Yukiko didn't even question why Akashi chose to come to a hotel instead of going to a hospital despite his injuries.
Perhaps, she reasoned, Akashi had his own reasons.
After everything they had been through together—facing danger, narrowly escaping death—she subconsciously started to see Akashi as her anchor.
Still dazed, Yukiko followed his instructions and booked another room at the Beika Hotel. With Akashi supporting Eri, the three of them made their way to the elevator.
Meanwhile, in the hotel lobby, Dr. Agasa, disguised as a transaction partner, peeked over his newspaper.
"Hmm… Did I just see Yukiko? Or am I imagining things?"
The thought seemed absurd. If it were really Yukiko, she would be in disguise, never showing her true face.
Dr. Agasa shook his head and chuckled to himself. If Conan were here, this little charade would quickly spiral out of control.
Returning to his newspaper, he barely noticed when a boy in a blue suit and shorts—Conan—ran into the lobby.
The little detective approached the front desk and began asking questions. Moments later, Conan darted towards the parking lot.
Dr. Agasa, still disguised as a towering, two-meter-tall man, couldn't suppress a sly smile.
"Time to make my move," he muttered, grabbing his briefcase and following Conan towards the underground parking lot.
——
Upstairs in Suite 401, directly above Kudo Yūsaku's Suite 301, Yukiko helped Eri onto the bed before collapsing into a chair herself.
"We're finally safe," she said with a sigh, wincing as she looked at her swollen ankle.
"Akashi, if you won't go to a hospital, let me call a private doctor for you."
Akashi shook his head firmly.
"No need for a doctor."
But his body betrayed him—his pale complexion and unsteady movements revealed the truth.
His mind was spinning. The intense shootout, followed by the use of Wraith Dispersion and Hypnosis Techniques, had drained every ounce of his mental energy.
He had pushed himself far beyond his limits.
Akashi's knees buckled, and he swayed dangerously before collapsing.
Yukiko, alarmed, rushed to his side, catching him just in time.
"Akashi, what's wrong? Don't scare me!" she cried, her voice trembling.
As she held him, her hand brushed against something damp. Lifting it, she saw scarlet staining her fingers—blood.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"Akashi! You've been shot? Why didn't you say anything earlier? We're going to the hospital right now, and I won't take no for an answer!"
Akashi blinked, confused. Shot? He hadn't even realized.
Perhaps it was just a graze, dulled by adrenaline, or maybe the throbbing pain in his head had overshadowed everything else.
"Yukiko," he said weakly, "I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm a succubus."
"A succubus?"
Yukiko stared at him, baffled. "What's a succubus?"
Despite her confusion, something clicked. Everything suddenly made sense—the calm demeanor, the supernatural abilities, the flames he conjured.
Akashi wasn't an ordinary child!
"So that's why…" Yukiko murmured, piecing it all together.
But concern quickly replaced her awe.
"Are you sure you don't need medical attention? Will you be okay? You look terrible—tell me how I can help."
Her beautiful eyes shimmered with worry as she gazed at him, her concern evident in every word.
Akashi's eyes sparkled with sudden inspiration when he heard her words.
He had initially brought Eri here intending to collaborate with her for a specific kind of treatment. However, now that Yukiko had stepped forward, she presented an even more appealing alternative.
More crucially, the mental exhaustion and the agonizing splitting sensation in his mind had pushed Akashi's limits. At this moment, his body desperately craved nourishment in the form of yin energy.
And Yukiko, awake and unharmed, seemed the perfect candidate.
He hesitated only briefly before speaking, his voice calm but urgent:
"You can help me—but are you really willing to?"
Yukiko, still shaken by the day's events, didn't hesitate for a moment.
"You saved my life. I'll do anything to help you," she replied earnestly. Fear gripped her as she gazed at the pale, exhausted young boy before her. She couldn't bear the thought of him succumbing to his injuries after risking his life to save her.
Hearing this, Akashi's lips curled into a faint, almost fragile smile. His pale face softened, evoking a strange sense of pity.
"In that case, Sister Yukiko," he said, his voice steady despite his weakness, "please kiss me first."
"Kiss you?"
Yukiko froze, her mind racing. Was this child truly serious? Kiss him? It seemed so out of place, even manipulative, given the circumstances.
"Kiss me," Akashi urged again, his tone leaving no room for delay.
Reluctantly, and without further thought, Yukiko leaned down and kissed him gently.
In the next moment, her eyes widened in surprise.
Sweet?
A strange yet pleasant sensation coursed through her as Akashi activated his Lv2 "Imported Sugar" ability. The healing energy it provided spread through Yukiko's limbs, easing her pain and discomfort.
She felt her swollen, aching ankle grow noticeably lighter. The tightness in her brow softened as relief washed over her.
Meanwhile, Akashi felt his injuries stabilize. The scratch from the stray bullet was superficial and now healing rapidly under the influence of the ability. Though his physical injuries were improving, the toll on his mental energy remained severe—something yin energy alone could replenish.
Yet, Akashi didn't stop there.
He shifted focus, leaning into his newly acquired massage skills.
With careful precision, his small hands pressed on Yukiko's left foot, still wrapped in black stockings. She flinched at first, feeling a sharp pain, but it quickly gave way to an almost euphoric sensation as his skill took effect.
The combination of the massage and "Imported Sugar" abilities worked wonders. Her ankle injury began to heal visibly, as if the pain and swelling were evaporating before her eyes.
Yukiko was amazed. The relief was so profound and instantaneous that she allowed herself to relax completely, trusting the boy's care.
What she didn't notice, however, was the faint crimson glint in Akashi's eyes as he activated another ability—a subtle one that allowed him to draw yin energy from her.
Helping each other is only fair, isn't it? he thought to himself.
In the midst of this surreal healing session, Akashi couldn't help but press further. His "Preaching and Imparting Liquid" ability manifested quietly, leaving Yukiko momentarily startled.
Her beautiful eyes widened as the effects resonated through her body.