In the Women's Bathroom, the enthusiastic Ran wanted to help Haibara change clothes.
But was rejected by little Loli!
Ran didn't care and said softly:
"After taking off your clothes, you have to wash yourself before taking a bath in the women's bath!"
Hot spring bathing habits are like this!
Wash first before getting into the water, this is the most basic etiquette!
Ran thought Haibara was shy and didn't think much about it.
She entered the dressing room and began to take off her clothes.
As Ran removed the white jacket tied around her waist, she noticed that her school skirt was still damp.
Seeing this, her cheeks flushed again.
She almost wanted to ask Akashi if he had done it on purpose earlier.
But there was never a good chance to bring it up.
Probably not!
Akashi had been sleeping so soundly—even snoring!
He was just a restless sleeper.
So mischievous!
Luckily, Dad didn't notice anything!
What had happened in the car just now felt dangerously close to something she couldn't quite define.
Pressing a hand to her chest, she could still feel her heart racing.
What about Akashi?
Would he be okay with just two little boys over there?
Still worried about him, Ran moved quickly.
She planned to take a fast bath and then go check on him.
Soon, her devilish figure was revealed—
Skin like smooth jade, her curves delicate yet striking.
But in the blink of an eye, she covered herself with a white towel again—
Making her allure even more tantalizing.
Barefoot, with her hands clutching the towel tightly at her chest, Ran walked from the dressing room into the women's bath.
Mist curled around the warm air, rising like whispers of heat.
A lone figure was already in the water—
A little loli, soaking in the bath with a towel perched on her head.
None other than Haibara.
She wasn't the type to warm up to strangers easily.
At the sight of Ran, she quickly sank deeper into the hot spring, letting the water shield her.
Not that it really did much—this wasn't a milk bath, after all.
Still, with the chilly air outside, the warmth of the hot spring was absolute bliss.
As Ran stepped onto the cobblestone path leading to the pool, her body trembled slightly at the contrast in temperature.
Haibara's blue eyes narrowed, quietly observing her.
A dangerous rival.
Then, with the soft splash of water, Ran slipped into the bath.
"You're fast, Ai! You're brave, coming in all alone!"
Her voice carried the light, teasing tone of someone coaxing a child.
Haibara barely spared her a glance before closing her eyes again.
Confirmed.
Just a stupid woman with big breasts and no brains.
Not much of a threat after all.
But in the next moment—
She felt herself being pulled into a soft, warm embrace.
Little loli, captured.
Haibara opened her eyes and saw Ran speaking with great interest:
"Ai, how about your big sister giving you a bath later?"
"It must be very comfortable to sit on it and rub it before soaking."
Little Loli's face suddenly turned red.
Facing Ran's enthusiasm, Haibara couldn't stand it!
She was used to the cold style of dealing with everyone in the organization.
When she met the innocent and enthusiastic Ran, she felt overwhelmed.
This feels a bit like her sister!
"Speaking of which, I've never served Akashi before…"
With just one sentence, Haibara's expression suddenly changed.
Her eyes were slightly narrowed, flashing with a dangerous light!
"But Akashi is too naughty and always likes to touch randomly."
"Really, Sister Ran, where does Akashi like to touch?"
In order to gather information, she even called Ran sister.
Haibara can be said to have endured the humiliation.
Ran didn't think much about it, she just thought it was an interesting thing, so she shared it with Haibara.
Little Loli's face became darker and darker as she listened!
Big wolf! Big pervert!
Totally a liar!
He's so shameless to do such a thing!
The more Haibara listened, the more she realized—Ran was hopelessly naïve.
She didn't even notice she was being played by that little devil!
This girl needs protection!
With a deadpan expression, the little loli finally spoke up.
"Sister Ran, you've been deceived!"
"Akashi did it on purpose."
"He only pretends to be clueless so he can take advantage of you."
"He already knows everything about boys and girls."
