The roller coaster ride was very popular, and the queue was long.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Kudou Shinichi reverted to his old habits, once again beginning to endlessly show off his deduction knowledge.
"Ran, did you know how amazing Holmes was? The first time he met his assistant, Watson, he was able to deduce just by shaking hands that…"
Watching Kudou Shinichi's self-congratulatory excitement, Ran sighed softly, her previously positive mood instantly turning sour.
"Mm, mm, I see. That's really impressive."
While perfunctorily responding to Kudou Shinichi, Ran couldn't help but think about her interactions with Hoshimiya Yuu over the past few days.
On reflection, there wasn't anything particularly special about being with Hoshimiya Nii-san, but she just felt very comfortable.
At the very least, she wouldn't feel the kind of impatience she felt now.
Come to think of it, how did I endure this when I was with Shinichi before?
Hoshimiya Yuu watched from behind as Ran's mind wandered, her responses clearly insincere, and he wanted to laugh.
But Kudou Shinichi seemed oblivious, growing even more enthusiastic.
He then moved to grab the hand of a beautiful woman queuing in front of them.
"Kudou-kun, I actually know a little bit about what you're talking about."
Hoshimiya Yuu suddenly interjected, interrupting Kudou Shinichi's impolite action.
"Huh?" Kudou Shinichi was momentarily stunned.
In that instant of distraction, the tall, long-haired beauty in the light blue jacket, whose short skirt revealed her long, straight legs, also reacted.
The slender hand pulled away from Kudou Shinichi's sudden reach, and she looked over with slight surprise and indignation.
"Sir, I don't believe we know each other."
"Ah, I apologize, I apologize."
Kudou Shinichi quickly explained, "Miss, you are a gymnast, right? I just wanted to feel the calluses on your palm to confirm."
"I am indeed a gymnast. How did you know?"
Surprised, the long-haired beauty was no longer angry and asked curiously.
"Because outside earlier, when a gust of wind lifted your skirt, a dark mark near your inner thigh was revealed."
Hoshimiya Yuu spoke first. "That kind of mark, in that particular area, only appears on gymnasts who have trained extensively on the uneven bars, parallel bars, or high bar."
A blush flashed across the beautiful woman's face.
The gust of wind came suddenly. Although she immediately pressed her skirt down, her underwear wasn't exposed, but her thigh had been seen.
Honestly, if it weren't for the need for easy movement later, I wouldn't wear such a short skirt.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, so you really do know about this too."
Kudou Shinichi's eyes lit up, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
"A little, just a little."
Hoshimiya Yuu smiled and started chatting with Kudou Shinichi.
Hoshimiya Yuu was actually quite interested in mystery novels; otherwise, he wouldn't have watched so many episodes of Detective Conan in his previous life.
He had read some of the Sherlock Holmes stories Kudou Shinichi was talking about, and he happened to remember this famous passage.
Kudou Shinichi might not deserve Ran, but he was somewhat competent and could be worth getting along with.
Overall, the high school detective was a good person, just a bit too self-righteous and self-centered.
Most importantly, Kudou Shinichi was linked to his future System rewards. To make better use of this tool, maintaining a superficially friendly relationship was more appropriate.
Of course, that was provided Kudou Shinichi didn't actively provoke him.
If their interests, or even his life safety, came into conflict, then he wouldn't be merciful.
Hoshimiya Yuu vaguely remembered that Ran, who had great public perception in the early stages, was later criticized for being overly kind and saintly.
This was likely due to Kudou Shinichi's influence.
Kudou Shinichi's sense of justice was something a normal person couldn't emulate; it was almost fanatical.
Hoshimiya Yuu was somewhat relieved that he had met Ran before the main plot began.
With him around now, there was no way Ran would become like that.
As the Phoenix (Feng Ao Tian), she should be clear-headed and decisive!
Ran quietly took a step back, looking at the two men chatting happily, then showed a grateful smile.
In her view, Hoshimiya Yuu had seen what she was feeling and, to keep her from being awkward, took the initiative to ease the relationship with Kudou Shinichi.
At the same time, he had also rescued her from that boring and tiresome conversation.
Hoshimiya Nii-san is truly a thoughtful and gentle person.
In comparison, Shinichi is too selfish.
Ran thought to herself silently.
"Move aside, move aside! We were here first!"
Suddenly, a rough voice sounded from the back of the line.
Then, two large men in all black pushed through the queuing crowd and came right to the front.
Naturally, some people were unhappy about being cut, but upon seeing the burly, menacing figure of Vodka, they all silently chose to make way.
Just then, the previous roller coaster ride ended. At the very front of the line were the long-haired gymnast and her friends.
The roller coaster had eight seats, two seats per row.
Hoshimiya Yuu and Kudou Shinichi were in the second row, followed by Ran and a couple.
Vodka counted the number of people and roughly yanked the young man with dyed blonde hair from the couple.
"You take the next ride."
The blonde man, who had been making out with his Kogal girlfriend, was enraged. He was about to flare up, but after seeing Vodka's strong physique, he immediately backed down.
However, thinking of the crowd watching and his girlfriend standing right there, he still plucked up the courage to say, "Mister, I'm with my girlfriend. Look, isn't there another person up front…"
"Are you trying to tell me what to do?"
Seeing that the young man dared to disobey, Vodka grabbed him by the collar and lifted his entire body off the ground.
"Vodka." Gin's icy voice cut in. "Don't cause unnecessary trouble."
"Yes, Aniki."
Vodka released his clenched fist and unhappily set the blonde man down.
The blonde man, who had been effortlessly lifted like a chick by Vodka, nearly peed himself with fear.
Seeing that he wasn't hit, he immediately bowed and apologized profusely.
"Sumimasen (I am sorry), I was out of line. I'll help you find a place right now."
The blonde man stepped forward and said to Ran, "Little girl, don't you see my big brothers need to sit? You're alone anyway; you can take the next ride."
"Ah, no, I'm with my two friends…"
"Ran." Seeing Ran being bullied, Hoshimiya Yuu immediately rushed over.
Kudou Shinichi also belatedly ran to the back.
"You two kids trying to be heroes?"
The blonde man deliberately insulted them. "Three people, two guys and a girl, and you leave the girl alone at the back? Are you gay, or do you just have no balls?"
Ran wanted to explain, but seeing the staff, who wanted to hurry them but were too afraid to come closer, she changed her mind. "Yes, that's fine. I'll let these two gentlemen take my place."
Hoshimiya Yuu frowned, just about to give the man a lesson, when Ran tugged on his jacket and shook her head slightly.
"Hoshimiya Nii-san, let it go."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
Hoshimiya Yuu held the girl's small hand and said softly, "Ran, then I'll ride it with you again later."
He had initially wanted to join Ran on the next ride, but to save the life of the long-haired beauty in front, he could only let Ran wait alone for a while.