What are your plans for the next step?
Shiho, who felt incredibly content with her life because she was well-fed and watered, was finally brought back to reality by those words.
Yes, I was a core researcher for the organization, but I betrayed it...
My only relative, my sister, is dead...
I thought I would die too, but I didn't...
Knowing that Shiho Miyano is not dead, the organization will definitely hunt her down to the ends of the earth...
And now, I am a 7-year-old child who cannot survive independently...
Her chaotic thoughts were like a tangled mess, stuck in Shiho's mind, and she couldn't untangle them.
Therefore, he felt even more disgusted with the version of himself who had been able to eat and drink so much just moments before.
How could I possibly think I could continue living like this?
While she was caught in self-examination, Gao Yuan had already brewed coffee and brought it out of the kitchen.
“Still espresso,” a gentle voice said as the glass was placed in front of her. “I think you need to stimulate your mind right now.”
"Espresso refers to coffee liquid extracted under pressure. During the extraction process, crema is produced, resulting in a rich and aromatic flavor. However, in terms of caffeine content, it is not higher than other methods such as immersion coffee."
A little distracted, Shiho stared at the espresso topped with rich, aromatic crema and said casually.
"So the common belief that espresso is more energizing is just a misunderstanding... Oh!"
She suddenly raised her head, looked at Gao Yuan standing opposite her with a half-smile, and sighed apologetically.
“I didn’t mean to show off, but…”
Gao Yuan shrugged, sat back down at the opposite end of the table, and picked up his coffee cup.
"It's nothing. Being shown off your knowledge in front of someone whose talent far surpasses your own, even if you're not used to it, you can only accept it."
“I’m not as narrow-minded as Kindaichi.”
The words sound harsh, but upon closer listening, they are quite peaceful.
Shiho Miyano gradually calmed down as a result.
“However, when it comes to ‘talent,’ you… Mr. Gao Yuan is being too modest.”
Only then did I realize that I seemed to have been using "you" repeatedly with the person in front of me, without even using a proper form of address.
Gao Yuan chuckled lightly, without even lifting his eyelids.
"Let's call her Gao Yuan, after all, I've never properly called her 'Miyano-san' before..."
"Moreover, it's ironic that a medical doctor from Cornell University would say that I, a mere high school dropout, am being 'too modest,' isn't it?"
Shiho was surprised by the information hidden behind that calm tone.
"You investigated me? Before I participated in the experiment?"
That doesn't make sense, since none of the volunteers knew the actual list of participants in the experiment.
Even if Gao Yuan was the mastermind behind the "last" experiment, he would only discover that Shiho was the extra person after he arrived.
But by then, everyone's cell phones had already been confiscated by Narita and Nishimura.
"I'm ashamed to say that I only just found out myself, otherwise I wouldn't have rambled on so much in front of Ms. Miyano."
Gao Yuan's expression didn't show any shame, just a hint of... self-mockery?
“The name Shiho Miyano might be an alias, so I first looked up the name of the research institute, ‘Shirodou’.”
"The result was quite interesting. It was the name of a pharmaceutical company that had gone bankrupt many years ago. And, unexpectedly or coincidentally, a couple surnamed Miyano were on the company's employee list..."
“Atsushi Miyano and Elena Miyano are my parents,” Shiho nodded in response.
"I named the research institute. It has no special meaning other than as a memorial. Even if the police come to investigate, they won't find anything more."
“For me, Shiho Miyano is enough as long as it’s her real name,” Gao Yuan continued. “Your resume is no secret, and the company you worked for after returning to Japan was a formally registered pharmaceutical company, without any flaws.”
He put down his coffee cup and spread his hands.
"That's all I know. As for your 'organization,' I've heard they're involved in illegal activities and seem to have a lot of power..."
“It’s best you don’t know those things,” Shiho replied immediately, then hesitated, “Unless…you want to join the organization…”
No, we shouldn't assume that about him.
The person in front of me, although he was known as a serial killer and a murder instigator, was completely out of place compared to the other guys in the organization.
He doesn't seem like the kind of person who does evil for the sake of doing evil.
Takato carefully examined Shiho's expression, then chuckled again.
"No, I'm just an ordinary murderer who prefers to work alone and has no need to join any gang."
"I see you're relieved, miss. Is your organization really that scary?"
This time, Shiho nodded vigorously.
"A transnational criminal gang that has been operating for decades has had intelligence agencies from many countries infiltrate it as undercover agents, yet it has not been eradicated to this day. Isn't that terrifying?"
Gao Yuan looked at her noncommittally, and after a while said:
“If that’s the case, Miss, you are indeed in danger.”
The danger of being "Shiho Miyano" is obvious.
She is a researcher highly valued by the organization, and her research findings, such as those related to APTX4869, are not to be disclosed to outsiders.
The organization will hunt down "Shiho Miyano," but this target should not include a 7-year-old girl.
"A young lady like you is certainly a rare genius, but I'm afraid you don't have many ways to get in touch with criminal organizations, do you?"
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