Detective Conan: Death Note

"It's only been a short while and you've already raised the bar so high?"

"After all, we're both adults. Isn't it good to be more direct sometimes?"

Faced with Hayashi Yoshiki's dumbfounded expression, Vermouth smiled brightly. She found it a little unbelievable.

Cointreau was known to be extremely dangerous.But the man sitting in front of her didn't feel like Cointreau—he felt like a young man named Hayashi Yoshiki...

Hayashi Yoshiki simply picked up his glass and downed it in one go.That caught Vermouth off guard.

"How boring… I didn't expect you to dodge the question. Or are you... surprisingly innocent?"

"No, I'm not shy about it," Hayashi Yoshiki replied with a grin. "I just feel the time isn't right... yet."

"Still the slow-moving type?"

The dice rolled again.

This time, Vermouth looked at the result and decided to try something different.

"I choose what you called... dare."

"How about sending Mr. Calvados a message saying you're drinking with a man?"

"...You're such a mean person."

"But it's just the truth, isn't it?"

Vermouth didn't protest.She took out her phone, snapped a photo of their booth, and sent it to "カルヴァドス" (Calvados) via MMS.

Vermouth: "I'm drinking with a man right now (laughs)"

Just a few seconds later, replies arrived:

Calvados: "With whom?"Calvados: "Is it Gin and Vodka?"Calvados: "Then you must drink less!"

Vermouth showed the texts to Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Seriously? I feel bad just reading this. If he takes it the wrong way... he might not even sleep tonight."

"So you mean to stop here for today?"

"That won't do."

"So... he is a man."

Instead of being upset, Vermouth looked pleased.

The game continued.

On the distant dance floor, young people twisted to the beat, lost in their own sweaty rhythm. Cheers and shouting echoed in the deafening music.Yet in their quiet booth, Hayashi Yoshiki and Vermouth were wrapped in a game for two.

"The robber on the bus that day... he was your target from the beginning, wasn't he?"

Hayashi Yoshiki chose to drink.Vermouth wasn't surprised.

They were now sitting closer to each other—partly because of the alcohol and atmosphere, partly because yelling across the table was tiring.

Once again, Vermouth lost.

"Ms. Vermouth... how many times a week?"

As soon as the dice settled, Hayashi Yoshiki leaned toward her ear and whispered.His breath was warm, moistened with whiskey.

Vermouth only had to slightly turn her head to meet his gaze.

"I haven't decided yet whether I'll pick truth or dare."

"Looks like I got a little ahead of myself."

She chuckled, and so did he.But she realized—it wasn't a mistake.He was deliberately pretending to be "impatient."

A small gesture that opened the door to ambiguity.

Her lips curled up—wet with wine, bittersweet.She smiled flirtatiously and replied, "One or two."

"I thought you were going to say zero."

"How could that be? Didn't I say at the beginning—we're already adults."

"True."

The dice game continued.But now... they rolled the dice a bit slower.

"So, have you ever thought about that little girl—Maori Ran?"

"...You seem to know quite a lot about my daily life," Hayashi Yoshiki muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"Well, look at what you've done. That jump from the Twin Towers? Everyone knows about it."

Vermouth's cheeks were faintly flushed, but her gaze was clear. She rested her cheek on one hand and tilted her head, watching him."Of course, I'd be curious about the girl who made you risk your life."

"I don't know."

"Hm?"

"If it's just a fleeting thought—anyone could have it. But actually acting on it... that's another matter."

"You don't even seem drunk."

"No, I'm almost at my limit... I rarely drink this much straight."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

He lifted the dice cup again.

Hayashi Yoshiki lost once more.

This time, he hesitated... then chose a bold dare.

"Alright then. Have a couple more drinks."

"...Do you really want to do this?"

Looking at her amused smile, Hayashi Yoshiki sighed. "If you'd rather not, just drink a glass instead."

"So you're backing out?"

He grabbed the glass and downed it.

Although bourbon whiskey is known for its mellow flavor, the bittersweet burn builds up quickly.And when the aftertaste hits—it hits hard.

He poured himself half a glass more.

Still smiling, he brought it to his lips.But before he could drink it—

Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly reached out and pulled her toward him.

"Ah?"

He pressed her down onto the sofa and covered her lips with his.

The whiskey passed through her lips like fire.

She was surprised—but smiled.

She drank it down willingly.

"Is this how you get women drunk?"

"Mainly... I just wanted to see you drunk and unconscious."

"...So you can do something, huh?"

Her laughing eyes were like an open invitation.

Hayashi Yoshiki leaned in again.

Vermouth wrapped her arms around his neck.

Even though they suspected each other… and even if it wasn't love—At this moment, she was happy.

Until even the taste of whiskey disappeared from their lips.

Vermouth sat up.

Then she looked over at her phone, which had been resting nearby.

In addition to more messages from Calvados, there was a new one—from an unknown sender.

[The items have been delivered, Lord Vermouth.]

She raised an eyebrow.Then, licking her warm red lips, she smiled at Hayashi Yoshiki.

"Excuse me… I need to go to the bathroom."