No.. it's nothing." Morofushi Takaaki withdrew his gaze, looking thoughtful. "Perhaps it was just my imagination.
"So Inspector Morofushi is also here because of the disappearance case, right?" Conan tilted his head back and pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, his tone certain, a glint of white light flashing across the lenses.
"You could say that." Morofushi Takaaki curled his fingers against his chin; his eyes were cast down, he looked at the elementary school student before him with a gentle expression, having no intention of concealing the purpose of his visit.
“Hey, hey, so Inspector Morofushi, what do you think about these disappearance cases?” Conan looked at Morofushi Takaaki with expectant eyes, trying to glean some clues that the police had not yet released.
Unfortunately, Morofushi Takaaki was not as easy to fool as the Inspector Takagi he knew; his answers to several consecutive questions were watertight, leaving Conan feeling somewhat discouraged.
“Takaaki.”
A man with a small ponytail at the back of his head and a somewhat stern and fierce appearance walked around the corner of the corridor leaning on a cane. An X-shaped scar from a past injury remained near his left eye, giving his expression a somewhat intimidating edge.
"The front desk said the newspaper has already been borrowed by another guest." This was Yamato Kansuke, Morofushi Takaaki's partner for this trip.
"It seems someone shares your line of thinking." Yamato Kansuke had also asked the receptionist for a detailed description of the guest who borrowed the newspaper, but he was refused on the grounds of protecting the guest's privacy.
"What do you think we should do now?" Yamato Kansuke's expression was tinged with irritation. His frustration didn't stem from failing to borrow the newspaper, but rather from the fact that despite being ordered by his superiors to come to Gunma to provide support, he and the other person were being completely sidelined by the Gunma police, who used the excuses of being unfamiliar with the case and it being inconvenient to intervene mid-way.
The lack of cooperation and the obstructed investigation from the Gunma police kept Yamato Kansuke in a state of high tension.
Do those people even realize the gravity of the situation? They even felt relieved upon receiving the ransom note. Do they truly believe that as long as the Kobe family pretends to agree to the demands and sets a trap, the culprit will step into it one by one and everything will be fine?
“Impatience leads to errors." Morofushi Takaaki placed a hand gently on Yamato Kansuke's shoulder and shook his head at him.
I had already reviewed all the relevant cases before coming to Gunma, asking you to borrow the newspapers was also intended to make a detailed compilation..
"Since they won't let us in, we'll just have to find another way." Morofushi Takaaki spoke at an unhurried pace, appearing as though he already had a specific plan in mind.
*
Kisaragi Chiyo is doing some handiwork.
To be more specific, she was making Paper Shikigami.
Sharp scissors held in hand sliced through the paper with ease, as paper scraps fell like snow, Paper Shikigami were born under Kisaragi Chiyo's hands.
"What can these little paper figures even do?" Hara Kenji used a tentacle to gently poke the newly formed Paper Shikigami, looking as if he was feeling dissatisfied that Kisaragi Chiyo had not chosen him.
"Tracking and attacking." Kisaragi Chiyo's hands were very steady. He sat on the edge of the bed with his eyes lowered, while Hara Kenji, looking like a large dog, was clinging to his back.
As soon as he returned, the other person immediately clung to him like some sort of portable accessory. If he showed even the slightest hint of refusal, the dark purple-eyed Evil Spirit would use those beautiful, innocent eyes to look at him piteously, until he was forced to give in with an expression of helplessness.
"You're holding me too tight." Kisaragi Chiyo tidied the cut paper shikigami and set them aside, then looked down at the hands tightly wrapped around his waist; this position always inexplicably reminded him of prey being coiled by a snake.
"Sorry." Hara Kenji nuzzled Kisaragi Chiyo's cheek from behind in an apologetic manner, his voice sounding sticky and sweet, like amber maple syrup poured over a soft pancake.
“I missed Chiyo-chan so much.” Soft, slightly cool lips brushed gently against her earlobe, his voice and breath fell right beside her ear, vibrating through her earbone and into her brain.
"If I recall correctly, I only left for half an hour." Kisaragi Chiyo had never known before that puppies could be such clingy creatures—or perhaps, it was just that only Hara Kenji was like this.
