Work Text:
“What kind of Drunk is Mouri ?”
It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the matter any longer. It was so apparent, so clear, so obvious that something was wrong with the young detective, that he was hiding something from everyone.The fact that he’s doing it so well, that not even his guardians noticed, is frightening enough. But everyone slips, and so he did. The concealing make up he had under his eyes was done in a hurry or else it wouldn’t have been noticed… And that wasn’t the first time, it seems…
the police detectives -Satou, Takagi, Shiratori, and the Nagano’s officer Kansuke ( there due to work circumstances) and the rest of Beika’s police- were celebrating the end of yet another big case, withOUT the help of any private detectives, or there wards when the fore mentioned people came in view.
The Mouri’s family entered the restaurant the officers where eating in, as Megure caught site of them he invited the trio to share the celebration with the rest of them, even though there were some mumbled complains ( some suspiciously sounding as though saying “ Not the death god!”) wither or not he heard them or not he didn’t react to them and instead rushed the private detective and two children to sit.
Kogoro Mouri sat next to Megure-keibu, Ran in between Satou and Conan, Conan in between the girl and Kansuke. While Takagi on the other side of Satou and next to Shiratori , who was facing Conan, with Chiba right next to him.
The two females didn’t waste any time to get engrossed in whatever topic they started, neither did Megure and Mouri -San. Conan started with polite greetings and questioned Kansuke on his presence here. Since the case was already done and over with, there would be no harm in telling the boy about the case. Takagi heard Kansuke ask the little boy what sort of a drunk was Kogoro. The question was lost on the rest of his colleagues due to all the noise, thus no one noticed the question being asked. Though he did find it peculiar and wondered what could have brought upon such a topic. As he replayed their previous conversation, it didn’t seem to connect. Noting it down in his mind to ask Kansuke about it later, he settled to listen to the rest of the conversation without much apparent interest to the outside world
Conan seemed just as much surprised by the question but answered either way, saying “A hugger, he tends to hug anything around him, especially the tv if it had Yoko on. Why do you ask?”
“ it’s just that we were in the topic of drunkards before you guys joined" ’ such a smooth lie ’ Takagi thought but it was so smooth that Conan didn’t question it, Instead he just started another topic and got even Shiratori - who was drinking silently- and Takagi into it.
Not too far into the night Ran excused herself and Conan back home, not without a few lighthearted complains from the little boy before surrendering to the elder sister’s wishes.
The moment those two were out of earshot and making sure that Kogoro was too drunk or engaged with whatever he was doing, Takagi jumped the one-eyed inspector by interrogating him.
"What was that about drunks? we never opened that topic.”
“ Huh? What are you talking about? ” Shiratori questioned. Takagi briefly answered with what he heard of the two's conversation as he continued staring at Kansuke.
he sighed “and here I thought no one was paying attention…” Kansuke went silent for a while as he eyed Takagi and the other three he managed to catch the attention of “… He had concealing make up on…” He then left the statements hanging for each to decipher.
“…. ARE YOU IMPLYING hmpph !!!!!” Takagi quickly covered Satou’s mouth in a desperate attempt to shush her before the man (under suspicion) caught wind of their conversation. He quickly looked over and was very pleased that everyone barely gave them a look but quickly dismissed them and each returned to whatever they were doing, including Kogoro Mouri.
When Satou calmed considerably down, she settled backing here seat - though on the edge of it- and as slowly as her contained rage would allow her she removed her partner’s hand. And repeated the disrupted question in a voice barely above a whisper still coated in fury. “Are you implying that Mouri-san is ‘abusing’ Conan??!!! Are you out of your mind??!”
“ it was in need of clearing, and the man is a drunkard, can you deny that?”
“ I’ve seen a drunk Mouri many times, he tends to be more of a hugging fiend and drooling on everything quite embarrassing and humiliating rather than abusing or harmful in any way.” Chiba said
“ that’s what he said, and he seemed quite genuinely confused by the question, it doesn’t seem as though he was lying… But then what was that for, then?”
“Maybe you’re just over thinking it and its in fact just kids play?” Satou said harshly.
