Isn't it very scientific to use the Death Note to kill people?

But the more understanding Lin Jiashu acted, the more heartbroken and guilty she felt.

Ultimately, if he hadn't been hesitant, why would Yoshiki have felt uneasy?

He sacrificed so much for me, endured so much hardship, and all he wanted now was more intimacy and reassurance, but I...

Looking at Jia Shu's seemingly dark eyes and gentle smile, Xiao Lan suddenly felt conflicted again.

"Okay, it's alright. By the way, have you decided where to eat and what to eat tonight?"

Lin Jiashu suddenly changed the subject.

It was truly heartbreaking to see him suddenly become relaxed and start seriously considering the matter.

"..."

Xiaolan was speechless.

Unable to get a response, Lin Jiashu could only continue his awkward one-man show. He smiled but didn't make eye contact with Xiaolan: "How about the barbecue? Speaking of which, I saw a kaiseki restaurant that looked pretty good last time... but I've always felt that those kinds of restaurants aren't worth eating at. How about we go eat cake first?"

"Brother Jiashu..."

Would you like to eat cake first?

"...No, that's not it."

She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.

Although her cheeks were still bright red, her eyes became determined.

She leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Lin Jiashu's neck, buried her burning cheeks in the crook of his shoulder, and whispered in his ear in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet crystal clear:

"Brother Jiashu... I'm sorry... I made you sad..."

"Well, actually, I... am willing."

After saying that, she seemed to burst into flames, even her small earlobes turned bright red.

She didn't dare to look up, but simply hugged him tighter, letting her actions speak for themselves.

Lin Jiashu's body seemed to stiffen slightly.

"There's no need to go this far..."

"No, I'm serious..."

Lin Jiashu paused.

Xiaolan still didn't look up.

The air in the room seemed to fall silent for a moment.

It's been so long...

Lin Jiashu's voice became a little hoarse: "Or how about sushi?"

He is still giving her one last chance to refuse.

But Xiaolan could understand that Jiashu was testing her feelings cautiously because he lacked a sense of security, and of course she didn't want to hurt him... Similarly, his restrained gentleness suddenly gave her more courage.

She looked up at the corners of his eyes, which were stained red, at the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, and at his undisguised reflection of himself in his eyes... all her defenses had unknowingly vanished completely.

The girl didn't speak, but nodded with all her might, almost imperceptibly. Then, as if she had exhausted all her courage, she buried her burning cheeks deep in his neck and stopped looking at him.

This subtle nod was like opening the final floodgates.

"...I like Yoshiki-san."

So, it doesn't matter.

Chapter 42: How about a Ramos Golden Fizz?

夜晚

The room, filled with warm breath, had its thick curtains drawn, preventing any light from entering.

What time is it now?

It seems like so much time has passed...

Her feverish mind wandered through these questions, and in the light of the bedside lamp, her body trembled slightly once again…

"Ugh, Yoshiki-nii..."

Her usually innocent brows were now furrowed in distress, and her soft voice sounded broken and intermittent as she swayed.

I can't think of anything.

My head felt like it was melting...

The place where I came into contact with Yoshiki felt incredible.

The feeling of our hands touching was also very warm.

Her fair and slender hands were placed on either side, her palms pressed tightly together with Lin Jiashu's.

The call that came from her throat was exceptionally sweet. As her body seemed to tense up and sparks seemed to flicker in front of her, she thought she heard Yoshiki's voice becoming urgent as well...

"Xiao Lan—"

Lin Jiashu abruptly stopped and quickly stood up.

A moment later,

Looking at Xiaolan, who had her arm pressed against her forehead and her fair belly turned into a Want Want rice cracker, seemingly still a little dazed, Lin Jiashu breathed a sigh of relief.

He lay down next to her.

After a long while,

As my body gradually regained consciousness and my feverish brain quickly calmed down, my sweaty body cooled down and I finally felt the low temperature from the air conditioner in the room.

Xiao Lan couldn't help but shrink back.

The warm yellow light gently fell, and Lin Jiashu reached out and gently embraced her.

Goosebumps rose on the girl's fair skin, forcing Lin Jiashu to grab the remote and turn up the room temperature.

"..."

Lin Jiashu lay on his side, gently stroking Xiaolan's smooth back. His gaze lingered on her still flushed cheeks and slightly damp eyelashes, filled with obvious satisfaction and affection.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a low voice, which was strangely sexy to Xiaolan. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

Xiaolan buried her face deeper into the soft pillow, only her watery eyes showing. Too shy to meet his gaze, her voice muffled, like it was coated in honey: "It's...it's alright..."

Lin Jiashu chuckled softly.

His fingertips gently traced her delicate shoulder blades, feeling her slight tremor: "Just 'okay'?" He teased her deliberately, lowering his head to breathe warm air near her burning earlobe, "I thought..."