Is leaving me alone for half an hour not enough?" Hara Kenji complained in a small voice. "You left, Little Jinpei went out too, I was left all alone in the room.
"Truly heinous, absolutely unforgivable," the Evil Spirit muttered, unilaterally pinning heavy accusations upon Kisaragi Chiyo.
"Do you know what Matsuda went out to do?" When Kisaragi Chiyo returned, she indeed hadn't seen her cat, but according to the books, cats are naturally active and free creatures that usually go out to hunt during the day and only return under the moonlight at night.
"Probably went to find that Detective Amuro?" Since Matsuda Jinpei hadn't asked for a cover, Hara Kenji had no intention of hiding anything from Kisaragi Chiyo.
"I must have known such a great detective in my past life too, right?" Hara Kenji rested his head on Kisaragi Chiyo's shoulder, his eyes half-lidded as he enjoyed the warmth of the human in his arms, as if his empty soul were being briefly filled.
Such an intoxicating feeling; how could he make this sense of satisfaction last forever?
Hara Kenji buried his head, greedily inhaling the unique scent of the human, suddenly felt a bit reluctant to devour her.
"What kind of wicked ideas are you thinking of now?" Kisaragi Chiyo used her fingers to entwine the long hair of the Evil Spirit that hung over the bed, giving it a sharp tug. Soon, the Evil Spirit, who seemed almost eager to hang its entire weight on her, let out an exaggerated gasp.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”
The Evil Spirit struggled to squeeze out a few tears, a few drops of the icy liquid fell onto Kisaragi Chiyo's exposed skin. Hara Kenji pressed his face against hers, catching a glimpse of her moist eyes and her constantly fluttering long eyelashes in his peripheral vision.
Soft, thin lips parted and closed, with a crimson tongue appearing and disappearing within.
"It's not like that at all." Hara Kenji released one hand from Kisaragi Chiyo's waist, resting it lightly on her arm before sliding it down, until his fingers were interlaced with Kisaragi Chiyo's right hand, making it impossible for him to focus on anything else.
Kisaragi Chiyo: ".."
Kisaragi Chiyo moved her body, but the other party locked her like a cage, leaving her completely unable to move.
“Let go, I still have things to prepare,” Kisaragi Chiyo tried to reason with the puppy.
"No." Hara Kenji refused decisively. He shamelessly wrapped his arms around the human's waist and pulled her backward, sending them both sinking directly into the soft bedding.
I'm enough for you, aren't I?" Hara Kenji clung to Kisaragi Chiyo, "No matter what you want to do, I'll help you.
"I can't afford the price of having you step in." Kisaragi Chiyo used her free hand to hold back the head that was leaning in towards her, her breathing growing heavy as their bodies touched.
“..” A deliberate, faint sound interrupted the two of them. Kisaragi Chiyo and Hara Kenji simultaneously looked toward the shadows in the corner of the room. In the dim light filtered through the drawn curtains, a cat with teal eyes emerged from the shadows, walking with an elegant stride.
It leaped nimbly, as light as a little bird, crouched accurately on the back of Hara Kenji's head.
Hara Kenji: ".."
"Little Jinpei, do you really have to use my head as a landing spot?" Hara Kenji said with an expression of endurance.
Matsuda Jinpei said nothing; he simply took his time smoothing out the stray hairs on his body that had been ruffled, his long tail drooping down to land with light, rhythmic taps against Hara Kenji's face.
Hara Kenji, who had just opened his mouth to speak only to get a mouthful of cat hair: ".."
Little Jinpei." Hara Kenji's tone was very sincere. "Your shedding season is indeed getting a bit serious; I suggest it would be better if you ate some hairball paste.
*
Matsuda Jinpei went to find Furuya Rei again to work on his skills.
After Kisaragi Chiyo left, he crouched outside the window, tapping on the glass with his paw pads, his jet-black pupils narrowing into thin slits within his teal eyes. If Furuya Rei hadn't dodged in time, his head would likely have become the other's stepping stone once again.
Can't you use a slightly more friendly way to say hello?
Furuya Rei closed the open window and turned to look at Matsuda Jinpei, who had already returned to human form. The other man sat on the sofa with his legs crossed in a casual manner, his sunglasses sliding slightly down the bridge of his nose to reveal a pair of sharp, piercing eyes.
