Chapter 239: Idol Activities
Okiya Subaru's gaze on Zhongli was a complicated thing—a blend of sharp analysis and deepening curiosity.
Based on everything he had observed, Mr. Tartaglia was hardly the generous type. The memory of Kaeya's offhand comment resurfaced in his mind: "Tartaglia is Mr. Zhongli's cash cow."
At the time, he'd dismissed it as an exaggeration born from the clear friction between Kaeya and Tartaglia. But watching Zhongli handle the bill just now, with an air of practiced elegance and complete disregard for the cost, Okiya had to admit the description felt disturbingly accurate.
It only made him more intrigued by Zhongli's true standing within the Teyvat organization. What kind of man could command such deference from a battle-obsessed warrior like Tartaglia, compelling him to foot the bill without a second thought?
Once the meal was concluded and the last drops of tea were finished, the group rose from their seats, ready to depart.
Back at the Mouri Detective Agency, Conan Edogawa had already returned from his own day's adventures.
He watched Ran walk through the door, noting the late hour. Though he already knew she had been out with Sonoko, Natsume, and Okiya Subaru, he adopted his most innocent, childish tone. "You're back late, Ran-neechan!"
From her reply, he learned that Natsume's circle had expanded yet again. Two more friends had arrived in Beika—both of them handsome men. The detail that one was the junior Lisa had mentioned previously set Conan's internal alarms ringing with even greater intensity.
Sensing Ran's cheerful mood, Conan held back his barrage of questions, not wanting to arouse her suspicion or make her worry.
He waited until she disappeared into the bathroom to wash up. The moment the door clicked shut, he whipped out his phone, fingers flying across the screen as he sent a message to Okiya Subaru, demanding to know more about Natsume's new associates.
A reply came almost instantly. Okiya provided the names of the two men, along with some basic observations. He added a specific note about Zhongli, emphasizing that his status within their organization was likely unique and of significant importance.
Conan stared at the text, his brow knitting into a tight line. 'It seems this Zhongli is a very tricky person,'he thought, the reflection in his dark screen showing a grimly serious expression.'I'll have to handle him with extreme care.'
He made a mental note to keep a close watch on the man, to see if he could uncover any clues about his true purpose.
"Oh, right, Conan-kun! I have something to tell you." Ran's voice pulled him from his thoughts. She emerged from the bathroom, toweling her damp hair. "Next holiday, we're going to Osaka with Sonoko-chan and Natsume-san."
Seeing him engrossed in his phone, she had suddenly remembered their plans and rushed to tell him, worried he might already have something scheduled with the Detective Boys and miss out.
"Osaka?" Conan looked up, genuinely puzzled. "Why are we suddenly going to Osaka, Ran-neechan? Hattori didn't say anything about a case when he sent me his latest findings."
"Huh? He didn't tell you?" Ran tilted her head, surprised. "You two are so close, and Kazuha-chan told me he messaged you recently. I thought it was about this!"
'Of course not,' Conan thought, a knot tightening in his stomach. The information Hattori had sent was about the very leads he'd requested—clues concerning Teyvat and the Black Organization. It was a world away from a casual trip.
But he couldn't possibly tell Ran that.
So, what on earth could she be talking about that involved both Heiji Hattori and Kazuha Toyama? That guy Hattori... he really hadn't mentioned a single other thing during their last contact.
"If Hattori didn't mention this, then what do you and he usually talk about?" Ran mused aloud, though her attention was already drifting back to drying her hair.
A bead of cold sweat threatened to form on Conan's brow. He held his breath, only letting it out in a silent sigh of relief when he saw she wasn't pursuing the question.
That was too close, he rejoiced internally. Thank goodness Ran's mind is elsewhere.
Ran, oblivious to his brief panic, continued her explanation. "There's an idol competition being held in Osaka. I heard about it from Kazuha-chan. Apparently, it's being hosted by some big, wealthy family. Kazuha-chan actually entered and passed the in-person auditions! The main competition starts next holiday, so we're all going to cheer her on!"
Conan had been leaning forward, anticipating the details of an exciting new mystery. But when he heard the words "idol competition," the spark of excitement in his eyes died instantly.
He shook his head, a helpless sigh escaping his lips as he muttered to himself, "I thought a case had finally happened... Uncle Kogoro would probably be more interested in this kind of thing."
Still, a part of him was confused. Why would Kazuha, of all people, suddenly decide to participate in an idol contest?
He voiced this question to Ran.
The answer, he soon learned, circled right back to Heiji Hattori.
Apparently, when Hattori saw the event flyer, he had scoffed, mocking Kazuha by saying she didn't have a single talented bone in her body. In a fit of anger, Kazuha had promptly signed up to prove him wrong.
So, when all was said and done, it was Hattori's famously poor social skills that were to blame.
Thinking of his friend's incredible ability to say the absolute worst thing at the worst possible time, Conan could only look on with a feeling of deep helplessness.
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