Chapter 24: Making Tea and Strategically Placing the Surroundings
"I was just about to make tea." Huibara said.
Her tone was calm, with a hint of old ash and recklessness: "You look like you could use some warmth. After all... you've been through so much historical excitement."
This little tone is both cool and a little cute.
Ai-chan: Don’t ask. If you ask, I’m just tired. I need a cup of 1982 black tea to calm down.
Haiyuan's tea, the limited edition of Life and Death is brewed.
At this moment, she vaguely felt that something was amiss with what had just happened in the cafe, but she didn't seem to have the memory bandwidth to think about it carefully.
Vermouth's rosy eyes lit up: "Tea? Shiho, you're such a civilized person. Lead the way."
"Watery peach blossom eyes." Officially certified vixen (in a positive sense). Who can resist those fleeting glances?
Continuing the attack with the exclusive nickname "Shiho." Yabai, this cry made my bones soften.
Calling that name again, a subtle reminder of their past, no matter how brief and vague.
Agasa's home was as chaotic as ever—all kinds of inventions in varying stages of completion, piles of books, and a faint scent of solder and old paper.
Dr. Agasa's House: A famous attraction in Beika Town, a cozy utility room (also a shelter).
Order in Chaos, the Romance of Scientists ~ "The Classic Skin of the Doctor's Family: The Fragrance of the Graveyard of Inventions and the Ruins of Knowledge"
Normally, this place was Haibara's safe haven. Today, with Vermouth around, it felt like the stage for an unsettling private drama.
A top hunter suddenly breaks into the safe house, exciting.
Haibara: We had an unexpected guest at my house today. She was really good at flirting (bushi), and the atmosphere was getting increasingly tense.
Haibara walked towards the kitchen skillfully, realizing that Vermouth's eyes were following her.
The wife-staring maniac Bayonetta is online.
Microscope view: The hairs on the back of Huiyuan's neck are standing up. Absolutely.
The most dangerous woman in the world didn't touch anything, just observed. Her motionless appearance was indeed more disturbing.
The blonde woman sat on a dining chair, her long legs crossed, her elegant posture a stark contrast to the messy environment of Agasa's house.
Bei Jie: Elegant and timeless. Even among the clutter, she is a queen.
This oppressive feeling. "On the Self-cultivation of Top Predators": Unmovable as a mountain, the oppressive feeling is full.
Is it a stark contrast to the environment? No, it's the environment that's unworthy of Her Majesty the Queen (dog head). Dr. Agasa: My chair is so beautiful today. I finally have a 100% finished work of art (referring to Miss Bayonetta).
Elegance, timeless.jpg Opening a high-end fashion show in the wasteland style.
Huihara began the tea-making ceremony. The water temperature was precisely set to 98 degrees Celsius, the tea leaves were weighed with laboratory pharmaceutical-grade precision, and the timer was set to the optimal steeping time.
This daily ritual provided Huibara with a little temporary sense of security, escaping the uneasy atmosphere around the winery executives.
The sense of ritual is Huibara's protective color, allowing her to find a little peace in the center of the storm.
This isn't just tea; it's Ai-chan's defensive barrier. Using science to counter magic (referring to Bayonetta's charm).
She placed the cups and saucers on a tray, along with a small plate of butter cookies that Dr. Agasa had hidden behind the flour (she often confiscated the cookies for Dr. Agasa's cardiovascular health).
Huiyuan: I've been working so hard for the doctor's KPI (health index). Today, I'll treat these cookies to my "guest."
Life is not easy, Ai-chan sighed, and confiscated the doctor's snacks. This wave of operations is very tsundere and daughter-like worry.
Butter Biscuits: I didn’t expect that I would become the peace dove of the deadly tea party?
Considering the deadly game she is participating in, these heartwarming actions seem a little absurd and even a bit darkly humorous.
This is life. No matter how dangerous it is, we still have to live, right? (Forced philosophy) Even if the sky falls, we still have to make good tea.
On How to Show Your Wife's Power in a Murderous Environment
From Bayonetta's perspective: The target personally served tea and gave away some cookies... This wave of attack is mainly about winning over the heart.
When she returned to the restaurant, Vermouth had taken off the tourist coat, revealing a blue silk shirt that was exactly the same color as her contact lenses.
