Because of Tsuneo's words, Maori Kogoro was still defending Yoko when—
A young man wearing a beret walked up behind the sofa, head lowered.
"I'm really sorry, I still can't compare to Okino Yoko yet." The man took off his hat, revealing his face with a smile.
"Uh…"
Uncle Maori froze and turned around.
I-isn't this the guy from the TV just now?!
"I am the City Hunter, Mackerel Companion!" The man struck a pose and delivered his signature line.
Tsuneo and Conan exchanged a speechless glance.
This guy's lines are painfully cringe…
"Great detective Mackerel Companion—real name Sunaoka Kazuyoshi. And I'm his manager, Tanigawa Noe. Nice to see you all again!" The female archer who had nearly hit Uncle Maori that afternoon walked in behind him.
"So the two great detectives aren't satisfied with the drama I star in?" Sunaoka Kazuyoshi looked at Tsuneo and Uncle Maori.
He had basically heard their entire conversation.
"Not at all! Honestly, I'm a huge fan. Can I get an autograph later?" The moment Uncle Maori saw the real person, he instantly switched faces, scratching his head like a starstruck fan.
"Yeah, I love it too. I never miss an episode!" Tsuneo nodded along without blinking.
"Heh heh heh…" Conan gave the two of them a deadpan look.
You two might actually be better suited to acting.
Ran: …
I'm literally the only one who actually watches it seriously.
"By the way, the rain has stopped. Shall we all have dinner together at the outdoor garden restaurant?" Tanigawa Noe saw the mood lighten and quickly invited the group.
In her eyes, Tsuneo—this real great detective who often appeared in newspapers and on TV—was extremely valuable.
Especially his looks; even compared to the currently red-hot Sunaoka Kazuyoshi, he didn't lose an inch.
"Is that okay?" Uncle Maori glanced at the "repairman."
This guy just kept flipping through the menu ordering everything—if someone else is paying…
"Of course! I'll go ask the owner to prepare right away." Tanigawa Noe smiled and nodded.
…
Half an hour later.
Everyone was seated in the garden restaurant the villa owner was so proud of.
The night view wasn't bad.
Though the forest scenery was invisible, sitting under the lights, looking up at the stars, drinking beer in the evening breeze—it was quite pleasant.
"Here, my business card. Pleasure to meet you." Uncle Maori pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to the actor beside him.
Tsuneo kept his head down eating, no intention of giving one.
"It's an honor to dine with Detective Maori." Sunaoka Kazuyoshi glanced at the card and smiled.
He looked at the guy silently demolishing his food and just smiled without comment.
Another detective who solves cases often, but seems the quiet type.
"You flatter me—I'm the one thrilled to meet a famous actor in person!" Uncle Maori bullshitted without even blushing.
He was the one who turned off the TV the moment City Hunter came on earlier.
"So, are you here to film the drama?" Ran asked curiously.
Hmm…
Probably the only real fan at this table…
Sunaoka Kazuyoshi downed another beer, already looking three sheets to the wind, and joked, "Actually, someone hired me to come here specifically to protect you."
Even the Grim Reaper elementary student turned to look at him.
This guy really stays in character no matter what…
"Haha, the truth is we're here to discuss future episodes and bond as a team!" The chubby middle-aged man across the table laughed heartily.
Nagatsuka Katsumi, 40, the drama's producer.
"Your team spirit is amazing!" Uncle Maori praised.
The vibe was pretty nice.
"Sunaoka and I spent the whole day hunting together in the grounds," Nagatsuka Katsumi said, clearly having enjoyed himself.
Sunaoka, glass in hand, sighed dramatically at the sky. "I spent all day aiming at little birds and didn't hit a single one."
He was already thoroughly drunk.
"Don't remind me. We shouldn't harm animals anyway—that's why I went archery instead," Tanigawa Noe said, then smiled at the four across from her.
"Though I nearly used a real person as a live target today."
"Yeah, if not for this kid, I might not even be sitting here right now." Uncle Maori reached over and clapped Tsuneo on the shoulder.
"I'm sure you wouldn't have died," Tsuneo said, taking a sip of water to take a break from eating.
His ordered dishes still weren't all here; the villa owner was slow.
"Oh…?" Uncle Maori touched his head.
Is my life really that tough?
"You'll definitely live until you die," Tsuneo nodded seriously.
"That… somehow makes sense…" Uncle Maori was momentarily stunned.
"Huh?"
"What happened?" Tanigawa Noe had seen Tsuneo in the passenger seat catch her arrow, but she didn't know the details.
"Actually, that arrow was aimed straight at Dad's head. Brother Tsuneo reached out and grabbed it," Ran explained.
"Reached out… and grabbed it???"
Hearing this, Sunaoka Kazuyoshi looked baffled, held out his palm, and pretended to catch something in the air.
It must've been one of those wobbly, super-slow arrows, right?
No way a normal person could catch it otherwise.
"Anyway, I'm really sorry about earlier today." Tanigawa Noe glanced at Tsuneo's empty plates and smiled.
I didn't notice… he cleared all that food already?
"No worries—you're treating me to dinner." Tsuneo was always polite to people who fed him.
"Speaking of which, what did you do today? You don't look any less stressed," Sunaoka asked the perpetually gloomy man across from him.
They had seen this guy earlier when Tsuneo's group checked in—the silent one who looked like the whole world owed him money.
Tahara Toshiaki, 35, the scriptwriter.
Tsuneo's group had four people; this drama team also had exactly four.
"I holed up in my room all day thinking about the next episode's script," Tahara Toshiaki replied with a small laugh.
"Got any good ideas yet, master?" Sunaoka teased.
Tsuneo couldn't help nodding.
Now that's the right vibe!
Conan shot the repairman a side-eye—this guy looks way too entertained…
(End of Chapter)
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