"Why are you all staring at me like that?!"
"Since none of you want me around, I'll just die right here and now, see if I care!"
Feeling flustered under everyone's gaze, Chizuru Bizen shouted, unable to face them, and then fled the restaurant.
"Oh, I'm so sorry..." Shiromoto sighed, turning to the others. "She hasn't been in a good mood lately; I think she might be going through menopause."
"Is she really going to be okay acting like that?" Miyano Akemi looked at the fleeing Chizuru Bizen with concern, wondering, "She wouldn't actually..."
"It's fine. She's always like this, getting all dramatic and suicidal whenever things don't go her way." Shiromoto didn't seem bothered. In fact, as far as he was concerned, it would be better if she just died. At least he wouldn't have to pay alimony.
"I think it's better if someone checks on her." Fujino glanced back at Chizuru Bizen, stating gravely, "If we're not careful, a woman like her, especially going through menopause, might actually do something impulsive..."
Fujino wasn't saying this out of kindness; he simply didn't want a death to occur here. If someone died, the Shimokasa sisters would probably lose their jobs again. And his vacation would be dragged into a murder case. Besides, right now, it looks like Chizuru Bizen has racked up all the 'death flags.' Given the usual pattern of the Conan world, even if she doesn't die, she's definitely in for a rough time...
"Alright then, I'll go check on her." Shiromoto sighed. Since someone had said as much, he, as her ostensible husband, still had to go and see.
"Fujino-kun! You absolutely mustn't go down the wrong path!" After the two left, Miyano Akemi suddenly looked at Fujino with a worried, serious expression. "If you ever encounter a woman like that, you need to be very careful!" She didn't know much about Fujino's life as a detective. But seeing things today... it seemed that her 'younger brother's' detective status attracted a lot of women. Combined with what just happened, she couldn't help but feel a little worried. It wouldn't be good if he got taken advantage of by a woman like that!
"Mhm, mhm!" Haibara Ai also nodded in agreement from the side. "Over thirty and still trying to go after someone so much younger... It feels a bit sickening. He should definitely stay far away from those old women!"
"Don't worry, Akemi-nee." Fujino glanced at the two of them, smiling helplessly. "No matter what, I'm a detective. If I couldn't even see through something like that, I'd have lived my life for nothing." To be fair, her looks were indeed top-notch. But he, Fujino, was a proper person! Besides, he wouldn't even be interested in a woman who's been with just anyone. Who knows if she has any diseases?
---
After dinner, it wasn't late yet. Everyone returned to their rooms. Fujino had a single room, while Haibara Ai and Miyano Akemi shared one.
Night gradually fell.
Fujino lay in the bathtub, recalling the events of dinner, and couldn't help but click his tongue. One wanted a divorce, the other couldn't afford the alimony, so they were stuck. In Japan, divorce means splitting assets and paying alimony. The richer you are, the more you bleed in a divorce. Thinking about it that way, it's no wonder Chizuru Bizen tried to cozy up to him. Turns out she wasn't hiding it; she just wanted to get divorced and be done with it quickly.
Shiromoto looked to be in his forties, almost fifty, while Chizuru Bizen was likely only around thirty. Celebrities capitalize on their youth. At thirty, it's generally when they might consider retiring and finding a wealthy patron. Originally, it was probably him trying to get with someone much younger. But now, the 'old bull' couldn't keep up, and it seemed this rich patron had been completely 'drained.' In a sense, he'd been completely worn out and could no longer satisfy the former celebrity. Then the 'young grass' managed to turn the tables and now wanted to find someone new...
"Clack!" Just then, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door. Fujino perked up his ears at the sound and immediately frowned. He got out of the bathtub, pulled out his phone to check the time—it was already late into the night—then put his phone away, deciding to go see what was going on. He waited until the footsteps faded before peeking out. The hallway was dimly lit. A figure walked further and further away. Fujino recognized the person instantly: it was Chizuru Bizen.
"Not sleeping this late? Could it be...?" Fujino pursed his lips, a knowing look in his eyes as he watched her. There were only three men in this hotel: Shiromoto, himself, and Arimori. *The Secret Between the Inn Manager and the Married Woman.jpg*
Fujino mulled it over in his mind and decided to follow, just to 'eat some melon.' He trailed Chizuru Bizen all the way to the restaurant. Inside the restaurant, a faint candlelight flickered. Fujino focused his gaze and saw it was none other than the earnest young man from earlier, Arimori.
"It really is?" Fujino was a little surprised, a slight smirk curving his lips. "So that's why they asked for two rooms earlier, huh? Well, well. She's a former celebrity, alright; she knows how to play the game." Fujino shook his head, not planning to meddle in their private affairs.
As he turned, he saw the little girl standing right in front of him.
Fujino: "..."
Haibara Ai: "..."
Haibara Ai was in pink pajamas, her unkempt hair slightly disheveled, giving her a somewhat bewildered appearance. She looked at Fujino, her sleepy eyes narrowed suspiciously. Just moments ago, she'd heard the sound of Fujino's door closing from next door. Recalling the events of dinner, she felt it might be a bit dangerous. So, she'd followed him...
"Still awake?" Fujino crouched down, patted Haibara Ai's head, and whispered.
"What are they...?" Haibara Ai peeked her head out, glancing sleepily at the two, a confused expression on her face.
"Ahem, this isn't something for children to see. Let's not watch." Fujino gave a slight cough, took Haibara Ai's hand, and tried to make a quick exit. Taking a little girl to witness an affair... it really wasn't a good look.
"Oh..." Haibara Ai nodded, seemingly understanding something, and let out a sigh of relief. So he was just here to 'eat melon'... As long as it wasn't what she'd feared.
"What exactly do you want from me?"
"You should recognize the person in this photo, shouldn't you? You remember him?"
Just as Fujino was about to leave with Haibara Ai, the voices behind them rekindled his interest. He turned to look. And through the candlelight, a group photo on the restaurant wall was illuminated. The photo showed a trio: Shinobu Shimono, Arimori himself, and another man he didn't recognize.
"What impression?!" Chizuru Bizen looked at him impatiently. "How would I know who he is?"
"I'm actually the older brother of Teruhiko Arimori, who you once had a relationship with." Arimori frowned but explained, "My younger brother... he passed away recently..."
"Eh?!" Chizuru Bizen clearly froze for a moment, then showed a difficult expression. "What exactly are you trying to say? Are you trying to blackmail me? He was the one who pestered me back then. It has nothing to do with me. Even if he's dead, it doesn't really concern me, does it?"
"There's no point in saying any of that now. Money doesn't matter." Arimori frowned, clearly displeased with her attitude. "I just want you to light an incense stick for him and say you're sorry. After all, no matter what, you two once were..."
"Are you done yet?!" Chizuru Bizen's emotions suddenly flared. She turned and fled the scene. "Why are all of you like this?! Why does it always seem like it's all my fault?! I didn't do anything wrong!"