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

"Big brother, I'll go chase them in the car!"

Vodka started running towards where their car was parked.

“No need,” Gin stopped him, his voice icy. “Go examine the bodies.”

Vodka immediately complied, striding towards the bodies of the assassins lying in pools of blood.

Gin then used his uninjured right hand to take out his phone and dial a number.

The call was answered almost immediately.

The purpose of the call made at this time was self-evident.

"They actually let him escape? It seems he has quite a few helpers?"

Jundu's relaxed voice came from the other end of the phone.

Although he wasn't there, his accuracy was as if he had foreseen the outcome from the very beginning.

Gin's voice deepened: "Don't disappoint me, Cointreau."

Lin Jiashu chuckled softly on the other end of the phone and ended the call without giving a direct answer.

At this moment, Volt, who had finished examining several corpses, hurried back with a serious expression: "Brother, I've checked them all. They're all unfamiliar faces, and they look like they have mixed backgrounds."

The unfamiliar faces refer to people who are not members of the organization, and their mixed appearances further suggest that their origins are not legitimate. Binga, as Rum's right-hand man, is someone who has suddenly appeared to help him. If he is not a member of the organization authorized by Rum, then two major possibilities are that Rum has been keeping "private soldiers" in the organization, or Binga has colluded with "outsiders".

Gin would find it unbearable no matter what the outcome was.

Vodka handed over several cell phones that had been found on the bodies. "These were found on them. I'll find the tools to crack them later."

"ASAP."

"Understood, brother—"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Earlier time

Inside the submarine

In the individual cells used for detention, the lights were deliberately dimmed to create a false sense of tranquility, isolating the cells from the bloodshed and tension of the outside world.

Ai Haibara was curled up on a makeshift bed in the corner of the room, her arms tightly wrapped around her knees, her small body still trembling slightly.

She could smell Gin.

That guy was the only one she found most terrifying in the organization—

The slight sound of the hatch sliding open made her tremble violently. Like a startled fawn, she raised her head, her eyes filled with vigilance and fear.

But when he saw who walked in, his tense nerves relaxed a little.

It is Hayashi Yoshiki.

He held a steaming cup of milk in his hand, and the familiar expression on his face was reassuring. He closed the door behind him, shutting out the noise and danger from the outside world.

Jun...

Instinctively, Ai Haibara was about to shout it out, but she stopped herself in time.

Since this is the organization's territory, it's hard to say what Jundu's current situation is like. If the organization starts to doubt him because of him, he can't let him reveal more flaws.

Lin Jiashu, however, easily guessed what she was thinking.

He then laughed and said:

"It's no use, we've already been exposed, both of us."

"..."

“Gin has discovered your identity; the evidence is irrefutable. That’s why I’ve been exposed as well.”

His voice was so quiet it was as if he were talking about something he didn't want to talk about.

But Ai Haibara is completely oblivious to this.

Once she heard his words clearly and her brain understood their meaning, the ensuing fear rendered her unable to move.

“But he gave us one last chance. He said… if you’re willing to go back and serve the organization again, he can let you… and me go.”

The air seemed to freeze.

Ai Haibara remained silent, her lowered eyelashes casting faint shadows on her pale cheeks.

go back?

To return to that cold, dark, blood-soaked, and sinful prison, and continue developing those poisons that have claimed countless lives?

No.

Absolutely not—

It was during her time as Ai Haibara that she truly experienced what it meant to be "alive" for the first time.

Professor Agasa's clumsy yet sincere care, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta's unreserved trust and laughter, Edogawa's occasional awkward concern... these insignificant daily moments, like fragments of sunlight, gradually shone into her long-frozen heart.

And of course, there's Cointreau—

This guy who says nothing yet does everything, who makes you worry and furious... Having witnessed such warmth, how can she possibly return to that eternal darkness?

If she goes back, she might really go crazy.

but……

She raised her eyes and looked at Lin Jiashu.

The other person was still standing there, holding that cup of hot milk, their face calm and without any gloom.

Ai Haibara's lips twitched very slightly.

After a while,

She said softly, in an incredibly calm tone, "Is that so... After dreaming for so long, it's time to wake up."

Despite being named Shiho Miyano, she shamelessly steals the life of a girl named Ai Haibara... Such a fantasy is ultimately too fragile.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all the resentment and fear in her chest.

Then, she looked up at Lin Jiashu and gave him a gentle smile that also carried a sense of farewell.

"This time, it's my turn to protect you, Cointreau."

Her eyes were clear and resolute, as if she were prepared to step into hell just to give him a chance at life.

