The Blonde-haired woman sighed, knowing that arguing was useless; she gave a mysterious smile and curled her right index finger against her rose-colored lips, her smile charming and captivating: “A secret makes a woman.”
The silver-haired youth opposite his let out a sneer.
..
Gin did not stop—
His green eyes held a cold hue, a chill that was not like simple, unmelting frost, but rather like the ice formed upon a winter lake surface.
The surface was cold, but inside, it was still flowing.
The reason I say I was indirectly involved—" his Voice slowed down slightly, giving Bourbon enough time to think, "is because I was the one who notified Heine.
He looked at Bourbon's face, which was showing a rare expression of bewilderment, chose to tell the truth—at least within a limited scope, he chose to tell the truth: "I 'asked' Heine to take action."
—Although Heine expressed that this method of "requesting" was something he would publicly denounce.
However, my original intention wasn't for Scotland to die.
Gin said nonchalantly.
It must be said, that statement was absolutely the truth.
Bourbon's eyes suddenly widened.
..
The Blonde-haired woman sighed, knowing that arguing was useless, so she simply gave a mysterious smile, curling her right index finger against her rose-colored lips, her smile beautiful and charming: "A secret makes a woman."
The silver-haired youth opposite him let out a sneer.
"Don't try to fool me with that," Gin said, lifting her eyes, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the glass coffee table.
On the coffee table sat fresh fruit, two complimentary bottles of mineral water, the wine that Vermouth had opened earlier, along with two wine glasses.
Gin glanced at them without any emotion, feeling his throat was slightly dry.
But thinking about it, now was not the time to soothe his throat. She thought.
Across from her, Vermouth maintained her smile, clearly waiting for something.
Gin narrowed her eyes slightly. "I recall the big star Sharon Wynyard seems to have a friend, doesn't she? What was their name again?"
Fujimine Yukiko is also a famous actress.
—Or rather, she should be called Kudo Yukiko.
Vermouth's left hand, hanging at her side, moved slightly, her Index finger curled ever so slightly in an inconspicuous manner.
Gin did not miss this detail: "Should I call her Fujimine Yukiko, or should I call her Kudo Yukiko?"
She stated it unhurriedly, a demeanor that actually exerted greater psychological pressure on the other party: "Fujimine Yukiko left the film industry when she was only twenty. Although her current whereabouts are difficult to find, I still have my ways—she and her husband, Kudo Yusaku, settled in Los Angeles, right?"
Gin paused for several seconds, then repeated his words from moments ago: "How far is it between Los Angeles and New York??"
The air seemed to freeze.
Gin remained silent and composed, her green eyes looking at Vermouth with a faint, knowing smile.
Looking at Vermouth, whose head was lowered and whose blue eyes were narrowed.
A few seconds later, the Woman's voice broke the silence.
What are you trying to say?
Gin tilted his head slightly, mockingly repeating Vermouth's previous words: "A secret makes a woman—and now?"
What are you trying to say?!
The Blonde-haired woman deepened his voice.
Her blue eyes held a sharp intensity that was completely different from the one she had shown just minutes ago—even hours ago.
That radiant, glamorous superstar who was so composed and elegant before the reporters seemed to have vanished at this moment, leaving behind only a Poppy that bloomed amidst the blood and slaughter of the Black Organization.
Vermouth looked at Gin, staring at him intently.
She was merely staring at him.
She was waiting.
Waiting for this well-prepared man, who currently appeared calm and composed, to propose his conditions.
She still maintained her proper poise and elegance, but the sharpness in her gaze, her poised and ready state, her slightly clenched jaw all revealed the turmoil within her heart.
At this moment, Gin suddenly no longer wanted to make things difficult for her.
He lowered his gaze slightly and picked up the wine glass that had been sitting on the glass coffee table for some time.
The liquid in the wine glass was deep red, emitting a rich aroma, but unfortunately, these two glasses of wine—the two people present did not look like they would be savoring them.
"It's simple—" Gin said.
I want to know everything about APTX4869—the more, the better.
-----------------------
Author's Note: I guess four intermissions might not be enough.. there might be one or two more intermissions.
Seeing the Little Angels in the comments saying they were feeling restless because the chapter before last ended right there.. so I wrote another chapter—though it still doesn't fully reveal everything..
That's about it.. Next, Shinichi will make an appearance..
