vncnus Page 99
Page 99
"My name is Tokatsu Junya. Although I was born in Tokyo, I grew up in Hokkaido, so I have become the representative of northern Japan this time."
"I have been involved in about three hundred incidents, which is far less than someone else's one thousand, but as many as two hundred and fifty people have been prosecuted and arrested because of these three hundred incidents!"
Chapter 122 The Young Lady's Troubles
When Tokitsu Junya said this, he was clearly implying that the more than 300 cases he had been involved in were all important cases that could alarm the police, and could not be compared to the kind of cases that included catching cats and dogs.
Hattori immediately picked up on his implication and let out a defiant snort.
Meanwhile, Yue Shui, who had been holding back since arriving on the island, finally couldn't help but speak up.
"If it's a '300 incident,' then at least 300 people should have been prosecuted and arrested, right? How come there are only 250 people?"
"Well, with so many incidents, it's inevitable that some prisoners will escape or commit suicide out of fear of punishment; that's normal."
Tokitsu Junya said nonchalantly.
When Yue Shui saw the relaxed expression on his face when he mentioned "fear of suicide", he immediately clenched his fists!
The anger in his eyes seemed ready to burst forth at any moment.
Seeing that Koshimizu seemed to be losing control, Matsuda quickly coughed lightly.
"As for me, I am Matsuda Jinpei, a detective in the First Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and also the one who set the questions for this reasoning competition."
"In this reasoning competition, I hope everyone will remain calm and collected. As the saying goes, friendship comes first, competition second."
Koshimizu immediately understood Matsuda's meaning. She bit her lip and forced herself to calm down.
The others didn't pay attention to Matsuda's words, only thinking that he was reminding everyone not to ruin their harmony for the sake of the competition.
Conan, who had just returned from the bathroom, had already guessed most of Matsuda and Koshimizu's plan. Now, seeing Koshimizu's excited expression and Matsuda's reminder, he immediately focused his attention on Tokitsu Junya.
Could this person be the high school detective who caused the death of Ms. Koshimizu's friend?
Conan secretly guessed.
After the four contestants and Matsuda, it was the turn of the others.
After everyone had introduced themselves, Rena Mizunashi smiled and said, "The official competition starts tomorrow. You are all free to explore the island now. Dinner is at 7 p.m., and it will be held in the villa's courtyard. Please don't forget."
After instructing everyone on the time, she signaled to the photographer to stop filming. Everyone's self-introductions had already been filmed and would be used by the show's director in the editing process.
Upon hearing that they were free to wander around the island, everyone quickly dispersed.
Among Matsuda's group, Ran was visiting the island for the first time and wanted to take Sonoko out for a walk.
Sonoko, wanting to create an opportunity for her sister and Matsuda, also invited them.
"Nanatsuki, why don't you come out for a walk with us?"
Matsuda glanced at Koshimizu, who had been silent since earlier.
Sonoko immediately pouted in dissatisfaction. Although she and Koshimizu were meeting for the first time, she had noticed that Koshimizu seemed to be deliberately interfering with Matsuda and her sister.
Sonoko immediately categorized Etsui as one of her enemies who were competing with her sister for a man.
"Seniors, you can go ahead. I'm going back to my room to rest for a while."
Yue Shui shook her head dejectedly, then got up and walked upstairs.
"Yue Shui, remember what I just said, and don't do anything foolish!"
Matsuda watched Koshimizu's dejected figure as he walked away, and couldn't help but remind him again.
"Don't worry, senior,"
Yue Shui turned around, and said with a hint of dissatisfaction and a coquettish tone,
"I'm not a child anymore. Besides, my senior has already done so much for me, and I don't want to ruin his hard work."
Matsuda watched her figure disappear down the stairs, but he still couldn't shake off his unease.
He wanted to stay, but Sonoko had already pushed Matsuda next to Ayako.
“Officer Matsuda, this is our family’s private island. We don’t usually let outsiders come here,” Sonoko urged. “You’ve come all this way, so take a look around. By the way, sis, you can be Officer Matsuda’s guide!”
After pushing Matsuda and Ayako together, Sonoko, holding Ran's hand with one hand and grabbing Conan's collar with the other, dragged them both out.
"I'll also take you to see the scenery on the island."
After the three of them left, the living room, which had been packed with people, was suddenly left with only Matsuda and Ayako.
"Officer Matsuda, if you're worried, why don't you go up and check it out?"
Ayako noticed that Matsuda was still looking at the stairs with worry, and said understandingly.
"……never mind,"
Matsuda had initially intended to go up and check on Koshimizu, but after careful consideration, he decided against it.
"Some things are better left for her to figure out herself; no matter how much others say, it won't make a difference."
Although Ayako knew that Koshimizu had orchestrated the detective Koshien tournament,
However, they were unaware of Matsuda and Koshimizu's true plans.
Although she had some doubts at this moment, it was not convenient for her to ask too many questions since it was her first meeting with Yue Shui.
