"Sorry, Yoshiki... I really do worry about Shinichi."

The moment the girl stepped into the room, she spoke first.

The countryside at night was always very quiet.

Outside the inn's window was the silent village night view — all that could be heard were the chirping of insects and the occasional rustling of leaves in the forest.

It was not very convenient, but staying here felt surprisingly comfortable.

"Why say sorry? I totally understand. After all, Ran and Shinichi grew up as childhood friends."

"..."

Ran nodded softly.

"Because I grew up with Shin— and I know him very well... so seeing him like this today made me really worried."

"...I've been through that too."

"A blank mind — even though people around say all sorts of things related to you, your brain just can't recall or connect. It's very painful and frustrating."

She said this, unconsciously lowering her head, her voice dimming.

"But what made me feel lucky was that back then, I was surrounded by many people who cared and loved me — like Mom and Dad, Hayashi Yoshiki, Sonoko, and Conan... But Shinichi is different. Right now, he has nothing and no one by his side, and even the villagers here despise him."

"In this situation, it's hard for me to ignore him."

"So, I want to apologize to you, Yoshiki—"

Her suddenly serious gaze startled Hayashi Yoshiki.

Just as he braced himself to hear something unpleasant, Ran said,

"It seems I neglected your feelings today."

"..."

"You clearly declined the request, but still actively got involved in this matter...

During the day, I noticed you didn't seem very interested, and just now, you were still watching Shinichi closely."

Ran's expression grew a little embarrassed,

"Maybe I didn't do well, and I ignored your feelings..."

Putting himself in her shoes — if someone you liked kept worrying about and watching your childhood friend who disappeared for a long time, it would definitely feel uncomfortable.

Ran hugged Hayashi Yoshiki gently.

"Are you mad, Yoshiki?"

"Well, just a little."

"That's why I couldn't help but reply so rudely to that annoying reporter earlier."

"Don't be mad now."

Knowing she was at fault, Ran shyly pouted.

Hayashi Yoshiki laughed.

"To be honest, when you said sorry as soon as you came into my room, I thought you were about to say something bad."

"...Something bad?"

Ran thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled,

"Of course not!"

"Oh, so it's impossible?"

She nodded.

Then, under Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze, blushing slightly, she said shyly,

"Actually, seeing Shinichi today made me even more sure."

"What?"

"...I like you, Yoshiki."

She blushed and looked down, her voice quiet as a mosquito's buzz.

Back when Shinichi Kudo hadn't disappeared yet and was still around every day, Ran already suspected she liked him.

But today, seeing Shinichi, she realized her heart felt nothing at all.

Besides the concern and worry as childhood friends, there were no extra feelings...

On the contrary, seeing Hayashi Yoshiki's behavior today made her subconsciously anxious and worried if she had done something wrong.

So, she truly liked Hayashi Yoshiki.

What made Ran feel a little self-loathing was that when she learned Shinichi had lost his memory, she subconsciously felt a slight relief... but she quickly dismissed that thought.

Yet, after fully realizing her feelings, the girl's mind brightened suddenly.

After saying that, she courageously met Hayashi Yoshiki's eyes and saw him looking quite happy.

"Though I'm happy... if you give up just because of what I said, wouldn't I look like a fool for being upset all day?"

"So what now?"

"Show me the proof that you like me."

Proof — how do you show that?

She almost immediately realized Hayashi Yoshiki was about to use some trick to tease her, but she didn't stop him right away.

Because the thrill of realizing her feelings and knowing that Yoshiki was jealous all day — embarrassed but also a bit giddy — made her heart flutter a little.

Hayashi Yoshiki directly took her hand and led her deeper into the room.

In the middle of the inn was a futon laid on the tatami floor.

"Your pajamas are cute, Ran."

She didn't answer, only looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with eyes that weren't quite calm.

Since what happened at the Mihama Second Apartment, the two of them had a few moments when Hayashi Yoshiki's high testosterone blood levels physically showed, and Ran had grabbed his hand several times...

Though she still couldn't actively reach out herself, whenever Hayashi Yoshiki insisted firmly, she would stretch out her hand.

"Yoshiki, are you going to get rechecked sometime?"

"Yeah, after this is all over, I'll find time to get rechecked."

"Okay."

Hayashi Yoshiki reached out his hand.

Just as Ran thought he wanted to comfort her like a child, his hand moved in the opposite direction.

"Ah!"

She let out a small, surprised cry and squeezed Hayashi Yoshiki's hand tightly.

"What's wrong?"

"...I should be the one asking you that — what do you want to do?"

"Didn't I just say I want to see proof that you like me?"

His face came so close it was almost touching her ear.

That calm yet gentle voice carried an inexplicable seductive feeling that made Ran's gaze go a bit blank.

While she silently neither spoke nor protested immediately, Hayashi Yoshiki pressed on firmly:

"Don't worry, it's not what you're thinking...

Or do you not trust me? Leave it to me."

"But this is too strange, Yoshiki!"

Rather than let her resist awkwardly out of modesty and confusion, Hayashi Yoshiki cut her off.

He directly covered her mouth, swallowing all her words.

"!"