Detective Conan: Death Note-Chapter 341: Sick

"The target's information has been sent to your mailbox. Don't act until you're absolutely sure you can kill him." After the call connected,

"The target's information has been sent to your mailbox. Don't act until you're absolutely sure you can kill him."

After the call connected, Gin's cold voice echoed sharply through the receiver.

He couldn't wait any longer.

In response, Yoshiki Hayashi let out a few weak coughs.

"...You actually want to make sure you can kill him? Do you really hate your target that much? But... you may have to wait a few more days this time. Ahem, ahem—!"

"What's wrong with you?"

"I accidentally caught a fever... and a bit of a cough. I guess it'll take a few days to get better."

Hayashi Yoshiki's voice was hoarse, raspy.

It was the second day after returning from Koumi Island. Apparently, he'd caught a cold underwater and hadn't rested enough since. Now, he was weak, lightheaded, and coughing constantly.

Hearing the commotion from the other end, Gin frowned.

He had endured countless days and nights preparing Cointreau to eliminate Shūichi Akai, only for him to fail the moment intelligence was handed over.

The frustration brewed inside him like acid.

Just then, he heard Cointreau's hoarse voice:

"But if you're in a hurry, it won't be a problem. I'll take care of it."

"Wait. Wait until you recover."

Gin's voice cut like ice.

When a man is sick, his mind dulls. To ask Cointreau to calculate an "accident" to eliminate Shūichi Akai in such a state? It would be too risky—reckless.

"Hold off before killing. This is an order."

He hung up before Hayashi could respond.

He had to be strict.

He knew that Hayashi Yoshiki might throw his health aside if it meant getting a kill.

On the other end, Hayashi looked at his silent phone and coughed again.

Gin, or rather Bourbon... always so fast.

But when it came to Shūichi Akai, those two were absolutely on the same side—

They both desperately wanted him dead.

Ding-a-ling-ling! Ding-a-ling-ling!

Speaking of Bourbon, he was calling.

Hayashi Yoshiki answered:

"Hello?"

The follow-up investigation had just concluded. Tōru Amuro, who had returned to a desk buried under paperwork, had wanted to call and scold his boss—but paused when he heard the hoarse voice.

"What's wrong with your voice, Boss?"

"Just sick."

"...Are you pretending to be me to get out of something?"

"You're so sharp, Mr. Amuro... ahem!"

Amuro clicked his tongue.

Despite everything, he couldn't bring himself to be angry.

Knowing Shūichi Akai was nearing death left him in high spirits.

So, he told Hayashi to get some rest and hung up.

Hayashi was ready for rest.

At this moment, forced to pause all physical activity due to illness, simply lying in bed doing nothing felt like a luxury.

Though he didn't seem to have much work day-to-day, upon closer look—

He actually had a lot to handle.

Kisaki Eri: [Yoshiki, how do you feel now? Have you taken any medicine?]

Hayashi Yoshiki: [It's OK... I'm going to sleep for a while, and then I'll look for medicine at home.]

Kisaki Eri: [Okay, then you should rest first.]

Hayashi lay down in his room.

Because of the dizziness, it took him quite a while to drift off.

He didn't know how long he'd been out, but the sound of the doorbell stirred him.

His head throbbed as he got up to open the door.

Click...

Someone had been standing outside for over ten minutes.

As soon as she heard the lock, she straightened her expression.

Then, she saw Hayashi Yoshiki, his face noticeably pale.

"...Ran?" Hayashi's voice was gravelly.

"Are you okay, Yoshiki? I brought you some medicine."

Ran Mōri looked at him with concern, stepping inside and closing the door.

"My mom said your house might not have any medicine. Have you taken your temperature? Had breakfast?"

His answers were all no.

Her brows furrowed.

"No. You can't just go to bed sick without eating anything—you'll feel even worse when you wake up!"

Her tone was firm, but gentle.

Hayashi sat down in the living room.

Ran placed the medicine on the table, and awkwardly searched for a cup in the unfamiliar kitchen to bring him warm water.

She hesitated.

He hadn't eaten yet.

Maybe she should check the kitchen first.

Then she remembered—the thermometer!

Even in his daze, Hayashi couldn't help but chuckle at her little stumbles.

Ran handed him the thermometer and instructed him to place it under his arm.

"I didn't see much in the kitchen, so I'll cook some porridge... Brother Yoshiki, eat the porridge, take the medicine, and go back to bed, okay?"

"...Mm. Thank you."

He didn't say "You don't have to go through the trouble".

That surprised her—and made her smile.

She couldn't find an apron, but it didn't matter. For porridge, she didn't need one.

She busied herself in the kitchen while Hayashi Yoshiki felt... unusually quiet. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Being taken care of like this—

It felt warm.

Comforting.

Lying in bed never felt better.

He smiled faintly.

Then started coughing again.

"Drink the water!"

Ran's voice called out from the kitchen.

She leaned forward with a rice pot in her hands, instructing him with that serious look again.

Hayashi Yoshiki nodded with a smile. "I understand."

He sipped the warm water.

By the time Ran returned with the porridge, his temperature had been recorded.

He took out the thermometer; Ran snatched it for a look.

"Thirty-nine... point three. That's a high fever!"

"Really? But I feel okay."

"Brother Yoshiki, what you're saying right now is utter nonsense."

A fever over 39°C.

Looking at his pale face, Ran felt she could not relax.

She rushed to the fridge to prepare ice packs.