Friday, September 21st, 2:55 PM
After successfully parking the car in a nearby open-air parking lot, Ritsu and Shinichi headed toward Teiji's residence.
Building such a massive mansion in a relatively secluded area could be considered an architect's personal preference.
After all, the larger the space, the more freedom a designer had to showcase their talents.
A light-blue dress.
A hairstyle that had clearly been freshly curled and styled.
Even the navy-blue Fusae shoulder bag hanging from her waist was obviously one she normally treasured too much to use.
The moment Ran spotted them, a bright smile spread across her face.
Politely bowing toward Ritsu, she said, "Onizawa-san, we meet again."
"Indeed. Mouri-san, you look very beautiful today."
Ritsu deliberately tossed the conversation toward Shinichi. "And don't you agree, Kudo?"
For once, he was in a good mood and wanted to help the young couple along. Unfortunately, someone's mouth was every bit as hopeless as his own.
"Doesn't she look pretty much the same as always?" Shinichi pouted.
"Seriously, was there really a need to go home and change clothes just for a tea party?"
If she hadn't changed clothes, then technically their school uniforms would have counted as matching outfits.
But such subtle thoughts were the kind nobody would ever understand unless they were spoken aloud.
"Hah?! What do you mean, the same as always?! I specifically—"
"Mouri-san."
Ritsu quickly interrupted.
"If we don't go inside soon, we'll be arriving right on time. That would seem rather impolite."
He had no desire whatsoever to get involved in a couple's playful bickering.
Ran shot Shinichi a glare but said nothing further. With a huff, she walked around her childhood friend and deliberately positioned herself beside Ritsu.
Today, she had no intention of talking to that idiot Shinichi.
Seeing Ran stand beside Ritsu instead of him, Shinichi somehow became irritated as well. Both of them turned their heads away in opposite directions, leaving the unfortunate man in the middle.
Ritsu rolled his eyes so hard they nearly flipped out of his head.
'Why are you dragging me into your lovers' quarrel?Standing between you two makes me feel like a giant third wheel.
Do I need to conjure a red string and tie you together before you'll leave me alone?
Forget it.'
He was an adult.
There was no point arguing with teenagers.
This was probably just how young couples interacted.
...
After Shinichi handed the invitation to a security guard dressed in a dark-red uniform, the heavy iron gate slowly swung open.
Only then did the splendor within reveal itself.
The three-story mansion, built in a traditional British style, radiated grandeur. It was exactly the kind of architecture adored by perfectionists and symmetry enthusiasts.
The garden had been meticulously maintained. Every hedge, every shrub, every decorative element was perfectly symmetrical, right down to the trimming patterns.
A fountain occupied the front courtyard.
The fact that its basin was made entirely of gold demonstrated both the owner's willingness to invest heavily in his residence and his considerable wealth.
"Wow! It's huge and beautiful!"
Hearing Ran's admiration, Ritsu nodded. "It really is."
"As expected of architecture from the orthodox Stuart era of seventeenth-century England. The left-right symmetrical design is one of the defining characteristics of British architecture."
Ran looked at him in surprise.
"Onizawa-san, do you know a lot about architecture too?"
"Not really."
Adjusting his glasses, Ritsu explained, "I did some research before coming here since I knew we'd be attending Moriya-san's tea party."
"It's probably a police officer's bad habit. The more information I have, the more confident I feel."
Seeing them enjoying the conversation, Shinichi shoved both hands into his pockets and inserted himself directly between them.
Lifting his chin proudly, he declared, "Speaking of Moriya, you can tell how much he admires British architecture just from his name."
"His name?"
Ran tilted her head.
"What's special about it?"
"Moriya Teiji." Shinichi grinned. "Isn't it perfectly symmetrical?"
"Moriya Teiji..."
Ran blinked. "You're right! It really is symmetrical!"
Ritsu added, "His original name was Sadaharu Moriya. He probably thought the final two characters weren't symmetrical enough and changed them."
"That's honestly kind of unhealthy..." Shinichi muttered under his breath.
Like those people whose germaphobia reached pathological level. The kind who felt that physical contact contaminated them and carried disinfectant everywhere.
"Shinichi, that's rude." Ran frowned.
Then her attention returned to the mansion. "But this courtyard is really gorgeous. I've only ever seen architecture this beautiful in movies."
"Receiving such praise from you is my honor."
