𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬

file 038 | murder, attempted murder, and coming out

In a teahouse in Pontocho, Kogoro and the other men were enjoying a performance of song and dance from two geisha. Once it was finished, they gave applause for the women.

"Chikasuzu-chan, you're Japan's number one!" Kogoro applauded, clearly drunk.

The geisha smiled. "Thank you, I hope it pleased you."

"Come now, and serve Mouri-sensei," Ryuen requested.

"Yes." Chikasuzu moved over and poured more alcohol into Kogoro's cup. "Pardon me."

"Kogoro-chan may climb to the heavens!"

"Why don't you keep climbing?!" Ran deadpanned as she stood in the doorway of the room, making him choke on his drink.

"You guys, why are you..."

"We've talked about this numerous times, Kogoro-san," Suzume grumbled, crossing her arms. "No drinking while you're on a job, remember?"

"The chief priest told us where you were," Sonoko informed him with a cheeky grin.

"Is that so? The chief priest..." Ryuen murmured as Kogoro panicked. He then smiled. "Then how about it? Would you like to join us?"

"Excuse us for interrupting," Sonoko said, jumping at the chance as the teahouse mistress brought out more cushions for them.

Heiji took a seat next to Chikasuzu, staring at her in surprise. "Aren't you from Miyagawa-cho?"

"Yes. I'm Chikasuzu. Thank you for the help earlier."

"Do you know her?" Kazuha asked.

"Yeah, just a little bit."

Ran glared at her father. "If I let you out of my sight for just one second..."

"Ran-san, please don't scold your father. We're the ones who invited him," Ryuen explained.

"That's right. We thought we could ask the famous detective to explain the Genjibotaru case," Sakura said.

"Talking about the Genjibotaru, don't all the members have a copy of the Yoshitsune Chronicles?" the mistress asked.

"I have one too," Sakura told her. "It's a really great book. Right, used book seller?"

Saijo chuckled. "Yes. But I don't like it very much. Even if they say it's the Yoshitsune Chronicles, it actually depicts Benkei's activities. It is the Benkei Chronicles."

"I like it," Mizuo said. "Especially the 'Ataka no Benkei', it's the best."

"Ataka?" Sonoko repeated. "What is that?"

"It's one of the programs of the Noh theater. While escaping from the Yoritomo's pursuing party, Yoshitsune and his servants disguise themselves as mountain priests. They try to get through the Ataka checkpoint, but—"

"Yoshitsune's disguise is almost seen through," Sakura interrupted Mizuo's explanation. "Benkei used his Kongoubou to hit Yoshitsune at once."

"Eh? Why?"

"In order to deceive the checkpoint guards," Sakura answered. "No one would ever believe that a servant would hit his master with a staff."

"Then, Yoshitsune and his party were able to safely pass through the checkpoint," Mizuo continued. "Later, when Benkei apologized with tears, Yoshitsune praised him for his quick wits. You can understand how deep their bond was. It's a good story."

Sakura turned to the mistress. "I'm sorry, but I haven't had much sleep lately. May I rest in one of the rooms downstairs?"

"If that's the case, there are no other guests tonight, so take the room next to..."