[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 8 - The old castle 『2/4』

The group of children left the giant chessboard. Ayumi grabbed "Yoko's" hand knowing that the latter was going to stand aside.

The gardener had been talking to Agasa for a while. The man seemed to explain several things to the inventor.
He led the group inside the house, still talking.
-That's wonderful ! Ayumi almost exclaimed.
It wasn't wrong.

-And the two portraits on the sides? Agasa asked.
-It's Sadaaki-san and Madame. Sasaaki-san who had been adopted as a husband was a historian and had a lot of respect for the father... Explained the gardener. Madam was jealous of it and it seems, often said to Sadaaki-san...
- "Father is only an intellectual who criticizes everything". Is not it ?
It was an old woman who had finished the sentence. She had just arrived in her wheelchair.

Ayumi let go of her friend's hand to cling to Conan. The girl with the glasses took the opportunity to stand a little further, behind Agasa.
- Ma... Madam!
-This had also entered the ear of my husband... But it seems that instead of getting angry, he was rather happy about it...
-I... I'm sorry to have reminded you of bad memories... The gardener apologized.
-Don't worry, I got used to this castle where it is no longer... It's like the size of the banknotes and the design of the passports which have changed... At the beginning, we had a hard time get used to it but afterwards, the feeling of embarrassment disappears... Time is a terrible thing because it erases the joys and the sorrows in the same movement...

Faced with these words, the former high school student began to think. Especially on "At the beginning, it was hard to get used to it but afterwards, the feeling of embarrassment disappears...". She was having a hard time getting used to being in her new school, surrounded by people she knew little or nothing about. But would time really allow him to get used to it?
For the moment, she did not feel it. She still strongly wanted to go home, surrounded by Yosuke who was going to annoy her again by making fun of her. It had been almost three weeks since the accident, but she felt like it was just yesterday.

The gardener had taken the group to a high room where the giant chessboard was visible.
Conan, Ayumi and Genta were at the window. Mitsuhiko was at the one in the next room and Ai was a little aside. "Yoko" was leaning against the wall, waiting to see the chessboard. She just wanted to know how it felt.
The largest of the group went to join his friend in the next room and the kid with the glasses settled down looking like he was thinking. The former high school student took the opportunity to go see, leaning a little out of the window.

-Watch out ! she suddenly cried out.
Turning her head, she saw Genta slipping out the window. He had just held on.
-You're going to fall!! Ayumi panicked upon noticing them.
Conan stood up and asked "Yoko" to step aside to see what was going on. Then, he went into the next room at the same time the boy was brought up to safety. This relieved the girl with the glasses.

The girls had left the room to join the boys, who themselves had come.
- Conan-kun is not with you? Ayumi asked.
-He disappeared... announced Genta.
-How ?! cried the girl in the headband.
Faded away. Conan had disappeared. These words sent shivers down the spine of "Yoko", who rubbed her arms, frightened. She shook her head quickly to dismiss her fear, although it was complicated.

-How are you ? Mitsuhiko asked.
-Eh... ? Uh... or... yeah... I think...
She noticed that Ai was no longer next to her. Turning her head, she saw that she was on a chair and books, touching a clock.
- Hey there! It's not good to do stupid things! A man intervened.
Agasa came right behind as the almost red-haired girl descended from her perch.
- They caused some trouble? The older-looking man wondered.
- No, just a little stupidity...
-Nonsense ?
-But no ! We were looking for Conan-kun who disappeared! Is not it ? Ayumi explained.
Both boys nodded. The gardener explained that the missing must certainly be in the toilet. And they went to get him.

Nobody. There was no one in the toilet. And they were the only ones where the young boy could be.
The former high school student continued to rub her arms, trying to reassure herself.
-Maybe he's hidden somewhere and he wants to surprise us, right? Guess Genta.
-It's possible ! Conan-kun has quite childish sides sometimes! Mitsuhiko agreed.

Their search was interrupted by what appeared to be the butler, announcing that the meal was ready.
- Is it time for dinner already? The one who arrived was surprised when Ai was on the chair. I also cook dinner for you. Are you joining us? he suggests.
-But... We have to find Conan-kun... Asked Ayumi.
-Don't worry. When he starts to get very hungry, he won't be able to resist and he will show himself. Reassured the man.
That was enough to reassure the little girl with the headband, but not her friend, who followed everyone further away.

-It looks good ! Bon appetit! Say at the same time Genta, Ayumi and Mitsuhiko.
"Yoko" put her head on her hand, without really touching the food. She wasn't really hungry because of her worry. She hoped Conan was okay.
The adults talked to each other while the children ate their fill.
-I... Can I go to bed... please? She finally asked, just wanting to be alone.
-Aren't you eating? Ayumi asked.
-...
She didn't answer and got up.
-There is no problem. We'll take you there. Said one of the men, the one who allowed the group to enter the house.
The butler came forward and "Yoko" started to follow him, a little hesitantly.

She was taken to a room where she was allowed to take the bed she wanted. She nodded and once alone, she collapsed to the ground.
She told herself that she should have stayed at Matsuda's. She wouldn't have had to go through that kind of feeling again. If so, it was she who had brought bad luck.
She tried to get up and lay down in one of the beds. She tried not to think of anything, but it was a waste of time. Her memories took over.