Chapter 23: The Jealous King of East Asia

One tray held an assortment of adorable animal-shaped chocolates, so lifelike that simply looking at them brought joy.

As for the other tray, Suzuki Haruaki really didn't want to admit that the unrecognizable objects on it were meant to be chocolate.

"Hmm... they look more like dog droppings. It’s really hard to work up an appetite."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm!"

Ignoring the unappetizing pile, Haruaki picked up a bear-shaped chocolate and took a bite. It melted instantly on his tongue—soft, sweet, and fragrant. Delicious!

"Tama-nee, the chocolates you made are so good! Could you make some more? I want to share them with Ayumi and the others."

"Sure, I understand," Kurosaki Tama replied with a bright smile.

Seeing this, Suzuki Sonoko pushed her own pile of mysterious objects toward Haruaki and asked expectantly, "Haruaki, try mine too! I worked so hard on these. Give me your opinion!"

"..."

Haruaki was silent for a moment, then said helplessly, "Sis, if you're trying to poison me, just say so!"

Sonoko felt the sting of his words. "You brat, don't underestimate me! I’ll definitely make a perfect batch of chocolate, and you won't get any of it!"

Despite her bold words, after two hours of painstaking effort, she still hadn't produced a single edible piece. In the end, a weary Kurosaki Tama took one of her own pre-made chocolates, melted it down in a pot for Sonoko, and poured it into a mold to cool. It was the only way Sonoko could claim to have made something herself. Haruaki dubbed this creation the "Sonoko-late."

***

The next morning, at the Mouri Detective Agency:

As Ran walked downstairs with her finished chocolates, she saw Haruaki standing next to Sonoko and asked, "Sonoko, is Haruaki coming with us?"

"I couldn't help it. This kid is just too clingy. I couldn't resist his begging," Sonoko said with a feigned sigh, though she was secretly thrilled; her precious little brother rarely acted so needy.

"..."

Haruaki rolled his eyes. *If I weren't worried about the safety of my air-headed sister, I wouldn't be caught dead at a Valentine’s party,* he thought.

Due to the chaotic nature of this world, there were dozens of Valentine’s Days in a single year. While Haruaki couldn't recall every specific case, he knew one thing for certain: nothing good ever happened on Valentine’s Day. To prevent Sonoko from getting caught in the crossfire—and because saving a life is a virtuous act—he had decided to tag along.

"Ran-nee, I want to go too! If Haruaki can go, why can't I? I want to go, I want to go!" A small figure sprinted down from the second floor and latched onto Ran’s leg, acting spoiled. It was none other than the "King of Vinegar," Edogawa Conan.

Haruaki looked at Conan—who was practically rolling on the floor—with utter disdain. *I’m a real child and even I’m embarrassed to act like this. Shinichi Kudo, you have no shame.*

"Alright, alright, you can come with us," Ran said, completely unable to resist Conan’s pleading.

Conan flashed a happy smile, but inwardly he was fuming: *I’ll see exactly who you’re planning to give those chocolates to.*

A yellow sedan pulled up. A muscular man in a red T-shirt leaned out and called out, "Ran, Sonoko, hop in."

"Haruaki, Conan, let's go!"

The group piled into the back seat. Haruaki leaned over the driver's seat and poked the man's shoulder. "Big brother, you’re so strong! Are you a fitness trainer?"

"Ding! Congratulations on successfully signing in at Toshihide Wakamatsu. Reward: 2 points of Strength. You may claim them at any time."

"Little guy, I’m not a trainer. I’m a member of the Beika Medical University tennis club, though I do love to work out." Wakamatsu flexed his bicep proudly. "Only a man with a build like mine can give a girl a real sense of security."

Conan, seeing the guy trying to show off for Ran, curled his lip in disgust. *Ran could easily take down ten of you,* he thought.

"Alright, Haruaki, sit still. Don't bother Mr. Wakamatsu while he's driving."

"Okay!"

Half an hour later, they arrived at a villa, the site of the party. Besides the newcomers, there were two other men and two women in the lounge, all students from Beika Medical University.

"Ran, Sonoko, let us introduce ourselves," Wakamatsu said enthusiastically. "We’re all from the tennis club. Minagawa, why don't you start?"

"I’m the club president, Katsuhiko Minagawa. It’s a pleasure to meet you all," the handsome young man in a brown suit said with a magnetic voice.

"It’s a pleasure for me too!" Sonoko grabbed Minagawa’s arm, clearly ecstatic.

Haruaki twitched. He suddenly had the urge to disown his own sister. He couldn't understand how a daughter of the Suzuki conglomerate could act like such a country bumpkin the moment she saw a handsome face.

"Everyone, I’m Kaori Sekiya!" A woman with brown hair and a blue jacket spoke up, cutting off Sonoko’s attempt to get closer to Minagawa. "Sonoko, you’re still young, so try not to be too rowdy, okay?"

"Michimichi, it’s your turn next," Wakamatsu said, sensing the tension. But the stout man in black-rimmed glasses remained silent, simply sipping his juice.