Bayonetta cross-dressing play.
Even the color of her contact lenses is matched. She is a true detail control. Fashion icon.
Tourist attire: An ordinary, ordinary person. Silk shirt: A deadly and dangerous female agent.
Tactical stripping. Beijie's skin switch, deadly blues.
She changed from "Tina" to someone closer to Chrissie Wynyard, shedding unnecessary disguises. Now she's a limited SSR card, the Hollywood Enchantress.
The transformation from bumbling tourist to deadly banshee happens in an instant.
A classic one-second costume change. One second she's a "sunny and cheerful big sister (acting)", and the next second she's a "deadly woman who slays the whole place".
"Oh, what a coincidence, I remember you like this indigo color very much." Vermouth said with a smile.
Huiyuan said nothing. That night in New York, she had worn an indigo shirt.
I don't want to take up this dangerous topic.
"Your home is full of surprises." Vermouth looked at her expression, but was not annoyed. She took off her wig smoothly.
Her naturally blonde hair fell down and she combed it through with her fingers, sighing with relief.
Bei Jie OS: Pretending to be an ordinary person is much more tiring than killing someone...
On the set of "Desperate Housewives": the lazy and charming moments of the actress after get off work.
Question: When facing Vermouth, what is most likely the "hidden menu" of the seemingly ordinary tea that Haibara Ai made for her?
A. "Drink this and leave quickly, I won't let you stay overnight" eviction notice concentrate (Tsundere Ai's daily life)
B. "The water temperature is just right, just like my attitude towards you, neither hot nor cold, but precise" hint card (scientist-style confession?)
C. "This contains the latest sample of APTX4869. Do you want to experience rejuvenation again?" This is a black humor reagent (exclusively for Sister Bei).
D. "I've given you all the doctor's butter cookies as hush money. Please don't come to my house again and increase my workload." This is a roundabout way of begging for mercy.
The blonde hair is like a waterfall, fingers gently twisting it, beauty sigh, lethality max.
"Much better."
This sentence is not just about the relief of taking off the wig, but also about taking off the disguise and feeling safe to be yourself.
Huibara, try not to stare at her.
However, her eyes betrayed her, she was speechless and her heart was beating faster because of the beauty.
This is the charm of the actress with many faces. One second she is just a passerby, the next second she is a deadly enchantress.
It reminded her of that night in New York, when the layers of eighteen-year-old Miyano Shiho were being stripped away in so many ways.
What is peeled off layer by layer is disguise, and what is peeled off in the end is the heartbeat.
Haibara, what will happen when Vermouth takes off her wig and her golden hair falls down?
A. I tried to look away, but my heart was pounding, and science couldn't explain it.
B. Pretend to observe calmly, but think frantically: "Is she hinting at me?"
C. Pull out your phone and quietly search "Why are blonde women so beautiful? Is this a disease?"
D. Just go up to her and fix her hair, and touch her face (be brave.)
The light from the lamp illuminated Vermouth's silhouette clearly. Beautiful, dangerous, and a little terrifying, like the weapons on display in a museum, seemingly safe behind glass but still retaining deadly lethality.
"You know," Vermouth pretended to casually examine her neatly manicured nails, "most people would be wary of inviting a known member of a criminal organization into their home."
Ah, I just waited at the door for so long, and then finally got in, and now I'm playing with Joe again, tsk tsk tsk. A lesbian's heart is like a needle in the sea. Even the international film queen is no exception.
"Most people haven't experienced what we have together." Before Huibara had time to examine herself, these words blurted out.
Vermouth raised her charming peach blossom eyes and looked at her with a burning gaze. Although the table was very wide, the distance between them seemed to be shortened. "No." She agreed softly, "No one else has either."
The house was silent. The only sound was the raindrops hitting the windows and roof.
Rain is the world's background music, and at this moment it is only played for the two of them.
Vermouth sat elegantly at the dining table, her eyes happy as she scanned the restaurant.
Are you here to scout the place? Next time, just bring the floor plan.
"This is unreal. The brilliant scientist who invented APTX-4869 has been reduced to making afternoon tea in a simple rice karaoke kitchen."
Vermouth, I feel uncomfortable without PUA.
Shiho: The medicine my family invented made you younger, no need to thank me.
