Chapter 215, Seventy-Third Cycle (45)

Shuichi Akai rarely hesitates.

His goals are always clear. Even when faced with danger, he remains steadfast and unwavering in his resolve. His actions are clean and efficient. He has never compromised on anything, and he will never back down or regret his decisions.

This is partly due to his confidence in his own abilities and his control over the things around him, and partly because he is bold enough that he has almost nothing to fear and is rarely swayed by other things.

And, some curiosity that is enough to burn one's life to explore the unknown.

When he was little, his younger siblings were all afraid of him.

Hideyoshi even said that he was terrifying, as if he were possessed by something.

If we're really talking about a disease, he probably has a fever called curiosity, so hot-headed that he's even willing to pay with his life for the goals he sets for himself.

Coupled with his confidence in his abilities and his audacity, despite both his parents being British MI6 agents, Shuichi Akai resolutely went to the United States alone, joined the FBI, and eventually infiltrated the organization.

Within the organization, he encountered more, darker, and more dangerous things, as well as greater life challenges. These challenges fueled his curiosity and excited him even more.

But he happens to be the type who remains calm the more excited he gets, carefully observing and investigating before boldly reasoning and planning, and finally making a clean and decisive move.

This made him almost invincible.

To date, there are only two things that he still can't let go of and often feels guilty and sad about. When facing the people related to those two things, he rarely hesitates and is unusually cautious.

One was that he used Miyano Akemi's romance to hurt her feelings in order to infiltrate the organization. In the end, he failed to confess and rescue her from the organization, which led to her being suspected and killed by the organization.

Secondly, he failed to recognize Bourbon's goodwill and true identity, as well as Scotland's malice and true objectives. His excessive suspicion and distrust of Bourbon led him to cooperate with Scotland, resulting in his downfall...

Even Shuichi Akai found this unbearable.

Not to mention that this incident also seems to have implicated and killed Bourbon's super hacker partner named Sakura.

Both of these events occurred within the organization.

Even though Shuichi Akai is a man of strong will, these two events had a great impact on him.

Although he doesn't say it out loud or show it on his face, he actually has just as many thoughts as the average person, and perhaps even more.

Therefore, even if his undercover identity is exposed and he escapes from the organization, even if he constantly evades the organization's pursuit, and even if he fakes his death and starts a new life with a different face, he still has his own goals to achieve.

He wanted to live by Shiho Miyano's side and protect Akemi Miyano's sister, who was also his biological sister, according to the promise that was not fully fulfilled.

He also needs to investigate Bourbon's true identity, try to persuade him to cooperate, and ideally help him get rid of or kill Scotland, and then destroy the organization together.

This can be considered... a small, insignificant apology.

However, although he was making an apology, he did not intend to gain their forgiveness.

If he could, he wouldn't tell Bourbon, but would secretly help Amuro Tooru just like he protected Ai Haibara now.

But Amuro Tooru is not that simple. He is also the Public Security Bureau's Zero Furuya and the organization Bourbon. If he doesn't want things to get worse, he must try to be as honest as possible with that person and sincerely seek cooperation.

...Otherwise, it might backfire or even make the other person angrier.

Shuichi Akai gets a headache every time he thinks about this.

He's made some unexpected discoveries about Akemi Miyano, which has made him much happier and more relaxed, but Bourbon's situation has become even more difficult.

This shouldn't have been difficult; he could have simply sniped and killed Scotland to exonerate Bourbon and apologize to him. However, subsequent developments showed that things weren't so simple.

He had dated girlfriends and experienced a variety of complex emotions and factors, including differing stances, deception and exploitation, and even life and death. He also understood some of the complicated and difficult-to-understand emotional entanglements between Scotland and Bourbon.

In fact, probably no one understands the details better than him, after all, he was one of the key participants.

Although the situation in Scotland and Bourbon was far more twisted and dangerous than his relationship with Minmei, it was precisely because of this that the current situation became so complicated.

Scotland cannot be killed directly, as that would expose Bourbon's true identity unless the program he set is found.

However, if Scotland does not die, Bourbon will always be restricted or even controlled, which will also be a big problem for cooperation with them, making it impossible to have a thorough cooperation based on mutual trust.

