Chapter 2: Getting Settled
Yuki Mansion was visible from the dock, and everyone was suitably impressed. The house was huge; looking like it had probably twenty rooms or so. The architecture was western, and it reminded Miyuki of plantation houses she'd seen in pictures of the old American south. Grand columns aligned the front porch, and a u-turn type drive brought cars right up to the steps. The drive itself was marked with palm trees, reminding Miyuki that they were south of Okinawa. There was a large fountain centered between the two parts of the drive, and several benches set around it. Miyuki thought that this was probably a nice place to sit at night, listening to the sounds of the ocean, which was only a few meters away.
While all of these things were grand, the most remarkable thing about Yuki Mansion was the color. The house was not built out of brick or wood, but stucco of the whitest type. Its name was derived from its color, and it really was as white as snow.
"Sugoi!" Ran exclaimed as the party from the ferry made it's way to the house. "This house looks incredible."
"At least now we know why it's called Yuki Mansion. Not very original," Hajime added.
Miyuki sighed. "Can't you ever say anything positive?"
Before Hajime could reply, a woman appeared on the steps and waved. "Hiroshi-ojichan, you made it! And just look at all the people with you!"
Hajime turned to see one of the members of their party waving back. This man was older, wearing what looked like a lab coat, and he couldn't remember meeting him on the ferry. A small girl walked beside him. He whispered to Heiji, "Who's that?"
Heiji whispered back. "That's Professor Agasa. A professor of what, no one is exactly sure. He invents some pretty cool gadgets, but I think he is off his rocker. That lady is his niece. It's through him that we got invited here."
Hajime nodded. "That must be Yamagawa Hiromi, Inspector Kinmochi's college friend. She's the one who invited us here, too."
They watched as the woman bolted from the steps of the house and gave her uncle a running hug. The professor was visibly surprised, but returned the greeting. Hiromi whirled around and addressed the entire group. "Welcome to Yuki Mansion. I'm Yamagawa Hiromi, and I will be your hostess. I hope that you are all looking forward to a relaxing vacation. I'm delighted that you all could make it."
"We're very grateful for the invitation. This place is even more amazing than you described," Inspector Kinmochi said.
"Yes, it does impress. I'm glad to see you and your friends could make it as well, Kinmochi-san. And is that Mouri Kogoro I see? The two of you better not get me into any trouble like you did in school."
Mouri laughed out loud as Kinmochi blushed lightly. Ran, sensing an opportunity to get a good story on her father said, "Was my father obnoxious in school? If he was anything like he is now, I would be rather worried."
Hiromi laughed. "I could tell you some interesting stories. But, that can wait for dinner. You must all be tired. Let me show you up to your rooms." With that, Hiromi led them into the house.
The inside was even more impressive than the outside. They were led into a great foyer that had a grand staircase covered in red carpet leading upstairs. There were doors to the right and left that led to various rooms: dinning, sitting, the library. All looked to be exquisitely decorated with fine antiques, Japanese and American.
"Takeda-san, the owner of this house, loves two things: antiques and 19th century America. That's why this house is modeled after a plantation house. And almost everything you find here is pretty old. I'll ask you to please be careful," Hiromi explained as they past through the large foyer.
As they walked towards the stairs, Miyuki caught sight of a small table leaning against the wall between two doors. Naturally curious, she made her way over to see what was on it. She gasped as she saw what looked like a jewelry or music box. It was exquisitely beautiful. The wood was polished to the highest shine, and around the edges there were designs carved into the wood that looked extremely complicated. But what had made Miyuki gasp was the top of the box. Painted in intricate detail was a large pair of alluring blue eyes. She found herself staring into them as if they were real.
Hiromi's voice pulled her away. "Ah, I see you've found Takeda-san's Me no Hogo (Eyes of Protection) box. I hate cleaning it."
"It's beautiful. I feel like those eyes are staring at me as if they know something that I don't."
By this time, everyone else crowded around to get a look. "You're right, Miyuki-san. Is it a jewelry box?" Kazuha asked.
"It's a box that you can put anything of value into and it will stay safe. I can't remember where he bought it, but Takeda-san said that this box will protect anything that its owner places inside. It's thought that because the eyes on the outside are watching you, that you'll think twice about opening it."
"But you know they're not real. How can that stop you from opening it?" Mouri asked.
"When you feel like someone is watching you, whether they are or not, you are more likely not to do anything wrong because your conscience tells you it's wrong and that you might get caught. That box is using a basic theory of psychology to keep people from opening it," Conan remarked.
Mouri smacked Conan on top of the head. "And what would you know about it, boy?"
Conan hid behind Ran. "Itai! I think I read about it somewhere…"
"Well, now you've all seen it. It's Takeda-san's most prized possession. He's interested in seeing if it really works. Like I said, I hate cleaning the thing. It gives me the creeps. Why don't we continue on upstairs," Hiromi said, leading the party towards the staircase.
