i am just a student? in Conan world

Fujino noticed Ran's gaze on him, furrowed his brow, and looked down at his outfit. 

He was still wearing the same thing: a bulletproof suit with an added life-saving trench coat.

In autumn and winter, it wasn't too bad, but in summer, it definitely seemed over the top. 

Honestly, it wasn't that hot. Both the bulletproof suit and the trench coat were made of special materials that stayed warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and they were lightweight too. 

It just looked bulky because of the color.

Fujino didn't care about the odd looks from others. 

In this dangerous world of science, only those who've experienced close calls with death understand the value of being prepared.

After learning his lesson from before, he couldn't feel safe without wearing something protective.

"Alright, Ran, we should go," Sonoko said, pulling Ran's hand. "This time, my dad even lent us his car, and his secretary came with me to pick you up."

"Is it Mr. Nishino?" Fujino asked.

"Senior Fujino, you know Mr. Nishino?"

"Yeah." Fujino nodded, explaining, "I met him last time on the Celestial Elizabeth."

...

As soon as they stepped out of the train station, Fujino's eyes landed on a sleek, black, extended Cadillac.

He squinted slightly and immediately recognized it as Shiro Suzuki's car.

This type of extended vehicle was rare in all of Japan, and it was an American model.

It was too distinctive not to recognize.

That one car probably cost more than everything he'd earned since arriving in this world.

...

Suzuki Museum of Modern Art.

The car drove past several guards holding riot shields and stopped steadily at the museum entrance.

As Fujino stepped out of the car, he noticed the area was heavily guarded with police officers stationed almost every five steps. 

Looking up at the sky, he could even spot a helicopter patrolling.

Clearly, Osaka was sparing no expense to catch Kaitou Kid this time.

'Too bad it's useless. For a guy like Kaito Kuroba, these defenses are about as threatening as a couple of sardines.'

Seeing such a grand scene, Fujino couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.

Just then, a bright voice with an Osaka accent interrupted Fujino's thoughts.

Turning to the sound, he saw a dark-skinned guy with spiky hair, wearing a blue shirt and gray casual pants, getting off a dirt bike.

Waving, the guy mysteriously said, "Looks like you've got a tough opponent this time, Kudo."

Behind him was a cute girl in a magenta dress, with a blue denim jacket.

It was Heiji Hattori's childhood friend, Kazuha Toyama.

'This guy…'

Conan, betrayed by his friend, was panicking. He threw a nervous glance toward Fujino.

Ran and Kogoro weren't the problem.

Fujino was the real danger!

His mind was sharp, and his deductive skills, Conan believed, were second only to his own.

Sensing a nervous stare, Fujino looked down and saw Conan, who was no taller than his thigh, anxiously watching him.

Fujino's lips curled into a slight smile, and he stared back at Conan.

Fujino: *Stare...*

Conan froze. 

Crap, he's watching me!

Trying to evade his gaze, Conan took small, dodging steps.

Fujino: *Still staring...*

Crap! Fujino's still watching me! Did I blow my cover?

No way!

With Fujino's deductive skills, though... there's a real risk of being exposed!

Feeling uneasy, Conan quickly retreated behind Ran and said in a childish voice, "What is Hattori talking about, Ran-neechan? Have you seen Kudo-niichan?"

"Honestly..." Ran turned to stand up for Conan, her tone both helpless and annoyed. "Why do you always call Conan 'Kudo,' Hattori?"

Heiji froze for a moment.

Then he finally realized he'd accidentally thrown his friend under the bus again.

Scratching the back of his head, he sheepishly laughed, "My bad, my bad. This kid's eyes are just too similar to Kudo's. I can't help but slip up whenever I see him."

"You must be Heiji Hattori?" Fujino stepped forward to greet him.

"You know me?"

Heiji sized up Fujino, blinking in surprise.

"Yeah…" Fujino murmured, "Hattori from Kansai. I've heard about you, another high school detective."

Heiji felt a bit proud.

Finally, someone recognized his name from Kansai!

He gave Fujino a meaningful look, recalling something, and said, "You must be 'The Black Detective,' Fujino, right? Kudo talks about you all the time."

"That's right, I'm Fujino."

Fujino nodded, then showed a puzzled expression, slyly asking, "Kudo Shinichi mentioned me? That's strange. I've never met Kudo before, so how could he mention me?"

"Ah, well..." 

Heiji realized he'd messed up again, accidentally exposing his friend.

Trying to recover, Heiji explained, "Of course he mentioned you. You're a famous high school detective, after all."

"True." Fujino nodded, satisfied.

"You're such an idiot," Kazuha muttered, hearing the name 'Kudo' again. She looked irritated.

With a cute Osaka accent, she sarcastically said, "All morning, it's been 'Kudo this, Kudo that.' You've clearly got Kudo on the brain! You should get checked out at a mental hospital."

"What did you say?"

"Am I wrong?"

Heiji and Kazuha started bickering.

Fujino decided not to interrupt.

Meanwhile, Sonoko suddenly asked Ran curiously, "By the way, how do you know that guy?"

"We met him last time we came to Osaka," Ran explained, glancing at the quarreling pair. "That girl with him, Kazuha Toyama, is his childhood friend. They bicker a lot, but they're really close."

"Kind of like you and that arrogant detective," Sonoko added casually.

"Huh?"

Ran blinked in surprise and then glanced at the arguing pair. Her face turned a shade of pink.

"Ugh."

Sonoko clicked her tongue, looking at the couple with a hint of envy. "I wish I had a childhood friend as a boyfriend…"

Fujino followed her gaze, feeling a bit awkward. 

Another childhood friend couple...

He wasn't jealous—just a little annoyed at all the love being flaunted in front of him.

As for a girlfriend… he wasn't really thinking about it right now.

Strictly speaking, his career was still on the rise.

He hadn't achieved his goals yet, and a girlfriend would only slow him down.

Besides, he was already taking care of a legal loli at home.

(End of chapter)