Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 404, 398. He looks incredibly strong just from behind!
"How's it here?" Makoto Kyogoku led everyone to the room next to Sonoko Suzuki's, turned on the lights, and introduced the room.

"The hotel has two entrances, one in front and one in back. The one you just came in through is the main entrance."

There's also a small door at the back for emergency use.

"But the only way to get to the upper floors is through the stairs we just walked up. You all saw these stairs; if anyone walks on them, the front desk will definitely notice."

The hotel's staircase is made of wood, and since the hotel is quite old, the wooden furniture inevitably makes creaking noises.

Especially the wooden staircase.

This staircase is so big that even a dog would make a commotion if it ran across it, let alone an adult.

This also means that if Masahiko Michiwaki were to take the conventional route, he would not be able to escape the attention of the hotel receptionist no matter what.

Therefore, if one wants to enter Sonoko Suzuki's room unnoticed, then one must find another way.

"This is the room closest to Suzuki-kun, and it's in the same direction as him."

If an intruder tries to enter the room through the window, we will definitely be able to observe it from here.

Makoto Kyogoku was very confident; after all, this was his own shop. He was naturally confident about what could be seen from that room.

"That's good. If that scumbag really shows up, we can get there immediately."

Ryoma thanked Makoto Kyogoku, who, as the host, not only provided convenience for Ryoma and his companions but also specially provided an empty room as a "waiting room".

This kindness is something we should naturally accept.

The room quickly quieted down, and soon after, a light drizzle began to fall outside.

Lin Longma half-drawn the curtains and hid behind them, staring blankly at the rain outside the window.

Kyogoku Makoto simply found a corner to sit down quietly, avoiding looking at anyone in the room and simply closing his eyes to rest.

Putting everything else aside, at least Kyogoku's b-code is full right now.

In movies, this is how masters act before they make their move. Regardless of their actual combat strength, their aura is always at its peak.

As for Sonoko Suzuki, she was currently sending a text message to Masahiko Michiwaki under Conan's "guidance".

The general idea behind the text message was to extend some goodwill and friendliness to Masahiko Michiwaki, indicating that dinner could proceed as originally agreed.

Sonoko Suzuki and her best friend were really looking forward to tonight's restaurant and such.

On the other end of the phone, Masahiko Michiwaki felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He then sent a text message to Sonoko Suzuki, implying that she shouldn't bring the camera.

According to Masahiko Michiwaki, the restaurant did not allow photography at night, and cameras were easy to lose if taken out, so it was best not to bring them.

What he said sounds perfectly reasonable at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it's full of flaws.

Even if the restaurant doesn't allow photography at night, you can hand your camera over to the restaurant staff for safekeeping.

Besides, they only don't allow taking pictures, they don't forbid bringing things.

Does that mean that after having dinner with him, Yuanzi can't take photos with her best friend at places like the beach or coconut groves?

Of course, Sonoko Suzuki wouldn't expose Masahiko Michiwaki's true intentions; for now, she was simply expressing her deference to Michiwaki-senpai.
This senior, Michiwaki, is very perceptive. He's not as approachable as senior Masahiko from the afternoon, but he doesn't immediately put people at a distance either.

It perfectly portrays a character who tries hard to gain the upper hand in a relationship but is terrible at it.

Hmm. Perhaps this isn't an act, but rather Sonoko Suzuki's true skill level. "He said he's already on his way to pick me and Ran up, and will be there in about fifteen minutes."

Sonoko Suzuki's words woke everyone in the room up.

"Fifteen minutes?" Lin Longma judged. "He estimated that he would arrive in less than ten minutes."

The rest of the time should be spent outside confirming if you're in the room.

It was obvious that Masahiko Michiwaki intended to sneak into the room to "do something bad," but if he were caught red-handed by the homeowner, he would either have to flee in panic or kill the person on the spot; there was no third possibility.

"Go down in five minutes, Sonoko, and stand at the hotel entrance. Don't worry, Kaneda will protect you from the shadows."

In fact, Shiraishi was not the only one with a gun around Ryoma. Kaneda, as an Isshin-kai executive who often traveled with Ryoma, naturally also carried a gun.

It's just that Kaneda didn't use his guns as much as Shiraishi.

But this does not mean that Kaneda cannot use a gun.

Five minutes later, Sonoko Suzuki sent a text message to Masahiko Michiwaki and then arrived at the hotel entrance with an umbrella, looking on with longing.

As they were going downstairs, Sonoko Suzuki quietly asked Ryoma Hayashi how she should act, as he was eagerly waiting.

Lin Longma told her to imagine that there were many handsome men in the forest who were not wearing clothes, and then she would see that none of them made a sound.

Suzuki Sonoko, standing at the hotel entrance, was indeed full of anticipation, successfully deceiving Michiwaki Masahiko, who was hiding in the shadows.

After confirming that Sonoko was waiting at the front door, Michiwaki Masahiko went around to the back of the hotel to confirm that the light in Sonoko's room was off.

Then, ignoring the rain falling from the sky, Masahiko Michiwaki took off his shoes and began to climb up the hotel building using the momentum.

What a brilliant intrusion technique! It only requires the simplest method. Masahiko Michiwaki is quick and efficient, using both his hands and feet.

This kid must have participated in relevant clubs in college, such as rock climbing or parkour.

Or perhaps it's pure genius. To be able to climb three floors barefoot and barehanded in the wet, slippery conditions of a rainy night.

Although the hotel has many advantages, it also highlights the importance of technical skills.

Michiwaki Masahiko cautiously approached the window of Sonoko's room but did not enter immediately. Instead, he observed her through the glass first.

Then he knocked on the glass again and waited a moment.

After confirming that no one was in the room, Masahiko Michiwaki opened the window and climbed into Sonoko Suzuki's room.

Upon entering the room, Masahiko Michiwaki had a clear objective and immediately began searching for the camera on the table.

After discovering that the camera was not outside, Masahiko Michiwaki began rummaging through Sonoko Suzuki's suitcase.

Although Masahiko Michiwaki was able to determine his identity and background when he secretly climbed the building, Ryoma Hayashi still cautiously let him into Sonoko's room.

At this moment, everyone in the room next to the garden turned their attention to Lin Longma. After listening to the sounds coming from next door, Lin Longma nodded.

Bai Shi immediately reached into his pocket, gripped the gun handle, and prepared to open the door. Then he saw two dark figures flash past him in a flash.

"What the hell?!" Shiraishi was startled, then saw the backs of Kyogoku Makoto and Mouri Ran.

These two... you can tell they're really strong just by looking at their backs!
(End of this chapter)