“This humble kitchen has probably witnessed more real scientific breakthroughs than most university laboratories.”
Huibara curled her lips and retorted that the effort she put into tidying up the desk might have been greater than usual.
Is this the legendary "doing housework in anger"?
"Very defensive. Very unlike you."
Vermouth leaned back in her chair and looked at Huibara with her charming blue eyes. Most people would tremble if stared at by such eyes.
Haibara, who has max defense, meets Beijie, an expert in breaking defense.
"Or rather, it's just like you've always been. You always protect important things." Vermouth slightly turned on the Riddler mode.
Huibara ignored her and was busy preparing tea.
Classic avoidance technique: If the baby can’t hear me, I can’t hear either.
This familiar daily routine calmed her down, her hands stopped shaking, and she had something to do.
She could feel Vermouth's alluring gaze on her back, that gaze filled with unspoken words and memories of a night that should not have happened in New York.
"It shouldn't have happened" but it still happened. Those who understand will understand.
"Earl Grey or green tea?" she asked without turning around.
"Surprise me," Vermouth said in English. For the Hollywood seductress, flirting in English was more convenient, given that so many of her films were in English. She had a sufficient repertoire of dialogue.
Japanese is not her native language, and it is a very implicit East Asian language with complicated grammar. For her, the effect of flirting is greatly reduced.
But, they just asked you what kind of tea you wanted, and everything was said in English, which made the ambiguity extremely high.
"I've done it. Once." Before Huibara had time to think, the English sentence blurted out.
...What is Shiho saying...
What on earth happened that night in New York? (scratching the wall like crazy)
The silence that followed was filled with pink bubbles.
The air suddenly became quiet.jpg
Huibara could hear her own heartbeat, very clear in the silent kitchen.
Then, Vermouth smiled sincerely.
"Yes." She said calmly, the mask of the Hollywood enchantress slipping slightly. "You really surprised me that night."
Ahhh, so what happened that night in New York— (gets dragged away)
The whistle of the kettle broke this myth.
Kettle: It’s me, Watasi is here again.
Saved Huibara who was about to suffocate.
"I remember you seemed to prefer coffee." Vermouth raised her eyebrows elegantly, "Black coffee, no sugar. Some things will never change."
—Are you referring to your first move to pick up girls? (dog head)
Huiyuan narrowed her eyes and said coldly, "People change. Didn't you notice that I'm a little shorter than the last time we met?"
Ai-chan: I have become smaller, thank you.
Inner thoughts: If you mention this again, I’ll kill you.
She's the height of an elementary school student, but has the aura of a queen. The contrast is adorable.
"Didn't you notice" - subtext: I am an elementary school student now, please let me go.
“Oh, I noticed that.” Vermouth narrowed her alluring peach blossom eyes, her expression mischievous and playful. “But I must say, this elementary school student outfit is quite fitting. Very… authentic.”
Here it comes, the Thousand-Faced Witch's classic pulling hand. This "oh" seems calm, but in fact, the eight-fold scope has been opened to the face.
Anyone with squinting eyes is a monster! Sister Bei's danger level is +100. As soon as she opens her mouth, she gives the impression of "Sister, I've been watching you for a long time." Peach blossom eyes + smirk = the official certified ceiling of fishing.
"I noticed" = I not only saw it with my eyes, I saw it with my heart. I used my damn half-century of experience to examine you, little thing.
"Primary school student outfit" - a precise mistake, bringing up all the irrelevant issues, but using seemingly complimentary words such as "fits well" and "authentic" to package it. It's like sugar with glass shards, praising you but not completely praising you.
Chinese translation: "Your clothes really do hide your adult soul very well, but they also happen to hit my XP, hehe."
"On How to Use Cuteness to Cover Up the Essence of Rubbing" - Even Freud would applaud after reading it.
Translation: Ai-chan's school uniform play, Modo Modo!
Bei Jie's inner OS: Organizing the mission? How can it be more fun than teasing Shirley.jpg
“My preferences have changed.”
Haibara said calmly, making tea while placing her phone on the table. It was obvious that it was player Higo's phone chain.
It's Ai-chan's turn! Here comes a textbook example of "non-violent non-cooperation" counterattack.
