Fujino, Fair to Young and Old Alike

"Trouble?"

Mori Kogoro was puzzled when he heard this. "Fujino, if this story gets out, you'll become a famous person."

Brother Fujino, is this Versailles?

If it were him, he would have rushed over to be the subject of the news by now.

After all, if you become a celebrity, you'll definitely get commissions, and the commission fees will be substantial.

The little ones standing nearby, though unfamiliar with any famous figures, thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed. "That's right, it's like being a hero like Kamen Rider!"

"Whether they are heroes or not doesn't matter, it's just that it's a bit troublesome to be entangled with them."

Fujino glanced back at the group of reporters who looked like a raging flood and joked, "I reckon if those reporters, who seem ready to tear me apart, catch me, I won't be able to get away for at least a few hours..."

'Can't you get away for hours?'

Ooka Momiji, standing to the side, narrowed her eyes slightly.

Although she has never been surrounded by reporters.

But thinking about it, she could still picture the scene of Fujino being bombarded with questions by a huge group of reporters...

Yes, it is indeed a bit troublesome.

It wouldn't be good if my plans were disrupted by these people.

Thinking of this, she took out her phone from her bag. "Iori, get rid of all those reporters blocking the way outside the airport."

"Are they those people?"

Not far away, a man in a black casual suit glanced at the reporter who had been stopped by the police and said, "I'll go take care of it right away."

"Okay, it's up to you."

Ooka Momiji nodded and hung up the phone with satisfaction.

"..."

The people present were all stunned for a moment.

Wow, they took care of that person with just one phone call?

Oh... he was just joking, did this woman really take it seriously?

Fujino was also somewhat helpless. "Well, Miss Momiji... it is indeed troublesome for a large group of people to come, but after all, it's an interview, they will come sooner or later, so we can't just drive them all away. I originally wanted them to come in batches... to do an exclusive interview or something."

Fujino, however, was already hatching a plan, intending to squeeze some money out of those people to recoup his losses.

But making a joke could ruin your plans, and that's not something you can do.

"... Is that so?"

Considering Fujino's current identity as a detective, media interviews are indeed necessary.

Previously, her sources of information about Fujino's activities were mostly interviews and news media.

Ooka Momiji thought for a moment, then dialed the phone again and instructed Iori on the other end, "Iori, we don't need to deal with those reporters for now. Tell them not to gather together... Yes, that's right, the interviews are still okay. We'll do them in batches later when we have time. That's all."

Ooka Momiji's phone call was very effective.

A short while later, the reporters received a phone call. After hanging up, they left dejectedly without uttering a single complaint.

The head of air traffic control at Naha Airport arrived hastily with several men in suits.

He stepped forward and first inquired whether Ooka Momiji was alright.

Judging from his appearance, that minister seems to know Ooka Momiji...

Then, the minister shook Fujino's hand, just like a principal greeting a student, and exchanged some polite words.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Fujino was taken to a nearby five-star Japanese-style hot spring hotel.

The airport is quite considerate; this time, the airport covered all the hotel accommodation costs.

Coincidentally, Ooka Momiji also booked this hotel...

As for rewards, since the incident happened so suddenly, it may still need to be discussed, so the airport did not mention it.

Fujino was very patient and didn't ask any questions.

Surely they can't just give us nothing at all?

Then we'll have to give the airport a good scolding in front of the media for their inhumane behavior.

Having the opportunity to get something for free, Fujino naturally made the most of it, bringing the others along to the hotel.

As for the purpose.

It's not for any other reason.

All of this is to create a safe haven for oneself, avoiding embarrassment and protecting one's own safety.

After all, the fact that a pitiful, weak, and helpless High School Detective was staying at a hotel with a young lady from a prestigious family always made Fujino somewhat uneasy about his own safety.

Although it was highly unlikely, the scene of being attacked by some terrifying young lady in the dead of night kept replaying in his mind.

That's terrifying, I need to be more alert tonight.

The hot spring hotel is called Ryukyu Senaga Hotel.

The star rating is five stars.

It's considered one of the more luxurious hotels in the area.

The hotel is not far from the airport, just a few minutes' drive away. There was no traffic congestion on the road, and it was just a turn away from the airport.

