Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!

She then turned her attention back to Akashi. Her voice softened, carrying a gentle admonition. 

"Akashi, you really can't do that again. If something dangerous happens, you need to run. You're just a child—you have to remember to protect yourself!" 

As she spoke, her soapy hand lightly tapped his nose, leaving a small bubble behind. 

But Akashi shook his head firmly, his eyes resolute. 

"No. If someone is trying to hurt Sister Ran, I won't just stand by. I'll protect you, no matter what." 

Ran's heart melted at his determination. Her arms instinctively wrapped around the boy, pulling him into a warm embrace. 

"You're such a good boy, Akashi," she murmured, her voice filled with affection.

Akashi's right hand landed on her chest.

His timing was precise—with his 『God's Right Hand』skill, critical strike happened.

But Ran didn't notice anything unusual. Her expression remained calm as she handed the soap in her hands to Akashi with a soft smile. 

"Akashi, it's your turn now," she said, her voice gentle and reassuring, as though nothing was amiss.

Things were straightforward—once you got used to them, they felt natural again.

Without hesitation, the boy accepted the soap, his movements deliberate. He worked with meticulous care, gliding the lather over her skin, ensuring every inch was attended to, leaving no spot untouched. What might have been awkward instead unfolded with a strange, unspoken harmony, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Meanwhile, in the corridor, Conan was banging on the door relentlessly, his shouts growing hoarse. 

Eventually, Sonoko appeared, her damp hair wrapped in a towel. She frowned as she approached, clearly irritated. 

"Conan! What's with the screaming? Are you trying to summon a ghost?" 

"Ran!" Conan croaked, ignoring her question. 

Sonoko shrugged. 

"The door's locked. You'll have to wait for her to open it." 

"No!" Conan snapped, his determination unwavering. 

Sonoko paused, an idea striking her. 

"Hey, I remember! The balconies here are all connected. You could try the next room over." 

She walked to Masaru Ohta's room, opened the door, and found it empty. 

"Masaru-san is still downstairs checking the windows," she said. 

Before she could say more, Conan dashed inside, racing toward the balcony. 

Once outside, he carefully made his way to the balcony door of Ran's room. But as he reached the glass door, he froze. 

 Too late. 

Inside the room, Ran and Akashi were already finished and walking out. 

Hearing movement in the corridor, Ran opened the door, surprised to find Sonoko standing there. 

"Sonoko, was that you earlier? I thought I heard something." 

Sonoko shook her head. 

"Not me—it was that kid Conan. He's been banging on the door for who knows what reason." 

As her gaze shifted into the room, Sonoko's eyes lit up. 

"Oh, Akashi! We meet again! My, you've gotten even more handsome!" 

Sonoko immediately approached Akashi, her enthusiasm uncontainable as she began drying his hair with a towel. 

Ran glanced around. 

"And Conan? Where is he?" 

Sonoko gestured toward the balcony door. 

"He's out there. No idea what kind of performance art he's trying to pull." 

The two women turned their heads toward the glass door. 

There stood Conan, pounding his forehead with his fist, a heartbroken expression plastered on his face. As if that wasn't enough, he turned to the wall and began hammering it with equal despair. 

Both Ran and Sonoko froze, startled by his strange behavior. 

"Ha?" 

Conan seemed consumed by regret, his frustration pouring out in every punch. 

 Why did I run out just now? 

 Why didn't I just stay put? 

The locked glass door finally opened, and Ran stepped out, concern etched on her face. 

"Conan, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?" 

"..." 

Conan remained silent, the words caught in his throat. 

For a fleeting moment, he considered revealing the truth—telling Ran everything about his identity.

He really couldn't bear this life anymore!

But at this time, Ayako just walked in:

"Dinner is ready. Everyone, please head downstairs!" she called out with a warm smile. 

She paused, her tone turning serious. 

"However, before leaving your rooms, make sure to check all the doors and windows. We need to ensure that the bandage monster doesn't sneak in!" 

Conan, on the verge of speaking, clamped his mouth shut as Ayako interrupted. 

His inner turmoil flared briefly but subsided. 

 I can't expose myself. Not like this. 

The Black Organization still hadn't been uncovered. The matter remained unresolved. For now, he had to keep hiding. 

His gaze shifted to Akashi, who was sitting comfortably on the bed. Conan's eyes burned with anger. 

Akashi, seemingly unfazed, met Conan's glare with a dazzling smile, one that was both innocent and infuriating. 

The group filed out of the room and followed Ayako downstairs to the dining area. 

Ayako and Sonoko busied themselves in the kitchen, bringing out dishes to set the table. Ran joined them to help. 

Once everything was ready, Ayako looked around, her face tinged with apology. 

"I'm so sorry. This party hasn't gone as planned," she admitted. 

"It's made everyone so tense and serious." 

Sonoko sighed, setting down a plate. 

"It's not your fault, isn't it?" 

Curiosity piqued, Conan asked, "Is this about Atsuko? Sister Ayako, what's that about?" 

Ayako hesitated, her gaze darting around the room. Noticing the others hadn't arrived yet, she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a near whisper.

"Atsuko was a member of our college film club," she began. 

"She was very close to us. But two years ago, she suddenly…" 

Ayako paused, her voice tinged with sadness. 

"She hanged herself in our club's activity room. None of us understood why." 

"After that, the club started drifting apart. We all lost contact." 

Taking a deep breath, she continued, "It's been two years now. I thought it was time to bring everyone back together, so I organized this gathering." 

Ayako turned to Conan. 

"So please, let's not dwell on this any further, alright?" 

Conan nodded solemnly. 

Just then, Masaru and Hiroki entered the room. Hiroki was fiddling with his camera, recording everything with keen interest. 

"We've double-checked all the doors and windows on the first and second floors," Masaru declared. 

"That bandage weirdo has no way in now. Phew, I'm starving. Can we eat already?" 

Ayako smiled gently. 

"Of course. Help yourselves." 

As Hiroki scanned the room, he frowned. 

"Where's Chikako? She's not here." 

Ayako replied, "She said she wasn't feeling well and decided to rest in her room. She won't be joining us for dinner." 

"Let's eat first," she suggested. 

Masaru chuckled, shaking his head. 

"Figures. When people get famous, they start acting aloof." 

He turned to the bay window, calling out. 

"Hey, Ryoichi! Has the roof been fixed yet? Come down and eat!" 

Outside the window, Ryoichi descended the stairs wearing a raincoat. 

"It's fixed," he replied. "I'm coming down now." 

But then, as he turned, his expression changed drastically. His eyes widened in shock. 

"Look!" he yelled, pointing at the window. "There's something out there!" 

Everyone turned toward the window. 

For a moment, they caught a fleeting glimpse—a faint blue cloak fluttered in the rain. 

The bandaged man appeared, gripping Chikako tightly as a hostage. His figure loomed briefly against the glass before vanishing into the darkness of the maple leaf forest beyond.