socalfunplaces Page 157
Page 157
Goodness, it turns out that besides pirated Kamen Rider Kamen Rider, even Tokai Emperor has pirated versions?
Sano stepped forward and stood next to Kogoro Mouri, looking at the so-called "Gokai Emperor".
On the field, the black horse moved forward with a peculiar gait, as if taking a leisurely stroll.
To Sano, this kind of movement resembled tap dancing, or the high leg raises that humans do as a warm-up before exercise, possessing a strange, melodic beauty.
As far as Sano knows, the Emperor of the East Sea has a special skill called the Emperor's Dance Step, also known as "Chicken Lame".
For this bootleg East Sea Emperor, it should be called the Emperor's Dance.
...To be honest, Sano has never had much interest in horse racing, either in his past life or in this one.
Although Donghai Emperor is considered one of the most famous teams in horse racing, Sano should not have heard of it.
The reason he knew this was still because of Sano's... anime-loving friend.
For a while, that guy was extremely obsessed with an anime called "Uma Musume Pretty Derby"...
Chapter 183, page 182: A compilation of pseudonyms?
In that anime, it seems that quite a lot of screen time was spent describing this East Sea Emperor.
This was also the first time Sano had ever seen the "Emperor's Dance Steps" that his friend had been talking about for a while, even though it was just a pirated version.
It seems I've been quite connected with piracy lately?
However, perhaps because, unlike Kamen Rider, this horse didn't have an original version for comparison, Sano didn't feel uncomfortable at all when he saw its unique gait. On the contrary, he felt quite...new?
As he watched, Sano's heart involuntarily clenched, and an impulse suddenly arose within him.
Sano once heard a saying that men like three things the most: guns, cars, and beautiful women.
However, for Sano, guns and beautiful women might still pique his interest, but cars held absolutely no appeal for him.
...To be honest, Sano really couldn't understand what was so appealing about a means of transportation.
But now, Sano seems to have suddenly come to understand.
Although there are some differences, it must be admitted that Sano was tempted by the same mode of transportation, especially one that was extremely inefficient in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Sano wants this horse!
There's no reason, I just want it.
Sano, his eyes burning with desire, grabbed Kogoro Mori beside him: "Where is the master of the Gokai Emperor?"
"what?"
Kogoro Mouri asked curiously, "What, do you need to see the master of the Gokai Emperor?"
"Yes, I want to buy his horse."
Sano's words dealt a heavy blow to Kogoro Mouri and his two companions.
Logically, the three of them should be most concerned about the fact that Sano actually wanted to buy racehorses, but for some reason, their attention was only focused on the strangeness of this statement.
...What the hell is this outrageous statement?
Ran Mouri was stunned for a moment, unable to understand what was going on with Sano's sudden impulse.
"But this horse must be very expensive... and the owner might not even sell it. Why do you want to buy it, senior?"
"Because the story that Detective Mori just told me touched me."
Sano made up an excuse on the spot, which made Ran glare at Kogoro Mouri—she always felt that her father was going to lead Sano astray.
What does this have to do with me...?
Kogoro Mouri touched his nose and looked away guiltily. He had only given the other person a little explanation. Besides, was it right to stop a boy's true pursuit?
Before the conversation could continue, Kogoro Mouri turned his gaze and it landed on a man not far away.
Ok?
Why does this person look so familiar?
"Hey, Xiaolan, look at that man, doesn't he look like Miss Yamei's father?"
As Kogoro Mouri pointed, Ran Mouri immediately nodded, confirming her target: "That's right, it looks like him!"
Kogoro Mouri grabbed Ran Mouri, who was about to rush forward, and said, "Don't rush up there. We might alert him. We'll just follow him to his place later."
"okay!"
Conan looked around—actually, he deliberately moved closer to Sano not only because he was curious about why the other was there, but also because he wanted to have a good chat with him about the Moriya Teiji incident a few days ago.
And thinking about it carefully, it's been a while since the two have met. Aside from the Moriya Teiji incident, there was yesterday's department store incident, the Shenlong incident, and so on. Conan wants to have a good talk with Sano to see if there's anything he hasn't noticed.
...After all, Sano is one of Conan's few strong teammates at present. What would it mean to leave him unused?
But there's no way around it now. Communication is always possible, but once the clues are lost, they're gone forever.
Conan stopped thinking about it and followed closely behind, along with the Mori father and daughter... trailing the man as they left.
So, does this mean I've been abandoned?
After looking around in confusion, Sano chose to ignore Conan and the others' actions and turned around to use his money to find the person in charge of the horse racing track. Through the person's introduction, he met the rancher of the magnificent Emperor horse.
