Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Chapter 253 Women really do slow down the speed at which you draw your sword.
“I don’t quite understand those organizational and research matters,”

Lingzi sat on the edge of the bed, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt, her eyes slightly red.
"But you shouldn't have kept something as serious as being buried under a landslide from me, Onii-chan."

The girl raised her head, her large, wet eyes staring directly at Lin Xiuyi.

"If you don't want to go home, I can help you, but you can't lie to me."

My little cousin's voice trailed off, her tone filled with obvious grievance.

"No matter what happens in the future, I promise I won't hide it from you anymore," Lin Xiuyi quickly assured him.

“You just said that a few days ago,” Reiko snorted, crossed her arms, and tilted her head slightly. “What’s the use of just making a promise? You have to keep your word.”

Lin Xiuyi smiled awkwardly. Fortunately, although the little girl was still sulking, she had stopped mentioning going home. He finally breathed a sigh of relief: "It's almost noon. What do you want to eat?"

"Hmph, even if there's something delicious, I won't forgive you so quickly," Reiko said, but then tilted her head and thought for a moment. "I want apple pie!"

"Okay, I'll go to the izakaya's kitchen and make it for you now." Lin Xiuyi ruffled his sister's hair and then left the bedroom.

The moment the door closed, Lingzi immediately threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in the soft pillow.

"You idiot onii-chan!"

A muffled voice came from under the pillow. When she looked up, her face was flushed with anger.

"After explaining so much, why didn't you say why he kissed that Sharon teacher!"

My little cousin grabbed the toy next to her and punched it twice.

"Even if you want to distract yourself, there are plenty of other ways, why do you have to use your own family!"

After venting for a while, Lingzi collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Sharon and Lin Xiuyi have already fallen out, so there seems to be no point in arguing about this now. They can't really move back home, can they?

Thinking of this, she turned over and buried her face in the blanket.

"If I leave, Eri-neechan and Yukiko-neechan will definitely move in... I absolutely can't give them that chance!"

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly outside the Mihana Gymnasium.

Midori Orikasa was waiting at the entrance early, constantly tiptoeing and peering in.

When she saw Lin Xiuyi appear in the crowd, her eyes lit up instantly, and she quickly waved vigorously.

"senior!"

"Have you been waiting long?" Lin Xiuyi walked over quickly. "Isn't the competition supposed to start in half an hour?"

“I couldn’t stay at home anyway, so I came over first,” Midori Orikasa replied, slipping a ticket into Hideaki Hayashi’s hand. “Let’s go in, senpai.”

The two entered the stadium, where many spectators had already gathered in the stands, whispering and making quite a scene. The central area had also been covered with brand-new tatami mats.

The teams participating in the semifinals, Osaka University and the University of Tokyo, have arrived and are warming up on the sidelines.

"Miss Ikenami! Do your best!" Midori Orikasa shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.

Upon hearing the sound, Ikeba Shizuka turned around, her black ponytail drawing a clean arc in the air.

She nodded in this direction, smiled gently, and then focused intently on warming up.

"I wish I could participate in a competition like this too," Midori Orikasa said, looking at Shizuka Ikenami on the field with envy in her eyes.

“There will definitely be opportunities in the future,” Lin Xiuyi said with a smile.

“Senior, I know my own learning ability well,” Midori Orikasa laughed self-deprecatingly. “I’m not good at studying, and I’m not even sure if I can get into high school next year, let alone university.”

"Whether it's possible or not, you should always try your best," Lin Xiuyi encouraged, patting Orikasa Midori on the shoulder. "Even if you can't go to university in the future, as long as you go to high school, there are national kendo leagues, right?"

“But my grades…” Midori Orikasa scratched her head awkwardly, a blush rising on her face, “Even the worst high school in Beika would probably be difficult.”

“Since you’re going to the izakaya to learn cooking this afternoon anyway,” Lin Xiuyi thought for a moment, “why don’t you bring your books with you? I can help you with your studies while I’m at it.”

"Really?" Midori Orikasa's eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you so much, senpai."

As the two of them were talking, someone suddenly interrupted, "Thank you for what happened last time, Lin-san."

Lin Xiuyi turned his head and saw that it was Shigematsu Akio who was speaking.

He was dressed in neat casual clothes, and his face was beaming with a happy smile.

Beside him stood the petite and charming Miss Hemei, dressed in a light blue dress, as gentle and lovely as before.

