Sonoko's house!
Ran continued to bring out various dishes from the kitchen, leaving Kazuha and Sonoko dumbfounded.
"Ran, you've made way too much."
Looking at the table overflowing with food, Kazuha was a bit stunned.
"Yeah, Ran, my Dad and Mom aren't home; there's no way just the few of us can finish all of this," Sonoko said helplessly.
"It's not that much. I made this specifically for Heiji."
Ran smiled slightly.
Heiji looked at the full table of dishes with a resigned expression: "Ran, this seems like a bit much, doesn't it?"
"It's not. There's only one last dish left and then it's done."
Ran turned and walked back toward the kitchen.
"Heiji, does Ran have something on her mind?"
Kazuha sat beside Heiji, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Exactly. I feel like Ran seems a bit unhappy," Sonoko added from the other side.
"You both noticed?" Heiji asked, somewhat surprised.
The two girls instantly rolled their eyes at Heiji.
"Ran's eyes completely betrayed her."
"Mhm, the smile on her face is a bit forced."
Kazuha and Sonoko were Ran's best friends, so naturally, they could see her abnormality at a glance.
Heiji shrugged indifferently: "It's likely because of Kudo Shinichi."
"That reasoning maniac? I'd bet a hundred percent it's him. To ignore even Ran for the sake of a case is truly infuriating!"
At the mention of Kudo Shinichi, Sonoko appeared very angry.
Kazuha's beautiful eyebrows also furrowed: "Although I've only met Kudo-kun once and don't really have the right to speak about him, seeing Ran like this is just too pitiful."
"Hmph, in that reasoning maniac's heart, Ran's status can't compare at all to cases involving dead people."
"Sonoko, keep your voice down. If Ran hears you, she'll be even sadder."
Kazuha shook her head slightly at Sonoko.
"Alright, the final dish."
Ran walked out carrying a plate of food, her expression appearing very natural.
However, Heiji still caught the flash of dejection that flickered deep within Ran's eyes.
He decided to stay out of it.
Under the intentional and unintentional comfort of Kazuha and Sonoko, Ran gradually became more cheerful.
The three girls soon began playing together in a group.
Later, in Heiji's room, Sonoko's sweet and moving voice rang out, rising and falling in an endless rhythm.
Accompanied by a high-pitched cry, the movement in the room finally returned to a state of calm.
Sonoko lay in Heiji's arms with her eyes closed, falling into a deep sleep in the blink of an eye.
"Congratulations Host for completing the first Ring-within-a-Ring mission. Please proceed with the lottery draw."
As the system's cold voice fell, a disk engraved with various skill names appeared before his eyes.
Concealed Coin Pistol, Varied Human Skin Mask, Wishing Treasure Chest, Qi-Controlling Glide, Magic Voice... even the previous one-time Hundred Shots Hundred Hits skill and the Intelligent Doll appeared on it.
"I see. This is the function of the Duplicate Treasure Chest: it includes skills or items already possessed, as well as those that have appeared before."
"Does the Host wish to start the lottery?" the system urged coldly once more.
"Start!"
The disk instantly began to rotate at high speed, so fast that the text on it couldn't be seen clearly.
"Stop?"
Heiji froze for a second, then reacted: "Don't stop yet."
Given the system's usual nature, if he shouted "stop" the moment it asked, there would definitely be a poor result. If he drew the Concealed Coin Pistol again, it would be as useless as a chicken rib.
After quite a while!
The disk stopped abruptly.
Heiji's face turned black: Sure enough, it's like that! Good thing I didn't believe the system's nonsense.
On the entire disk, all other words disappeared, leaving only one shining brightly.
"Congratulations Host for obtaining the 'Hundred Shots Hundred Hits' skill."
"The Hundred Shots Hundred Hits skill?" Heiji's heart moved, and he couldn't help but nod with satisfaction. "This skill is excellent, but it's a shame it can only be used once."
"Since it was obtained through a Ring-within-a-Ring mission, the time-limited skill will evolve into a permanent skill."
The system's cold voice suddenly felt as warm as a spring breeze.
"Permanent Hundred Shots Hundred Hits?"
Heiji's breathing hitched, his pupils constricted instantly, and he could no longer remain calm.
"Does the Host wish to equip?"
"Equip!"
"Nonsense, how could I not equip it? With this skill, as long as I have enough coins for my Concealed Coin Pistol, no one can pose a threat to me with a firearm."
"System, I've suddenly discovered that you're actually a little bit cute..."
The system remained silent.
This reward caused Heiji's mood to fluctuate; it was an incredibly practical skill. In fact, one could call it domineering.
He finally calmed his emotions.
"System, bring up my character attribute panel."
The next moment, a virtual panel appeared:
Abilities: Qi-Controlling Glide, Magic Voice, Hundred Shots Hundred Hits (Permanent Skill).
Women: Toyama Kazuha, Suzuki Sonoko.
Girlfriend: Sato Miwako.
"I still have a Wishing Treasure Chest unused. No rush, I'll save it until I need it."
Looking at the panel, Heiji fell into slight contemplation.
The night grew deep.
All was silent.
Somewhere in Tokyo!
A gunshot rang out, and blood splattered.
Two black figures slowly disappeared into the darkness of the night.
The next morning, Sonoko looked at Heiji with teary eyes: "Heiji, stay for a few more days, please."
Heiji was helpless. He pulled Sonoko into his arms and gently kissed her thin lips: "Be good. I've been in Tokyo for so long; it's time for me to return to Osaka."
"Sonoko, if you miss Heiji, you can come visit us," Kazuha whispered in Sonoko's ear. "When you do, I'll tell you exactly what Shizuka-obasan likes."
Sonoko nodded shyly, glanced at Heiji, and said, "Then you have to call me often."
Heiji nodded gently.
"Goodbye, Heiji!"
Ran stood gracefully by the side, a smile on her face as she said her farewells.
Heiji nodded and helped the reluctant Kazuha into the car.
The orange Bentley sped onto the highway.
Along the way, various police cars with sirens blaring drove past them in the opposite direction.
"Heiji, it seems like something big has happened," Kazuha said, sounding curious.
"It has nothing to do with us. Just sleep for a bit."
Kazuha closed her beautiful eyes happily: Fortunately, Heiji isn't a reasoning maniac like Kudo!
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