Detective Conan: Death Note-Chapter 342: Strike While the Iron is Hot

Midsummer, late August. In the lazy afternoon, the air conditioner in the room operated quietly, blowing cool air slowly toward the center.

Midsummer, late August.In the lazy afternoon, the air conditioner in the room operated quietly, blowing cool air slowly toward the center.

Dada... Dada...Amidst those tiny sounds.

His body still felt weak. Slowly, he opened his eyes.Before his vision adjusted to the light, he felt a pair of hands adjusting the ice pack on his forehead—Then he saw Ran moving a chair and sitting beside his bed.

"Brother Yoshiki, are you awake? How do you feel?"

"...I don't know. I don't think I'm that dizzy anymore."

"Then let's take your temperature again. Do you want some water?"

"Okay."

Hayashi Yoshiki was quick to accept advice.Ran immediately got up to get the thermometer.When she came back, she saw that Yoshiki had taken off the ice pack and was covering his forehead with the back of his hand.

Noticing this, she asked:"What are you doing?"

"It hurts a little... from the ice pack."

"Because it's too cold," the girl replied, flashing a warm, bright smile.Yoshiki took the thermometer, and Ran reached out with a gentle touch, covering his forehead with her soft palm.

...

He didn't say anything.For some reason, Ran couldn't help but sneak a glance at his expression.

It was very quiet.Yoshiki's face was always handsome.As a man, his features were delicate. His black eyes sometimes appeared deep, but Ran could always catch the warm flicker inside them.

But today, his face was paler than usual.

"37.4 degrees... that's great. The fever has gone down a lot."

"Thank you, Ran."

"Don't keep saying that to me, Yoshiki," she pouted cutely.

She unconsciously made a playful expression and said in a clear voice:"Otherwise, I'll never be able to repay you for all the help you've given me, no matter how many times I thank you."

Yoshiki was speechless.But the girl... was actually feeling happy.

I finally helped Brother Yoshiki again...

Two days ago, although her reaction was a little slow, Ran had been very happy when she saw Yoshiki protect her—even if she'd caused him trouble in the end.

We can't always let Yoshiki carry everything alone... 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Have you been reading here?"

"Yeah. I saw a lot of books on your shelf, so I picked one up at random."

Ran looked toward the bookshelf.Detective novels, encyclopedias, biographies... and many books related to psychology.

She found several books specifically about memory.She remembered her mother, Kisaki Eri, once telling her that when she had lost her memory after witnessing Officer Sato being shot, Yoshiki had looked into psychological studies on memory.

At the time, that had touched her.But today, seeing the thick, annotated books herself, she realized how heavy her mother's words had been.

Yoshiki sat up.His fever was mostly gone, and his head clearer, so he considered getting out of bed.

"Brother Yoshiki?"

"You made me drink so much water..."

"Oh, oh!"She blushed.

After finishing up and returning to the living room, Yoshiki noticed that the apartment looked... cleaner.At that moment, Ran came out of the room, her pretty face glowing with a smile.

"Brother Yoshiki, is there anything you want to eat? I'll help you make something now—"

Before she could finish—

Yoshiki hugged her.

Caught by surprise, she was suddenly in his large, warm arms.

"Y-Yoshiki...?"There was a clear surprise in her voice.

But Yoshiki tightened his grip slightly.Unlike that moment on Koumi Island, his hands now circled her waist and back.It was a firm, full embrace—so close that he could even feel the soft press of her chest against him.

Her whole body was wrapped in his warmth.Afraid to move, unsure what to do, Ran looked at him with watery eyes, flustered.

But Yoshiki was only focused on her lips.And as if testing her, his lips slowly moved closer.

Ran's heart began to pound.So close...

Is he really going to kiss me...?Or... will he stop like last time...?

Her lashes trembled in panic.In that moment, she lost the ability to think.Under that paralyzing tension—Yoshiki's lips gently brushed hers.

Her eyes widened.

"Mmm..."

With the previous experience of artificial respiration, Yoshiki knew—Now was the time to strike while the iron was hot.

He gently cradled the back of her head with one hand, soothing her anxiety.

Ran's whole body was stiff.She subconsciously held her breath.

A wave of shame and nervous heat rushed to her cheeks.Her scalp tingled. Her mind buzzed.

Yoshiki gently tasted the moisture and softness of her lips... then pulled away.

"You're so cute, Ran."

Her cheeks were as red as apples. Her eyes, confused and hesitant.

Especially after hearing that, Ran's brain felt like it had short-circuited.

He really kissed me...

She had imagined this moment ever since that night, but now that it had really happened—it felt surreal.

"Brother Yoshiki...?"

"...Did I bother you?"

"I... I don't know—"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself this time."

Yoshiki leaned toward her ear, whispering:

"Actually... after I gave you artificial respiration, Ran... I haven't been able to sleep."

Thump.

The wave of shame was overwhelming.Ran wanted to escape—her heart was racing. But her body didn't respond.

She lowered her head.Her pulse thundered in her chest.

She didn't know if she was happy or overwhelmed.All she knew was that she couldn't bring herself to reject Yoshiki.

Emotions tangled in her mind.Though her feet were on the ground, she felt light-headed—like floating.

Yoshiki took the chance to hug her tighter.Seeing her still pretending not to understand what just happened, her head bowed—

He smiled, lowered his head again—

And kissed her, hard.

"Mmm— Mmm—"