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Oko couldn't believe what he was hearing. Do you really think I'm kind and forgiving? He wondered if Ai had lost her mind; otherwise, how could she say something so absurd?

But from beginning to end, Ai didn't spare him a glance. Her eyes remained focused on her parents, full of determination and warmth, as if Oko's words were nothing more than background noise.

"Trust me, from now on, the Hayasaka family will no longer be controlled by the Shinomiya family. You don't need to worry about me anymore."

"Ai!"

Unlike Oko, Ai's parents didn't doubt her sincerity. They didn't know what had happened or what their daughter had done, but they believed in her with all their hearts.

"We believe in you!" her father said, with her mother nodding in agreement.

A smile spread across Ai's face. No matter what, parents were the ones who believed in you the most.

"Enough!"

Oko's patience snapped as the room ignored him. It was as if he didn't exist. His frustration boiled over as he shouted at Ai.

"Do you even know who I am, Ai? Are you really going to keep pretending I'm not here? You—"

Before he could finish, Ai raised her hand and pointed at him.

"Cursed Construct—Binding Ropes."

"???"

Oko had no time to react. Suddenly, ropes materialized around him, binding him tightly. In an instant, he collapsed to the floor with a loud thud, struggling like a trapped caterpillar.

"What did you just do?!"

He couldn't believe his eyes. Ropes had appeared out of nowhere. How was this possible?

"Ai?" her parents called out, astonished.

They had never imagined their daughter possessing such power.

"Dad! Mom!" Ai said, her voice steady as she ignored Oko's frantic attempts to free himself.

"I never thought I would become a sorcerer"

"A sorcerer?"

Ai's parents, being people of status, understood the significance of that title, even if it was surprising.

Oko, however, was still in shock.

"What?! How is this possible? A sorcerer? How could Ai, someone I considered a mere tool, become a sorcerer?"

He was in denial. How could someone he had always seen as beneath him now wield power far beyond his reach? The thought twisted in his mind, filling him with rage.

"You're just a tool, a nobody! How could someone like you have the qualifications to become a sorcerer?"

The jealousy and disbelief were clear on his face. The very idea that Ai, whom he had looked down upon for so long, had surpassed him was more than he could handle.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" Ai's voice cut through the silence as she stared at him.

"You can't stand that I'm the one with power now, and not you, right?"

"You—!"

Oko's throat tightened. The truth in her words left him speechless. The unfairness of it all clawed at him. Why wasn't he the one with such power? He had always been superior, hadn't he?

"God is unfair! It's not right!" Oko thought, eyes wild with frustration.

"It seems I was right," Ai said, a hint of amusement in her tone. The sight of Oko, once so feared, now reduced to this state was almost laughable. The fear she once had of him was gone, replaced by a strange sense of closure.

Ai's thoughts drifted to Ryuji. If it hadn't been for him, she would still be a tool, powerless and obedient. Thanks to him, she now had the strength to change her fate. A small, grateful smile crossed her lips as she thought of how she might thank him one day.

"Oko!"

Ai's voice turned cold as she brought her attention back to the present.

"I hope you understand now. I'm a sorcerer. Even Master Gan'an won't see the Hayasaka family as a vassal anymore."

In this world, the title of sorcerer was highly respected. Oko knew this too. Gan'an wasn't foolish; he would have no choice but to acknowledge the Hayasaka family's new status.

Realizing this, Oko's rage grew. His attempt to control Ai had not only failed but had backfired. His once-useful pawn was now out of reach. The frustration of a broken plan gnawed at him, leaving him helpless and defeated.

---

The next morning, Ryuji stretched as he got out of bed, feeling refreshed. The scent of breakfast reached him, and he made his way to the kitchen.

Mei Mei was already there, a playful smile on her face as she greeted him.

"Breakfast is ready, but tell me, do you want to eat first, or me?" she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Ryuji laughed, sitting down at the table. "What, last night wasn't enough for you?"

Mei Mei, with her incredible stamina, was indeed unique. Most women would have been too exhausted to even stand, let alone cook.

Mei Mei leaned closer and whispered in his ear, "I could use a little more now, is that okay?"

Her voice had a hint of playful innocence that made Ryuji chuckle.

"Alright," he said. Refusing wasn't an option.

Breakfast could wait. It wasn't until almost noon that they finally sat down to eat. The food had gone cold, but Ryuji didn't mind.

---

Elsewhere in town, the streets were bustling. Sonoko, who had the day off, had invited her best friend Ran out for a day of shopping. But her mood soured when she noticed Conan trailing behind Ran.

"Why do you always bring this kid along?" Sonoko said, sighing. It felt like he was glued to Ran's side.

"I didn't come here with you!" Conan retorted, giving Sonoko a glare.

In reality, Edogawa Conan was Kudo Shinichi, a high school detective who had been transformed into a child by an experimental drug. He followed Ran not just out of attachment but because he knew Sonoko's tendency to set Ran up with other guys.

No way am I letting that happen, Conan thought, his eyes narrowing.

"This brat!" Sonoko muttered, but Ran stepped in to calm things down.

"It's fine, Sonoko. Conan was just bored at home, so he came along. He won't be any trouble."

"Fine," Sonoko said, though she still shot an annoyed look at Conan. He returned it with a defiant stare.

Sonoko, true to her nature, brightened quickly and leaned over to Ran.

"Hey, want me to introduce you to someone? I met this really handsome guy recently. Super good-looking and from a wealthy family. What do you think?"

Ran waved her hands, smiling awkwardly. "No, thanks, Sonoko. I'm not interested in finding a boyfriend right now."

Sonoko's expression turned suspicious. "Don't tell me you're still hung up on Shinichi?"

Ran's smile faltered. It had been more than a year since Shinichi had disappeared. Time, as it often did, had dulled the sharpness of her feelings.

Conan felt a pang in his chest. It had been too long.

"Actually, Shinichi misses Ran too!" Conan said, trying to steer the conversation.

"Then why hasn't he come back?" Sonoko snapped before Conan could say more. "It's been over a year. No matter how busy he is, he couldn't find even one day to come back? It's clear his cases are more important to him."

Ran's expression softened, but she didn't look at Conan. "It's okay, Sonoko. If Shinichi has things to do, then he should focus on that."

If he doesn't want to come back, then so be it. The thought was painful, but Ran knew it was the only way forward.