Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 403, Section 397: Makoto Kyogoku applies to join the team.

"I do have an idea about this." The long-absent Mihua Idea King has returned to the scene, and Lin Longma has offered a solution to the troubles of teenagers.

"If Masahiko Michiwaki really came because of the photos Sonoko 'took,' then he will definitely try to take advantage of Sonoko's camera."

I saw him hitting on girls and inviting them to meals; I doubt he even knew if he'd been photographed.

If Masahiko Michiwaki was really sure that Sonoko Suzuki had filmed him committing the crime, why would he even try to strike up a conversation?

Just cover your face and snatch the camera.

As for Sonoko Suzuki, who may have witnessed him committing the murder, it's not fair to say that he was the one who killed him without any evidence.

Where is the evidence?

There must be evidence, witnesses, and testimonies, right?

Without the "photograph," wouldn't he be able to kill or release Sonoko Suzuki at will?
Because he was unsure whether the light was from an electric spark from the train or from Sonoko Suzuki's camera flash, he needed to find ways to get close to Sonoko Suzuki and build a relationship with her.

Then find an opportunity to check the photos in the camera.

Now, because of something Lin Longma said not long ago, his standing in Suzuki Sonoko's eyes has plummeted.

It's no longer realistic to check the camera through normal means, so it seems that "stealing" is the only option left for him?
"Didn't Masahiko Michiwaki have dinner plans with Sonoko? If it's just dinner, Sonoko might not bring her camera."

If I were Masahiko Michiwaki, I would wait for Sonoko to come downstairs, hide in the shadows to check, and then try to sneak into Sonoko's room to take pictures.

“If Masahiko Michiwaki really has a problem, he certainly won’t let go of such a great opportunity.”

So all we need to do is keep an eye on the camera in the garden, right?

Lin Longma's suggestion was unanimously approved by everyone—especially Conan.

Having been rescued more than once, Conan knew very well that Ryoma Hayashi's subordinate, Shiraishi, who looked like a driver but was actually a bodyguard, always carried a gun.

They are bodyguards with proper gun licenses, and they carry guns legally and in compliance with regulations.

This also means that no matter how dangerous Michiwaki Masahiko was, his little dagger was no match for the weapon that could equalize all beings.

[Come on, let me see your little toy.jpg]

In the time it took for Masahiko to raise his hand to stab someone, Shiraishi could have shot him through eight holes, front and back.

Lin Longma and his gang perfectly replaced the role of the Shizuoka Prefecture detectives, and perfectly fixed the bug where detectives were cautious when they had guns, while criminals remained arrogant even when they saw detectives drawing their guns.

Shiraishi is no useless detective from the island nation; he truly won't hesitate for a second when it comes to firing a gun.

"Then let's do it this way! Uncle Lin, I'm counting on you!" Sonoko Suzuki finally made the decision, and then led everyone back to the hotel she had booked.
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"Hmm," Lin Longma murmured in confusion as he looked at the somewhat old-fashioned hotel in front of him.

As the second daughter of the Suzuki family, Sonoko Suzuki always stays in villas or luxury hotels when she travels.

This time, contrary to her usual practice, she didn't stay in those places but instead chose a hotel that looked very simple.
What happened? Is the Suzuki Group going bankrupt? Or has Sonoko Suzuki's family fallen on hard times?
"I decided to give this hotel a try because I saw good reviews online!"

"Uncle Lin, you'll see once you go inside. This hotel is really clean and tidy!"

Sonoko Suzuki could hardly find anything to praise about this hotel; she could only describe it as clean and tidy.

For a hotel or guesthouse, aren't cleanliness and tidiness the most basic requirements?

Ryoma Lin guessed that Sonoko Suzuki was probably hiding something, but he didn't care. What the young lady was hiding was nothing more than her girlish desire for love—choosing a simple inn was simply to be approachable. However, this would also facilitate Ryoma Lin's next move.

If it were a high-end hotel, he'd probably have to invoke the Suzuki Group's name. After all, people in Shizuoka Prefecture wouldn't trust a consulting firm from Tokyo.

Furthermore, the development direction of the Isshinkai is not in Shizuoka Prefecture.

If it's just a small hotel now, and reasoning doesn't work, Lin Longma also has a method of communicating with money.

Anyway, the Suzuki Group is a large and powerful company, and they certainly wouldn't take advantage of him for such a small thing. They'll most likely compensate him double in future collaborations.

What else is there for Lin Longma to worry about?

"Hello, is your boss here?" Lin Longma asked a familiar figure behind the counter as he approached the front desk.

As soon as the figure looked up, Lin Longma immediately chuckled.

"Kyogoku-kun? You work here too?"

"Mr. Lin?" Kyogoku Makoto was somewhat surprised to see Lin Ryoma, but he didn't seem to be surprised.

That makes sense. If Makoto Kyogoku had been at the store since yesterday, he should have seen Sonoko Suzuki by now.

It's no surprise that Lin Longma is here now.

"Mr. Lin, are you looking for my father? Is there anything I can help you with?" Kyogoku Makoto asked Ryoma Lin earnestly.

"Your father... So, Kyogoku-kun, you're the small business owner here? My apologies!"

Lin Longma smiled quite happily; after all, this was an acquaintance. It's easier to get things done with acquaintances, so he simply said to Kyogoku Makoto:
"Here's the thing, we might need to make some arrangements in the rooms in the garden later, in preparation for an unexpected guest arriving."

You should recognize that person; it's Masahiko Michiwaki. We suspect he's actually the real culprit behind the Izu Beach serial murders.

There might be some commotion later, so I wanted to talk to the owner beforehand.

After Ryoma Hayashi mentioned the serial killer, he began observing Makoto Kyogoku.

He wanted to see how Kyogoku Makoto would react when he heard that Michiwaki Masahiko, who had provoked Sonoko, might be a serial killer.

As it turned out, Makoto Kyogoku did not show any particular reaction to the serial killer; he simply expressed concern for Sonoko Suzuki.

"Don't worry, that person hasn't torn off their 'disguise' yet, otherwise we wouldn't have gone through all this trouble and could have just called the police."

So, small business owner, could you do us a favor? Don't worry, we will compensate you for any losses incurred.

Even without incurring any losses, we will still have to pay an extra fee.

Kyogoku Makoto refused Ryoma Hayashi's offer of payment. As the only condition for agreeing to Ryoma Hayashi and his group's operation at the hotel, Kyogoku Makoto joined the team that ambushed Masahiko Michiwaki.

"Thank you so much for lunch, little boss!" Sonoko Suzuki wasn't surprised to see Makoto Kyogoku; she had already met this "not very talkative" little boss at the front desk yesterday.

Sonoko could also better understand why Makoto Kyogoku had made such cold remarks to Masahiko Michiwaki during lunch.

When Ryoma Hayashi was leaving, Makoto Kyogoku called him back. After leaving the restaurant, Ryoma gave Masahiko Michiwaki a harsh remark. Makoto Kyogoku must have played a part in this.

It was Kyogoku Makoto's existence that made Suzuki Sonoko feel much better—at least it proved that the world wasn't all bad people and scumbags, and that there were still good men like the boss, right?
It's just a pity that Kyogoku Makoto's appearance wasn't the type that Suzuki Sonoko liked.

(End of this chapter)