Detective Conan: Death Note

A different time.

A different sofa.

But the same gesture—

The girl lay curled on the couch, her head slightly tilted, gazing softly at the handsome face resting against her.

Her fingers gently stroked the back of his head.

He took things far too seriously.

Even though no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't change the outcome—Hayashi Yoshiki had always been too serious.

She had mentally prepared herself.

She had expected it.

But when he clung to her so tightly, that sensation still made her let out a soft nasal hum.

Her long lashes trembled every now and then.

Yet, once she caught her breath, the emotion that welled up in her chest wasn't just embarrassment.

There was pride—a fulfilling pride of devotion.

—That she had been able to help Yoshiki-nii.

—That she was healing him.

Just the thought brought her a rush of joy.

Gazing at his sleeping face, Ran couldn't help but wish he'd sink even deeper into her arms.

Of course, there was no way she'd ever say that out loud.

What time was it now?

Was Mom almost done with her work?

What case did she have tomorrow?

In that slow and silent flow of time, Ran had plenty of space to let her mind wander to these unrelated questions.

Eventually, Hayashi Yoshiki stirred.

He propped himself up slightly, his arms resting beside Ran's cheek. His stunningly beautiful face hovered near her breath… only to shift slightly as he let out a satisfied sigh near her ear.

That sigh alone—so breathy and low—made Ran's cheeks flush red.

"Feeling any better now, Yoshiki-nii?"

"...Emotionally, yes. Quite a bit better."

"Emotionally?"

"But from another angle… maybe worse."

"…Huh?"

The gentle, maternal warmth that radiated from her just a moment ago vanished, replaced by the puzzled look of a sixteen-year-old girl.

Yoshiki took her slender hand in his large one…

And guided it downward.

"I was planning to visit the hospital in a few days for another physical… to see if things had improved. But now, looking at it—"

"It might've actually gotten worse."

"Y-Yoshiki-nii—!"

Her voice jumped to a higher pitch.

Her face turned crimson like a tomato. Her eyes went wide in flustered panic, because under his guidance…

Her hand had already come into contact with it.

The heat, the size, the feel—the sight.

He had placed his lifeline into her hand.

"Sorry, Ran."

"Yoshiki—…"

The bewildered look in her eyes, for Hayashi Yoshiki, felt like the sweetest reward.

He couldn't help but lean closer.

He kissed her.

A soft scent—like winter jujube.

Later, even sitting at the dinner table, Ran still felt dazed from it.

"What's wrong? Not in the mood for pizza?"

"Pizza's a bit heavy for a late-night meal…"

"Once in a while won't hurt."

Eri Kisaki, noticing her daughter's distracted gaze, asked with a smile.

When Hayashi Yoshiki responded gently, Eri teased:

"Or are you worried that Yoshiki will have to go jogging again after this?"

"...Not this time."

"Jogging?"

Now fully snapped out of her trance, Ran blinked and asked without thinking.

"Your Yoshiki-nii once ate ramen at night and immediately went for a run—at least an hour."

"Why would he do that?"

"To keep in shape, obviously."

Eri, smiling, looked at her daughter's surprised face.

She didn't even deny the "your Yoshiki-nii" part…

Those two… things are progressing faster than I thought.

"Well, it was just because I had nothing else to do that night," Hayashi Yoshiki added.

"Anyway, Yoshiki—are you feeling better now?"

"Yes. You don't need to worry, Aunt Eri."

He glanced at Ran, then smiled:

"I'm not going to dwell on it anymore."

"Good… it was never your responsibility to begin with. Don't carry everything alone."

"Yes. I understand."

Hayashi Yoshiki picked up his glass and smiled, clearly wanting to change the subject:

"Let's toast."

"Mm. Cheers~"

"Cheers!"

Ran and Eri lifted their drinks.

Just soft drinks… but that didn't matter.

The meal centered on pizza, plus some take-out yakisoba and tempura.

As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally.

Suddenly, Ran's phone rang.

She glanced at it.

Conan.

"Hello? Conan?"

"Yeah, I'm staying at Mom's tonight... Are you behaving at Professor Agasa's? Don't stay up too late playing video games."

"No worries."

"Yoshiki-nii handled everything."

"Nothing big, really… okay, sleep early, and say hi to Professor Agasa and everyone else for me."

Ran hung up shortly after.

Back at Professor Agasa's, Conan ended the call under the watchful eyes of Agasa and Ai Haibara.

Thank goodness Yoshiki-nii was there…

He had called the Mōri Detective Agency earlier to check in, but Kogorō Mōri, clearly drunk, casually mentioned that Ran had gone to stay at her mother's for the night.

That raised a red flag.

So Conan did a bit of digging and found out what had happened at the agency that day.

Thankfully, Hayashi Yoshiki had brought his two assistants over at just the right moment...

Still feeling uneasy, Conan called Ran.

Hearing her relaxed tone, the background noise of food being shared, and Eri's voice—he finally felt at ease.

"Is he over there too?"

Haibara asked.

"Yeah, they're having a late-night snack together. Of course he's there," Conan replied.

The girl said nothing more and walked off to her lab, closing the door behind her.

Leaving Conan and Professor Agasa looking confused.

The midnight meal at Eri Kisaki's didn't last long.

Around 11 p.m., Hayashi Yoshiki returned to his apartment.

After getting ready for bed, he took out his phone.

Hayashi Yoshiki: "Good night."

Mōri Ran: "Mm, I'm already in bed, Yoshiki-nii."

Hayashi Yoshiki: "I get the feeling I must've scared you earlier."

Saying that now?

Standing in front of her bed in her pajamas, Ran bit her lip.

Was it just a hormonal overload?

Yoshiki-nii, who was always so gentle, had suddenly become so assertive—

grabbing her hand and begging for her help...

Everything that happened afterward felt like a dreamy blur.

Her movements had been nervous and inexperienced...

And yet—

Her cheeks red, she typed and sent a message.

Mōri Ran: "I was startled… but seeing your assertive side, Yoshiki-nii… it felt really manly."