Chapter 35: School Festival; A Conspiracy

Midnight.

The quiet streets.

People were already asleep.

The dark gray sky looked exceptionally mysterious.

Gusts of breeze brought a damp scent.

Occasionally, a few dog barks came from the depths.

Adding a sound to this silent night.

Ki Hoshino went to the street locker alone with the key.

He carefully observed the surroundings.

Confirming that no one was following him.

There were no surveillance devices at the corner either.

He inserted the key.

And opened the locker.

Several silver boxes were placed inside.

They were the boxes robbed from the cash transport truck.

He opened one of them.

The money was still there.

Neat stacks of yen banknotes.

Were placed inside the box.

Each banknote had the portrait of "Natsume Soseki" printed on it.

Natsume Soseki.

Held a high status in modern Japanese literary history.

Known as the "National Great Writer."

He had high attainments in both Eastern and Western culture and was an English scholar.

His descriptions of individual psychology were precise and subtle.

Pioneering the trend of the "I-novel" in later generations.

Many literary figures came from under his tutelage, and Ryunosuke Akutagawa was also mentored by him.

He insisted on a critical attitude toward Meiji society throughout his life. ===== CHAPTER 96 =====

On December 9, 1916, Natsume Soseki passed away due to illness.

In the anime.

In the episode where the criminal gang made counterfeit money.

Because Conan's classmate's older brother was very good at drawing "Natsume Soseki."

He was kidnapped.

Specifically to draw counterfeit money for the criminal gang.

At that time, Conan even thought it was the Black Organization.

And wanted to capture them by his own strength.

Ki Hoshino looked at these boxes full of banknotes.

As if looking at his bright future.

It had been so long.

Since no one had come to take this money yet.

Then he wouldn't be polite.

This money was robbed by Akemi Miyano.

And was instigated by the Black Organization.

Rounding it up.

This money was taken by the Black Organization.

It had nothing to do with Ki Hoshino.

By the time Ki Hoshino finished his business and returned home.

The sky was already slightly bright.

"Bang!"

Ki Hoshino closed the door.

"Ah!"

Akemi Miyano suddenly screamed.

"Stop screaming, it's me!"

Ki Hoshino was speechless.

Women were troublesome.

What if she attracted someone?

He carefully lifted the window to observe the situation outside the door.

"Wh...what's wrong? Is it someone from the organization?"

Akemi Miyano was nervous.

She stood on the bed.

Pulling the quilt with one hand and covering her mouth with the other.

Looking at a loss.

She lowered her head.

And looked at her half-covered body.

Showing a bit of inexplicable restraint.

Immediately.

Her cheeks suddenly turned red.

That ashamed soul.

Rampaged in the narrow space between her temples.

Seeming to want to tear her shell apart with hatred.

"No!"

Ki Hoshino placed the breakfast he was holding on the table.

He looked up at Akemi Miyano.

The other party was still holding the quilt to cover her chest.

At this moment, she looked a bit ashamed.

Her face, looked at by Ki Hoshino, turned even redder.

Almost about to shed tears.

An awkward smell filled the air.

Ki Hoshino shook his head helplessly.

He walked directly to the wardrobe, took out a pair of pajamas, and placed them on the bed.

He took out his school uniform.

And turned to go to the bathroom to wash up.

He had to get ready for school.

"......"

Akemi Miyano looked at Ki Hoshino's back.

Standing stunned on the bed.

Not knowing how to react.

Suddenly.

A feeling of shame invaded her for no reason.

"Thump!"

She collapsed onto the bed and retreated backward hard.

With a flushed face.

Slowly lowering her long eyelashes, as if fighting against sleep.

She seemed to have been a bit overly sentimental.

Ki Hoshino didn't seem to have the slightest intention of romantic desire toward her.

On the contrary, it was her.

Who had long been prepared to offer herself at any time.

Such a woman.

Akemi Miyano raised both hands.

And covered her cheeks.

Tears flowed from between her fingers.

"Students! I have good news for everyone."

"The school's cultural festival next month has been moved up to the end of this month."

"Everyone, please prepare well!"