“No way.” Matsuda Jinpei looked his long-lost friend up and down, becoming absolutely certain that this was indeed the original, blonde master.
"Fine." Furuya Rei shook his head with a somewhat helpless expression and sat down on the sofa opposite Matsuda Jinpei.
So," Furuya Rei said, clasping his hands together and looking at Matsuda Jinpei expectantly, "Officer Matsuda, what exactly do you intend to ask me?
“Furuya Rei.” As his friend spoke his name with an unprecedentedly serious tone, Matsuda Jinpei leaned forward slightly; even through his sunglasses, he could feel the intensity of his gaze.
“You”
"What?" Furuya Rei couldn't help but be affected by the other's attitude, the smile on his face gradually faded.
You.." Matsuda Jinpei lowered his voice, his tone carrying a thirst for knowledge and curiosity, "Are you actually a fox demon?
.." Furuya Rei showed a speechless expression, "Matsuda, are you actually an idiot?
Didn't they say fox demons have the ability to foresee the future?
Is that so? Then that is truly a shame." Furuya Rei curled his lips into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I suppose my being a pure human has disappointed you.
That is indeed disappointing." Matsuda Jinpei said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "I wanted to see you with fox ears and a tail.
I don't think you'll ever see that in your lifetime.
"So, how exactly did you find out?" Matsuda Jinpei changed the subject, finally bringing up this question.
Could it be..
You and Hara have nothing to do with me." Furuya Rei saw through what the other was thinking at a glance. "If I had to say, all I know is that you would turn into a cat, while Hara would turn into a dog.
"The cats and dogs around Kisaragi-kun?" The playful expression that appeared on Matsuda Jinpei's face meant that such a perfunctory answer was not going to convince him.
I don't know Kisaragi-kun very well," Furuya Rei said, frowning as he struggled to find the right words. "All I know is the part of him that isn't hidden. As for the rest.. I have no need to deceive you.
Matsuda." Furuya Rei looked at him with a serious expression, "I only know that you will appear again, that perhaps, one day, we might be reunited.
"Just that?" Matsuda Jinpei asked back.
Just that.
Then, what about Master Jing?" Matsuda Jinpei stared into Furuya Rei's eyes. "Is he alright?
“..”
"At least, it's not too bad." Furuya Rei remained silent for a moment before answering, his expression calm and his tone devoid of any fluctuation.
Matsuda Jinpei really wanted to read something from the other man's face, but he admitted that Furuya Rei had changed a lot by now.
The change here didn't mean that Furuya Rei had become a stranger to him, but rather that the Furuya Rei who once wore his heart on his sleeve had learned how to wear a mask that was completely unreadable.
“Is it like me or Hara Kenji?” Matsuda Jinpei probed, testing the limits of what he was allowed to know.
No." Furuya Rei denied it quickly, "Hiro is actually doing quite well right now.. at least.. at least much better than you guys.
Oh?" Matsuda Jinpei asked with a slight smile, "Then what is he doing now?
You could say he's in charge of logistics and intelligence; his current situation is safer than you think.
He even has time to raise hamsters.
That sounds wonderful." Matsuda Jinpei was not misled by Furuya Rei's words; he asked Furuya Rei word for word, "Then what are you still worried about?
Hearing this question, Furuya Rei fell silent once again.
“Matsuda, you might not be able to understand what I'm saying right now.” His voice was very soft, yet it carried a weight that left Matsuda Jinpei feeling bewildered.
"But, I'm counting on you." Furuya Rei's expression was very solemn when he said this, looking like a gambler who had placed all his hopes on a single, sole hope.
But even after Matsuda Jinpei left, Furuya Rei still hadn't said what it was exactly that he was asking for.
-----------------------
Author's Note: *Haste makes waste. "Zizhi Tongjian"
Thanks to all the little angels for your support, mwah to everyone 03330
Chapter 60
The villa was nestled within a lush, leafy forest. Perhaps to create a sense of isolation from the outside world, almost no other buildings could be seen along the way.
In the manor, which was surrounded by forests transitioning from lush green to golden yellow, one could only hear the occasional chirping of birds, which sounded crisp and melodious in the glass-like silence of the air.
At the request of the Kobe family, Kisaragi Chiyo was granted permission to enter the villa, along with the cat and dog he brought with him.