"My preferences have changed" - Subtext: "I'm no longer the naive Sulli of the past. Now I'm a Beika-cho elementary school student and an idol nerd. Thank you."
Key point: "Put your phone on the table." This was a carefully choreographed move, a challenge from Miss Shirley Holmes to her opponent.
Strategically placed around the perimeter! What kind of kindergarten-level jealousy-inducing technique is this?
The winery’s two most intelligent women act as queens, and in high-end showdowns, they often adopt the simplest method – putting a mobile phone chain.
Right at the start, he played [Item Card: Higo's Cell Phone Chain], Effect: Causes 1 point of true damage to Vermouth (and may trigger taunt).
"Putting down the phone" action instruction: Miyano Shiho's deliberate aesthetics.
Player Bihu: Thank you for the invitation. I am nearby and have just become a tool (dog head holding a rose). It is really like a pot falling from the sky while sitting at home.
Philosophical moment: The essence of man is the sum of all social relations. When social identity changes, aesthetic preferences will also be reconstructed.
In simple terms: When you become smaller, you become a fan.
This cell phone chain is very eye-catching in Vermouth's eyes.
Ding! The effect is outstanding!
At this moment, Ms. Vermouth's CPU probably has flashed through 100 ways to make Player Higo "graduate".
The Birth of the Vinegar King: Starting with a Cell Phone Chain
Bayley's inner thoughts: That's it? You're just using Captain Tsubasa to piss me off?
After Haibara and the others made sure that Vermouth had a clear view of Higo's surroundings, they said coldly, "This is usually what happens when people are forced to start their lives over again."
"Wait until she's sure she's seen it clearly"—what a scheming mind! As expected of someone from the Black Organization.
Gray original sad fishing law enforcement.
"Said coldly" = "Look at my new favorite, it will piss you off to death" is a tsundere aria!
Existentialist philosopher Sartre: Man is destined to be free, and every new beginning is a negation of the past.
Translation: It’s all your organization’s fault! Now I can only chase stars!
= I've been screwed over like this by your organization, it would be strange if I didn't change.
"On the positive role of organizational persecution in promoting the idol economy" - Bourbon wrote it into the public security report overnight.
Sister Bei: Organization's reputation is damaged +1 (but the blame is on Gin)
Huiyuan: I used to love scientific research, but now I love fashion magazines and the contestant Higo. Hum.
Aggrieved! Tsundere! Stubborn! The kitten stretches out its claws!
From a top scholar delving into life sciences to an ordinary girl chasing celebrities and reading gossip, this is both a disguise and a kind of "downward freedom," a yearning for the ordinary day, freed from the heavy burden of fate.
From scientific research to star chasing, this is not a restart of life, it is clearly the thawing of a girl's heart.
Q: Huiyuan Liang's behavior can be summarized as follows:
A. A tsundere defensive show-off. B. An academic sting operation. C. An attempt to declare war on the organization. D. Simply trying to change the subject.
Vermouth, of course, wouldn't be so easily fooled and show jealousy or anything like that.
What kind of Liao Zhai story could a thousand-year-old fox play? If this little trick could break her defense, she would no longer be Vermouth.
The self-cultivation of a movie queen: never lose your composure in front of the camera.
But in my heart I was already taking notes in my little notebook like crazy.
When masters clash, emotional stability is essential. Whoever breaks their defense first loses.
The basic cultivation of a Thousand-Faced Witch: Even if the vinegar jar is overturned, you must cover it with Chanel No. 5!
Sister Bei: Jealous? Not at all. I'll just put my love rival on my hit list.
Appearance: Elegant smile.jpg
Heart: Higo Player's Schedule.exe has been started
She ignored the surroundings of the Higo players, crossed her legs elegantly, and looked like a walking beauty (crossed out) and a hardworking member of the organization: "Some things change. Some things just... hibernate."
Here it comes, the counterattack is coming! This "ignoring" action itself is an attitude. "I see your provocation, but I choose not to care."
Hibernation = temporarily dormant but waking up in spring. This metaphor is amazing. It is truly the words of a literary young woman. Is this implying some indescribable emotion?
Bei Jie: Your love for scientific research is just hibernating, but your feelings for me are like spring all year round (?)
Chinese translation: "You thought you had forgotten, but in fact, that feeling for me was just asleep. When spring comes, I will wake it up."
