Mihana Singularity (24) The Lostbelt Companion...
"But sister... I!" Ai Haibara's voice was urgent as she reached out to try and grasp the transparent soul, but it passed right through her, as if she were grasping a wisp of mist.
Akemi Miyano's eyes crinkled with laughter as she stopped her from speaking further. "The little detective has come to see you." Her voice was soft, like a butterfly about to take flight. "Shiho, let's move forward."
She stood up, placed her hands on Ai Haibara's shoulders, and pushed her from the basement toward the stairs, saying, "Your sister will be behind you, cheering you on."
Gazing into Akemi Miyano's gentle yet unwavering eyes, Ai Haibara finally gave in. Holding the capsule in her hand, she climbed the stairs step by step.
Just as she had said, Akemi Miyano stared unblinkingly at the brown-haired girl's back.
The basement door was pushed open, and blinding light streamed into the stairwell, bathing her sister in sunlight. Miyano Akemi finally couldn't hold back her sobs, a relieved and contented smile spreading across her face.
This is wonderful; it's a beautiful future she could never have dreamed of.
Until the small, thin figure was no longer visible, Akemi Miyano bowed to the empty corner of the basement and said thank you: "Thank you so much... for letting me see her one more time."
In the corner, a blonde girl, carrying a spear and a cage, nodded in greeting. "Is there anything else to say? Or is there someone else you're looking for?"
"there is none left."
Akemi Miyano smiled, the most relaxed smile she had given all day. "I'm already very content."
A short while later, Ai Haibara went upstairs, her gaze still lingering on the basement doorway. Conan, seeing her standing there like a guardian deity, couldn't resist his curiosity and went over.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" he asked.
"It's nothing." Ai Haibara looked away. "Instead of worrying about me, Kudo, you should think about what you're going to do about your own future."
"Hmm?" Conan tilted his head, not quite understanding Ai Haibara's meaning. Then, a rectangular medicine box was handed to him, and he was taken aback, showing a puzzled expression.
"—This is the final antidote for APTX4869," Ai Haibara said, her tone filled with a sense of relief. "You can turn back into Shinichi Kudo now, Great Detective."
Conan: "...?!"
His hand trembled, and he almost dropped the hard-won capsule somewhere. Ai Haibara was terrified and suddenly had an urge to snatch the medicine back.
But soon, the detective's mind cleared things up, and his joy was palpable. "Wow!! Really?! I thought I'd have to wait a long time. Did you develop the antidote this quickly?"
He might even be able to meet Fujimaru Ritsuka in his youthful form, and perhaps see if he has a chance to meet the legendary Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty!
"...Are you questioning my research capabilities?"
"No, no, no, I wouldn't dare!"
Perhaps Conan was so overjoyed at getting the antidote that he overlooked some details, but he still noticed Ai Haibara's unusual behavior.
"But why have you been staring at the basement all day?" he said, walking towards the stairs with a teasing tone. "Are you planning to renovate the room now that the antidote is developed?"
But before she could even descend the stairs, she was stopped by Ai Haibara's slightly anxious voice, as if she would change her mind if she hesitated even a little, "Don't go in!"
It was said to Conan, yet it also seemed like it was being said to oneself.
Conan stopped, sensing something from Ai Haibara's unusual tone. He turned back and walked up to him, lowering his voice, "Excuse me, could you tell me what happened?"
Ai Haibara gave in. She felt like she was having the worst day ever, constantly compromising from morning till night. She whispered, "...My sister is inside, and I don't want to watch her disappear."
I'm afraid of leaving her.
I'm even more afraid of keeping her.
My sister has the right to pursue a better life. If her selfishness leads to my sister being trapped beside her in spirit form...
She didn't want it to be like this.
Conan was taken aback, recalling the events in the game. It turned out that the souls of the deceased had returned to reality along with them.
Haibara's older sister is... Miyano Akemi. He couldn't help but recall the moment half a year ago when the hand that had been holding his slipped away, the moment he first heard about the Black Organization.
His heart ached suddenly; that intelligent and beautiful woman was about to leave once again.
But faced with the loss of a loved one again, no matter how much they understood each other, he couldn't truly empathize with Ai Haibara. So, he could only hold the antidote for APTX4869 and stand with her outside the door, watching Akemi Miyano leave.
By the time Conan left Professor Agasa's house, Beika Town had already fallen into dusk, and the warm sunset illuminated the ordinary scenery in front of him, turning it into an oil painting.
Just as he closed the door to Professor Agasa's house and was about to head to the Kudo residence, a golden hue stopped in front of the Kudo mansion. The blond youth leaned against the railing, gazing up at the sky.
Hearing footsteps, Amuro Tooru turned his head in the direction of the gaze. In the sunset, his purple eyes were like irises in spring, and there was a sadness in his eyes that he could not hide.
"Ah, Conan. I have good news for you."
"Does Mr. Amuro have good news too?" Conan shrugged and leaned against the wall, mimicking Amuro Tooru's posture, and asked.
