I'm in Conan, I'm not a gangster

Chapter 681 Identity (2nd Update)
The next morning the sun was shining brightly.

After breakfast, Shiraishi E drove the car, carrying Miyano Elena, Akemi, and Ai, towards Beika University in Beika Town.

Throughout the journey, Elena Miyano appeared somewhat silent and nervous. She gazed at the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar street scenes rushing past the window, her hands nervously twisting together.

Akemi and Ai stood on either side of her, occasionally pointing out the window and talking about lighthearted topics to try to ease her anxiety.

The vehicle stopped near the main gate of Mihana University.

Wild Elena took a deep breath and got out of the car.

She stood at the university gate, gazing up at the solemn school gate and the youthful buildings inside, her eyes filled with nostalgia and a hint of confusion.

Guided by her memory, she wandered around the university.

The teaching building seems to have been renovated; the colors are brighter. A new laboratory building has been added next to the library. The grove of trees I used to frequent seems to have shrunk considerably. Even the benches along the roadside have been redesigned…

Everything was subtly different from the Mihana University she remembered, as if separated by a thin veil, both familiar and strange.

She mustered her courage and walked toward a teaching building where she had once taken classes. Just then, she saw an elderly professor with white hair and reading glasses slowly walking out with a cane, supported by a young man.

Elena Miyano froze on the spot—she recognized the old professor as the elegant and promising young teacher she remembered!

Back then, he was the object of admiration for many female students.

Now, however, time has left such deep marks on him.

This scene made her heart sink.

Next, she went to the restaurant near the school where she used to work, a place she remembered from her school.

Thankfully, the shop is still there, and the sign remains the same.

She pushed open the shop door, and the wind chimes rang out crisply.

Behind the counter, an elderly man with almost completely white hair and a slightly hunched back was wiping cups.

He looked up and saw Elena Miyano walking in. A look of surprise appeared on his face, and he subconsciously let out a "Huh?"

The old man adjusted his reading glasses, scrutinized her closely, and exclaimed in surprise, "Miss... you look just like a part-time girl I had many years ago. She had beautiful blonde hair, fair skin, and was very cute, just like you. Her Japanese wasn't very fluent back then, and she had a slight accent..."

Upon hearing this, Elena Miyano felt as if her heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand.

She lowered her head timidly and replied softly, "Is...is that so?"

The old club president seemed lost in memories, then suddenly slapped his thigh and raised his voice: "Yes! That's the expression! Shy and easily embarrassed!"

"I remember it so clearly. When she came looking for a part-time job, she stood back and forth in front of my shop for over thirty minutes, too scared to come in! In the end, I felt sorry for her and thought she was so cute, so I went out and asked her. That's when I found out she was looking for a part-time job!! Hahaha, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye..."

The old president's hearty laughter and incredibly clear memories were like the last straw, completely crushing the last vestiges of hope in Elena Miyano's heart.

Her face turned pale instantly, and she mumbled in a daze, "I'm sorry... I disturbed you..." Then she turned around abruptly and rushed out of the shop as if she were running away.

Shiraishi E, Akemi, and Ai immediately followed.

They didn't immediately approach her to disturb her; they simply followed silently behind her, keeping a distance.

Elena Miyano wandered aimlessly until she entered the nearby Beika Park, where she sat down listlessly on a bench.

She stared blankly at the pigeons pecking at the ground in front of her, her expression filled with pain, confusion, and helplessness.

An eighteen-year-old's understanding is simply inadequate to properly handle the impact of this dramatic change in identity that spans more than twenty years.

All of this was too bizarre and too heavy for her.

As Akemi and Ai looked at their mother's fragile and helpless figure, their hearts tightened, and they instantly realized how much pressure and burden their eagerness to help their mother regain her memories and acknowledge her identity was putting on this "girl" with the mind of an eighteen-year-old.

The two looked at each other, their eyes filled with heartache and regret.

They walked quickly forward and sat down on either side of Elena Miyano.

Mingmei gently grasped her mother's cold hand, her voice soft and choked with emotion: "Mom... I'm sorry... we were too anxious... we forced you to remember so many things..."

Ai whispered, "Yes... Mom. It's okay if you don't remember the past, it's really okay. For us, the most important thing is not the memories of the past, but that you can wake up, live healthily, and live with us... That's enough."

Hearing her daughters' heartfelt words of no longer forcing her daughters, Elena Miyano finally couldn't hold back her tears and they burst into tears.

She nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her young cheeks, her voice choked yet firm: "Yes... I... I can't remember anything... but... I will try my best to adapt... to be a good mother to you... I will... I will take care of you as much as possible... I'm sorry... for making you worry..."

The mother and her two daughters hugged each other tightly and cried together, their pent-up emotions finally being released and resolved.

Standing not far away, Shiraishi E watched this scene of finally breaking the ice and embracing, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

He wisely refrained from disturbing them, instead turning around and walking towards the vending machine in the distance, intending to buy a cup of coffee and give them enough time to be alone and repair their relationship.

Just as Shiraishi E was leisurely sipping her hot coffee from a vending machine not far away, the tranquility of the park was suddenly shattered. A plainly dressed man who had been strolling around nearby greedily scanned the three women—Miyano, her mother, and her two daughters—who were sitting on a bench embracing each other.

