Tokyo Detective Chronicles

I don't know how much time passed.

Fushimi Iori's consciousness was like a lonely island slowly rising from the deep sea.

The first thing to recover was my sense of smell; a familiar scent of lavender mixed with sunshine lingered at the tip of my nose, it smelled wonderful.

The smell of blood from the electric chair was completely gone...

Then there's the sense of touch. Beneath me are soft blankets, but my body feels as if it's being pressed down by something warm and soft. I can even feel the slight movement of air around my lips and cheeks.

My eyelids feel heavy, like they're filled with lead, and I can hardly open them.

He struggled for a while before he managed to pry open a small gap.

The blurry vision gradually cleared.

What came into view was an adorable little face so close to my eyes.

His long, white hair, like the finest silk, had a few strands slipping down and gently brushing against his cheeks and neck, causing a slight tickle.

Long eyelashes cascaded down, her delicate nose almost touching Fushimi's, and her warm breath, carrying the sweet scent of a young girl, gently brushed against his lips.

It's Aoi Morikawa.

Her eyes were tightly closed, her cheeks flushed a healthy red, and her trembling lips were slightly pouted.

I don't know what they're trying to do...

Aoi Morikawa wasn't wearing formal attire, but rather a beige loungewear dress with lace trim at the neckline, which looked soft and cute.

Fushimi was somewhat dazed and had not yet fully regained his senses.

After a brief moment of distraction, he painfully closed his eyes again, then opened them to confirm that he was not dreaming.

Should we speak up and stop them?

Or should I pretend to be asleep to avoid embarrassment?

"..."

"Xiao Kui?"

Hearing the sound and sensing something was wrong, Xiao Kui's eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes.

His deep blue eyes, like the clear sky after the rain, were bright and sparkling, and now they met his still somewhat confused gaze.

Eyes facing each other.

The air fell silent for a moment.

"Huh? Ah? Ahhh!"

As if startled, Morikawa Aoi suddenly sat up from her position lying on top of him, her cheeks instantly turning red, the blush spreading all the way to her ears and neck.

She hurriedly sat up, her hands awkwardly adjusting her skirt, her head darting around...

They seem very busy, but it's unclear what they're busy with.

"Um... Brother Iori! You... you're awake!"

"Um……"

Fushimi responded with a slightly hoarse voice.

He slowly propped himself up to sit up, looked around, and found himself in an elegantly furnished guest room at the Morikawa residence.

"How long did I sleep?"

"About two hours." Xiao Kui quickly brought over a glass of water.

Fushimi felt somewhat better after drinking it.

Morikawa Aoi lowered her head, not daring to look at him, her voice barely audible: "I... I just wanted to see if you were awake, Iori-nii-san..."

Fushimi rubbed his head, which was still a little dazed from the electric shock. Morikawa Kanata really went all out. His temples were throbbing and his limbs still felt a little weak.

Fortunately, they obtained the most crucial clue.

That hospital...

He exhaled and looked at Morikawa Aoi. The blush on the girl's face had not completely faded, and her eyes were darting away.

"Ugh!" Seeing Fushimi looking at her, she quickly turned her head away.

Because of what happened when she stumbled upon Aoi's true colors, her personality unexpectedly became bolder, but she never expected that Iori's older brother would see her like that...

My little toe curled up involuntarily, wishing it could disappear into a crack in the ground.

"Xiao Kui".

Fushimi spoke, his tone earnest: "Thank you so much this time."

Kawakita raised her head, her eyes brightening for a moment, but quickly lowered again, and whispered:

"I'm glad I could help my brother Iori..."

"However," Fushimi's tone shifted, his expression turning serious, "we can't do that again next time, it's too reckless..."

Aoi Morikawa felt a warmth in her heart and nodded obediently.

"Okay, I understand... I won't do it again next time."

But in her heart, she thought that if it were Iori's brother's request, she would still do her best... This feeling of being needed by him is so wonderful...

The atmosphere eased slightly.

Just as Fushimi was about to say something more, his phone, which was on the bedside table, suddenly vibrated and the screen lit up, showing a new message.

He has very few contacts on social media, just a handful of people like Rina Hoshizaki and Chiho Hayakawa, so there's nothing he needs to hide.

I casually picked up the phone, unlocked it, and turned it on.

The news comes from Rina Hoshizaki.

[I've prepared my latest deluxe tempura bento for you tomorrow! Get ready!]

It was followed by a smug cat emoji with its hands on its hips.

Yes, I'm really looking forward to it.

Fushimi smiled and replied with an expectant emoji, conveying a strong sense of emotion.

"..."

The blush on Aoi Morikawa's face faded at a visible speed.

She naturally saw everything on the phone... The girl's eyes, which had initially shown shy concern, gradually lost their sparkle...

"Hoshizaki...Rina?" 』

It's a woman's name...

Who is that?

Why did she send a message to Iori's brother?

No... why would she have her brother's contact information?

Why use this tone?

Tomorrow? ...So, she often makes bento boxes for Iori's brother?

Why is she the one doing it?

Doesn't Iori's older brother live alone?

Is she a maid from my brother's household?

Do not……

A maid would never speak to her master in that tone.

Then why did he find another woman to make his lunchbox?

Why didn't you ask me for help? You only needed to ask me, and I would have solved all your problems... including making bento boxes...

Could it be because... I can't cook?

So, in what capacity was this woman surnamed Hoshizaki giving Iori's brother a bento box?

Could it be... his girlfriend?

Why... after I waited for him to wake up, did I reply to messages from other women?

Why did you make that face when you received a message from another woman?

No way... Fushimi-nii is really popular.

Although they are not of marriageable age yet, they are engaged. Why would they do such intimate things with other women?

The light in Aoi Morikawa's eyes completely faded...

After replying to the message, Fushimi looked up and found that Morikawa Aoi was staring at him intently.

His eyes were vacant, as if he were in a daze.

"..."

"Xiao Kui?"

"What's wrong? Are you too tired?" Fushimi asked, puzzled. He reached out and gently stroked the girl's smooth forehead.

Body temperature is normal...

The warmth and gentle touch from her palm made Morikawa Aoi tremble slightly and come back to her senses.

No, no.

Morikawa Aoi looked at Fushimi's face, which was so close to hers.

Blushing, she desperately wanted to ask Bento and that woman named Hoshizaki what was going on, but she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Seeing that she was alright, Fushimi smiled and gently ruffled the girl's soft, fluffy hair.

"I-Iori, my brother!"

Only now, filled with embarrassment, did Morikawa Aoi finally realize that Fushimi Iori...

It seems like they treat her completely like a younger sister!

That kind of thing is not allowed!

No! No! No! ...

"I'll go tell my brother that Iori has woken up!"

After saying that, she stood up without waiting for Fushimi's reply and staggered out of the room.

As Fushimi watched her departing figure, he felt that the girl seemed a little different today, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

He shook his head, probably still a little dazed from the electric shock.

……