Even if it isn't.. it doesn't matter.
Anyway, it's worth a try, isn't it?
With such a thought in mind, Nana ultimately nodded.
“Ms. Hashimoto—” Kyogoku Makoto, who had remained silent a few steps away, finally spoke.
This dark-skinned youth, who had won the All-Japan Karate championship at a very young age and was known as the "Kick Prince," had eyes filled with worry and wrath, the gaze of one unwilling to lose his beloved.
She truly loved Suzuki Sonoko, not because of her status as a lady of the Suzuki Group, but simply because she was Suzuki Sonoko.
The youth lowered his head, his tone solemn, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Ms. Hashimoto."
His Voice was tinged with a hint of gratitude and Guilt.
The Black-haired young female detective gazed at him for a while, only after a long moment did she smile faintly, saying nothing at all.
She turned her head and noticed Mori Ran's gaze; the emotions were different, but the worry and gratitude were the same.
Even though he knew he shouldn't, in this moment, Nana's thoughts drifted away for a while.
If Yaji knew about what happened today.. she would probably be very worried, right?
And Kimie-nee.
And.. Kindaichi-senpai and Miyuki-nee.
Thinking of his recent call with Kinda Ichichi, Nana blinked, his mood finally ceased to be so panicked.
Suzuki Sonoko is very lucky.
Of course, Hashimoto Nana, you are actually quite lucky too, aren't you?
She closed her eyes, taking a silent, deep breath, when she opened them again, her green eyes were clear.
Nana pursed his lips slightly and took a step forward.
..
Nana pursed his lips slightly and took a step forward.
“Ms. Hashimoto—”
Another voice interrupted her movements.
The Black-haired female detective looked toward the sound with some hesitation. That voice was quite familiar, deep and mellow, with a slight distortion at the end and a touch of a mechanical quality, yet it did not diminish the Master's charm.
The East University graduate student wearing glasses gave his a slight nod of greeting, his eyes still squinted, a trace of a distant smile hanging on his lips.
It is Shuichi Akai.
Nana turned to him in confusion, questioning him silently with his eyes.
Opposite [male] Nanase tilted her head indifferently, yet unexpectedly made no move to stop anything, merely watching the scene before her with a faint, enigmatic smile.
The two stared at each other for three seconds. Nana frowned slightly, just as he was about to say something, however, in the next second—
“!!”
Nana's eyes suddenly widened.
Shuichi Akai stepped forward, swiftly grabbing Nana's wrist, facing her with her usual expression.
This sudden action left Nana at a loss, she instinctively took a step back, his face filled with suspicion: "Mr. Shuichi! What are you trying to do?!"
Ms. Hashimoto, contacting a serial murder case criminal alone is a very dangerous thing," Shuichi Akai said in a gentle tone, adding a light warning, "You must be very careful.
I will," Nana said, while carefully attempting to withdraw his wrist. "Thank you for your concern.
As he moved, Nana's finger brushed against the youth's palm.
Shuichi Akai's expression shifted slightly. He paused, maintaining his usual voice, but his tone carried an added weight of solemnity: "Have you really decided?"
Nana nodded with his lips pressed together.
In a place where no one but Nana could see, the youth silently opened his eyes.
When meeting the shimmering greenness in the youth's eyes, Nana couldn't help but be slightly stunned.
It feels.. just like Zhenjun.
Nana did not expect for a moment that Shuichi Akai would also have the same green eyes as Zhenjun, but—
She and her sister both have green eyes.
Nana did not think much of it and simply gave a slight nod.
The two people who were looking at each other exchanged a subtle glance, understanding each other perfectly.
Shuichi Akai released Nana.
Nana tilted his head slightly, staring at the Boy not far away, spoke again to confirm: "I will go with you, but you must release Sonoko."
That won't do—Ms. Hashimoto," Ms. Lie said with a smile, her tone casual. "I can't release her that quickly.
Before Everyone could voice their indignation, Lie added, "Releasing her at this time would be far too dangerous. However, I promise you, as long as you speak with me privately, I will definitely release Suzuki Sonoko."
