Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Sitting to the right of Hayashi Shuichi, Eri Kisaki had met Kudo Yusaku once before, but they weren't familiar with each other. She simply nodded politely and then took out her previous book to read.

The pages of the book were covered with her notes, showing how much the girl valued this trip to the United States.

It's not just for the summer camp, but also for my future study abroad plans.

Lin Xiuyi leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and had no intention of continuing the conversation.

Yusaku Kudo looked at him, but couldn't help asking, "And you? Why are you going to America at this time?"

"Aren't you a detective? Guess what?" Lin Xiuyi replied casually, still half asleep.

Kudo Yusaku didn't seem to mind. Instead, he carefully observed his surroundings: "Your group boarded the plane in a line. After you and Miss Ki took your seats, a woman who looked like a teacher came over to count the number of people. Also, you were all carrying backpacks and had only simple luggage. It doesn't seem like you were traveling independently."

He paused, his tone resolute.
"You're probably going to the US for a school-organized activity, right? Judging from the date, it should be a summer camp?"

Lin Xiuyi nodded lazily and said nothing more.

Eri, who was standing next to him, felt that her childhood friend was being a bit impolite, so she quickly put down her book and spoke up for him: "Mr. Kudo guessed right. We are indeed going to the United States to participate in a summer exchange camp. We will be going to New York and Los Angeles to visit famous local universities."

"Now is not the time to go to America."

Upon hearing this, Yusaku Kudo sighed softly, his tone becoming serious.

"In short, once you get there, be extra careful. Try to avoid places that are too crowded or too sparsely populated."

"why?"

Eri Kisaki looked up in surprise, and Yusaku Kudo's words made her heart tighten.

The girl suddenly remembered what Yui Murakami had said before: the school teachers were all declining the job of leading the group.

She didn't pay attention at the time, but now that she thinks about it, did the teachers already know that there was a problem in the United States?

"Recently, the attitude of the United States towards Japan has not been very good, from top to bottom."

Yusaku Kudo lowered his voice to avoid being heard by the other passengers nearby.
"Before I set off, I specifically checked the news in the United States. There have been several anti-Japanese demonstrations, some people have vandalized Japanese companies' stores in the United States, and some Japanese tourists have even been harassed."

"Ugh?"

Eri Kisaki paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Hideaki Hayashi beside her.

Actually, Lin Xiuyi had said this to her a few months ago.

He also warned her not to have too many illusions about America, but the girl didn't take it seriously.

After all, the United States always tries its best to beautify itself in its external propaganda. On television and in magazines, the United States is always a symbol of "freedom, equality and inclusiveness".

For Eri Kisaki, a girl who had just entered high school and had always dreamed of studying abroad, the United States was like a dream country. She could never associate this country with "anti-Japanese" or "harassing Japanese tourists".

Yusaku Kudo understood what Eri Kisaki was thinking just by looking into her eyes.

Like many young Japanese people, he harbored unrealistic fantasies about the United States.

He turned to look at Lin Xiuyi and said with a smile, "It seems that Mr. Lin has some understanding of the situation in America. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so calm."

“I only heard it from others,” Lin Xiuyi waved his hand casually. “I’ve never been to America, so I really don’t know the specifics.” He didn’t want to admit that he actually had some understanding of the US-Japan relationship in this era.

After all, this "understanding" comes from memories of another world, and it would only seem strange to people if it were said out loud.

"What's the reason?"

Eri Kisaki frowned, her worries growing stronger.
"Why would the US be hostile towards Japan for no reason?"

She even began to worry whether she would still be able to study in the United States and realize her dream of becoming an international lawyer if relations between the US and Japan really soured.

"The reason is simple: it's because of trade between the US and Japan."

Yusaku Kudo picked up a bottle of mineral water, took a sip, and slowly explained.
"The United States has always claimed to be the world's leading economic power, but in recent years, it has experienced a huge trade deficit with Japan."

"Simply put, Americans are buying too much from Japan and selling too little to Japan, so they are losing money."

"Their government was naturally unwilling to accept this, feeling that Japan had 'gotten the better deal'."

“However, there’s not much to worry about at the government level,” Kudo Yusaku said, changing the subject. “As long as the US and Japan haven’t completely broken ties and still need to cooperate with each other politically and militarily, the government won’t let things get too tense. At most, it will put pressure on trade, but it won’t really do anything to Japanese students.”

"On the contrary, the problems among ordinary people are much bigger."

His tone became serious.

"A large influx of Japanese goods, such as automobiles, home appliances, and electronics, into the U.S. market, were cheaper and of better quality than those in the U.S., leading to the bankruptcy of many U.S. companies and job losses."

“These unemployed workers, as well as the affected business owners, will naturally vent their resentment on the Japanese, feeling that the Japanese ‘stole their jobs’ and ‘ruined their lives,’ which is why anti-Japanese sentiment has emerged and even extreme behaviors have occurred.”

"I see..." Eri rubbed her temples, looking exasperated. "Then... will our summer camp be dangerous?"

She even began to regret that she shouldn't have secretly helped Lin Xiuyi register for school. If something had really happened, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.

"Do not worry."

Lin Xiuyi noticed Fei Yingli's anxiety, reached out and gently patted the back of her hand, comforting her in a tender tone.

"This summer camp is jointly organized by schools in the United States and Japan, so the American side must have made the arrangements long ago."

"As long as they want to maintain their image of 'freedom and inclusiveness' and want to continue their cooperative relationship with Japan, they will not allow us Japanese students to get into trouble on American soil."

"Besides, Mr. Murakami will take care of us and won't let us run around."

There was something else he didn't say: the Red Empire still existed, and the United States still needed Japan as a "bridgehead in Asia." It hadn't reached the point of acting recklessly like it would decades later, so the US would have some reservations and wouldn't really target a group of students.

"Hmm," Eri nodded gently, her anxiety easing slightly.

She subconsciously leaned her head on her childhood sweetheart's shoulder, feeling the familiar warmth, and her originally uneasy mood gradually calmed down and relaxed.

As Kudo Yusaku watched this scene, the image of the beautiful woman he had seen at the Beika City Hall came to mind again.

He wanted to forget the girl, but over the past few months, his impression of her has only grown stronger. He even unconsciously modelsed the female protagonist in her image when writing his novel. (End of Chapter)