The next afternoon, inside a gymnasium in Beika Town.
A civilian martial arts exchange competition called "Meeting Friends Through Martial Arts" was being held here.
Because there were no tickets and admission was free, the event attracted a large number of curious spectators and martial arts enthusiasts.
Ran, Sonoko, and Rin finally managed to find three consecutive empty seats in the front section and sat down.
As soon as Sonoko sat down, she eagerly looked around, searching for Kyogoku Makoto.
Conan said that Professor Agasa needed him for something halfway through, so he didn't come to watch the match.
Just then, a clear, cool voice sounded beside them. "Rin? What a coincidence."
Rin turned her head at the sound, her eyes immediately lighting up.
Hoshimi Miyabi was wearing a martial arts uniform, looking at her from the aisle.
"Miyabi!" Rin exclaimed in surprise, "Why are you here too?"
Sonoko and Ran curiously observed Hoshimi Miyabi.
Rin quickly introduced her to her two friends. "Ran, Sonoko, this is Hoshimi Miyabi, my good friend."
Ran and Sonoko greeted her kindly, "Hello, Hoshimi Miyabi-san."
"Hello." Hoshimi Miyabi nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her politeness impeccable but with an almost imperceptible distance.
"Is Hoshimi Miyabi-san here to watch the competition too? Would you like to sit with us?"
Ran said enthusiastically, while signaling Sonoko to squeeze over, "We'll try our best to make space."
"No need to trouble yourselves."
Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head gently, then her gaze turned to Rin, and she said very naturally,
"If you don't mind."
Rin instantly understood her meaning, her face flushed slightly, and she patted her own leg, saying generously. "Of course I don't mind! Come on!"
To Sonoko and Ran's somewhat surprised gazes, Hoshimi Miyabi very calmly sat sideways on Rin's lap, leaning her back gently against Rin's embrace, as if this was the most normal seat.
Her weight was very light, and her posture was upright, not causing much burden to Rin.
Rin only felt a soft body fall into her arms, and the faint scent of Hoshimi Miyabi's hair lingered at her nose.
Feeling the warmth of her body through the martial arts uniform, Rin's cheeks involuntarily blushed, and she subconsciously gently rubbed Hoshimi Miyabi's ear with her chin, asking in a low voice.
"Miyabi, why are you here?"
This intimate little gesture caused the tip of Hoshimi Miyabi's ear to move slightly, and her cheeks flushed with a hint of pink.
"Training."
Hoshimi Miyabi replied calmly, her gaze directed at the various rings below where people were warming up,
"I heard there's a martial arts competition here, and I wanted to observe and spar. Who is the strongest person here?"
Before Rin could answer, Sonoko, beside them, immediately put her newly acquired knowledge to use, excitedly interjecting.
"The strongest person? I know, I know! He's a super amazing martial arts master from China, Ma Baoguo! Master Ma!"
She immediately embellished the legend of Master Ma that Ran had told her yesterday and recounted it again,
"...It's said that he is the founder of the Lingshan Sect, and he knows a mysterious kung fu called 'Hua Jin', which allows him to deflect a thousand pounds with four ounces!
When he was in England, two strongmen weighing 400 pounds each went against him together, but they couldn't even get close to him and were easily defeated by him! Super amazing!"
Sonoko spoke vividly, as if she had witnessed it herself.
Hoshimi Miyabi listened very carefully.
"Deflecting a thousand pounds with four ounces, overcoming hardness with softness, striking later but arriving first. It sounds like an extremely profound martial arts realm... truly impressive."
She completely believed Sonoko's words and nodded solemnly.
"Thank you for the information. Afterwards, I hope to have the opportunity to spar and learn from this Master Ma."
Her tone was very serious, filled with anticipation and respect for a strong opponent.
Rin "..."
Miyabi, you're too naive!
No wonder Nicole managed to trick you out of your sword, that Sonoko is clearly exaggerating and talking nonsense.
How could that Master Ma... sigh, never mind, you'll know when you see him in person later.
Rin kept complaining inwardly, already envisioning Hoshimi Miyabi's stunned expression when she saw Master Ma's "Pinecone Phlegm Tremble Lightning Whip.[1]"
At the same time, in the aisle of the venue, a blonde, dark-skinned young man pushing a vending cart was skillfully shouting.
"Sunflower seeds, drinks, mineral water, peanuts, ham sausages, hey, sir, please lift your foot... Master Ma Baoguo's autographed photos are on sale cheap, ten thousand yen a set, you won't lose out or be fooled.
Stick them on the door to ward off evil, stick them on the bed for contraception!"
Amuro Tooru, who had snuck in as a part-timer, was wearing a staff vest and diligently promoting his wares.
In his cart, many snacks and drinks had already been sold, but there was still a thick stack of Master Ma's autographed photos in various martial arts poses.
When his gaze swept over the direction where Rin was, he paused slightly.
Especially after lingering for a moment on Hoshimi Miyabi, who was intimately sitting with Rin, he then moved his gaze away and continued to shout.
Could it be that this Hoshimi Miyabi, from a prominent family, is also a member of the ZZZ Organization?
Amuro Tooru frowned.
Ever since the mysterious ZZZ Organization appeared, he had never stopped investigating.
From the clues he had gathered online, this organization was like a fog. the shadow of "ZZZ" subtly drifted behind many high-ranking or influential figures.
Although these figures had not caused any obvious harm to society so far, and even acted extremely normally, this very normalcy made Amuro Tooru even more uneasy.
What was the true purpose of such a large and deeply hidden organization?
They must have some goal, some ambition, right?
They couldn't possibly have no purpose at all, could they?
Through careful observation and cross-referencing, he noticed an interesting phenomenon.
That is, this young woman named Rin, who seemingly was just the owner of an ordinary video rental store, lived an uneventful life.
However, her social circle was unusually complex, with figures marked as "suspected ZZZ-related" often appearing around her.
From Cunning Hares, Victoria Housekeeping, to the current Hoshimi Miyabi, their interactions with this store owner seemed natural and intimate, definitely not casual acquaintances.
Was this Rin truly just an ordinary store owner?
Or was she playing some important role in this mysterious organization?
Amuro Tooru secretly guessed, positioning Rin's identity as a liaison for the mysterious organization.
Only this could explain the reason for her frequent contact with other people.
Smiling while handing mineral water to a customer, Amuro Tooru pushed his cart, subtly approaching the grandstand area where Rin was, wanting to observe her up close.
[1] Don't know what it is but it seems pretty impresive.