We returned to the inn for the ti being. I already knew, but the police were still investigating the scene. Kyogoku was nowhere to be seen—perhaps he had received treatnt and gone to give his statent.
"Huh? What's going on?"
As Sonoko and Ran approached the inn with questioning looks, Inspector 'Yokomizo Sango' spotted us and ca over. He was from the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters, the sa rank as 'gure Juzo'.
"You're finally here. I heard. You were staying at this inn, right?"
Ran and Conan, having been involved in many strange incidents, seed to already know him.
"Yes, but what happened?"
"Well, you see, there was a robbery at the inn. The thief was going through the guests' luggage, but after a fight with the innkeeper's son, he was caught. The innkeeper's son was injured as well. The investigation is almost finished, so please wait a mont, then check your belongings and let know if anything is missing."
Hearing that, Sonoko said in surprise.
"Sothing like that happened while we weren't here?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Oh, and haven't you seen this person sowhere before?"
Inspector Yokomizo showed us a photo of the culprit. We looked at the photo. Then Sonoko recognized the culprit.
"Huh? This person... after the fireworks ended yesterday, near the train tracks, he was trying to do sothing lewd with a woman. I thought it was disgusting to see such things outdoors, so I took a photo, and then he ran away..."
This was a bit different from the original. In the original, Sonoko passed by but didn't see anything and just walked on. But because of , maybe our route changed, and she actually took a photo of the murder scene. Because of that, the culprit had sneaked into the inn to destroy the evidence and steal Sonoko's cara.
Hearing this, Inspector Yokomizo was surprised and showed Sonoko another photo.
"Then is this woman the one who was with him?"
"I'm not sure. The woman lying below was hard to see because it was dark."
"Then did you definitely take a photo?"
"Yes, I haven't developed it yet, but I definitely took it."
Hearing that, Inspector Yokomizo called another officer and asked.
"Hey! Was a cara found at the scene?"
"Yes, there was."
"I'm sorry, but we'll keep the cara for now. It might be an important key to the case."
Then Sonoko said incredulously.
"What? But that cara has many photos of us having fun too."
"Then we'll develop the photos you took while having fun properly and give you as many copies as the number of people here. How about that?"
When Inspector Yokomizo offered to develop them for the number of people, Sonoko agreed. Actually, this was a courtesy from Inspector Yokomizo because we were acquaintances. Normally, he would have just confiscated it as evidence.
"Well, if you're going to do that much..."
At any rate, after the investigation ended, we went to our rooms. The n's room was fine, but the won's room was a complete ss. Ran, Sonoko, and Haibara's belongings had been pulled out and scattered, and there were signs of a struggle everywhere. On top of that, there were bloodstains, so the girls were terrified.
"That's really too much..."
Sonoko scowled and said, and Ran agreed.
"I know, right... What do we do with these belongings now?"
"What else? Throw them away. We can't just wear them again and go swimming."
"I suppose so..."
The girls packed only the important things and burned the rest in an empty lot next to the inn. Things like swimsuits and underwear were hard to just throw away, so there was no choice. The police also determined that they didn't need them as evidence and allowed the burning. After all, they had already photographed the scene and taken the important evidence—the knife and the cara.
After cleaning up, we tried to leave the inn, but the innkeeper's wife apologized for the robbery and said that if we ca to the restaurant tomorrow, lunch would be free. We didn't particularly refuse.
At any rate, we first booked a hotel nearby, then went out again and walked around stores to buy the necessary items for the girls. Having the clone Morgan certainly made things convenient. I always lacked hands, but with Morgan, we could divide the heavy luggage.
Then dividing the rooms was also a problem. Fortunately, despite the peak season, we were able to book three double rooms. After discussion, it was decided that Ran and Sonoko would share a room, Haibara would share a room with , and Morgan and Conan would share a room.
In a way, the most straightforward thod would have been Ran and Conan, Haibara and Sonoko, and and Morgan, but Morgan, Haibara, and I opposed Conan and Ran sharing a room. Haibara, who I thought would at least consider blood relation, ended up sharing a room with , and surprisingly, she didn't object.
"You didn't object. I thought you would."
"Well, I was afraid Sonoko would think of as a doll and hug in her sleep. It was dangerous at the inn too."
"Ah~ So that was the reason."
"So you sleep on the sofa, and I'll sleep on the bed."
Haibara said sothing strange. I had booked the hotel and paid the money; I didn't want to sleep uncomfortably.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm definitely sleeping on the bed. If soone's uncomfortable, they can sleep on the sofa."
Hearing that, Haibara scowled and said.
"Don't you have any consideration for won?"
"What woman? You're just a little kid."
"Ugh~! Forget it. I'm going to take a shower, so don't even think about peeping!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Haibara went into the shower and washed up. When she ca out, I went in and washed. When I ca out, Haibara was tired and lying face down on the bed, asleep. I pushed her over a bit and just slept next to her.