Looking towards the airport from the hotel, you can see planes taking off and the entire airport.

Upon arrival at the hotel, the hotel manager and a group of staff members came out to warmly greet us.

After quickly completing the check-in procedures, the group headed to the newly prepared luxury room.

After Fujino finished packing his luggage and took a shower, it was already six o'clock in the evening.

At 7 p. m., after a short preparation, everyone went to the restaurant next to the hotel to meet.

"I want eel rice!"

Upon arriving at a long table in the restaurant, Genta excitedly spoke first to the female waitress in a black hotel uniform standing nearby.

"Genta! That's very rude of you!"

Mitsuhiko, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore. "We were able to stay here this time because of Brother Fujino, and it was Ooka-nee-san who treated us!"

"That's right."

Ayumi chimed in, "Ooka-neechan should be the one to order."

Fujino sat to the side, looking at the Junior Detective League members with a speechless expression. He thought to himself that Ayumi and Mitsuhiko still had some conscience, Genta was just a child.

He then handed the menu to Ooka Momiji, who was sitting next to him. "Mitsuhiko and Ayumi are right, Miss Momiji, please go first."

"It's okay... it doesn't matter who orders it."

Ooka Momiji smiled, her eyes narrowing, and took the menu...

"Seafood sushi and a serving of Ishigaki yakiniku, is that right, miss?"

A female hotel waitress in a black uniform, holding a notebook, asked Ooka Momiji, who had taken the initiative to sit down next to Fujino.

"That's right."

Ooka Momiji nodded slightly, then turned to Fujino and asked, "Fujino- kun, the Ishigaki beef here is quite good. I had it last time I came here with my grandfather. Would you like some?"

"No need, I still prefer Chinese food."

Fujino politely declined and silently picked up the menu.

Ishigaki beef is a specialty of Okinawa, and a serving costs around 10,000 yen, with larger servings being even more expensive.

The luxurious seafood sushi is even more outrageous, costing tens of thousands of dollars per serving.

All I can say is, she truly lives up to her status as a young lady...

Fortunately, it was Ooka Momiji who treated everyone this time; if he had been the one to treat, he probably would have lost a fortune.

Fujino quickly glanced at the menu. "I'd like a serving of Dongpo pork, and a serving of rice as well."

Dongpo pork is a Chinese dish, but Ryukyu, which has historical ties with China, also has a dish called Dongpo pork, although the taste... Fujino doesn't know what the difference is.

The price isn't expensive; it's within an acceptable range.

After all, even if someone is treating him, he can't go to something too expensive.

This is basic morality and virtue.

"Ayumi wants seafood rice!" Ayumi said.

"I want eel rice," Genta said excitedly as he stood up.

"Please give me a bowl of sea grape rice," Mitsuhiko said politely and reservedly.

Ai Haibara and Akemi Miyano ordered a plate of braised pork.

After being subjected to Fujino's long-term dietary adjustments, the two of them could hardly stand Japanese food anymore.

"I want tempura and soba noodles."

Conan handed the menu to Ran: "Ran- neechan, what would you like to eat?"

Ran smiled at the waiter and said, "Orange rice, and carrot and egg stir-fry, please."

Mori Kogoro said, "Soba noodles, plus a beer."

"Beer?"

Ran's face darkened, and she said kindly, "I remember the doctor said last time that Dad, you can't drink anymore, right?"

"Ah, this..."

Uncle Mori was clearly taken aback. "It's rare for us to get out and have fun, what's the big deal..."

Before Mori Kogoro could finish speaking, Ran smiled and said to the waiter, "Just give him a bowl of soba noodles."

After ordering, the group added some snacks.

"Is there anything else you need?"

The waiter, dressed in a black uniform, patiently inquired of the group of people sitting around the table.

Fujino spoke up, "Wait, we still have one customer who hasn't ordered yet."

"There's one more person?"

Uncle Mori said in surprise, "I remember we've all finished ordering... plus those kids, that makes ten people in total."

"Isn't there another one over there?"

Fujino stood up and walked over to the man in black casual clothes sitting in a single seat with a cup of coffee on the table. She chuckled and asked, "Would you like something to order?"

"Um?"

