Detective Conan: Death Note

Looking down, all she could see were her hands clearly covered in red rashes. A slight itch came from her hands. Amidst confusion and overwh

Looking down, all she could see were her hands clearly covered in red rashes.

A slight itch came from her hands.

Amidst confusion and overwhelming fear, Ran stayed silent and cautious.

Because Yoshiki seemed to be deep in thought...

She gripped her reddened left wrist tightly with her right hand, silent, her clear eyes full of sorrow for the shocking red rash before her.

Eighty percent mortality rate...

That number was terrifying for a 16-year-old girl in the bloom of youth.

She still had so many things to look forward to, so many wonders to see, but it seemed like everything had suddenly slipped away in that instant.

Just a few days ago, she had been training hard for the upcoming karate tournament —

The hand clutching her wrist tightened involuntarily.

After she finally released, the rash on her wrist seemed even redder.

Hayashi Yoshiki, who had been lost in thought, came back.

He sat down beside Ran.

"I'm sorry, Yoshiki..."

Ran immediately, blurted out.

There was something she had been holding inside since earlier, and now, as Yoshiki approached and she lifted her head, her gentle brows glistened with tears:

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been infected."

She seemed to think that because Yoshiki had held her hand, he had gotten infected too.

"What nonsense are you saying?"

Yoshiki raised his hand to touch her forehead.

But the girl stubbornly looked at him.

"Don't waste your energy on such thoughts, even if this is truly the end."

Ran fell silent.

She couldn't understand how Yoshiki could remain so calm at a time like this.

Thinking carefully, maybe he was trying not to show helplessness so she wouldn't feel even sadder.

That possibility made her even more heartbroken.

"I'm a bit worried about Mom..."

Using that as an excuse, she finally allowed herself to cry.

Yoshiki opened his mouth to say something.

"If you and I weren't here, she would definitely... definitely be devastated."

Saying this seriously, the overwhelming sadness welled up inside her, and she couldn't help but sob.

Because she didn't dare to face that image —

Yoshiki reached out and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't worry, that scene won't happen."

"Yoshiki, do you know...?"

Ran buried her face in Yoshiki's chest, her voice choked with heavy, nasal sobs,

"Actually, Mom's been trying to convince me to hold onto your heart tightly..."

"At first, I was very troubled by it, but now... suddenly I feel so sad..."

"I almost wanted to agree with her, but I was too shy—"

Yoshiki didn't follow up on this topic.

He just gently stroked the back of Ran's head.

That gesture was incredibly tender —

Gradually, Ran's sobbing stopped.

But Yoshiki waited for a long time.

Only after quite a while did Ran lift her reddened eyes and half-raise her face.

"Yoshiki, do you like me?"

She suddenly asked.

"Of course."

Though surprised, Yoshiki answered,

"I like you, Ran."

Suddenly, it was as if she found some strength.

At least in these final moments, she could hear that answer...

Ran blushed and nodded softly.

"Although I don't think I like you as much as you like me, I will try my best."

Ran whispered, sadness still glimmering in her eyes,

"It's just a pity I never got to go on a proper date with you."

"Then, after all this is over, we'll go on a date together."

Yoshiki smiled.

Ran was stunned.

The massive airship drifted high above.

Watching the tiny, nearly invisible black dot on the ground, Conan grew desperate.

"What do you mean they can't use helicopters to approach?! Inspector Megure, didn't you say Officer Sato and Officer Takagi were tracking them by helicopter?"

"Sorry, Kudo... I understand how you feel, but the people on the airship just called to say if they spot any plane trying to approach, they'll kill half the hostages immediately."

"What—!?"

Conan's expression darkened instantly.

After being thrown off the airship by the Red Siamese Cat leader, Conan had planned for Kaito Kid to impersonate him, then use a police helicopter to return to the skies.

But now, that route was completely cut off.

What do we do...?

What should we do?

Nearby, Kaito Kuroba also looked serious.

His eyes fixed on the now invisible airship, he felt utterly helpless.

"There's no other way. Now, we can only rely on that guy, Yoshiki."

"But... he and Ran have been infected and locked up!"

"...Let's trust him."

Kaito could only say that.

Conan gritted his teeth.

With no other choice, the two found a vehicle and began moving toward Osaka, thinking of a plan along the way.

Time ticked away.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Osaka Police Headquarters was tense.

"The airship is currently over Tsu, Mie Prefecture. At this rate, it will reach Osaka in less than two hours."

"There's the Suzuki Tower in Nanko, a symbol of the Suzuki Foundation. That's also the airship's test flight destination."

"If the airship crashes into that tower and explodes... Is that the criminal group's plan to get revenge on the Suzuki Foundation?"

"It's unclear yet, but if that happens, the lethal bacteria will spread throughout Osaka..."

"And the lives of 7 million people in Osaka Prefecture will be at risk."

"Report!"

"Chief, the situation is worsening. The criminal group has announced their target online, causing panic."

"What!?"

The news that the lethal bacteria would arrive in Osaka with the airship spread quickly, stirring terror among citizens.

Many Osaka residents immediately packed and rushed to flee the city.

Tickets at stations sold out instantly; roads and highways quickly jammed.

All major news channels covered the incident live.

At a bar, Vodka and Gin saw the breaking news.

"So it was all for revenge, huh? Boring guys."

Vodka snorted contemptuously.

As a member of the brewery, he felt superior to this petty gang.

Gin lost interest quickly.

But the next moment, he suddenly stared at the Red Siamese Cat's announcement on TV, showing they had taken control of all hostages.

"Is Cointreau on that airship?"

"Huh?" Vodka was startled.

"Seems like he is!"