The next day after school, the entrance of Sobu High School was still bustling. Kanjuro had just stepped out of the school gate when his gaze casually swept the crowd and easily caught a familiar, beautiful figure—Ran Mouri. She was standing under a cherry blossom tree not far away (though the blooming season had passed), head slightly lowered, hands nervously clasped in front of her, as if she had been waiting for some time.
The corner of Kanjuro's mouth lifted imperceptibly as he walked straight over.
'Ran Mouri?' he called out, his tone carrying just the right amount of'surprise' and 'gentleness.'
Hearing his voice, Ran looked up. Seeing Kanjuro, a flicker of panic crossed her face, then, as if having made a decision, she stepped forward and bowed deeply to Kanjuro, her tone serious and earnest:
'Kanjuro-kun, sorry to bother you! I... I still want to ask you one more time. Could you tell me why, from the first time I saw you, I've had a... very special, very familiar feeling towards you? This feeling is so strong, I can't ignore it.'
Kanjuro looked at the soft hair falling as she bowed, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He didn't answer immediately but reached out, his movements extremely natural and gentle, brushing aside the stray strands of hair from her forehead and tucking them behind her ear. His fingertips carried a slight coolness, and when they touched Ran's sensitive earlobe, her body trembled almost imperceptibly, her cheeks instantly tinged with a faint blush.
'Why... are you so fixated on this question?' Kanjuro's voice was low and magnetic, carrying a guiding gentleness.'Sometimes, feelings like this have no reason in themselves.'
Ran straightened up, looking up at Kanjuro's handsome face so close. His deep black eyes seemed like whirlpools, ready to suck in one's soul. She frowned slightly, her expression complex, carrying the innocence and confusion unique to a young girl:
'I don't know... I just feel like there's something about you that gives me a familiar illusion... as if... we've known each other for a long time.' As she spoke, she unconsciously lowered her head, her voice growing softer, her body trembling slightly from this inexplicable emotion and close proximity.
In the moment she lowered her head, deep within Kanjuro's eyes, the power originating from the 'Eye of Truth' quietly activated. In his 'eyes,' Ran was no longer just a pretty high school girl. He could clearly'see' that within her seemingly slender body flowed immense, latent power derived from his dark bloodline. That far-above-average martial arts talent was visualized—resilient bone density, efficient energy circulation, and the potential within muscle fibers capable of instantly unleashing devastating power. The bloodline she inherited from him had subtly transformed her body, making her achievements in karate no accident. Her true strength was far more terrifying than shown in the original story, even... enough to trouble the world's top assassins.
(As expected of one who shares my blood...)
(It's a pity such talent is buried in ordinary daily life.)
A twisted satisfaction flashed through Kanjuro's heart, but his face remained the same gentle, calm expression. He withdrew his hand as if the intimate gesture had been perfectly natural.
'Perhaps it really is just a matter of good first impressions, as you say.' He lightly dismissed the bloodline resonance as something vague like 'good first impressions,' perfectly concealing the truth.'Since you care so much, it's not very convenient to talk standing here.'
He changed the subject, extending an invitation in a tone so natural it was hard to refuse: 'How about... I treat you to dinner? We can talk while we eat. Maybe... if you relax, you won't be so fixated on this feeling?'
This proposal completely caught Ran off guard. Instinctively, she remembered her mother's stern warning, and her heart struggled. But looking into Kanjuro's'sincere' eyes, feeling that inexplicable familiarity, and the deep desire to uncover the truth, ultimately, curiosity and that strange attraction overcame her mother's admonitions and rational caution.
She nodded firmly, a shy yet somewhat expectant smile appearing on her face:
'Okay! Then... sorry to trouble you, Kanjuro-kun.'
'No trouble at all, it's my pleasure.' Kanjuro smiled slightly and gestured politely with a 'please.'
The evening sun's afterglow stretched their shadows as they walked side by side into the distance. Ran temporarily set aside her mother's warnings and Shinichi Kudo's suspicions, immersed in this inexplicable sense of familiarity and the subtle mood of having dinner with a mysterious boy. Unbeknownst to her, she was step by step approaching a huge, dangerous whirlpool of secrets concerning her true origins. Kanjuro, like a patient hunter, guided the naive fawn towards the net he had long woven. Kanjuro took Ran to that familiar 'Yukuro' café, again to a quiet window seat. Warm yellow lights and the rich aroma of coffee created an atmosphere suitable for confiding. Kanjuro skillfully ordered an exquisite dessert for Ran and black coffee for himself.