Although he had personally interacted with those two and knew that Bourbon had a greater degree of control and restriction over Scotland, even to the point of affecting its rationality, and that he might be able to get Bourbon to bring Scotland over to become their partner, would others believe that?

Would anyone else dare to take the bet?

Even Shuichi Akai himself, he was willing to gamble with his own life, but he wouldn't dare gamble with the lives of everyone else.

So he tried his best to eliminate his personal feelings, rationally analyzed the dangers in Scotland, and carefully explained them to his FBI colleagues.

Facing Scotland, one could say it's the safest place, or the most dangerous.

Although Scotland is inherently crazy and dangerous, his rationality bordering on indifference and his morbidly fondness for pretense and acting make him indifferent to the general offenses of others.

In most cases, Scotland can even be considered quite easy to get along with; its deceptiveness can even make someone like Shuichi Akai occasionally doubt his own judgment.

Scotland's tendency to become a dangerous, insane figure is almost always due to Bourbon.

Even now, Hideki Akai can't forget how Scotland calmly and madly "killed" the four codenamed members one by one in Rum Castle, and how he suddenly turned against him and Bourbon, swallowing up Rum's power to become the BOSS's confidant and head of the intelligence group.

One was a frenzied revenge triggered by Bourbon's "death," and the other was a threat to everyone, baring his fangs, because he wanted to "get" Bourbon.

And he succeeded.

Shuichi Akai had to admit that he had indeed misjudged the situation; Scotland was the most dangerous place he had ever seen.

Moreover, matters of the heart are inherently prone to getting out of control, let alone in such a perverse place as Scotland.

Even with Bourbon around, it doesn't mean he'll be safe.

Shuichi Akai's vigilance and suspicion toward Scotland have always been at the highest level.

In the midst of all the ease and laughter in that safe house where the three of them worked together, amidst the noise and bickering, amidst the delicious and warm meals, amidst the bright spring day and the ensemble music under the cherry blossoms, he was confused and doubted his original judgment.

But as it turns out, it was just... well, it wasn't exactly fake, but the deep desires and schemes hidden beneath that gentle and beautiful surface still terrify and send chills down his spine when he thinks about it.

Therefore, without any other option, Shuichi Akai could only briefly explain the complicated relationship between Scotland and Bourbon, hoping that they wouldn't unknowingly step on a landmine and anger Scotland.

Otherwise, they might not even know how they died.

Looking back now, Shuichi Akai realizes that he has unknowingly stepped on countless landmines.

When it comes to making mistakes, probably no one is better than him.

From the very beginning, when Bourbon deliberately approached and manipulated his partner Scotland in order to target him, to the well-known mutual antagonism and strange rumors between him and Bourbon throughout the organization, all the way to the point where Bourbon firmly believes that he is not dead and even says that only he can kill him, and is chasing after his clues everywhere to find him...

Shuichi Akai suspects he is still alive and hasn't been secretly killed by Scotland. Besides his good relationship with Scotland and his own strength, the biggest reason is that Bourbon cares about him a lot, to the point that he might never forget him if he were dead, unless Bourbon kills him with his own hands. Unfortunately, Bourbon didn't actually hate him to the point of wanting to kill him. After learning his true identity, he even helps protect the secret and saves him, since they are partners with the same goal.

So if Scotland really shows up, he will definitely appear next to Bourbon, who is now using the alias Amuro Tooru.

Their first priority is to avoid hurting Bourbon and stepping on landmines in their already twisted and complicated emotional relationships.

That would definitely explode if you stepped on it; not everyone can escape safely like him.

*

"Conan? Conan?"

Conan Edogawa turned his head in a daze: "Huh? Huh?"

Ayumi Yoshida picked up his phone, which had fallen to the ground, with a mixture of confusion and worry, and handed it to him: "Conan, what's wrong? Do you have a fever again? Should we go to the hospital?"

Conan Edogawa subconsciously touched his forehead, then realized that his face and neck were also incredibly hot. He couldn't help but cover his face and laugh awkwardly. He made an excuse to calm the girl down and continued to wander like a ghost to the chair next to him and sat down blankly.

Then, the child remained motionless like solidified plaster, seemingly trapped in some incomprehensible world.

This is too early and too stimulating for a minor like him.

