The dismissal bell rang, and the corridors of Teitan High School instantly became lively. Shinichi Kudo was about to go find Ran to discuss an interesting case he had recently encountered, but near the shoe lockers, he overheard Ran and Sonoko talking.
"...So, the weekend trip to Tropical Land is set! Big Brother Ye Xiao agreed too!" Sonoko's excited voice was exceptionally clear.
"Mm! I'm really looking forward to it!" Ran's voice was also clearly delighted.
Kanjuro! Kanjuro again!
Shinichi Kudo's steps instantly halted, and his brows tightly locked together. He took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and walked over, feigning naturalness.
"Oh, going to the amusement park this weekend? Sounds interesting." He interjected, trying hard to make his tone sound casual. "How about I join you?"
When Sonoko saw it was him, she immediately put her hands on her hips and said with a warning tone, "Kudo? You can come! But—" She extended her index finger, almost poking Shinichi Kudo's nose. "You absolutely must not criticize Big Brother Ye Xiao or wear that grumpy face! If you ruin the mood, I won't forgive you!"
Shinichi Kudo felt wronged, but to figure out what Kanjuro was planning, he had to endure it for now. He forced a somewhat stiff smile, pretending to comply: "Hey, I get it. I'm just going to have fun."
Ran couldn't help but smile, seeing Shinichi Kudo "give in" for once, and mediated, "Alright, Sonoko. It's great that Shinichi can come; the more the merrier."
Seeing Ran smile, Shinichi Kudo felt a little better. He wanted to take the opportunity to talk to Ran more, perhaps about the mystery he had just solved. However, as soon as he opened his mouth: "Ran, actually I..."
"Ah, sorry, Shinichi!" Ran checked her watch and cut him off. "Sonoko and I have something to do today, so we have to leave now! See you this weekend!"
After saying that, Ran quickly pulled Sonoko, who was still making faces at Shinichi Kudo, and hurried away.
Shinichi Kudo watched their figures quickly disappear at the end of the corridor, especially Ran's slightly eager demeanor, and a wave of sour jealousy surged in his heart.
(Something to do? Leaving in such a hurry... She must be going to see that Kanjuro!)
(What kind of bewitching potion did that guy give Ran and Sonoko?! )
Frustrated, he slammed his fist onto the nearby shoe cabinet, making a dull sound that drew glances from the surrounding classmates. But besides stewing in his anger, he was helpless at the moment... In the early evening, at the entrance of Sobu High School. As Kanjuro walked out of the school gate, he saw two familiar figures excitedly running towards him—Ran and Sonoko.
"Big Brother Ye Xiao!" Ran's face was beaming with a brilliant smile.
"Big Brother Ye Xiao, we wanted to tell you that the trip to the Amusement Park this weekend is finalized!" Sonoko chimed in quickly. "But... that Kudo guy somehow heard the news and shamelessly insisted on coming along!"
Hearing this, Kanjuro showed no displeasure; instead, he revealed an even more gentle and accommodating smile. He looked at Ran and said sincerely:
"Classmate Kudo is coming too? That's great."
He paused, his gaze gently resting on Ran, and continued in a tone that sounded truly heartfelt:
"After all, Shinichi and Ran are childhood sweethearts who grew up together, and their feelings are so strong; they look very well-matched. If he can come along, Ran, you'll be happier, right?"
These words were completely the attitude of a thoughtful "older brother," considering the happiness of his "younger sister" in every aspect.
Hearing this, two streaks of red instantly flushed Ran's cheeks. She shyly lowered her head, her heart filled with emotion. (Big Brother Ye Xiao... he is truly too kind! Even though he is coming himself, he's still thinking of Shinichi and me, trying to bring us together... He really is the best brother in the world!)
Even Sonoko couldn't help but complain, "Big Brother Ye Xiao, you're just too nice! If you ask me, Ran is much better suited to be with you! What a pity, what a pity..." She didn't finish the rest of her sentence, but the meaning was clear—it was a pity they were blood-related siblings.
