Chapter 295
Opening party for the international restaurant "K3" in Osaka —
Ran Mouri saw Kazuha Toyama looking around and went over to him.
"Are you looking for Hattori? He's over there."
"Huh? No..." Kazuha Toyama quickly shook his head, "It's just something that's a little concerning."
Ran Mouri asked curiously, "Can you tell me?"
Kazuha Toyama checked where Heiji Hattori was, then quietly told Ran Mouri, "It's like this, I overheard him making a phone call, asking things like 'Are you alone now?' or 'Should I call back later?' It felt like he'd found someone else."
Conan Edogawa, who was overlooked by Kazuha Toyama because of his short stature, couldn't help but feel speechless upon hearing these words.
That must have been a call from Heiji Hattori. He probably checked the surroundings first because he was worried that there might be someone like Ran Mouri around who could easily expose his identity...
He wasn't really interested in coming, since it would be a trip to Osaka, but he was tempted because his idol was coming.
Ran Mouri advised, "I think it must be a misunderstanding..."
Kazuha Toyama sighed, "Maybe he couldn't answer the phone. Later, I saw him on the phone, and he looked so surprised and excited, saying things like, 'What? You really want to come?' and 'Are you kidding me? Trying to make me happy for nothing?'... He looked so happy yet so anxious..."
Conan Edogawa: "...???"
Wait, why doesn't he remember this?! This next phone call definitely wasn't made to him!
So, did Hattori make plans with someone else? Judging from his looking around, it seems like they were supposed to meet at the opening party.
Could it be someone he knows?
However, it seems that the only people he knows besides those in the police force and those involved in the case are—
Could it be Brother Bo Ye?
Thinking of this, Conan Edogawa couldn't help but turn to look at Heiji Hattori, and found that he was still looking around, so he went over and tugged at Heiji Hattori.
Hattori Heiji squatted down: "What's wrong?"
Who are you looking for?
Heiji Hattori didn't mince words, saying directly, "Usui-san. He called me a few days ago saying he was coming to Osaka, so I just casually asked him if he wanted to come to this opening ceremony..."
Since Conan Edogawa was also there, he wanted to make Conan Edogawa a witness and take the opportunity to settle accounts with Bo Ye for using his name to flaunt at the game launch event.
We still haven't seen them.
Hattori Heiji sighed, "It's been so many years, and no matter how many times I ask him out, he never comes. This time he finally agreed, and I even confirmed it several times, but I still haven't found him... I suspect he stood me up."
Conan Edogawa remained silent.
Hmm... Although he and Brother Bo Ye aren't particularly close, it feels very likely.
Moreover, everyone dresses quite formally for this kind of occasion, so if Brother Bo Ye continued with his original style, he would definitely stand out...
"Is it possible?" Conan Edogawa asked seriously, "that Usui-san was refused entry because his attire wasn't formal enough?"
Hattori Heiji: "…………"
Oh, this.
Hattori Heiji was a little embarrassed, but still tried to argue, "But wouldn't he call me? Besides, I already sent him the invitation. If I have the invitation, I should be able to get in with a little flattery..."
Conan Edogawa squinted and said, "With Usoba-kun's personality, he'd just turn around and leave, right..."
Just then, the important guests for the opening banquet arrived.
Three famous professional athletes walked out amidst flashing lights and cheers and applause from others, instantly drawing Conan Edogawa's attention.
There's no way around it! The other two are one thing, but Ray Curtis is his favorite football player!
Seeing his idol up close like this, forgetting whether Usaku Saiki even showed up or not, Conan Edogawa was so excited he almost forgot who he was!
Even when an American journalist who enjoys digging up celebrity scandals suddenly appeared and said some strange things, causing the atmosphere to become a bit awkward, it didn't affect Conan Edogawa's good mood.
Ran Mouri's act of asking Torrey Cartes for his autograph deeply moved Conan Edogawa.
After receiving the autograph, Ran Mouri came down and handed Conan Edogawa a ticket to Ray Curtis's match in Japan the next day. Then, amidst the curious inquiries of others, she quietly showed off the walkie-talkie in her hand.
"Mr. Cartis also asked me to do something, saying he wanted to give everyone a surprise later..."
Conan Edogawa is always happy to participate in anything related to his idol.
So when the time Ray Curtis told them was up, they left the restaurant and went outside.
There were quite a few people outside, after all, the three athletes who came were all big celebrities. Even if they couldn't get in without an invitation, they were happy to wait outside. Maybe when the big celebrities left, they could get an autograph up close, or hear them say goodbye in person.
Heiji Hattori actually looked around to see if Usoya-kun had been turned away outside, but because of the huge crowd, he couldn't find him.
But soon, his phone rang.
Hattori Heiji was taken aback. Seeing the caller ID, he quickly answered the phone: "Hello?"
"I see you. You just came out, right?"
Hattori Heiji was both surprised and delighted: "You really came?"
As if guided by radar, Toyama Kazuha abruptly turned his head to look at him.
But Heiji Hattori didn't pay any attention to Kazuha Toyama's reaction. Instead, he was on the phone, looking around excitedly, waving and even running over.
Kazuha Toyama looked in that direction with a critical and suspicious gaze.
Wearing a light green haori and dressed in an overly fashionable way, the silver-haired youth was enthusiastically pulled out of the crowd by Hattori Heiji. He then told the security guard in charge of security and brought the person over with a bright smile.
"Ah..." Kazuha Toyama paused, recognizing the other person from the messy attire. "It's...it's that big brother..."
She met him once when she was in elementary school, and again three years ago when she was skiing. She didn't even know his name. After that, he was like a ghost to her. No matter how excited Heiji Hattori was, she couldn't think of him for a while.
Heiji Hattori even asked, "Why are you outside? Is it because the security guards won't let you in dressed like this?"