The next day, as expected, I woke up earlier. Haibara had at so point put her feet up on , so I gently pushed her feet aside and got up from the bed. After that, I washed up briefly, sat on the sofa, and thought about the future.
First, for soone like Morgan, who wasn't an android, his identity was fine since I had prepared it in advance, but there was no property related to that identity. If it had nothing to do with people around him, it wouldn't be a problem, but now that he might date Sonoko, he would need a house and so assets.
But I couldn't give him a large sum of money. Whether in Japan or Korea, owning a large yacht ant heavy monitoring by the tax authorities. So I thought of using the AI-equipped laptop I had brought from the Marvel universe to trade stocks. Of course, I plan to raise the initial capital by selling so gold and jewelry.
'I never intended to make a lot of money, but it can't be helped.'
Still, once the initial capital was secured, the AI on the laptop would earn money on its own. I just had to wait.
While I was drinking coffee and thinking about this and that, Haibara got up from the bed.
"Did you sleep well? By the way, where did you sleep?"
"Next to you."
"What? You really just slept next to ? You didn't do anything to , did you?"
I found Haibara's words a bit absurd.
"Honestly, I didn't want to say this, but when I woke up, you were hugging . So I gently pushed you away and got up."
"What? Is that true?"
Haibara seed unable to believe it.
"Yeah. I should have taken a picture."
"..."
At that, Haibara, perhaps embarrassed, ducked back under the covers.
"Stop being dramatic and hurry up, wash up and get ready. We'll miss breakfast ti."
Then Haibara grumbled as she got out of bed.
"Hey! My body may be like this, but I'm still an 18-year-old woman. Don't you have any consideration at all?"
"Again, just because soone wears a skirt, I don't see them as a woman. They're just a person. If you were my type, all curvy, maybe, but right now, in my eyes, you're just a simple little kid."
"Hoo... Forget it..."
She said that and went into the shower, washed up briefly, changed clothes, and ca out. In the anti, I woke up the others sleeping in the other rooms. Conan's room, perhaps because Morgan was there, was already up.
"Let's go. Eat."
"Okay."
We all ate together and then went to the beach to play in the water. But Sonoko couldn't take her eyes off Morgan's physique.
"Wow~ Morgan-san, like Jin, your body is no joke. Do you work out?"
"Yes, I'm interested in Muay Thai and kickboxing, so I train."
"Wow~ So that's why you have such a great body."
"But I wonder if I shouldn't have asked to hang out. After what happened yesterday..."
"Ah, no. It's fine. But you're staying at Jin's house for a while?"
"Yes, that's right. I've decided to stay at Jin's place for a while. Jin said that when he gets his yacht, I could co along as first mate."
"Ah~ So that's how it happened. So that's why you ca to Japan."
"That's right."
"So I can reach you at Jin's house?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Sonoko was enjoying herself, forgetting about swimming and asking Morgan various questions. Seeing that, Ran smiled and said.
"I'm glad. Sonoko got a man like she wanted. But you know, since he's Arican, can he co to Japan often?"
"If he ends up dating Sonoko, he'll co often. He's a responsible guy, unlike soone."
I said, looking at Conan. Conan scowled and glared at .
"Who are you talking about?"
"You wouldn't know even if I told you. That person prioritizes work over the people around him. Because he doesn't pay attention to his surroundings, he's losing people important to him."
"Really? But isn't that his own doing, so it can't be helped?"
"Right, that's why I even warned him. I said if he keeps living like that, there won't be anyone left around him. But he still keeps doing it. I guess work is that good to him."
"He sounds like a pitiful person."
"If he only made himself miserable, that would be fortunate, but people like that also make those around them suffer."
"I see. But I'm glad you're not like that, Jin."
"Of course. My family and my lover co first."
At that, Ran blushed and looked very embarrassed.
"Oh, honestly, Jin~"
Hearing that, Conan gritted his teeth behind us.
When lunchti ca, we went to the restaurant run by the inn and ate. The innkeeper's wife, perhaps feeling sorry, prepared a generous al. So we were able to eat our fill. But Kyogoku was nowhere to be seen again today.
"Hoo~ I'm full. I ate too well."
"Let's shower now and slowly get ready to go back."
"Yeah, let's do that."
We showered, packed our things, and returned to Tokyo. Of course, on the way, we stopped by a store and didn't forget to buy a souvenir for Kogoro.
After dropping off the kids and organizing the car, I assigned Morgan a room and bought him various necessities and furniture. At night, I flew to the US, exchanged so gold and jewelry for dollars, handled financial matters, and returned by teleportation.
The next day, unable to wait, Sonoko ca over to our house. Sonoko helped organize Morgan's room, ate with us, and in the evening, borrowed my car to be dropped off at ho. The smile never left Sonoko's face all day.
'In the end, she didn't end up with Kyogoku, but she looks happy.'
