"It feels like we're just a bunch of headless flies, running around aimlessly, without any real purpose."
Walking on the way to the shrine, Hattori Heiji muttered with a disinterested expression.
"Is that so? I actually feel more like characters in a game who've taken on a chain of quests. Get one clue and then move on to the next," Senichi, holding Ayako's hand, chuckled and casually remarked.
"Whatever, I just want to reach the shrine as soon as possible," Hattori Heiji rolled his eyes, "I hope we'll have enough clues once we get there."
"Don't rush, keep a calm mind," Senichi strolled leisurely with Ayako, occasionally commenting on the scenery of the small town around them. They looked no different from ordinary tourists.
Agreeing with the sentiment, Kazuha chimed in, "That's right, Heiji. We're rarely out like this. Even though it's for an investigation, it's important to stay in a good mood while traveling."
"Alright, alright, I get it," Hattori Heiji waved his hand dismissively, "Just do your thing, you guys. Right now, I'm focused on the case and not in the mood to leisurely enjoy the scenery."
"Seriously, Heiji, you're such a blockhead!"
Observing Senichi and Ayako beside her, who were chatting and smiling, and the overall pleasant atmosphere, and then glancing at her side, where this thick-headed person was, Kazuha couldn't help but feel annoyed.
I know you're here on serious business on this island, but we're on a journey, can't you at least have a better attitude and engage in a conversation with me?
Why are you rushing, you fool!
However, hearing Kazuha call him a fool, Hattori Heiji was utterly confused. He looked at her with a puzzled expression and asked, "Kazuha, why are you suddenly calling me a fool? Did I do something to annoy you?"
"Ah, you're really a fool..." Seeing Hattori Heiji's perplexed reaction, Senichi couldn't help but sigh.
"He's right, a fool indeed," Conan nodded in agreement.
"A fool, indeed."
"Definitely a fool."
Watching this scene unfold before them, the Mouri father and daughter couldn't help but sigh, perfectly exemplifying the "Repetition Law of Human Nature," which illustrates the four essential characteristics of humanity.
"What the heck! Even Mouri-san and Ran-san are like this." Hattori Heiji's face displayed a frustrated expression. "What are you guys talking about? How am I the fool!?"
But in the end, no matter how Hattori Heiji asked, all he received were the meaningful expressions from the others and the words "Figure it out yourself."
For a moment, the air was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
Finally, amidst Hattori Heiji's exasperation, the group arrived at the shrine and met Kimie Shimabukuro, the Shrine maiden.
She was dressed in a white and red miko outfit, with long hair that exuded a gentle and approachable aura, yet the miko attire also added a touch of holiness to her.
"Hahaha..."
Once they met, soon after, Mouri Kogoro's question brought about Kimie Shimabukuro's silvery laughter that resonated within the shrine.
"There is no mermaid in the world. They're just mythical creatures from legends." Kimie Shimabukuro wiped a tear from her eye that formed due to her laughter and said, "Besides, my grandmother has never eaten mermaid flesh."
Upon hearing her words, Kazuha and Ran felt a sense of shattered legends and couldn't help but speak up, "But everyone says your grandmother is immortal..."
"My grandmother was born on June 24th, 1869!"
Kimie Shimabukuro, in her miko attire, stated matter-of-factly, "This is documented in official records and absolutely true. It means my grandmother just turned 130 this year. She's just an ordinary elderly person who happens to live a bit longer. The stories have been exaggerated over time."
"Just a bit longer?" Ran exclaimed upon hearing Kimie Shimabukuro's explanation. "130 years is already incredibly long!"
"But compared to the rumors, this is the reality," Kimie Shimabukuro said confidently.
"So, you're saying it's just a rumor?" Mouri Kogoro found himself somewhat puzzled upon hearing Kimie Shimabukuro's words.
In Mouri Kogoro's perspective, even if this was a hoax, the shrine that served as the origin of this legend shouldn't outright dismiss it.
After all, this legend had an unparalleled influence on the shrine, as evident from the massive crowd of visitors present for the festival.
Such a flow of people would undoubtedly bring significant benefits. Even someone with half an eye could see that. However, Kimie Shimabukuro outright denied it without any reservations, which is quite unexpected.
"And what about the 'Dugong Arrow'? Is that fake too?" Upon hearing Kimie Shimabukuro's response, Kazuha couldn't help but ask.
"Ah, you mean that? My deceased mother once told me that the original name of the 'Dugong Arrow' was actually 'Arrow of Taboo.' However, due to my great-grandmother's longevity, the villagers on the island started to associate it and forced a connection with 'Dugong' because of the similar pronunciation."
"What about other things? Are there any other things you don't know?"
A feeling of reluctance over the imminent shattering of her youthful fantasies led Kazuha to ask, "Like being cursed for losing the 'Dugong Arrow.' For instance, people said that a girl named Saori was cursed by mermaids because she lost the arrow!"
"Impossible! Impossible!" Kimie Shimabukuro vehemently shook her head. "Just a few days ago, I went to the main island with Saori. If something were to happen, wouldn't it have happened already?"
"What? You went to the main island with Saori?"
"When exactly was that?"
Hattori Heiji and Mouri Kogoro, hearing the inadvertent release of important information, quickly asked.
"It was about four days ago...," Kimie Shimabukuro thought for a moment and explained, "Because we don't have many residents on the small island, and there are no dentists willing to open a clinic here, we have to go to the main island for dental care. Saori accompanied me on that trip."
"I wonder what Saori was feeling at the time?" Senichi inquired, "She lost the 'Dugong Arrow' from last year. Did she feel uneasy?"
"That's true. After she lost the 'Dugong Arrow,' Saori became very fearful. She even pleaded with me to ask my great-grandmother to save her.
Although I reassured her and told her not to worry about it, she remained scared and believed she had been cursed by mermaids."
Kimie Shimabukuro spoke with a tinge of self-blame, "It's all because of me. When I was passing on the arrow, I wanted to prevent those who received the arrow, those who believed they could become immortal.
So I told them that if they doubted the power of the arrow or lost it, it would attract a calamity from mermaids. But, in reality, there's no such thing."
At that moment, a mocking laughter sounded, followed by a female voice that entered everyone's ears, "Kimie, you..."
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