Detective Conan: Death Note

The Suzuki airship incident was finally resolved perfectly.

After the mastermind, Fujioka Takamichi, fell into the sea, his body drifted for a day before being found by fishermen.

The accomplice Nishitani Kasumi was arrested and confessed to everything without reservation, and the Nara Prefectural Police caught the gang that had infiltrated Nara City to steal the Buddha statues thanks to prior information.

What relieved the police most was that they learned from Nishitani Kasumi's group that the so-called "lethal bacteria" stolen by the other armed group was actually a fake one.

"It's really great that everyone is safe and sound."

Returning to daily life, Ran showed a bright smile.

"Yeah."

Watching the news report about the incident on TV nearby, Hayashi Yoshiki smiled too.

"Then, Yoshiki-kun, listen to this—Kaito Kid couldn't get the 'Sky Lady' this time, so he sent another advance notice letter to Sonoko's uncle."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, because Jirokichi-san also thinks this incident doesn't count, they've decided to have another showdown in a few days." Ran said with a gentle smile, "Sonoko asked me to ask you if you want to help Jirokichi-san that day?"

"I think I'll pass. After everything that happened, I just want to rest."

"Yeah, that's true."

"If it hadn't been for that strange armed group, who knows if they would have even come back this time?"

Watching Hayashi Yoshiki savoring his coffee, Ran felt thankful.

Along with that came a peculiar yet wonderful feeling...

...

Right now, they were on their first date.

Though they'd spent plenty of time together before, now it felt genuinely unbelievable because of that label.

Her heartbeat quickened a bit, and there was a strange flutter of excitement.

Besides, many things she wanted to say suddenly felt a little shy to speak aloud...

"Is the cake good?"

"Mm, it's delicious."

With slightly cherry lips pressing on a silver fork, the girl, unconsciously with a bit of cream on her lips, looked at the coffee in front of him and smiled, squinting, "Yoshiki-kun, do you want to try some?"

"Sure, I'll try some."

Just as Ran was about to bring the cake to Hayashi Yoshiki, she paused.

At a moment like this, feeding cake with her own fork to Yoshiki-kun would make him happy—after all, that's something sweet couples do.

"Although it feels like I don't like Yoshiki-kun as much as he likes me, I will do my best."

That was what Ran said seriously back on the airship in her sadness.

She would work hard for this.

So, Hayashi Yoshiki saw Ran pause for a moment, then suddenly break into a radiant smile as she scooped a bite of cake and held it out toward her mouth.

"Yoshiki-kun, ah~"

He opened his mouth.

The sweet taste of creamy cake...

With just a slight bite, the rich aroma immediately melted.

I see.

"It really is delicious."

"Right? When Sonoko and I go shopping, we often come to this cake shop."

Seeing the smile on Hayashi Yoshiki's face, Ran couldn't help but feel happy too.

"You come here often?"

"Yes."

"That's nice. I've always thought girls who like cake are really cute."

Ran, cutely pressed her lips without answering.

Though their relationship was confirmed, sometimes she still acted like a little sister, acting spoiled toward her "big brother."

Ran fed more cake to Hayashi Yoshiki.

After quickly finishing a piece of cream cake between them, they left the shop and got in the car.

Looking at the time, Hayashi Yoshiki said,

"It's not even five yet. Where to next?"

"Umm... Yoshiki-kun, can you first take me to Mom's house? There's something she asked me to get."

"Okay, but not later?"

"No, let's go now."

"Alright."

Hayashi Yoshiki started the car and headed toward the Mihana Second Apartment.

Ran sat in the passenger seat, a little shy.

Eri bought her a set of clothes to pick up. That wasn't the problem; it was that after the airship incident, Ran confessed her relationship with Hayashi Yoshiki to a worried Eri.

Sure enough, Eri was very happy.

Her overwhelming excitement made Ran feel a little overwhelmed, even over the phone...

If she waited until later to pick it up, and Mom saw Yoshiki-kun and her together after work, the look on her face would be so teasing, Ran didn't want to imagine it.

So it was better to go while Mom wasn't home...

Before long, Hayashi Yoshiki brought Ran back to the Mihana Second Apartment.

Ran had the key to Eri's place.

"The clothes, ah... here they are."

She found the clothes but didn't immediately pick them up.

"Yoshiki-kun, wait for me a moment."

"Okay."

Looks like she was going to the bathroom.

Hayashi Yoshiki sat on the sofa and waited.

At that moment, the girl sat on the toilet, her face slightly flushed.

She was nervous...

Outside was fine earlier, but now it was just her and Yoshiki-kun alone inside.

Especially the familiar place reminded her of when Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly kissed her in the next room—since then, everything had felt different.

Supporting her waist, hands folded on her lap, she fixed her expression as if deliberately trying not to think about that moment.

When the water stopped running, she took a tissue, wiped clean, and stood up to flush.

After coming out, she saw Hayashi Yoshiki on the sofa.

"I was wondering where to take you, Ran, but I can't really think of anywhere."

"You don't have to go somewhere special."

"Is that so...? Sorry, my brain seems a bit slow right now."

Hearing that, she couldn't help but feel happy.

The girl smoothed her skirt as she sat down beside him.

Noticing Hayashi Yoshiki's face getting closer, she held her breath and shyly leaned in.

Hayashi Yoshiki kissed her lips.

Sweet...

With the scent of creamy cake.

Looking into Hayashi Yoshiki's smiling eyes, Ran suddenly remembered something she cared about:

"Yoshiki-kun..."

"Hm?"

"Did your office hire a new assistant?"

"Oh, did Aunt Eri tell you? Yes, we did hire a young female assistant. Her name is Natsuki Koshimizu."

Seeing that she looked a bit curious, Hayashi Yoshiki shared some information about her.

At the end, he added:

"Don't worry, I'm not really into girls with short hair... I prefer more feminine girls."

More feminine...

When he said that with a smile, his gaze dropped to his own chest, making Ran immediately close her eyes.

"Princess Mira's chest is bigger than mine."

That seemed to be something she just couldn't get over.

But the next second, Ran was startled by his move.

Hayashi Yoshiki's hand slipped right under her clothes.

"No, I will prove it to you, Ran."

"Uh! Yoshiki-kun—?"