Chapter 114: The Date

The sunlight was unbelievably bright, like an overturned honey jar, golden and splashed across the entire sky, making the trees lining the streets lush and translucent. The sky was a washed-out blue, with a few wisps of clouds hanging lazily on the horizon like cat paw prints. A gentle breeze drifted through the half-open window, ruffling a few strands of dark hair from Nekono Ikuya's forehead, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees, warm and pleasant.

Nekono Ikuya stood in front of the full-length mirror in the dressing room, his mood as bright as the weather outside the window. Today, he had deliberately worn a more casual light-colored outfit than usual, which made his emerald eyes appear even clearer, and he exuded a relaxed and comfortable aura.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing – perfect weather for a date. Nekono Ikuya's blue eyes shone with obvious anticipation – today was his date with Zero.

With a light smile on his lips, he pushed open the door and had just stepped down the stairs when a small figure rushed over and blocked his way in a flash.

Conan Edogawa stood with his hands on his hips, tilting his head back, his blue eyes behind his glasses sparkling with curiosity: "Nekono-nii-san! Are you going out? I have a question for you, it's about Akashi-nii-san..."

Nekono Ikuya looked down at the incredibly curious young detective before him and couldn't help but chuckle. He knew without a doubt that the little detective had developed a strong interest in his relationship with Kagemitsu.

After all, he had only deduced that Akashi Teru was a former public security undercover agent in Scotland, and that he knew about the organization's existence and was helping Akashi Teru and him. However, he had not yet seen Akashi Teru's true appearance under his disguise, and he was also unaware that he had met Kagemitsu, who was Akashi Teru's disguise, when they were children.

It is strange that an ordinary person who only knows a little bit has such close ties with a former undercover police officer, and it is not surprising that it arouses the detective's curiosity.

However, while it might be fine at other times, today Ikuya Nekono doesn't have time to satisfy the little detective's curiosity.

So, Nekono Ikumi bent down, and before Conan could finish speaking, she gently put her index finger to her lips: "Shh—"

His bright green cat eyes curved into a pleased arc, and his voice was undisguisedly lighthearted: "Sorry, little detective, but not today."

"Huh, why?" Conan asked instinctively.

Nekono Ikumi straightened up, adjusted her collar, and a sly glint flashed in her eyes: "Because—"

He deliberately dragged out his words, looking at the little detective's hair standing on end with curiosity, before announcing with a smile:

"I have a date today."

"Okay, let's talk about everything another day! Wish me a great date~"

After saying that, he walked past the dumbfounded Conan and briskly headed for the door. The morning light fell on the ends of his dark hair, scattering tiny golden glimmers.

"Wait! Who are you going on a date with?!" Conan finally realized what was happening and hurriedly asked.

He doesn't remember Nekono-nii having a girlfriend? Did he only recently find a partner?

For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

Nekono Ikuya turned around and winked at him, her tone light and cheerful, almost like she was singing:

"It's a secret! You'll find out later~"

The door clicked shut softly, leaving the young detective standing there, full of questions.

A secret...? Why can choosing a date be a secret?

Be alert, little detective!

...

Nekono Ikuya arrived at the park square fifteen minutes earlier than agreed. He stood by the fountain, watching the sparkling water droplets dance in the sunlight, creating tiny rainbows, while white pigeons strolled around the fountain.

The colorful roof of the candy shop next door was made even brighter by the full sunlight. Nekono Ikuya's gaze casually swept across the square, and his eyes were drawn to a huge, fluffy teddy bear not far away.

This adorable giant teddy bear is surrounded by a group of cheerful children. It clumsily and cutely waves its paws, its fluffy body swaying slightly, handing out colorful balloons and candies to the children around it. Its round figure elicits bursts of joyful laughter from the children, who chirp and chatter around it like a flock of little sparrows.

"Mr. Teddy Bear, I want another one!"

"Your tail is so round!"

"Thank you, Mr. Teddy Bear!"

One little girl even boldly hugged the teddy bear's thick legs and rubbed her face against its soft fur.

Mr. Teddy Bear was also exceptionally patient, clumsily giving high-fives and hugs to the children, and occasionally patting their heads with his paws. When a few of the bolder children struck a pose like Superman, he would even mimic the exaggerated gesture of being knocked down by some unknown energy, making the children burst into laughter.

How can a child mistake a cute teddy bear for a monster?

How can a working-class person dressed in a heavy mascot costume play with a child like that?

As Nekono Yuuya watched this heartwarming scene, the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up. She found the teddy bear particularly amusing, and even through its mascot costume, she could feel its gentleness towards children.

The movements... seem a bit familiar?

Nekono Ikuya tilted his head slightly, pondering the origin of this sense of familiarity, a hint of interest flashing in his emerald eyes. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the teddy bear surrounded by children seemed to have keenly sensed his prolonged gaze.

The teddy bear suddenly stopped moving, its round head awkwardly turning towards Nekono Ikuya, tilting its head slightly as well, its dark bear eyes looking at him.

