Tsuchio Hiroo, standing nearby, was dumbfounded by the scene as well.
Several Young Men with guilty looks on their faces surrounded a... detective? He seemed to be radiating Buddhist light, with a kind and benevolent expression, as though they were repenting to him.
Tsuchio Hiroo shook his head, finding the scene a little bizarre. He thought he had wandered into some unknown religious gathering and seen a group of believers confessing to a Taoist priest or abbot about the mistakes they had made in their ignorant youth by tasting forbidden fruit.
Coming back to his senses, he suggested, "Well, since everyone has introduced themselves, why don't you head back to your rooms and rest for a while? You've all been on a boat all day, so you must be tired. Once the butler has dinner ready, I'll have him come call you."
"Oh, right. While you're at it, check the clothes you'll be wearing tomorrow. It'd be best if they suit the identity of a detective at Koshien. Tanomu!"
Fujino arrived at his assigned room.
Upon entering, the first thing he did was not change clothes, but release Xiao Hei.
This was part of the plan.
According to Hiroki's arrangements, the director should have been tying himself up in his room right now.
But that clearly would not do.
In the script he remembered, the director should have been drugged unconscious.
Since there was already a script, they had to follow it, right?
Fujino thought for a moment, took out a handkerchief, and poured some of the last drops of Sleepytime Tea onto it.
Even the dregs had to be put to use.
He really was thrifty and economical.
Taking the tea-soaked handkerchief, Xiao Hei left the room and headed straight for director Tsuchio Hiroo's door.
A series of