Conan Edogawa also quietly pricked up his ears to listen.
"...Do you have any opinions about my clothes and appearance?" the silver-haired youth asked with a kind smile.
Even Heiji Hattori, being the most clueless guy, could sense the danger and quickly explained, "Isn't this supposed to be formal attire? You look great, but it's not formal attire, so I guessed you might have been refused entry."
"No, actually I just arrived and I don't know if they'll let me in."
Hattori Heiji: "…………"
Conan Edogawa: "…………"
The two detectives had spent a long time reasoning about this possibility, but they hadn't come up with it. Now, upon hearing it, they were greatly shocked.
So it was because he was late?!
This is way too late... All the important procedures inside were finished... They'd even come out...
Hattori Heiji's lips twitched as he asked, "Um, Usopp-nii, you don't follow celebrities, do you?"
Usakabe Saiki calmly replied, "Yes, what's wrong?"
Hattori Heiji said with relief, "It's nothing. I just realized why we were late. Everyone came to see those three big celebrities. If you don't care at all, it's normal to be late."
As a result, Usoppei Saiki immediately became unhappy: "...Who said I was late?"
Hattori Heiji: "...???"
He glanced at Usakata Saiki, then looked down at his watch, unsure whether he should question the other person's sense of time.
Although Usakabe Saiki is only seven or eight years older than him, he's still an elder, right? Does he really need to teach him about time management?!
Bo Yezhai retorted emphatically, "I did say I was going to meet you at this hotel today, didn't I? I didn't say I was here for the opening banquet! I'm not interested in this kind of thing."
Hattori Heiji was a little touched, but also a little doubtful: "...Really? Is this really not you trying to save face by being late?"
"...If I really wanted to attend the banquet, of course I would have changed into formal attire. Why would I be arriving at this hour? I'm only late by a little bit."
Heiji Hattori thought there was some truth to it, but he still reserved his opinion, after all, Usopp's personality was really terrible.
If this topic continued to be discussed, it would never end, so Heiji Hattori began to introduce the others: "This is Kazuha Toyama, whom you have met before. This is Uncle Mori, and Ran and Conan-kun, uh, you should already know them, so I won't introduce them."
Ran Mouri couldn't help but complain, "Why do you always stutter when you call out Conan's name?"
Edogawa Conan started sweating.
Heiji Hattori, that big mouth! She's used to calling him Kudo in private, but she always accidentally lets it slip in front of others, and no matter how much she tries to correct it, she just can't! Ran has wondered about this more than once!
Although Hattori Heiji panicked for a moment, he quickly regained his composure and even said with a hint of accusation, "This is all Usaku-nii's fault!"
Ran Mouri asked in confusion, "Thin Leaf Bro?"
Although Ran Mouri and Saiki Usuba were not close, they both knew Shinichi Kudo. When they met on the Shinkansen, Saiki Usuba said, "Shinichi calls me Usuba-nii, so you can call me that too." Ran Mouri blushed and agreed.
Ran Mouri wasn't surprised to discover that Heiji Hattori also knew Saiki Usaku, but she felt a sense of感慨 (gan3kai3, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and reflection).
Bo Ye Ge is so popular! He knows people everywhere!
Heiji Hattori gritted his teeth: "I met Usaba when I was in elementary school. He wouldn't tell me his name back then, he just told me that his name was Conan and that he was a detective... If you don't believe me, ask Kazuha!"
Everyone looked at the distant mountains and leaves.
Kazuha Toyama couldn't quite remember, but the name Usuha Saiki was indeed unfamiliar, so he nodded hesitantly: "It seems so."
Others: "…………"
Heiji Hattori's expression was grave: "I only recently learned what Usuo-kun's real name is from Kudo. I used to always call him Conan! So it feels really awkward to have to call this kid Conan! You know what I mean?!"
Ran Mouri immediately expressed her understanding: "I see, it's normal to not be able to say it, you'll get used to it gradually..."
Conan Edogawa stared in disbelief as he read Heiji Hattori's accusations.
This reason is really good... but it feels like he's not just making excuses, he's also very genuine. Hattori has definitely been wanting to complain about Usuo-san for a long time!
Usoppei didn't take Hattori Heiji's accusation seriously: "Speaking of which, is the banquet over? Or is there another part to it? What are you guys doing all of a sudden?"
Ran Mouri explained, "Mr. Curtis wants me to help him..."
As they were talking, the radio suddenly started working, and Ran Mouri quickly helped by watching the hotel building to see which room's lights were on and which weren't.
The voices of three famous figures appeared in turn on the radio call, and figures appeared at the window and left.
Conan Edogawa and his friends understood it after watching for a while.
Ray Curtis and his team planned to use the unopened hotel above the restaurant to project the restaurant's name, K, into the shape of lights as a surprise.
But with so many of their fans outside, their appearance would cause a disturbance, so they entrusted the matter to Ran Mouri, who seemed easy to talk to.
Bo Yezaki suddenly spoke up: "This situation seems perfect for fabricating an alibi."
Even Heiji Hattori, who loves mystery, wouldn't be thinking about a murder at a time like this. He choked for a moment, "...Usui-nii, don't say such unlucky things at a time like this, today..."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a gunshot rang out, and a window in one of the rooms suddenly shattered, with the glass falling out.
Hattori Heiji: "…………"
Conan Edogawa: "…………"
—Something really happened!?
--------------------
Hattori: Usui-kun was probably stopped outside because of his outfit, right?
Thin Leaf: I don't know, because I just arrived.
Hattori:……
.
Hattori: It's all because Usui-kun lied to me and said his name was Conan! That's why I can never pronounce Conan-kun's name correctly!
Conan: 6. This is the best excuse you've ever made.
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