Chapter 105: The Chain and the Scroll Enter

“H-Huie…”

The woman let out a startled cry, her hands covering her lips. With the support of a brown-haired young man who seemed to have come with her, she barely managed to steady herself while trembling with sorrowful sobs.

That cry was like a switch being flipped. Kogoro and Conan, who had been standing dumbfounded at the doorway, immediately snapped back to attention.

“Ran, go inform the proprietress to call the police. Everyone else, stay put. Do not enter the room or disturb the scene.”

Only now did Kogoro display the demeanor of a seasoned former detective. Without hesitation, he swiftly issued several orders, prompting the previously frozen and terrified crowd to move according to his commands, shattering the oppressive silence.

Kurama cast a meaningful glance at the great detective.

He now considered that the once widely circulated notion of “Kogoro’s cunning beneath a guise of dullness” might not be entirely unfounded—after all, the detective’s prompt reaction and sensible handling of the case were truly commendable.

Of course, it was also possible he was simply well-practiced in handling such situations, and experience had honed his skills.

Pulling his gaze away, Kurama silently turned it toward the Rikkai Dai youth standing in the corridor, still seemingly stunned and unable to process what had happened.

These privileged youths had probably never witnessed such a brutal scene firsthand, never come so close to death itself.

Perhaps among them, Sanada might have some understanding due to family circumstances, but at only fourteen or fifteen, how much could he really have experienced?

To be honest, it was already surprising that these young men, though slow to react and visibly panicked, still maintained their composure and ability to act rationally without being paralyzed by fear.

Their exceptional talents in their respective fields seemed to elevate their overall abilities beyond those of ordinary peers.

Watching as, under Kogoro’s leadership, the group gradually regained their composure and split into two teams—one accompanying Ran to find the proprietress, the other staying to explain the situation to arriving guests and help Kogoro maintain order—Kurama’s lips curved into a faint smile. They truly were kind-hearted and helpful young people…

At least far better than a detached adult like himself.

Regarding the corpse before them and the murder, the kitsune demon felt no stirring of emotion, his cold calm verging on cruelty as he raised a hand to tug at the sleeve of Natori, who was still visibly shaken.

“Go back to your room for now.”

“...Huh?”

Natori, finally roused from his shock, turned with a face still haunted by terror, clearly not understanding what Kurama meant or why he was saying it.

Beside him, Natsume too looked toward the fox demon with confusion.

Kurama sighed wryly.

“I ask you, have you forgotten who you are?”

Being caught up in a murder case—even if later proven completely uninvolved—was never good for a performer’s reputation.

Especially since Natori was not the only artist in this inn; there were also two male top-tier idols, Shuuichi Natori and Ren Tsuruga, along with a rising starlet, Kyoko. Three highly regarded entertainers under one roof—such news would attract far more attention than a famous idol involved in a murder scandal.

“—!!!”

Natori’s face paled as he finally grasped the gravity.

“We need to inform Ren and contact my manager immediately.”

He straightened his expression resolutely.

“Kouichi is currently hospitalized; better not tell him this yet. Let my manager handle everything—he’s very capable anyway.”

Though it was hard to tell if this was genuine praise or just sarcasm, Natori made up his mind in an instant.

“But what kind of incident is this, exactly?”

Dragging Kurama and Natsume briskly toward his room, he murmured as if speaking to himself, or perhaps seeking answers.

“Was this a planned murder… or…”

A yokai’s doing?

As an exorcist, Natori had encountered cases of yokai causing deaths, even devouring people, during his years of work. But since meeting Natsume, many of his views had shifted somewhat. Still, at this moment, his heart felt heavier than ever.

He did not want Natsume to witness such scenes.

Logically, it might be better for Natsume to see firsthand the true nature of the yokai they protected—how cruel and bloody their actions could be—so that the boy would be resolute in his choice to side with humans. Yet…

Glancing at Natsume, whose face had grown solemn and troubled since Natori’s question, Natori sighed quietly, suddenly unsure how to proceed.

***

Back in their rooms, the three immediately informed Ren and Kyoko of the situation.

Natori and Ren both contacted their manager and agency to report and prepare for the aftermath.

Though Kyoko was not too concerned about herself, she was troubled at the possibility that Ren might be implicated. After all, both Ren and Natori had taken extended leave to help exorcise the spirit possessing her, arranging this hot spring trip under the guise of secrecy.

Still, Kyoko was strong-willed; after a brief moment of guilt, she perked up and began ticking off tasks she could help with.

Though the main responsibility lay with the two seniors and the agency, small details might escape their notice, so it was better for her, as a girl, to consider these in advance rather than panic later.

With the three busy at their tasks, Kurama and Natsume found themselves the most idle.

Fortunately, Natori had originally booked a large suite for six, so with three busy, Kurama and Natsume did not get in the way. Moreover, Kurama was deploying his demon dandelions within the inn to gather updates, while Natsume, accompanied by Nyanko-sensei, sat by the window in a daze. The five of them each had their own way of passing the time.

From the information relayed by the dandelions, Kurama learned the victim was Eie Okamoto, 23 years old, manager of the Rikkai University men’s tennis team.