“Ayako, let’s go for a walk on the island,” Matsuda invited. “Sonoko just said that we can’t usually come up to your private island.”
“That girl is just exaggerating,” Ayako replied with a smile. “Anyone who is a friend of the Suzuki family can come and play on this island anytime. If Officer Matsuda is interested and wants to come in the future, he can also let me know.”
For some reason, Ayako wore a complex expression when she said this, a mixture of disappointment and relief.
……
It has to be said, the Suzuki family is indeed very wealthy.
This private island alone is at least thirty or forty acres in size.
The entire island slopes from east to west, with the western coast consisting entirely of sandy beaches.
The east side is mostly cliffs and steep walls, and besides the villa next to the beach, there is another huge villa at the highest point on the eastern cliff side of the island.
From there, you can overlook the entire island; the scenery is said to be much more beautiful than from the beach.
Most of the others had already followed the mountain path towards the villa.
Only Matsuda and Ayako strolled leisurely along the beach.
Ayako initially maintained her composed and dignified image as a young lady.
After walking for a while, perhaps because she was in a good mood today, she gradually became more lively.
She simply took off her sandals, carried them by hand, and let her fair, delicate feet step directly onto the sand.
While enjoying the fine sand, occasionally step into the waves brought by the sea.
Influenced by her, Matsuda gradually let go of his worries.
The two played around on the beach for a while, and then Ayako suddenly smiled and said, "Officer Matsuda, thank you so much. I haven't been this happy in a long time."
"Does the eldest daughter of the Suzuki family have so many worries?" Matsuda asked curiously.
"The Suzuki Group is the Suzuki Group, and I am me. How could I not have worries!"
Ayako glared at Matsuda reproachfully, then smiled helplessly.
"Not to mention me, even Sonoko can only be carefree now."
Chapter 123 The Little Thief Who Eavesdrops
"As descendants of the Suzuki family, although we don't need to struggle or work hard to make a living, we often have far fewer choices than ordinary people."
Ayako spoke slowly,
“Take me for example. When I was old enough to understand things, my mother told me that there were only two paths for Sonoko and me in the future: either we would marry into the Suzuki family as talented men, or we would be used as tools for the Suzuki family to form alliances and be married off.”
"Isn't the first one pretty good?"
Matsuda asked doubtfully, "Wouldn't it be enough to just find a man you like and marry into the family?"
“It’s not that simple,” Ayako shook her head. “The only direct heirs of the Suzuki family in this generation are Sonoko and me. So we don’t have to worry about inheritance disputes like other family conglomerates.”
"But since it's just the two of us, if I choose the first path, then Sonoko might only have the second path left."
"Moreover, whether it's marrying into the family or an arranged marriage, our marriage partners must first pass the family's assessment. They must be able to shoulder the future of the Suzuki family."
"So, even if you like someone, if the Suzuki Group thinks he's not suitable, the two of you can't be together?" Matsuda frowned.
“Yes,” Ayako nodded and sighed, “As the eldest daughter, my mother taught me from a young age how to choose a husband for the future of the Suzuki Group. I have never had any romantic experience in my life.”
"It's because every time I meet a strange man, my first thought isn't whether I like him or not, but whether he's useful to the Suzuki Group."
“After more than 20 years, I’m tired,” Ayako said with a wry smile. “Sometimes I think I should choose the second path and leave the first path to Sonoko, hoping that she can find a man she likes who can also shoulder the future of the Suzuki Group.”
Seeing Ayako's dejected expression, Matsuda felt genuine sympathy for her.
As the eldest daughter of the Suzuki family, she enjoyed a life of wealth that others could only dream of from a young age.
But when they reach adulthood, they will have to pay the price for this affluent lifestyle.
……
Meanwhile, on the road leading to the villa on the eastern cliff, Sonoko was talking to Ran about her sister.
"What? You mean Ayako agreed to your mother's request and went on a blind date?" Ran exclaimed in surprise. "So Ayako and Officer Matsuda..."
“I was shocked when I first heard this,” Sonoko said sullenly. “I went to question my sister, but she wouldn’t say anything. I then went to ask my father and mother, but they also kept it from me and wouldn’t explain anything.”
"An explanation? Is there some hidden story behind this?" Xiaolan asked, puzzled.
“Yes,” Sonoko nodded and explained.
"The Suzuki family has continued from the Suzuki family during the Warring States period to the present day. During the Warring States period, all families had the same ancient rule: if there was a male heir in the family, female members had to take on the responsibility of marriage; if there was no male heir in this generation, then female members had to take in a husband to continue the Suzuki family bloodline."
"Now that we're in modern society, are there still families that abide by these rules?" Conan asked curiously.
“As long as the family wants to continue, there will be people who abide by these rules,” Sonoko said helplessly.
"What about you and Sister Ayako?" Xiaolan asked with concern.
Although she and Sonoko had been classmates and friends since childhood, this was the first time she had heard Sonoko talk about these things about the Suzuki family.