Crossover PS 191 (Patreon)

Ichigo Production, office.

Psykos sat in the chair opposite Miyako, still feeling a bit dazed. Since being teleported over last night until now, she had experienced too much shock.

The Monster Association was gone, Orochi was dead, that man had crushed the entire underground base.

And then...

She became an assistant manager?

"Psykos-san?" Miyako's voice pulled her back to reality.

"Ah, yes!"

Miyako smiled and handed over a file. "This is the artist information that needs handling today. We are in contact with a few newcomers, familiarize yourself with these first."

Psykos took the file and glanced down. On it were photos of several young girls.

Psykos looked up at Miyako. "Um... what exactly do I need to do?"

Miyako patiently explained, "Mainly assisting in recruiting idols and managing the artists' daily schedules. Shibata-san said your abilities are very great, so you shouldn't have a problem doing this."

Strong abilities...

Did that refer to her psychic powers?

Or did it mean...

She didn't dare to think further. Regarding Minoru, she felt like if she thought too much, she would overthink everything.

"Oh, right."

Miyako added, "Regarding your living situation, the company has already arranged it. There's an apartment nearby, and the conditions are quite good."

Psykos was startled.

It really wasn't the Infinity Castle?

A sense of indescribable disappointment welled up in her heart but she quickly suppressed it.

"Okay, thank you."

Miyako looked at her with a trace of gentleness in her eyes.

"Take your time, no rush. Everyone at Ichigo Production is easy to get along with."

Psykos nodded.

She looked down at the file in her hands. Those unfamiliar names, those unfamiliar photos...

Was this the world she would face in the future?

No longer monsters but idols?

Psykos sighed.

Forget it. At least it was better than sleeping on the streets.

—

Infinity Castle, living room.

Erii walked out of her room, her eyes lighting up when she saw Minoru and Mahiru. She walked over and stood in front of the pair.

"Good... morning, Minoru."

Minoru was momentarily stunned, then smiled. Today, Erii could confidently say three words.

"Good morning, Erii."

Mahiru responded gently, "Good morning."

Erii smiled and nodded.

Kiss-shot watched from the side, the corners of her lips slightly upturned. "Not bad. You've improved."

When Erii heard this, she smiled even more happily. She held up her notebook, on which was written: Today, I will continue to work hard!

Minoru smiled. "Take your time. Oh, right, this afternoon, I'll take you all to play a game."

Erii tilted her head. [Game?]

Minoru explained, "Yes, it's called Sword Art Online. A game you enter with your consciousness. I promised you before."

Erii's eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously.

Kiss-shot raised an eyebrow. "Entering with consciousness? Like that thing... virtual reality?"

"Something like that."

Kiss-shot thought for a moment and asked, "Are there doughnuts?"

Minoru chuckled. "There should be food in the game too."

"Then fine." Kiss-shot nodded. "I'll reluctantly play along with you all."

Mahiru couldn't help but laugh. "Kiss-shot, you're clearly looking forward to it too, aren't you?"

"Hmph, no way."

Erii held up her notebook, on which was drawn a smiling face.

[Kiss-shot wants to go too.]

Kiss-shot turned her face away. "Say whatever you want."

Just then, Minoru's phone rang.

Inspector Megure.

The commanding officer of the Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigation Division.

Minoru raised an eyebrow and answered the call. "Inspector Megure?"

Megure's voice was very serious, "Shibata-san, are you free to talk now?"

"Convenient, you speak."

"You must have heard about Kudo Shinichi, right?"

"I saw the news."

"That's good." Inspector Megure took a deep breath. "I'm calling to remind you to be careful during this time."

Minoru narrowed his eyes. "You mean?"

"The Black Organization." Inspector Megure lowered his voice. "Although Gin and Rum have been caught, Karasuma Renya is still at large. We suspect that the organization might retaliate against those who assisted the police."

"You and Kudo Shinichi participated in the operation to apprehend Gin, so they might have already targeted you."

"There's one more thing. The police station might not be entirely clean. Be extra careful."

A glint flashed in Minoru's eyes. "Understood, thank you, Inspector Megure."

"You're welcome, protect yourself. Before, you called me and allowed the police to successfully apprehend Kamishiro Rize. I should be thanking you."

"It's what I should do. I'm still busy here, so I'll hang up now."

"When things settle down, I'll treat you to a meal."

The call ended.

