We stayed in a very simple small hotel that night. For 5,000 yen, the price included accommodation and two meals. Since it was by the sea, t
We stayed in a very simple small hotel that night.
For 5,000 yen, the price included accommodation and two meals. Since it was by the sea, the meals mainly featured seafood.
It was past eleven o'clock.
Maybe because she drank too much water, Ran walked out of her room to use the bathroom.
The garden was asleep—soundly, after a day of running around—but Ran didn't feel sleepy at all.
Because as soon as she closed her eyes, she would picture Brother Yoshiki just stepping out of the shower—his body full of masculine charm, his wet hair, and his intellectual, handsome face...
But most of all—that very obvious bulge outlined through the fabric...
Kisaki Eri: "How is it? Isn't Yoshiki's figure amazing?"
Kisaki Eri: (laughing)
Ran stared at the text message from her mother, unsure how to reply. She probably thought everyone had gone to the beach today and changed into swimsuits.
Ran: "What is it, Mom?"
Kisaki Eri: "Just reminding you—it's rare to find a boy so self-disciplined."
It was as if she could see her mother's smiling face through the screen. Ran wasn't stupid. She understood the overt and covert hints from Kisaki Eri.
And she felt shy. But also confused—why would her usually strict mother suddenly encourage her to fall in love so early?
But then again... Brother Yoshiki is so outstanding.
She muttered to herself quietly.
After being told to go to bed early, she put down her phone and was about to return to her room—when she noticed someone was standing in the yard.
It was Hayashi Yoshiki.
He stood alone in the moonlight, doing nothing in particular. Ran walked out without thinking.
"Ran? You're still awake?"
"Yeah... why are you out here?"
"Uncle Mouri's snoring is... powerful."
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled helplessly.
The drunk Kogoro Mouri had already passed out, snoring so loudly that even Yoshiki could barely endure it.
It was amazing he didn't snore like that when anesthetized.
Ran looked a little embarrassed too.
"It must be hard for you, Brother Yoshiki…"
"It's nothing. I'm not really sleepy anyway."
He said that, but Ran still felt awkward going back to her room.
"She fell asleep. She was talking in her sleep when I left."
"What was she saying?"
"Something about exams, I think."
Ran smiled, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned a little toward him.
"What about you, Yoshiki? What were you thinking about, standing here alone?"
"I was wondering... how to be happy."
"Literally. I want to live a happy life."
Hayashi Yoshiki gave her a bright smile.
Happiness. Just the word itself felt beautiful.
Ran couldn't help but smile at him.
"Did you figure it out? What would make you happy?"
"Well... what do you think happiness is, Ran?"
For a sixteen-year-old girl, the world didn't need to be very big.
What she wanted was for her parents to reconcile and live peacefully together again. No arguments, no bad days. To be with her friends and the people she loved—that would already be wonderful.
She told Yoshiki all of this. Then she asked, "Does that sound too plain?"
"No. Actually, I think that's what most people want."
"What about you, Brother Yoshiki?"
"As for me, I'd add one more thing," he said with a smile.
"That is—to get everything I want."
"No! I just think you've become more... um… lively? Can I use that word?"
Yoshiki had always seemed like someone who only thought of others, never himself. Hearing him talk made her feel unexpectedly happy.
"Brother Yoshiki will definitely make it happen."
He looked at her, then smiled again.
"But I am very confident."
What he wants... doesn't include me, right?
Facing his calm, gentle gaze, that thought unexpectedly crossed Ran's mind. Once an idea takes root, it's hard to stop it from growing.
"You should go back to bed. I'm about to head in too."
After all, it was getting late.
But as he said this, he looked at her again. He opened his mouth as if to say something—but stopped.
Ran sensed it immediately, and she felt herself grow nervous.
Yoshiki, do you want to say something...?
It was late, and they were alone. Her emotions tensed up.
She wanted to ask him, but the words caught in her throat.
Finally, Hayashi Yoshiki spoke.
"Can I hug you... before I say goodnight?"
And—he wasn't smiling calmly as usual. He looked soft... but serious. Almost anxious.
Ran realized in a flash—he was waiting for her answer.
And she couldn't find it in herself to refuse.
So under his gaze, she paused, blushing fiercely, then nodded.
Her voice didn't tremble.
Hayashi Yoshiki stepped forward and gently embraced her.
His arms were warm. Gentle.
Ran couldn't help but think of the time at the Twin Towers skyscraper... when he had hugged her so tightly.
She felt overwhelmed.
The faint scent of his shower gel. The warmth. The peace.
Hayashi Yoshiki was careful not to hold her too long. He simply whispered:
"Okay. Go to bed now."
"Mm... good night, Brother Yoshiki."
He let go of her and returned to his room.
Ran walked back, her cheeks burning bright red.
Hayashi Yoshiki stayed a little longer, enjoying the cool breeze under the stars.
Then, when he finally decided to return to his room, he sent a text message to Conan.
Conan, surprisingly, was still awake. He soon emerged from Dr. Agasa's room.
"What's up, Brother Yoshiki? Need help with something?"
Hayashi Yoshiki took him to his and Mouri Kogoro's room.
Facing the middle-aged man snoring thunderously, Yoshiki squatted down, pulled Conan's arm, opened the cover of his watch, aimed, and injected Mouri with a tranquilizer.
The thunderous snoring soon faded into silence.
"Perfect. Thanks. Now go to bed."
Hayashi Yoshiki pushed Conan out, looking thoroughly satisfied.