Listening to Sonoko's words and watching Ran's touched and shy expression, Kanjuro maintained a perfectly gentle smile on his face, but his eyes held a deep, profound calmness. He successfully cemented the image of a "reasonable, selflessly devoted good brother" in Ran's heart, while subtly incorporating Shinichi Kudo's presence into his own plan.
The trip to Tropical Land this weekend was destined to be more than just a simple outing. Beneath the roller coaster tracks, undercurrents had already begun to stir. In the days leading up to the weekend, the nights seemed extraordinarily long. For Suzuki Ayako, the familiar name on her phone screen became her only comfort during every sleepless night.
"Mr. Kanjuro... I apologize for disturbing you so late again." On the other end of the line, Ayako's voice carried a hint of fatigue, yet also the relaxation of finding a safe harbor.
"It's alright, Ayako. I usually don't sleep early either." Kanjuro's voice came through the receiver, always gentle and patient, carrying a calming magic. "Did something trouble you today?"
Ayako would then slowly recount the subtle pressures accumulated throughout her day—inquiries from family elders about her wedding date progress, the mask she had to wear in social settings, or the deep-seated confusion she felt about her predetermined future. Kanjuro never gave superficial responses; he always listened quietly, then offered just the right words of comfort, shared an interesting perspective, or quoted a poem that matched her mood, always precisely dispelling the gloom in her heart.
After several such instances, Ayako had come to regard Kanjuro as a rare confidant in her life, someone to whom she could completely bare her heart. Sometimes, even after the conversation ended, she couldn't bear to hang up the phone, listening only to their faint breathing, as if this invisible radio wave were the only link connecting her to the real world and to free air.
During one such silence, Kanjuro's voice sounded again, asking casually, "Ayako, where is your fiancé, Mr. Tomizawa? It seems... I rarely hear you mention him."
Ayako sighed softly, her tone flat: "Yuzo... we have a family-arranged date in a few days. But recently, privately... we haven't been in contact much." There was no discernible disappointment in her words, sounding more like a statement of objective fact.
Kanjuro was silent for a moment, and then asked a question that made Ayako's heart suddenly race. His voice remained steady, yet carried an unavoidable penetrating force:
"So... Ayako, how far have things progressed between you and Mr. Tomizawa? Have you... been intimate?"
"—!" Ayako's cheeks instantly burned, and her fingers tightened slightly around the phone. She hadn't expected Kanjuro to ask something so direct, so private. After a brief moment of panic, she answered almost subconsciously, with a hint of urgency to clarify: "N-no! How could we... We haven't even formally held hands more than a few times..."
After saying this, she even tried to mask her inner turmoil by asking back in a faint, joking tone that she herself wasn't quite sure about: "Mr. Kanjuro... asking that... could it be that you're... jealous?"
A brief silence fell over the phone line. This silence instantly dissolved the courage Ayako had just mustered, replaced by immense unease and regret. (What am I saying! That was so rude!)
Just as she was about to apologize frantically, Kanjuro's voice returned, a few shades deeper than usual, carrying an indescribable magnetism and a hint of subtle self-mockery:
"Jealous? What if I said yes? I am jealous... but what good would that do?"
This sentence was like a huge stone thrown into Ayako's already turbulent heart, stirring up monstrous waves. She could clearly hear the frantic pounding of her own heart, and she was gripped by an emotion mixed with bitterness, flutter, and immense helplessness.
"Kanjuro... don't say that..." Her voice became choked, her previous joking demeanor completely gone, leaving only deep regret and heartache. "I—I was joking... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that... I'm sorry..." As she spoke, she couldn't help but quietly sob, grieving for her reckless slip of the tongue and for the unchangeable reality.
Hearing her crying, Kanjuro's tone immediately softened, returning to his usual reassuring gentleness: "Don't cry, Ayako. It's okay, it's my fault. I shouldn't have asked that question, nor should I have answered in that tone."
He patiently comforted her, his voice like a warm current, smoothing her emotions bit by bit. "I simply... hope that you can find true happiness and respect. No matter who it is, no one should look down on you."
