Disclaimer: Detective Conan is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
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In the pitch-black space, the air was thick with the stench of rust…
A mournful song echoed under dim, yellowish light, creating an atmosphere straight out of a horror film.
Ritsu didn't know why he had appeared in such a place. He carefully stepped forward, only to see a girl in a pale yellow dress standing with her back to him.
The singing… seemed to be coming from her.
Half curious, half puzzled, Ritsu approached, intending to circle around to see her face, and perhaps ask where this place was.
But suddenly, the girl stopped singing and turned around.
Her pale, bloodless face was twisted into a horrifying smile. She lunged forward and tackled Ritsu to the ground, her hands clamping tightly around his throat.
Her hoarse voice sounded like a desperate scream—
"Give me back my voice… give it back!"
In his sleep, Ritsu's brows were tightly furrowed, his breathing growing rapid. He suddenly bolted upright in bed, gasping for air, clutching the sheets as cold sweat soaked his back.
So it was a dream, a nightmare.
Reaching for the bedside table, he picked up his phone and saw that it was still early. Yet he felt no trace of drowsiness. Getting up, Ritsu headed for the bathroom, afraid that if he lay down again, he would see that face once more.
The face of the girl he had killed so ruthlessly, filled with despair.
After showering, he changed into an all-black outfit and left the research institute. Gin had clearly already informed the facility; he could now come and go freely, no longer confined as a researcher.
The transmitter on him was still there. Ritsu walked to a nearby convenience store, bought two steaming meat buns and a cup of warm milk, then sat by the window, watching passersby hurrying to work and school.
The rich broth from the buns soaked into the soft, milky-white dough, making it even more delicious than the filling itself. Truly, people couldn't live without carbohydrates.
Finishing his meal quickly, Ritsu headed toward the training base in Nishitama City. Just as he arrived at what looked like a real estate agency storefront, he received an unexpected call.
The caller ID read: Gin.
Not daring to delay, after all, he was still just a low-level member, Ritsu answered immediately. "Gin-san, is there a task you need me to handle this early?"
"No. Look across the street."
Ritsu turned his head in confusion and saw Gin sitting alone in a car. Vodka, who was almost always at his side, was striding toward the vehicle. Spotting Ritsu across the street, he even waved at him.
Hearing the call disconnect, Ritsu put his phone away and crossed the street quickly while the light was green.
"Gin-san, what brings you here?"
Gin glanced at Nanase, dressed entirely in black. "Passing by. Heading to training?"
"Yes."
Vodka got into the car, pulled out two ham-and-egg sandwiches from a plastic bag, and handed them to Gin. "Boss, the tuna sandwiches were sold out, this was the only flavor left."
"No matter." Gin took the sandwich, then looked at Nanase. "That person has arranged your codename. From today on, stop using the name Nanase Tōru."
"Understood, Macallan?"
Macallan… what kind of drink was that? Ritsu wasn't even of legal drinking age, and he knew nothing about alcohol. He decided he'd have to look it up later.
"I understand, Gin-san."
"Also, Miyano's meeting with her sister will be entirely your responsibility. The meeting must not exceed three hours, and the location must remain within Tokyo. She is not to leave your line of sight. Understood?"
"Yes."
Seeing that he had said everything he needed to, Gin gestured for him to go train. As Macallan bowed respectfully and turned to leave, Gin's gaze fell on the sandwich in his hand…
"Macallan."
"…?"
Ritsu had only taken a few steps before turning back. "Do you have further instructions, Gin-san?"
"Take it."
Instinctively, he raised his hand and knocked the thrown object out of the air. Or more precisely, the sandwich Gin had tossed out of the car window bounced off in less than half a second… and landed right back on his thigh.
Realizing what it was, an unmistakable look of embarrassment spread across Ritsu's face. He didn't know whether to pick it up or just stand there awkwardly.
Holding a piece of black rye bread in one hand and yogurt in the other, Vodka watched with his mouth slightly open behind his sunglasses, his pupils practically trembling.
Was the boss about to execute Macallan on his first day in the operations team? No… probably not. The boss wasn't that kind of person.
Gin hadn't expected such a reflexive reaction either. But considering Macallan's sharp reflexes and vigilance… heh, not bad.
So he showed no anger. Picking up the sandwich from his lap, this time he handed it directly to the stiff, frozen Macallan instead of throwing it.
"Eat it."
"…Thank you, Gin-san."
"Vodka, drive."
"Yes, boss!" Vodka quickly packed up his food and started the car, even giving Macallan a quick farewell.
Watching the Porsche 356A disappear from sight, Ritsu looked down at the sandwich in his hand. So Gin liked this for breakfast… and it wasn't even his preferred flavor.
He didn't dwell on it. Waiting for the pedestrian light to turn green, he crossed the street and prepared to begin his sniper training.
Now that he was part of the operations team, he needed to improve his abilities. There weren't many issues elsewhere… but his sniping skills definitely needed work.
After all, Calvados had said his effective range was 550 yards, far beyond Ritsu's 350. He needed to close that gap.
But before that, there was something important to confirm, his codename.
What is Macallan?
Macallan is a Scotch whisky, often praised as the "Rolls-Royce of single malt whiskies."
"Most Macallan products are under 46% ABV… but some exceed 51%… So it's a strong spirit."
Frowning slightly, Ritsu thought back to the sniper Calvados had mentioned. From what he said, the operative named Chianti was a woman.
What is Chianti?
Chianti is a famous red wine from the Chianti region of Italy.
"Hm? Different alcohol content. Wines like that aren't considered strong spirits… So does that mean weaker alcohols correspond to female members, and stronger ones to male members?"
Ritsu silently noted this observation before pushing open the door of the real estate agency. The security guard inside immediately recognized him and led him to a hidden door in the staff lounge.
"Macallan-san, let me know if you need anything."
The organization really spread information quickly, he had just learned his codename, yet even the lower-level staff already knew it.
"…Alright."
Entering through the hidden door, Ritsu focused entirely on his sniper training. Since he had chosen to become an undercover agent, he couldn't afford to remain this "sentimental."
There was no turning back. The only thing he could do now was grow stronger, strong enough to ensure his own safety and gain a higher position within the organization, allowing him to gather more intelligence.
Some things were simply beyond his control. It was like a train with its brakes removed, until it crashed, it wouldn't stop.
At this stage, all he could do was stay true to his original intentions…
…and become stronger.
Becoming stronger was his only way forward.
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Author's Note: The protagonist's second alias: Macallan, is now officially introduced!
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