However, Vermouth naturally recorded the detail of Higo's mobile phone pendant, but it is unknown what she will do with it in the future.
Higo: I suddenly felt a chill on the back of my neck... Is it because the stadium is too air-conditioned?
The screenwriter position for "Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare 2 - The Disappearing Cell Phone Chain" has been booked.
Sister Bei’s grudge notebook: Higo Ryusuke (suspected love rival) – assassination priority five stars.
The contestant fled overnight and applied for the FBI witness protection program.
Q: What is the most likely action that Vermouth will take after noting this detail?
A. Buy Higo's football team and have him play against a giant poster of Miyano Shiho every day.
B. Knock on Dr. Agasa's door on a dark and windy night.
C. Send a box of "fan gifts" to Higo, filled with Gin merchandise.
D. Do nothing, but secretly bring Higo and Okino Yoko together.
Seeing that she didn't take the bait, Haibara slightly adjusted her body and faced the surveillance camera that Professor Agasa had recently upgraded, activating her passive skill [Seek Lens Protection].
Sulli: As long as I'm looking at the camera, you can't do anything weird to me (?)
Dr. Agasa: Why did my surveillance footage suddenly turn into a dating variety show?
She is using the "Panopticon" in which she finds herself as a shield.
Then, he glared at Vermouth and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild."
It's a classic example of tsundere. "Don't let your imagination run wild" = "I know you're thinking about Higo's 108 Ways to Disappear"!
Sister Bei’s OS: She glares at me = she has me in her heart = what will our child be named?
The kitten was furious. The subtext: "Even if what you think is right, I won't admit it." Humph.
The ultimate secret of tsundere: using negative sentences to express the highest level of affirmation.
Secretly, he said that she cared about him and would let his imagination run wild. The master of reverse confession, Huibara Ai.
The opposite of “Don’t think too much” is “I know you are thinking too much”, and the content of “thinking too much” must be about “me”.
Xue·Psychology Master·Li: Use provocation to reversely verify Sister Bei's possessiveness.
"It's too late, Shirley."
Answer in seconds. Without hesitation, pursue the victory. Vermouth, the eternal attacker.
It is recommended that this line from Sister Bayonet be listed as a world heritage site, as it is suitable for all forced love scenes.
"Too late" = "I've been writing my secret love diary since you were wearing a white coat and doing experiments" (shocking voice)
This "too late" combined with her previous "hibernation" is a killer move. It means: "Your defense is too late, my thoughts have already invaded."
The domineering president’s speech gave me a feeling of “you can’t escape”.
Even disguised as a tourist, her every move and gesture exuded the elegance of someone accustomed to being watched.
This is what is called a "historical personality." The stage has become a part of her. Even without the spotlight, she is the light source.
She exudes the legendary aura of "even if I wear a certain clothing store, I still look like I'm wearing haute couture," and her steps are also like those of the Paris Fashion Week.
I suggest checking whether Sister Bei secretly brought a portable lighting board.
Oscar-winning actress's muscle memory: Walking around Akihabara can give you a Cannes red carpet vibe.
It is recommended to recite the entire text of "On the Necessity of Temperament for Villains"——by Winery Beijie
Huiyuan's inner comments: Damn... Even the hair of this woman is glowing! (biting the handkerchief)
Temperament cannot be disguised. A woman with her own spotlight is so terrifying.
Is it scary? No, it's delicious (from Vermouth's perspective).
Bei Jie: Thank you for the invitation, walking Stockholm syndrome inducing device (hair lifting)
"I've had thoughts about you for a long time."
A straight shot, this is an ultimate, invincible spiral straight shot! All the previous pulls were for this earth-shattering sentence!
"I have some idea"—what an artistic yet dangerous expression. It could mean "I want to kill you," "I crave your body," or "You are the unique puzzle of my destiny." The tension created by this ambiguity is undeniably intense.
It’s over, Aijiang’s firewall blue screened on the spot.
Oh my, what kind of tiger and wolf word is this?
Questions about thoughts: A. Scientific research ideas B. Criminal ideas C. That kind of idea D. All of the above
When Vermouth said, "I've had thoughts about you for a long time," her true thoughts were closest to which of the following?
A. I'm attracted to 18-year-old Shiho Miyano's body and want to have an in-depth discussion with her about DNA sequences.