Mahiru looked at him, her eyes full of worry. "Minoru-kun...?"

Minoru put away his phone and smiled. "It's nothing, just a small reminder."

He stood up. "Let's go, it's time to see Mouri Ran."

...

Beika Town, Mouri Detective Agency.

Minoru and Mahiru stood side by side downstairs.

Mahiru looked up at the tightly closed window on the second floor.

"Is this it?"

"Yes."

Mahiru took a deep breath and squeezed Minoru's hand.

"Let's go up."

Minoru nodded.

The two walked into the hallway.

Second floor.

The Mouri Detective Agency sign hung by the door.

Minoru raised his hand and knocked.

The door opened and a haggard face appeared behind the door.

Mouri Ran was wearing casual home clothes, her hair tied loosely behind her head, and her eyes were somewhat red and swollen.

The moment she saw who it was, she froze.

"You are..."

Ran's gaze swept over Minoru and Mahiru's faces. Then, a light flashed in her swollen eyes.

"Ah! It's the people from Tropical Land."

That day, the sun was bright. She and Shinichi had coincidentally met a couple at the amusement park. The black-haired man and the girl with long flaxen hair.

They rode the Ferris wheel together, played many games together, watched fireworks together, and solved a case together.

Shinichi was especially happy that day, and he talked more than usual. He said that person named Shibata Minoru was very interesting and had strong detective skills.

"Shibata-san... Shiina-san?" Ran's voice was a little hoarse. "Why are you here?"

Mahiru looked at her, her eyes full of heartache. "We saw the news. So we wanted to come see you."

Ran froze. Then, her eyes began to redden again.

"Please... please come in."

She stepped aside, inviting the two into the house.

The room was very tidy but in the corner was a karate gi that hadn't been put away yet. Homework books were spread out on the coffee table, and two photos were placed next to the television.

The photo of Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran was the one taken at Tropical Land.

All these traces showed that the person in this room hadn't been doing well recently.

"Please sit."

Mouri Ran poured a glass of water and sat opposite them.

"The news... you all saw it, right?"

Mahiru nodded. "We saw it."

"It was so sudden, right?" Mouri Ran gave a somewhat forced smile. "We were just hanging out together a few days ago, even catching bad guys together... and then suddenly, they said he died."

Mahiru reached out and placed her hand on Mouri Ran's hand.

Mouri Ran trembled slightly.

"Actually..."

She lowered her head. "I still can't believe it. I feel like he's still there, and he'll suddenly appear like before, saying something like, 'Ran, I've solved a big case'."

"But the news said the evidence was conclusive. That person named Rum had planned his revenge before he was caught."

"Shinichi, he..."

Mouri Ran couldn't continue.

Mahiru gently squeezed her hand. "Cry if you want to."

Mouri Ran shook her head. "I can't cry."

"Why?"

"Because..."

Mouri Ran looked up, trying to force a smile. "Because Shinichi hates seeing me cry the most. He said I don't look good when I cry."

Mahiru looked at her smile, which was uglier than crying, and felt a pang of sadness.

She turned to Minoru.

Minoru nodded slightly.

Some things couldn't be said yet. But at least he could let this girl know that she wasn't alone.

"Mouri-san."

Ran looked up at him.

"Shinichi is a very smart person, so smart that sometimes, it's hard to guess what his next move will be."

Minoru didn't elaborate. It was as if he was telling her something and also as if he was waiting for her to figure it out herself.

Ran looked at him. "Shibata-san?"

Mahiru said, "Mouri-san, I know nothing I say now will help. But if you need someone to accompany you, someone to talk to, you can always find me."

She took out a slip of paper from her bag with her contact information written on it.

"I attend Shiroyama High School. It's not too far from here."

Mouri Ran looked at the slip of paper, stunned for a few seconds. Then, she took it.

"Thank you."

...

The three chatted for a while longer about what happened that day at Tropical Land, some embarrassing stories of Shinichi, school, life, etc.

Mouri Ran's mood slowly calmed down. Although the sadness in her eyes remained, at least she could smile.

When seeing Minoru and Mahiru out, Mouri Ran stood at the doorway. "Shiina-san."

"Just call me Mahiru."

"Mahiru..." Mouri Ran nodded. "Thank you today."

Mahiru shook her head. "You're welcome. We are friends, right?"

Mouri Ran smiled. "Yes. Friends."