Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 397, Chapter 391: The Black-Skinned Sports Boys Want to Get to Know Miss Teitan.

How many seasoned womanizers would be like Masahiko Michiwaki, ignoring the vast forest on the beach and choosing to fixate on Sonoko Suzuki, that crooked tree?
Those who frequently pursue romantic relationships probably know that, compared to other types of girls, Sonoko Suzuki, with her love-obsessed mindset, is the most difficult to win over.

Especially young people with a "love-obsessed" mentality.

While this type of girl may have the advantage of being "easy to get along with," she is actually a ticking time bomb.

Their "love-obsessed" nature simply means they're very invested in relationships, but that doesn't mean they're not serious about them.

On the contrary, precisely because they are so deeply invested in relationships, they take each one very seriously.

For boys from ordinary families like ours, meeting a lovestruck guy is called mutual affection, a perfect match, a match made in heaven.

But for a guy like Masahiko Michiwaki, who specializes in hunting for women, being serious and devoted in love means that once he gets involved, it's hard to get rid of him.

Whether you're looking for a romantic encounter on the beach or seeking non-committal intimacy at a bar, what's the most important thing?
You understood my ulterior motives, and I understood your feigned reluctance. We comforted each other at the right time and in the right place, and when the time came, we waved goodbye.

If we meet again in some unexpected place later, we can introduce ourselves and get to know each other again.

This is the unspoken choice of men and women like Masahiko Michiwaki who crave excitement.

On the contrary, "innocent" young girls like Sonoko Suzuki are considered troublesome in their circle.

Unless they intend to "retire from their criminal life" and find a respectable family to take them in, innocent young girls and naive young boys are people they avoid at all costs.

Is Masahiko Michiwaki's "facing the challenge head-on" a sign that he's truly planning to settle down?

Lin Longma, in any case, didn't believe it.

If Masahiko Michiwaki were in his thirties now, and said he wanted to go ashore, Ryoma Hayashi might be somewhat believable.

But this kid is only in his early twenties, an age when he wants to play, loves to play, and is still able to play.

Is it a bit too early for someone this age to play the "prodigal son returns" card?
In short, there was something strange about Michiwaki Masahiko's approach to Suzuki Sonoko, but Ryoma Hayashi couldn't quite figure out what he was up to for the time being.

"Mr. Lin, this is really important. I'm not joking, and I'm not lying!" Kyogoku Makoto couldn't help but get anxious seeing Ryoma Lin's "carelessness".

Sonoko Suzuki's expression clearly showed that she was "falling in love." If Ryoma Hayashi, as an elder, didn't care, wouldn't Sonoko Suzuki be the one who was deceived?

"Don't worry, don't worry, Kyogoku-kun." Ryoma Lin said reassuringly, feeling the strong grip of Makoto Kyogoku's hand.

"Sonoko is a very smart girl, and besides, with me watching over her, how could I let her suffer a loss?"

"But Kyogoku-kun, it seems Sonoko didn't recognize you?"

Lin Longma's words were still quite subtle, showing some consideration for the boy's fragile and sensitive self-esteem.

According to Ryoma's observation, she didn't just fail to recognize Makoto Kyogoku; she didn't recognize him at all!

This dark-skinned male gymnast is also a master of unrequited love?

Makoto Kyogoku has completely disgraced the sports world! When did the sports circle produce such an innocent and pure-hearted boy like Makoto Kyogoku?
Even though Ryoma Hayashi had been very subtle in his words, Makoto Kyogoku still seemed somewhat embarrassed.

"It's not that Suzuki-san didn't recognize me; it's that Suzuki-san and I were complete strangers."

"Would you like to get to know him?" Lin Longma asked cheerfully. To be honest, he was quite curious, since Suzuki Sonoko usually took the initiative when she liked a boy.

What if she meets a boy who makes a move on her?

Well, people like Masahiko Michiwaki don't count. That guy is exactly the type of pretty boy that Sonoko Suzuki likes.

Moreover, Ryoma Hayashi had witnessed Sonoko Suzuki's "embarrassing" reaction; she was truly as timid and coy as a "woman."

Makoto Kyogoku was different.

Looking at Sonoko Suzuki's criteria for choosing a partner, there is no athletic boy like Makoto Kyogoku.

Perhaps it's because Shinichi Kudo is an athletic guy.

Even Makoto Kyogoku's wheat-colored skin wasn't actually Sonoko Suzuki's type.

Only those types of people that Sonoko Suzuki doesn't like can truly reveal our second young lady's genuine reaction, right?

"This is still..." Lin Longma could tell that Kyogoku Makoto had subconsciously wanted to refuse at first.

But his greed ultimately prevailed over his reason: "If it's not too much trouble for Mr. Lin, I'd be very willing!"

After a moment's hesitation, Makoto Kyogoku decisively chose to "ask for help" from Ryoma Hayashi. Although Ryoma Hayashi didn't give a definite answer about whether he would help him, Ryoma Hayashi still greatly appreciated his decisiveness.

To accomplish great things, one must be decisive. What great things can one accomplish if one thinks too much and hesitates?
"Give me your contact information, I'll take care of you if I have the chance." Lin Longma asked Kyogoku Makoto for his contact information, then said goodbye and left the restaurant.

Ryoma Hayashi had been chatting with Makoto Kyogoku at the restaurant for a while, and it was time for him to go and meet up with Sonoko Suzuki and Masahiko Michiwaki.

Furthermore, Lin Longma's question to Kyogoku Makoto was merely a casual inquiry. Lin Longma's question did not imply that he intended to act as a matchmaker between Kyogoku Makoto and Suzuki Sonoko.

Putting everything else aside, even if he wanted to introduce the two of them, Ryoma Lin would at least need to thoroughly investigate Makoto Kyogoku before doing so.

We can't just believe him just because he says he's Ryoma Hayashi, a third-year high school student at Beika High School, can we?
Unlike the island nation's police officers who readily trust others, Ryoma Hayashi's profession destined him to be a suspicious person for life.

Just like when he first saw Masahiko Michiwaki, he didn't think that the guy was hitting on Sonoko Suzuki because of her looks and figure.
.
After leaving the restaurant, Lin Longma noticed that all the tourists around him were gathering in one direction not far away.

Lin Longma grabbed a tourist, offered him a cigarette, and then asked them why they were all running that way.

Is there some celebrity on this beach?

"There aren't any celebrities there, but I heard there was a murder over there. If we get there too late, the body might have already been taken away by the police."

What can Lin Longma say about this? Murder cases and corpses are treated as everyday topics of conversation; this island nation is truly beyond saving.

However, given the murder case, Ryoma suddenly had a premonition. Ran Mouri and her little tagalong, whom he hadn't seen with Sonoko Suzuki earlier, would likely be spotted at the crime scene later.

Because as "evil practitioners" in the detective industry, Conan Edogawa or Shinichi Kudo are destined to be associated with fresh murder scenes.

"Just as I predicted, didn't I?"

(End of this chapter)