Each villa was spaced at least two hundred meters apart, and the entire villa district was lush with flowers, plants, and trees, giving it a close-to-nature vibe.
The villa's gate slowly opened, and the stretched limo glided inside.
It parked in a small plaza out front, where a grand fountain stood. The European-style villa looked like a castle.
"We're here!"
Sonoko Suzuki led everyone out of the car. The waiting butler and a line of servants bowed in unison.
"Sonoko, isn't this a bit much?"
Ran Mouri whispered, tugging at Sonoko.
"Relax, it's just part of the villa package. A place this big needs staff to keep it running."
Sonoko waved it off—she was used to this.
"Come on, I'll show you around, then you can pick your favorite rooms."
Sonoko grinned, grabbing Azuma Shoyo's hand and darting ahead.
"Sweet! Sonoko, you're the best!"
Conan Edogawa, trailing behind, lit up at the sight.
"Just like that—drag that jerk Azuma Shoyo away so he stops hitting on Ran!"
Conan cheered inwardly, giggling nonstop.
"You little brat, what's so funny? That creepy laugh."
Kogoro Mouri shot Conan a disgusted look, thinking he should've left this kid behind. So embarrassing for a great detective like him—it's just a big villa, what's the big deal?
Then Sonoko raced back, grabbing Ran, Chie Morinaga, and Shizuka Marukawa too, leaving Conan and Kogoro behind.
Kogoro was fine with it—he was too old for youthful energy, happy to stroll at his own pace.
But Conan wasn't having it!
Seeing the group ahead chatting and laughing—especially Azuma Shoyo cozying up to Ran—his jealousy boiled over.
"Ran-neechan!"
Conan shouted, starting to run.
Kogoro snagged him by the collar.
"Stay put, kid. Walk with me."
Kogoro said, smacking Conan's head with a fist.
"Ow!"
Conan clutched his head, watching Ran and Azuma Shoyo ahead, laughing together. His head hurt, but his heart hurt more!
No! No!!!
Azuma Shoyo glanced back, catching Conan's pitiful state, and grinned wider.
After the villa tour—
Sonoko led them to the second floor to assign rooms.
"This one's mine."
Sonoko opened a door, turning to Ran. "Ran, wanna take the one next door?"
"Sure." Ran nodded.
"Then this one's Ran's."
Sonoko opened Ran's room. They peeked inside—layout was pretty much the same as the others.
"And the one next to that?"
Sonoko asked.
Conan raised a hand, but Azuma Shoyo beat him to it.
"I'll take this one."
Azuma Shoyo said.
"Cool, this one's Azuma Shoyo's." Sonoko nodded, then pointed to the room nearest the stairs. "Uncle Kogoro, how about you and Conan take that one?"
"Fine by me."
Kogoro Mouri nodded.
Room didn't matter to him.
Honestly, he hadn't even wanted to come. Traveling? Nothing beat drinking at home.
Plus, with his daughter gone for two days, he'd planned to call buddies and drink 'til dawn.
"Then Ms. Morinaga and Ms. Marukawa, you two can take those across the hall."
Sonoko pointed to two rooms on the other side.
"Alright, Shizuka, which one do you want?"
Chie Morinaga nodded.
"Can't I sleep with you, Chie?"
Shizuka Marukawa gave her a pitiful puppy-dog look.
"No way—you're too restless in your sleep!"
Chie Morinaga shot her down, pointing to one room. "I'll take this one. Shizuka, you get the other."
"Oh…"
Shizuka Marukawa nodded, looking all sad and wronged.
"Ms. Marukawa's so cute!"
Sonoko whispered to Ran.
"Yeah, totally."
Ran nodded, agreeing.
Ms. Marukawa was adorable—not stern like most adults.
Rooms assigned, everyone headed to drop off their stuff.
Azuma Shoyo's luggage was just a backpack.
He tossed it onto a chair and called it done.
Stepping onto his room's balcony, he checked out the view.
Below was a man-made rainforest, mist swirling—dry ice, really.
Beyond that, a golf course.
Past that, more woods, then the sea.
Great scenery, and the villas here were super private. The designer clearly put in effort—you couldn't see other villas from here.
Felt like this was the only house in the whole district.
"Rich folks sure know how to live."
Azuma Shoyo chuckled.
Not that he was jealous—anything he wanted, he could grab anytime.
After chilling in his room, Sonoko dragged him out to join them in the villa's backyard maze.
"While the maids prep lunch, how about a race? First one out of the maze wins!"
Sonoko grinned. "We'll split into two teams. Me, Ran, Ms. Morinaga, and Ms. Marukawa—four of us. You three guys are the other team. Wanna bet on it?"
"No problem."
Azuma Shoyo shrugged.
"I wanna be on Ran-neechan's team!"
Conan raised his hand.
"Idiot!" Kogoro bonked him on the head. "You're with your master—got it?"
Conan's face fell, inwardly miserable.
Should've never apprenticed under Kogoro—he regretted it now!
"Alright, we'll go in this entrance, you take that one. First team out wins. Losers have to follow the winners' lead at the theme park this afternoon—play whatever they say, no refusals!"
Sonoko laid out the rules.
"OK!"
Azuma Shoyo nodded, glancing at Kogoro.
"Uncle Kogoro, you good?"
He asked.
"Of course I'm good—I've got this in the bag!"
Kogoro beamed with confidence.
Conan rolled his eyes nearby—more like losing's in the bag.
"Let's go!"
Sonoko shouted, grabbing Ran and dashing into the left entrance. Chie Morinaga and Shizuka Marukawa hurried after.
"Let's move."
Kogoro said, brimming with swagger.
"Conan, looks like your master's pretty sure of himself!"
--- Translator Note ---
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