"Speaking of which, Sonoko, you even joined an online chat group?"
In this era, the internet had not yet become fully widespread, and everyone maintained a relatively cautious attitude toward online matters.
Mainly, they were afraid of being scammed.
Ran naturally knew about online chat groups, but she had never actively participated, mainly because she was worried about encountering scammers online where they could not see each other.
"Hmm, just simple chatting."
"It is really just people with the same interests talking about their hobbies. Plus, in online chats, everyone uses pseudonyms and genders, so there generally are not any problems."
Sonoko also knew the dangers of not being able to confirm each other online, so she even used a fake gender.
She was not stupid. She would not leave herself such a big loophole.
"The reason I suggested skiing is also because that chat group mentioned their plans for an offline gathering."
"So, you have decided to go too?"
Facing Ran's question, Sonoko immediately gave her a blank stare.
"Do I look like that kind of idiot?"
"It is fine for everyone to chat online. It is just a chat group for a common hobby. But an offline gathering is a completely different situation. The danger levels online and offline are completely different."
She loved trying new things and enjoyed going out and traveling.
But Sonoko had always been very good at controlling who she played with.
"When they talked about an offline gathering in the chat group, I immediately refused."
"I absolutely do not want to meet up offline with people I only know online. It would be too foolish if something dangerous happened."
Sonoko, who had been trained to be aware of danger since she was young, was not foolish enough to put herself in harm's way.
"It is just that Ren mentioned his plans for this weekend, and it made me think of that offline gathering."
"Coincidentally, I know the place where their offline gathering is. It is a great spot for skiing and enjoying the snow. Plus, the Suzuki family has a villa there, which would be perfect for our weekend activities."
Sonoko had no interest in investigating the people she met in the online chat group, since she had no intention of attending the offline gathering anyway.
However, she did know the location of their offline gathering. She had previously experienced life in a snowy mountain villa, which made her even more familiar with the area.
"How about it?"
"Sounds good."
Ren did not see any problem with it. They were not going to the magic chat group's offline gathering, but to the Suzuki family's private villa nearby, so it was not a big deal.
"Going to the villa near that magic chat group for the weekend is fine, but do you think something might happen at that gathering?"
"No, not necessarily, right?"
After Ren said that, Sonoko actually lost her original confidence.
Everyone else looked at Sonoko with subtle expressions. In fact, they thought the same thing.
"Do you remember what I said before? Many cases are encountered by you and Ran, especially when traveling. A large portion of them are related to you, Sonoko."
"Hmm…"
Sonoko remembered. Ren had said something similar.
"You do not need to worry too much about that magic chat group. This weekend, we are going to your family's villa. As long as we maintain a certain distance, their affairs will not involve us."
Ren always maintained an indifferent attitude toward things that did not concern him.
After all, the number of murder cases was truly too many. He had not watched every episode of Conan, so he could not remember every plot clearly.
"Mm-hmm, as long as we do not interact with them, we will be fine."
Hearing Ren's words, Sonoko quickly recovered her spirits.
Regardless of the situation with that magic chat group, she was not going to meet anyone from it offline anyway.
Then she recalled the situation on that snowy mountain.
"Hmm, I remember they said their location was a villa deep in the mountains, specifically on the mountainside. I have not paid much attention to the exact situation of that place, but it should be somewhat similar to our family's villa up there."
As she spoke, even Sonoko herself began to have doubts.
A weekend offline gathering, and they liked to go to such a secluded place? Shouldn't offline gatherings be held in more open places, avoiding sparsely populated areas?
Everyone wore similar expressions, almost simultaneously saying the same thing.
"Something's definitely going to happen!" * 5
The same scene was projected in their minds.
A group of magic enthusiasts who met online went to a deserted area deep in the snowy mountainside for a gathering.
Clearly, such an arrangement for a gathering deep in the mountains would not lead to anything good.
Ran also had some worries on her face, and she turned to Sonoko again to confirm one point.
"Sonoko, is our place really far away from that dangerous area?"
"Do not worry, this time I am really sure."
Sonoko was very certain.
"Their gathering place is on the mountainside, and our family's villa is on the mountaintop, which offers a better view of the entire mountain's snow scenery."
"Moreover, there is not just our villa on the mountaintop. There are many high-end hotels as well."
"Last year, when the school organized a snowy mountain trip, we stayed at a hotel up there, and some unpleasant things happened at the time."
"Oh, that place!"
Only after being reminded did Ran remember which snowy mountain it was.
It was a natural snowy mountain, and due to its high altitude, the mountaintop was covered in snow year-round. It was not only a very natural ski resort but also a good place to view the snow scenery.
"So, the unpleasant things… were also murders?"
Nagi asked casually, immediately plunging Ran and Sonoko into silence.
Seeing the two of them quiet, everyone could not help but sigh.
No need for further confirmation. It was almost certain that the unpleasant incident was indeed a murder.
Ren also had a slight headache.
"In that case, the skiing Sonoko mentioned will be this weekend's outdoor activity."
"What do you all think?"
The others exchanged glances. Aside from the unpleasant incidents and the magic chat group being a bit annoying, they did not have many objections.
"Then let's go skiing."
The weekend activity was decided.
"Ren, do you have time after school?"
"Amamiya, do you have time after school?"
After the topic of the weekend ended, Ran and Hayasaka both spoke similar words in unison.
The two looked at each other, and both simultaneously thought of the other's matter.
(To be continued.)