Starting in the evening, a cocktail party held at a local hotel in Okinawa can be seen as a prelude to the formal activities of the following day.
Yoruichi Toyama arrived at the banquet hall with a few acquaintances. Since she didn't know anyone, she didn't feel much pressure.
Kudo Yusaku, a cultural figure who stands apart from all forces, demonstrates his social skills, able to chat politely and naturally with anyone.
In comparison, his in-law Kogoro is far too down-to-earth.
"Dad! You've already had three glasses of red wine! Don't get drunk and embarrass yourself!"
"What are you saying? Fine wine won't get you drunk!"
Despite being desperately pulled along by his daughter Ran, Uncle Kogoro, who still went his own way, could be considered a peculiar character at the banquet.
Yoruichi Toyama chuckled to herself as she watched. Then, she turned her head and saw a tall young man standing next to Kindaichi and Miyuki not far away, seemingly engaged in a lively conversation.
"Ah, Mr. Toyama!" The thoughtful Miyuki greeted him as soon as their eyes met. "I was just about to introduce you!"
"This is Mr. Gang, the Minister of the Executive Department of Lanze Group and the second son of Chairman Lanze."
Despite Kindaichi's glare that seemed to say, "You're showing off again," Miyuki insisted on finishing explaining her identity as a young person.
Lan Zegang?
Yoruichi Toyama certainly remembered her.
This was one of the people who were kidnapped during the "Deep Blue" incident, and also one of the victims.
Since he's still alive and well...
Yoruichi Toyama put on a polite smile and walked over.
"I've heard about it before!" Lan Ze said enthusiastically, extending his hand early on. "Is it the detective Toyama who single-handedly captured Phantom Thief Kid and that white-haired Amakusa?"
As the two shook hands, Kindaichi stood by, fuming, but unable to say anything.
To build rapport, Yoruichi Toyama praised the hotel's decor and service, which made Takeshi Aizawa grin with delight.
“This is my philosophy of nature! Like these tropical plants,” he said, pointing to the tall green plants decorating the banquet hall, looking quite proud, “they were all specially transported from South America.”
I can't understand the way you rich people think.
Yoruichi Toyama thought silently.
This time, he felt he could definitely connect with Kindaichi.
"By the way, Mr. Gang, where's Xiaoqian?" After exchanging pleasantries, Meixue asked her best friend, "Didn't she come to the party?"
Lan Zegang's answer immediately made Yuanshan Ye perk up her ears.
"Xiaoqian, she and Brother You, who is our eldest brother and the general manager of Deep Blue Hotel, are both staying on Azure Island to make final preparations for tomorrow's event."
"The launch event for Schindler Group's latest development project, 'Cocoon,' will be held at 4 p.m. tomorrow. It will also be the first event held at Deep Blue Hotel after its completion."
"This is Xiaoxi's first time participating in the preparation of such a large-scale event since returning home, so she is very excited."
"Huh?" Kindaichi immediately interjected, "Miyuki, didn't your Akane invite us to this event?"
"Wasn't it supposed to be the opening of an ocean park?"
Lan Zegang chuckled with the prim and proper air of a rich man looking at a poor man.
"The opening ceremony of Ocean Park is the day after tomorrow."
"We made these arrangements because we had to consider that our event and the Schindler Group's event had a lot of overlap in the guests we invited."
"As for you two, since you were invited by Xiaoqian, you can certainly come and check out tomorrow's event!"
It's just a matter of "taking a look," and of course, it's impossible to actually experience the "cocoon" game pod.
Kindaichi, who had just been given a lecture on how futuristic and cool the game pod was while still on the ship, couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Yoruichi Toyama, who had been pondering his own thoughts, asked at the opportune moment, "So, the security measures at the hotel's meeting venue must be extremely comprehensive?"
"After all, we're going to put a full 50 high-tech gaming pods on site."
“Of course!” Lan Zegang puffed out his chest confidently. “The Deep Blue Hotel is designed according to the latest networked management concept, and its security measures are several levels more stringent than those of ordinary hotels.”
"The hotel's main entrance and all the partition doors to different areas are equipped with electronic locks, and surveillance cameras have been installed on each floor without infringing on guests' privacy..."
"Guests have their own ID card..."
"The guest room doors are equipped with smart sensor locks, and guests can also unlock them by entering their fingerprints..."
When talking about these things, he spoke eloquently, as if recounting a familiar story.
Yoruichi Toyama listened with a polite smile, but in her heart she was still thinking, if the hotel's security was really that reliable, then how was the poison gas bomb placed in the original story?
“…However,” Lan Zegang, who had finally finished his introduction, suddenly changed the subject, “Mr. Yuanshan, what is the meaning of asking these questions?”
"Do you think there's anything else that's been overlooked?"
Yoruichi Toyama pondered for a moment and then waved his hand.
"No, I was just asking..."
"Just consider it... a detective's occupational hazard."
...
The elegant and luxurious hotel, the exquisite and delicious food, and the subtle yet perfectly placed soft music that enhanced the atmosphere brought the audience, whether police officers, business people, or social elites, to a climax.
As for Kindaichi, who's only focused on eating...
He was already used to seeing Yoruichi Toyama say "going to the restroom" and leave the banquet hall, only to come back in through the opposite door.
That guy must have learned some kind of teleportation skill.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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