Disclaimer: Detective Conan is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
----
Shimmering light-blonde curls, sea-green eyes carrying a teasing smile. Slender fingers held a woman's cigarette. Dressed in a thin, pale purple silk gown, she sat with one leg crossed over the other, elbow resting on her thigh, gazing at the black-haired young man who was staring back at her, bare-chested.
Sitting on the bed, Ritsu's pupils shrank sharply at the sight. His mind immediately began racing, trying to piece together fragments of memory from a few, or perhaps over ten, hours ago.
His bloodless lips pressed tightly together. After a long moment of eye contact, the beautiful woman exhaled a ring of smoke and said lazily:
"Oh my~ why are you looking at me like that? You weren't like this two hours ago."
She stood up and walked to the edge of the bed with a catlike stride, leaning in close, her eyes slightly upturned as she teased,
"Planning to pretend nothing happened after having your fun?"
"!!"
The moment she got close, every hair on Ritsu's body seemed to stand on end. He froze stiff, a thought drifting through his mind, one he didn't even want to acknowledge.
Could it be… he actually did something like that?
His already pale face turned even more ashen. Frowning deeply, Ritsu looked up at the somewhat familiar woman and said seriously,
"So… we really did have that kind of relationship? If that's the case, I'll take responsibility—"
"Pfft."
"??"
Seeing her suddenly burst into laughter, Ritsu was completely confused. Was what he said really that funny? He was rather traditional when it came to relationships, believing that such things required an emotional foundation.
"I'll stop teasing you," the woman said, narrowing her beautiful eyes. "A doctor took off your clothes. Nothing happened between us."
Then, in a low, alluring tone, she added, "Though… I am a little interested in you now. How about we make something happen for real?"
"?!"
Seeing his stunned expression, her mood lifted even further. Glancing at the blood seeping through his bandages, she said, "Do you really need to be that tense? Your wound's bleeding again."
Of course he did. Ritsu shot her a half-lidded glare, feeling a bit annoyed. He had already realized he'd been completely toyed with, thoroughly, at that.
Still, gratitude was due. After all, she had saved his life.
"Thank you for saving me… and letting me rest in your bedroom."
"You're someone Gin values, so of course I'll take good… care of you."
There was something odd about the way she said that. Why did she always sound like she was flirting with him? And why emphasize the words "take care" like that?
"Vermouth, that's my codename. Pleased to meet you, Macallan."
Vermouth picked up the medical kit from the bedside table, removing his bloodstained bandages and carefully tending to the wound before wrapping it again, this time finishing it with a neat little bow.
"Pleased to meet you as well." Ritsu glanced down at the bow tied over his abdomen, a helpless expression on his face. "If I may ask, have we met before?"
"Oh my, should I take that as a pickup line?"
"That's not what I meant. You just look familiar."
Vermouth quite enjoyed seeing Ritsu flustered. Despite being an adult, there was still a certain innocent naivety in his demeanor, likely someone who had never been in a relationship, nor tasted forbidden fruit. In some ways, he was still quite pure.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have said something like "I'll take responsibility."
"You've probably seen me on TV."
"On TV?"
"The film AgentSandra, starring Chris Vineyard, the daughter of renowned American actress Sharon Vineyard, has surpassed 80 million dollars at the box office…"
A memory suddenly flashed through Ritsu's mind, something he had seen on a street TV years ago. He finally realized the identity of the blonde beauty in front of him.
Chris Vineyard. A famous actress.
He hadn't expected the organization's reach to extend this far, even to award-winning stars. And not just a member, but a codename-level one. Her status must be quite high.
"Judging by your expression, you know who I am now. But do keep it a secret."
"Of course. If it got out that you're associating with people like us, it would cause a public uproar."
After tidying up the used bandages, Vermouth stood and said, "If you need anything, just let me know. You'll be staying here for a while."
"Sorry for the trouble."
"No trouble at all." She opened the door, and two men dressed in black walked in. With a smile, she added, "Feel free to make full use of Vodka."
"…Gin, Vodka?"
Had he been unconscious for more than fifteen hours?
Gin still wore his usual cold expression, but for some reason, there was a faint trace of concern hidden in his eyes. Walking over to the window, he looked down and said:
"Go over what happened yesterday again. In detail."
"Yes."
Ritsu shifted all the blame onto the insider he had killed, fabricating a story in which the insider had collaborated with the CIA to capture both him and Glenfiddich. With Glenfiddich already dead, there was no one left to contradict his account.
Combined with his self-inflicted wound and the fact that Public Security, disguised as CIA agents, had cleaned up the scene, there would be no useful clues left even if the organization investigated. Naturally, they would accept his explanation.
After careful consideration, Gin found no flaws. The faint trace of suspicion he had, barely one percent, completely vanished. Casting a cold glance at Vodka beside him, he instructed,
"Vodka, we'll put the CIA matter aside for now. Investigate whether any of the organization's insiders are showing signs of betrayal. If they are… you know what to do."
"Yes, boss!"
Seeing Vodka still standing there, Gin frowned. "What are you waiting for? Go. Now."
"Ah… right away, boss." Before leaving, Vodka clenched his fist and made a cheering gesture toward the weakened Ritsu resting against the bed, then hurried out.
Ritsu let out a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed this matter was, for now, settled. It might even stir suspicion within the organization itself, which was certainly welcome.
"For the next few days, focus on recovering. Return to Japan after the stitches are removed."
"Understood."
"You haven't eaten for over ten hours. I've arranged for someone to prepare some light food for you."
"Thank you, Gin."
Gin didn't reply. After scanning the room once more, he turned and left. Before exiting, he even thoughtfully adjusted the central air conditioning panel by the door, raising the temperature by two degrees.
He assumed Ritsu, wrapped up tightly like a dumpling, was cold. What he didn't know was, Ritsu was only wearing a pair of briefs.
The room fell quiet again. Pulling the blanket down slightly.
'It's hot…'