Chapter 214: Kudo Shinichi gets kicked in the face in public

In front of the gymnasium door, a pair of student lovers were huddled in front of the play list.

"Is this the play 'Tepid Love' that's about to be performed?"

"Yeah, yeah! I heard from the drama club that it's a love story between a beautiful princess and a black-clad knight."

"It's said that at the climax of the play, the masked black knight will take off his mask and confess to the princess!"

"Really? That's so romantic!"

An hour later, with a *hum*, the lights in the gymnasium dimmed, and the sound in the audience seats instantly quieted down.

Immediately after, a male and female student host walked onto the stage, said a few opening remarks, and then smiled and introduced:

"Next, please enjoy the original play performed by Class 2-B, 'Tepid Love'!"

The two hosts finished speaking and left the stage together.

Not long after, amidst the opening music, the curtain on the stage slowly opened, and Ran, playing the princess, made a shining entrance in a castle set built of cardboard, beginning the performance.

Although the script for "Tepid Love" was very cheesy and mediocre, Ran's performance was quite good, and she was beautiful, so the audience watched with great interest.

In the blink of an eye, nearly half an hour passed, the second act of the play ended, the curtain on the stage was pulled up, and the staff began to reset the scene.

In the men's dressing room backstage, Kudo Shinichi said very gratefully: "Dr. Araide, thank you for giving up the role of the Black Knight for the final act."

Araide Tomoaki smacked his lips and said: "I didn't expect you to dare to challenge such a powerful Onmyoji. I gave up this role because I need to hurry and get the first aid kit."

"Eh? Get what first aid kit? Is someone hurt?"

Kudo Shinichi was confused.

"Not now, but there will be later. Don't worry, Kudo Shinichi, with me here, you won't die."

Araide Tomoaki's expression was like he was looking at a warrior going to his death.

Hearing his words, Kudo Shinichi wanted to back out.

"Listen, the next act is the plot where the princess encounters danger while being married off." Araide Tomoaki began to explain the script to Kudo Shinichi.

"First, six people play bad guys attacking the princess; the princess will fight them for a bit, then be outnumbered."

"The Black Knight will appear at this time, defeat the people attacking the princess, and then take off his mask to confess."

"You must not go out too early, or it will be a mess."

For some reason, Araide Tomoaki suddenly had a bad premonition.

"Don't worry." Kudo Shinichi patted his chest, "I've already read the script, I absolutely won't mess up the performance."

Akaso Kaze, who was monitoring with the Eye of Space, curled his lip.

This guy, instead of being a good lab mouse, actually dares to covet my Ran; he's really asking for a beating.

Thinking about the play rehearsal he had helped guide two days ago, his mouth curled upward.

Conan... no, Shinichi, don't blame me.

You brought this on yourself.

Inside the gymnasium.

The curtain on the stage opened again, and Ran began her performance again.

In the audience, the viewers had also quieted down, listening to the stage with great interest.

Everyone was waiting for the most exciting scene.

It was said that this play was originally very dull, but one day during rehearsal, Lord Akaso Kaze came and offered a small suggestion.

So, at the end, a very exciting segment appeared.

Everyone who heard this legend was very curious about what this scene was like.

Actually, it was nothing; at the time, Akaso Kaze only said one sentence: Why not utilize Ran's strengths?

On stage, as the third act began, the entire play had entered its climax.

In the forest set, the princess's carriage convoy played by Ran was attacked by hostile forces, all the guards were killed, and the situation was critical.

Ran stood next to the carriage used as a prop.

Her gaze was directed toward the bottom of the stage.

Behind her, six villainous swordsmen from the hostile forces surrounded her with sinister smiles.

And Kudo Shinichi, wearing the Black Knight's clothes and masked, was standing on a two-meter-high platform next to them, preparing to jump down and save the beauty.

At this time, Sonoko, who was responsible for script cues under the stage, held up a sign.

It had a few words written on it: "Karate Triple Kick."

Receiving the cue, Ran said in a delicate voice: "Your conspiracy will not succeed."

As she said the lines, she lifted her skirt and raised her leg.

The three swordsmen behind her also thrust their swords over.

Ran was going to perform a triple kick, kicking away the three enemies' swords, before being cornered by the enemies' swords.

At this critical moment, Kudo Shinichi on the platform suddenly tipped forward and fell headfirst.

"Eh? Who pushed me?"

Kudo Shinichi's mind had just formed the thought when a shoe sole appeared in front of his eyes.

He heard three *bang, bang, bang* sounds.

Kudo Shinichi was kicked three times in the face, screamed "Ah," and flew out, falling into the prop bushes around him.

All the audience members were stunned, then burst into thunderous applause.

"Too exciting, it's just like the real thing."

"Ran's triple kick is so cool!"

"The supporting actor also performed well; that scream sounded just like he was really kicked three times."

On stage, Mouri Ran and the other actors were all stunned.

Weren't we supposed to kick the swords?

Why did the Black Knight stick his face in the way himself?

Recalling Ran's three kicks just now, the supporting actors all felt a chill on their faces.

"Is Dr. Araide okay?"

"He seems to have fainted."

"The Black Knight was kicked away, how should we perform now?"

Someone asked in a low voice.

Akaso Kaze raised an eyebrow; it seems it's time for me to save the show.

Inside the gymnasium, snowflakes suddenly began to fall.

"Huh, is it snowing?"

"Wow, it's real snow!"

This time, not only were the actors stunned, but the audience was stunned too.

This wasn't the fake snow made of paper scraps on stage, but real snowflakes that felt cold and wet on the hand.

What was most surprising was that those snowflakes carried a shimmering light, looking beautiful and magnificent.

Amidst the snowflakes, a knight wearing a black cloak and a helmet covering his face slowly descended from the air, landing beside Ran.

He waved his hand gently, and the supporting actors who were in a daze all flew away.

In the bright light beads of the stage, only he and Ran remained.

"You... who exactly are you?"

Ran recited the lines unconsciously.

"Please take off your pitch-black mask and face me with your true appearance."

The entire gymnasium was silent, all eyes focused on the Black Knight's mask.

Whether they knew the script and had seen the rehearsal, or knew nothing at all, everyone was very expectant.

Who exactly was this Black Knight?

On the stage, under the lights, amidst the snowflakes, the focus of everyone's attention.

The knight slowly took off the black mask, revealing a handsome face that every girl would dream of.

"Akaso-san~, why is it you?"

Mouri Ran's eyes were full of surprise.

Akaso Kaze smiled slightly and helped her recite the lines: "Do you still remember our vow? Today, I will write proof on your lips."

In front of all the audience, Akaso Kaze lifted Mouri Ran's small chin and kissed her affectionately.

*Whoa*, countless cheers and whistles sounded from below.