It was another holiday.
Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture.
In the mountainous forest far from the city, a long-distance bus stopped at the end of a winding mountain road. The door opened, and several figures stepped out one after another.
"Hey, Lucy! Why do I have to carry such heavy luggage for you?!"
Caesar complained to Lucy, carrying an oversized suitcase in each hand.
Lucy flipped her single ponytail, put her hands on her hips, and said righteously.
"Hmph! You were the one who insisted on coming along, okay? I originally only invited Rin… and Ellen! What's wrong with asking you to help with the luggage? It's perfectly reasonable!"
As she spoke, she secretly glanced at Rin, who was easily carrying her small bag next to her, and Ellen, who, as always, had a lollipop in her mouth. She felt a surge of frustration.
A miscalculation, a miscalculation! I originally only planned to invite Rin for a wonderful two-person hot spring trip!
But Ellen happened to be there at the time, so I couldn't exclude her in front of everyone, could I? I had no choice but to invite her along.
I even specifically said, Ellen, you're not convenient, you don't have to go, but she still agreed immediately! She really doesn't know how to read the atmosphere.
Okay, one more third wheel, then one more third wheel... But who would have thought!
This morning, I even got up extra early, like a thief, avoiding all the Sons of Calydon members, carrying my suitcase, ready to sneak out and meet Rin.
But I was still caught red-handed by that idiot Caesar at the door! And then she shamelessly insisted on coming along... Lucy wailed in her heart. My plan! How did my carefully planned two-person hot spring trip turn out like this?
Caesar stacked the two suitcases on her shoulder and asked, puzzled, "But speaking of which, Lucy, it's just a hot spring, why do we have to come all the way to Hakone? Aren't there good hot springs near Beika?"
Lucy took a deep breath and explained irritably.
"Of course, it's to enjoy the hot springs properly. You know how ridiculous the crime rate is in Beika!
In Beika, even buying a bottle of juice at a convenience store might lead to a robbery, and eating at a restaurant might involve a poisoning at the next table!
I don't want to have my enjoyment of the hot springs suddenly ruined by some murder case!
I specifically inquired, and the area where this Onsen Kowakien Hotel is located has excellent
public safety. There hasn't been any serious incident for over twenty years!
It's very safe, so you can relax and enjoy the hot springs without worry."
"I see..." Caesar nodded, half-understanding, and followed everyone's footsteps with the luggage on her shoulder.
Onsen Kowakien Hotel is located halfway up the mountain, with a traditional Japanese architectural style and a tranquil and elegant environment.
The group entered the inn, and the proprietress, dressed in a kimono, greeted them warmly.
After checking in, they were led to their reserved rooms.
Lucy planned for everyone to spend three days and two nights here to relax.
According to the rules of the hot spring inn, one must wash their body before entering the hot spring.
In the corridor leading to the bathroom, Caesar was a step slower because she was busy settling her and Lucy's two large suitcases.
"We're going to wash first!" Lucy called out to Caesar, who was still in the room, then pulled Rin and went into the spacious bathroom with Ellen.
The bathroom interior was in a traditional Japanese style, with several shower stalls, clean tiles on the walls, and non-slip wooden floors.
The air was filled with a faint mist and the fresh scent of toiletries.
Lucy and Rin quickly took off their clothes and began to rinse off.
Ellen also undressed, gathering her tail in front of her body to be rinsed along with it.
After a while, the bathroom door was pulled open, and Caesar, who had also taken off her clothes and was only wearing a bath towel around her waist, walked in.
"Hey, Caesar! It's already crowded in here, why don't you wait a bit before coming in!" Lucy was annoyed to see her, especially since she had walked in with her shoes on.
Caesar, however, ignored her, walked directly to the shower stall next to Lucy, and said nonchalantly.
"What's the big deal, we're all girls. Hey, lend me that fragrant hair-washing stuff of yours again."
She pointed to the exquisitely packaged bottle of shampoo that Lucy had in her small basket.
"Huh?"
Lucy immediately stood in front of her toiletries basket like a hen protecting her chicks,
"Don't even think about it! This is a new product from Caristad! It's for ladies like Rin and me! You big idiot, the free shampoo provided by the inn is good enough for you!"
"Stingy! What's wrong with using a little bit!"
Caesar said, taking advantage of her height, stretched out her long arm, easily bypassed Lucy's defense, and snatched the bottle of Caristad shampoo into her hand, holding it high above her head.
"Ah! Idiot Caesar! Give it back to me! I haven't used it yet!"
Lucy stamped her feet in anger, stood on her tiptoes, and waved her arms, trying to snatch back her precious shampoo.
But Caesar held her arm even higher, and deliberately swayed it left and right, making it impossible for Lucy to reach.
"Give it to me!"
"No!"
"Let go!"
"Come and get it if you dare!"
The two immediately started bickering in the bathroom, splashing water everywhere.
While they were arguing.
Rin picked up a soft bath sponge, squeezed some gentle shower gel onto it, and worked up a rich lather.
She walked over to Ellen and whispered, "Ellen, turn around for a moment, I'll help you wash your tail."
Ellen paused slightly, then obediently turned around, trustingly entrusting her shark tail to Rin.
Rin's eyes lit up, and with the foam-covered sponge, she meticulously helped Ellen wash her tail, every movement filled with patience.
Meanwhile, on the winding mountain road leading to Onsen Kowakien Hotel, a yellow Volkswagen Beetle was approaching.
"Wow! Hot springs! I'm so excited!" Ayumi leaned against the car window, looking at the dense mountain forests receding outside, her small face filled with excitement.
"I heard the scenery around this hot spring inn is great, and there hasn't been a case for over 20 years," Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya said, seriously studying the inn's brochure he got from Dr. Agasa.
"Most importantly, the special hot spring eggs! I'm definitely going to eat my fill!" Genta excitedly patted his stomach.
Haibara Ai sat quietly by the window.
Conan sat in the passenger seat, hands behind his head, and asked Dr. Agasa, "Hakase, why did you suddenly think of bringing us to Hakone for hot springs? We didn't hear a word about it before."
Dr. Agasa chuckled and replied, "Haha, it's also luck. The owner of this hot spring inn bought some hot spring toys I invented a while ago.
He also sent me a few free invitation tickets, so I thought I'd bring you all to relax in the hot springs."
"Awesome! Long live Hakase!" The three children cheered in unison.
Haibara Ai, however, rolled her eyes and retorted, "Hakase, do you really think that bringing Conan to a place like this will allow everyone to relax?"