Mami Endo remembered this well enough — after all, she was the manager of the football club.
But since she couldn't read minds or know the real reason Jiangxia picked the football club, she naively believed Jiangxia genuinely liked football.
So, when she started approaching this problem student according to her plan, Mami Endo decided to play to his interests. "Next week, there's the Emperor's Cup final at the National Stadium. I originally made plans with a classmate, but she suddenly bailed, and the tickets can't be refunded. Could you help me use them? Otherwise, it'd be such a waste."
Mami Endo truly loved football and did actually have two tickets. She had planned to watch with her brother, but now... sorry, big brother, her undefeated record couldn't be broken by Jiangxia. She clasped her hands in her mind, feeling a flicker of guilt, but quickly put on her usual cheerful smile.
Besides, she thought, maybe Jiangxia already had tickets himself, so she could just swap her brother's ticket with Jiangxia's, and her brother could watch elsewhere — which still counted as seeing the game…
Jiangxia felt the invitation was a bit sudden.
But then he remembered Mami Endo's enthusiasm for problem students back in junior high, and somehow it felt natural coming from her.
He silently searched his mental case file for "Mami Endo," but came up empty.
Still, the National Stadium and Emperor's Cup did leave an impression on him. And since she was a Teitan student, the senior should've been somewhat influenced by the "event constitution"...
Seeing Jiangxia hesitate, Mami Endo smoothly switched to a feigned retreat tactic.
Her tone grew warmer. "It's just an invitation between friends, nothing else—we haven't seen each other in so long, shouldn't we catch up? It just so happens…"
She wanted to add, "You'll be a third-year next year, and if you have time, I can help you review your knowledge points," but remembering the dashing poster of Jiangxia that had often been on the junior high walls, she swallowed the words.
For others, this was a tried-and-true method. For Jiangxia... once those words were spoken, the invitee would probably vanish three times faster than usual.
Thinking this, Mami Endo awkwardly changed the last part: "…It just so happens that the weather's been cool lately, so it's perfect for catching up."
Jiangxia checked his schedule. He had no plans that day, so he nodded.
Since he was free anyway, why not hang out with classmates? Maybe he'd pick up something useful.
...
On game day, at the National Stadium.
Mami Endo changed into her favorite outfit and sat side-by-side with Jiangxia in the massive stands, watching the match.
The stadium held tens of thousands, and the seats were nearly full, cheers rolling like a tidal wave.
Mami Endo wanted to jump up and cheer, but remembered she was in a skirt and in the middle seat, making it awkward. So she sat primly in place.
After a while, she stole a glance at Jiangxia, trying to figure out which team he supported so she could become a targeted fan.
But she suddenly noticed Jiangxia wasn't looking at the field.
Curious, Mami Endo leaned in. "What's wrong?"
The stadium was loud with shouts. She called twice before Jiangxia noticed, turned to her, and gave a questioning look.
Mami Endo cupped her hands like a tiny megaphone and repeated her question loudly.
This time, Jiangxia heard clearly and shook his head, signaling nothing was wrong.
But Mami Endo immediately realized a man's mouth was a lying ghost—Jiangxia's mood was clearly better after looking that way.
A woman's intuition made her alert.
She quietly followed Jiangxia ='s gaze and spotted three people nearby: a tall girl with long black hair; a short-haired girl with a headband and dyed hair; and an elementary school kid banging excitedly on the railing.
The two girls, about Jiangxia's age, seemed uninterested in the game and whispered together.
Mami Endo recognized them as two junior students from the same school—Sonoko Suzuki, daughter of a top zaibatsu, with her signature hairstyle unchanged since childhood; and Ran Mouri, who had represented the school in karate competitions. As an enthusiastic club manager herself, Mami Endo was familiar with both.
From Senior Mami's view, these were two girls, each with unique charm and both attractive in their own ways.
Mami Endo had checked before coming and knew Jiangxia was currently single. Now, thinking about his improved mood after looking their way...
She fell silent for a moment, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Something fishy was definitely going on.
But for some reason...
Her fighting spirit flared.
She refocused on the field, a faint, illusory flame flickering behind her.
...
Meanwhile, the three people sitting in the front row didn't notice the gaze from the crowd behind.
Conan was usually sensitive to people staring, but the football game had his full attention.
Conan had originally wanted to come with the Detective Boys, even getting tickets from Professor Agasa.
But when Ai Haibara heard the game would be widely broadcast and spectators' faces might appear on camera, she instinctively clutched her hood for mysterious reasons and coldly refused.
Ayumi, who wasn't very interested in football, saw an opportunity and suggested they play house instead.
Conan hadn't expected two members of the group, who'd agreed to watch together, to bail right before kickoff. So he proposed the minority obey the majority and vote. He secretly thought the three boys would win.
Surprisingly, Mitsuhiko—the childhood simp—looked at the two cute girls and defected decisively.
The Detective Boys rejected Conan's plan three to two, and the group activity changed to free time.
Conan ended up watching the game alone.
On the way, he ran into Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki, who were planning to go shopping.
Ran noticed that of the kids they were supposed to meet, only Conan showed up. He was too small a target, and she worried he'd get lost in the chaotic stadium, so she changed plans and came along.
Their seats were in the front, making them quite conspicuous.
Jiangxia had been casually scanning the crowd, but hadn't expected to actually find Conan and his professional team.
*Goal #1: Top 200 fanfics published within the last 31 - 90 days by POWER STONES.
Progress: 53/60(approx) for 10 BONUS CHAPTERS
Goal #2: One BONUS CHAPTER per review for the first 10 REVIEWS.
Progress:2/10*