Chapter 235: Two Friends
A bold hypothesis began to take shape in Okiya Subaru's mind. Could it be that Kudo Shinichi wasn't just contacting Ran Mouri over the phone? Could he, in fact, be somewhere nearby? Perhaps he was even in frequent contact with Natsume, Ran, and the others…
The implication of that thought was startling. If that were truly the case, then… Okiya Subaru's gaze unfocused, his mind plunging into a labyrinth of possibilities.
Sonoko Suzuki, however, was oblivious to the subtle shift in his expression. At that moment, her thoughts were consumed with worry for Ran and Natsume's safety. Although she had faith in Ran's ability to protect herself, they were in an unfamiliar environment. Anything could happen.
She sent a silent prayer into the evening air, hoping that Ran, Natsume, and the kidnapped company president would all return unharmed.
In the end, Sonoko's prayers were answered. Ran and Natsume managed to rescue the president with surprising ease, encountering almost no real danger along the way.
By the time the entire affair was resolved, evening had already settled in. The sun was a fading ember on the horizon, painting the sky in soft, dusky hues.
Looking at the darkening sky, an idea sparked in Sonoko's mind. She turned to the others, a bright smile on her face. "Well, everything's settled, and it's getting late. Why don't we all go grab a bite to eat together?"
Of course, she had a small ulterior motive. This was the perfect chance to spend more time with this handsome new acquaintance. Even though her heart belonged to Makoto Kyogoku, a good meal was always better with some eye candy.
Hearing Sonoko's suggestion, a gentle smile touched Okiya Subaru's lips, signaling his agreement.
He then offered a suggestion of his own. "How about we go to that Chinese restaurant you've been praising so highly, Sonoko? Hearing you rave about it has made me quite curious."
"Sure!" The others had no objections.
Only Natsume felt a flicker of puzzlement. She couldn't quite grasp Okiya Subaru's intention in suddenly suggesting Wanmin Restaurant.
But she wasn't particularly concerned. As far as she knew, Xiangling and Noelle had no connections to the Black Organization, and they had barely participated in any of Teyvat's clandestine activities. No matter how thoroughly Okiya Subaru investigated, he wouldn't find anything out of the ordinary.
With that thought, Natsume simply took the lead, guiding the group toward the restaurant.
Before long, they arrived at Xiangling's establishment, Wanmin Restaurant.
The moment they stepped inside, they were enveloped in a rich, vibrant atmosphere. The storefront was quaint and traditional, with a wooden sign that bore the gentle marks of time. The interior was a feast for the eyes, its walls adorned with exquisite Chinese paintings. The air buzzed with the lively chatter of patrons, making one feel as if they had been transported to an ancient, bustling marketplace.
Spotting familiar faces, Noelle immediately hurried over to greet them, leading them to a comfortable table by the window.
Noticing the stranger accompanying Natsume's group, she promptly handed over the menus with a polite smile.
Okiya Subaru's gaze soon settled on Noelle. This girl seemed ordinary enough, but Conan had mentioned she possessed a Vision. That meant she couldn't be as simple as she appeared.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, searching for any clue, any telltale sign of hidden strength. Yet, all he saw was a normal young woman—in fact, her personality seemed even gentler and shier than most.
The observation left Okiya Subaru somewhat perplexed. Was her disguise simply that good, or was her gentle nature genuine?
Sonoko, meanwhile, excitedly opened a menu, eagerly introducing the specialties of each dish to Okiya Subaru while asking about his preferences.
Okiya Subaru didn't answer directly, instead replying with a warm smile, "Since you recommended this place so highly, Sonoko, I think you should be the one to decide."
A delighted grin spread across Sonoko's face. She immediately ordered several of the restaurant's signature dishes and then waited with cheerful anticipation.
While they waited for their food, Sonoko took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Okiya, trying to learn more about him. Okiya played along amiably, though his questions would occasionally circle back, ever so subtly, to Kudo Shinichi or Wanmin Restaurant itself.
Natsume chimed in from time to time, a passive participant in their light banter. Suddenly, her phone screen lit up with a new message.
She picked it up to check. Okiya, ever observant, noticed the subtle shift in her expression—the slight widening of her eyes, the pleased, almost surprised smile that graced her lips. He couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity.
Just then, Natsume looked up, her gaze falling on Ran, Sonoko, and Okiya. She asked softly, "Two of my friends recently arrived in Japan, and they happen to be coming to Wanmin for dinner tonight. Do you mind if we share a table?"
Ran, Sonoko, and Okiya all smiled and nodded their assent.
Sonoko, however, leaned forward with a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Natsume, are these two friends of yours handsome?"
After all, as far as she knew, Natsume's friends were a veritable collection of handsome men and beautiful women. Even if they weren't guys, a pretty lady was always a welcome addition.
"Sonoko~" Ran chided helplessly.
"Yes, both of them are," Natsume confirmed with a nod.
Seeing Sonoko's excitement surge, Natsume couldn't resist teasing her. "But one of them is that junior Lisa mentioned before, and the other is an elder. Let's just say you'll be on your best behavior around them, Sonoko. They're not exactly your type for daydreaming."
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