Nekono Ikuya raised an eyebrow and looked at the teddy bear across the distance.

Then the teddy bear lifted its leg and, with slightly heavy steps, wobbled towards Nekono Ikuya. Wherever it passed, the children automatically made way, their bright eyes wide with curiosity as they watched where their big friend was going.

The round bear finally stopped in front of Nekono Ikuya, its black glass bead eyes reflecting Nekono Ikuya's face.

Looking at the adorable teddy bear in front of her, Nekono Yuuya's emerald eyes crinkled with laughter as she playfully reached out her hand: "What, are you going to give me a present too? Candy? Balloons?"

He already knew who the teddy bear was.

Candy or balloons? No. Under Nekono Ikuya's slightly puzzled gaze, the teddy bear slowly shook its head.

Then he clumsily stretched his furry paws behind his back, quickly groped around for a moment, and when he brought them back, he was holding a delicate, vibrant red rose steadily in his paws. The sunlight bathed the petals in a soft glow, and dewdrops sparkled on them.

Nekono Ikuya: "..."

Nekono Ikuya: "Wow!" It's a rose!

A soft, bright light shone in Nekono Yuumi's emerald eyes as he instinctively took the rose, his fingertips touching its velvety petals. He looked up and met once more the two round, seemingly smiling black eyes behind the doll's headpiece.

“Oh, Mr. Teddy Bear.” Nekono Ikumi’s lips curled up, revealing a reserved smile. “Thank you for the roses.”

“I mean, I really like it.” He held the crimson rose, blinking his clear, smiling blue eyes lightly.

The teddy bear seemed a little embarrassed as it scratched its head with its paw, but quickly calmed down.

The next second, it suddenly raised its hand, hugged the heavy hood, and yanked it off—

In an instant, her brilliant golden hair flowed out like sunlight, her dark skin still flushed from the mascot costume, and her purplish-gray eyes held a hint of surprise at successfully delivering the gift and an almost overflowing gentle smile as she stared unblinkingly at Nekono Ikuya.

Who else could this be but Rei Furuya?

His forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, but his face was beaming with a smile even brighter than the sun.

“Sir,” Furuya Rei’s breath was slightly ragged from being inside the mascot costume, but his voice remained deep and pleasant, filled with undisguised affection, “I wonder if I have the honor of inviting you to spend this day with me?”

Nekono Ikuya looked at her lover, dressed in a comical mascot costume, only his fluffy head peeking out, his blond hair slightly damp with sweat, yet his smile unchanged from years ago. Then she looked at the red rose in his hand, as if it had just been picked. Finally, she couldn't help but laugh out loud, her emerald eyes gleaming brighter than the dewdrops on the rose.

“Of course, my Mr. Teddy Bear.” He waved the rose in his hand and nodded with a smile, “For the sake of the rose.”

Sunshine, a gentle breeze, a fountain, white doves, and in the center of the park, a handsome young man with striking blue eyes, holding a rose.

Just as this romantic scene was unfolding, a squinty-eyed, pink-haired graduate student carrying a convenience store paper bag happened to pass by the park.

He had only glanced at it casually, but his gaze lingered for two seconds because he recognized Nekono Ikuya. Just then, he saw a person wearing an adorable teddy bear mascot waddle out from among the children and hand Nekono Ikuya a rose.

The young man with black hair and blue eyes, whom he had met once before and who shared the same color scheme but had a completely different temperament, smiled softly and brightly after a brief moment of surprise, as if the whole spring had fallen into his eyes.

Ah, love, how wonderful.

Subaru Okiya casually pushed up his glasses, thinking that Beika Town was indeed full of life on weekends.

It's true that you can only see such beautiful love when you leave the organization. To go to such lengths, even in the summer, to surprise your lover—that's truly rare.

Subaru Okiya unconsciously slowed his pace, as if he had stumbled upon a moving scene and was unwilling to disturb it.

This scene is truly pleasing to the eye.

However, the next second, the teddy bear took off its head cover, revealing a blond, dark-skinned face that he knew all too well!

Toru Amuro? !

Subaru Okiya's gentle expression froze instantly.

In an instant, countless rumors and documents circulating within the organization about Bourbon's honey traps flashed through his mind, along with scenes he had personally witnessed of how Bourbon effortlessly manipulated his targets with his naturally handsome face and acting skills that made it impossible to distinguish between reality and illusion.

Subaru Okiya felt a sharp throbbing between his eyebrows.

He had seen Bourbon approach his targets with similar expressions and methods, and those people often met with terrible ends... Samuel from back then was still fresh in his memory.

He had a very good impression of Nekono Ikuya; he was a sharp, composed young man who clearly didn't belong to the dark world. And he came from an extraordinary background!

Has the organization set its sights on Nekono Ikuya? Or is it just Bourbon who's got his eye on him?

Subaru Okiya silently opened his eyes, a flash of white light passing through his glasses.