No, I can't calm down. My mind is completely muddled. Conan Edogawa's face is sometimes flushed, sometimes ashen, and sometimes pale and solemn. Countless complex thoughts are tangled up in my mind like clothes in a washing machine, indistinguishable from each other.

how so?

What happened to Mr. Amuro?

So this is what the relationship between Scotland and Bourbon and Rye is like?

Conan Edogawa finally grasped the basics of the relationship between the three, but his mind was still reeling. The shocking and chilling truth left him unsure how to react, making it even more difficult for him to rationally organize his thoughts and incorporate them into his deduction.

But he finally understood why the blond youth had acted that way when he asked Amuro Tooru about Scotland that day.

Even though the sun was shining brightly, the blond youth's expression suddenly darkened, and his aura was even colder than the wind and snow outside.

Conan Edogawa was startled again. He even felt that Amuro Tooru was more terrifying than when he had deliberately scared him by saying that he was a comrade.

Therefore, when he pretended to return to normal and changed the subject, Conan Edogawa didn't dare to press him further.

Now he understood, and a feeling of regret and guilt instantly rose in his heart.

I shouldn't have asked Mr. Amuro so directly. Fortunately, Mr. Amuro was very gentle and didn't hold it against me. He didn't seem to mind when we met again later.

But now that he knows the truth, he can no longer pretend to be nice and keep asking questions.

Before Shuichi Akai and the others went downstairs, Conan Edogawa reached out and rubbed his stiff cheeks to make himself feel normal again.

Forget it, it's best to pretend you don't know anything.

It's no wonder that Mr. Akai wouldn't tell him the details; after that, if he wanted to know the information, he could only do so by eavesdropping.

And then there's Haibara. She probably knows something too, it's just a matter of whether she's willing to tell.

Conan Edogawa sighed inwardly.

If he could, he wouldn't want to investigate that dangerous figure in Scotland. But since they've already made their move, he has to prepare in advance.

I have a feeling that this opponent might be the most difficult one yet...

*

To thank Vermouth for her help recently, Bourbon treated the actress to a big meal after she returned from the Oscars.

To match Vermouth's aesthetic tastes, he chose an expensive yet incredibly romantic restaurant, sparsely populated, decorated with red roses, and offering a beautiful and magnificent view of Tokyo's nightscape through huge floor-to-ceiling windows.

However, both Bourbon and Vermouth were tired of this kind of scene; it was nothing new. They just wanted a sense of ceremony and comfort, so they could chat and laugh naturally after the waiter left.

No one would have guessed that the elegantly dressed and exceptionally handsome blond man and woman were actually discussing the dangerous topics of death and murder.

"Hahaha, so didn't I tell you? That man couldn't possibly still be alive!" Vermouth laughed heartily and with a relaxed attitude.

Bourbon's serious demeanor before made her wonder if Shuichi Akai was still alive; it was really scary.

“Yeah, I’ve really wasted my time.” Bourbon shrugged.

"It certainly caused quite a stir. Luckily, you cleaned up the mess yourself. But you won't do something like this again, will you?" Vermouth sighed, resting her chin on her hand. She really didn't want to get involved in Shuichi Akai's affairs anymore.

"Well, if I need any help in the future, I hope you can lend me a hand." Bourbon cut a piece of steak with his knife and fork, then gave her a sweet smile after forking it.

"After all, I'm the one who holds your biggest secret. If I'm in danger and die, then everyone else will know that you were actually the BOSS..."

"Whoosh—"

Bourbon stopped talking and stared silently at the steak in front of him, and the sharp fork that had pierced through the steak and almost poked his eyeball.

That was the small piece of steak that had just been on his fork.

"Shut up," Vermouth said expressionlessly.

As soon as the blond youth uttered those words, Vermouth's expression turned cold. With astonishing speed and force, she swung her silver fork, creating a blur as she snatched the steak from his eye and flicked it upwards.

However, Bourbon's expression did not change; in fact, his smile deepened slightly. He said, "So you like my kind of steak. How about we switch?"

Vermouth was furious and really wanted to shove the steak in his face, but then she thought better of it. In the end, she gritted her teeth and sat back down, chewing the steak fiercely. She said coldly, "Did you come here to thank me or to offend me? Do you really think I won't get angry just because you're used to threatening me?"

