"Haibara, I'm going out today. It's really inconvenient to bring you along. Be a good girl and stay home."
Before leaving, Toru spoke to Haibara, who was dressed in children's clothes, arms crossed and a very unhappy expression on her face.
Haibara snorted and turned her head away, gritting her teeth. "Then I hope you enjoy yourself with those two beauties."
With that, she walked off with a cold expression toward another courtyard.
...
Hayasaka had no choice but to change into a maid outfit under Toru's relentless pressure.
A black short-sleeved fitted top, covered by a white apron-style cloth, with a red bow tied neatly at the collar.
Below the short skirt that barely covered her pale thighs, her slender calves, glowing with a healthy pink tone, were visible. Her smooth ankles were wrapped in white lace-trimmed socks.
The outfit wasn't particularly revealing, but just being called a "maid outfit" was enough to ignite people's imaginations.
"Young Master Fujiwara, Kaguya-sama."
Suppressing her embarrassment, Hayasaka folded her hands in front of her stomach and bowed slightly, eyes downcast.
If it were just the two of them, Hayasaka wouldn't feel too embarrassed. But the thought of walking down the street in this made her dizzy and short of breath.
Kaguya had also dressed up meticulously, wearing a white chiffon dress with a hemline longer than Hayasaka's maid skirt.
Beneath the hem, she wore black stockings that completely covered her legs. Yet even through the dark fabric, her fair skin peeked through faintly.
It had to be said, Kaguya's simple outfit carried an elegant and noble aura, with a subtle, charming allure.
Both were rare beauties, and for Toru, it was a visual feast that made him feel quite content.
He turned to Hayasaka. "Since you planned today's itinerary yesterday, tell me what you've got in mind."
"Yes."
Hayasaka organized her thoughts and began speaking in a formal tone, like she was delivering a mission briefing.
"Kyoto is one of Japan's most famous tourist destinations, with many sights to see."
"But since Young Master Fujiwara and Kaguya-sama are going to Nichibei TV in the afternoon to meet Ooka-san, I recommend keeping daytime sightseeing minimal."
"Although Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a cliché tourist destination, since this is your first time in Kyoto, it's a must-visit."
"Also, the temple is not far from Nichibei TV, so the schedule should work."
"Once we pick up Ooka-san, she can guide the rest of the trip, since she's a Kyoto native."
"What do you think of this plan?"
Her tone was polished and precise, as if delivering a formal report.
Toru nodded. "Then let's follow your plan, Hayasaka. What about you, Kaguya?"
Kaguya shook her head. "My schedule is always arranged by Hayasaka. I just follow her."
Toru was speechless for a moment.
Should I praise you for trusting your maid, or criticize you for being completely dependent?
Since the plan was decided, they began preparing to leave.
Just before leaving the Fujiwara estate, Hayasaka couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Fujiwara, Kaguya-sama... do I really have to wear this?"
Toru smiled cheerfully. "This is your punishment for tricking me. Of course you do."
Kaguya, with her lack of common sense, saw nothing wrong with the outfit and nodded seriously. "Hayasaka, you wear this all the time at home. What's the issue?"
Hayasaka nearly cried. Her head drooped. "Okay..."
After putting on hats and accessories to avoid being easily recognized, the three of them got into the car Toru arranged and headed for Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Located on Mount Otowa, Kiyomizu-dera didn't allow cars near the entrance. They had to park in a nearby lot and walk the rest of the way.
It was April in Kyoto, the tail end of cherry blossom season, and the streets were filled with tourists from all over.
Walking along the quaint and historic Kiyomizu-zaka slope, Toru looked curiously at the shops lining both sides, packed with souvenirs.
Most of the trinkets looked mass-produced, but there were also some genuinely unique handmade goods.
Hayasaka followed behind, head down and face red. She was terrified of running into someone she knew.
She attended Shuchiin Academy, and no one there knew she was a maid in the Shinomiya family.
Even being a maid in a themed café would draw strange looks, let alone being an actual private maid for a prominent family. Hayasaka couldn't help but feel ashamed.
Today was a school day. There shouldn't be any Shuchiin students in Kyoto... I should face this bravely!
She tried to psych herself up, but still didn't dare to raise her head.
The surrounding chatter made her body tense even more.
"Wow, look, there's a girl in a maid outfit~"
"What's so surprising? Japan loves cosplay. It's no big deal walking around in a maid costume."
"Not true. Didn't you hear her call those two in front 'Young Master' and 'Young Lady'? Look at their outfits and aura. All designer brands. Maybe they really are from some prominent family."
"So... she's a real maid?"
"Yeah, I think so. A legit one."
