichi told her the truth, then she could accept it.

But the current situation like this—no.

Mao Li Lan gathered her composure, picked up the phone, and dialed her mother's number.

"Mom…"

"What's wrong, Xiao Lan? You sound so upset."

"Something happened, Mom. Can you come pick me up now?"

"…Wait at home, I'll be right over."

From the phone, Fei Yingli heard something unusual in her daughter's voice, immediately dropped all her work, grabbed her coat and bag, and prepared to rush home.

In just thirty minutes, Fei Yingli had already arrived at the Mao Li Detective Agency.

She didn't go to the third floor, but to the second floor.

Then she was surprised to discover that Youxiko and Yusaku were both there.

But looking carefully, the expressions on all three of their faces were not very good.

"You guys, what's going on?"

Suddenly seeing several people all here, Fei Yingli always felt a bad premonition.

"Xiaowulang, what's going on?"

"That kid had an accident."

"！?"

Fei Yingli immediately understood why Xiao Lan's emotions had been so low on the phone just now.