Chapter 123: Interlude Five: The Future Shinigami Elementary Student
I want to know information regarding APTX4869—the more, the better.
..
The single room in the Hotel was simply and elegantly decorated; although not large in area, it had everything one needed, making it perfectly fine to stay for several days.
The air conditioner in the room operated continuously, slowly dispersing a slightly cool current throughout the space. Vermouth sat on the sofa, her eyes half-lidded and lazy, her blue eyes appearing as if covered by a thin, obscure layer of mist.
Slender, fair Finger rested fitfully on the Sofa beside her, her Blonde hair scattered in a slight mess, the earrings by her ears swayed gently with the slight tilt of her head, like the fluttering wings of a butterfly.
The jewelry jingled by her ears, revealing her rounded earlobes and slender neck; her brows furrowed slightly, casting a shadow of inexplicable sorrow.
I want to know information regarding APTX4869—the more, the better.
That man's slightly cold voice echoed in his ears again. The Blonde-haired woman sighed, his exquisite curves rising and falling slightly with his breath.
Her breathing had gradually steadied, however, the emotion spreading through her chest and heart did not subside.
It's really—getting more and more troublesome.
The Blonde-haired woman sighed.
A few minutes later, Vermouth's brow gradually relaxed. Her Finger's unconscious tapping stopped, she slowly raised her hand to rest against her chin.
However—
Although it's a hassle, it's also—
It's getting—more and more interesting.
Vermouth's lips curled slightly, revealing a faint, shallow smile; however, her blue eyes held a dark, mocking glint that made it impossible to discern her true emotions.
..
Even if there are turbulent undercurrents between the two of Gin and Ver ****, the mission must still be completed.
Especially Akai Shuichi, the FBI elite agent who lured out the Black Organization's Traitor and was hailed by the Black Organization's High-level members as the 'Silver Bullet'—the former Rye.
"Speaking of which, I remember Rye, Scotland, Bourbon used to be a team??" Heine, who was far away in Italy, complained to Gin—they really didn't care about something like international phone call charges.
Gin tilted her head slightly with an expressionless face, letting out a low, modulated "Hmm?" from her nose, which served as both an affirmation and a question.
"So, out of the three people, two are traitors?" The handsome youth with red hair smiled slightly, his stunningly beautiful eyes carrying a hint of hazy intoxication.
It is intoxicating.
It was intoxicating.
However, being far away on the streets of New York, USA, Gin could not see this scene through the mobile phone.
However, the obvious flaws in that sentence were clearly not overlooked by him.
Gin gave a light chuckle, thinking to himself that when Bourbon is eventually exposed, you will realize that the undercover rate of this Whisky Trio isn't 2/3, but a tragic 100%.
In a situation like this, the efficiency of this trio is actually among the highest in the Organization.. that's quite an achievement.
Could this be the legendary will of The Universe?
Heine didn't dwell on those words, after his remark, he lazily stated his purpose: "Sheila has been acting a bit strange lately.. Do you know what happened?"
".." Gin felt quite speechless.
Heine.. is this guy a bit too much of a sister complex?
How could he possibly know? Besides, why ask him about this? What use is asking him?
"I don't know." Giving such a crisp answer without hanging up the phone directly was already a manifestation of Gin's unusual tolerance for Heine.
Heine frowned slightly.
She leaned her body against the railing of the bridge, turning her head to watch the rushing river water. Under the setting sun, the man's handsome face was tinged with a layer of orange-red melancholy.
He wanted to say something, but in the end, the words never left his lips.
"Fine then." In the very end, just a moment before pressing the red icon on the Screen to end the call, Heine left behind only those few words.
Gin blinked, listening to the busy signal on the other end of the phone, feeling for a moment that he couldn't quite understand the purpose of Heine's call.
Just to.. ask such a meaningless question?
But then again.. Sheila has indeed been acting quite strange lately.
..
Although they were in a "cooperative" relationship, Sheila's mental state was clearly outside of Gin's responsibility. He took note of the matter for the time being, then turned his full attention to the so-called Silver-haired killer.
Compared to Akai Shuichi, Amuro Tooru, later Kudo Shinichi—the members of the Silver Bullet Group—Gin's method of deduction was entirely different from theirs.
It makes sense; those people focus on evidence when reasoning—whether it's ironclad proof or just complete nonsense. Gin's reasoning.. well, as for evidence, in a sense, it is merely something to support his own thoughts.