“ And here I thought you guys knew the boy better than me. Is he the type to do such things? Plus, the makeup wasn’t done properly, under the right angle of the light you can see the hint of bluish discoloration of the skin under his eye… What do you have to say to that?”
“Still it may still be something other than abuse, you shouldn’t jump quickly to such conclusions. They have quite heavy implications. He is a child, maybe it’s the aftermath of one of the games with the other kids”. Shiratori suggested
“If it is as you say then why did he hide it?” Kansuke quickly replied
“… True.. But it could be of an event he didn’t want Ran to know of”
“Still I’ve got a strong hunch that there is something more to it, this needs more investigation.” And his unspoken Invitation for the rest of the officers was not unheard.
xXx
This investigation included being as discreet as possible, for the target is 'the’ Conan, deceiving him would be on par with mission impossible, hiding it would be just as tricky.
The first step would be to see him at home or any other place where he would have his guard down and maybe even wouldn’t be alerted by their appearance. Thus, Takagi and Kanusuke stopped by the agency. The Excuse? ask Mouri’s opinion on some small fry case. Hoping against all hope that the boy would buy it.
What a surprise it was to the two that ended up the next day spending more than 3 hours listening to Mouri’s 'dump conclusion’ -Kansuke’s wording - without any hint of the little midget anywhere, even though it was at such a relatively late hour to prevent any possibility of the boy playing outside with the other kids.
Kansuke’s patience, reaching its limit he forcibly cut off the man in the middle of another speculation and asked Ran, who was serving their third round of coffee and refilling the snacks, where the boy was.
“Conan is sleeping over at Agasa Hakase’s house, it seems like there is a new game Hakase’s developing, and he wanted Conan to try it out for any glitch. Why? Did you want anything from him?”
“Not at all, I was just wondering since I don’t see him around. Will then its time for us to take our leave” the ever straightforward and rash Nagano’s inspector was already up and out the door.
Takagi quickly stood up to follow but not without a polite goodbye instead of his rude colleague. When he managed to catch up to the limping man, he scolded him lightly for the rude exit, he didn’t even allow Mouri to continue his talk!
“Where are you going? That’s not the way to the car” the older man may have a limp, but even with it, he still managed faster strides than Takagi.
“The professor is the fat old man, right? You have up to whatever time it takes us to reach his home for you to come up with an excuse as to why we’re ’ visiting’. Start now! ”
“ At this rate, we’ll have all the time in the world. Do you even know where to go? You’re going the opposite way!"
“……” a silent pause was probably the closest Kansuke could ever get too embarrassed. “ You lead, then, and try to come up with a good excuse... A Perfect excuse… A perfectly flawless excuse” The tanned man halted in his steps to allow the younger one to lead.
“ Ok ok, I get it. Though I ’m more surprised you know that he’s in the neighborhood… Or know Agasa Hakase at all"
” Our first meeting was picking the old man and his grandchild up as they were hitchhiking while on our way to Mouri from Nagano. He told us where to drop him then.“
"G..grandchild??? Who? As far as I know, he had never been married”
“ What do you mean? Then who was that cherry blond haired brat with icy cold glare?” Kansuke glared confused at Takagi’s back
“Cherry blond? ” Takagi was blank for a moment “Ooooh! Do you mean Haibara-san? She’s not his grandchild, she’s the closest to Conan among any of the children … Or adults, besides Heiji-kun !" The younger one said with a little mirth for catching the other’s misunderstanding.
"Then how does she relate to the old man to live with him?”
“Oh, that’s because she’s his……… She is his…..” Takagi who started the sentence with all his confidence of a person who knows everything about the Mouri’s, Conan and anyone around them, was halted in his thoughts in order to actually think about it rather than just saying it out of memory, only to find that there is something he doesn’t know, namely Haibara’s relation with the old professor “uhm, I… I don’t know…”
Kansuke stared at the Beika’s officer “ on the same note, I was wondering how come Conan’s last name is Edogawa and not Mouri? More like why does the kid call him uncle?”
