At this moment, the young shota's entire body felt sticky and uncomfortable.
The sensation he experienced just now—it was oddly similar to a bubble bath.
Slippery, soft, and bouncy!
Except... they had been using sunscreen.
Akashi cast another glance at Yukiko, who stood beside him in a daze.
She had completely fallen into a hypnotic state. Her beautiful eyes were now dull gray, void of any light—obediently under Akashi's control.
This mischievous woman, who spent her days teasing him, was finally at his mercy.
This time, I'll make sure to give her a proper lesson, Akashi thought with a wicked grin.
He chuckled softly, then gave Yukiko an order.
Moments later, Yukiko returned with a blue inflatable air mattress and a pump.
It was easy to find such beach gear here. After all, many beachgoers enjoyed floating on the sea and soaking in the sun.
Though it wasn't silver like Akashi preferred, the blue one would do just fine.
He then instructed Yukiko to pick up a few more miscellaneous items.
Taking her hand, Akashi led her toward the nearby resort hotel.
They checked into a new room together—completely unaware that little Conan, back at the beach, had no idea his mother was here too… let alone being taken to a hotel by Akashi!
Meanwhile, Conan was busy trying to stop Kogoro from leaving.
Kogoro and Eri had barely met before they started bickering again. He was terrified of being mocked by her and had lost all interest in the vacation.
"I'm going back!" he declared dramatically.
Although it was cowardly, retreating seemed like the smartest option.
Ran looked troubled. She didn't know how to convince her stubborn father.
Just then, a short-haired Japanese woman walked by and did a double take.
"Hey, aren't you Detective Mōri? The famous one?"
Another long-haired woman nearby perked up as well. "Yes, Sleeping Kogoro! You're such a skilled detective!"
Both women were in their twenties and radiated beach charm. The short-haired girl wore a jacket over her swimsuit, while the long-haired one flaunted her curvy figure in a pink bikini.
They gazed at Kogoro with open admiration.
Instantly, his urge to leave vanished into thin air.
"Why yes, I am Kogoro Mōri," he said, puffing up his chest. "You recognize me?"
The short-haired girl clasped her hands together and beamed. "Detective Mōri, I'm your fan! My name's Harumi Matsuzaki!"
"I can't believe I met you here in Izu. This is the best day ever! Oh—this is my friend, Kiwako Toda. We came here to snorkel!"
She waved enthusiastically toward the distance.
Soon, two young men joined them—one thin and nerdy-looking, the other with curly hair.
With boundless energy, Harumi introduced them.
"This is my brother, Masahiko Matsuzaki, and the curly-haired guy is his classmate, Kunio Kawazu."
"We're all students from Ito University's diving club. We came to snorkel, of course. This here is the great Detective Kogoro Mōri!"
Kawazu grinned and added, "Of course I know him—Sleeping Kogoro! A real celebrity! Say, want to join us for lunch?"
Kogoro, surrounded by admiring young people—and with Harumi still clinging to his arm—felt like a king.
His previous gloom was swept away like sea foam.
If only Eri were here to see this!
He laughed triumphantly, tongue poking out in delight. "Hahaha! Why not?"
Ran and Conan exchanged exhausted glances.
Seriously? Two pretty girls and he's back to full energy?
Still, seeing her father in good spirits again, Ran sighed with relief.
She turned around, hoping to spot Akashi… but the area where he and her mother had been was now empty.
Eri and Haibara had gone swimming.
Akashi and Yukiko had returned to the hotel.
Naturally, the place was deserted.
Ran looked around, a little disappointed not to find Akashi.
Seeing Kogoro walk off with the others, she quickly followed.
At the hotel, Akashi was already enjoying a unique island experience—the celebrity version of a bubble bath!
Meanwhile, at the beachfront restaurant, Kogoro downed a gulp of beer.
The cool sensation washed from his throat down to his belly, and he exhaled contentedly.
It felt like all the stress from the past two days had finally lifted.
He leaned back and casually asked, "So, your diving club—do you come here every week?"
Kawazu nodded. "Yeah, we came just yesterday. Saw tons of marine life underwater."
"But this might be the last time," he added with a shrug.
Ran tilted her head. "Why's that?"
Kawazu jabbed the thin young man beside him playfully with an elbow.
"Graduation's coming up. Once Masahiko and Kiwako get married, there won't be time to go out anymore!"
Kogoro blinked in surprise.
Kiwako's not only prettier than Harumi… but she's got a better figure too. What a shame she's getting married soon.
He took another long sip of beer.
Masahiko rolled his eyes and shoved Kawazu. "Cut it out. I can still hang out with you guys after marriage!"
"Really?" Kawazu teased. "Kiwako's too beautiful. She'll lock you up at home for sure!"
Masahiko laughed awkwardly while Kiwako gave Kawazu a playful smack.
"Idiot!"
Only Harumi seemed a little distracted—her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.
Just then, Eri walked into the restaurant with little Haibara.
It was the only restaurant nearby, and the beach crowd was thinning out.
Ran spotted them and waved cheerfully. "Mom! Over here!"
Kogoro caught sight of Eri too but let out a loud snort and turned away dramatically.
Instead, he cozied up even closer to Harumi, chatting away like old friends.
Neither of them acknowledged the other—as if they were invisible.
With no empty tables in sight, Eri reluctantly sat next to Ran with Haibara in tow.
Ran leaned over and asked quietly, "Mom, where's Akashi?"
Eri frowned. "How should I know? Yukiko dragged him off somewhere. I haven't seen him since!"
PFFFT!
A sudden spray of soda shot across the table—right onto Kogoro's face.
The mustached man exploded in rage, grabbing Conan by the collar and twisting his fists at the boy's temples.
"OW! OW! STOP!" Conan yelled, struggling in his grip.
Despite the punishment, Conan's mind was elsewhere.
Wait a second… Mom? Why is Mom here again?!
Wasn't the one on the cruise ship yesterday a fake? Then is the one here at Izu Beach today real?
I need to call and find out!