Iori Muga looked up in surprise at Fujino, appearing somewhat puzzled. "Do I know you?"

"Mr. Iori, there's no mistake, is there?"

Fujino stared calmly at Iori Muga: "Your purpose is probably also to protect Miss Momiji, isn't it?"

Ooka Momiji walked over and said with a smile, "Alright, Iori, you don't need to hide anymore. Fujino- kun has already found out about you."

"Have we been discovered?"

Iori Muga let out a soft sigh.

His disguise skills were quite good, but he was still discovered...

Even he didn't know when he was discovered, which made him secretly marvel at how terrifying the other party was.

Iori Muga stood up from her seat and asked Fujino curiously, "When did you first notice me...? Why do you even know my name...?"

"It's actually very simple. From the moment I boarded the plane, I noticed that you were following me. At that time, I focused my attention on you. When the riot broke out, you looked directly at Miss Momiji, who was sitting next to me."

Fujino deduced, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Miss Momiji's bodyguard or butler. I remember seeing you last time in Osaka. Judging from your behavior, you must be the person she often directs on the phone, the one named Iori."

"He truly is a worthy match for Miss Momiji."

Iori Muga silently removed his hat and bowed slightly. "Your reasoning is correct. I am Miss Momiji's butler, Iori Muga. I came here this time to protect Miss Momiji's safety."

"I didn't expect that you had already discovered my terrible acting skills, but you didn't call me out on it to my face... I'm really ashamed."

At the same time, most of his doubts disappeared.

No wonder Fujino disregarded Miss Momiji's crisis and went out to stop that woman, and later even participated in solving the case.

So they had already discovered his existence?

After dinner, the group went to the hotel's hot springs.

The hot spring at this hotel is decent, the interior decor is acceptable, and the water is quite clear, not some stale, aged soup.

Incidentally, there are separate baths for men and women; there is no mixed bathing.

Conan was immediately pushed into the hot spring by Fujino to enjoy Okinawa's unique hot spring.

After soaking in the hot spring, everyone came out.

Fujino had a vague feeling that the atmosphere was a bit strange.

Although it was subtle, and most people, even those with keen senses, wouldn't notice it, several girls' eyes were vaguely glancing at Ooka Momiji's chest.

Yeah, he must have been scared.

After soaking in the hot spring, everyone returned to their own rooms.

Fujino accepted his first interview with a reporter and received 200,000 yen in fees.

As for why there is a charge?

He, Teng, is extremely busy, and there are just too many people who want to interview him; he simply can't keep up.

If I take the time to host one or two reporters for a small number of exclusive interviews now, I should be able to earn 200,000 yuan per person, right?

He, Teng, has always been honest and fair, dealing with everyone on a first-come, first-served basis.

We guarantee an absolutely "exclusive" interview.

"Very good, thank you, Fujino. That concludes today's interview."

After the interview, the news media staff politely put away what they had collected and then turned to leave, preparing to work overtime to finish their article.

"Yes, have a safe trip!"

Fujino smiled warmly as he watched the car drive away.

The reporters in the car, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but feel moved.

As a journalist, being turned away by interviewees is a common occurrence.

What's more, this Great Detective, who is also a rising hero, seemed particularly proactive in his interview with him...

He was deeply moved at that moment.

Even the pain of staying up late and working overtime with colleagues has been greatly reduced.

What he didn't notice was that after he left, Fujino took out his phone again and dialed another reporter's number, then immediately hosted two more reporters for interviews.

The two exclusive interviews he mentioned were indeed exclusive interviews.

But whether those two people leaked the information, he wasn't sure.

Anyway, once the content is guided by him, it's all the same exclusive content.

As for whether those people's understanding was wrong, Fujino didn't know.

Anyway, the answers he gave were all the same.

They can simply shift the blame and say there's a mole in the other newspaper, and that's it.

He can just run away then and do his own internal investigation; maybe he can even find a few moles.

After all, it's not the first time we've seen internal leaks in the news industry.

However, this tactic only works in Okinawa, fooling local news media.

This trick won't work if we go back to Tokyo.

After all, those media outlets deal with exclusive murder cases year-round, and he'd tried to fool those shrewd news outlets—they were all incredibly clever.