Chapter 29: Dandelion Wine
Not long after the dust settled, the wail of police sirens finally pierced the evening air—arriving predictably late.
Natsume stood by the curb, calmly explaining the sequence of events to the lead officer. Once the formalities were handled, she gently nudged Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi toward the patrol cars, ensuring the officers would escort the exhausted children safely to their respective homes. As for Conan Edogawa, his route aligned perfectly with hers. With a subtle gesture, she signaled the bespectacled boy to follow her back.
Before they even left the vicinity, Natsume pulled out her phone and dialed Ran Mouri's number. She quickly relayed the situation, assuring the high school girl that Conan was safe and sound. Knowing that Ran and the others had likely skipped cooking out of sheer worry for the little detective, Natsume seized the opportunity. She smoothly extended an invitation for the Mouri family to join them for dinner at Xiangling's restaurant on the first floor.
On the other end of the line, Ran hesitated, her voice tinged with polite concern about imposing on them so late. However, the moment Kogoro Mouri overheard the magic words—new wine—his booming voice echoed through the receiver. The promise of excellent food paired with fresh liquor completely shattered his usual apathy. With her father already enthusiastically agreeing in the background, Ran could only sigh and accept the invitation.
The warm, savory aroma of roasted meats and rich spices enveloped them the moment they stepped into the restaurant. They gathered around a large wooden table, the ambient lighting casting a cozy glow over the dining area. The only notable absence was Lisa, whose usual spot remained empty.
"Mr. Mouri, I know you have quite the appreciation for a good drink," Xiangling chimed in, her bright eyes reflecting the warm restaurant lights. She approached the table with a beautifully crafted glass bottle in hand, the liquid inside catching the light. "Why don't you try the new vintage our restaurant just acquired? Let me know what you think!"
With a practiced flick of her wrist, she poured a generous measure into Kogoro's glass.
Kogoro didn't bother with false modesty. He picked up the glass, admired the clarity for a fraction of a second, and tossed it back in one smooth gulp. He smacked his lips, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise. "Not bad! Not bad at all!" He set the glass down with a heavy thud. "This goes down incredibly smooth. What kind of liquor is this? I'll have to buy a bottle for myself another day."
He leaned forward, genuinely intrigued by a flavor profile he couldn't quite place.
"It's Dandelion Wine," Xiangling announced proudly, resting her hands on her hips. "Natsume just picked it up from the department store today."
Across the table, Conan's ears perked up. The department store? His mind flashed back to the familiar silhouette he had spotted earlier that afternoon. He hadn't been mistaken after all. It really was Natsume, and she had been shopping for this exact bottle.
"Dandelion wine?" Ran blinked, her chopsticks hovering over her plate. "Can you really brew alcohol from dandelions?" It was the first time she had ever heard of such a delicate flower being used in fermentation.
Conan leaned in closer, his sharp detective's gaze fixing on the elegant label wrapped around the glass bottle. He squinted at the fine print. The origin was listed clearly: Dawn Winery. He dug through his mental encyclopedia. If he recalled correctly, Dawn Winery was a highly prestigious estate located overseas in Country H, rumored to be owned by a wealthy aristocratic family. If this was a premium import from such a renowned estate, why hadn't he ever come across it in Tokyo before?
"It's supposedly brewed using dandelion seeds," Xiangling guessed, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "They must use some sort of special traditional method to extract the flavor."
Beside her, Natsume quietly poured herself a glass. The liquid was pristine, a clear, transparent gold that caught the ambient light beautifully. As she brought the rim to her lips, a delicate, grassy floral scent drifted upward, carrying the faint, nostalgic breeze of Mondstadt. She took a small, experimental sip.
The taste was exceptionally gentle. It lacked the harsh, burning bite of cheap spirits, rolling over her tongue with a mellow, fruity sweetness that bloomed in the back of her throat. It was genuinely delicious. No wonder Venti practically lived at the tavern for this stuff; it was absolutely worth every single yen.
Between bites of Xiangling's masterfully spiced dishes, Natsume found herself refilling her glass. Once. Twice. Several times in rapid succession.
By the time Xiangling turned around from serving another table, Natsume's cheeks were already dusted with a heavy, rosy flush. Her eyes were glazed, staring blankly at a piece of glazed pork. She was completely tipsy.
The rest of the evening dissolved into a hazy blur. Natsume's memories fragmented into soft colors and echoing laughter. She vaguely recalled eating until she was stuffed, the comforting warmth of the alcohol buzzing in her veins. Before the Mouri family departed, Ran had leaned in, her voice soft and excited, inviting her to a wedding. There was also something about introducing a friend? Natsume couldn't quite piece the syllables together.
Ah... Natsume groaned internally as the morning sun pierced through her eyelids. I really didn't expect this body's alcohol tolerance to be so pitifully low.
Lumine's physical specs were incredible for combat, but apparently, a few glasses of wine were her absolute limit. To think she had actually gotten drunk right under Conan Edogawa's hyper-observant nose. Fortunately, with Xiangling hovering nearby, she was fairly confident she hadn't blurted out any organization secrets.
