He's in Detective Conan, and he's the mastermind behind everything.

Chapter 129 With wine, there is no sorrow; Kudo's heartfelt intention!

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After Shinichi Kudo sat down, Hotaru clapped his hands, and the waiter who had been waiting for a long time immediately served the food as Hotaru had instructed.

After ignoring the vegetables, what caught their attention most were several round-bottomed, narrow-necked bone china bottles with slanted mouths, emitting a clear, refreshing aroma of wine. Below them, on a wooden tray, was a row of small porcelain cups.

Seeing that Shinichi Kudo, who had just sat down, looked somewhat uneasy, Hotaru chuckled and waved:

"It's just for show."

Several shop assistants bowed slightly, then immediately backed out, pulled over several screens to enclose the area, and white mist rose from the tabletop, making the air even quieter.

This commotion made Shinichi Kudo inexplicably uneasy, with a vague feeling that something very important was about to happen.

That's probably it, Xiaolan...

What will Shuiyue do?

What should he do?

Amidst a flurry of thoughts swirling in his mind, Shinichi Kudo was taken aback to hear Hotaru speak as if suddenly realizing something:

"So the low-lying fog on the table earlier was related to the temperature? Kudo, what was the method of the murder?"

Shinichi Kudo was stunned. A murder case? The method?

While it is indeed related to temperature, but...

Is Shuiyue asking this?

Hotaru smiled slightly, held the cup in his left hand and the bottle in his right, poured a small amount, and handed it to Shinichi Kudo:

"I have only ever heard of your reputation as the savior of the Metropolitan Police Department and know that you are an extremely outstanding detective, but I have never seen you in person. Today, I am fortunate to have this opportunity to share your talents and make some peace of mind."

"!!!!!!"

Everyone, including Xiaolan who had been deliberately avoiding looking in their direction, looked up in shock upon hearing this.

Shinichi Kudo was completely bewildered and didn't know how to respond, so naturally he wouldn't accept the drink.

Ying Sheng remained calm, downed the contents of his cup in one gulp, refilled it, and laughed heartily.

"Look at the four seats, Kudo, everyone is really looking forward to it."

Shinichi Kudo was momentarily confused and looked around at everyone in the direction of those words.

The first person he saw was Miyano Akemi to his right. He didn't recognize her, but there was a hidden expectation in her eyes.

Opposite her was Shiho Miyano, whom she had met twice before. She was trying her best to control her expression, but her eyes were still clearly very complicated.

Beside Shiho Miyano is...

Xiaolan!

Shinichi Kudo suddenly felt a tremor run through his body and mind, and Ran quickly lowered her head to avoid his gaze, which made him feel as if his heart was being clenched tightly.

He didn't see that fleeting glance clearly, but there was definitely a glimpse of it...

apology.

A surge of extremely complex emotions suddenly welled up from the bottom of his heart. Shinichi Kudo took the wine glass handed to him by Hotaru and was about to raise his hand to put it in his mouth...

I was pulled back.

Ying Sheng grasped his wrist, and with a sudden surge, the wine flew out of the porcelain cup, landing and shattering into pieces.

Shinichi Kudo grew increasingly bewildered, while Hotaru simply chuckled and offered a gentle reminder:

"No rush, there's still one more person."

and also……

one person?

Yes, out of the corner of his eye, there seemed to be a white figure. Following a strange feeling, Shinichi Kudo turned his head in a daze.

What I saw

Her eyes were filled with worry.

The area enclosed by the screen is a tranquil haven. Soft light shines on the hanging scrolls on the wall, where delicate cherry blossoms from a southern painting are gently falling in the wind, landing on her smooth hair and her flowing, cloud-like skirt.

The girl sitting quietly in front of the painting had her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and the concern in her eyes was clearly evident.

Although it was only for a moment, she quickly turned her head away to hide her gaze.

But in that instant, it was already captured by everyone.

Hotaru released Shinichi Kudo's hand, poured another cup, offered it to Vermouth, and smiled as he spoke:

"Respect to the detective, respect to our comrades."

Upon hearing this, Shinichi Kudo's pent-up frustration instantly vanished. Indeed! Just companions!

He raised his glass forward, his eyes brightening once more:

"To my comrades!"

Vermouth sighed inwardly, raising her glass. There was no other way this time. Sorry, Angel.

"Respect to the detective!"

clang--!

The clinking of glasses, the swirling of wine, and the blending of flavors.

They each took back their drinks, exchanged a smile, and drank them down in one gulp.

"Hahaha, good!"

Ying Sheng laughed loudly, and skillfully filled everyone's wine cups, presenting them to each person:

"You are all burdened with heavy thoughts and many distractions, which I cannot express. I can only offer you a cup of wine, wishing you all a carefree night and that you do not waste this precious time!"

Everyone present was deeply troubled and heavy-hearted at that moment, and they were all shaken upon hearing these words.

Looking at her own furrowed brows reflected in the glass, Akemi Miyano suddenly relaxed. Oh well, at least tonight, she wouldn't think about those things.

She was an adult and had dined with friends and colleagues many times; when emotions stirred, she would immediately raise her glass.

"Let's drink together!"

Seeing her sister finally emerge from her sorrow, Shiho Miyano, though knowing it was just wishful thinking, felt a sense of relief. Unwilling to give up this precious moment, she raised her glass:

"Let's drink together!"

Xiaolan's emotions fluctuated wildly today. Although she had figured some things out, she still couldn't help but feel like running away. Seeing the wine glass next to her raised high, she immediately followed suit.

"Let's drink together!"

Hotaru goes without saying, while Shinichi Kudo, his heart pounding and face flushed, exchanged a glance with Vermouth and both raised their glasses:

"Let's drink together!"

As the liquor entered my throat, a sensation of sweetness and spiciness mingled, and I laughed and sang with joy:

"This is youth, like a dream; let us all get drunk and enjoy ourselves!"

The responses continued.

Laughter and conversation eventually resumed.

Gradually continuous.

Seeing the atmosphere growing more intimate, Hotaru looked to his side and said with a smile, "Kudo, let's start with your first case today. Your detective skills will be a pleasant accompaniment to our drinks."

Shinichi Kudo is, after all, still a seventeen-year-old boy, and he is not without his flaws of arrogance and boasting. It is common for him to show off his case-solving experiences in front of his classmates.

After a few cups of sake, his blood was boiling, and he saw everyone looking at him expectantly, especially Ran and Vermouth...

He couldn't possibly control himself.

He immediately drank another glass and loudly replied:

"it is good!"

And so, as the music ended and the crowd dispersed, there was nothing more to say.

10:15 PM.

After settling the tipsy Shinichi Kudo in his hotel room, Hotaru turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Click——

At the same time, a soft sound came from the next room. Ying Sheng looked up and saw that Xiao Lan was also looking over.

"How is Xuesong doing?" Yingsheng asked with a smile.

"He's quite drunk, but he should be alright. Where's Shinichi?" Ran walked over and pressed the elevator button.

Same here, how are you?

"I didn't drink as much as them, and it's probably also due to my constitution, so I'm fine. But you, are you alright?"

"Ha, have you forgotten that I am a firefly?"

The elevator arrived, and Ying Sheng and Xiao Lan stepped inside. Xiao Lan looked closely at his face, which showed no signs of alcohol, and was quite puzzled.

"You mean you have a high alcohol tolerance?"

"No, I actually drank the least."

"........."

Go downstairs and into the lobby, a man with long silver hair and wearing a black coat is waiting.

Good evening, Mr. Kurosawa.

Chapter 130 Today's Loser: Gin and Ran!

"Your actions are truly unexpected, Mr. Firefly."