Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 399, Section 393: The Body That Attracts Scumbags
Ran deduced that this was likely the primary crime scene. She believed that between 8 and 9 PM the previous night, the murderer used the trees for cover in the woods to brutally kill the brown-haired girl on this sparsely populated path.

This means that someone may have witnessed the murder last night, but for various reasons, the "witness" did not come forward.

For the detectives in Shizuoka Prefecture, the best course of action now is to wait for Ran Mouri's investigation results while interviewing potential witnesses from last night.

As the investigation progressed, the police collected the victim's body and began dispersing the onlookers.

"Let's all go, let's all go, there's nothing to see here~" The detectives in the island nation all understand the principle that it's better to guide than to suppress.

When a murder scene has just been discovered, driving away the crowd like this is definitely not going to make any difference.

Before everyone has even seen the excitement, you're already telling people to leave. If you dare to kick people out here, people will protest there.

Especially when there are so many onlookers, the idea that "the law does not punish the masses" is sometimes just an excuse for these people to encourage and comfort themselves.

They firmly believed that as long as they had enough people, they could avoid or mitigate the punishment that should have been meted out.

They even dare to trample on rules and laws simply because they outnumber others.

As the state's organ of force, the police force naturally has the resolve to investigate thoroughly. But that depends on what they are investigating.

If it's a major case, then of course we must investigate it thoroughly and arrest everyone involved. The more we arrest, the greater our merit.

But if it's just for fun, there's really no need to make a big deal out of it.

The police simply let the onlookers roam freely at the beginning of the crime scene, as long as they didn't cross the cordon.

Once the investigation is nearly complete, it will be easier to disperse the crowd of onlookers.

Everyone had been watching the spectacle for a while and was very easy to talk to.

"Sonoko, over here~" Ran Mouri and Conan were still investigating at the scene, so Ryoma Hayashi didn't bother them.

After leaving with the crowd, Ryoma Hayashi spotted Sonoko Suzuki and Masahiko Michiwaki in the crowd.

Ryoma called out to Sonoko, and soon Sonoko arrived with Masahiko Michiwaki.

"Didn't you go say hello to Ran and Conan? Come to think of it, even Sonoko, you've never seen Ran do any deduction, have you?"

Sonoko Suzuki had seen plenty of Shinichi Kudo and Kogoro Mouri's deductions.

But Ran Mouri reasoned that she really had never seen it before.

"I've already made plans with Xiaolan. She'll come to the coffee shop over there to meet me after she finishes her investigation, and we'll have dinner together tonight!"
Masahiko knows a great restaurant~

"Oh? Michiwaki-kun found out again? Speaking of which, did you take any other girls to that restaurant this time?"

Lin Longma chuckled and teased Michiwaki Masahiko.

"Hmm? Bringing other girls to eat?" Sonoko Suzuki looked at Masahiko Michiwaki with some suspicion.

It's true that she falls in love easily, but that's only because Sonoko Suzuki has always had a sincere expectation of love.

Moreover, outside of formal banquets, those who approached her were usually trying to chat up Ran Mouri. Masahiko Michiwaki's "firm choice" subtly increased Sonoko Suzuki's favorability towards her.

No matter how high her favorability rating is, Sonoko Suzuki is, after all, the successor jointly cultivated by Shiro Suzuki and Tomoko Suzuki.

The necessary sensitivity won't dull just because you fall in love. Sonoko Suzuki's serious approach to love also means she would never accept a partner who is fickle.

Sonoko Suzuki knew very well that Ryoma Hayashi had no reason to lie to her, so Ryoma Hayashi's words were definitely not unfounded.

At the same time, Sonoko Suzuki was also aware of Ryoma Hayashi's extraordinary investigative abilities. Although Ryoma Hayashi seemed to be just saying it casually, who could guarantee that he wasn't using a joke to reveal the truth?
In short, Ryoma Hayashi's smile and Sonoko Suzuki's suspicious gaze put immense pressure on Masahiko Michiwaki, who wanted to say something to salvage his image in Sonoko Suzuki's eyes.

Before he "finished his business," Masahiko Michiwaki did not want Sonoko Suzuki's goodwill and trust towards him to decrease.

"Doesn't Masahiko-senpai have something to do this afternoon? How about we meet up tonight?"

Although Sonoko Suzuki spoke in an unusually soft and gentle voice, the unyielding will in her words was still received by Masahiko Michiwaki.

"Alright, Sonoko, I'll pick you up from the hotel you booked tonight." Michiwaki Masahiko finally nodded, leaving behind the words of saving face for Sonoko Suzuki before leaving her side.

After watching Masahiko Michiwaki leave, Ryoma Hayashi and Sonoko Suzuki didn't rush to speak. The two of them, along with Konjin and Shiraishi who were hiding in the shadows, headed to the seaside cafe where Sonoko Suzuki and Ran Mouri had agreed to meet.

After ordering their drinks, Sonoko Suzuki sat down on a chair in the shade with a coconut in her hand.

"So, Uncle Lin, do you have any bad news to tell me? Like, is Zheng Yan a jerk or something?"

Despite the unpleasant things Suzuki Sonoko said, Ryoma Hayashi noticed that the young lady's eyes were filled with the nonchalant acceptance of having encountered too many scumbags and no longer wanting to struggle.

Ryoma Hayashi knew a little about Sonoko Suzuki's past relationships.

For example, the second daughter of the Suzuki Group occasionally takes the initiative in love, but for various reasons, Sonoko Suzuki always runs into some scumbags when she makes her moves.

Some were after money, others after sex.

Of course, whether it's swindling money or seducing someone, in Tokyo, the Suzuki family will eventually stop it.

Over time, Sonoko Suzuki got used to her strange physical condition.

When Masahiko Michiwaki first struck up a conversation with Sonoko Suzuki, the young lady was indeed quite infatuated.

This person was her type, and the encounter happened on the beach, a place with such a strong atmosphere. In addition, Masahiko Michiwaki's "keen eye" added to the charm, making it even more irresistible to Sonoko Suzuki.

But after meeting Ryoma Hayashi, Sonoko Suzuki, while not instantly losing her temper, calmed down considerably.

After all, she called him Uncle Lin, and Lin Longma did indeed have a very good relationship with Suzuki Shiro.

This is like asking you to date in front of your elders. Long-married couples might not care, but young men and women who have just met are usually very shy.

It felt so uncomfortable, like being crawled with bugs all over my body. How could I not stay calm?

Once she calmed down, Sonoko Suzuki realized the problem—Michiwaki Masahiko didn't seem to like her as much as he claimed.
What the hell? I've run into another jerk?

(End of this chapter)