The commotion next door was getting louder and louder.
The creaking of the tatami mats, suppressed breathing, the sticky sounds of skin against skin...
Ai finally lost her temper and threw off the covers.
"Enough!"
She sat up angrily, walked expressionlessly to the door, then pulled little Eevee, who was secretly watching with great interest, into her arms, and turned back to the tatami mat.
“I’ll sleep with you tonight,” she said coldly.
*Sobbing*: "Ee?!" (Completely bewildered)
It blinked innocently, its little paws twitching restlessly in Ai's arms.
Ai closed her eyes, gritting her teeth as she thought:
—I'll make those two pay tomorrow morning!
Inside the fish tank, the Empress, who had been placed back on the cabinet, snorted coldly and gracefully swam to the other side of the tank, turning her back to them.
—Oh, incompetent wife.
—It's shameful that she can't even control her own husband.
"Gurgle gurgle..." (blowing bubbles in disdain)
.........
At three in the morning, the night on Mermaid Island was still deep.
Having eaten his fill of late-night snack, Yuzuru walked out of the hotel feeling refreshed. With a fluffy Eevee perched on his shoulder, the two of them stretched lazily in the cool night breeze.
"Eek~" Yingying rubbed her sleepy eyes with her little paws, tilted her head with a gossipy look, and looked at Yu Shengnan with curiosity.
"Hmm? You're asking about Master?" Yu Sheng Nan smiled and rubbed its little head. "Master lost and is resting."
Hmm... another crushing defeat.
"Bu-yi!" Yingying seemed to understand what Yu Shengnan meant in an instant, and showed an "I understand" expression on her face. She even nodded her little head seriously, looking very cute.
Yuzuru chuckled and strode toward the shrine.
Although it was past midnight, there were still quite a few people on the streets of Mermaid Island. The deaths of Ebihara Tomi and Kuroe Naoko had cast an eerie atmosphere over the entire island.
The younger islanders looked flustered and huddled together, whispering amongst themselves, while the older villagers mostly remained silent, shaking their heads and refusing to say more when questioned by the police.
Yes, the police finally arrived.
It wasn't easy; it was almost dawn.
"Are you hungry?" Yu Sheng Nan rubbed the little girl's head. "I'll take you out for a late-night snack later."
"Buyi!" (Happy IPG)
A person and their pet strolled leisurely down the street, a stark contrast to the hurried police and panicked villagers.
The police officers looked serious as they searched for clues, while the villagers were filled with fear and their eyes darted around. The whole scene was chaotic and oppressive.
Heiji Hattori and Conan, the two great detectives, were frantically investigating the clues when they turned around and saw Nanami Hanyu looking so relaxed, which made them furious.
"Hey! You bastard!" Hattori Heiji rushed forward, "Don't you know someone else has died on the island?!"
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow: "I know."
"Then why don't you—"
"What do you mean, 'I'll repay'?" Yu Shengnan interrupted him with a smile. "I'm not a detective. Isn't solving cases your job?"
Hattori Heiji: "..."
(So angry, but I can't argue with it)
Conan adjusted his glasses and calmly asked, "Yuzuki, where did you go before?"
The great detective stared intently at Yuzuru, trying to find a clue in his expression.
"Rest in your room~"
Yuzuru Hanyu remained expressionless. "Together with Master."
Hattori Heiji: "!!!"
I can't take it anymore, I absolutely can't take it anymore!
Conan quickly pulled back the Osaka Black Chicken, who was about to go berserk, and continued to ask, "Then do you know where Ms. Shimabukuro Kimie is?"
"Hmm..." Yuzuru Nanami pretended to think, gently tapping his chin with his index finger. "Maybe at the shrine? After all, someone died, and the shrine maiden has to perform some kind of ritual."
After saying that, he waved his hand, turned around and left with a flourish: "You can take your time investigating, I'm going for a walk."
"Wait!" Hattori Heiji wanted to chase after her, but was startled by Yingying's "fierce and cute" glare.
"Bu-i!" (If you chase me again, I'll bite you!)
Hattori Heiji: "..."
Why is this strange fox so fierce?!
He muttered to himself, and for some reason, he felt a little scared.
Hattori Heiji turned around, annoyed, and said, "Kudo, you believe he knows nothing?"
Conan pushed up his glasses: "..."
Only a fool would believe him!
Yuzuru definitely knows something, but since he won't say it, there's really nothing they can do about it. They can't just force him to tell them, can they?
It's best to just think about it.
Otherwise, who knows who will be forcing whom in the end...
......
In a secluded little house in the backyard of the shrine.
Shimabukuro Kimie was kneeling in front of the mirror, slowly picking up the "Longevity Granny" mask and wig from the table.
There was no smile on her face, only deep weariness and...resolute determination.
It's as if I'm saying a final goodbye to my past self.
"Finally... it's going to end," she murmured.
From this day forward, the world will never again have that vibrant and life-loving shrine maiden, Shimabukuro Kimie.
The girl who once greeted tourists with a smile in front of the shrine, full of hope for the future, will soon disappear with the night. In her place will be the long-lived old woman who, according to everyone, ate mermaid flesh and could live forever.
This identity, burdened with lies and a mission, will become the shackles of her life for the rest of her days.
The shrine maiden picked up a torch and headed towards the shrine's storeroom.
There lay the body of the long-dead Kadokawa Saori, or rather... the body of "Shimabukuro Kimie".
...
Flames soared into the sky outside the shrine's warehouse.
Shimabukuro Kimie stood at a distance, quietly watching the raging flames, her eyes reflecting the flickering firelight.
--it's over.
From this day forward, Kimie Shimabukuro will vanish from the world forever along with this fire. She will live on forever as the "Longevity Granny," protecting this mermaid island filled with lies in place of her mother.
This island holds her pain and memories, and it will become her entire future.
Flames engulfed the wooden warehouse, crackling and popping, and waves of heat hit her face, scorching her cheeks.
Goodbye... Kimie Shimabukuro.
She slowly closed her eyes, tears welling up in her eyes, but before they could fall, they were evaporated by the high temperature.
Just as she turned to leave—
"The flames of revenge are beautiful."
A sacred, echoing voice suddenly rang in my ears.
Shimabukuro Kimie suddenly opened her eyes and saw a tall, slender figure slowly emerging from the raging flames—
Yuzuru held the Fire Control Fan and gently patted it. The blazing flames parted obediently in front of him, like subjects welcoming their king.
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