Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Lin Xiuyi couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at Kogoro Mouri, who had instantly "fully recovered."

However, he also admitted that it was indeed a good idea.

Since things have come to this point, there's no use in being anxious; we might as well accept it as it is.

The girls' anger is a challenge to face tomorrow, but right now, relieving the physical and mental fatigue from catching the thief, running around, and being stuck is the real priority.

"Okay, let's go soak for a while then."

Lin Xiu nodded in agreement, temporarily clearing the image of Eri's possibly icy face, Yukiko's sullen appearance, and Reiko's pitiful eyes from her mind.

The two changed into simple yukatas provided by the hotel, took towels and toiletries, and followed the signs through the winding corridors to the hot spring area behind the hotel.

The closer you get, the more pronounced the faint smell of sulfur becomes in the air, and the warm, moist air gradually thickens, enveloping the eaves like a fairyland.

Just as I arrived at the entrance to the hot spring, a young man with dark skin and a lean build, also wearing a hotel uniform, was standing guard at the entrance with a notepad.

Upon seeing the two guests approach, he immediately looked up, flashed a professional smile, and prepared to give directions: "Good evening, gentlemen. The men's bath is this way..."

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze fell on Lin Xiuyi's face, and he suddenly stopped. His professional smile turned into genuine surprise and astonishment, and he blurted out, "Mr. Lin?!"

acquaintance?!
Lin Xiuyi was also startled. In the steamy atmosphere of the hot spring, he tried to focus his vision and see the other person's face, which was tanned but full of sunshine and vitality, and his teeth, which looked particularly white against the dark skin.

"Hattori?"

Lin Xiuyi exclaimed the other person's name in surprise.
"How will you be here?"

"Haha, it really is you! I thought I had mistaken you for someone else!"

Hattori Heizo laughed heartily, patted Hayashi Hideichi on the shoulder forcefully, and explained enthusiastically,

"It's summer vacation, and I'm just killing time anyway, so I came here to work at a hotel run by a relative, to experience life and earn some pocket money."

"Today is my last day working here! And you guys? Did you come to Kyoto specifically for tourism?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? That's so unfriendly!"

His tone was familiar, carrying the unique enthusiasm of a Kansai person and a touch of "complaint".

"This... is a long story."

Lin Xiuyi wore a complex expression of embarrassment and helplessness. He glanced at the equally curious Mouri Kogoro beside him and briefly recounted their "tragic" experience of how they bravely caught a thief on the train, how they missed their train, and how they ended up stranded in Kyoto.

"...So, that's the situation. The others who traveled with us should have already arrived in Osaka safely by now, only the two of us 'heroes' have unfortunately been left behind here."

Lin Xiuyi shrugged self-deprecatingly.

"Hahaha! Is that even possible?!"

Hattori Heizo listened with great interest, showing no sympathy whatsoever; instead, he laughed even louder.
"Catching a thief is a good thing! But missing the train is really unlucky! Especially being 'forgotten' by my girlfriends in Kyoto, hahaha!"

After laughing, Hattori Heizo gave a cheerful "I've got this covered" smile. "Perfect timing! I just finished my part-time job today, and tonight I'm meeting up with some classmates. We rented a car and are driving back to Osaka together! Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of Osaka's 400th anniversary celebration, it's going to be super exciting, and we've already made plans to go together!"

"There are still empty seats on the train. Why don't you two come along? I'll give you a ride to Osaka since it's on my way, so you don't have to squeeze onto the train tomorrow!"

This unexpected invitation was like a beacon in the darkness, instantly dispelling the gloom in the hearts of Lin Xiuyi and Mouri Kogoro!
A miraculous turn of events! A chance for survival!

Just a moment ago, Osaka seemed so far away, but now it feels like it's right in front of me!
"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you and your classmates?"

Although Lin Xiuyi was delighted, he still politely asked a question out of basic courtesy.

After all, the other party was traveling in a group, and the sudden addition of two strangers might disrupt their plans.

"What's the trouble!"

Hattori Heizo waved his hand dismissively, his dark face radiating the characteristic boldness and enthusiasm of a Kansai man.
"You'll see when you meet my classmates; they're all easy to get along with! And coincidentally, they're all staying at this hotel so it'll be convenient for us to meet up and leave tonight! It'll be super convenient and hassle-free if we all meet up and leave together tonight! It'll be more lively with more people!"

Feeling Hattori Heizo's heartfelt sincerity and irresistible enthusiasm, Hayashi Hideichi no longer hesitated to refuse.

"Then I won't be polite."

The two agreed to meet in the hotel lobby at 7 p.m. Hattori Heizo, needing to explain the situation to his classmates, left first, giving them a special reminder before departing.

"The hot spring water was just changed not long ago, so you should relax. I'll have the kitchen prepare some plum wine and tea-soaked rice, which will fill your stomachs after your soak."

After seeing Hattori Heizo off, Hayashi Shuichi and Mori Kogoro carried their yukatas and entered the hot spring area.

The entrance to the men's bath is draped with a blue curtain; lifting the curtain leads to the changing room, where wooden lockers are polished to a shine.

After changing into yukatas, the two walked through a cobblestone path in wooden clogs, where the open-air hot spring pool was hidden deep in the courtyard.

Wisps of steam rose into the night, and the stone lanterns by the pond cast long shadows of the surrounding maple trees.

Ah...that feels so good!

Kogoro Mori stepped into the hot spring pool, and the warm water instantly enveloped his body. He let out a long, comfortable sigh and slumped against the rock by the pool, his eyes narrowing into slits.

Lin Xiuyi slowly walked into the pool. The water temperature was just right, enough to relieve the fatigue of the day. He found a spot by the side, sat down, and closed his eyes in enjoyment.

The spring water seemed to have grapefruit essential oil added; a faint, refreshing fragrance lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of grass and trees in the courtyard, instantly relaxing the senses.

The warm water flowed gently, and all that remained were the crisp sound of bamboo tubes being tapped and the occasional chirping of insects.

After a moment of silence, Kogoro Mouri seemed a little unaccustomed to the excessive quiet, or rather, his relaxed mind began to wander uncontrollably again.

"Ugh……"

Kogoro Mouri sighed heavily, but a sly smile suddenly appeared on his face, completely opposite to his current worried expression. His eyes darted around, clearly lost in some reverie.
"If... if Ruri were here too... hehe, soaking in a hot spring with Ruri, that would be so wonderful..."

As he spoke, he unconsciously rubbed his hands together. (End of Chapter)