[ Discontinued ] Crossroad 『Detective Conan』

Chapter 18 - Surprise !

   Almost two weeks passed since Conan got hospitalized. He recovered very well, although he got a cold. He had at least come to school unlike Ai, who also got sick.

   -Yoko-chan! Ayumi exclaimed with a big smile.
   The girl along with Genta and Mitsuhiko gathered around her table as she put her supplies away.
   -Yes... ?
   - Tomorrow morning meet us in front of the school! Genta ordered.
   -W... Why?
   - We prepared a surprise for you! Mitsuhiko explained.
   "Yoko" turned her head towards her three friends, not knowing how to act. She didn't expect them to surprise her.
   -Why... make me one?
   -You'll see once we get there! Ayumi replied.
   -O... okay...

   The group of friends got separated, taking a different path as always.
The former high school student began to reflect on the behavior of children. She couldn't hide it, she was intrigued by this surprise. Maybe it was related to the many low masses they often did? In any case, she would see it tomorrow.

   "Yoko" arrived in front of Teitan Elementary School. She was quickly joined by her friends. All that was missing was Ai and Conan.
   -You are here ! Greeted Ayumi.
   -You wanted me to come... She answered.
   -What is Hakase doing... He's late... Genta grumbled.
   -Ah! He is coming ! Mitsuhiko announced.

   Agasa's yellow car arrived and stopped in front of the childrens. Ai and Conan were inside.
   -Sorry if I'm late ! The man apologized.
   - You could hurried! complained the largest of the group.
   - I just arrived so it is not so serious... Is it?
   The former high school girl looked at her classmates. They have no patience. Or else Agasa had to come before her.

   All got into the vehicle which started and rolled.
   -Where are we going... ?
   -You will see ! You're going to like it ! Mitsuhiko replied.
   -By the way, can we put something on your eyes? It will be more fun to discover your surprise that way! Says Ayumi.
   -Uh...
   "Yoko" hesitated, not reassured, but accepted in front of the insistent looks of her friends. So they put a cloth over her eyes. So she couldn't see the road anymore.

   The car drove for several minutes, occasionally stopping. Then, it stopped completely, the engine being cut.
   We grabbed the long-haired brunette's hand and led her somewhere. She didn't know where, but she heard quite a few noises. She just couldn't conclude the presence of many people.

   Finally, they removed what covered his eyes.
   -Tro...pical Land?
   It was the words in front of her. She had been taken to Tropical Land, an amusement park.
   His eyes shined like a child's. She did not expect that.
   -Why ? she asked.
   -We will tell you if we have succeeded in our objective. Mitsuhiko smiled.

   -Hakase! Conan-kun! Haibara-san! You hurry ?! Called Ayumi heading for the counters.
   They nodded and quickened their pace to join the children. Then, the places were paid and the group was going in the park.

   -What do we start with ? asked the freckled boy.
   -The Mystery Coaster! Affirmed the largest of the group.
   -The carousel! Launched the girl with the headband.
   - Why not the Ferris wheel! Proposing Mitsuhiko.
   -Nope ! The Mystery Coaster!
   -The carousel! It's better !
   The three began to argue over which attraction to do. Ai just yawned. Apparently, she would follow them wherever they went. "Yoko" said nothing, not daring to intervene. It was Conan who fixed the problem.
   -Why not let Yoko-chan choose?
   -Eh ?
   -It's true that we're here for her... Mitsuhiko thought aloud.
   -Go ! Choose ! Launched Ayumi.
   -Eh ? Uh...

   The former high school girl stared at the map. She stared each attraction with her eyes, not knowing what to choose. She wanted to do everything.
   Finally, she let her gaze rest on a random attraction.
   -Can we start with... The haunted mansion?
   It pleased her well as attractions. She liked that kind of atmosphere, anything that was haunted.

   So the little group headed there happily.
   Along the way, Genta, Ayumi, and Mitsuhiko told their friend about the time they visited a house they thought was haunted. In the end, it was just a mother keeping her son locked up, the latter killed his father.
   "Yoko" listened to their story, not knowing what to think. It seemed to be regular with them, to come across criminals.

   After the haunted house, they took a ride on the Ferris wheel. Then the Mystery Coaster which they did three or four times. Then the Labyrinth of Ice and Fog.
   Finally, it was the lunch break. They ate in a good mood.

   - By the way, could we go to the gripper machines? Ayumi asked after eating.
   -If it doesn't bother Yo...
   -It's okay with me !
   "Yoko" cut Mitsuhiko off. He didn't need to finish his sentence, she understood that he wanted to know if it suited her. She decided all morning where to go, so she might as well leave it to her friends.
   -I hope I can catch a stuffed animal! Said the girl with the headband happily.
   They headed there at a quick pace.
   -Oe! The machines are not free! Oe... Wanted to call Agasa.
   The latter was not listened to and lowered his head in despair. Conan and Ai gave an amused smile.

   The room where the soft toys were located was rather noisy, because of the other games there.
   Once arrived in front of stuffed animals pleasing the little girl, the professor gave a coin to Ayumi who inserted it into the machine.
   - Wow... There are plenty! Which one are you going to choose? Genta asked.
   - The pink bunny!
   She aimed the pliers at this rabbit, and pressed the button to catch it. He went up, but fell. Second try, same result. Same for the third.

   -Can I try ? Asked the former high school student.
   -Yes...
   The young girl with short brown hair gave it to her friend. She put the coin in the machine. She aimed the claw over the stuffed animal, moving often to change her angle of view. This allowed her to see if each side was good, giving her a better forecast. Then she pressed the button to lower the clamp and catch the stuffed animal which fell not far from the hole.
   -Shit !
   She tried again under the encouragement of her friends and succeeded.
   - Yeah! Ayumi exclaimed.
   "Yoko" let out a victorious smile and clapped Genta's hands, followed by Mitsuhiko's to end with the girl in the headband.
   She handed her the stuffed animal.
   -Here ! You caught it, it's coming back to you!
   -...I caught it for you, so keep it! Ok ?
   -But...
   -It will be better with you than with me... And I prefer that it is you who have it!
   -... Ok !
   She hugged the stuffed animal tightly while thanking the girl with the glasses who smiled back at her.