"Haha, that's more like it."
Hearing Mrs. Morozumi say that, Soga Misao put on a charlatan's smile. "The entrance represents the gateway to good fortune. Placing a round-mouthed pottery ornament here is highly beneficial from a feng shui perspective."
As he spoke, he casually glanced at the three young people eavesdropping by the courtyard gate. Then he decisively entered Mrs. Morozumi's home and said to the housewife, who was alone, "Let's discuss this inside."
With that, he ruthlessly clicked the door shut, locking the three Detectives outside.
"...So he's a feng shui master."
Hattori Heiji had no interest in charlatans. He turned to his two teammates. "Mrs. Morozumi said she doesn't want to hire us anymore. Should we wait a while longer, or just head ba—"
"What are you doing blocking the door to my sister's house?"
A woman's voice suddenly drifted over from behind them.
Hattori Heiji jumped and whipped around. Outside the courtyard gate stood a woman who had appeared at some point, with long flowing hair, a face full of heavy makeup, and a rather ghostly air.
Looking closely, she bore some resemblance to Mrs. Morozumi.
Jiang Xia turned to look at her and helpfully explained, "We came here regarding a case—Mrs. Morozumi said that recently, she hasn't been sleeping well and feels as though suspicious people have been moving around nearby... Do you have any idea what might be going on?"
"...Haha, how could I have any idea? I'm not suspicious." Kondo Keiko gave an awkward smile. "All right, stop blocking the way. You're holding me up from important business."
As she spoke, she pushed through the people at the entrance and headed toward her sister's home.
"..." The Detectives were quite perceptive. Watching her retreating figure, they all felt that the woman seemed extremely guilty.