“Mingnan told me everything,” Hemei bowed slightly, her face full of gratitude. “If it weren’t for Lin-san and the encouragement from the cashier in the store, he probably wouldn’t have dared to confess his feelings to me yet.”

“I said some things that were a bit too harsh to Eri at the time, please don’t take offense, Mr. Shigematsu,” Lin Xiuyi apologized.

"Haha, how could I blame you?" Shigematsu Akio laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased with himself. "Without your words, how could I have mustered the courage to confess to Kazumi?"

"I was prepared to be embarrassed and laughed at, but I never expected that Kazumi would like me too."

“I’ve hinted at this to you so many times,” Ms. Kazumi snorted irritably, glaring at Shigematsu Akio with feigned anger. “You idiot, how come you haven’t noticed?”

“I always thought you liked Mikio, after all, he is better than me in terms of both ability and family background…” Shigematsu Akio scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

“…Kanxiong is a good person,” Ms. Kazumi said, giving him a “good person” card, and then said with a sigh, “He is indeed very outstanding, but feelings are something that can’t be explained.”

At this point, Miss Kazumi glanced sideways at Shigematsu Akio.
"If you hadn't confessed to me that day, I probably would have accepted Gan Xiong's marriage proposal."

"Mr. Morizono originally intended to propose to Ms. Kazumi?" Midori Orikasa stared in surprise.

“Well,” Shigematsu Akio awkwardly touched his nose, “I even helped him choose his engagement ring. When I’m with Kazumi, the person I feel most sorry for is Mikio.”

"I hope Kaneyu hasn't been affected much?" Ms. Kazumi said uncertainly. "He's been doing very well in the kendo competitions these past few days."

Upon hearing this, Midori Orikasa opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

“I understand Mikio’s personality,” Shigematsu Akio sighed slightly. “Even if he has something on his mind, he usually won’t show it.”

At that moment, Mikio Morizono, who was warming up on the field, also noticed his two friends standing on the sidelines. As usual, he greeted them.

Akio Shigematsu and Ms. Kazumi waved back, their relationship seemingly unchanged from before. Time passed quickly amidst their casual conversation, and at four o'clock in the afternoon, the semi-finals of the kendo competition officially began.

Mikio Morizono was the first to take the field as Osaka University's vanguard.

As soon as the referee announced the start of the match, Mikio Morizono immediately swung his bamboo sword and launched the first attack.

In the matches of the past few days, he won quickly by relying on his sharp attacks.

But today's opponent was clearly much more difficult to deal with, and Morizono Mikio's attacks were easily dodged several times.

Just as he was feeling a little anxious, his brows furrowed slightly, and he was about to swing his sword again, his opponent suddenly stepped forward and struck Morizono Mikio directly in the face with his bamboo sword.

Even with a mask on, the heavy blow from the opponent's bamboo sword still left Morizono Mikio somewhat dazed.

He shook his head and, taking advantage of the moment when the referee raised his hand to signal the score, looked towards the sidelines.

Morizono Mikio wanted to get encouragement from his friend, but what he saw was Ms. Kazumi and Shigematsu Akio whispering to each other.

This scene was clearly a heavy blow to Mikio Morizono.

A hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes, and his already anxious mood, which was already down by one point, became even more irritable.

As the referee announced that the game would continue, the agitated Mikio Morizono could no longer calm down.

As before, he continued to swing his bamboo sword and attack wildly, but his movements became increasingly chaotic.

“He lost,” Midori Orikasa sighed and shook her head slightly.

"Really?" Lin Xiu didn't know much about swordsmanship. In his opinion, Morizono Mikio was forcing his opponent to dodge around with his sword, so he should have the upper hand.

“Kendo competitions place a lot of emphasis on mental fortitude,” Midori Orikasa glanced at Akio Shigematsu and Ms. Kazumi, then leaned closer to Shuichi Hayashi and whispered, “True kendo masters are always incredibly calm when they step onto the field.”

"I haven't watched Mr. Morizono's matches before, but judging from his performance in the last two days, Mr. Morizono is clearly not in a good mood and has been very anxious."

“As expected, emotions still play a role,” Lin Xiuyi said, glancing at Shigematsu Akio and Ms. Kazumi who were stuck together. “Women really do affect the speed at which you draw your sword.”

"Senior, where did you get this twisted logic from!" Midori Orisaka stomped her foot with amusement and gave Lin Xiuyi a coquettish glare.

