Refuse to allow Conan to join the main storyline

After the little episode of recognizing their father, the gathering of the five elderly people soon ended.

Dr. Gu, such a shameless person, was the first one to escape.

Shinji Hagiya specially kept Koizumi and sent his four friends away first, then dismissed all the people around him and personally poured a cup of tea for Koizumi.

Shinji Hagiya: "Don't mention it. The more I see you, the more interesting you become. No wonder Masaaki protects you so much."

Koizumi smiled and said, "Actually, I just didn't like the guy across from me, and I just wanted to help Dr. Gu vent his anger. Why is he shy? Is he serious?"

Shinji Hagiya: "You must be shy! He has so many godsons, and you are his first goddaughter."

This time it was Koizumi's turn to rant: "Huh? Ha! No wonder he said it so smoothly! So it's a catchphrase?"

"Hahaha! But I think he really took it to heart in the end. Otherwise he wouldn't have run away so quickly."

Koizumi smiled and shook his head: "Actually, that's not necessary. I'll just explain it to him next time I see him."

Shinji Hagiya smiled meaningfully: "Unless you have the ability to find him, or force him to show up."

"Eh?"

"Okay, okay, let's not talk about this. I kept you here to remind you not to forget the New Year's Horse Racing Meeting."

Koizumi nodded: "I remember that. I will prepare in advance. But why don't you let me go and listen to the live performance directly? Wouldn't the effect be better that way?"

Shinji Hagiya's expression was a bit hard to describe. "Go to the scene? Humph, it's as if I'm giving in to that guy. I won't go! Not only won't I go, my people are not allowed to go!"

How willful, just like a child.

Koizumi didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and asked tentatively, "Could it be the one who didn't say a word just now?"

Shinji Hagiya was shocked for a moment, and stared at Koizumi for a long time: "...You are really a kid."

Seeing that he had been discovered, Shinji Hagiya simply admitted, "Yes, it's that guy. Don't be fooled by his appearance, almost all the casinos and horse racing tracks in Neon are his businesses. It's hard to imagine, isn't it?"

Koizumi: ...!

She suddenly remembered what the metallic smell on that person was. It was the smell of coins! The smell of money!

Shinji Hagiya continued, "Humph, that guy said I'll never have good luck in my life, so I'm going to prove it to him. My luck is no worse than his!"

Koizumi: ...

Oh, but your horse racing betting doesn’t rely on luck, right?

Seeing Koizumi's indescribable look, Hagiya Shinji coughed and said seriously: "No matter what means I use, winning is my ability."

"...Well, as long as you are happy."

Shinji Hagiya waved his hand impatiently: "That's all I have to say. You can go play downstairs or go home to sleep. It's up to you. Let's go."

Koizumi stood up and said, "Okay, I'll take my leave then."

When Koizumi was about to reach the door, Hagiya Shinji suddenly called her again: "By the way, be careful when you use the vest that Zhengzhang gave you. That guy used to be arrogant and really offended a lot of people."

Just look at the name he gave himself.

Ash, ashes.

Only a very crazy and immature person would use this as a code name.

Don't even think about leaving ashes!

So this is who you are, Dr. Gu.

Koizumi smiled and waved his hand: "Got it, see you later."

Actually, the real reason you kept me here was just to say this, right? That's really not honest.

After watching her leave, Shinji Hagiya held the teacup in his hand and was lost in thought. It was not until the scalding hot tea in the cup gradually cooled that he smiled bitterly and sighed, "No wonder you were so drunk. You really look like me. It's been so many years..."

He looked at the flashing neon lights outside the window and muttered to himself, "Someone has to do it...right?"

------

Koizumi did not go home.

It was already early morning, and there were only a few customers left in the bar hall downstairs, making it look deserted.

Seeing that the bartender who initially greeted him was still standing behind the bar, Koizumi walked over and greeted him with a smile: "Hi, iced Coke."

Seeing that it was her, the bartender gave a very professional smile.

Koizumi: "Why, still no?"

She pointed to a familiar-looking can in the freezer: "Then give me the red one. No need to pour it into a cup, just bring it here."

The bartender placed the iced Coke in front of her and continued to smile.

Koizumi took a sip, took out a 1,000 yen note from his pocket and put it on the table: "I want to ask you something."

The bartender glanced at the note and asked, "What do you want to ask?"

Koizumi: "I'm a newcomer and I don't understand the rules here. If there's something I want to know, how can I buy it?"

The bartender reached out and took the bill and put it in his pocket. "If you want the product in the advertisement, most people would buy a drink and stay quietly in the booth all night listening to other people's gossip. Of course, this method mostly relies on luck. A more time-saving method is to write a note of what you want to buy and leave it in the glass, and you will naturally receive the product and the bill. But please note that the payment methods for our products include but are not limited to money."

Koizumi looked at the Coke in his hand thoughtfully.

"Oh, you really know how to do business. But what if my cup is left in your boss's room?"

"You can ask someone to take the cup down for you, or ask the owner to answer your question directly, or buy it again."

Koizumi sat down in front of him and sighed, "Okay, give me a drink of anything."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

Juice half an orange, juice half a lemon, one ounce of pineapple juice, a small spoonful of brown sugar syrup, add ice cubes, put them all in a shaker, shake well, and finally filter and pour into an iced highball glass.

Five minutes later, the bartender pushed the glass in front of Koizumi and said, "The cocktail 'Persian Cat' is ready, please."

Koizumi watched the whole process of his preparation and asked in surprise, "Cocktail, but without alcohol?"

The bartender smiled and nodded: "I guess the reason you ordered Coke is that you don't like alcoholic drinks. I recommend you try the non-alcoholic version of the cocktail. Maybe you will have an unexpected experience."

Looking at the orange drink in his hand, Koizumi picked it up and took a sip. It tasted sweet and sour, with a soft and pure fruity flavor spreading in his mouth. It was surprisingly very delicious.

Koizumi narrowed his eyes in comfort: "... a good recommendation."

She looked at the nameplate on the bartender's chest: "Saito?"

The bartender nodded slightly: "Saito Kaoru."

Koizumi took another sip of his cocktail and smiled, "I always feel that you are much more enthusiastic than when I first came. Is it my illusion?"

"Because you seem to have a good relationship with my boss, please take care of me in the future."

Koizumi smiled.

"Then I have another question. Is it so weird to drink Coke in a bar? Every time I ask for a Coke, they always give me the same expression as you did at the beginning."

"You don't come to nightclubs often, do you?"

"That's right. What's wrong?"

"Have you ever been invited for a drink?"

Koizumi: ...

Well, the Gin incident shouldn’t count, right?

Bartender: "Anyway, remember, if someone wants to buy you a drink, don't order Coke. Unless you're interested in him and want to spend a wonderful night together."

Koizumi: ...

Damn it? !

(ps, regarding ordering Coke at a bar, this is actually a very popular saying in domestic bars, where people say “make love” when buying Coke. I just played with this saying. Ahem…)