A voice suddenly came from nearby.
Ritsu had already noticed Teiji approaching.
The man wore his favorite green suit jacket. His hairline was rather high, and his short brown hair was neatly styled. His upward-curving mustache gave him a slightly comical appearance.
Even without smiling, his mustache somehow made him look like he was in a good mood.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Moriya Teiji."
Shinichi immediately put away his previous expressions and bowed politely.
"Hello, Moriya-san. My name is Kudo Shinichi. These are my friends, Mouri Ran and Onizawa Takashi. It's an honor to receive your invitation."
"Onizawa Takashi, hmm?" Teiji looked surprised.
"The famous detective inspector?"
'Am I really that famous now?'
Ritsu stepped forward with a smile. "Hello, Moriya-san."
"I'm simply benefiting from Kudo's invitation and was fortunate enough to attend your tea party. I look forward to your guidance."
"Hahaha!"
Teiji laughed heartily. "You're too modest, Inspector Onizawa. Being able to invite you is an honor for me as well."
"The tea party is about to begin. Please follow me to the backyard."
Following Teiji through the central corridor, they arrived at the rear garden.
A long table covered in a red tablecloth displayed an assortment of exquisitely crafted pastries. Guests dressed in formal attire chatted softly while holding cups of tea. Nearby speakers hidden among the lawn played gentle classical music.
As expected of a tea party hosted by a renowned architect.
The attendees were either musicians, famous models, major business executives, or respected critics.
The atmosphere practically smelled of money.
From time to time, Ritsu's gaze drifted toward Teiji. By deliberately positioning himself at a slight angle, he was able to observe the man more carefully.
And because of that, he noticed something subtle.
Teiji seemed extremely concerned with Shinichi. His eyes repeatedly lingered on the boy. Combined with the invitation, it raised an obvious question.
'Do these two have some kind of connection?'
Yet according to his previous investigations, there was no point of contact between them.
"Please, don't be shy."
Teiji gestured toward the table. "Spend your afternoon here and enjoy yourselves."
Ran approached the pastries with her hands behind her back.
As someone skilled at cooking, she immediately recognized that every dessert on the table had been handmade.
Curiously, she asked, "Moriya-san, did you make all of these pastries yourself?"
"Of course." Teiji smiled proudly. "A proper tea party should serve handmade sweets. Please don't hold back. Help yourselves."
"Then I'll gladly try some." Ran picked up a cookie and took a bite.
Teiji immediately stepped forward. "How is it? Does it suit your taste?"
"This almond cookie is delicious!"
"I'm glad you like it."
Teiji's smile widened. "Then the effort I put in since last night was worth it."
Upon hearing this, many of the surrounding guests began discussing the pastries as well.
Ritsu wasn't particularly fond of sweets. He selected a chocolate cookie that appeared less sugary than the others.
The texture was wonderfully crisp and light. The flavor was easily comparable to what one would find in a professional bakery.
Inviting Shinichi.
Making all the pastries by hand.
No matter how much Ritsu thought about it, he still couldn't figure out Teiji's objective. What exactly was he planning to do with the explosives he had purchased?
Then, Teiji turned toward Shinichi and smiled.
"By the way, Kudo-kun. I have a question I'd like to ask you. Would that be alright?"
"Huh?" Shinichi nodded. "Of course."
"Excellent." Teiji smiled.
"You see, I've recently been helping a company jointly managed by three partners. They need to recover an internet password."
"Since you're a famous high-school detective, I imagine you'll solve it very quickly."
Hostility.
Ritsu immediately sensed it. There was unmistakable hostility directed at Shinichi.
'What's going on? Did something happen between them that I failed to uncover during my investigation?'
"Deduction, huh?"
Shinichi grinned confidently. "Of course. Go ahead."
Teiji produced a sheet of paper and handed it to Shinichi. Then he distributed copies to the other guests as well.
Finally, he stopped in front of Ritsu.
"Inspector Onizawa." He smiled. "As a police officer, I'm sure you'll solve it quickly too."
"I'll give it a try."
Though he still had no idea what Teiji was really after, Ritsu maintained a pleasant smile. Less than a minute after receiving the paper, he had already figured out the answer.
But he didn't reveal it.
Because Ritsu understood something very clearly.
Although Teiji had distributed the puzzle to everyone present, the person he truly intended to challenge was only one individual.
Kudo Shinichi.