"Solving cases is exhausting enough as it is. Let's watch something different today."
Fujino glanced at Ai Haibara, who was holding a movie guide magazine. "By the way, Ai, what do you want to watch?"
"How about *Einstein: Days of Glory and Sorrow*?"
Haibara scanned the listings, calmly saying, "I'm more interested in this one."
"That movie, huh? That's fine." Fujino looked at the magazine in Haibara's hand.
"Do you like that movie too?" Haibara raised her head, giving Fujino a surprised look.
"Not really, I just happened to come across it last time but didn't get a chance to watch it..."
"Okay, okay!"
Conan, noticing the conversation spiraling, quickly intervened, "Let's go watch *Gomera* instead!"
Compared to watching *Einstein: Days of Glory and Sorrow*, Conan found the kids' suggestion of *Gomera* much more appealing.
At least it wouldn't leave him feeling restless afterward.
After deciding what to watch, the group entered the theater.
Once they handed over their free tickets, they proceeded into the screening room.
Fujino had Ai Haibara on his left, Conan on his right, with Ayumi sitting next to Conan. Genta and Mitsuhiko were seated towards the edges.
The *Gomera* they were watching this time was an old black-and-white movie with subpar sound effects.
It gave Fujino the feeling of watching an old CCBV6 film.
The beginning featured an old man resembling Einstein, followed by the appearance of a spider-like monster.
Then came the epic battle between Gomera and the spider monster.
"Go, Gomera!"
"Show that spider monster what you're made of!"
"There's a weak spot on its head!"
The kids shouted excitedly, some even standing up with their fists raised, making it feel like they were watching TV at home.
"Can you guys be a bit quieter, please?"
Fujino casually glanced at the three kids, calmly saying, "It's quite rude to be this noisy."
"Sorry..."
The kids quieted down and sat back in their seats.
A man with a mushroom-cut hairstyle sitting behind them was about to step forward to intervene, but after seeing Fujino discipline the children, he silently sat back down.
Conan, noticing how quiet and serious the kids had become, couldn't help but smile a little.
Wow, physical intimidation works wonders.
For most people, the kids wouldn't listen to anyone.
But Fujino…
They still had a sense of reverence for him.
The scene of Fujino smashing through a window and taking down three criminals by himself was still fresh in their minds.
Conan then turned his gaze toward Fujino, who was staring intently at the big screen.
Leaning in slightly, Conan whispered to him, "Seriously? You're actually watching this so attentively?"
"It's not bad. Even though it's a bit childish, it's pretty good."
Alright then, Fujino admitted he was getting into it.
Though it might be a bit immature, it was still a well-made movie.
At least it was better than those awful sci-fi films that throw in some pointless romance and tired jokes.
"There aren't any particularly cringe-worthy moments, and the cinematography is decent."
Haibara chimed in as well, in her usual somber tone, "And it carries deeper meaning too, with foolish humans reaching the end of the road, blinded by science..."
"At the end of the day, humans are just a bunch of small, foolish monkeys who've mastered science and become overly smug."
Fujino echoed her sentiments, then turned to Conan, smirking slightly. "But seriously, Conan, for someone your age to not like *Gomera* is pretty unusual."
"Yeah, really unusual."
Haibara nodded in agreement. "Could it be that you're actually an adult who took some kind of anti-aging drug?"
"Uh..."
Conan was left speechless, then silently turned his head back to the movie.
Damn it.
Going along with each other, huh?
They really are two peas in a pod.
...
The movie ended.
Conan walked out of the theater, looking defeated.
Even though the movie was good, he had already seen it once before. Watching it again was a bit much.
"Alright, since we've finished the movie, let's head home early..."
Before Conan could finish, Genta interrupted, "Conan, what are you talking about? There are still two more movies left to watch!"
"Two more?"
Conan turned to look at the listings hanging by the theater door, freezing on the spot.
There really were two more movies—and both of them he had already seen before...
"All three movies combined are six hours long."
At that moment, Haibara noticed Conan's reaction, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she glanced at him. "You don't come across a lineup like this very often."
"Looks like we're going to get more than enough *Gomera* this time."
Fujino chimed in.
Fujino hadn't seen *Gomera* as a child, so this was his first time watching it. And Haibara, having never had freedom growing up, was also watching it for the first time.
So neither of them minded.
Meanwhile, Conan, having been a rich, carefree kid, was leaning against the wall, looking stiff and utterly hopeless.
Four hours...
Pure torture!
Just as Conan was wallowing in despair, Genta mumbled, "I'm getting a bit hungry..."
"Let's treat Fujino to some popcorn!"
Ayumi suggested, "When we came in earlier, I saw the concession stand selling popcorn and soda."
"You guys are treating?"
Fujino was a bit surprised. "Shouldn't I be treating you instead?"
Mitsuhiko cut him off, "We drank so many of your drinks yesterday, so this time we'll treat!"
At this time, soda in Japan cost around 100 yen, and a drink like the one they had the other day was about 500 yen.
Although they didn't have much concept of money, they knew the drinks they had at Fujino's place were expensive.
"Yeah, yeah!"
Ayumi nodded, grabbing Fujino's hand and leading him to the concession stand.
Even though Fujino felt like he was getting the better end of the deal, the kids still thought he was at a loss.
Their enthusiasm touched Fujino a little, so he didn't insist on paying.
Suddenly, he felt that these kids weren't as annoying as they seemed sometimes.
"Three sodas, three coffees, and six portions of popcorn."
The pure-faced server at the counter counted the items.
"But we only ordered four portions of popcorn."
Mitsuhiko, holding a soda, looked puzzled at the server in a pink vest behind the counter.
Fujino glanced at the name tag on the server's chest: *Yuri Yuriko*.
"It's alright."
Yuriko smiled. "You kids come here to watch movies often, and since you're our last customers today, consider it my treat."
"Last customers?"
The kids looked puzzled.
(End of Chapter)