𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒

file 054 | a challenge to the detectives

movie 10 — the private eyes' requiem

"An amusement park?" Matsuda echoed with a raised eyebrow behind his sunglasses. He held his phone to his ear as he lounged back in his chair, ignoring the looks Sato was giving him because of it. "And the job request specifically requested the hotel next to Miracle Land? Really?"

Suzume sighed. "Don't ask me, I don't know much about it," she said. "The kids and Ran are coming along so we can spend the day at Miracle Land while Kogoro-san works the case."

"You're not helping him?" Matsuda's eyebrows shot up in disbelief.

"Nope. Ran insisted I take a break and ride some rides," Suzume said, not sounding very enthusiastic about it. "I'm not too inclined to do it after last time, but whatever."

"Have fun," he joked and she growled. "Call or text if something comes up."

"I will."

~ — — — ~

"Damn, got passed again," Kogoro grumbled as he drove the van he rented for the day.

Suzume sighed, crossing her legs. "If you were going to rent a car, you could've gotten one better than this."

"I agree," Mitsuhiko chimed in.

Ran glanced back at them with a smile. "It would've been better if we took the train, wouldn't it?"

The kids voiced their agreement as Kogoro turned his head to glare at them.

"Shut up!" he snapped. "It was the client who told me to bring you guys with me! I had to rent a car big enough to hold you all!"

And you didn't think that was suspicious at all? Suzume's eyes narrowed.

"Five seconds left," Ai said, making everyone give her questioning looks. "If you don't turn the steering wheel, you'll crash into the wall in five seconds."

Kogoro yelled as he turned back around, frantically turning the wheel to move the car away from the wall. Suzume just sighed as everyone else screamed at the rapid movements.

Why couldn't I have rode on the train?

~ — — — ~

"It's amazing!" Ayumi said in awe of the large castle in front of them.

"It's like a castle!" Mitsuhiko agreed.

"Then, maybe a king lives here?" Genta wondered.

"It's a hotel, you guys," Suzume said.

"Well, it's right in front of Miracle Land," Ai said. "So if rich people living like kings were to get together at this hotel, it wouldn't be surprising."

Suzume just smiled in amusement as Ran looked at the kids. "Oh yeah, I've heard this hotel will welcome its 100,000th guest soon, right?"

Kogoro crossed his arms. "Doing pretty well, aren't they?"

Looking down at the ground, Suzume's eyes narrowed as she moved her foot slightly to see some confetti hidden under her shoe. "So it seems."

"Um, excuse me, but..." A man came over with a hotel employee. "Are you Detective Mouri?"

"Oh, yes."

"We have been awaiting you. I am your client's secretary, Takada. It's a bit sudden, but please come this way." Takada looked at the employee. "You, take care of their car."