B. I want to do scientific research with her (in the physics sense).
C. Simply admire her cuteness. After all, there are too many boring people in the organization.
D. He wanted to trick her into joining the winery’s beauty review department. After all, Shirley has good aesthetic taste.
Huiyuan didn't want to answer.
She poured hot water over the tea leaves and watched them unfurl in the teapot. This familiar ritual brought some peace to her.
The action of pouring tea not only calms the mood, but also serves as a psychological defense.
When people are nervous or overwhelmed, they subconsciously do things that give them a sense of control.
Huibara: Stay calm, I can do it.
"You...are not going to poison me, are you?" Vermouth asked, a hint of smile flashing in her charming peach blossom eyes.
Playing with the cat again.
This temptation, this joke, is clearly flirting.
He anticipated Haibara's reaction and enjoyed it.
"If I wanted you to die, I wouldn't waste good tea leaves." Huibara replied coldly.
Beautiful counterattack.
Subtext: Do I need poison to kill you? My intelligence is enough. Besides, my tea is very expensive.
Huihara, the hidden tea master (both physically and spiritually).
Think about this sentence, doesn't it also have a hidden sweetness of "I can't bear to see you die, so I treat you with fine tea"? (Forced interpretation is the most fatal)
Vermouth watched Huibara brewing tea. "I noticed you didn't correct me earlier when I said that indigo was still your favorite color."
Bei Jie: You little brat, are you being stubborn? Your true nature is just asleep, waiting for your sister to wake it up (meaningful).
Haibara used too much force to place a cup of steaming tea in front of Vermouth.
"I didn't expect that you would come here to discuss my aesthetic preferences."
"Aesthetic preferences"? We're judging each other.
"I came here because you were curious," Vermouth replied, raising the cup to her lips. Their eyes met in the rising steam.
"If I were you, I would be curious too. The organization believes you are dead. I am the only one who knows you are still alive." The tone in which Sister Bei said this was probably equivalent to "You only belong to me."
Sister Bei: Your little thoughts can't escape my eyes. (Lens reflection.jpg)
The weight of these words was comparable to the combined power of Conan's football and the anesthetic needle. It directly grasped Haibara's lifeblood.
"And you, the treasure of the organization, are actually here, drinking tea with a non-existent person." Huibara sat down opposite, her small hands gently holding her own cup. "For someone like you who always puts self-preservation first, this is truly dangerous behavior."
Haibara is saying to the general in reverse: Aren’t you afraid of getting yourself into trouble, Sister Bei?
Chinese translation: Do you have some leverage that the Red Team has that I don't know about? (Conan: A-choo.) Or are you just playing with fire?
But, no matter how you look at it, the little hand holding the cup subtly shows the girlish heart.
Vermouth chuckled softly: "Perhaps I have developed a love for adventure. New York has taught me a lot."
"Adventurous hobby" - does it mean jumping back and forth between the red and black sides, causing trouble for Gin, and secretly protecting the perpetual elementary school students? (Dog head save life)
Chinese translation: "New York taught me a lot" = For example, some kittens appear fierce on the outside, but are actually very soft-hearted and worth teasing (and protecting).
Bayonetta's quote from Conan the Movie is online: Love is an impromptu adventure under precise calculation.
Some people did not disappear, but chose to come back when Huibara was most vulnerable.
So-called love is sometimes nothing more than a flower that blooms after curiosity is wildly tested on the edge of danger, but it is breathtakingly beautiful.
And at this moment, Vermouth might really be simple, wanting to talk about life and appreciate Haibara's angry look.
They sat across from each other in the empty house, and the tension that had built up all afternoon seemed to fill the restaurant.
"Earl Grey tea." Vermouth said, "You still remember my preference."
Chinese translation: Little Shirley, you have me in your heart~ (Ripples)
"Professional habits." Huibara changed the subject. "Scientists are trained to observe and record data."
Chinese translation: Don't be too proud, woman. I just have a good memory. I didn't remember you specifically. Humph.
Scientist: I don't take the blame for this. We don't keep this kind of data. Unless... (funny)
"Ah, am I just data to you?"
Vermouth actually pouted slightly. What's with this aggrieved young wife's tone? (Suddenly changed color)
Chinese translation: Can't you just coax me? Even if it means lying to me.