“Woah! Hold it there, Conan is NOT Mouri’s son! He is Shinichi Kudou’s relative, he is only staying at the Mouri’s house for some reasons.”
“Shinichi Kudou? The famous teenage detective?”
“I see even Nagano has heard of him”
“Then again, what are those reason that would cause his parents to leave him here alone in an other’s care, a drunkard nevertheless, again, how come his last name is not Kudou?”
“The reasons I’m not so sure about, but he is not a Kudou either, he is Shinichi’s cousin from his mother”
“Still, his mother’s name is Fujimine, not Edogawa"
”…..“ Takagi just stared at Kansuke wide eyed for even knowing what Yukiko’s maiden name is.
“What? Stop staring , she is one great actress”
“Oh, a fan huh?"
"What’s with that look? Never mind, I hope you came up with a believable lie to why we’re here. Isn’t that it? Kudou’s mansion?"
” Ah, yes the professor’s house is that weird one right next to it. You must be quite the fan, eh~“ Takagi teased him one last time before they ringed the bell.
Since they were mentally preparing for the old man to answer, it took them a sec to register that the one who opened the door was shorter and below their eyesight and finally looked down. Haibara Ai wasn’t in her best form, considering that she was glaring at them in a tired manner, that is more frustrated than angry.
She heaved quite a heavy sigh and just glared at them in waiting, not even offering any greetings or words for that matter. Her demeanor took them by surprise, but Takagi who is considered to be the more detective boys expert easily brushed her impolite attitude and jumped right to the question with disregard to any cover-up story. "We’d like to speak with Conan, heard he was here?”
She sighed again “what did he do now? I’m pretty sure it’s a tad too late for a police report” the weary Girl leaned heavily on the half-opened door still showing no sign of letting them in, making it a bit too obvious that they are quite unwelcomed.
“Is he not here?” Well, Takagi never said it was easy dealing with this little one.
“ Maybe yes, maybe not, maybe I don’t know~ ” she singsonged
“ Haibara just .. Just let us in first? It’s not a professional look standing at the door " a frustrated Takagi begged, more worried for his colleague’s explosive temperament.
"Which translates ‘Get us in before the neighbors think we’re pedophiles ’ Shall I scream pervs?" She smiled condescendingly at them
” JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION Goddammit ! “ there was no holding the Nagano back now
” PERVERTS HEEEELP !!!!! “ she screamed at the top of her lungs before slamming the door shut in their faces. Perfectly timed with the passage of two bodybuilders from the neighborhood.
"Uh no that’s not what sh- ” The two were hard-pressed to avoid the coming onslaught of professional punches and kicks.
It wasn’t easy but eventually, after a badge show and a threat from the one-eyed man’s cane, they were hard pressed to leave them be.
Before Takagi inquired about their next step. The short-tempered man was already abusing the doorbell while pounding his cane against the door . “ COME OUT HERE RIGHT NOW YOU BRAT!!”
The door slowly opened after 10 or so seconds, to their surprise, a sleepy Conan yawning who looked to have just gotten out of bed . 'Odd, it was sunset, too early to sleep too late to nap "
” 'are’? Yamato-keiji , Takagi-keiji , what brings you here, something wrong? Why so noisy “ Followed by another yawn.
” Ah, sorry Conan-kun , taking a nap at this hour? Haibara-San just wouldn’t let us in “ the kinder tanned man crouched downwards to be at a closer eye level with the child
"Haibara did ? ” he stiffly turned back to look inside the house, the door now at least somewhat opened, they could see the blond child sitting relaxed flipping through a fashion magazine. At the mention of her name, she looked up at them, giving them a blank look first before smirking going back to her magazine.
“ The Fuck ?! "
”Excuse her, She’s just being …. Herself … More than usual tonight “
He opened the door and further "Come in ” he gestured
Still not fully appeased but calmed down enough, the limping man huffed as he entered asking “ the old man isn’t here ? ” quick to notice the lack of an adult from the house’s wide entryway.
“The professor? He … Is out grocery shopping ..? ” he said uncertain looking at the only other occupant for confirmation.
