"Is this your brilliant idea?"
"What's wrong? What's the problem?"
"There are so many questions... My face is almost frozen from laughing..."
"It's okay not to smile. If they ask, just say you're tired from taking on a case today, okay?"
"Don't make it sound so easy. Who caused this?"
"I can switch roles with you, but the problem is that I play Akechi Goro well—can you play Karasawa Akira well?"
"So don't drag me here from the beginning—!"
Conan, who was sitting next to Kogoro Mouri, quickly noticed the commotion and glanced toward his friend with concern.
Are those two going to quarrel?
Kazawa once mentioned that he and Akechi Goro didn't get along, and now it really seems true.
The atmosphere between them seemed tense. They had been in the room this whole time but kept exchanging looks. Akechi Goro, usually smiling like a tiger, didn't have a smile today—he was glaring fiercely at Kazawa...
Maybe he should go over later and split them up a bit. At least don't let them sit next to each other.
"It's such an honor to receive the invitation from all the young elites of Toudou University." Kogoro Mouri, already a little tipsy, raised his glass with a broad smile. "You're all not only excellent students but also handsome and beautiful—the future pillars of society!"
"You're too kind!" Everyone in the mystery research group laughed cheerfully.
"I didn't expect that the new famous detective Akechi Goro also knows you." The elegant and pretty vice president, Hayasaka Tomoko, had been paying special attention to the two boys across the table who seemed to be at odds. "I often see you on the news, but I didn't know there was a connection."
"I still have a lot to learn from Mr. Mouri." Hoshikawa Teru's back went stiff as all eyes turned to him. He tried to recall Kazawa's earlier coaching and forced a stiff smile. "Of course I know Mr. Mouri. He's a very capable senior... I just heard from Kazawa that there's a mystery gathering tonight, so I came along to enjoy it."
I can't improvise anymore... Kazawa, stop watching the show and help me!
Kazawa, barely holding back laughter, lifted his glass smoothly: "Mr. Mouri has always looked after me. Goro is my friend and admires Mr. Mouri. When he heard I'd be meeting him, he tagged along."
"So Detective Mouri is still the best. Even your peers admire you—a well-deserved reputation!" said Manabu Sawai, president of the research group, clearly a social expert. He clinked glasses with Kogoro Mouri and kept praising him.
"You really know how to flatter, playboy," Hayasaka Tomoko teased, then turned to the visibly relieved Hoshikawa Teru. "Akechi-kun, don't sell yourself short. I've followed your news. You already completed your degree in the U.S. at 18. That's pure genius."
"That's an exaggeration. The media always hypes these things up. They even call me a 'high school detective.'" Xingchuan Hui smiled awkwardly and tried to imitate Goro's fluent tone.
But his hand holding the glass trembled slightly. The leather gloves stuck to the iced drink with a sticky squeak. Maintaining Akechi Goro's composed image, he held the glass without drinking—almost dehydrated.
Curse you, Kazawa. What kind of unreliable captain are you!
Kazawa, having had his fill of amusement, finally rescued him: "Speaking of high school detectives, Ms. Uchida Asami originally wanted to invite Kudo Shinichi, right? What a pity, he's also quite famous."
"Yes, he's Mami's favorite detective. She often talks about him," said Sawai Manabu, quickly redirecting the spotlight from Kudo. "Later we found out he's Mami's junior, and they seem pretty close. I thought for sure he'd show up to help celebrate."
"Right, today is not just her birthday—we're also celebrating Asami's Rookie Award." Another member chimed in, "Not many authors win the Naoki Prize in their freshman year. Asami is sure to become a renowned writer."
"What a pity, Morimoto. I heard your work also made it to the finals." Sawai Manabu stubbed out his cigarette and glanced at the portly Morimoto Kishinori. "Your mystery novel was pretty good."
"It's no shame losing to Mami. She deserved to win," said the round-faced Morimoto Yoshinobu, smiling modestly. "Honestly, if I had won, that would've been the surprise."
"You're incredible, Asami." Hayasaka Tomoko swirled the ice in her glass, dragged a nearby wine bottle over, and poured herself another drink. "She's been in the spotlight since starting school. She's now our campus beauty, but she's still so modest. I admire that."
"Tomoko, go easy on the drinks," Sawai Manabu warned, gently blocking the bottle. "This wine may be sweet, but it's very strong. You'll get drunk fast."
"Really?" Hayasaka Tomoko raised her brows, picked up the bottle, and turned it to read the label. "Ah, it's true. 45 percent. It smells sweet, but it's actually a strong liquor."
Conan's gaze followed her hand to the label on the bottle.
This wine was...
"Kummel. It's a Dutch liqueur, flavored with fennel seeds and dill. It's more of a digestif—don't drink it before meals, or it'll affect digestion," Sawai Manabu explained, taking the bottle and setting it aside. "It's not a common drink. I didn't expect the villa owner to have any. I just thought it looked interesting, so I put it out."
Kummel...
Conan's eyes sharpened, and he scanned everyone at the table suspiciously.
That was the code name he'd heard Gin mention. Was this the same Kummel?
His gaze stopped on Kazawa and Kogoro Mouri.
Kazawa's case was related to the organization, and Uncle Mouri was someone Joker warned could be in danger... Was the appearance of this bottle a coincidence, or did it mean something?
Xingchuan Hui nearly choked on his soda. He put his cup down slowly and gave Kazawa a quietly accusatory glare.
Of all drinks, it had to be Kummel... This obscure bottle shows up now? If this isn't your doing, I'll write my name backward!
What the hell are you planning? Framing me as an undercover member of the organization, then running off?
Stop throwing your innocent teammates under the bus! Use that energy to do something actually useful, Captain!
Kazawa averted his gaze innocently, cleared his throat, and said, "Ms. Mouri and the others are taking forever. Maybe there are too many dishes to handle? Akechi, let's go to the kitchen and help."