His words were full of understanding and care, making Ayako even more certain that she had found someone who truly understood her. Under his gentle reassurance, her sobbing gradually subsided, leaving only a slight sniffle.
"Thank you, Mr. Kanjuro... truly, thank you." She said with a strong sniffle. The reliance she felt toward Kanjuro and that vague yet increasingly clear emotion in her heart deepened further. She did not know that on the other end of the phone, Kanjuro's face might have worn a cold, successful smile of a plan coming to fruition. He had successfully planted a seed of dissatisfaction with her fiancé and special attachment to himself in her heart, while also using the dangerous word "jealous" to quietly bridge the boundary of "morality" and "propriety" that should have existed between them.
That night, Ayako fell asleep clutching her phone, with tear stains still on her face and her heart full of complex thoughts. Meanwhile, Kanjuro calmly hung up the phone, looking forward to the weekend trip to the Amusement Park, and... the even more spectacular drama he would personally direct in the future.
The morning sun was bright on the weekend. The Suzuki Family's luxury sedan stopped smoothly at the agreed location. Sonoko, in the driver's seat, was exceptionally excited today and had specially put on her new sunglasses. The rear door opened, and Kanjuro elegantly sat down, followed by Ran, who sat beside him.
"Let's go!" Sonoko skillfully started the engine, glanced at the two people in the back seat through the rearview mirror, and smiled slyly. "Let's go pick up that arrogant Shinichi Kudo first."
Kanjuro chuckled softly upon hearing this, turning his gaze toward Ran beside him. She was wearing a refreshing dress today, with a faint look of anticipation on her face. Kanjuro leaned slightly closer and asked playfully, in a volume only they could hear:
"Does this count as... setting up a date for Ran and Shinichi?"
His voice was still gentle, but the phrase was like a tiny thorn, gently piercing Ran's heart. Subconsciously, she wanted to retort as usual, "Big Brother Ye Xiao, you're always joking," but the words inexplicably caught in her throat.
(A date? With Shinichi?)
This word, which should have been perfectly normal, now caused an inexplicable wave of irritation in her heart. She couldn't help but secretly glance at Kanjuro beside her—he was looking out the window, his profile appearing exceptionally handsome in the morning light, still wearing that familiar, reassuring smile.
(Why... does hearing Big Brother Ye Xiao say that make me feel so uncomfortable?)
(Good, good.)
(Haven't I always liked Shinichi?)
Ran lowered her head in confusion, her fingers unconsciously twisting her skirt hem. She recalled the small moments she had spent with Kanjuro these past few days—his gentle care, his patient listening, how easily he always understood her subtle emotions... A strange feeling, mixed with reliance and excitement, something she had never felt before, quietly began to grow in her heart.
"Ran?" Kanjuro noticed her silence, turned his head, and looked at her with concern. "What's wrong? Did I make a bad joke?"
His eyes were still gentle, yet seemed to hold a magic that saw through everything, making Ran's heart skip a beat. She quickly shook her head, forcing a smile: "N-nothing! Big Brother Ye Xiao, stop teasing Shinichi and me all the time!"
Despite her words, her tone was less natural than usual, and her eyes were slightly evasive. Sonoko, listening to their conversation from the front seat, couldn't help but interject: "Exactly! What's so great about Ran dating that Kudo guy! If you ask me, Ran smiles the happiest when she's with Big Brother Ye Xiao!"
Sonoko's unintentional words struck Ran's heart like a heavy hammer. She suddenly realized that she truly seemed to look forward to spending time with Kanjuro more and more, even surpassing the joy she felt when meeting her childhood friend, Shinichi.
This realization filled her with panic and guilt. She clearly regarded this gentle and thoughtful person as her brother, but why... why did it hurt so much when he pushed her towards Shinichi?
The sedan continued driving toward the Kudo residence, but Ran was plunged into unprecedented confusion. Watching the streetscape rapidly receding outside the window, she began to seriously consider for the first time: was her feeling for Kanjuro truly just sibling affection?
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