Huiyuan didn't want to pay attention to her dangerous words.
“You did a great job today.” Vermouth changed the subject, raising the teacup to her lips. “The way you identified the family crest… was very professional.”
"And your knowledge of diplomatic codes from the 18th century to World War II... is truly unexpected," Huibara admitted. A little praise should be fine. "But I think that in your field of work, the history of espionage is a very valuable research topic."
Vermouth smiled, her voice charming everyone.
"Oh my. Are we complimenting each other now? That's dangerous."
Ahhh, what's the danger here? Are you afraid that if you keep complimenting me, I'll kiss you? (Screaming mode on)
Q: What is the subtext of Bayley's words "It's really dangerous"?
A. It's dangerous. I'm afraid I'll kiss her in the next second.
B. Dangerous. If I keep praising you, I'll be exposed.
C. Dangerous. This girl is so smart, she's almost seeing through me.
D. Dangerous. The atmosphere has become so tense, it will be difficult to end it without something happening.
"Observation, not praise," Huibara replied calmly, "but data collection."
Tsundere Haibara is online. She talks about "data collection," but is her heart already swooning over the issue? A prime example of someone who says one thing and does another.
"Is this what you did in New York? Collecting data?" There was a gleam in Vermouth's peach blossom eyes.
She's asking even though she knows the answer. She's definitely doing it on purpose. She's teasing Huiyuan, enjoying this cat-and-mouse (or cat-and-mouse?) game. #FishingBeauty
The memory of a snowy night in New York lingered between the two, a night very similar to today, when they met by chance.
Drinks in a dimly lit jazz bar, whispers about molecular structure, and then the conversation, somehow, shifts to more intimate territory.
The hotel sheets, the secrets that slip quietly through them, the taste of fine wine, and on the lips, something even sweeter.
Those words were said so many times that they forgot the shape of the truth.
There are so many secrets that I am lost.
A year later, nineteen-year-old Miyano Shiho, in the body of seven-year-old Haibara Ai, sat at the dining table with Vermouth. She could feel her presence beside her, like the heat of a flame. Getting too close would be dangerous, but there was undeniably a touch of warmth.
The monitor on the wall showed the empty Beika 2-chome street outside, watching them silently.
Surveillance Camera: I didn't see anything. I'm just an emotionless camera. Beika Town is peaceful today too (good reading).
“You’ve found a perfect refuge for yourself,” Vermouth said, examining the details of the restaurant with a professional eye. “But I’m a little curious—does your little detective know about your… …fetish?”
The word "habit" is used very cleverly. Is it the habit that Min-na-san is thinking of? (Significantly) There's no mention of Irene having this trick in the Sherlock Holmes collection.
Bei Jie's fatal temptation. Does the fetish refer to collecting Higo's merchandise, or does it refer to a love for dangerous women?
It shouldn't be the former, otherwise, the Hollywood enchantress would be filled with jealousy.
When faced with Bayonetta's soul-searching question, "Does your little detective know about your...quirk?", what is Haibara's true inner thoughts most likely to be? (Single choice, the meme is complete.)
A. "It's none of his business. Stay out of my business." (Queen's domineering version)
B. "What hobby? My biggest hobby is developing an antidote for APTX4869 and watching a certain elementary school student get humiliated." (Scientific research nerd's arrogant version)
C. "Him? He should just take care of his Xiaolan first." (The calm version of the spectators)
D. "My fetish... could it be that I'm being teased by a woman like you?" (Inner panic but trying to stay calm)
"I don't have any fetishes." Huiyuan said calmly, although the word sounded strange and lacking in confidence in her mouth. "What happened in New York is-"
Little did they know that tsundere is a confession in the opposite direction, Sulli. Regarding the fact that Miyano Shiho is fluent in eight languages but cannot explain her sexual orientation
"Necessarily?" Vermouth asked, leaning forward slightly. The movement was subtle, yet it felt like it altered the entire geometry of the room. "It's like a chemical reaction, dear. Some combinations just can't help but burn."
Before Huiyuan could come up with a proper retort, Kettle blew his whistle. He saved the day at a crucial moment and even provided some background music.
She was busy making tea, but she was also on high alert.