“ Restocking ” she simply said without raising her head
“Was there something you needed from him? "
"No , actually we were looking for you ” Takagi quickly cut in, his excuse ready to be used finally, he just hoped it turns out genuine enough to not be poked at.
As the two were walked to a couch , Conan gave the blond a glare with a hushed ’ be nice and get them something ' As to be expected from her , she got off her seat with an attitude as she through her magazine to Kansuke’s face , stomping her way towards the American styled kitchen.
The long haired man tried his best not to growl , but it just wasn’t in his hands . “ What’s her problem? What's making her so anal? ” questioned Takagi silently
“ She… She had just suffered a great disappointment, that’s all "
“ Yamato-san ! Your language ! " poor Takagi was feeling a headache starting.
” Over what ? her Barbie doll?
” Over a project she had been on for a long time now “ Conan smiled, effectively ending all discussion over that topic without giving out anything. Quite the Diplomatic Kansuke mused. ” So what brought you here ?“
"Uh right … Conan-kun I need a favor ” the soft hearted man leaned forward , reflexively getting the child to do the same in anticipation, now fully capturing the boy’s attention. “ I kind of , might have , maybe , didn’t write the last case you were involved in well in my report. ” he blurted out the last bit in a quick and embarrassed blabber.
The two occupants of the coach were speechlessly shocked at him, before the heartfelt laughter from the kitchen broke their spell , which urged the stifled laughter of the young bespectacled boy turn to full out tear inducing cackling. while his colleague gave him an incredulous look. Are you serious ?! That’ what you came up with ??!
“ Oh, my God! Oh Takagi- keiji , thought you were past these novice mistakes! ” They bought that ?!!
“Guess there are somethings that just don’t change ” Haibara came back with orange juice glasses on a tray , judging by the color and smell , just as Takagi’s face flushed red in shame.
“ Still doesn’t explain why Kansuke- keiji is here too, ” Conan asked as he wiped tears off his face
“ He was meant to drive me back to the headquarters after showing me around a nice restaurant, when he asked to drop by for a quick visit. I didn’t expect that though” He huffed , quick to excuse himself before the other man created a crazy humiliating excuse for himself too.
“ Well, I would’ve sneaked out alone but I’m supposed to submit it tonight ” Takagi gave a half- panicked smile
“ Haha , sure . Which case was it again ?” … And the two went on about that for awhile .
Meanwhile Haibara left them after setting the cups in front of the three, hands behind her back with a look on her face as though saying 'hopelessly cute' While Kansuke spared her a quick glance Before returning his full attention at the boy of interest , Or to be more specific, his body language , as subtly as he could.
xXx
xXx
“ And , did you find out anything concrete ? " Satou, Shiratori , Chiba sat waiting for their discoveries in an abandoned meeting room being used as a store currently.
” As I said Yamato -San is just over analyzing “ Takagi released a frustrated sigh ” he was taking a nap , but nothing really “
” Where were you looking ?! YES there was “
” Care to enlighten us then ? “ the other three were on the other edge of their seat .
” Sleep deprived, sore back , bruised arm , at least that’s what I could observe “
” when did you -“
” you were too absorbed in sounding sincere with that absorb excuse of yours, “ Kansuke said as he sat back on the couch
"We are not talking about that " the rest gave them inquiring looks , but Takagi held his ground .
” anyways, Yamato-san , are you sure ? “ Satou returned the conversation back to their topic.
Yamato took a deep breath before he clarified
” He was napping at an odd hour , too late for an afternoon catnap , too early for bedtime. We made a huge commotion on the door with that little brat that he was unaware of; as well as being just the slightest bit too slow in recognizing us. Not to mention he actually believed your excuse “ he pointedly gave Takagi a look. "When turning from the door he did so very rigidly ; and as we sat , he sat with his back straight the entire time, he didn’t turn in his place at all.
His T-shirt was well long past the bruise , but there was this one moment when he rubbed his arms , from cold perhaps , that shifted the fabric just enough to catch a glimpse before he readjusted it. And I have a feeling there is more hidden away."