Unfortunately, the other party was unwilling to sell.
Perhaps Sano had too little money to spare, or perhaps the other party simply regarded money as dirt. In any case, after being stunned for a while upon hearing his words, "I want to buy your horse," the other party's attitude was firm with just one word—"Not for sale."
This undoubtedly poured cold water on Sano's burning heart.
...Tsk, if the other side isn't willing to sell, why not just snatch it away?
Sano weighed the pros and cons and realized that even if he really took the horse, he would have nowhere to keep it unless he confined it to a certain place for its own viewing.
But Sano didn't want to do that. He wanted the horse because he wanted to ride it. Otherwise, what was the difference between seeing it but not being able to touch it?
It's a real shame; it seems we were destined to be apart.
After letting out a long sigh, Sano left a number for the rancher, telling him he could contact him anytime if he had any ideas, and then went home.
Then Sano saw a small round ball squatting at his door.
...What the heck? Last time you picked up a little girl, and this time you picked up an old man? And such a round one at that?
As if noticing that there was an extra person behind him, Inspector Megure, who was squatting down, turned around. He was taken aback when he saw Sano, but then his face lit up with surprise.
"Hey, Sano-kun, you're finally back! I've been waiting for you for ages!"
Inspector Megure warmly approached Sano.
...I have a feeling this guy isn't up to anything.
Sano squinted at Inspector Megure. This guy was deliberately waiting for him at the door… could he be trying to get him to give a statement?
"Sorry, Inspector Megure, I just realized I forgot to turn off the gas stove at school, so I'll just..."
Before Sano could finish his absurd excuse, Inspector Megure quickly grabbed him.
"Hey, hey, don't rush off! I've come to see you because I have important business to discuss!"
Sano forcibly dragged Inspector Megure outside, saying, "I have important business to attend to too!"
"I'm here to give you money!"
With Inspector Megure's angry roar, the pulling that had been incredibly difficult for him vanished instantly. Instinctively letting go, he nearly lost his balance and tumbled backward.
Sano smoothed his sleeve, which Inspector Megure had tugged at, and politely smiled, saying, "Tell me more."
Inspector Megure: "..."
It actually works?!
...Inspector Megure came to see Sano to resolve the troubling issue of the written statement.
However, Inspector Megure has tried this countless times—and recently he was even threatened by Sano with "I'll block you if you call again" because he made too many calls.
This undoubtedly caused great harm to Inspector Megure's young heart.
Although detectives are often quite arrogant, no detective has ever dared to threaten Inspector Megure like this before! Never!
...But Inspector Megure just couldn't do anything about Sano.
Although in principle, if someone does not cooperate with taking a statement, Inspector Megure has the right to take legal action against them, the problem is that Sano is not an ordinary person.
It's his good younger brother!
Who knows when you might need their help again? Just like the Dongdu Ring Line incident a few days ago, if you ruin the relationship, how will you play together in the future?
Inspector Megure is like a teacher who relies on students' grades; he clearly should be in a superior position, but he is hesitant and unable to exert any influence.
Just as Inspector Megure was worrying, Conan, who happened to come to clear up the statements, gave him a suggestion.
“Sano is a very snobbish person. If you try to bribe him with money, it will definitely work.”
...Upon hearing this suggestion, Inspector Megure naturally found it utterly absurd.
What a joke! Famous high school detectives are all young, arrogant, and proud. What's more, Sano also works as the Beika Hammer Hero. Aren't such champions of justice supposed to see money as dirt?
Then Inspector Megure arrived at the Sano family's door.
...Although it doesn't feel like it will work, how will I know it really won't work if I don't try?
It's similar to the previous Tokyo Loop Line. Although, in Inspector Megure's opinion at the time, Sano wasn't present, so the chances of him seeing through the truth were slim.
But even with a "nothing to lose" mentality, it still worked, didn't it?
...And this time it actually worked.
Inspector Megure clicked his tongue, somewhat helplessly pulled an envelope from his pocket, and handed it to Sano: "This is an official reward for your contributions to the previous Tokyo Loop Line."
Sano raised an eyebrow, took the envelope and glanced at it—not a lot, but not a little either, at least seven figures.
...By the way, it seems the organization has already distributed the reward for recovering the bomb.
So I've really started paying for three meals a day?
Sano coughed and casually stuffed the money back into his pocket: "So there's a bonus... Well, I've helped you solve quite a few cases before, how come I've never seen you give out any bonuses?"
Good grief, you're not satisfied with just eating this and you're planning to take it all home?
Inspector Megure stared blankly at Sano, never expecting that the other party could be so shameless.