Vermouth's eyes were fixed on her every move.
It felt like being stalked by an exceptionally elegant predator that enjoyed playing with its food.
Elegant predator Bayonetta vs. alert tea connoisseur Huiyuan - this scene can be featured in the "Animal World" special "Leopard and Cat in Beika Town"
Ai-chan: Tea calms me down, tea keeps me safe (physically). As long as I don't look at her, she can't flirt with me.
The clink of porcelain, the hiss of the kettle, the tidy scooping of tea, each movement was like a barrier against the unsettling aura of the Hollywood allure.
Vermouth sat on the dining chair, looking relaxed and at ease, like a leopard strolling leisurely in an unfamiliar territory.
Beijie: The entire Beika Town is my playground, not to mention your house.
Dining Chair: I have endured too much sexiness that is not suitable for my age.
"So efficient," Vermouth said, accepting the delicate cup. Her slender fingers deliberately brushed against Huibara's. An unpleasant electric spark shot up Huibara's arm. This might require a slow-motion replay and cherry blossom effects.
"Your hands are so cold. Are you nervous?"
The implication is: Do you need me to warm you up? (Planning Pass) Is the next sentence "Come into my arms"?
"Temperature difference. Rain." Huiyuan retorted calmly, being frugal with words, and pulled her hand back as if she had been scalded.
Hot Potato.jpg
Temperature Difference - Ai's ultimate defensive skill. Physical cooling + psychological defense double buffs fully stacked.
She sat down in the chair opposite, and the solid oak table became a real barrier.
The physical isolation was established.
This table: I bear a sense of mission that I shouldn't bear.
This is not a table, this is the 38th parallel, a trench, and the Maginot Line of Ai-chan's mind.
"So. Why did you come to Japan? Why now? Don't pretend to be 'sightseeing' with me. The organization won't give you a day off just for cherry blossom viewing."
Straight to the point. As expected of you, Miyano, the always-logical Shiho.
Subtext: My time is precious, so don't try these empty tricks.
Bei Jie's inner OS: Oops, the kitten saw through my slacking off (dog head)
Vermouth slowly took a sip of tea, her stunningly clear blue eyes looking at Haibara over the rim of the cup.
Killing eyes. The penetrating power can be felt even through the contact lenses.
Those blue eyes are the abyss. Gaze into the abyss, and the abyss gazes back at you (and wants to tease you).
"You're direct, and I admire that about you. Perhaps I miss my little adventures with you? The Black Organization is full of crude tactics and boring sycophants. A mind like yours... is truly rare." She put down her cup.
Bei Jie: I like people like you who are smart but difficult to deal with (funny)
Current situation of the organization: Except for undercover agents, they are either reckless or flatterers.
It's still fun to tease Shiho (funny).
"And perhaps... I'm curious about the girl who survived the organization's repression. Her body shrank, but her mind grew sharper. It's... truly fascinating. Like watching a rare orchid bloom in the face of a sudden frost."
Metaphor power max. Such literary literacy. Miss Bei is probably a level 10 Shakespeare scholar.
Holmes lights a cigarette.jpg: "When your prey becomes the flower you admire most, things become interesting."
"Obsession is often a precursor to dissection," Huibara said, her own teacup remaining motionless. "And I'm not a specimen."
Ai-chan: Put away your hunter talk. I won't buy it.
"About How I Almost Became a Collection of a Former Colleague" - Ai-chan's persecution delusion, but it's reasonable.
Teacup: I dare not move, I really dare not move... This guy's murderous aura overflows the screen.
"Just think of me as... an admiring collector. Or perhaps, a fellow traveler on a particularly dangerous road. Shiho, we all know what it's like to wear a mask in an organization. Living in the shadows, dancing on the edge of destruction."
The corporate culture of the winery: Multiple personalities per person (not) are essentially distorted flowers blooming under the shadow of the organization.
"You know, I've been looking for you since before you became small and learned to hide."
Vermouth's reflection appeared in the rain-soaked window, overlapping with Haibara's reflection.
"Besides, you didn't disappear on purpose today. Your performance in the coffee shop was quite impressive."
"Ah, so this world-famous Hollywood actress orchestrated an entire historical mystery just to spend time with me."
Huibara was trying to trick me, but unfortunately I found out too late.
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