stonecrandall Page 495
Page 495
"Even if she is a mermaid, we don't know whether she brings blessings or disaster?"
“Saori grew up by the sea, so a tide like that shouldn’t have posed a life-threatening danger, but—”
"You've all seen the results!"
"So if mermaids exist, then the curse of mermaids might also exist!"
"We should be cautious about the unknown!"
"Miss Junhui is right!"
Kogoro Mouri isn't exactly a materialist; he's almost convinced of the existence of mermaids!
However, even though he was interested in the legendary, alluring mermaid, he agreed with Junhui's statement.
After all, there's the cautionary tale of Saori Kadowaki!
"That must be the mermaid's curse!"
Naoko Kuroe and Tomi Ebihara, who had been huddled together discussing something, walked over side by side. Tomi Ebihara made a confident statement:
“Saori lost the dugong arrow she received at the last festival, so when she tried to approach the mermaid, she was killed by her!”
"What is this if not a curse?"
"That's right!"
Naoko Kuroe's eyes were now filled with fervor, and her pretty face was distorted with excitement!
"Therefore, the only way to get close to mermaids is with a dugong arrow blessed by the Longevity Woman, who has eaten mermaid flesh and possesses magical powers!"
"Otherwise, I would definitely have died at the hands of the mermaids!"
"you..."
Junhui never expected that Saori's death would not awaken them, but instead made them even more obsessed!
Therefore, I became more determined to carry out the plan!
but--
Junhui thought they were talking nonsense.
The islanders and tourists around here don't think so!
After the mermaid appeared.
Saori Kadowaki's death takes on a fantastical quality, and the island's legends come in handy!
Naoko Kuroe and Sumi Ebihara's seemingly nonsensical remarks were no longer considered insane.
It's a very reasonable clue!
What was originally just an ordinary tourist attraction, the Dugong Festival, was imagined by them as a sacred ceremony.
As for the few dugong arrows to be given away at the celebration, they have already regarded them as the keys to the door to immortality!
not only that!
In just this short period of time.
Online, some people are even offering high prices to buy the dugong arrows that were given away at previous festivals!
Some people also commented that they are currently heading to the American island!
It's important to know that after high tide, ferries between the mainland and the American islands have stopped operating.
To get to the island at this time, you either need to take a private yacht or a private plane, which is clearly tempting for some wealthy people!
The allure of immortality is terrifying!
"Junhui..."
Naoko Kuroe and Toshimi Ebihara looked at Junhui with ingratiating eyes:
"Could we—"
The only people who can get in touch with the lottery at the American Island Shrine are the old woman and Junhui. The fact that the two of them are so eager to help is obviously because they want to cheat!
"No!"
Junhui gently shook her head and said softly:
"The Dugong Arrow lottery follows the principle of fairness. You two have already received your number plates, so just wait for the draw. Don't try anything underhanded!"
"Old-fashioned!"
The two women complained helplessly, then said goodbye and left.
Junhui stared at their retreating figures, her beautiful eyes deep and unfathomable, as if—as if she were looking at two dead people!
After the two had walked away, she turned back, her pretty face now displaying a warm and gentle smile:
"Ran, Kazuha, and Ai, I have two more number tags here. They were returned by an elderly couple this morning. Do you want them?"
"Maybe it will grant you immortality and eternal youth!"
"We're not interested!"
The girls exchanged glances and unanimously refused!
If you want to live forever and stay young, why go through all that trouble? They can handle it themselves!
At most, it's just playing games with Xia Ye Van!
hum!
To be shameless!
Everyone's used to that kind of thing by now.
It's comfortable and I can get the job done, so why not!
"That's it~"
Junhui was not surprised.
After all, these girls, being women who could produce such treasures as Xia Ye, didn't seem to need the Dugong Arrow to pursue immortality.
"Miss Junhui, how about giving me one?"
Ran, the daughter, wasn't interested, but Kogoro Mouri, the father, was.
