Abacus Beads Smacking You in the Face

Kyoto - Inside a Japanese-style dojo.

"It's hard to find old friends, and it's pitiful that I have no acquaintances. The pine tree in Takasago is still there, but I've never known it since I was a child."

"Buzzing..."

A male voice in a waka style came from the wooden phonograph next to them.

Ooka Momiji, who was concentrating intently, was sitting on the tatami floor, just about to grab the karuta card in front of her, when she suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

"Smack!"

Just a moment of inattention, the square-chinned middle-aged man sitting opposite, dressed in a brown kimono, snatched the card and flicked it away.

"Momiji, you were distracted just now."

The middle-aged man opposite me crossed his arms and said in a deep voice, "Being distracted during practice is never a good thing..."

"I'm sorry, Chairman Azuba."

Ooka Momiji bowed slightly, "Because it's a message from a very important person, so..."

"A very important person?"

"That's right."

Ooka Momiji blushed and nodded. "A very important person."

"In that case, let's check the news first."

The middle-aged man smiled like an aunt, "After all, it's news about a very important person."

"Thanks."

Her face flushed red to the roots of her ears. Ooka Momiji hurriedly took out her phone, opened the message interface, and saw the picture of Kyoto Tower on it.

"Huh?! We've already arrived in Kyoto?"

She exclaimed in surprise, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she replied: [Kyoto Tower, is it JR Kyoto Station?]

Fujino: [That's right, I got on the train this morning and just got off.]

Ooka Momiji: [Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Kyoto? I was hoping to pick you up myself (resentful)]

"Of course, it's to retaliate against that rich little woman who never gives any advance notice and just shows up without warning..."

Fujino glanced at the information on the screen, silently complained to himself, then organized his thoughts and replied, "I just wanted to give the client a surprise."

Ooka Momiji blinked, lowered her head, and gestured with her chin. "Is that so?"

That's right!

Fujino nodded, then added definitively, "This is definitely a surprise."

Ooka Momiji sighed, "Honestly, we thought of the same thing. She also prepared a surprise..."

Fujino: "..."

Based on past performance, that's probably not a surprise, but a shock, right?

After a moment of silence, Fujino continued, "Where are you now? Um... I don't think I've ever been to your house before, I can't find it."

I'm not home; I'm currently training with Azuba Kensuke at the Gatsumai.

[I'm training... Did I disturb you?]

No, I'm just taking a break. Are you still at the location where you were taking photos? I'll come find you right now.

After exchanging a few more words, Ooka Momiji looked up and hesitated before saying, "Um, Chairman Azuba..."

"Ahem, my longing is showing, I try to hide it but cannot."

The middle-aged man sized up Momiji, rubbed his chin, and seemed to understand something. He then stood up, supporting himself on his knees. "In that case, let's end today's training here."

"Thanks."

Ooka Momiji blushed again, hurriedly stood up and ran out of the dojo.

"Looks like we'll have to wait a while."

Having gotten a free ride from the young rich woman, Fujino put away his phone, looked up at the Kyoto Tower he had just photographed, and rubbed his chin. "People who are living a pretty good life generally like building tall towers, huh?"

For example, the radio tower in Tokyo that looks like the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Skytree, Tsutenkaku Tower in Osaka, and Kyoto Tower here.

Almost every place has a tall tower that seems to be a local landmark.

Perhaps it's to highlight local characteristics?

If you think about it, the mention of the Oriental Pearl Tower easily brings Shanghai to mind.

Turning his gaze away, Fujino glanced around listlessly.

After finding nothing new or interesting, he recalled what Azuba Kensuke had just mentioned about Ooka Momiji and the Gatsumai.

Gatsumai had heard about the Fujino- kai from Ooka Momiji; it was the karuta club she currently belonged to.

It is similar in nature to an organization or association, and not much different from a kendo dojo.

As for Azuba Kensuke, Fujino remembered that he was involved in a murder and bombing case. He was a ruthless guy from Beika who liked to play with bombs and kill people along the way...

However, this isn't rice cakes, it's Kyoto.

If I really had to name one, he'd say he's a ruthless person from Kyoto.

Fujino had a slight premonition of the future, but he didn't think too much about it; he just kept it in mind.

After all, as things stand, Azuba Kensuke hasn't committed the murder yet; it was his wife Azuba Gatsumai, who actually did it. Even if he wanted to intervene, he had no reason to...

"Buzz...!"

Suddenly, the roar of an engine rang out.

Fujino looked up and saw a white, luxurious Rolls-Royce.

You can tell at a glance that this is the ride of a rich woman.

"Fujino- kun~"

Ooka Momiji pushed open the car door, quickly got out, and walked up to Fujino, chuckling softly, "It's been a long time!"

"It hasn't been that long, has it?"

Fujino felt relieved when the other person didn't rush over and give him a bear hug. He then recalled the time, "About ten days or a few weeks?"

Then, the CPU almost overheated.

The timeline of the Conan World is just too difficult.

He only remembered the date of that day; who knows how much time has passed?

Well, if you could see ghosts, you might actually be able to ask them a question.

"A day apart feels like three autumns..."

Ooka Momiji chuckled softly, the hem of her kimono swaying gently.

"But why did you come out dressed like that?"

Fujino noticed the blind spot, glanced down at the young rich woman in front of him, and asked in confusion.

At this moment, she was wearing a loose-fitting kimono, with a light pink top and a light green long skirt. Overall, it did not look like a kimono for formal occasions.

Perhaps for ease of movement, there were straps tied around her arms, chest, and sides, like those worn by the owner of an oden shop.

The white sashes binding the loose kimono even made it appear larger...

"This one?"

She glanced down at him, her face flushing slightly as she said sheepishly, "I was in such a rush coming out of the dojo that I just wore my training clothes out with me."

Fujino: "..."

So it was the same last time, right?

I feel like I've discovered some strange hidden attribute...

"In that case, let's go back to the manor and change our clothes first."

At that moment, Iori Muga got out of the driver's seat, came to the two of them, and made a suggestion.

"Hmm... it's really not easy to move around in this outfit."

Ooka Momiji nodded like a chick pecking at rice, then looked at Fujino and smiled, "Fujino- kun, you probably don't know where I live. How about we go back together?"

Fujino: "..."

Good grief, we've discovered another strange attribute!

So you two planned this all along?

This scheme is so cunning, it's like the beads are hitting someone in the face!

I heard the commotion all the way to Caoxian County, Heze, Shandong!