They ascended the grand staircase and headed down a hall towards the east side of the house. "Takeda-san's private rooms are in the west wing. I've set you up in bedrooms in the east wing, all of which have their own bathrooms," Hiromi explained. "I hope you girls don't mind sharing a room. I thought it would be fun to put you together."
"I think that's great. Ran-chan, you won't have to share a room with your dad now, and we can stay up all night talking," Kazuha said. The other two girls nodded in agreement.
Deadpan expressions reappeared on the faces of the three boys.
Hiromi indicated the first door on the right. "Here you are ladies. It might be a good idea to relax before dinner. It will be somewhat of a formal affair, and you'll be meeting some of the other guests. I'll come get you when it's time to go down."
With the girls safely in their room, Hiromi showed the rest of the party their rooms. Hajime, Heiji, and Conan were sharing a room across the hall from Mouri and Kinmochi, who were next door to the girls. The professor and his charge were going to stay in a room at Hiromi's house, which was located on the property behind Yuki Mansion.
Everyone got settled in and decided to take it easy before dinner. Mouri and Kinmochi headed downstairs to torment Hiromi and relive college days. The girls were sprawled out on their beds, comparing stories about being associated with certain high school detectives.
Heiji, Hajime, and Conan were still staring in confusion at their room. Hiromi had shown them in and left quickly, but she had said that there was something that they would find interesting about their room. It didn't look out of the ordinary. There were three beds lined up against one wall, a couch on the opposite wall, and a window that looked out over a garden behind the house on the far wall.
Heiji spotted them first. "Well, this must be the mystery," he said as he indicated envelopes resting on each of the beds. He walked over to the nearest bed and picked up the envelope. He held it out to Hajime. "Addressed to one Kindaichi Hajime."
Hajime took the letter and looked at the names on the others. There was one for each of them. He shrugged and opened his while the other two retrieved theirs.
Kindaichi Hajime-san,
I welcome you to Yuki Mansion. Your reputation precedes you, and I'm afraid that I am an avid fan of difficult challenges. I hope that you don't mind if I test your abilities. I've always wanted to stump a great mind like yours. You'll know when the challenge begins, and I fear we will not meet until then. Keep close that which is most precious to you. Magic is the art of misdirection. I look forward to meeting you.
Sincerely,
Me
The letter was written in Japanese except for the last to words, Sincerely and Me, which were written in English. Other than that, Hajime couldn't immediately see anything else unusual, except for the letter itself. He looked up from his letter to see an identical look of confusion an Heiji's face. "What the hell is this? Magic is the art of misdirection and some crap about a test?" Heiji asked.
"Yours is the same as mine?" Hajime looked over at Heiji's letter to confirm this. It was exactly the same. "Still no points for originality. Who calls themselves Me?"
Heiji ignored him and looked down at Conan. It was a safe bet that his was the same as well. Hajime followed his gaze and saw Conan staring wide-eyed at his letter. "I don't imagine small boys like you get these kind of letters often, do you?" Hajime said, assuming that the boy was confused because he had gotten a letter at all.
Conan looked up at Heiji, who immediately got the message. "Kindaichi, do you want something to drink? I think better when I have some cola or something."
"If you're going down anyway, sure, grab me a coke, thanks." Hajime went back to reading his letter.
"I'll come with you, Heiji-niichan. I'm thirsty, too." Conan was already heading towards the door.
"Back in a sec," Heiji said, and he left as well.
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Out in the hall, Heiji and Conan quickly made their way towards the stairs. Wanting to be out of earshot completely, Conan warded off Heiji's questions until they were downstairs. Without speaking, Conan handed Heiji his letter.
Heiji scanned it quickly. "It is the same. I don't see what you're so upset about."
"Look at the envelope and then the letter."
Heiji complied, and he saw the kanji strokes that made up Conan's name written elegantly on the front. He then glanced back at the letter, and his eyes widened as he noticed the difference.
"Kudo, you know what this means. Whoever left us these notes knows your secret." For the name on the letter was different than the one on the envelope. The envelope was addressed to Edogawa Conan. The letter was addressed to Kudo Shinichi.
"I know. I don't like this, Hattori. The letter implies a harmless challenge. I wonder if that's going to be the case. I don't know of anyone else who knows about me, besides you, my parents, the professor and Haibara. And if the Dark Organization has somehow discovered that I'm still alive…"
"Well, this could imply that this challenge is directed at you personally," Heiji said, indicating the envelope and the letter. "But why give one to me and Kindaichi as well?"
"No clue. But that in itself presents another problem. I know Kindaichi Hajime. Keeping the fact that I'm not actually an elementary school student from him will not be easy. Especially if all three of us are going to be involved in this. He'll see through my attempts to act like a little kid."
"You could just tell him," Heiji suggested.
Conan shook his head. "No. I'd rather keep him in the dark until we find out more about this. It may end up being some harmless game."
"But you don't think so."
"No, I don't."