She forced her eyes open, wincing at the daylight.
"Traveler! You're awake!" Xiangling was at her bedside in an instant, pressing a warm glass into Natsume's hands. "Do you have a headache? Drink some warm water. I stirred a spoonful of honey into it; it should help soothe your stomach."
Natsume's throat felt like sandpaper. She offered a raspy word of thanks, brought the glass to her lips, and drained the sweet, soothing liquid in one long gulp. Wiping her mouth, she looked up at the chef. "Xiangling... what exactly happened after I passed out yesterday?"
Xiangling gave a quick, animated summary of the evening's conclusion. She then clapped her hands together. "Oh! Right! Ran invited both of us to attend a wedding in two days—wait, no, it's past midnight, so the wedding is tomorrow. She also wants to introduce us to her best friend!"
Xiangling explained that she had politely declined the invitation for herself, citing the endless prep work needed for the restaurant. However, she had enthusiastically accepted on Natsume's behalf.
"You need to go! It's good to get out and breathe some fresh air," Xiangling urged, wagging a finger playfully. "You can't just bury yourself in commissions all day. Don't think I haven't noticed. You've been staying up late every single night, secretly contacting Diluc to discuss the winery's funding and logistics."
Natsume rubbed her temples, a wry smile touching her lips. "It can't be helped. Starting a new enterprise from scratch is always a massive headache. Securing this funding is critical for establishing the Teyvat organization's foothold in this world, and I can't just dump all the pressure on Diluc. Besides, there's a significant time difference between Tokyo and Country H. Nighttime here is the only window I have to reach him. I wasn't trying to hide it from you, Xiangling. Please, be the bigger person and forgive my secrecy."
Xiangling planted her hands firmly on her hips, her expression softening into helpless affection. "Traveler, I'm just saying you've been working yourself to the bone. You need a proper rest. This wedding invitation from Ran is the perfect excuse to relax, dress up, and maybe try some high-end banquet food! When you get back, you have to tell me exactly how the dishes tasted so I can steal some inspiration!"
Natsume lowered her hands from her face and stared at Xiangling with an utterly deadpan expression. "Xiangling. Look me in the eyes and tell me you honestly believe that going anywhere near Conan Edogawa will result in a 'relaxing' day."
The chef froze. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She blinked once, twice, momentarily stumped by the flawless logic. She stammered for a few seconds before finally managing, "W-Well... it doesn't necessarily mean a case will happen! Conan hasn't tripped over a dead body every single day lately. Plus... are there even any wedding-related murder cases in the early chapters of Conan?"
Xiangling scrunched up her face, digging deep into her memories of the manga, but came up empty.
Natsume couldn't recall either. After all, her meta-knowledge was largely synchronized with Xiangling's. If the chef drew a blank, Natsume was usually in the same boat.
Whatever, Natsume thought, tossing the blankets aside. If she couldn't remember the exact plot, she wouldn't stress over it. This was a living, breathing reality now. Her very presence as a variable meant the timeline was already fracturing. Relying too heavily on a half-remembered comic book could easily lead to fatal blind spots. It was better to treat her meta-knowledge as a loose guidebook rather than an absolute gospel.
Since she had already given Ran her word, Natsume had no intention of backing out. At worst, she would just keep her senses sharp. If a murder did happen, she would simply solve it as fast as humanly possible so she wouldn't waste too much time.
The following day, Natsume arrived at the Mouri Detective Agency right on schedule.
After knocking lightly, she pushed the door open to find a new face standing alongside Ran and Conan. The girl had a stylish, short brownish bob held back by a thick blue headband, and she wore the exact same Teitan High School uniform as Ran.
This had to be Ran's wealthy best friend, Sonoko Suzuki.
Introductions were made quickly. Sonoko was exactly as advertised—vibrant, loud, and incredibly outgoing. Within just a few sentences, the ice was completely broken.
However, the moment Sonoko learned that Natsume was actually several years older than them, her jaw practically hit the floor.
"What?!" Sonoko shrieked, leaning in so close her nose almost brushed Natsume's. "You're actually older than us?! I can't tell at all!" She scrutinized Natsume's face like a jeweler inspecting a diamond. "Look at this face! Look at this skin! You seriously look even younger than I do!"
Ran giggled from the sidelines, her eyes curving into warm crescents. "It's true. Looking at Natsume, I really can't fathom that she's already graduated and working full-time."
Sonoko grabbed Natsume's shoulders. "Spill it! Do you have some kind of secret anti-aging routine?"
"There is no secret," Natsume replied, her face a mask of serene tranquility. "I suppose it's just natural."
Those calm, understated words only sent Sonoko into a deeper spiral of frantic envy.
"Ahhh! I want to be naturally flawless too!" Sonoko wailed, dramatically clutching her cheeks.
"..."
The lively group filed out of the agency, chatting animatedly as they made their way down the street toward the wedding venue.
Trailing a few paces behind them, Conan Edogawa walked with his hands stuffed deep into his pockets, his half-lidded eyes radiating pure, unadulterated boredom.
As expected, the shrunken detective thought dryly. Girls really do care way too much about age and skin.
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