Chapter 189: Not a Good Day for Travel
Just what in the world was Kaeya's goal?
Conan's mind raced, turning the problem over and over. He had originally theorized that Kaeya was colluding with the Black Organization, planning to have them eliminate Diluc so he could seize control of the Ragnvindr Clan. But now, that theory was in tatters.
Still, if someone like Diluc wasn't actively trying to stop it, the plot couldn't be anything as crude as murder or arson. So what was it?
From the side, Haibara watched Conan's frazzled state and simply rolled her eyes. 'Serves him right,'she thought with a touch of schadenfreude.'Who told him to be so nosy in the first place?'
A few days later, deep within a mountain forest, the world was painted in the fiery hues of autumn maple. In the quiet woods, the faint outlines of three figures could be seen weaving through the trees.
"Miss Lisa, maybe I should go back," Noelle said, her steps faltering. She gently tugged on Lisa's sleeve, her brow furrowed with worry. "I still feel it isn't right to leave all the work to Xiangling by herself."
"Noelle, darling, it's perfectly fine," Lisa replied, draping a comforting arm over Noelle's shoulder. Her voice was a soothing balm. "Xiangling specifically insisted you go out and relax. Besides, work is a never-ending river. Taking a proper break just allows you to work even better later."
"She's right," Kaeya chimed in from nearby. "I heard from the Traveler that you've been a bit overwhelmed by a suitor lately. That's why Lisa was so determined to bring you out for some fresh air. Speaking of which, what exactly did this man do to trouble you so much, Noelle?"
The moment Kaeya heard the Traveler mention it, he knew the suitor had to be that Mr. Takano. He was genuinely curious what the man could have possibly done to make someone as good-tempered and universally helpful as Noelle want to actively avoid him.
"A suitor? What suitor?" Noelle asked, looking completely bewildered.
"Huh? You didn't know?" Kaeya gave her a strange look, surprised that she was oblivious to someone's advances. "It's that fellow, Takano Hideki."
'So how exactly did Takano Hideki pursue her to the point that the person involved didn't even realize it?'Kaeya wondered.'Was it an even more ridiculous spectacle than his previous confession to the Traveler?'
"Mr. Takano?" Noelle's expression was one of surprise, which quickly morphed into sudden understanding. "Oh! So Mr. Takano's strange behavior wasn't because there was something wrong with his head… it was because he was pursuing me."
"Oh my, Noelle, hearing you say that makes me quite curious," Lisa said, her attention shifting from the scenery. "What exactly did Mr. Takano do?"
"Well, it wasn't much…" Noelle began, recalling the events. "On the first day, Mr. Takano placed a huge number of roses in front of my door, completely blocking the hallway. I was late for work that day just trying to clear a path."
"On the second day, he came to Wanmin Restaurant and told Miss Xiangling that he wanted to buy the shop. She had to explain that the building belonged to the Traveler, and he left after that."
"On the third day, Mr. Takano came to the restaurant again and gave me a card. He said he was sorry he couldn't buy the restaurant to save me from working so hard, and the card contained the money he had prepared to buy the place as an apology. He left right after saying that. It took me a moment to snap out of my shock, and I had to chase after him to return the card, which delayed my work again."
"Then on the fourth day, Mr. Takano came to the restaurant during the dinner rush and announced he wanted to pay for everyone's meal. That day, the patrons ordered so many dishes that Miss Xiangling and I could barely keep up in the kitchen."
Kaeya was listening with rapt attention, but Noelle paused mid-story. He couldn't help but urge her on, "And then?"
"Um… there is no 'and then'," Noelle explained. "After that, Mr. Takano never did any of those strange things again. Miss Xiangling was actually a bit disappointed; she seemed to have been planning to secretly teach him a lesson if he continued to affect Wanmin Restaurant's business."
"Wow, he gave up that fast?" Kaeya shook his head with a theatrical sigh. He had thought Takano Hideki would last at least a week. He supposed the man was lucky to have escaped a disaster of Xiangling's making.
"So he just suddenly disappeared and stopped showing up?" Kaeya asked.
"Not exactly. A few days later, Mr. Takano appeared at the restaurant again to apologize. He said he had met a princess and would probably no longer be able to protect me, his knight…"
At the time, Noelle had been completely bewildered by his words and had no idea what he was trying to say. The comment had troubled her for days, and she had planned to ask him about it the next time they met. It wasn't until today that she finally understood his meaning. But thinking back on Mr. Takano's methods of pursuit, Noelle felt a bit worried about whether the "princess" he mentioned could handle such advances.
Kaeya, however, immediately understood. 'So he found a new target. No wonder he gave up so quickly.'
A glint appeared in Lisa's eyes. She had a strong feeling that, given Mr. Takano's taste, the "princess" he had set his sights on was likely an "acquaintance" as well.
Since it was all in the past, Lisa didn't plan to dwell on it. She was slightly curious about the identity of this "princess" but decided to let it go.
"By the way, Kaeya, haven't we reached the spot Albedo mentioned yet?" she asked, changing the subject. She had heard Albedo speak of some special scenery nearby, which was why she had dragged Noelle out to relax in the first place. As she'd said before, proper relaxation was good for the mind and body; she had no intention of working herself to death.
"We're almost there, just ahead," Kaeya said, pointing in a direction. "And if it was just for a walk, couldn't you and Noelle have come by yourselves? Why did you have to drag me along?"
He had planned to enjoy a few drinks today, but now his plans were thoroughly ruined.
"Sigh," Lisa lamented dramatically. "Mona said that traveling today would lead to a bloody disaster, so we needed a knight like you to protect us two ladies."
She had originally invited Mona to come along, but before they left, Mona had consulted her scryglass. Her hydro-divination predicted that the trip would be unlucky, so she had firmly declined. Since Noelle had finally agreed to set aside her work, Lisa couldn't let the poor girl's day off go to waste. She had no choice but to push through with the plan.
"...Lisa, you need someone to protect you?" Kaeya's lip twitched.
'The "bloody disaster" Mona mentioned definitely wasn't referring to Lisa,'he thought wryly.'It was probably for someone else.'
"How can a lady be expected to do the dirty work herself?" Lisa grumbled, playing her part perfectly.
Unable to win the argument, Kaeya could only acquiesce with a sigh.
After walking a few more steps, voices drifted from up ahead. They sounded familiar. Kaeya listened carefully and recognized them as Suzuki Sonoko and Mouri Ran. Sonoko's voice was the louder of the two, shouting something about a "red handkerchief."
Kaeya's eyes lit up. If Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko were here, it meant that Conan Edogawa couldn't be far behind. It looked like a murder case was about to happen. He wondered which unlucky soul would be jinxed to death by that pint-sized God of Death today.
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