"Oh? Looks like I'm a bit late." Amuro Tooru raised an eyebrow and handed Conan the skull candy that Fujimaru Ritsuka had given him. "The organization is about to be destroyed. You can go back to your normal life now."
Conan instinctively took the candy. Wasn't this the one Assassin gave to Fujimaru Ritsuka? How did it end up in Amuro Tooru's hands? Wait, what did Amuro Tooru just say...?
"The organization...why?" He stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"The organization's new advisor ousted the original boss and became the leader. Now, Ms. Fujimaru has taken him back. Before leaving, he made a deal with me."
Amuro Tooru spoke lightly, but to Conan it was like a bombshell. He hesitated and asked, "Why does it sound like the organization is so weak?"
"After all, it's Moriarty on the other side."
Conan instantly understood; Moriarty's abilities were meant to be that powerful. In that case, Mr. Holmes would be even more outstanding!
He looked down at the skull candy in his hand and belatedly realized, "So, Ritsuka-neechan and the others have already left?" He hadn't even had a chance to thank her yet.
"Yes, it seems like something urgent has come up."
Stroking the skull-shaped candy, Conan hugged it even tighter. It was a pity he wouldn't be able to see Fujimaru Ritsuka again; he could only offer his blessings to his friend far away.
Have a safe journey and may you be safe and sound every year.
—
Chaldea, Control Room.
“Alright, even though Ritsuka has just returned from the Singularity, the situation is urgent, so let’s begin our discussion here and now.” Sion pushed up his glasses.
Inside the cold-toned control room, everyone was present without exception, and each person looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had just returned, with an apologetic expression.
They certainly hoped that Chaldea's precious Master could have enough time to rest. But this Lostbelt appeared too suddenly, and every second of delay increased the danger.
No one knows if this will be the second Lostbelt, leading to the destruction of the world in the next second.
Therefore, the only option is to keep Fujimaru Ritsuka working non-stop until this threat to humanity is resolved before she can rest.
Fujimaru Ritsuka, aware of the seriousness of the situation, nodded and stood beside Kadoc. Kadoc glanced down at her and suddenly said, "You'll have about four hours of rest before heading to North America from Storm Border."
She was taken aback for a moment, then gave Kadoc a bright smile. "Thank you, I'll use this time to get some rest!"
Kadoc awkwardly turned his head away and touched the back of his neck.
Sion coughed, drawing everyone's attention. "Before you returned, Chaldea confirmed the existence of the North American [Wall of Light] and discovered traces of magic from the Imaginary Tree. They also formulated a preliminary plan for conquering the North American Lostbelt."
Da Vinci and Captain Nemo have completed the inspection of Storm Border and, after final safety confirmation, will depart for North America. They will use Storm Border's dimensional drilling mechanism to break through and infiltrate the Lostbelt.
"I understand. So, has anyone been chosen as the Servant to accompany me this time?" Fujimaru Ritsuka asked curiously.
As soon as she finished speaking, Professor Nemo's image appeared in the control room. Holding a stack of books, she said solemnly:
"Smegistus II has selected two Servants for this mission, and they are already on their way to the control room."
Hearing this, Goldrov became interested. "Well done. It seems we are very experienced in dealing with Lostbelts. We handle this situation very well."
Fujimaru Ritsuka blinked and said in a low voice that everyone in the control room could hear, "But, Chief, is this something to brag about? Doesn't it just mean we're unlucky?"
"Cough! Why are you speaking such blunt truths!" Goldruff waved his hand. "So, who is the Heroic Spirit who has gloriously come to conquer this suddenly appearing Lostbelt?"
He couldn't help but imagine, "This free yet brutal land of America must have big, muscular men who can take a beating and fight, like the big, tough guys in underground wrestling..."
"Hahaha! I've only just arrived and I've already heard such disrespectful words directed at me! How displeasing! Fool!"
A familiar, mocking laugh interrupted Goldrov's reverie. Hearing the voice, the director couldn't help but shudder, but not because he was intimidated!
Fujimaru Ritsuka raised her head, meeting the gaze of those calm and wise red eyes. Ah, it seems there's no doubt who the first Servant will be.
"Oh, the king is my companion this time!" Her eyes were filled with surprise.
Walking straight up to Ritsuka, the Wise King rested his chin on his hand and snorted coldly, "What, you mongrel, are you dissatisfied that I'm here to protect you?"
He raised his chin, waiting leisurely for the orange-haired girl to explain, "Or would you prefer a younger version of yourself?"
"No, no, no!" Fujimaru Ritsuka clasped his hands together, adopting a sincere and repentant expression as he soothed the wise king, saying, "It is my honor to have Your Majesty condescend to come!"
"If it is the king, then I have no need to worry about my safety! Because I believe in the king's abilities!"
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Author's Note: * The Mika Singularity is now complete!
* I'm taking two days off now, I need to work out the detailed outline for the last Lostbelt.
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