By the time the three of them left the hotel room, the evening was already settling in.
As they stepped into the corridor, Eri couldn't help but notice something peculiar about Yukiko's movements.
"Yukiko, what's wrong with your legs?" Eri asked, tilting her head in concern. "Why are they shaking like that?"
Yukiko, dressed impeccably in a suit and black stockings, appeared graceful as always. Yet, her slender legs in high heels were trembling with each step, making her stride look awkward and unsteady.
"Trembling? Me? Nonsense!" Yukiko's voice faltered slightly, betraying her denial. "It must be... it must be the stockings! They're too tight!"
Eri frowned, her concern deepening. "That doesn't sound right. I think you should go to the hospital, just to be safe."
Yukiko's expression shifted subtly. While Eri's gaze lingered, Yukiko maintained a soft, reassuring smile. The moment Eri turned away, however, Yukiko shot a pointed glare at Akashi, her eyes full of unspoken irritation.
"I'm fine, really," Yukiko said smoothly, her tone dripping with practiced ease. "I'm just a little tired. Once I get home and rest, I'll be back to normal. Don't worry about me."
She quickly redirected the conversation. "Weren't you heading to the hospital to see your assistant? You should go. This little one will escort me home."
Yukiko reached out and lightly ruffled Akashi's hair, her demeanor a mix of affection and smug satisfaction.
Eri's brows knitted momentarily, her eyes narrowing as she observed Yukiko's casual touch.
Sensing the tension, Akashi chimed in at just the right moment.
"Auntie Eri," he said earnestly, "I'll make sure Sister Yukiko gets home safely. After that, I'll head straight back. If there's anything, I'll call you."
Eri's expression softened at his words. She crouched down, adjusting his clothes with gentle hands.
"Akashi, I trust you," she said quietly. "Just don't stay out too late, okay? Get home quickly after dropping her off."
Before Akashi could respond, Yukiko cut in with mock indignation.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? Are you afraid I'll kidnap him? Don't you trust me at all?"
Eri rolled her eyes, her tone flat. "No one said that. I was just giving some instructions. Why are you overreacting?"
She stood up, brushing off Yukiko's protests with a wave. "Go home and rest. I'm off to the hospital."
Without waiting for a reply, Eri hurried away to visit Midori, her concern for her assistant taking precedence.
As soon as Eri was out of sight, Yukiko's demeanor shifted dramatically.
Her polished façade cracked, revealing a mischievous grin.
"Well, well, Akashi," she said slyly. "Now it's just the two of us. Time to settle the score, don't you think?"
The mood lightened, and Yukiko straightened her posture, her usual confidence returning in full force.
Akashi, unfazed by her theatrics, gave her a knowing look. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and gently led her back into the guest room.
"It seems like your brain needs further treatment," he said matter-of-factly.
Yukiko froze, her playful bravado melting into a look of exaggerated fear. She quickly crouched down, her hands clasped together in mock supplication.
"Wait, wait! I was kidding!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in pitch. "Why so serious? Let's not be hasty, okay?"
"And besides," she added with a nervous laugh, "you're just a kid. This isn't good for your health!"
Akashi sighed, clearly unimpressed. "Big sister, I'm a succubus. Health isn't an issue."
Yukiko groaned. "So what if you're a succubus? You're still a child!"
She wagged a finger at him. "Stop letting your imagination run wild. Let's go!"
Without giving him a chance to protest, Yukiko grabbed his hand and marched out of the hotel.
Naturally, Akashi allowed himself to be pulled along, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
The effects of the mysterious spinach had long since worn off. Akashi was once again his usual, powerless young shota.
Holding hands, she and Akashi walked out of the Beika Hotel with an air of innocence. Their upright demeanor was such that anyone passing by would think nothing of their hand-holding—it was entirely proper.
More importantly, Yūsaku, Dr. Agasa, and Conan had already left.
Yūsaku, once again disguised as Toshio Edogawa thanks to Yukiko's skills, had taken Conan back to the Mōri Detective Agency. Naturally, he got into a long talk with Kogoro and wouldn't be returning anytime soon. Meanwhile, Dr. Agasa had headed home.
With no one around to question her, Yukiko felt completely at ease.
She led Akashi into the elevator, descending to the underground parking lot where her personal car awaited. They got in and drove away from the hotel, their departure swift and uneventful.
But as she drove, Yukiko couldn't help herself. Her route diverted toward the abandoned construction site where she had been kidnapped earlier that afternoon.
Her actions resembled those of a criminal returning to the scene of the crime—driven by a strange compulsion, perhaps to relive the moment.
The construction site was now cordoned off, with several Metropolitan Police Department vehicles parked outside. Police officers moved in and out of the area in a flurry of activity.
It was a major case, given the number of fatalities, and had drawn significant police resources.
Among the officers, Akashi thought he spotted the familiar figure of Inspector Megure. The poor man seemed burdened with yet another unsolved case.
Yukiko, however, dared only a fleeting glance before driving away.
Despite her outward calm, her nerves were clearly on edge.
Akashi noticed this immediately.
Without a word, he reached over and gently placed his small hand on her leg.
The effect was almost magical.
As though soothed by an invisible current, Yukiko gradually relaxed. Her tense shoulders eased, and her grip on the steering wheel lightened.
She cast a glance at Akashi, her expression unreadable, a mixture of gratitude and something far more complex.
The events of the day felt surreal to her—like a dream she couldn't quite wake from. The sudden flood of chaos had turned her world upside down, leaving her struggling to process everything.
But as the car approached the Kudo residence in Yoneka Town, Yukiko's composure returned.
Parking just outside, she turned to Akashi with a serious expression.
"Akashi, there's something I need to tell you. Let's treat today's events as—"
Before she could finish, Akashi interrupted sharply.
"Stop talking. Keep driving."
"Huh?" Yukiko blinked, confused. "I'm being serious here!"
Her protest was cut short when she felt a sharp sting on her thigh. The snapping sound was startlingly crisp.
"If there's someone in front of the house, don't say anything," Akashi instructed calmly. "Just drive past like a passerby, make a turn, and park somewhere out of sight."
Only then did Yukiko notice the scene in front of her house.
Several sleek black cars were parked outside. At the gate, two imposing men in black stood guard, their presence unmistakably ominous.
Her eyes widened in alarm.
"Is this… could it be… that organization?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "They actually came to my house?"
Meanwhile, Akashi's eyes glimmered with an almost eerie light.
In this moment, he knew what was unfolding. The Black Organization had come to search the Kudo residence.
And at the helm of this operation, if his suspicions were correct, would be none other than Shiho Miyano.
What an unexpected twist of fate to encounter them here!