Damn it, this kid is getting more and more arrogant, but she hasn't uncovered his biggest secret yet.

"How could that be? I just suddenly remembered it and mentioned it. I absolutely did not mean to threaten or tease you." The blonde little fox opposite her had a black heart, but still showed a bright, sunny smile.

Vermouth rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever you say. But you'd better be careful to protect my secret. There have been far too many rats caught in the organization in the last two years. Gin considers it the biggest problem."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but curl her red lips into a slightly excited, amused smile: "Gin seems to be planning to find someone to work together to clean up the rats in the organization, you should know that, right?"

"The organization is probably planning a big operation soon, so you'd better keep your tail between your legs and don't go crazy and drag me down with you. If something really happens, I might not actually come to your rescue." She sneered and warned, clearly "trusting" Bourbon's ability to cause trouble.

“I’ve heard about that too, but unfortunately Gin doesn’t want me involved.” Bourbon smiled, put down his knife and fork, crossed his arms and rested his chin on them as he looked at her, his smile somewhat meaningful. “What do you think they’ll do?”

“After all, you’ve been too disobedient.” Vermouth spread her hands, a malicious smile on her face. “If nothing unexpected happens, he will probably team up with Scotland.”

"Hmm." Bourbon's tone was ambiguous, but the smile on his lips turned into a cold laugh.

Seeing his expression, Vermouth suddenly changed her posture, leaned closer, and asked curiously, "So, Bourbon, what's the situation between you and Scotland now?"

Bourbon's smile gradually faded: "..."

*

Conan Edogawa first probed Ai Haibara from the side, but Ai Haibara seemed oblivious and didn't realize what he was really asking.

There was no other way, so he could only wait until the Junior Detective Club kids had skipped and hopped away before he asked them in a serious tone, "Haibara, do you know Scotland? You know, the person in the organization whose code name is Scotland."

Ai Haibara's expression froze for a moment, then her eyes quickly flashed with emotions such as fear, worry, and anger.

It was so fast; if he hadn't been prepared to observe carefully beforehand, he might have thought he was seeing things.

Ai Haibara quickly regained her composure, turned her head to look at the big tree by the roadside, and said, "I've heard of it, but I've never seen it before."

"So what kind of people are the Scots you've heard about?" Conan Edogawa asked with delight.

He thought Ai Haibara would just pretend she didn't know anything.

The brown-haired girl looked up at him, took a deep breath, clenched her fist, and said, "You're asking this because... Scotland is here too?"

Yes, what's so surprising about that? Bourbon has been here for so long, isn't it only natural that Scotland would follow?

Even so, she still couldn't help but feel a chill and shiver.

"Ah... this, that..." Conan Edogawa paused for a few seconds, but finally chose to confess, "Yes, the FBI received intelligence that the organization sent Scotland."

Conan Edogawa saw Ai Haibara's pupils shrink and her clenched fist tremble slightly, but he wasn't sure if it was fear or anger, or perhaps both.

Ai Haibara took a deep breath, then gritted her teeth and said, "I don't know much either, but he is undoubtedly a very, very, very dangerous person. You must be careful!"

She used "very" three times in a row, and emphasized "carefully" at the end, which was enough to show her fear.

"The information about him is very chaotic. Almost everyone says something different. Some say he is very gentle and easy to get along with, while others say he is cold-blooded and extremely vicious. In short, he seems to be a person who likes to act. It is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Even if you know the information about him, it won't be of any use."

Conan Edogawa frowned: "Isn't there any definite information?"

Ai Haibara glanced at him, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "There are only two pieces of information that can be confirmed."

"Which two points?" Conan Edogawa's spirits lifted, and he excitedly pressed for an answer.

Ai Haibara only spoke after she had made up her mind, and sighed, "After I tell you, you must stay away from suspicious people, do you hear me? And it's best not to go near Bourbon anymore."

Conan Edogawa nodded frantically, watching her intently and taking note of the two important pieces of information she had mentioned.

"First, Scotland has a strong obsession with Bourbon. It will often appear around Bourbon to keep a close eye on him. It has a strong possessive and controlling desire for Bourbon."

"Secondly, it is said that Scotland has a pair of very beautiful blue, upturned eyes."