"Conan, you can sleep with me!"
Hanyu Nan said with a mischievous smile, pulling up Conan, who was trying to sneak into Ran's room, and beaming.
"What?! Who wants to sleep with you?!" Conan rolled his eyes, secretly groaning inwardly, but was helplessly pulled back by Hanyu Nan.
"Hmph, you little brat, how dare you even dream of sharing a bed with this big miss? Let me tell you, only Ran and Nan have that privilege!" Sonoko raised her chin, saying triumphantly.
"Sonoko…" Ran looked speechless, gazing helplessly at Sonoko beside her.
"Alright, alright, I get it. Nan, you and Conan go put your luggage away first, then we'll meet downstairs." Sonoko patted Ran's shoulder, motioning for everyone to put their luggage away.
"Okay, alright." Hanyu Nan nodded, pulling Conan upstairs.
Hanyu Nan arrived in the room and tidied up the luggage with Conan. When they went downstairs, they found everyone already gathered in a circle, waiting.
Seeing Hanyu Nan come down, Sonoko immediately pulled Ran beside her and waved to her, signaling Hanyu Nan to come join them.
"Everyone's here now, so next, I'll introduce everyone to each other." After everyone had sat down, Suzuki Ayako stood up and said to the group with a smile.
Besides Suzuki Ayako, her other four classmates were three men and one woman.
They were Ota Masaru, a long-haired, head-band-wearing foreign car agent, and also the secretary of their film club.
Kakutani Hiroki, a current film magazine editor who likes to carry a camera, served as the film club's photographer.
And Takahashi Ryoichi, who appeared outwardly corpulent, was the film club's prop specialist.
He was also the upcoming perpetrator who would provide spiritual energy to Hanyu Nan, a murderous demon acting under the guise of revenge.
And Ikeda Chikako, with short hair and a cold expression, was the film club's director.
She was also the deceased who would provide spiritual energy to Hanyu Nan. Hanyu Nan had no intention of saving her, after all, this was someone who had stolen her friend's work, caused her friend to commit suicide, and yet felt no remorse whatsoever.
"Well then, Sonoko, please introduce your friends to everyone!"
"Okay," hearing her sister's words, Sonoko immediately stood up, pointed to Hanyu Nan and Ran sitting nearby, and enthusiastically introduced them to everyone: "These two are my best friend and good friend, Ran Mouri and Hanyu Nan."
"Hello everyone!" Ran smiled and greeted everyone who was looking at her.
Hanyu Nan also nodded slightly in acknowledgement, showing politeness.
Sonoko then pointed to Conan, who was running around the house, and said, "As for this little brat, he just tagged along for free food and drinks."
"Heh heh." Hearing Sonoko's words, Conan helplessly rolled his eyes, muttering to himself, "I'm not here for free food and drinks. If it weren't for Ran, I wouldn't have come along."
… "Wow! So you're the creator of 'Blue Kingdom'! I really love that novel!" A group of people sat around a table, reminiscing about the past while discussing the present animatedly.
In their conversation, Ran was surprised to discover that Ikeda Chikako, right before her, was actually the author of the novel she had been reading.
Normally, when an author meets a fan who appreciates their work, their heart should be filled with joy. However, when Ikeda Chikako heard Ran mention "Blue Kingdom," she responded with a hint of impatience.
Hanyu Nan, however, was very clear about the reason— "Blue Kingdom" was actually an idea Ikeda Chikako had stolen from her classmate and good friend, "Atsuko."
At this moment, Suzuki Ayako, who was nearby, also appropriately sighed, "If only Atsuko hadn't met with that accident back then, how wonderful that would have been…"
"Enough! Enough! Atsuko passed away two years ago, why do you keep bringing up this unfortunate matter?" Ikeda Chikako's face darkened as she slammed the table, clearly extremely uncomfortable with the topic.
Hanyu Nan watched Takahashi Ryoichi, whose eyes were already filled with uncontrollable murderous intent, with amusement.
Truly, one reaps what one sows.
"Alright, alright, since it's already in the past, let's not mention it anymore." Kakutani Hiroki also stepped in to smooth things over.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Suzuki Ayako could only helplessly stand up and say, "I'll go to the kitchen to check on dinner…"
Takahashi Ryoichi also followed, saying, "I'll go check the roof. It's raining today, so it might leak."
"What the heck? What exactly happened?" Sonoko, who was ready for some gossip, saw that everyone had stopped talking and pouted speechlessly, complaining to Ran and Hanyu Nan.
Meanwhile, Ota Masaru, who had long grown impatient, got up and walked over to Ran. With a smile, he extended his hand and said, "Beautiful lady, it's drizzling outside. How about we take a stroll in the rain together? It would be very romantic."
"Ah, ah… me?" Ran, suddenly invited, became a little flustered and stammered, unable to speak.
After all, she was never good at refusing others' requests, especially when the other party was sincere and polite.
Seeing Ran, who didn't know how to refuse, Hanyu Nan stood up and casually swatted away Ota Masaru's hand, which was reaching for Ran's. At the same time, she said unceremoniously, "I don't think that will be necessary. As an adult, it's not a good habit to be touching a young girl."
Ota Masaru clearly hadn't anticipated Hanyu Nan's actions. He rubbed his hand, which was slightly red after being swatted away by Hanyu Nan, and a hint of displeasure appeared on his face. He angrily demanded loudly, "Who are you to her? What right do you have to make decisions for her?!"
"Nan is my good friend, what do you want to say? And Ran has her own childhood friend." Sonoko, seeing her beloved person and best friend being bullied, immediately stood up and shouted loudly.
Ran gave Sonoko a grateful look, but when she heard Sonoko mention that she had a childhood friend, her mood suddenly became a little low.
"Hmph!" Facing the second daughter of the Suzuki Conglomerate, Ota Masaru dared not offend her. He could only turn and leave, throwing out a parting shot, "Childhood friend? Ha, I know you. Your father must be Kogoro Mouri, right? I heard he and your mother were also childhood friends, but they're divorced now, aren't they?"
"If you dare to spout nonsense again, you're dead!" Sonoko yelled at Ota Masaru's retreating back, then rushed to comfort Ran.
Hanyu Nan watched Ota Masaru's receding figure, her gaze slightly lowered, and softly said, "You have already chosen your path to death!"
Upon hearing Ota Masaru's words, Ran's smile instantly froze, and her face turned ashen.
Do childhood friends really not have good endings? Ran thought of her separated parents, and Shinichi, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and a sense of confusion welled up in her heart.
"Ran, don't listen to that guy's nonsense."
"I'm fine, Sonoko. I want to go for a walk by myself."
Ran, with a bewildered expression, pushed away Sonoko, whose face was full of worry, and walked out dejectedly, bumping into Takahashi Ryoichi, who was coming in from outside, as she exited.
Takahashi Ryoichi looked at Ran walking out, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.