Disclaimer: Detective Conan is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
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4-chome 14, Beika Town.
This was the first time Rena had come to the Organization's hospital. Because her injuries were severe, Ritsu had no choice but to carry her in his arms. He walked briskly through the back door of the shooting club and, via a stairway, reached the Organization's underground hospital on the basement level.
Familiar with the route, he quickly arrived at Taylors's consultation room. Since his hands were occupied, he lightly kicked the half-closed door open and looked inside at Taylors, who was sitting there munching on potato chips while reading a manga.
"Taylors, stop eating," he said.
Clearly not expecting to see him outside of a checkup day, Taylors smiled and glanced at Rena in Ritsu's arms, feigning surprise. "Oh my? Macallan has a girlfriend now? How disappointing, I was rooting for you and G—"
She quickly covered her mouth and laughed awkwardly. "Oops, almost said what I was really thinking (>_<)!"
As expected, he really disliked this doctor, there was always something off about her.
Annoyed, Ritsu said, "She's not my girlfriend. Stop messing around and treat her injuries, she's already going into shock."
"Yes, yes, coming right up~"
Despite seeming unreliable, Taylors' medical skills were exceptional. In about twenty minutes, she had fully treated all of Rena's wounds.
After washing the blood off her hands, she pulled back the curtain and said, "All done. Take her away, I'm going back to my manga."
Having effectively been shown the door, Ritsu helped the still-weak Rena upstairs. As they reached the parking lot by the back entrance, he noticed a familiar Porsche parked next to his car.
Gin and Vodka.
When Rena recognized them, her pale face flushed slightly from the surge of emotion. Still, she concealed her hatred well and softly greeted them as she approached. "Gin-san… Vodka-san. I didn't expect to see you here."
Gin gave her a brief glance before shifting his gaze to Ritsu. "Macallan, explain what happened."
"I'll get her into the car first." After settling Rena into the passenger seat, Ritsu sat on the hood and reported everything that had happened an hour earlier.
After listening, Vodka couldn't help but glance at the resting Rena. He hadn't expected such a beautiful woman to be so ruthless, so femme fatales really did exist.
"You're saying the dead rat was Jack Daniels?"
"Yeah. I've met him before, I wouldn't mistake him."
Who would've thought these rats had such patience, lurking inside the Organization for thirteen years? And that the undercover agent had been discovered by a newcomer like Rena, even biting off his own wrist at the critical moment to secure a chance at survival… impressive grit.
'A seed worth cultivating.'
A faint smile flickered in Gin's dark green eyes. After extinguishing his cigarette, he said in a low voice, "I'll report this to the higher-ups. Both of you did well. But, any idea who he was?"
Ritsu shook his head. "No way to tell. When his accomplice arrived and I questioned him, he bit down on cyanide hidden in his teeth and killed himself."
"Tch, doesn't matter. As long as they're dead." Gin patted Ritsu on the shoulder twice. "You'll be responsible for training this woman from here on. I imagine she'll be assigned a codename soon."
"Understood. She's definitely a rare talent."
"Take her back and let her rest. Have her take a few days off from the TV station."
"Got it."
After watching the Porsche drive off, Ritsu got into his car and noticed Rena had fallen asleep in her seat. After a moment's hesitation, he took off his jacket and draped it over her before starting the engine and driving away.
Fortunately, her address was in the files. Otherwise, it would've been troublesome.
Rena didn't wake up until more than two hours later. Seeing Ritsu sitting in the car playing with his phone, she realized he had been waiting for her to wake up.
Of course, she didn't appreciate this kindness. The thought of him coldly shooting her father still ignited uncontrollable hatred within her.
But appearances had to be maintained. She neatly folded the jacket and handed it back. "Thanks for the coat. You don't need to walk me up."
"Oh." Ritsu put away his phone and said calmly, "Rest at home for the next few days. After that, you'll be working with me, so once you've recovered, I'll train you in combat and shooting."
"…Alright."
He watched her head upstairs and only drove off after confirming that the lights in the innermost apartment on the third floor had turned on.
As he drove, he recalled the scene in the abandoned warehouse. It was best that Gin hadn't grown suspicious but there was still something about it that gave him an indescribable, subtle unease.
It seemed necessary to have Hiro investigate which organization that undercover agent named Hondō belonged to. Ritsu drafted an email and sent it to a number he hadn't saved, yet knew by heart.
[Ritsu: E1200Tmr.]
It meant meeting at point E at noon tomorrow, point E being a ramen shop in Beika Town.
Back in his rented apartment, Hiro was finishing a late-night bowl of soba when he saw the message. He was surprised, usually he was the one to set the time and place and it had only been a week since their last meeting. Had something important happened?
After slurping up the last of the noodles and wiping his mouth, he deleted the email and dialed a number.
"Sir, Ritsu has requested a meeting. Should I approve it?"
"Mm. It's rare for him to take the initiative, go meet him."
"Understood." He was about to hang up when he realized it was quite late and added, "Apologies for disturbing your rest."
"Heh, it's fine. Get some rest early… Morofushi."
"Yes, sir."
After the call ended, Hiro felt a hint of excitement. He'd get to see Ritsu again… he just hoped nothing bad had happened.
Ritsu hadn't expected a reply, but nine minutes later he received a single "1", signifying approval.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. After deleting the message, he stepped on the gas and headed back to his apartment. Just moments ago, Rei had messaged him asking where he'd gone.
And right on cue, the phone rang again.
"Macallan, where have you been? You didn't even reply to my message."
"Something came up in the Organization, but it's been handled. I'm on my way back now, mind making me a late-night meal? I haven't eaten dinner yet."
"Sure, but we're low on ingredients. Is omurice okay?"
"That works."