"I've never seen a real maid before. Hurry, take a photo!"
...
Hayasaka wanted to disappear into a hole. She wanted to rush up and snatch their phones, smash them, and yell, "No unauthorized pictures!"
But there were too many people taking pictures. She couldn't snatch them all.
As they continued walking, Toru suddenly reached out and held Kaguya's hand.
Her entire body stiffened. She froze in place.
Toru chuckled softly. "We're engaged. It's just holding hands. No need to panic."
Kaguya nodded stiffly. "Mm."
Her face turned red, and she lowered her head, heart pounding wildly. Even someone like her, nicknamed the Ice Queen, still had the instincts of a girl.
This... this was the first time a boy had held her hand.
She didn't dare look at Toru. Instead, she turned to the shops and pretended to ask Hayasaka questions about the merchandise.
Hayasaka took the opportunity to distract herself from the pointing and whispering around her, digging through her brain for any trivia to answer Kaguya's questions.
They walked through the slope and reached the entrance to Kiyomizu-dera, where the crowd grew thicker.
Besides tourists, there were groups of elementary school kids there on field trips.
"Wow! Look! A pretty maid lady!"
"Maid lady, can we take a picture with you?"
A bunch of kids ran over. Hayasaka wanted to say no, but she couldn't bring herself to reject children. So with a miserable expression, she posed for photos.
Toru noticed the kids' voices sounded oddly familiar. He took a closer look. Wasn't that Ayumi, Genta, and the others?
Wait a minute. If those kids are here...
Toru scanned the area. Sure enough, Conan stood nearby, looking helpless.
Toru nearly smacked his forehead.
Running into Conan here? Is Kiyomizu-dera going to get bombed later? Or are people going to die? Nothing good ever comes from being near him.
Fortunately, thanks to his disguise, Conan didn't recognize him.
"Bye-bye, maid lady!"
After taking pictures, Hayasaka finally made her way back to Toru and Kaguya.
Kaguya teased, "You're really popular, Hayasaka."
Hayasaka didn't want to talk about it. This wasn't the kind of popularity she wanted.
Toru gently held Kaguya's now sweaty hand as the three entered the temple. Kiyomizu-dera had long been commercialized. While monks still resided there, the noisy environment made cultivation seem unlikely.
They followed the visiting route. Since the temple was built on a mountain, some areas were suspended on wooden platforms over the slope.
Soon, they came upon a crowd lining up to draw fortune slips.
Since they were at a temple, drawing a fortune slip was a must.
They paid the fee and began shaking the bamboo canisters until a slip dropped out.
Next to the station was a cabinet where visitors could retrieve the paper fortunes according to the number they drew.
Toru opened his paper. The words "Great Fortune" appeared.
He smiled and turned to the others. "What did you two get?"
Hayasaka showed hers. It read "Fortune."
Kaguya stared gloomily at hers. When Toru glanced at it, he understood instantly.
"Bad Fortune."
"These slips are so unreliable!"
Kaguya huffed, crumpled the paper, and tossed it in a trash can.
Hayasaka suggested, "Kaguya-sama, why don't we go pray?"
Kaguya, despite claiming not to believe in this stuff, nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's go!"
Toru watched in amusement as Kaguya pulled Hayasaka along and ran ahead. He followed behind.
But they didn't make it to the prayer area, because—
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out from the distance, and the sudden tremor startled everyone in the temple.
People turned toward the west, where thick black smoke was rising into the sky.
Toru quickly shielded Kaguya and Hayasaka. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.
He took it out and saw the call was from Fujiwara butler. He answered quickly.
"Yes, I understand. What? Chika is still in the building?"
Toru lowered the phone, his expression serious. He turned to the girls.
"Just now, the Nichibei TV building in Kyoto exploded. Judging by the blast, it wasn't a gas leak. It was a deliberate demolition."
As soon as he said that, Kaguya remembered Chika had gone to Nichibei TV today. She had also heard what Toru said on the phone. Her face turned pale.
"Chika... don't tell me..."
Toru nodded solemnly. "That's right. Chika is in the building that exploded."
Kaguya's legs buckled. Tears welled up in her eyes as she cried, "Chika... how could you go like this? I'll make sure to buy you a big enough grave so you can be happy underground..."
Her only friend had died, just like that. Kaguya couldn't accept it.
Toru was speechless for a moment. He pulled her up and hurried out of the temple with her and Hayasaka.
"It's not confirmed she's dead yet. We have to get to the scene quickly!"
At that moment, Toru spotted a small figure darting out of the temple.
His face darkened.
Conan... don't go. If you go, something might really happen.
(To be continued.)