Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Hattori Heizo could tell that Ono Kayoko was deliberately hiding something.

But everyone has their own privacy, and since she refused to talk about it, Hattori Heizo didn't want to press her for details, lest he embarrass her.

He changed the subject, saying, "Like Yu Zi said, let's go to the celebration. It would be a real shame to miss it, and Lin Jun and the others will most likely go back to continue their visit; we might even run into them."

"I knew it!"

Kawada Yuko immediately smiled knowingly and couldn't help but retort.
"Your last sentence is the key point, Hattori! I've figured you out now. Whenever there's a case, you just want to stick to it!"

"It was the same at the last Tokyo Kendo tournament," Maeda Yoto said with a joking expression. "You were a key player, but you went to investigate a case and missed the competition, which caused our school to lose to Osaka University."

“Don’t say that…” Ono Kayoko quickly defended Hattori Heizo, “Hattori didn’t do it on purpose.”

"Actually, even if I had been there, we might not have won the game."

Hattori Heizo picked up the conversation, calmly analyzing the situation without showing any anger at their words. He recalled the scene from the final match.
"Shizuka Ikenami from Osaka University has very strong kendo skills. Her basic skills, tactical awareness, and on-the-spot adaptability are all top-notch."

"To be honest, the chances of winning against her are only fifty-fifty; I'm not confident of victory."

"Is that Ikenami Shizuka really that formidable?" Kawada Yuko was still somewhat skeptical. "I've seen her picture; she looks like a pampered young lady. How could she be a match for you?"

"You're not just going easy on her because she's a girl, are you?"

"On the field, there is no distinction between men and women, and I will never give way to anyone."

Hattori Heizo opened his eyes, which had been slightly narrowed, and his expression became serious.

"I've watched Shizuka Ikenami's matches. Her swordsmanship is very solid, and her understanding of swordsmanship is perhaps even deeper than mine."

"Alright, alright, let's stop talking about this!" Yoshida Aoi glanced at the sky and urged, "If we don't leave soon, the afternoon tea ceremony performance will start! I heard that this tea ceremony performance is hosted by the most famous tea master in Kyoto, and it's a rare opportunity to see! If I miss it, I'll regret it for the rest of my life!"

After saying that, she took Kawada Yuko's hand and walked towards the SUV.

"Wait for me!" Kawada Yuko immediately forgot the argument from before and quickly followed after him.

Konoe Daishi and Maeda Yoto quickly followed, while Ono Kayoko hesitated for a moment, glanced at Hattori Heizo, and then got into the car.

Hattori Heizo was the last to get into the car. Before starting the engine, he glanced one last time in the direction of the Osaka Police Headquarters. Knowing there was a case, but not being able to participate in the investigation himself made him feel restless.

The SUV headed towards Osaka Castle, where the number of vehicles and pedestrians on the road increased, and the festive atmosphere was everywhere.

Hattori Heizo drove while keeping an eye on the roadside, hoping to run into Hayashi Xiuyi and the others.

Kawada Haeko and Yoshida Aoi leaned against the car window, excitedly discussing the food and performances at the festival. Konoe Daishi and Maeda Yoto would occasionally chime in, and the carriage was filled with laughter.

Only Ono Kayoko remained silent, leaning against the car window, staring blankly out the window, lost in thought.

……

At the same time, the car carrying Lin Xiuyi and the others arrived at Osaka Castle. As soon as the car stopped, Kogoro Mori eagerly pushed open the door and jumped out, taking a deep breath and exclaiming with delight, "Ah! I smell okonomiyaki! And takoyaki!"

After saying that, he grabbed Liuli's hand and tried to rush towards the food street.

"Don't rush, Mori-kun!" Shizuka Ikenami called out to him with a smile, "The tea ceremony performance will start in ten minutes. Let's watch the performance first, and then we can go eat some delicious food."

"Besides, the food street is very crowded. If you go now, you'll definitely have to queue. Wait until the performance is over, then there will be fewer people."

"Alright." Kogoro Mouri was a little reluctant, but thinking that the tea ceremony performance was also quite unique, he nodded. "But after watching the performance, we must go eat okonomiyaki first! I want the biggest one, with double cheese and octopus!"

Liuli couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, I'll go eat with you."

The group followed Shizuka Ikenami into the main venue of Osaka Castle, where a large crowd had already gathered.

A rustic tea ceremony was set up in the center of the main venue, surrounded by a circle of futons, where many people were already sitting and waiting for the performance to begin.

Ikenami Shizuka led everyone to the reserved seats, and the tea ceremony performance began shortly after they sat down.

An elderly man dressed in a traditional kimono slowly walked onto the tea table. His movements were unhurried, and every detail exuded elegance and solemnity.

From preparing tea, boiling water, and making tea to serving tea, every step is done meticulously.

Yukiko took out her camera and kept taking pictures, muttering, "This tea ceremony performance was so amazing! I have to get the photos printed out and hang them in the living room when I get home!"

"It's just making tea," Tomizawa Chikage said dismissively, "Is it really necessary to make such a fuss?"

"The tea ceremony is a traditional Japanese art that emphasizes 'harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.' The tea master expresses respect for guests by brewing and serving tea," Shizuka Ikenami began to explain. "The tea ceremony may seem simple, but it actually contains a lot of knowledge. This old man should be a descendant of the Urasenke school, and his tea-making technique is very distinctive."

"I don't believe it anyway. Tea brewed this way will taste better," Tomizawa Chikage clearly didn't listen.

Lin Xiuyi kept yawning as he watched; he had never been interested in tea ceremony.

The attitudes of others toward the tea ceremony were actually not much different from those of Hayashi Hideichi.

However, due to the atmosphere around them, they were too embarrassed to express their thoughts like Tomizawa Chikage and Hayashi Hideichi did.

The tea ceremony performance lasted for half an hour. As soon as the host announced its end, Tomizawa Chikage couldn't wait to stretch and yawn: "Finally over!"

These words immediately drew stares from many people around who thought he was a "country bumpkin".

Tomizawa Chikage, however, didn't seem to care at all: "Let's go get something to eat, I'm starving."

“…Alright,” Ikeba Shizuka smiled helplessly, “The food street is just ahead. I’ll take you to a long-established shop. The food is very authentic, and you won’t have to wait in line for too long.”

The group followed Shizuka Ikenami towards the food street. They hadn't gone far when Reiko suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, "Onii-chan! That person with the dark face, didn't they come into the shop before?" (End of Chapter)