Ran's expression froze. Her brows furrowed slightly, and her lavender eyes narrowed at Haibara with mild disapproval.
"Ai, that's not nice. You shouldn't accuse others like that."
"Akashi is just a kid—he's barely seven! How could he possibly understand such things?"
"If you keep talking like that, I'll be upset."
"Besides, Akashi is very shy."
She folded her arms and continued with a nostalgic smile.
"The first time I helped him take a bath, I had to drag him into the bathroom."
"Otherwise, he would've refused to go in with me."
"It's not like what you're saying at all!"
Haibara was momentarily speechless.
Damn it.
She's just handing herself over on a silver platter!
What kind of spell has that little devil cast on this woman?!
No matter how much she tried to convince her, it was useless!
Haibara pressed a hand to her forehead in frustration.
With a sigh, she struggled out of Ran's embrace and climbed onto the edge of the bath.
She needed to get away—any longer, and she'd start losing IQ points just by being near her.
Ran tilted her head, puzzled.
"Ai, where are you going?"
The little loli adjusted the hot towel on her head as she walked away.
"I'm done soaking. I'm going back to the room."
Ran pouted.
"But… but you haven't even started washing yet..."
Before she could protest further, Haibara was already out of sight.
Does she… not like me?
Ran pursed her lips, feeling a little dejected.
And soaking in a hot spring without properly washing first just felt… wrong.
Just as she was about to sigh—
Splash!
Water rippled.
A small head suddenly emerged from beneath the surface.
Ran's eyes widened in shock.
"Akashi?! W-When did you get here?!"
—
Five Minutes Earlier – The Men's Hot Spring
In the men's bath, Akashi and Conan were soaking together.
Akashi looked completely at ease, his eyes half-lidded in bliss.
Conan, on the other hand, looked deeply disturbed.
This little devil is unnatural!
Even though he was still a child, his physical abilities far exceeded those of an adult.
Meanwhile, Conan… was struggling.
Badly.
But despite this, he refused to take his eyes off Akashi.
He wouldn't let this little devil out of his sight.
Everything was going fine—until an unexpected visitor arrived.
An elderly woman, well into her seventies.
One of the hotel owners.
Grandma Juzi.
Conan didn't think much of it.
But then—
As she stood at the edge of the bath, she started undressing.
Akashi immediately sensed danger.
Without hesitation, he plunged straight down!
Activating his newly acquired Swimming skill, he dove to the bottom of the hot spring.
He must escape.
He must not witness the legendary Crane Dance!
But to his utter surprise—
There was an opening.
The bamboo partition separating the men's and women's baths had a small gap where a black stone had shifted.
The hole was just big enough for a child to squeeze through.
With zero hesitation, Akashi slipped through the gap and emerged in the women's bath next door.
Back in the men's bath, Conan was still staring at the spot where Akashi had vanished.
That is—until he felt a looming presence.
A shadow cast over him.
Slowly, he turned around.
What he saw would scar him for life!
Standing before him was Grandma Juzi—grinning with a few sparse teeth showing.
Her arms spread wide.
"Child, it's too dangerous for you to be alone. Let Granny keep you company~"
Conan's pupils shrank.
"W-Wait—"
She didn't wait.
Her wrinkled hands reached out.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid~ Granny can still dance!"
"Look, the Crane Dance!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
Conan's scream echoed through the bathhouse.
His soul left his body.
Eyes stinging, brain shattered—he stumbled backward in terror.
But the old woman wasn't done.
She grabbed him before he could escape.
"Come, let's dance together! You do the Elephant Dance, and I'll do the Crane Dance!"
"It'll be so much fun!"
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"NOOOOOO!!!"
Conan's anguished wails filled the night.
—
[PS: If you don't know what the Crane Dance is, search "Crayon Shin-chan Crane Dance."]
[Note: 1st gif is Elephant Dance. 2nd is Crane Dance. Lmfao!]