"Brother Jiashu!" Xiaolan was so embarrassed that she turned around abruptly, covered his mouth with her small hand, and her cheeks turned as red as ripe tomatoes. "Don't say it!"

Seeing her adorably embarrassed expression, Lin Jiashu's smile deepened.

He took her hand, placed it to his lips, and gently kissed her fingertips, then readily remained silent.

He stopped teasing her, and simply pulled her back into his arms, letting her lean against his chest. His fingers continued to gently stroke her long hair and back, as if comforting a kitten that had finally relaxed after being frightened.

The two embraced quietly, enjoying this peaceful moment where they seemed to have nothing to think about.

Listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat and feeling the warmth from his chest, Xiaolan's initial discomfort and shyness were gradually replaced by a wonderful feeling.

Is it more accurate to say they're eager to try?

Or is it just a feeling of unreality...?

An indescribable feeling prompted her to secretly raise her eyes and look at Yoshiki's beautifully shaped jawline and the corners of his lips with a gentle smile. Her heart felt as if it were filled with something.

After a few more tender moments, Lin Jiashu glanced at the time on her watch and said softly, "It's already past eight o'clock..."

"Ah."

"Although it's not late, I still have a feeling that Aunt Eri will suddenly ask us where we went on our date and what we ate."

"...How do I tell her?"

Xiao Lan was a little embarrassed.

To be honest, she's not very good at lying.

"Let's think about what we want to eat first?"

How about going to McDonald's?

She looked at him and suddenly smiled broadly.

Lin Jiashu couldn't help but smile.

"Do you need it now?"

He gently patted her bottom, and Xiaolan still gets shy because of his actions... but knowing that she had to get up now, she quickly nodded gently.

Lin Jiashu got up and considerately brought her the clothes scattered to the side, carefully tidying them up for her. Watching his focused and gentle movements, Xiaolan felt a surge of tenderness in her heart.

After spending some time getting ready in the bathroom, Lin Jiashu took her hand and led her out.

The two of them tiptoed out.

—Since Eri said she had time to eat out today, it means she had already finished get off work, so she's probably already home.

Fortunately, they weren't discovered until they went out and took the elevator down. It was only when they arrived at the underground parking lot that Lin Jiashu took out his car keys to unlock it and discovered that Eri Kisaki's Mini Cooper was parked in the next parking space.

"...It seems like we can't keep it a secret any longer."

Lin Jiashu chuckled softly.

However, even if it is discovered that the two of them have been spending time together in one room, it's not a big deal.

After having dinner with her, Lin Jiashu took her back to the Mouri Detective Agency as it was getting late.

Tokyo at night is ablaze with neon lights and bustling with traffic.

Inside the car, Yoko Okino's newly released pop song was playing. Xiaolan leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the dazzling lights rushing past the window. The persistent, aching pain deep inside her body kept reminding her of everything that had happened that day.

That wasn't a dream.

She really... took that final step with Yoshiki-san.

A strange, complex emotion, a mixture of melancholy and sweetness, slowly welled up in my heart.

It wasn't until she was almost home that she realized she seemed different from how she was a few hours earlier.

Something intangible yet important has changed, leaving a slight emptiness in my heart, as if I've said goodbye to a part of my girlhood, yet it also feels heavy, filled with another, deeper emotion.

She quietly turned her head to the side.

Looking at Lin Jiashu, who was focused on driving beside me, I saw the lights flickering on his handsome profile, and his long, strong fingers gripping the steering wheel.

Seeing this scene, the girl's slight melancholy vanished, replaced by an unwavering tenderness.

That's just her personality; once she's made up her mind, she'll give it her all, without reservation.

The car slowly came to a stop downstairs in front of the Mori Detective Agency.

"We're here." Lin Jiashu parked the car, turned to look at her, and said with a gentle gaze.

"Ah."

Xiaolan nodded and unbuckled her seatbelt.

She took a deep breath, turned to Lin Jiashu, and gave him a gentle yet slightly shy smile, her eyes sparkling. "Brother Jiashu, thank you for bringing me back. Today... I'm very happy."

Her smile was pure and warm, without any impurities, as if it could dispel all gloom.

Lin Jiashu paused for a moment, then smiled and gently ruffled her hair. "I'm happy too... Thank you, Xiaolan. Go on upstairs and get some rest."

"Okay! Take care on the road, Yoshiki-san."

Xiaolan leaned forward and quickly kissed him on the cheek. Then, like a startled deer, she blushed and ran out of the car.

She stood downstairs, waving vigorously at Lin Jiashu in the car until it slowly drove away and disappeared into the night. Only then did she turn around, touch her still burning cheeks, and, carrying his scent, walk briskly upstairs.

Although there was still a slight pain in my lower body, and although I still felt a little unreal about becoming an "adult".

But she doesn't regret it.