His attention was immediately drawn to their seemingly understated yet expensive clothes, handbags, and accessories—Akami and Ai had specially dressed in their best clothes to welcome their mother's "rebirth."

The man looked around and found that there were few tourists nearby. A wicked thought instantly clouded his mind.

Evil comes from the most courageous side!
The man suddenly pulled a switchblade from his pocket, snapped it open with a "snap," and lunged forward, threatening in a low voice, "Hey! You three! If you don't want to get hurt, hand over all your valuables! Now!"

Akemi and Ai's expressions changed instantly!
They never expected to be robbed at knifepoint in the park!

Shiraishi E was not around, and they did not have any weapons for self-defense.

For safety's sake, the two exchanged a glance. Although they were unwilling, they decided to pay to avoid further trouble.

“Okay…okay…don’t be impulsive…we’ll give it to you…” Mingmei said as she prepared to take off her handbag.

The robber was overjoyed to see this, he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly!
He couldn't wait to grab the bag that Mingmei handed him, his attention completely drawn to the luxury item.

However, at this very moment!
A sudden change occurred!

Elena Miyano, who had always appeared weak and timid, like a frightened little bird, suddenly sharpened her eyes!
Her movements were as fast as lightning, without any warning!
With a swift movement, her left hand struck the robber's wrist with a precise chop, like a snake emerging from its hole!

"Ah!" The robber cried out in pain as the knife flew out of his hand!

But this is not over yet!
Almost simultaneously with knocking the weapon away, Elena Miyano grabbed the robber's injured wrist with her right hand and pulled him sharply towards her! The force caused the robber to lose his balance instantly and stagger forward!

Meanwhile, Elena Miyano's right knee, like a long-awaited heavy hammer, slammed upwards with a whoosh, striking the unsuspecting robber's abdomen!
"Ugh—!" The robber's eyes bulged out instantly, he almost vomited up the acid in his stomach, and his body twisted into a shrimp-like shape in pain.

The final, decisive blow followed immediately!

Elena Miyano seized the moment when the other man stiffened from the pain, released his wrist, and used the force of twisting her waist to quickly rotate half a circle, delivering an extremely fierce spinning back kick. Her heel, like a battle axe, slammed heavily into the robber's temple!

"Bang!" There was a muffled sound.

The robber didn't even get a chance to groan before his vision went black, and like a puppet with its strings cut, he collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.

From the sudden attack to the complete subjugation of the assailant, the entire process took only two or three seconds!

The movements are clean, crisp, and fluid, exuding power and a ruthless efficiency!

This scene left Akemi and Ai, who were standing nearby, completely dumbfounded, their minds almost completely blank!
Mingmei's mouth dropped open, and she stood there stunned for several seconds before stammering in disbelief, "Mom...Mom...you...you...how...are you so amazing?!"

This is completely different from the image of her mother in her memory, who was gentle and kind and couldn't even open a bottle cap!
Ai's icy blue eyes widened, her little face filled with shock, as if she were seeing her mother for the first time!

Looking at the robber lying on the ground, and then at her two daughters' shocked expressions, Elena Miyano quickly regained her previous slightly embarrassed and timid demeanor, and explained in a low voice, "Well... going to study abroad so far away by myself... I should... I should learn some fighting skills to protect myself... otherwise... how could I dare to come?"

Her tone seemed to have reverted to that of a shy international student.

This explanation seemed reasonable enough. Akemi and Ai exchanged a glance. Although they felt it was a bit too "amazing," they reluctantly accepted the explanation and nodded in understanding.

Just then, clear applause came from not far away.

"Slap, slap, slap..."

Shiraishi E walked over slowly, clapping her hands and sipping her coffee.

With a playful smile on his face, his gaze landed precisely on Elena Miyano, who was trying to "get away with it."

"Impressive... Elena." Shiraishi's tone was appreciative, but also carried a hint of knowing teasing: "This skill is clean and neat, with tricky angles and precise force... It doesn't seem like the self-defense level of an amateur."

He stepped closer, looked into Elena Miyano's eyes, and slowly said, "There are no outsiders here. There's no need to keep lying to your own daughter, is there?"

Elena Miyano's embarrassed smile froze for a moment, her eyes darted around, and she lowered her head shyly: "You...you figured it out?"

Shiraishi E nodded and said with certainty, "Yes, I can see that. All your movements—dodging, counterattacking, subduing the enemy—are reactions made entirely by your body's instincts under extreme tension."

"This kind of muscle memory and combat awareness is something that ordinary training can't achieve. You've received very professional training, perhaps even... in some special field."

His gaze deepened.

Upon hearing this, Elena Miyano knew she couldn't hide it any longer and could only nod helplessly.

She looked up apologetically at Akemi and Ai, who still looked bewildered. Her voice regained its previous mature tone, but it was still tinged with apology: "Um... I'm sorry... Mom didn't mean to keep it from you... I just... I just haven't fully gotten used to your current identities and... my own new identity yet... about some details of my past... We... we'll talk about it slowly when we get back, okay?" Her eyes were pleading.

Akemi and Ai looked at their mother's sudden change in demeanor and tone, then at the unconscious robber on the ground, and then at Shiraishi E who seemed to know something. The two were even more bewildered and confused.

They looked at each other, and finally nodded, choosing to temporarily suppress the countless questions in their hearts.

"Okay...okay, Mom..."

(End of this chapter)