An hour passed. It was six o'clock in the evening.
In that final stretch of time, Yoko Okino and Shingo Nachi performed exceptionally well and passed their scenes smoothly, bringing today's filming to a close.
"Alright, pack it up."
With a wave of his hand, director Gondo Taketoshi signaled that today's work was done.
"Miss Yoko, you worked hard!" Kogoro Mouri, knowing the coast was clear, grabbed a towel and rushed over with such enthusiasm that Yoko Okino found it hard to refuse.
"Dad, seriously." Ran slapped her forehead helplessly.
Kurosawa Hoshino smiled. "Uncle Mouri did hold back all afternoon. At least he kept his promise."
"That's true." Ran smiled.
"Let's head back then." Sonoko rubbed her stomach, feeling hungry.
"Probably not yet." Kurosawa Hoshino shook his head.
Then, under the puzzled gazes of the two girls, he recounted what had happened around five o'clock.
After listening, both girls' eyes went wide.
Sonoko said flatly, "Director Gondo is useless. Can't even control his own crew. Someone actually took secret photos."
Ran sighed. "Since Dad already promised, we'll probably have to stay with the crew tonight. Otherwise, we won't find out who it was."
Kurosawa Hoshino chuckled. "So, are you two staying or going home?"
"We're staying." Sonoko said loyally. "Can't let Uncle Mouri investigate alone."
"Yeah, me too." Ran nodded.
Conan: I want to go home.
Unfortunately, Conan knew his opinion mattered least. Everyone else had agreed, so objecting was pointless. Better to keep quiet.
Another hour passed.
It was completely dark.
Gondo Taketoshi and the crew had finished packing up and arrived at Beika Inn, a short walk down the road from Beika Shrine.
Somewhere along the way, Kogoro Mouri and Gondo Taketoshi had hit it off, quickly becoming drinking buddies. Kogoro was invited to stay for drinks, and Kurosawa Hoshino and the others readily agreed to tag along.
But just as everyone was about to enter the inn, a minor incident occurred.
Shingo Nachi, the second male lead, looked at the inn with undisguised disdain.
"This cheap inn will lower my standards. I'm staying at the Beika Hotel."
"Go ahead." Gondo, a seasoned veteran, was used to actors' attitudes. As long as it didn't affect his production, he was tolerant.
Shingo Nachi nodded curtly and walked off without another word.
"Tch." Sonoko clicked her tongue. "Didn't expect him to be like this. Half the girls in our class are his fans. They should see this."
Ran agreed. "Yeah. Kinda disappointing."
"Forget him. Let's go in." Gondo led the way.
The rest of the crew exchanged glances, shrugged, and the lively chatter resumed as they filed inside.
"Yoko, are you staying here tonight too?" Eiichi Yamagishi, her manager, asked quietly.
"It's fine, Yamagishi-san. I'm not picky as long as I can sleep." Yoko smiled.
Then she turned to Ran and Sonoko and winked. "Want to take a bath together?"
"Sure."
The two girls nodded eagerly. Hand in hand, the three of them disappeared inside.
As soon as they left, Eiichi Yamagishi spoke up again.
"Kurosawa-kun, Yoko told me about the secret photos. I'm planning to search the crew's rooms during dinner. I was hoping you could help buy me some time."
"..."
Kurosawa Hoshino, Kogoro Mouri, and Conan stared at him strangely. Was this guy serious?
Kurosawa Hoshino sighed. "Yamagishi-san, maybe we should think of another plan. Getting caught would be bad."
Kogoro Mouri nodded. "Yeah. Even if those paparazzi make up stories and release them, without follow-up photos, not many people will believe it."
Conan piped up, "Besides, you're Miss Yoko's manager. They'll suspect she put you up to it."
"Sigh..." Yamagishi's face fell. After a moment, he nodded and abandoned the idea.
"Dad! Hoshino! What are you still doing out there?" Ran's voice called from inside.
"Coming."
They went in without another word.
But before food or baths, they checked their rooms first.
Gondo had already arranged everything—their rooms were right next to Yoko Okino's.
Sonoko and Ran shared one. Kurosawa Hoshino roomed with the guys.
"Ran, Sonoko, come hang out in my room later," Yoko invited. "Oh, and Hoshino—you too."
"No thanks." Kurosawa Hoshino declined. "We got photographed just standing nearby. If someone catches us in your room tonight, that'd be a real mess."
Sonoko leaned in and whispered, "I have an idea. We could sneak around and catch whoever's taking pictures red-handed."
"Let's put that aside for now. Yoko-san, what time is dinner?" Hoshino asked.
"Eight o'clock. Still an hour."
"Got it. I'm taking a shower first."
Eight o'clock. Dinner arrived on time.
Second floor of Beika Inn.
Kurosawa Hoshino didn't squeeze in with Gondo and the crew. Instead, he joined Ran and the others in a private room next door.
"I knew you'd come." Sonoko patted the seat beside her as he walked in. "Here. Saved it for you."
"Isn't this a square table?" Hoshino looked at them with amusement. "You didn't save anything—there's literally an empty seat."
He sat down on the remaining side.
Suddenly, the door slid open.
Conan peeked in, looking pitiful. "Ran-neechan, I want to eat with you guys. Uncle Mouri and the others are too noisy."
"Come in. Sit next to me." Kurosawa Hoshino spoke before Ran or Sonoko could. He shifted slightly to make room.
Conan beamed and hurried inside.
Yoko smiled at them. "I have playing cards in my room. Let's play after dinner. I don't film until tomorrow afternoon—everyone else shoots in the morning, so I can sleep in."
"Want to play a punishment game?" Sonoko's eyes lit up. She loved games with stakes, especially when Hoshino ended up on the losing side.
"Ahem." Kurosawa Hoshino cleared his throat. "Maybe not cards. Let's do something else."
Playing cards with Ran right there? That would be pure torture.