From that day on, Morgan focused solely on building assets with the AI. Receiving Morgan's mories, I saw that the AI wasn't just investing in stocks, but diversifying across various fields, including movies and expensive works of art. When investnt funds were low, he sotis used my existing assets. Of course, that was with my permission.
Then one day, Haibara said during a al.
"Our house has gotten a bit livelier these days."
"It seems like it's because Sonoko cos over often. But do you dislike this kind of atmosphere?"
"No, it's not bad. Honestly, aside from when I'm working, the house was too quiet."
Haibara still seed to feel lonely sotis.
"If you're bored, just say so anyti. I'll take you out to have fun."
Hearing that, she smiled slightly and answered.
"Okay. When I want to go out again, I'll tell you."
Several days passed like that. With about four weeks of vacation left, I wanted to set off on the yacht. So I decided to hire about two part-ti crew mbers, preferably female college students, to help operate the yacht. Originally, Morgan and I were going to do everything, but if we traveled for a week, there would be quite a lot of work. Even just cleaning up trash, gathering laundry, and carrying food would be helpful.
At first, I thought about using androids, but since my yacht was quite famous in Japan, I had no choice but to hire people. Androids stood out too much in appearance. Even with Morgan, it was common for him to get his picture taken just by going outside because of his handso looks.
At any rate, I contacted everyone who would be joining the trip. The students didn't mind since it was vacation, but the adults needed to adjust their schedules, so I wanted to let them know as soon as possible.
While contacting Ran, Sonoko, who had co to see Morgan again that day, said to .
"My dad wants to see you? He said he has sothing to talk about."
"Really? You don't know what about?"
"No idea. Probably about Morgan-san? I actually bragged about him a lot."
"I-I see. Okay, let's go this evening."
"Okay, let's."
I explained this to Morgan as well.
"Morgan-san, sorry to bother you."
Sonoko bowed her head in apology, and Morgan smiled and said.
"It's fine. This is a good chance to see Sonoko-san's house as well."
"Thank you for thinking that way~"
In the evening, we took Haibara along and went to Sonoko's house. We might be able to mooch a al, after all. Or we could just buy sothing to eat.
"Welco. It's been a while, Jin-kun. And this must be Morgan West-san, the one Sonoko has been bragging so much about."
As expected, it was Sonoko's mother, Tomoko, greeting us warmly.
"Hello. It's been a while."
"Hello. I'm Morgan West. I've heard a lot about you from Sonoko-san."
Tomoko was surprised and asked Morgan.
"Oh my, your Japanese is quite fluent. I was about to greet you in English since you're Arican."
Then Sonoko said proudly.
"Morgan-san speaks eight languages! He's a very smart person."
"Honestly, Sonoko... I've heard that story many tis. I didn't know his pronunciation would be perfect, though. And is the cute girl next to Jin-kun Ai-chan? I've wanted to see her. Nice to et you."
"Hello. I'm Haibara Ai."
Tomoko looked at Haibara with eyes that said she was extrely cute.
"Um... I'm sorry, but could I just hug you once?"
"No!"
When Tomoko asked Haibara, she refused flatly.
"So cold... Well, co in. The other family mbers should be arriving soon, so please wait in the living room for a while."
"Then we'll excuse ourselves."
As we sat on the living room sofa guided by Tomoko, Sonoko served us tea. While we were drinking tea and waiting, Tomoko ca and asked Morgan various questions.
"If it should happen, if you were to marry Sonoko, would you consider becoming an adopted son-in-law?"
"Ah, there is such a custom in Japan, isn't there? You're talking about bringing in an adopted son-in-law to continue the family business, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
But Morgan said firmly.
"I'm sorry, but that's probably impossible. My dream is to pilot a ship and travel all over the world. If Sonoko-san wishes, I could compromise to so extent to help, but that's about it. And perhaps because I'm Arican, unless my parents have mobility issues or financial difficulties after marriage, living together isn't culturally appropriate."
"Is that so?"
In the original, Tomoko didn't particularly like Kyogoku either. Personally, I think Tomoko, having married into an important family and not having borne a son, might have been obsessed with finding a suitable adopted son-in-law to continue the Suzuki Group.
But I didn't like that approach. Morgan was my clone, and he spoke in perfect alignnt with my thoughts. I have no reason to be under soone else. If I wanted, I could earn enough money to control the whole world, like in the Marvel universe. I just didn't because I was lazy, earning only enough to live comfortably.
"Then I can't give you Sonoko."
Tomoko said with a slight smile.
"I see. Then I'll have to run away with Sonoko-san."
Morgan also said with a slight smile. Hearing that, Sonoko was touched.
"Ah~ A love escape! That's so romantic~ I'll follow you anywhere."
Tomoko sighed and said.
"Hoo... I think I've raised my daughter too simply."
"Oh, honestly, Mom..."
"That wasn't a complint."
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