“Are you joking?!” Takagi Wataru roared, "You—"
Didn't you all already have this kind of mental preparation?" Nanase made a look of incomprehension. "I'm just stating the requirements plainly; is there really a need to act like this?
He smiled with a slight curl of his lips. "As if this request were something outrageous.. What a hypocritical adult."
Everyone: …………
Isn't this request excessive?!
Enough." Ignoring everyone's persuasion, a furious Nana had no desire to argue further, his gaze piercingly fixed on Lie: "I'll go with you, but after we finish talking, you must release Sonoko.
"Ms. Hashimoto is still the best." Ms. Lie gave a flirtatious smile and nodded in agreement.
..
In the end, it still fulfilled Nanase's wish.
When the three men entered an empty House, Dan Nani, forced to obey Lie's command, locked the door.
In the next second, Suzuki Sonoko collapsed silently.
"What did you do to him?!" Nana was instantly struck with terror.
Nothing much~" Nanase replied in an innocent tone, her eyes and brows exuding a sense of hypocritical innocence: "It's just a syringe of Anesthetic.
He raised the syringe in his hand with one hand, shaking it in the air, then with a light twist of his wrist, he pulled the syringe back.
This movement was like a command, as the command was conveyed, Little boy Lai's tone was no longer that of feigned, innocent youthfulness.
His voice was still a clear, youthful voice, but his tone had already turned heavy.
His eyes darkened as well.
A child's body hid an adult's soul, Master Lie's gaze was more complex and twisted than that of an ordinary person; merely making eye contact with him made Nana feel a chill run through him.
Nanase tilted his head. "Should I call you Hashimoto Nana, or Shiratori Nana?"
..
Should I call you Hashimoto Nana, or Shiratori Nana?
This question left Nana stunned. If there were an art form called "The Importance of an Opening Statement," then Lie had done an excellent job of seizing the initiative.
Nana subconsciously wondered, just what did he know, how much did he know?
However, none of this mattered.
The black-haired female detective quickly calmed down.
Based on Nanase's insistence on speaking with her privately and the fact that he drugged Suzuki Sonoko, it is clear that Nanase has no intention of making this matter public, so—
Then there is still some room for maneuver.
But, if Nanase wanted to make a 'Transaction', why would she put herself in such danger?
You have to realize that Lie's actions today undoubtedly pushed himself toward a dead end.
Although Nana is not particularly professional, she can still see that Seixia is not a professional killer.
He was able to carry out the Seven Deadly Sins serial murder case without making a sound; his child-like stature undoubtedly provided him with great assistance.
But this point had already been exposed to the eyes of the Police.
Whether it is openly provoking the Police or revealing one's own trump cards, neither is the correct course of action.
Even if he has people behind him, who can say they wouldn't give up a useless Pawn?
You have to realize that the Dark World has always been very realistic.
If he really wanted to conduct a 'Transaction', why would he use a method that leaves him no way out?
Nana didn't quite understand.
However, at least for now, she could not hand all the initiative over to him—that would be truly disadvantageous.
She tilted her head slightly and retorted, "Then what should I call you? Nanase isn't your real name, is it?"
Nana took a step forward, showing no fear of the firearms in the Boy's hands.
‘Nanase'—the sound is the same as 'Lie,' meaning a lie.
—Nanase, sounds like "Lie," which means a lie.
So you really saw through it," Boy nodded slightly, a faint smirk appearing at the corners of his mouth. "But 'he' has never seen through it—
"Is he really an idiot?" Nanase tilted her head slightly, her tone slow and disdainful, yet her gaze held a mixture of confusion and gentleness.
In this instant, the aura surrounding this boy did not seem entirely distorted.
Nana fell silent for a moment.
He subconsciously realized that this boy's weakness might have already been exposed.
Whether it was intentional or a spontaneous display of true feelings.
Nana would not let this point slide.
..
Watching the back of the Black-haired female detective gradually disappear behind the closing door, Shuichi Akai lowered her head slightly.