Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 393, Section 387: The Friendship Between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, a Bond of Sworn Brotherhood
"Wait, a seaside romance adventure?" Lin Longma was quick to grasp the key point and immediately pointed out the extraordinary aspect in Yuanzi's words.

Is this how the term "hunting for women" is used?
Actually, thinking about it, it doesn't make much of a difference. Given Sonoko Suzuki's usual lecherous and lustful demeanor, which is exactly the same as Kogoro Mouri's, describing her travels as a hunt for women is quite fitting.

Of course, the facts are the facts, but saying them out loud would be a bit embarrassing.

Sonoko Suzuki blinked awkwardly and quickly changed the subject: "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue!"
Uncle Lin, what's so great about mystery novels? Why has Xiaolan suddenly become so obsessed with them?

Other issues might be difficult for Ryoma Hayashi to explain to Sonoko Suzuki, but this one...
"You think Ran likes mystery? Actually, she likes people. It's just that the person she likes happens to be obsessed with mystery."

Will Ran Mouri develop a liking for deduction because of Shinichi Kudo or Conan? Of course not.

If she could fall in love with mystery because of someone, how could she not be interested at all after being childhood friends with Shinichi Kudo for so many years?

Ran Mouri's current "enthusiasm" for mystery is probably also due to her desire to become famous quickly.

Torn between her father's good health and her childhood sweetheart's fervent expectations, Ran Mouri chooses to "sacrifice" herself.

She didn't want Conan to use a tranquilizer dart on her elderly father, who relied on her family for cigarettes and alcohol, nor did she want her childhood sweetheart's expectations to be dashed.

Then the only option is to work desperately to become a more famous detective than Kogoro Mouri, and then use the identity of high school detective Ran Mouri to do what Conan wants to do in Kogoro Mouri's place.

Ran Mouri may have known that doing this would be dangerous, but she certainly didn't understand just how risky it was.

But she still did it anyway.

This spirit of sacrifice truly made Lin Longma feel ashamed. Having spent so much time in the dark place of the organization, Lin Longma really had no resistance to the pure, kind, and beautiful nature of Ran Mouri.

No wonder Vermouth treats Ran Mouri like a daughter. Perhaps she's projecting her own past innocence and kindness onto Ran?

"Because of that deduction fanatic? Impossible. If that were the case, why has Xiaolan only recently become obsessed with deduction?"

What seemed like a reasonable statement at first glance was immediately refuted by Sonoko Suzuki.

How long has Lin Longma known Ran Mouri? How long have they been best friends?

Sonoko Suzuki knew exactly what kind of personality her best friend had.

In Sonoko Suzuki's view, Ran Mouri is sentimental enough that she can wait for Shinichi Kudo for a very long time.

But while waiting for Shinichi Kudo, Ran Mouri doesn't lose herself—she practices karate, goes shopping with friends, and helps her father solve his requests.
In short, even if Shinichi Kudo isn't around, Ran Mouri can still find things to do.

She was never the kind of girl whose heart was solely devoted to men and who couldn't live without them.

How could the daughter raised by Eri Kisaki, the undefeated queen of the legal world, and Kogoro Mouri, the legend of the police academy, possibly be someone who only revolves around men?

Ryoma Hayashi's reasons could convince everyone, but he couldn't convince his best friend, Sonoko Suzuki.

"Uncle Lin, there's something I need to ask you." After a brief silence, Suzuki Sonoko seemed to have made up her mind and said to Lin Longma.

"Of course, go ahead." Lin Longma had roughly guessed Suzuki Sonoko's request, but still asked to confirm.

"After we get back, could you..."

Before Sonoko Suzuki could finish speaking, Masahiko Michiwaki stopped in his tracks. He pointed to a restaurant on the outskirts of the beach and said to Ryoma Hayashi and Sonoko Suzuki, "This is it, this is where we'll have lunch today."

Sonoko Suzuki doesn't have any particular requirements for the dining environment. She often eats at high-end restaurants, but she won't mind if the food is good at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

She often goes to eat at small street-side shops with Ran Mouri, and when she has the chance, she often invites Ran Mouri to try high-end restaurants.

At this moment, Sonoko Suzuki stopped talking abruptly. She gave Ryoma Hayashi a look that said "we'll talk about it later," and a slightly shy yet expectant expression appeared on her face.

"This restaurant looks amazing! The food must be delicious!"

Look, look! This is what it means to be a woman completely immersed in love.

As the second daughter of the Suzuki family, what hasn't Sonoko Suzuki eaten? She can judge the taste of this restaurant without even tasting it!
It can only be said that Sonoko Suzuki was exceptionally blind when it came to love.

Michiwaki Masahiko, who was being bombarded with emotional appeals by Suzuki Sonoko, smiled smugly and said confidently, "Of course!"
If the food wasn't good, I wouldn't have been eating here these past few days.

As he spoke, Masahiko Michiwaki beckoned Sonoko Suzuki and Ryoma Hayashi into the restaurant.

After the three of them sat down, Masahiko Michiwaki couldn't wait to light a cigarette for himself and then put the cigarette case and lighter on the table.

He took a deep, intoxicating drag, then seemed to remember something: "By the way, Sonoko, I just heard you know a famous detective?"

"That's right. Speaking of famous detectives, I think I know quite a few. Kudo, that reasoning fanatic, Uncle Mori."

Haha, we should also add Xiaolan!

"So, Masahiko, you're interested in mystery too?"

The Suzuki Sonoko at this moment was completely different from the disdainful look she had shown towards deduction when she was chatting with Hayashi Ryoma earlier.

It's as if if Michiwaki Masahiko just nods and says he likes mystery, she will become the most loyal fan of mystery and detective.

Fortunately, Masahiko Michiwaki did not give Sonoko Suzuki the opportunity to perform her on-the-spot face-changing skills.

Michiwaki Masahiko took a deep drag on his cigarette, exhaled a bluish smoke, and calmly said, "I'm not really interested in mystery."

I'm just a little curious about the detective profession. Speaking of which, what's the difference between a detective and a famous detective in their work?

Well, Sonoko Suzuki really has a lot to say on this issue.

After all, she knew Kogoro Mouri before he became famous, even when he was a detective.

Sonoko Suzuki can offer some insights into the difference between a detective and a famous detective.

Saying something is not the same as telling it. Putting aside other things, Sonoko Suzuki can't possibly tell Masahiko Michiwaki that she spent all her time drinking in the office before Kogoro Mouri became famous, can she?
How could she possibly speak ill of her own friends and family?
Moreover, even though Kogoro Mouri is famous now, this uncle still drinks quite a bit when he needs to.

The difference is that before, people drank in silence, but now they drink heartily.

That's still alcoholism!
Of course, Kogoro Mouri can't say that Sonoko Suzuki will let the topic die down. Even though Ran Mouri isn't there, this girl is Sonoko Suzuki's real trump card!
“Masahiko, if you’re interested in detective work, how about I introduce you to my friend?”
Speaking of which, she happened to be on Izu Beach too!

(End of this chapter)