Chapter 9: Detectives in front, Vongola behind

Chapter 9

Even if Hattori Heiji was slow to react, he realized something was amiss. Seeing the shy look on the "girl's" face, his eyes widened, and he let out an "Ah" before realizing, "So you're... you and Yuu... you guys?"

"Of course it's because I like him."

Seeing that the other party had begun to waver, Kurokawa Kaoru lowered his eyes and folded his hands in front of him.

"Am I causing him a lot of trouble? If so, I'll leave..."

The girl's eyes were red, her butterfly-like eyelashes trembled, and her peach-like lips were pale. Even the most hardened person wouldn't have the heart to say a harsh word at this moment. Furthermore, Hattori Heiji had originally been trying to persuade Kurokawa Kaoru to leave because Miya Yuu had accused him of being a member of the mafia.

But the current situation was obviously different from his initial understanding, so he couldn't say anything more.

"But you two high school students can't stay in the hotel forever. I mean... this..."

Hattori Heiji scratched his head. "Boys, more or less, all want to save some face. The cost of the Beika Hotel is still a bit high."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Kurokawa Kaoru's eyes: "So it's because you're out of money?"

"...It's not impossible for you to understand it that way."

I see. Kurokawa Kaoru nodded. After all, not all parents were like his own, completely clueless about numbers. He had remained a law-abiding (former) mafia boss, relying on his own incredible self-control.

Logically speaking, staying at the Mihua Hotel was his own idea, and he should have paid for it no matter what. However, he was now away from home, and any financial fluctuations would be discovered by his family. He would eventually have to return, but... who would want to go home now if they could avoid wearing skirts for a few days?

Thinking of this, Kurokawa Kaoru turned his head and his eyes fell on Hattori Heiji.

Hattori Heiji:?

"What do you mean by looking at me like that?"

"It's nothing, actually."

Being caught in someone's gaze, Kurokawa Kaoru smiled and scratched his head sheepishly: "I just thought... since he's a detective, he should be richer than us ordinary high school students, right?"

"After all, sometimes I have to go to different places to solve cases. Considering the issues of accommodation and food, I still need more pocket money..."

Wait a moment--

Hattori Heiji raised his head and said, "You don't want me to pay for your next room fee, do you?"

Does he look like such a sucker?

In fact, Kurokawa Kaoru did think so. The youth team's training camp would be over in a few days, and then they could return to Hyogo Prefecture. Of course, when they returned to Hyogo Prefecture, he would still find a way to go home with Gong You. At that time, there would naturally be no need to worry about the room fee.

"It's just the room fee for two or three days. You should be able to afford it, right, Hattori Heiji, the famous detective in Kansai?"

"Even if you say so, I won't be such a sucker for no reason."

"Tsk, what a hassle."

“…”

Who is the trouble, bastard?

Realizing that there was no way to cheat the other party out of money in this way (?), Kurokawa Kaoru sighed, resignedly took out his cell phone from his pocket, quickly flipped through the address book, and then looked up at the other party.

"Then let's make a deal."

"trade?"

Hattori Heiji frowned: "What deal can you make with me?"

"Don't worry, this deal is definitely beneficial to you."

The corners of Kurokawa Kaoru's lips curled up. "Although I'm not a member of the mafia, I do understand some things, such as some...difficult cases involving factions, and the chaotic areas that give the police a headache."

"How about it?"

Facing Hattori Heiji's surprised gaze, Kurokawa Kaoru smiled shyly: "Are you satisfied with the deal I mentioned?"

“…”

"Then let's do this. When you return to Kansai, we can find some time to get together."

"Don't worry, I'll tell you."

He smiled and hugged the man. During the hug, Miya Yuu's expression was ferocious. In a voice that only he and Hattori Heiji could hear, he continued, "Didn't you promise me yesterday that you would persuade Kurokawa to leave? How come you woke up and renew our room payment?"

Because the reward offered by the other party was too much. Hattori Heiji's mouth twitched, and his eyes passed over Kurokawa Kaoru obscurely.

"Ayu, think about it. A girl like that came all the way from Kansai to Kanto just for you. She's clearly sharing a room with you and hasn't done anything to you. She just wants to be closer to you. Can't you just have some pity on her?"

The more Hattori Heiji spoke, the more confused Miya You's expression became.

What did it mean to come all the way from Kansai to Kanto just for him? What did it mean to simply want to be closer to him? What did it mean to make him pity her? If it weren't for the promise she'd made to Kurokawa Kaoru not to tell anyone about her cross-dressing, Miya Yuu would have wanted to grab Hattori Heiji by the collar and scream in his ear.

Look carefully! This is clearly a boy! A boy! Don't be fooled by his lies!

Gong You had good thoughts in his mind, but when he looked at Hattori Heiji, he sighed helplessly: "I hope I can still return to Kansai alive."

Hattori Heiji:?

What a mess?

"Boarding time is almost over. If there's anything else you want to talk about, let's get in touch on the phone."

"That's true."

After all this self-consolation, Gong You had already accepted the fact that he would be living with Kurokawa Kaoru for the next period of time. Hearing the announcement that passengers who had not yet boarded the plane were being urged to board as soon as possible, Gong You breathed a sigh of relief and a smile appeared on his face.

"See you in Kansai."

"See you in Kansai."

Hearing Miya Yu's voice, Hattori Heiji also laughed. Kazuto gave a fist bump between brothers, then as if he had thought of something, he turned around and looked at Kurokawa Kaoru with a troubled look.

Regarding yesterday's deal, he didn't immediately agree to it, only saying he'd think it over. What Kurokawa Kaoru mentioned was too confidential, and even with Officer Otaki's rank, it took him nearly two hours to find the relevant information, and it was incomplete.

If Officer Otaki is like this, let alone others.

So how did Kurokawa Kaoru know all this? Hattori Heiji wondered. If he had only been skeptical at first, now he truly believed in the other party's mafia identity.

Hattori Heiji's keen sense as a detective allowed him to see that Kurokawa Kaoru had no hostility towards Miya Yuu. Rather, he truly wanted to be with her. As for whether he really liked her as he claimed, that was not something he needed to know.

Thinking of this, Hattori Heiji blinked and looked at Kurokawa Kaoru and said, "If there is a similar situation in the future, will we still conduct the transaction in this way?"

"Of course not."

Kurokawa Kaoru smiled and said, "Because you are a high-quality customer, unless there are special circumstances, it will be free from now on."

Did this mean that he recognized me and chose to tell me firsthand information unconditionally? Quickly figuring this out in his mind, Hattori Heiji chuckled and turned to walk towards the boarding gate.

Watching the other person's figure disappear from his sight, Kurokawa Kaoru relaxed, and his overall state became much more depressed.

Even though he wasn't a member of the mafia in this life, it was still a bit of a headache to talk to the detective face to face. Fortunately, he finally left, otherwise it would have been too much to handle.

Thinking of this, Kurokawa Kaoru smiled and shook his head, turned around and planned to call Gong You to go back to the Beika Hotel to get a free breakfast.

"It's time to go back..."

"Are you the tenth generation leader of the Vongola? I haven't recognized you yet. I'm the one who's more suitable to be the tenth generation leader!"

“…”

A long time later, Miya You could still remember that Kurokawa Kaoru, who had always been smiling since they met, showed an expression that could be described as "terrified" for the first time.

TBC.