She had come on vacation with her teammates from the same club, a group of nine who had only arrived this evening. Since the club had reserved a whole row of single rooms on the inn’s east corridor, everyone had been resting in their rooms during free time before dinner.

The first eyewitness, Eri Akiyama, also a men’s tennis team manager, had grown bored alone in her room and decided to visit her friend Okamoto. What she found was…

“Rikkai University, huh…”

Kurama stroked his chin, murmuring to himself.

He had wondered why the Rikkai tennis youths had all gathered at a hot spring inn at this time. It now seemed likely they had arranged a joint training camp with one or more senior members of the university team.

Though the inn naturally had no tennis courts, a large tennis center nearby was easily accessible by road, perfect for daily practice and sparring between juniors and seniors.

But this made the situation even harsher for the youths. Though the victim was not necessarily someone they knew well, she was still a senior figure.

Even the most composed among them, Yukimura, could hardly remain calm now.

Kurama sighed softly and settled in to receive more data.

The local police were efficient; only minutes after Ran’s call, officers had already arrived at the scene.

Half of the information gathered so far came thanks to their investigation and intelligence. But their arrival brought both good and bad news.

The good: according to Conan’s usual pattern, once the police arrived, the culprit would soon be identified, and the case would be resolved.

The bad: the dandelions reported that the police were now gathering all guests, especially those who had witnessed the scene, for further questioning.

Kurama himself had little to fear.

But…

Looking at the three shining stars in the room, the kitsune thought President Takarada truly deserved to raise Mr. Takeru Utsuki’s salary…

***

Soon, officers came to notify Kurama and the others to assemble in the lobby and cooperate with the investigation.

Apparently, the company had already contacted the police, for the officers arrived with a gentle demeanor and allowed them ample time to change disguises—after all, if their identities were exposed to other guests and leaked online, it would be as damaging as a media scandal.

Natori, Ren, and the others took this seriously. With the great assistance of Natori’s three shikigami, they altered their appearances beyond recognition.

Led by the officers, the five then went to the inn’s lobby.

By then, over twenty people had gathered, including Kurama’s group. These were all the guests currently staying at the inn.

They could be roughly divided into four groups: Kurama’s group of five; the Rikkai Dai High School tennis youths; the remainder of the Rikkai University men’s tennis team; and a group of employees from a certain company’s department, whom Kurama had encountered earlier in the dining hall.

The Rikkai Dai High School tennis players and the university team members were traveling together, so could be considered one group.

However, police investigation revealed that apart from the victim’s team, the other three groups had arrived earlier that day and had stayed together as a group throughout, with no contact with the victim’s team. Each member had a solid alibi.

Therefore, suspicion fell solely on the victim’s team—the remaining eight members of the Rikkai University men’s tennis team.

This finding was announced on the spot. The suspected group was detained for further questioning and examination, while the cleared three groups were ordered to return to their rooms and not leave until the case was fully resolved.

Though some objected, the Rikkai Dai youths obediently left under their seniors’ persuasion, their expressions grave, unable to believe the culprit was among their familiar seniors.

Natori and Natsume’s reactions were even heavier, as neither had yet determined whether the cause was human or yokai.

With heavy hearts, everyone returned to their rooms. The incident had drained them of any desire for the hot springs; they ate a rather tasteless meal and then retired to their bedrooms.

The suite’s bedrooms were all singles, each equipped with a private indoor hot spring bath.

Following the wishes of his white dango and two snow rabbits, Kurama soaked in the bath with them, observing how the snow rabbits, far from melting, were steamed rosy and plump. He and Moka laughed heartily as they gently rubbed the two fluffy creatures.

But perhaps disapproving of Kurama’s good mood, just as the four rolled around playfully on the large, soft bed, an ear-piercing scream suddenly rang out again!

The kitsune raced out with his three companions, meeting Natori and Natsume also rushing from their rooms. The three exchanged glances and signaled Ren to stay with Kyoko, then dashed out together.

Following the scream’s direction, after descending stairs and rounding several corners, they found the eyewitness collapsed on the floor, and inside the opposite room, a horrifying scene—

Just like Eie Okamoto before, the victim was once again hanging, suspended in the room.

But this time, unlike before, the swaying figure was not alone.

Author’s note: The fact that Ran knows Natori and Ren’s identities was not mentioned in the main text because both believed Ran was discreet, and Kogoro would not recklessly reveal their identities on the spot. This tacit understanding was left unspoken here.

Also, the reason the youths were at the inn has been explained—not without cause. But this means a heavier burden for them now, as someone they knew was killed, and their beloved seniors have become suspects… cough, cough! I really don’t intend to do anything to the youths…

The following illustrations for this chapter depict Gen and Midori as snow rabbits—adorably cute little snow bunnies! I want one too!

Finally, the usual preview for the next chapter: “Discovered?” The mystery deepens with more than one victim! Is the culprit human or spirit? Who are the victims? Can the culprit be found before the case spirals out of control? Will Conan’s brilliance shine again? And will some secrets be revealed? Please look forward to the next chapter, “Kitsune Kurama—Discovered?”

P.S. Thanks to Yinyue Bingyue and Zhai Xixi for the landmines, and Bai Zui for the grenade! Big hugs and kisses to all of you! =3= I’ll keep rolling and hope for an ending soon =w= I’m well-behaved and easy to please~