"To the hotel first," Hayashi Shuichi said, giving Mouri Kogoro an exasperated kick. "Ruri is a grown woman; it's not like she's going to wander off and get lost!"
"Ruri and I haven't seen each other for an entire week!" Mouri Kogoro was hauling two massive suitcases, yet his steps were so light he looked ready to take flight. "How does that saying go? 'A single day apart feels like three long autumns.'"
"You two are stuck to each other every single weekend," Shuichi muttered, his face a mask of disbelief. "Back when Ruri lived in Beika, I didn't see you being this head-over-heels for her."
"Well, back then, I simply hadn't fully appreciated Ruri's charms," Mouri chuckled heartily. "Looking at it now, Ruri is gentler than Eri, more understanding than Eri, more considerate than Eri…"
He began counting off his fingers, then suddenly lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"If I had realized all this sooner, I should have stayed with Ruri back in junior high."
Shuichi rolled his eyes, deciding it wasn't worth the effort to respond.
The two of them chatted as they made their way toward the hotel, with Furuya Rei and Narumi trailing closely behind.
Upon reaching the lobby, Shuichi went to the front desk. He had booked the rooms in advance, but since Tomizawa Chikage and Narumi had joined at the last minute, he needed to secure two more.
"I'm very sorry, but our hotel is completely booked," the receptionist replied with a polite, professional smile.
"Not a single room left?" Shuichi frowned.
"That's correct." The receptionist nodded before offering a suggestion. "There are other hotels nearby that might have vacancies. Perhaps your companions could try there…"
"What do we do now?"
Mouri Kogoro dropped the suitcases onto the floor with a heavy thud. He scratched the back of his head, sending a few rebellious strands of hair sticking up.
"We'll just have to squeeze in," Shuichi decided, ignoring the receptionist's suggestion. Since they were all out together, it made more sense—and was more fun—to stay in the same place.
"I booked five rooms in total. Reiko is still young, so Chikage can squeeze into the room with her and Yukiko."
Shuichi paused, his gaze shifting back and forth between Mouri Kogoro and Narumi.
"As for the rest of us… I originally planned for Furuya and me to share a room while you had one to yourself. But now, it looks like you'll have to share with Narumi."
"No way!"
Mouri Kogoro jumped as if someone had stepped on his tail.
He turned to look at Narumi. With his delicate features and adorable face, the boy looked no different from a little girl. Narumi was currently looking down, fiddling with his backpack straps; noticing the gaze, he looked up and offered a shy, innocent smile.
"If I sleep in the same room as Narumi, what if Ruri misinterprets things?"
Mouri made a dramatic throat-slitting gesture, his expression exaggeratedly fearful.
"Then just explain it to her. Is it that hard?"
Shuichi sighed, reaching out to pat Mouri's shoulder, but the man dodged him. No matter how much Shuichi reasoned with him, Mouri remained as stubborn as a boulder. He absolutely refused to share a room with Narumi.
"Absolutely not. This kid looks way too much like a girl," Mouri said, shaking his head violently. "I don't want people pegging me as some kind of creep."
"…I'm sorry," Narumi whispered, looking down dejectedly. He twisted the hem of his shirt with his fingers. "I'm turning out to be a burden."
Seeing his friend's distress, Furuya Rei stepped forward. "Sensei, why don't I share a room with Narumi?" He puffed out his chest, trying to look as reliable as possible.
"You're both children, and Narumi's health isn't great. He needs someone to look after him," Shuichi said, shaking his head. "How about this: you stay with Mouri, and I'll take the room with Narumi."
"I second that!"
Mouri Kogoro was the first to raise his hand in approval, a look of immense relief washing over his face.
"…I'm fine sleeping anywhere," Narumi added obediently.
"Tch." Furuya Rei shot Mouri a look of pure disdain, his lips curling downward.
"Hey, kid! What's with that look?"
Mouri Kogoro glared back, his fist already tightening.
"Mouri-san, you don't have smelly feet, do you?" Furuya asked, tilting his head with mock innocence. "I've heard that 'sports idiots' usually have a problem with foot odor."
"My feet smell like roses!" Mouri snapped, looking ready to punch the boy. "And who are you calling a sports idiot?!"
"Alright, that's enough. Let's get the luggage to the rooms," Shuichi intervened, stepping between them. "It's late, and we still need to find a place for dinner."
The four of them gathered the bags and found the elevator. Between the four people and the mountain of luggage, the small space was instantly cramped.
Just as Shuichi reached out to press the 'close' button, two beautiful young women in high heels came hurrying toward them, the tap-tap-tap of their shoes echoing in the hall.
Seeing the elevator packed to the brim, they hesitated and stopped. The girl with long hair checked her watch, appearing inclined to wait for the next one.
"No need to wait!" Mouri Kogoro said with sudden, fawning enthusiasm. He began stacking two suitcases on top of each other with the agility of a stage magician. "See? Plenty of room now."
Having cleared a small patch of floor, he flashed what he considered to be a charming, suave smile.
Furuya Rei stared at the stack of luggage in front of him, which was now taller than he was, completely blocking his view of the front. He rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Sucker for a pretty face."
Shuichi hadn't expected Mouri to be so incorrigible. The man was already dating Ruri, yet here he was, shamelessly flirting with strangers. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze conveying sharp silent judgment.
Sensing his friend's disapproval, Mouri adjusted his rumpled collar and cleared his throat, adopting a dignified, righteous posture. "As a gentleman, it is only natural to assist ladies in need."
Shuichi stared at him blankly, too tired to even bother exposing him.
Faced with Mouri's persistent invitation, the two women felt it would be rude to refuse, so they stepped into the elevator.
"Thank you," the girl with a beauty mark under her eye said coolly. Her eyes remained fixed on the elevator buttons, never once granting Mouri a direct look.
"My pleasure, really…"
Mouri chuckled proudly, preparing to strike up more conversation. However, the girl with the beauty mark had already turned to her companion and begun whispering, treating him as if he were part of the wallpaper.
Mouri's shoulders slumped in disappointment as he let out a dejected sigh.
Shuichi and the others stood at the very back of the elevator, separated from the girls by the mountain of luggage. As the elevator ascended, the long-haired girl glanced back at Mouri and then playfully nudged her friend.
"Hey, another guy trying to get on your good side," the girl whispered. "He looks like he might be a high schooler."
Though she had lowered her voice, the elevator was a confined space, and her words carried clearly to the back.
"If Mr. Suzuki finds out about this, he's definitely going to get anxious again…"
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