conan but winery

Chapter 746 The prelude to Sharon’s change

Because of folklore research, Okino Mina used to frequently visit various small mountain villages hidden at the foot of mountains in Japan, and she often stayed there for a long time.

This behavior was very common in the years when Okino Mina first moved to Japan. Later, as her husband's health gradually deteriorated, and because of Yoko, she gradually reduced the frequency.

In the beginning, Okino Mina was just playing with herself, and had nothing to do with Shirakawa Kiyoshi.

It wasn't until one time when she was involved in a complicated murder case during an investigation in a small mountain village, and Bai Heqing took a temporary leave to help her, that he finally got involved with these things.

Since then, whenever Okino Mina encountered a problem that she could not solve during her folklore investigation, she would call Shirakawa Kiyoshi out of politeness for help.

Going forward, considering that the communications in those small mountain villages were still very backward at that time and they were often unable to contact the outside world in time, Okino Mina once again updated the "cooperation model" between her and Shirakawa Kiyoshi.

Later, every time before she went out, she would estimate the approximate time required for the journey and tell Bai Heqing the destination she wanted to go to.

If Okino Mina does not come back after this period and does not contact him at the same time, it means that she is trapped by something again and needs Shirakawa Kiyo to help.

This "life-saving mechanism" designed by Okino Mina has only been triggered once before. At that time, when Shirakawa Kiyoshi hurried over, he found that she was removed from the village because her appearance was similar to the god she had been worshiping in the local village. The villagers there begged in every possible way and had no choice but to work as a shrine maiden at the local shrine for several days.

It was the same this time. Although it had been a long time since Okino Mina last went out for a folklore inspection, this time before she went out a week ago, she still followed the usual practice of telling the place where she was going and the time she estimated it would take. I told Bai Heqing.

The only difference is that this time she did not ask him to take care of Yoko for her, but instead asked Sharon to take care of Yoko...

That's right, Okino Mina clearly told Shirakawa Kiyoshi before setting off this time that she should be away for a week this time.

Today is the 21st, and the deadline passed the day before yesterday!

Thinking of the weird dream he had just now, in which Okino Mina's face was covered in blood, Shirakawa Kiyoshi felt an emotion called uneasiness soaring rapidly in his heart.

"Sharon, has Mina contacted you in the past few days?"

Forcing himself to calm down quickly, Bai Heqing suddenly stood up and looked back at Sharon behind him.

[Calm down first and don’t think too much. This time Mina asked Sharon to take care of Yoko. Maybe she just didn’t contact me...]

However, the next second, his illusion was shattered.

"No, what's wrong?"

Facing Bai Heqing's somewhat panicked eyes, Sharon gradually realized something was wrong.

"Did something happen to Miss Okino?"

"I'm not sure. She told me before she left this time that she would be back in a week at most. She left on the 12th, and today is already the 21st! How could I forget such an important thing? ?!”

Bai Heqing's tone was a little out of control, and his hands were shaking slightly.

Perhaps it was because of the weird dream just now that he suddenly realized that he seemed to be afraid?

What is he afraid of?

He didn't understand it himself, but Sharon did.

This was what she had observed herself and what Sister Keiko had told her.

Since Bai Heqing's mother was killed more than ten years ago, he has become extremely concerned about the people close to him, as if he has developed some kind of special stress response. Whenever Bai Heqing realizes that the people around him may When his life is in danger, his emotions will fluctuate violently and uncontrollably.

"Bai He, don't panic, sit down first."

At this time, it is useless to say comforting words such as "Miss Okino will be fine." When Shirakawa Kiyoshi has realized that something is wrong, such unfounded idealistic statements are completely meaningless.

Sharon knew very well that only by going straight to the root of the problem could Bai Heqing's fluctuating emotions be healed.

So, she said, "Did Ms. Okino leave any contact information before she left?" "No, but she told me where she was going."

Knowing that he had made Sharon worried again, Bai Heqing took a deep breath.

"It might make you laugh if I tell you. I just had a strange dream. It was Mina who asked me to take care of Yoko with her face covered in blood. When I think about her not contacting me in the past few days, I feel a little uneasy... "

After these words, Bai Heqing quickly regained his composure. He thought for a moment and then made a decision. He turned to look at Sharon, who was looking at him worriedly, and said:

"Sharon, I feel really worried. I have to go."

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Without hesitation, Sharon spoke immediately, as if she was worried that Bai Heqing might refuse, so she added:

"I don't trust you to go alone. I will find someone else to take care of Yoko these days. I must go with you."

Sharon repeated it again seriously, with an extremely firm attitude.

She has considered the worst case scenario. Although the possibility is very small, if something unexpected happens to Miss Okino, leaving Shirakawa alone there will definitely cause problems.

At this time, she must stay with him, and she will not run away again.

Seeing her determined attitude, Bai Heqing only thought briefly before picking up the phone beside him and dialing a number.

"Chief Inspector Baihe, it's me." On the phone, it was the voice of the white-horse police officer.

"Baima, I'm going out for a few days. You can take over my work first." Bai Heqing said straight to the point.

"Yes." Although the white horse police officer was a little surprised, it seemed that this kind of thing had happened before, so he quickly adjusted and asked directly:

"Excuse me, is it today?"

"Yeah, right away."

"Okay, I see."

"I will talk to Director Hatoyama next. I have also arranged for Hattori and others to deal with the previous cases. You just need to grasp the overall situation. I will be back in a few days. I will trouble you first. ”

"It doesn't matter. Chief Inspector Baihe, just come back as soon as possible."

After explaining the matter in a few simple words, the two hung up the phone.

Bai Heqing breathed a sigh of relief, then put down the phone, stood up, and looked at Sharon behind him, with a smile on his face.

"Then let's go together."

"Ah."

Sharon nodded.

She doesn't know yet that this trip will bring about a complete change in the relationship between her and Bai Heqing.

But unlike before, it was not Bai Heqing who was changed this time.

But her.

　(˙ー˙) Let me go, I was busy with other things just now, and almost missed the release time... By the way, Sharon's darkening will be coming soon, it will be tomorrow~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)