While the two were talking, the outcome of the match was already decided.

Mikio Morizono lost two consecutive points, resulting in a direct defeat in the game.

At the University of Tokyo, there was jubilation as students cheered, jumped for joy, and hugged each other in celebration.

Osaka University, on the other hand, was noticeably less motivated.

After losing the match, Morizono Mikio sat alone on the sidelines, his face gloomy, his lips tightly clenched, and his hand gripping the bamboo sword tightly.

He ignored the conversation between Shigematsu Akio and Ms. Kazumi as they walked around to talk to him, only shaking his head slightly.

In the next three games, Osaka University won two and lost one, quickly bringing the score to a 2-2 tie. The final game, featuring the top general, will determine the outcome of today's match.

“As expected, Miss Ikenami is the last general to appear,” Midori Orikasa said excitedly.

Just as Lin Xiuyi was about to speak, he saw Hattori Heizo watching the game alone in the stands not far away.

After saying something to Midori Orikasa, he walked over and asked, "Why are you the only one here? Where are the others from Kyoto University?"

“I’m leaving you behind and going back first,” Hattori Heizo shrugged dejectedly. “I’ve become a sinner of the kendo club.”

Kyoto University's opponent in the first round of the preliminaries was Osaka University.

Hattori Heizo, the ace of Kyoto University's Kendo Club, went missing and couldn't be found, causing Kyoto University to lose the competition. It's understandable that his teammates blamed and criticized him.

“To Ruko Nagashima, you are not a sinner,” Hayashi Hideichi patted Hattori Heizo’s shoulder reassuringly. “Without you, she might already be dead.”

“I lost a match, but saved a life,” Hattori Heizo raised his head slightly, his eyes filled with determination. “Even if I had another chance, I would still choose the latter.”

"And you?" Lin Xiuyi asked, "When are you planning to return to Kyoto?"

"Let's watch the final of the kendo tournament tomorrow," Hattori Heizo said with some regret. "That Ms. Ikenami Shizuka is really amazing. It's a pity I didn't get to fight her in this tournament."

"How about we go to an izakaya later?" Lin Xiuyi thought for a moment. "Osaka University students have been coming to my place for dinner after their matches these past few days. Maybe I'll have a chance to play against Shizuka Ikenami."

The suggestion clearly appealed to Hattori Heizo, but after narrowing his eyes and thinking for a moment, he shook his head: "Forget it, it wouldn't be good if it affected her match tomorrow."

"If I go back this time and the kendo club doesn't expel me, I'll have another chance next year."

While the two were talking, the competition had already begun.

Compared to the impetuousness of the vanguard Mikio Morizono, the captain Shizuka Ikenami was much more composed. She remained unmoved by the provocations of her opponents and seized the opportunity to score two points in a row, winning the game.

The stadium erupted in cheers from Osaka University and their supporters.

“I have to go,” Lin Xiuyi stood up. “I need to go back to the izakaya to prepare a celebratory dinner for them.”

"The most valuable things about my trip to Tokyo were saving a girl and meeting you," Hattori Heizo said, leaving a phone number. "If you go to Kyoto, don't forget to look me up."

"Don't worry, I'll definitely trouble you then," Lin Xiuyi smiled and walked towards Orisaka Midori.

……

Outside the gymnasium, Hayashi Hideichi, Orikasa Midori, and members of the Osaka University Kendo Club walked together toward an izakaya (Japanese pub).

Although Morizono Mikio appeared to have returned to his usual cheerful self, those who knew him well could tell that he was actually forcing a smile.

However, since it was a personal matter affecting him, neither his teammates nor his coach felt comfortable offering him advice.

Akio Shigematsu and Ms. Kazumi accompanied Mikio Morizono, and the atmosphere between the three of them was obviously a bit strange, with their occasional conversations appearing somewhat awkward.

Midori Orikasa was discussing today's match with Shizuka Ikenami. Over the past few days, the two girls, who shared the same hobby, had become close friends.

They walked and talked, and for some reason, the topic turned to Lin Xiuyi.

"The senior is very capable. The day I met him, some thugs were harassing me."

Midori Orikasa seemed a little embarrassed as she said this.
"Although I defeated them at first, I didn't expect them to dare to launch a sneak attack! If it weren't for you, senior, I might have suffered a great loss that time."

(End of this chapter)