After a few light-hearted chats, Kanjuro seemingly casually steered the conversation towards family.
'Speaking of which, Ran,' he stirred his coffee, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern, 'your father... is he good to you? You don't seem to mention him much.'
Mentioning her father, Ran's eyes dimmed. She gently poked the cake in front of her with a spoon, her voice somewhat low: 'Dad... from what I remember, he's lived separately from Mom, and we rarely meet. He's always... very polite, even somewhat indifferent towards me. Sometimes, I even wonder... if he really sees me as his biological daughter.' She looked up, forcing a smile, 'But Mom is especially, especially good to me. She gives me all her love.'
Listening to her account, a glimmer of understanding and the gleam of a successful plan flashed in Kanjuro's eyes. He appropriately showed a complex expression mixing'sympathy' and 'resonance.'
Looking at him, Ran's doubts rose again. She couldn't help but press further: 'Kanjuro-kun, yesterday... and today, you've made me feel like there's some story between you and my mom. What... what exactly is your relationship with Mom?'
Facing Ran's direct question, Kanjuro put down his coffee cup. He looked up, gazing deeply into Ran's eyes. The usual gentle smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a heavy, seemingly pain-laden expression. He sighed softly, the sigh long and sorrowful.
'My father...' he paused, his voice carrying a barely noticeable hoarseness, 'passed away a very, very long time ago. And my mother...' He paused for a long time, so long that Ran's heart was in her throat, before he seemed to use all his strength to say, word by word:
'...is Eri Kisaki.'
'——!!!'
Ran's eyes widened in shock. The spoon in her hand clattered onto the plate with a sharp sound. She stared at Kanjuro in disbelief, her mind blank as if struck by lightning!
'You... what did you say?! Mom she... you... could it be...?!' The massive amount of information left her speechless, her heart pounding wildly, almost leaping out of her chest.
Meeting her shocked gaze, Kanjuro maintained that 'pained' and'serious' expression, dropping a second bombshell. His voice was low and clear, carrying an undeniable certainty:
'Yes. Ran, if I'm not mistaken... you and I are half-siblings, sharing the same mother.' He observed every change on Ran's face carefully, speaking slowly, 'And from what you just described about your father's attitude towards you... it's very likely he isn't your biological father either.'
'Boom——!'
These words, like a final judgment, completely shattered Ran's lifelong understanding of her family! A half-brother? Kogoro Mouri isn't her biological father?! Then who is her biological father?! Why did Mom hide all this?!
The immense shock made her feel dizzy, the world spinning, darkness clouding her vision. She abruptly stood up, the chair scraping back with a sharp sound from her movement.
'I... I need to calm down... I'm sorry!' Her face pale, she spoke incoherently, not caring about the unfinished coffee and dessert on the table. She turned to flee this suffocating place, wanting to go home immediately and ask her mother for the truth!
However, just as she turned, a warm, strong hand promptly grabbed her wrist.
Ran instinctively looked back, meeting Kanjuro's deep eyes. He gently pulled her back with slight force. Due to inertia, Ran stumbled and fell into an embrace carrying a cool, refreshing scent.
'!' Ran gasped, her hands pressed against Kanjuro's chest, feeling his steady heartbeat and warm body temperature. She looked up, confused, at Kanjuro's handsome face now filled with 'concern' so close.
'Don't rush off just yet, Ran.' Kanjuro's voice sounded above her head, carrying a (false) reassuring steadiness. 'Everything has its priorities. I know this news is too sudden for you. You're emotionally agitated now. Rashly going back to question your mother... might not be the best timing.'
He loosened his hold slightly but still gently held her wrist, as if afraid she'd run away, his gaze 'pleading' as he looked at her:'Stay and talk with me a bit more, okay? I want to know... how you've been all these years. As your... brother, I've missed too much of your growing up. I want to understand you.'
His words were filled with 'brotherly' care and 'regret,' cleverly utilizing the newly established 'bloodline' connection and Ran's current confused, vulnerable state. That inexplicable sense of familiarity now seemed to have a 'reasonable' explanation, becoming evidence of a blood bond.
Looking at the'sincere' light in Kanjuro's eyes, tinged with a hint of fragility and longing, hearing his gentle words, Ran's originally agitated, panicked heart miraculously calmed somewhat. Yes, if she went back now, how would she face Mom? Question her directly? Would Mom be even more hurt?
And... brother... She suddenly had such a handsome, gentle brother? This unfamiliar, taboo-tingled intimate address stirred a complex, indescribable emotion in her heart.
