"Mutsumi!"
The Wakaba couple screamed.
Masuyama Kenzo's face was twisted with killing intent. The sight of the handgun with a silencer in his hand made people's legs go weak. No one dared to resist.
Mutsumi's clear, beautiful eyes widened, her face full of helplessness.
It was not because of her usual doll-like indifference. As a young lady pampered since childhood, always protected by her family, she had never experienced anything like this. Her mind went completely blank.
Megure and the other officers drew their guns and aimed at Masuyama Kenzo.
But the hall was filled with dignitaries. Every single person present had status and influence. How could the police dare to fire?
If they accidentally injured or killed someone, it would not end with a simple apology or dismissal.
They might go to prison themselves, and even their families could be implicated.
The officers aimed their guns, yet not one of them dared to pull the trigger.
Everyone could only watch as Masuyama rushed toward Mutsumi. Some ladies were so frightened that they shut their eyes, unable to look.
At that moment, a figure flashed past.
Toru saw that Masuyama was too far from him. A bullet was always faster than a person.
It was too late to intercept him. The only thing he could do was save Mutsumi first.
He rushed forward and pulled her into his arms.
Masuyama froze for a moment, then his face twisted in shock and fury.
He stopped, terror and rage overwhelming his reason. He raised his handgun at Toru and Mutsumi.
If he was going to die, he would drag someone down with him.
Without thinking, he pulled the trigger.
"Ah!"
The crowd screamed again. People were terrified.
Haibara's face turned pale, her eyes filled with fear. Yukiko covered her mouth. Even Conan's eyes widened, his legs trembling.
Bang bang bang.
Three consecutive shots rang out.
Masuyama's marksmanship was extremely precise. Hitting the fluorescent-coated chandelier in the dark with one shot had already proven that.
All three bullets were aimed at Toru's chest.
At this distance, no one could outrun a bullet, especially while protecting a fragile girl.
Toru quickly turned sideways, presenting his back to the muzzle while shielding his head and Mutsumi.
It was almost the best possible choice in that moment, the posture most likely to survive.
Masuyama thought the same. But being hit by three shots, even from a handgun, survival would require luck.
He prepared to fire again.
Then he noticed something was wrong.
The 9mm bullets did not penetrate Toru's body. They tore holes in his suit jacket, but after striking something solid, they fell to the ground.
He is wearing a bulletproof vest?
The thought flashed through Masuyama's mind.
But that made no sense. Toru's formal suit was slim-fitting, not bulky at all.
There was no time to think. Masuyama fired two more shots.
They were still ineffective. He could not even injure Toru.
In desperation, he darted sideways and grabbed Chris Vineyard.
The officers nearly fainted from fright.
They had almost failed to protect Japan's national hero, the son of the Chairman of the Japan National Security Committee.
Now even a Hollywood superstar had been taken hostage. This could escalate into a diplomatic crisis.
Masuyama's lips trembled as he whispered beside Chris.
"Vermouth, help me. Pretend to be my hostage."
Vermouth heard him and immediately displayed a perfectly acted expression of fear, flawless and convincing.
"All of you, step back, or I will shoot her!"
Masuyama shouted, trying to appear fierce while his heart pounded in terror.
Seeing the gun aimed at them, everyone retreated quickly. The police did not dare act rashly.
"Stay where you are. As long as you let me leave, I will not kill her."
"She is a Hollywood superstar. Japan does not want trouble with America over this, right?"
"Give me a way out and I will not take risks."
Holding Vermouth hostage, Masuyama slowly backed toward the exit.
The police maintained their distance and followed cautiously.
Meanwhile, several officers and medical staff rushed to Toru's side.
"It is fine. I am not injured."
The medical staff did not take his word for it. They performed a quick examination.
Not a single wound. Not even a bruise.
"Fujiwara-kun, are you alright?"
"Should you go to the hospital for a thorough check?"
"Fujiwara-kun..."
Shiro hurried over anxiously.
If something had happened to the heir of the Fujiwara family at the Suzuki celebration, the Suzuki Group would never clear its name.
Even Oko looked tense.
Toru was the capable son-in-law he had finally secured. Nothing could happen to him.
Whether they knew him or not, people gathered to express concern.
"I am wearing the latest bulletproof vest. Otherwise, I would not have dared to rush over."
He knew being shot without injury was unbelievable, so he offered an explanation.
Everyone was astonished. What kind of vest could be so thin and light?
Safety was the greatest concern for people of their status. Many were already considering how to obtain one.
"Even with a bulletproof vest, daring to stand in front of a gun is not something ordinary people can do."
Everyone agreed.
Instinct made people fear firearms. Facing one head-on required courage.
Some felt such actions were not worth promoting. They were all important figures. Sacrificing oneself to save others was not something they would do.
But they could not help admiring Toru's bravery.
Even those who disliked him found themselves wanting to get acquainted.
This was pure charisma.
The Wakaba couple hugged Mutsumi tightly.
Mrs. Wakaba burst into tears.
Wakaba stepped forward and bowed ninety degrees, remaining bent as he spoke solemnly.
"Mr. Fujiwara saved my daughter's life. Our family truly has no way to repay this."
"There is no need for that. I simply did not want to see an innocent girl harmed."
"Mutsumi, come and thank Mr. Fujiwara."
Mutsumi and her mother stepped forward and bowed deeply.
Her pale golden eyes, usually emotionless, trembled slightly as she stared at him.
"Mr. Fujiwara, if you have time, please allow our family to host you. We do not know how else to repay this life-saving grace."
Wakaba's voice trembled with sincerity.
He truly loved his daughter. If anything had happened to her, he would have collapsed.
Toru accepted.
Sonoko clasped her hands excitedly.
"As expected of Fujiwara-sama."
All other male idols were instantly overshadowed.
No matter how handsome or cool, none could compare to someone who would risk his life to save others.
In the crowd, Maki Shijō looked toward Toru and suddenly felt jealous of Kaguya.
"Aunt, is that your fiancé?"
Although similar in age, they belonged to different generations.
Maki did not truly care about the family feud.
But in front of Kaguya, she would still oppose her, as her family expected.
Calling her Aunt was deliberate.
"Aunt, since that is your fiancé, why are you not going over to show concern?"
Kaguya's expression wavered, and she pursed her lips.
She was passive by nature.
Although she worried about whether Toru was injured and wanted to ask, she could not bring herself to take the initiative.
Despite their engagement, they had barely spoken. They were practically strangers.
In fact, Hayasaka seemed closer to him than she was.
Maki's intelligence was no less than Kaguya's.
She saw through her hesitation immediately.
So that is her personality. A typical defeated heroine.
Many thoughts flashed through her mind.
For a moment, she even had the impulse to snatch him away.
If she did, the Shijō family would support her.
But it was only a thought.
Like Kaguya, she was also a girl with a difficult personality, radiating the aura of a defeated heroine.
Hayasaka, observing quietly, understood both of them clearly.
No wonder they got along so well. They shared the same bloodline.
But that was good too.
If Kaguya-sama were too proactive, this little maid would have no chance.
"Oh right, will Ms. Chris be in danger?"
Only then did people remember Chris Vineyard's safety.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)