Chapter 58: A Secret
A lone figure suddenly peeked out from the corridor—it was Ran.
"I saw the door was slightly open and came in. I'm so sorry to interrupt your conversation."
"It's perfectly fine." Natsukawa smiled politely.
Ran didn't seem bothered and walked into the living room, handing the key to Natsukawa. "Thank you, Natsukawa-san. Here's the key back."
Natsukawa nodded, glancing toward the door. "Where are Conan and Uncle Kogoro?"
Ran smiled sheepishly. Her father was supposed to return the key himself, but after solving yesterday's case and driving all morning, he'd collapsed on the office sofa and fallen asleep immediately.
As for Conan, that boy had run out as soon as they got back, saying he was going to Professor Agasa's house.
But what could a six-year-old and a fifty-two-year-old possibly be doing together?
"Dad's exhausted and went to sleep. Conan went to Professor Agasa's house."
Actually, Ran was quite tired too. Yesterday's case had disrupted their trip, making what should have been a pleasant vacation rather frustrating.
"I see."
Seeing Ran's exhaustion, Natsukawa didn't insist she stay.
Just after seeing Ran off, Natsukawa heard two yawns in succession.
One was Anya, and the other was Yor.
Judging from their condition, they must have had quite the adventure yesterday—otherwise they wouldn't be this tired.
Anya, being a child, was the first to fall asleep on the sofa. Her father gently carried her back to her bedroom.
"Miss Yor, let me drive you home."
"No, no need! I have duty at the Metropolitan Police Department this afternoon." Yor quickly waved her hands, suppressing the yawn that threatened to escape.
In the afternoon, besides her duty shift, she also needed to find Yumi to clarify how she could possibly be "lusting after" Mr. Natsukawa's body. She was clearly not that kind of person—she, Yor Forger, was a lady!
As for the profession of assassin... that shouldn't have anything to do with this, right?
She couldn't let the Thorn Princess's reputation affect her personal life.
Maybe she hadn't explained things clearly this morning. She'd talk to Yumi again later.
Or she could ask other colleagues—she couldn't rely solely on Yumi. She was beginning to suspect Yumi wasn't as reliable as she'd initially thought.
"It's no trouble at all."
Natsukawa had another thought he wanted to voice: If you'd like, I could pick you up after work.
But they'd only known each other for a few days. Saying something like that would definitely be inappropriate.
I'll wait. Take it slow. I have plenty of time to properly pursue Miss Yor.
At the Metropolitan Police Department
At the Metropolitan Police Department entrance, a gray GTR smoothly pulled up behind a traffic police car.
"Miss Yor, we've arrived."
Natsukawa stepped out and politely opened the passenger door.
He was quite adept at playing the gentleman—some European missions had required such etiquette, and he'd studied it thoroughly.
"Thank you." Yor wasn't accustomed to such treatment, and her expression stiffened slightly.
In truth, she'd been extremely nervous the entire ride, her heart pounding.
"Oh, Instructor Yor!"
Yor had just exited the car when she heard someone call out from ahead.
"Yumi."
Yor swallowed hard. Oh no, Yumi saw me.
Miyamoto Yumi, dressed in her traffic police uniform and round-brimmed cap, looked as though she'd witnessed something incredible—her eyes practically burned with gossip.
Her gaze lingered on Yor for only a few seconds before shifting to Natsukawa.
Is this the man the instructor is lusting after? He really is handsome! A blonde handsome guy!
Has Instructor Yor—the invincible hellish instructor who's defeated everyone in the Metropolitan Police Department—finally got a boyfriend?
Guess I need to speed things up with Chiba-kun myself.
"And this is~?" Miyamoto Yumi's eyes gleamed as she raised an eyebrow at Yor teasingly.
"Hello, I'm Miss Yor's friend." Natsukawa naturally knew who she was—Miyamoto Yumi, the future girlfriend of Takagi Wataru.
Though they probably aren't together yet.
"H-hello."
Miyamoto Yumi was momentarily captivated by Natsukawa's voice, her words faltering slightly as she tentatively asked, "You two... right now, are you...?"
Natsukawa smiled faintly, offering no answer.
"We're just friends! Friends!" Yor's face flushed, shy and flustered. (///ω///)
She emphasized the word "friends," raising her voice.
