The Passive Income System

Staff rushed to call for help, and in no time, two waitresses showed up. It was confusing—how could Inoue and that blonde girl help? If they were certified in CPR or something similar, it would make sense, but one glance at them made it clear they weren't even considering that. To me, it seemed like they were on guard, though I might have been overthinking.

I refocused on Conan and the woman beside him. I couldn't recall her name, but I assumed she was a detective or at the very least, his partner.

"Amane!" Sawako whispered to me. I looked at her curiously, wondering what she'd say next.

"This is like a real-life crime show!" Her eyes sparkled like jewels. She once mentioned people thought she resembled the girl from The Ring, but I never saw the connection.

"That's one way to look at it," I chuckled lightly. But Sawako wasn't listening anymore.

"He's dead."

"Poison?"

"It seems more like an allergic reaction, but I can't rule out poison."

"If it's poison, we need to figure out its source."

"Yeah, but neither of us is an expert…"

Conan and his partner didn't seem to care how loud they were being. Either they weren't worried about being overheard, or they had a method to their madness.

Speaking of madness…

"Here you go!" The blonde waitress returned with our food.

We gave her strange looks, but since I was starving, I simply thanked her. I dove into the food, though I didn't savor the taste—my attention was elsewhere, much like Sawako's. Even though it was morbid, the unfolding scene was fascinating.

Hmm?

The blonde waitress and Inoue were whispering to each other, away from everyone else. I couldn't make out their lips entirely, but I was certain the blonde said, "Did you get it?" and Inoue nodded.

What could they be discussing? Ooo, are they secret agents on a mission separate from the local law enforcers? Probably not, but it would make for a cool twist!

"Hey, Sawako!" I whispered, sharing my idea. Her eyes no longer sparkled—they now shone like the sun, brimming with curiosity.

"No way, right?"

"I want to say no, but it would be a cool twist!"

"Hehe, you're right, but what if they're a rogue organization taking out their enemies?"

"Hahaha! Why would they stick around here if that were the case?"

"Hey! Why are you two laughing? Can't you see someone's dead?!"

The murmurs from the surrounding tables grew louder, a mix of concern and curiosity. Most eyes darted between Conan and the unconscious man, but a few lingered on me and Sawako. She retreated back a little bit feeling intimidated which pissed me.

"I don't give a damn. I don't know him, and I sure as hell don't care enough to pretend I do." Oops… maybe that was a bit too much foul language.

"Pfft~ I didn't know you were such a gangster, Amane!" Sawako teased, her laughter making my face flush bright red.

The guy-idiot-looked so taken aback that he just went silent. Everyone else didn't bother to say nothing and honestly, it looked to me like they were scared of me. For what?! I wasn't a gangster or thug so why the hell were they shaking and flinching every time I stared at them. 

"If you don't care, why were you staring at him earlier?" Why the hell is Conan talking to me? 

I moved my eyes to match his, "Simply because he looked good in his outfit." 

"And then he magically dies soon after?" 

"Oh my~ You caught me!" 

"Pfft!" x3 

Sawako I could understand but I heard two others trying to cover their laugh. I glanced over at Inoue for some reason and I found the other two. Her and the blonde next to her were trying not to keel over.

"Tch. I'm going to keep my eye on you."

"So scary Kid!"

That pissed him off more and he stomped away just like a brat. 

"Amane try this desert!" 

Sawako put some of the choclate fondant on a spoon and pushed it towards my mouth. 

"Ah~ Humph" 

The sweetness wasn't too bad but I would have prefered it to be more bitter. I took one of my free forks as I used my spoon for eating the risotto to do the same for Sawako! 

"Humph~ Gooood!" 

Our dinner continued blissfully minus the piercing gaze coming from Conan but I couldn't give a shit. We finished our food and he was still playing decetive but again I had bigger things to worry about. 

"What's next? Wanna come back over?" I made our plates and dishes organized so it'd be easier on the waitresses while asking. 

I didn't get to see Sawako's facial expression but she shyly agreed. 

"S-Sure! But can we wait to see how this goes?" 

"Fine. I'll spoil you with this, I could personally do without the kid trying to read my soul." 

"Don't be so agitated, he just wants to play detective!" 

"GUAH?!" Conan must've heard her words as he really looked like he was going to cry. 

"Sawako." 

"?" Sawako tilted her head, her shining so brightly despite being as black as her hair. She didn't seem to realize how brutal her words but I get it, to her Conan is a normal kid.

"You might be meaner then me." 

"No way! You are brutal!" 

"Nuh uh, not like you." 

"Yeah yeah~ you'll see!" 

"Hehe, can't wait!"

Everyone turned to look at us with red faces, even I was starting to run out of face to save. Sawako on the other hand still didn't get what I was suggesting! 

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A whole hour passed. An hour! AN HOUR! Before the investigation was completed. I was completely bored—if it wasn't for Sawako, I would have been sleeping. But obviously, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here in the first place. Either way, the investigation was completely boring!

"Wow! That was so much fun!" She felt differently. However, I wasn't really into the whole crime show thing like that. I especially didn't think she would be, but people are more different than we think.

I nodded my head, even if it wasn't genuine, just to keep her mood up.

"Time to head home! I can finally leave that kid's annoying gaze behind."

"Hehe~ It couldn't be that bad. He probably just looks up to you!"

"Why would he?"

"I think you looked cool telling everybody off like that."

"T-Thanks." Damn, this girl is good.

The two of us left. I was completely satisfied with the food and being with her. As for her… she looked triple satisfied, but let me not stroke my own ego, so I'll just say it was the food and the impromptu crime show that played out.