Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

Lin Xiuyi looked up in the direction Reiko was pointing and saw Hattori Heizo leading the members of the mystery club towards them from beside a cherry blossom tree not far away.

Kawada Haeko also spotted them, excitedly waving her folding fan. The pink fan surface, printed with an image of Osaka Castle, was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.
"Hayashi-kun! Mori-kun! Over here!"

Her voice was clear and loud, attracting the attention of many tourists around her.

Hattori Heizo noticed them too, and a smile instantly bloomed on his dark face. He quickened his pace and ran over like a gust of wind, with Konoe Taishi, Maeda Yoto, and the others following behind him.

"What a coincidence!" Hattori Heizo patted Hayashi Hideichi on the shoulder cheerfully. "I never expected to run into you guys here!"

"It's hardly a coincidence."

Kawada Haeko, following behind, didn't hold back in dismantling his plan. She quickly caught up, smiling as she poked Hattori's back with her finger.
"Someone kept looking around, his eyes practically glued to the crowd, looking for Lin Jun and the others! He just said, 'Maybe we'll run into them at the celebration.'"

Hattori Heizo scratched his spiky short hair with some embarrassment. His dark skin concealed any possible blush, but the awkwardness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Just as Kawada Yuko was about to continue teasing him, her gaze was suddenly drawn to a woman standing next to Lin Xiuyi.

She was a gentle and quiet young woman, dressed in a light purple kimono embroidered with delicate wisteria patterns. She walked with composure and grace.

Kawada Yuko looked at her, her brows furrowed slightly, and she looked as if she was trying hard to remember.

"Miss... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before?"

Kawada Hako circled around Ikenami Shizuka halfway, her eyes full of confusion.

"Otherwise, why would it look so familiar?"

Shizuka Ikenami was also quite surprised. She smiled politely and said, "Have we met before? I rarely participate in public events, especially in Kyoto."

"let me introduce."

Just as Lin Xiuyi was about to speak, Kawada Yuko suddenly exclaimed, pointing at Ikenami Shizuka with excitement in her voice.
"I remember now! You're Shizuka Ikenami from the Osaka University Kendo Team! We were just talking about you in the car!"

"Speaking of me?"

Ikenami Shizuka was even more confused. She carefully examined Kawada Yuko and confirmed that she did not know this lively girl.

Don't you recognize him?

Kawada Hako nudged Hattori Heizo beside her with her elbow and said with a mischievous grin,
"This guy is the ace of our Kyoto University Kendo team! It's a pity he missed the chance to spar with you this year because he was investigating a case during the Kendo tournament!"

"I remember that Kyoto University did have an ace player who missed the final."

Shizuka Ikenami looked thoughtfully at Heizo Hattori. To be called an "ace," one's strength must be considerable.

"I heard from the coach that the competitor had a fierce swordsmanship style and was good at fast attacks. I think his name was... Hattori Heizo?"

“That’s right, it was him.” Lin Xiuyi briefly explained the situation. “At that time, a murder and body-hiding case occurred in Beika Town, and a junior high school girl was imprisoned by the murderer. Hattori missed the competition because he was investigating clues to rescue her.”

"I see."

Upon hearing this, Shizuka Ikenami's face instantly showed a solemn expression. She turned to Heizo Hattori and bowed slightly.

"Hattori-san, your actions are truly admirable. To give up important personal honors for justice and life, that is the true spirit of a warrior." "After this year's kendo tournament, I still feel regretful that I didn't get to play against Kyoto University's ace. I feel like I didn't win the championship satisfying enough."

"you flatter me."

Hattori Heizo became even more embarrassed by such a straightforward compliment.
He waved his hands repeatedly, a rare and obvious shyness showing on his dark face.

"Even if I participated, I might not be able to beat you. I watched the final match of this year's Kendo Tournament. Your 'backhand horizontal slash' is very powerful. I still haven't figured out how to counter it."

He was telling the truth; while watching the match, he was amazed by Ikenami Shizuka's sharp yet steady swordsmanship.

“I’d also love to have a match with you.” Ikeba Shizuka smiled. “Before the competition, our team leader kept telling us that Hattori Heizo from Kyoto University was the toughest opponent, and that we should prepare in advance. But when the finals came, we didn’t see you. Everyone on our team was very disappointed.”

"Since you both feel it's a pity, why don't you have a match right now!"

Yukiko's eyes lit up, and she immediately made an excited suggestion.

She loved watching excitement. Although she didn't understand kendo, she knew that it would be interesting to see two kendo masters sparring.

Kawada Yuko, equally eager for chaos, immediately agreed loudly: "Great idea! Let's have a match! Let's have a match! Let's see what they've got to see!"

Her shout sparked a cheer from the other members of the Kyoto University Mystery Club, instantly enlivening the atmosphere.

“This…” Upon hearing this, Ikenami Shizuka looked troubled. She looked down at her elaborate kimono and wooden clogs. “This outfit is really inconvenient for me to move around in.”

Hattori Heizo noticed her inconvenience and tactfully suggested, "Let's forget it. I don't have my usual bamboo sword with me. This one I found on the spot will feel much worse."

He did not want to have an imperfect competition under such rushed circumstances.

“Miss Ikenami must have a lot of bamboo swords at home, so we’re sure to find a suitable one,” Midori Orikasa quickly interjected. “Why don’t we go to Ikenami’s house for a duel later?”

As a kendo enthusiast herself, she naturally didn't want to miss the opportunity to witness the duel between two kendo masters.

Seeing the expectant and encouraging looks on the faces of those around them, Hattori Heizo and Ikenami Shizuka exchanged a glance, both seeing the same helplessness and a hint of fighting spirit stirred in each other's eyes.

Unable to refuse the crowd's wishes, the two could only exchange a wry smile and nod.

“Alright, since everyone is so interested,” Ikenami Shizuka regained her composure and smiled, “then I’ll invite you all to my humble abode sometime so we can have another spar with Hattori-kun.”

"It would be my great honor," Hattori Heizo replied solemnly.

"We can discuss the competition in detail later. Let's explore the festival first."

Ikenami Shizuka skillfully changed the subject and regained control of the situation.

"I know a nearly century-old okonomiyaki restaurant up ahead. The taste is very authentic, and the owner is a family acquaintance, so there's no need to queue. Kyoto University students, why don't we go try it together?"

At this point, she smiled and glanced at Lin Xiuyi.

"I also want to thank everyone for their help last night in bringing the two guests from the Ikenami family from Kyoto to Osaka." (End of Chapter)