But to Miyamoto Yumi, this was clearly a sign of embarrassment.
Even Instructor Yor is blushing like that! Usually, Yor was as calm as still autumn water—it was rare to see such a dramatic change in her expression.
"Just friends? But Instructor, you were just—"
Before she could finish, Yor gave her a subtle but sharp glare.
Okay, I'll shut up.
Miyamoto Yumi knew all too well the lessons of crossing a tactical combat instructor. This was a powerful figure not to be trifled with. Which officer in the Metropolitan Police Department hadn't been put through their paces by her? She knew when to stop—otherwise, she might face retribution during the next combat assessment.
"Since I've delivered you safely, Miss Yor, I'll head back now."
After exchanging pleasantries, Natsukawa nodded to Miyamoto Yumi before driving away.
"Huh?"
"What's wrong?"
Yor asked curiously. Was there something unusual about Mr. Natsukawa?
"Nothing, I just feel like I've seen that gray GTR somewhere before." Miyamoto Yumi thought for a long moment but couldn't place it.
"Maybe Mr. Natsukawa got a traffic ticket from you at some point?"
"Maybe." Miyamoto Yumi set aside these stray thoughts and asked teasingly, "Instructor Yor, are you... ahem, are you about to have some good fortune? Perhaps a happy occasion?"
"No, no! We only met a couple of days ago!" Yor's face reddened, but her explanation was too weak and unconvincing.
From Yor's expression and reactions, Miyamoto Yumi recognized the signs of budding romance. Sure enough, even someone as formidable as Instructor Yor can be conquered by the right man.
She wore a knowing look, though in reality, she was also someone who'd never been in a relationship.
But she was different from Yor. Although she lacked practical experience, her theoretical knowledge was sufficient for a master's degree.
She didn't date, but she acted as a dating consultant every day.
In the two or three years since joining the Metropolitan Police Department, she'd helped one or two couples get together almost annually. Every single officer treated her with utmost respect—she was the Metropolitan Police Department's resident matchmaker.
Yor suddenly had a terrible premonition. She should have had Natsukawa drop her off across the street.
If Yumi finds out about this, things might spiral out of control.
"Yumi, you can't tell anyone about this."
"Of course!" Miyamoto Yumi patted her chest confidently. "I'm a police officer—keeping secrets is definitely not a problem."
I hope so.
Yor had known her for a while now, and seeing her attitude, she already had a sinking feeling.
She could practically envision Miyamoto Yumi pulling someone aside and whispering conspiratorially, ending with, "Don't tell anyone else—I'm only sharing this secret with you."
Don't ask how I know.
Because I was once someone she shared secrets with.
What goes around comes around.
The Metropolitan Police Department's number one gossip.
Is it finally my turn to be in the spotlight? No, she had to trust Yumi. Yumi couldn't be that type of person.
However, after this commotion, Yor's mood was considerably dampened.
The afternoon's police tactical combat assessment was exceptionally strict, and many officers complained about failing to achieve passing scores.
The Rumor Spreads
As evening approached and she prepared to leave work, Sato Miwako found Yor in the training room.
"Hey, I heard your boyfriend brought you to the Metropolitan Police Department today?" Sato Miwako went straight to the point.
"Huh?!"
Yor's eyes widened, not even noticing the long line she'd accidentally drawn across her evaluation form.
"Yumi told me a secret—that you, Yor, already have a boyfriend."
Sato Miwako had considered that many of her colleagues at the Metropolitan Police Department had boyfriends or were getting married, but Yor was definitely never among those candidates.
Yor remained silent for a long moment, unable to utter a single word. Despite being somewhat prepared, she was still amazed by Yumi's speed in spreading gossip.
That big mouth! Yor was already plotting how she'd make things difficult during Yumi's next evaluation.
How dare she spread rumors about me!
"So, is it true?" Sato Miwako's eyes gleamed, her gaze fixed intently on Yor's face. She couldn't imagine what kind of person could possibly catch Yor's eye.
At least someone who could beat Yor in combat, right?
The Metropolitan Police Department couldn't produce anyone like that.
As expected, true masters are often found among ordinary civilians.
Yor's mind went blank. Her mouth opened and closed, babbling incoherently, but she couldn't formulate a proper explanation.
Damn you, Yumi! I really want to strangle you right now!
(End of Chapter 58)
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