After all, for a middle-aged man like him, looking younger might make it easier to pick up young girls.
Of course, even if the Dugong Arrow doesn't have the effect of granting immortality, given that everyone wants it right now, it can still fetch a lot of money when sold!
"Okay~"
Junhui readily handed him the number plate, then glanced at Conan and Hattori Heiji with a light smile:
"Why don't you two try your luck?"
"Forget it~"
In the end, Conan and Heiji Hattori couldn't bring themselves to back down.
They had previously sworn that there were no mermaids in the world, but now they've been thoroughly proven wrong, and naturally they're ashamed to use such "feudal superstition"...
...
The dugong festival is still some time away.
Junhui returned to the shrine to busy herself with preparations.
Conan, Heiji Hattori, and Kogoro Mouri, along with the island's only resident police officer, conduct a preliminary examination of Saori Kadowaki's body.
Because of the high waves, the sea vessel sent by the Fukui Prefectural Police Department was delayed and will arrive later. We need to record the body data first to facilitate the autopsy in the forensic class later!
Xiaolan and the other girls had no interest in performing autopsies.
So they went together to the local specialty shop they had just visited, intending to buy gifts for Yukiko and the others to take back to Tokyo.
As for Xia Ye—
Inside a room at the Umi Island Shrine.
Junhui put on an old human skin mask for herself.
Then she used a belt to bind her long legs and kneel on the ground, pretending to be a short, thin, and frail old woman!
"That must have been really tough!"
Some wistful voices came from behind.
Jun Hui trembled and removed the human skin mask from her face.
It seemed she didn't want Xia Ye to see that somewhat creepy face.
"I'm used to it!"
Junhui turned around and saw Xia Ye's pitying gaze. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she explained shyly with her beautiful eyes:
"Actually, I don't appear in the role of the Longevity Granny very often, and it's not that tiring~"
"Isn't this hard enough?"
Xia Ye sat down beside her, lifted the hem of her shrine maiden skirt, and pressed the switch on the straps on her legs.
Gently stroking the obvious marks on his once slender and fair calves, he said softly:
"Although it was your mother's last wish, judging from the behavior of those people just now, they don't seem to be worth your sacrifice!"
"I did it for this island..."
Junhui lowered her head shyly as Xia Ye affectionately stroked her, her voice almost a murmur:
"This island needs mermaid legends and a longevity goddess to attract tourists..."
"The appearance of the mermaid is a great gimmick; I'll make the arrangements—"
Xia Ye took her small hand and said softly:
"As for you, come back to Tokyo with me after we've dealt with things on the island! Yukiko and the others are waiting for you!"
"..."
Junhui felt her small hand being held in a warm, large hand, and while feeling shy, she also felt an unprecedented sense of security.
After a moment of silence, she nodded almost imperceptibly:
"it is good!"
"That's right!" Xia Ye smiled broadly.
"You're still so young, I don't want you to be tied to this island! Why don't you come out with me, make some friends, and enjoy the beauty of the world!"
"It's all up to you!"
Junhui's face flushed, and she mustered her courage to grasp Xia Ye's large hand in return, gently pursing her lips and saying in a slightly reproachful tone:
"Well, I've already sold my love to you!"
"So, do you think it's worth it?"
Xia Ye gently played with her slender hand, a smile playing on her lips.
"It's okay~"
Junhui's beautiful eyes were filled with shyness, then she seemed to remember something and softly hummed:
"However, I didn't expect you to have so many women. Ran and Kazuha, wait, Ai isn't one of them either, is she?"
"~ Yes!"
Xia Ye nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world:
"if not?"
Ai is my real girlfriend, okay?!
"Lolicon!"
Junhui pouted and accused, "Does this guy even spare such a small little girl?"
"Ai-chan is eighteen..."
Xia Ye explained helplessly that he wasn't actually a pedophile; it just so happened that the girls he liked would turn into lolis!