Under Kanjuro's soothing guidance, Ran hesitated for a moment before slowly sitting back down in her seat. She needed time to process, and also... to obtain more information from this sudden 'brother,' and... the long-craved care from 'family.'
Kanjuro watched as she sat back down, the corner of his mouth curling into an almost imperceptible, cold arc at an angle she couldn't see.
(Very good...)
(The shackles of blood are always one of the most useful bonds.)
He began patiently and guidingly asking about the little details of Ran's life, like a truly caring older brother. And Ran, amidst confusion and a hint of secret anticipation, gradually let down her guard and began telling her story. In the café, the warm lighting made it seem as if the world-shattering truth revelation had never happened. Only the earth-shattering changes in Ran's heart foretold the coming storm. The warm café time ended in an atmosphere of seemingly 'deep sibling affection.' Kanjuro considerately paid the bill and comforted Ran for a long time until a slight smile reappeared on her face and her emotions stabilized.
"Alright, Ran, it's getting late. You should head back." Kanjuro stood up, his tone gentle, carrying brotherly concern. "Remember, don't get too worked up. Find a suitable time tomorrow to talk properly with your mother, okay?"
Ran nodded. After this confession and Kanjuro's 'guidance,' she felt much more settled inside. Though the truth was still heavy, at least she was no longer facing it alone. "Mm, I understand... Bro... brother." She somewhat awkwardly uttered this unfamiliar address, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Thank you for accompanying me today and listening to me talk so much."
"Silly girl, no need to be so formal with me." Kanjuro naturally reached out and ruffled her hair, his movements intimate and natural. "Hurry back, be careful on the way."
Watching Ran's figure disappear around the street corner after looking back repeatedly, the gentle smile on Kanjuro's face faded like a receding tide, returning to his usual aloofness and depth. Standing in place, his fingertips seemed to still retain the soft touch of Ran's hair, but echoing in his mind was the information he had cleverly extracted from Ran's casual chatter—the address of the apartment where Eri Kisaki now lived alone.
(Eri Kisaki... Eighteen years...)
(It's time to meet this 'old flame,' and by the way... have a good chat about the future of our 'daughter.')"
The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc, his eyes flashing with calculation and a hint of amusement. For Eri Kisaki, he held little old affection; that Hundred-Person Ritual was more like a necessary step to obtain power for him. But Ran, this unexpected 'crystallization,' and Eri's years of painstaking concealment, he found quite interesting.
He straightened his already neat collar, stepped forward, and his figure melted into the deepening night, heading clearly—toward Eri Kisaki's apartment.
With extraordinary perception and speed, Kanjuro quickly arrived at the rather upscale apartment building. He didn't choose a normal visit but, like a ghost in the night, easily avoided all surveillance and security, appearing directly at the end of the corridor on Eri's floor. The corridor was silent, only his faint footsteps echoing.
He stood before Eri's apartment door but didn't knock immediately. Through the 'Eye of Truth,' he could clearly'see' the situation in the living room behind the door—Eri seemed to have just finished work, sitting on the sofa with a glass of red wine, frowning, staring blankly at the bustling night view outside the window, her face showing unconcealable fatigue and worry. She was clearly still unsettled by Ran's questioning during the day and Kanjuro's appearance.
Kanjuro smiled slightly, reached out, and lightly tapped the door lock with his fingertip. A wisp of Dark Magic, fine as a living thread and almost undetectable, slipped into the keyhole. With an extremely faint 'click,' the sturdy security door slid open a crack silently, as if opened from the inside by the owner.
Kanjuro pushed the door open and entered, his movements elegant and composed, as if returning home.
Eri, immersed in her worries, turned her head sharply at the noise. When she saw that nightmare-like figure appearing in her living room without warning, the red wine in her glass swayed violently, nearly spilling. Her face instantly turned pale, her pupils contracting from extreme shock and fear.
"Ye... Kanjuro?! You... how are you here?!" Her voice trembled uncontrollably, her body instinctively shrinking back, full of wariness.
Kanjuro gently closed the door behind him, sealing off inside and out. He strolled to the center of the living room, his gaze sweeping over the exquisitely decorated yet slightly cold apartment, finally landing on Eri's face, which remained beautiful even in terror.
"Long time no see, Eri." His voice was calm but carried an intangible pressure. "I came uninvited, sorry to disturb. Just wanted... to chat with you."
He paused, his gaze deepening, like a bottomless cold pool, looking directly into Eri's panicked eyes, slowly stating his true purpose for coming:
"Chat about... the future of our shared daughter, Ran."
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