Vermouth: "All done." Vermouth: "Gin values you more than I expected. As long as you don't expose the fact that you were also in Vespania at
Vermouth: "All done."
Vermouth: "Gin values you more than I expected. As long as you don't expose the fact that you were also in Vespania at the time, no one will ever know."
When Hayashi Yoshiki received Vermouth's message, he didn't reply.
He pulled a notebook from his coat and tore out one of its pages. Then, he set it on fire.
Gimlet, a refreshing and sweet cocktail with a full-bodied sour taste. The classic recipe: one part gin, one-third part lime juice, a teaspoon of syrup, and lemon slices to garnish.
The flat paper quickly curled up in the heat.
Only after the part that said "shot" and the time stamps had been licked away by the flames did Hayashi Yoshiki let go.
The falling ashes scattered quickly in the wind.
Buzz buzz!
His phone vibrated again.
Gin: "Don't reveal that you were in this country or that you accepted this country's commission."
Hayashi Yoshiki simply replied with: "OK."
Maybe it was because of the Death Note, but Gin's gesture of goodwill still deserved to be acknowledged.
Hayashi Yoshiki had already learned from Vermouth about the Vespania mineral deposits—
No wonder the organization could fly armed helicopters to shoot up Tokyo Tower, or how, in some movie versions, Chianti and Korn were seen clearing out moles across the globe via helicopter.
The organization probably had the means to plant spies in militaries and air defenses worldwide.
But if Gin and the others acted this flashy every time... no number of spies could clean up their messes.
Hayashi Yoshiki left the rooftop.
As soon as he entered the hallway, a maid respectfully called to him and led him into a room.
Inside sat two people:
Count Keith and Fujiko Mine, dressed like lawyers.
Several open briefcases lay on the table between them, each packed with bundles of cash.
"Has everything been counted and confirmed?"
"Yes. It's been a pleasure working with you, Mr. Keith."
"Cash is convenient, but checks or transfers work just as well."
"I don't trust anything but cash."
Fujiko Mine said, waving her hand with a smile.
With Gerard's conspiracy exposed and him now under control, she had also returned Princess Mira, fulfilling her commission.
Keith noticed Hayashi Yoshiki being led in.
"Mr. Hayashi, thank you for your help," he said, his tone now more cordial. "As agreed, we will pay the reward. Do you prefer cash, a check, or a bank transfer?"
"A transfer, please—but hold off on sending it for now."
"Understood."
Keith didn't ask why.
Fujiko, however, was a bit surprised. "That's rare. Nowadays, someone not eager to get paid?"
"Well, I'm worried that I might get robbed before I even make it to the plane."
"Then, how about storing it in the Bank of Fujiko Mine?"
"Not a bad suggestion. Let's wait until I become a fan of Miss Fujiko Mine, then."
In other words, when he's posing for gravure photos himself.
This man really knows how to keep his cool.
Fujiko snapped shut her briefcases and got up to leave. Smiling, she handed Hayashi Yoshiki a business card.
"You might need me someday."
"Perhaps. I'll be looking forward to that day,"
Hayashi Yoshiki replied, taking the card.
As she strutted out with her long legs, Keith turned to Hayashi Yoshiki again.
"Princess Mira has returned. As planned, her coronation will be held tomorrow. Mr. Hayashi, are you and the others staying for the ceremony? If you're returning to Tokyo, we can prepare a private jet at any time."
"That'll depend on what the others decide."
After discussing a few more matters, Hayashi Yoshiki left the room.
Conan was still hanging around with Daisuke Jigen, while Kogoro Mouri had gone to the dining hall for some beer.
Hayashi Yoshiki checked the time and asked a passing maid to take him to Ran.
When he entered the room, Princess Mira was also there.
She was still wearing Ran's school uniform. The two seemed to be chatting.
"Yoshiki-nii!"
Ran greeted him at once and glanced at his right arm. "How's the wound?"
"No big deal. I'll just change the dressing a few more times,"
Hayashi Yoshiki replied with a smile.
But Ran still looked full of guilt.
That made Hayashi Yoshiki gently pat her head.
Princess Mira stepped forward:
"I heard everything from Keith. Thank you—for helping me see the truth."
"It's nothing. Though things might get tough for you from here on."
"I was ready for that the moment I came back."
Ready to become the ruler of a nation.
Princess Mira straightened up and took a deep breath. She was clearly under pressure.
But soon, after glancing between the faces of Hayashi Yoshiki and Ran, her serious expression softened into something... less readable.
"Oh, right. Could you wait outside for a moment?"
She said, gently pushing Hayashi Yoshiki out and closing the door.
Ran blinked in confusion.
From behind the closed door, Hayashi Yoshiki could vaguely hear:
"Come on, just try it! I'm becoming Queen tomorrow anyway!"
"This is a royal command!"
"Aren't you even a little curious?!"
Sounds like someone's feeling a bit playful before her coronation.
Ran, on the other hand, sounded much more hesitant.
After a short while, the door opened again.
And standing before Hayashi Yoshiki were two Rans.
They already looked nearly identical, with only slight differences in hair and eye color.
But now, with makeup, they had completely transformed into perfect duplicates.
"Princess Mira heard you were able to tell her and Lady Ran apart with just one look at the Tokyo hotel,"
The maid said with a grin.
"So now she wants to see... if you can still tell who the real Lady Ran is."
The real Ran, standing among the two, looked a little shy yet full of anticipation.
Yoshiki-nii, can you recognize me?
Probably not, she thought.
After all, even they couldn't tell each other apart after looking in the mirror.
But Hayashi Yoshiki smiled.
"The answer's right here."
He stepped forward and gently patted Ran on the head.
She lowered her gaze, her heart fluttering in that moment.
"No way! How?!"
Princess Mira's face was full of shock.
Hayashi Yoshiki didn't explain.
Soon, a bodyguard arrived, saying Keith wanted to discuss the coronation details.
Princess Mira left with the maid.
Now, only Hayashi Yoshiki and Ran were left in the room.
"So... how did you know which one was me?"
Her soft, delicate face glowed with joy.
Being recognized clearly made her happy.
Maybe it was the feeling of being seen, of having some silent connection...
Her heart pounded just thinking about it, and maybe her head felt a little fuzzy too.
Hayashi Yoshiki just chuckled.
"Because of your chest."
"......"
Her expression froze.
"Princess Mira's chest is a bit bigger than yours. She is two years older, after all,"
Hayashi Yoshiki said with a gentle smile.
And Ran's face turned crimson in real time.
The fluttering joy she had just felt… was swiftly replaced by something entirely different.