The teacher was on the podium.

Announcing a very joyful piece of news.

"Yay! That's awesome!"

"Ah, then our club's program needs to speed up rehearsals."

"......"

Ki Hoshino looked up.

He hadn't joined any clubs yet.

So for the cultural festival.

He didn't need to do anything.

The school's "cultural festival." ===== CHAPTER 97 =====

Also known as the school cultural festival.

It was one of the annual routine activities from elementary school to university.

Every summer and autumn.

Schools would hold cultural festivals with their own unique characteristics.

The cultural festival was one of the school's special activities.

It was dedicated to improving students' enthusiasm by showcasing daily learning achievements.

For cultural festivals in Japanese schools.

Students held a great deal of control and freedom.

The school festival executive committee elected by the students.

Had more autonomy and decision-making power in the holding of the cultural festival.

From the initial preparation planning to venue layout, content arrangement.

And the implementation of activities, etc., were all arranged by the students themselves.

The cultural festival activities were rich and colorful.

There were food streets, special sales, research exhibitions, public speeches, and other programs.

Besides that.

Various clubs would also arrange related programs combined with their own characteristics.

For example, the law department's mock trial.

The biology department's animal and plant exhibition.

The judo club's judo performance.

The dance club's street dance performance, etc., were too numerous to mention.

The cultural festival was open to the public.

The participants were not limited to the school's teachers and students.

People outside the school could also participate.

This created strong participation and interaction.

Once the school festival arrived.

Residents near the school would come to participate in an endless stream.

Even tourists would come for the reputation.

As a transmigrator.

Ki Hoshino could only see the so-called "school cultural festival" in anime in the past.

Now that he was in the world of the anime.

How could he not experience it properly?

Regarding the school cultural festival.

He was looking forward to it.

During the break.

"Hoshino-kun..."

"......"

Sonoko Suzuki came to Ki Hoshino's seat.

She looked a bit shy.

Like a late-blooming flower hiding behind green leaves, not daring to show its face.

"What's wrong?"

Ki Hoshino came back to his senses.

Looking at the other party indifferently.

Asking what she wanted with his eyes.

His beautiful face.

A light blue checkered school shirt, with the sleeves loosely rolled up.

Simple and slightly gorgeous.

Also had a bit of indescribable sexiness.

Like a prince who had just thrown away his evening gown after attending a luxurious banquet.

"I want to ask you... have you joined any clubs?"

Sonoko Suzuki's face turned redder and redder.

She looked shy.

Like the shy red leaves dotted on the edge of the city!

"No!"

Ki Hoshino shook his head indifferently.

"Then come to our drama club?"

The girl heard the boy's answer.

Suddenly overjoyed.

Her cheeks were red and moist.

As if she had gathered all her courage.

She placed her hands into fists in front of her chest.

Anxiously stating the purpose of her visit.

Her small chest rose and fell with the movement.

Her eyes shone with hopeful light.

"We're still missing a Prince Charming role!"

"But, Sonoko, shouldn't Prince Charming be..."

An untimely male voice came from behind.

"Ow!"

A scream interrupted the rest of his words.

Ki Hoshino wanted to look past Sonoko Suzuki at the boy.

But was blocked by the suddenly appearing Ran Mouri.

"Yeah, Hoshino-kun, our drama club is really short of people lately."

Ran Mouri looked troubled.

She put her hands together.

"Could you please help Sonoko?"

Her expression carried a hint of pleading.

Hoping Ki Hoshino could come and help their drama club get through the crisis.

Also a beauty.

The most profound impression Ran Mouri gave.

Was the beauty of her heroic yet gentle eyebrows.

Her long eyelashes flickered like two small brushes.

A pair of big, beautiful eyes that were so bright they were dazzling.

Exceptionally lively and spirited.

"Suzuki-san, aren't you in the tennis club... ow!"

"Yeah, and Mouri-san is in the karate... ahhh!"

Two more screams came.

Ki Hoshino poked his head out again to look behind Ran Mouri.

Ran Mouri moved again to block his view.

"......"

A conspiracy?