"How soon do you think it'll be until everyone gets restless?"
Shinichi hummed to acknowledge Hattori, but wasn't really focusing on the question. He was watching the area the police had blocked off, directly the opposite of where everyone else was looking.
"There's too many people stuck here, there's very limited available space, and let's not forget the murderers stuck here with everyone else because of the weather," Hakuba snapped back.
Shinichi ignored them, eyes narrowing as people with camera phones pressed as close as they dared to the cordoned off area of the hotel lobby.
Someone was going to snap, and it was likely going to be the younger police officer getting visibly more distressed and irate at each person they turned away. Four police officers trying to block the entire viewing crowd from two murderers was going to end badly.
"Here," Ran said, jostling his shoulder and offering a bottle of water, "The staff are opening rooms; they'll start handing out room keys soon. So we get complementary waters to hold us over."
"Thanks," he said, taking the bottle mostly to give his hands something to do. "Where did Sonoko go?"
"Restrooms. I offered to go with her, but she grabbed Sera instead. I think she's trying to improve her English flirting."
Well. That was completely in character for Sonoko. Murderers apprehended, and life goes on.
"So much for building sandcastles," he muttered.
"It's just been postponed. We'll just have to try again some other time." Ran leaned against his shoulder, but faced towards the windows instead.
The hurricane was bad, and it was only going to get worse. Somehow, the hotel was going to have to accommodate the entire Neptune Festival, including all the competing teams and solo sand sculpturers, event staff, live entertainment, and viewing crowd. Plus the on hand security who were currently occupied keeping the two murderers away from the crowd.
Shinichi personally couldn't think of a less clever idea than to murder someone and then go to an event with a very active social media. Where just one picture online lead police straight to them. Not that murdering someone was ever a smart idea.
"Kudou, I'm gonna need you to back me up on this," Hattori growled, stepping to his other side and sneering at Hakuba.
"I think arguing is a waste of time," he said, "When we aren't really involved."
"IF I COULD HAVE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION, PLEASE!"
The megaphone squealed and their entire group flinched. The general noise around them hushed, falling to a soft chatter as whispers continued.
"THANK YOU. ROOM KEYS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE FRONT DESK. IF YOU HAVE A RESERVATION AT THIS FACILITY, YOU WILL RETAIN YOUR KEY FOR THE DURATION OF YOUR STAY. WE HAVE ARRANGED A PERFORMANCE BY ONE OF THE FESTIVAL CONTESTANTS AT THE MAIN BANQUET HALL. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPERIENCE THIS EVENT, PLEASE BE IN THE MAIN BANQUET HALL AT 6PM. THANK YOU."
"Room and then to the hall?" Hakuba asked.
"What else are we going to do?" Ran asked, "I think I could use something to take my mind off the weather."
"We have to go!" Sonoko shouted, breaking through the crown of people near them with Sera right on her heels. "They booked Kid! We have to go."
"I think I'd rather go to the room and stay there," Hakuba muttered.
Sonoko ignored him.
"He was the only reason I came this way! We have to see his show!"
"It could be fun," Hattori hedged, mostly out of spite. He grinned as Hakuba frowned even harder at him.
"What else are we going to do?" Shinichi echoed Ran.
The hall, when they finally arrived, was still mostly empty, despite the overwhelming number of people who had been in the hotel.
"Maybe we're just early?" Sera suggested, "It's still a quarter til."
"Doesn't matter. Look! There's a table right out front!" Sonoko hooked Ran's arm in hers and steered ahead. "Let's go!"
Shinichi lingered to the back of the group, eyes alighting over the other people gathered in the room. A few other contestants were piled around the tables, including the full set of woman dressed as Sailor Scouts right next to the table Sonoko was claiming.
"Are you excited for the show?"
Shinichi looked down at the young boy who wandered up to him.
"I haven't seen Kid perform before, so I guess I am."
The boy nodded, face twisting a little in thought.
"I have! He's the best magician ever!" the boy said, slipping clumsily over the longer word. Or maybe just fumbling with an English word. "We're going to make the best sandcastles as soon as it stops raining!"
"I think it'll be some time before the rain slows down. Are you watching the show?" Shinichi asked, casting around for anyone missing a child.
"I think he'll be doing more than that."
"Tou-san!" The boy shouted, disappearing from in front of Shinichi with a puff of blue smoke.
He coughed and cleared the air in front of his face with his hand, neck prickling as he looked around quickly.
"Sorry! Sorry!" A handkerchief was pressed into his hand, and Shinichi held it away from his face until the owner and the boy reappeared in front of him. "It'll help if you breathe it in."
It did help, scented with something that chased the harsh smell of the smoke out. Shinichi offered it back to the man holding the hand of the boy who he had been speaking with.
"I won't be using that during the show," the man said, tucking the handkerchief away, "But Kaito is very proud of making it."
"That's impressive," Shinichi said, focusing on the boy instead of his father. "Are you competing in the Festival too?"
"We are." The man offered his hand. "I am Kuroba Toichi and this is my son Kaito."
"Kudou Shinichi." He shook the man's hand, eyes drifting before he remembered. "My mother trained with you. Mine Yukiko."
"I remember her! She's very skilled. Married Kudo Yusaku."
"That's right. I didn't know you had a son," Shinichi said, smiling slightly at the boy. Immediately, a deep red rose was held up to him.
"For you," Kaito said, "You have a very pretty smile."
"Thanks," Shinichi muttered, taking the rose carefully. He stilled when Kaito grabbed his wrist before he could pull away.
"I'm going to try my best so you smile," Kaito said, "So make sure you're watching okay?"
