Disclaimer: Detective Conan is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
----
With his exceptional shooting talent, Ritsu kept trying out various firearms, increasing the distance each time. Just as he was about to move on to sniper rifle practice, Gin, standing above, spoke up to stop him, saying that sniper training would begin the next day.
For now, it was time for close-combat training.
During the session, Ritsu also realized that Calvados wasn't particularly strong in hand-to-hand combat. He was a sniper in the organization, usually assigned to long-range assassination missions.
Calvados removed his short coat, revealing fairly well-trained arm muscles, and casually took off his military cap.
Sometimes, when a man's competitive spirit is ignited, he becomes deadly serious.
The earlier shooting practice had already made Calvados feel a sense of crisis. His opponent was not only younger but also a complete novice. If he didn't completely suppress him in other areas, there was no way Gin's attention would return to him.
He needed Gin's recognition, only then would he have a chance to get closer to the woman who haunted his thoughts.
"Raise your fists, stay slightly relaxed, and protect your head. Bend your knees a bit, shift your weight onto the balls of your feet, and watch your opponent's every move. That's the stance for real combat."
As he explained, Calvados began demonstrating. His explanation was fine, but when it came to showing a jab and straight punch, he transitioned directly into attacking Nanase Tōru.
Unfortunately for him, Ritsu had no intention of completely hiding his real combat ability. After all, it wasn't unusual for a boy his age to have learned some fighting skills for self-defense, fitness, or even just to look cool.
As the punch came toward his face, Ritsu reacted instantly. His left foot shifted, stepping slightly forward and to the left. The moment it landed, his center of gravity transferred forward, allowing him to easily dodge the incoming strike.
It was a Jeet Kune Do sidestep. Even while evading, his eyes remained locked on his opponent, ready to respond to any follow-up attack.
But clearly, there wouldn't be a second attack.
Calvados hadn't expected his fast straight punch to be dodged. By the time he reacted, he felt a heavy blow slam into his right cheek.
Since the other party had initiated such a cheap sneak attack, Ritsu saw no reason to hold back. He clenched his fist, channeling force from his legs, waist, and shoulder into a powerful left straight punch, leaving Calvados momentarily stunned.
He staggered back two steps, his guard and footwork completely disrupted. But when he saw Nanase pull back, he tried to rush forward again, determined to prove himself.
"Calvados!"
The shout stopped him mid-motion. Lowering his head, he felt a wave of frustration. To think that he, the one assigned to train, had been defeated by a newcomer, his pride took a heavy blow.
"You've already lost. If this weren't a training session…"
If this had been real combat, he would already be dead.
Calvados wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and accepted the outcome. He extended his hand to ease the tension, speaking earnestly, "Nanase-san, you're strong."
"Thank you for the lesson."
"…I don't think I'm qualified to be your combat instructor. Your Jeet Kune Do is excellent."
Vodka gripped the railing tightly, his small eyes behind the sunglasses fixed on Nanase's slightly bashful expression. Turning to Gin, he said excitedly, "Aniki, this one's a gem in the rough."
"Mm. His file does mention over four years of Jeet Kune Do experience." Gin pulled a cigarette from his pack, lit it, and exhaled a slow stream of smoke. "We'll begin sniper training tomorrow. Send him back to the research facility for now… he can't fall behind on his experiments either."
"Should we call Korn tomorrow?"
"No need. Let Calvados continue… it's about time someone knocked his confidence down a notch. His sniping hasn't improved in nearly two years. Hmph."
"Understood, Aniki."
After watching Gin leave, Vodka relayed the instructions to the two below before escorting Ritsu back to the research facility.
.
13:44.
It was around afternoon tea time. When Ritsu returned and opened the door to Laboratory No. 5, he was surprised to find Shiho still working, searching for a target, which was no simple task.
Only after determining the correct target could they sift through millions of molecules using computer-aided drug design and simulation screening. The process was like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Have you been working since morning without eating?"
"Mm. I guess I'm used to eating with someone. It feels strange without them."
"So… you were waiting for me?"
Shiho frowned slightly. She knew she had developed a certain fondness for the boy in front of her. It wasn't the flutter of adolescent attraction, it was simpler than that. He treated her like an older brother would and helped explain things she didn't understand. It was a sense of dependence, something between friendship and familial affection.
After all, she had spent six years alone in the United States. Meeting someone in the organization who was considerate toward her, and nothing like Gin, naturally made her feel closer to him. As a child, she had once wished for an older brother who could protect her and her sister. Nanase Tōru fit that wish almost perfectly.
But the more she felt that way, the more stubbornly she hid it. Keeping a cold expression, she said, "You're so noisy. I'm going to eat."
"Oh. Then let's go together."
Ritsu slowed his pace to follow behind her. Because she hadn't properly adjusted her clothes, her lab coat dragged along the floor like a broom, sweeping up dust. Unable to stand it, he reached out and lifted the hem.
"I think we should trim it a bit."
"I'll grow taller."
"Then at least pull it up a little, it's dragging on the ground and getting dirty."
"…Fine."
Ritsu couldn't help but feel that his dynamic with Shiho was rather strange. They had known each other for less than a month, yet it felt like they had lived together for years.
Maybe it was because he had grown up as an only child. Combined with the false kindness and betrayal he had experienced in the past, he instinctively wanted to give her the care he himself had never received, hoping this girl, deprived of her freedom, could at least live a little better.
The two arrived at the cafeteria and began their first meal of the day. Ritsu, somewhat unusually, took a double portion of fish and chips. The fries were paired with sweet and tangy ketchup, while the fish came with classic tartar sauce.
The skinless, deboned Atlantic cod was coated in a prepared batter and fried in beef fat for an authentic British flavor. The exterior was golden and crispy, while the fish inside remained perfectly white and tender. Dipped in tartar sauce mixed with pickles, lemon juice, and tarragon, it cut through the greasiness with a refreshing sweet-and-sour taste.
If his favorite Japanese dish was salted grilled chicken skewers, then among British cuisine, his favorite was the simple yet ubiquitous fish and chips.
Simple, but undeniably delicious. Ritsu admitted he couldn't resist the charm of fried food. As everyone knew, fried food was tempting enough to make even the neighbor's kid drool.
At Shiho's "enthusiastic recommendation," Ritsu also ate a grape scone, because someone claimed that eating too many carbs and sweets at once would lead to weight gain, so she passed it off to him.
"Alex, I can't finish this pistachio cream puff either."
"…Am I your garbage disposal now?"
"Well, you can think of it that way."
Ritsu rolled his eyes. Shiho really wasn't cute at all. He couldn't help but wonder what she'd be like when she met her sister.
"Next time, don't take so much if you can't finish it."
"Got it."