[ Old ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 7 - The old castle『1/4』

   -Yoko-san! Mitsuhiko called.
   -... Eh ?
   The concerned turned around after a few seconds of processing. She saw the group of children towards her, Conan and Ai standing a little further.

   It had now been almost two weeks since the young girl had arrived at her new school. Although it was still difficult, she was pretty much used to her new name.
   As for her comrades... After having made numerous attempts to avoid them, she had understood that she couldn't. She didn't know and didn't understand why, but they stuck with her.

   -This weekend we are going camping, do you want to come? Asked Ayumi.
   -Camping ? I... I don't really know...
   - Come on ! It'll be fun !
Fun ? The former high school student did not know anything about it. She had never been camping.
   -I'll think about it...
   Conan got up and approached his comrade seeing that she was uncomfortable.
   -It would take your mind off things. He said, hands in his pockets.
   Eh ?
   This sentence gave a funny impression to "Yoko". She didn't know what, but something was odd.
   -I'm going... I'm going to ask the one who takes care of me tonight if... If I can come... She ended up saying.
   The children looked at each other happily. They hoped she could come.

   Jinpei had just returned. "Yoko" out of her room heard the door slam.
   -G... Good evening Matsuda-keiji... Hum.... I have a question...
   -Mmh?
   - Some... classmates invited me camping this weekend... and I wanted to know if I could go?
   -It's a good idea, it will change your mind.
   -... Ok thank you...
   She watched him walk into the kitchen, probably making instant noodles again. She sighed silently. For nearly three weeks now, it had been his main meal. Fortunately there was the school to make diversity. But she wasn't going to complain.

   The weekend arrived. "Yoko" was in front of the Teitan school, waiting to be picked up. She regularly looked around her and all the people she could see, worried. Moreover, she had absolutely no idea where she had to go to join her comrades, especially since she didn't know the neighborhood. She would have loved to reach a place she considered secure as soon as possible...

   After a few minutes, the young girl recognized the voice of her comrades. Apart from Ai, all those who invited her were present.
   She greeted them with a slight nod of her head and was taken by force, she did not know where, in the good humor of the children.
   -It is not very far ! Affirmed Ayumi. And you'll see, camping is great!
  -We can eat curry! Genta exclaimed.
   - He only thinks about eating...? Thought "Yoko" in a low voice.
   Conan heard that and cracked a smile.

   -Ooh, so she's the famous Yoko-kun.
   The group brought their new friend back in front of an elderly-looking person. The latter was content to greet the man with a simple "hello", barely audible.
   -I am Agasa Hiroshi. He introduced himself not without boasting that he was doing a very good invention, although Conan's pout seemed to indicate otherwise.
   -I... I'm E... Tomura Yoko... Nice to meet you... She introduced herself shyly.
   -It's the first time you've been camping, the children told me.
   The former high school student just nodded before looking away from this stranger. He didn't look dangerous, far from it, but she couldn't face him. At least not yet.
   -You'll see, camping is great! Mitsuhiko reassured.
   "Yoko" could only take their word for it.

   The car was driving, trying to find the way back to Beika.
   -Pft... It sucks... Genta grumbled. Forget the tent we came to camp...
Indeed. As the group had found a place to camp, Agasa had noticed that he had forgotten the tents.
   -Our weekend is completely ruined... Mitsuhiko sighed.
   -Besides, I have the impression that we got lost... Added Ayumi.

   The former high school student wasn't so bothered by not doing this weekend. Rather, it was something else that bothered her: having to sleep in such a small car among people younger than her.
   It was Conan who had announced that. His friends did not want to sleep in the car themselves and hoped to find a hotel or a castle. It was not too much to ask: they came across a castle.

   Agasa parked her car in front and exited followed by the group of friends. Only "Yoko" was left, enjoying being alone.
   So she took the time to breathe and took off the hat she was wearing while she combed her hair.
   The silence was pleasant to her. The presence of children was dynamic and exhausting. But their presence was not unpleasant either.

   After a few minutes, the girl with the glasses got out of the car. She had been obliged since the group she was following went to enter the house.
   -Stay with us ! The girl in the headband almost ordered, grabbing her classmate's hand.
   -... OK...
   She didn't dare to argue and was forced to follow the little girl.

   The garden was huge. There was even a giant chessboard. Three of the group went to have a closer look at the coins.
   -Oh ! Horse ! Ayumi exclaimed.
   -There are also black ones! Genta pointed out.
   - But why only the head? Mitsuhiko wondered.
   -Because it is not just hair... This hair is the cavalier. They are chess pawns. Ai replied.
   - Pawns from a chess game?
   -Not just pawns. Look at the grass. It's in the shape of a checkerboard. They trim the grass to create a chess board. Added Conan.

   "Yoko" approached the giant pawns and lightly touched them. By reflex, she brought her hand closer to her chest. She wanted to take a picture of them, these pieces, but she couldn't anymore. She wanted to forget this reflex.
   The trio towards the other rooms saw the sad expression of their friend. They started whispering to each other. The other three children noticed this and wondered.