Lin Jiashu was taken aback.

He had anticipated her fear and silence, but he hadn't expected her to choose sacrifice so calmly...

Really are.

He had only intended to tease her and see her panicked expression.

Just as this subtle and heavy silence began to spread, a woman's voice, tinged with a mocking laugh, came from the shadows not far away:

"So you're really good at charming girls, Cointreau."

His voice was languid and magnetic, with a hint of teasing, "Or is this what they call a PUA?"

With the crisp sound of her high heels clicking on the ground, Vermouth swayed gracefully out of the shadows, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Hayashi Yoshiki and Ai Haibara, finally settling on Ai Haibara's bewildered face.

Ai Haibara's body stiffened abruptly the moment she saw Vermouth.

Vermouth—!

She looked behind the other person, wondering if Gin would appear from there next.

Ignoring Vermouth's words, Hayashi Yoshiki's gaze fell on Ai Haibara, who was still trying to remain calm but couldn't hide her slight trembling. Finally, he reached out and ruffled her hair.

Just kidding, Happy April Fool's Day.

"..."

Ai Haibara looked up abruptly, staring at him in disbelief.

Upon seeing the smile on his face, color gradually returned to her pale face—but not quite enough…her entire face flushed red: “April Fool’s Day…?”

"Ah."

"Has your time disorientation gotten this bad? It's April Fool's Day?"

She had no idea how she was feeling; she couldn't help but glare at him, and her voice rose slightly.

"No, so it has nothing to do with April Fool's Day. I just wanted to fool you a little."

"..."

Seeing her wide eyes as if she was about to lose control of her emotions, Lin Jiashu laughed. "I just wanted to joke with you. I thought you would be able to tell when I'm being serious... I'm sorry, I really startled you."

"you--!"

"I would never come to you and say something like that just to save my own life."

In the dim light, his overly bright smile naturally extinguished the girl's anger.

Or rather, even if you're angry, you can't vent it...

Vermouth watched this scene in silence.

She looked at Lin Jiashu with a hint of suspicion in her eyes... She suspected that this guy was playing some kind of trick, but even she couldn't figure it out.

Only then did Ai Haibara have the energy to pay attention to Vermouth.

Looking at this dangerous woman, she knew, of course, that the other woman's position in the organization was not quite right... After all, she had not yet revealed the secret of her and Edogawa's shrinking, but why was she standing with Kimi?

Seeing her wary, hedgehog-like eyes, Vermouth smiled.

"Thank you, little girl."

She lightly traced her light green fingernails across the ginkgo leaf-shaped brooch on her chest, and the words that came out of her mouth made Ai Haibara's eyes widen.

That limited-edition shopping voucher she handed out in the mall?!

Chapter 87: The Mission Accomplished

The roar of the engine sounded particularly jarring on the empty suburban road.

Binga floored the accelerator, and the scenery outside the car window rushed past, blurring into patches of color.

His fingers, gripping the steering wheel so tightly they turned white at the knuckles, were covered in cold sweat, which clung stickily to his skin, mixed with the dust kicked up by the previous explosion.

Still shaken.

Gin is absolutely insane!

He actually dared to disregard Rum's feelings and directly try to kill himself, using such a flimsy excuse!

While lurking on the Pacific buoys, Binga had already witnessed the power of the cross-age tracking system many times, so that guy's accusation was completely unfounded!

The violent jolting aggravated the gunshot wound in his shoulder, and a piercing pain made his vision blur, causing him to groan involuntarily. Blood had already soaked through half of his clothes, sticking stickily to his skin.

Only after confirming in the rearview mirror that no vehicles were following for a long time did Binga's highly tense nerves relax slightly, and he finally had time to think about all this absurdity.

Something's not right...something's very wrong.

Why did Gin dare to act so blatantly?

Aside from the flimsy excuse, what's the deal with Sulli's photos? Did someone tamper with Naomi Algent's USB drive?

Then there's that group of heavily armed helpers who suddenly appeared... who sent them?

Did Lord Rum anticipate Gin's potential attack and prepare a counterattack in advance? Are these two titans already ready to completely break ties?

Thinking of this, a chill ran through me, mixed with humiliation and anger.

"This matter will not be left like this! Gin...!"

He gritted his teeth and growled, his intense desire for revenge temporarily overshadowing the excruciating pain of his wounds.

He endured the dizziness and pain, and with his uninjured hand, he fumbled for his phone, the bloodstains on the screen blurring his vision.

We must contact Rum immediately to report the situation and request instructions and support!

Just as his fingertips were about to press the dial button—