books44 Chapter 304 We, from a collateral branch, pay our respects to the Patriarch!
Chapter 304 We, from a collateral branch, pay our respects to the Patriarch!
"What, would you like to take a walk in the bamboo forest over there?"
Having changed into the light blue bamboo yukata provided by the hotel, Kuromon Haruya put his hands in his pockets and looked at Asano Narumi, who was still standing on the veranda.
"..."
Asagi turned her gaze to him and remained silent for a moment.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No. I'm just feeling a bit sentimental thinking about how hard it is for the real person to come home and reunite with their family."
"...I see." Kuromon Haruya's smile faded, then she raised her voice, "By the way! Sonoko and Ran want to go to the nearby market, and they asked me to find out about you. Have you decided what you want to do?"
The two met eyes, and Asagi nods knowingly, recalling one of the additional purposes of this trip—to gradually integrate into Suzuki Sonoko's social circle through Kuromon Haruya's introduction and increase her profile.
Despite the fact that Asano Minori only recently obtained his official identity due to the intelligence department's review process, it doesn't mean he forgot Gin's mission instructions at the Christmas party: 'Become famous and appear in the newspapers within three months.'
"I already have an idea, so I'll go change my clothes first."
Kuromon Haruya pointed to the west side of the Wataru Hotel: "The men's room is the second to last room on the west side. I'm going to accompany Mr. Mori to the izakaya. I might be back a little later."
"Okay, I will inform Miss Lan."
As he brushed past the figure in light blue, Asagi lowered his head, twitched his nose, and a look of concern flashed in his eyes.
It disappeared... I don't know why, but after waking up in the afternoon, the enticing fragrance that lingered around Mr. Kuromon suddenly disappeared.
He reported this change to Gin during his psychological testing, but only received the answer that there was no need to worry.
But the fragrance suddenly disappeared. Was it him, or had something changed about Mr. Kuromon?
......
The next morning, we arrived at Inasa-no-hama, a famous resort beach in Izumo City.
The shimmering blue waves, the lullaby of the tides rising and falling under the sunlight, the soft golden sand slipping through my fingers, an unprecedented sense of ease soothing my nerves.
For some, however, the long-awaited main course is the fabric soaked by seawater and clinging to ivory-white skin, revealing glimpses of a slender figure beneath and the fullness of flesh accentuated by the elastic swimsuit.
For example, there's the lecherous old man next to him who's completely oblivious to his daughter's death stare, or the elementary school student with a little duck swim ring, floating around Ran and staring intently at the outline of her swimsuit—a man with lustful thoughts but no physical attributes.
"It's great to be young~"
A guy like him, who has seen all sorts of high society and all kinds of exquisite men and women engaging in sexual harmony in various ways, has no passion whatsoever for ordinary scenes.
Kuromon Haruya sipped his lemon tea, which was covered in ice, and lay leisurely on the beach blanket, counting down in his mind.
3, 2, 1 —
Bang!
"Ouch——"
"Dad, why did you suggest coming to the beach and leaving Kuromon standing around? What are you planning to do?"
Ran Mouri clenched her fists, her hands clenched tightly, her delicate and fair skin trembling with rage. But with a single blow, she smashed the recliner apart and stabbed Kogoro Mouri in the buttocks.
His mother is in a coma in the intensive care unit abroad, and he still has the nerve to look at beautiful women!
"Hehehe..."
Kogoro Mouri clutched his back, a bead of cold sweat beading on his forehead, and gave him a look filled with a strong sense of survival.
"Ran, I'm helping Kuromon find a travel buddy! You know, the best way to wash away the shadows is to create wonderful memories, and what could be better than a romantic encounter! Kuromon, don't you agree?"
Haruya Kuromon turned her head, a hint of vulnerability showing through her strong exterior, which only intensified her protective instincts: "Yes, yes, just like Mr. Mori said."
Kogoro Mouri's eyes widened instantly: You brat, why did you suddenly betray us?!
Ran Mouri's face darkened, and a terrifying cracking sound came from her fists. "Kuromon is a bachelor, and he likes blondes and blue-eyed girls! You're clearly trying to seduce brown-haired girls!"
“Yeah, yeah, you should at least draft an excuse, uncle~” Sonoko Suzuki said, hands on her hips, agreeing with dissatisfaction.
Even Conan, who was standing next to her, nodded in agreement.
"Pfft, cough cough cough." Kuromon Haruya covered his mouth, almost choking to death.
So, is his preference for blonde hair and blue eyes so deeply ingrained that everyone knows it?
Kogoro Mouri wiped away his cold sweat and stubbornly said, "Blonde hair is fine, maybe brown hair will do too?" He turned his head and loudly sought agreement, "You're right, aren't you, Kuromon!"
Haruka Kuromon: No, actually, tea hair is one of my minefields.
"Huh, did we hear that right?" "Excuse me, did you just mention the 'Black Gate'?"
A couple in swimsuits and sunglasses approached, their faces full of curiosity. The woman sitting in front raised an eyebrow, her gaze darting back and forth between the group, finally settling on Kuromon Haruya's face, and she gasped in surprise:
"Wow! Xiaoxiao, look, it really is the Black Gate!"
Kogoro Mouri rubbed his aching back as he stood up, raising an eyebrow impatiently: "Huh? Who are you people?"
"Sorry, sorry, I was too excited and forgot to introduce myself!"
The woman with black hair and blue eyes, wearing a high ponytail, took off her sunglasses and gave a thumbs-up: "I am Kuromonji Shizuka, and this is my twin brother, Kuromonji Akira. Nice to meet you!"
Pulled behind by his sunny and enthusiastic older sister, the gloomy young man named Xiao shrank back, hiding his expression in his overly long bangs, and whispered as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "...Hello."
They are a brother and sister whose personalities are completely opposite to their names!
Forgetting the previous attack, Ran Mouri keenly grasped the key point: "Kuromonji? I've never heard of that. It's a very rare surname, isn't it?"
"Of course!" Shizuka, the older sister, emphasized proudly. "The Kuromonji clan is only distributed in Tottori Prefecture, and my brother and I are the current generation of descendants!"
"Are you acquaintances of Brother Heimen?"
"The Black Gate!"
As if encountering a safe word, Miss Jing trembled, her gaze burning with passion once more, and she excitedly grasped Kuromon Haruya's hand: "I knew I wasn't mistaken, you must be Lord Kuromon?"
"You?" Yuanzi tilted her head.
"Sir?" Conan glanced sideways.
After rummaging through his memory for a long time, he finally recalled the surname from some obscure corner of his mind. Kuromon Haruya's lips twitched, and he weakly tried to withdraw his hand.
"Yes, please both of you calm down first..."
Before he could finish speaking, two muffled thuds landed on the sand.
The Kuromonji siblings knelt on the beach with lightning speed, their foreheads pressed against the sand, their movements so synchronized as if they had rehearsed it a thousand times:
"We, from a collateral branch, pay our respects to the patriarch!"