Looking at the glass beside her emitting wisps of white steam, the little girl's movements froze. Since she had already eaten the meal, there was no point in fussing over a glass of water. Thinking this, she paused her actions with dignity and spoke softly to Yuu Hoshimiya, "Thank you."
As she spoke, their eyes inevitably met. Although she tried her best not to care, the moment she saw Yuu's face, images of him entangled with Akemi Miyano uncontrollably flooded her mind—especially that final, rapid, and ferocious sprint. It was as if it were branded into her heart, impossible to erase.
The little girl's snowy skin began to flush pink. Sensing her thoughts were about to wander into dangerous territory, she quickly picked up the water glass to mask her embarrassment. The sight of Yuu and Akemi becoming one had been too shocking; it was the first time the virgin scientist had witnessed such a vivid, carnal scene. To make matters worse, one of the protagonists was her own sister, and it had happened right under her nose. It was truly impossible to forget.
Yuu's observation was keen. He saw every change in Shiho Miyano's expression, but he didn't expose her. There was no benefit to exposing the truth other than causing awkwardness. Once the little girl finished her water and adjusted her mindset, he spoke nonchalantly. "Sherry, I assume Akemi-ge has explained everything clearly to you?"
At the mention of the name "Sherry," the little girl reacted as if to a shock. Her rosy face turned deathly pale in an instant. Yuu was amazed by the sheer speed of her reaction.
After a long silence, Shiho managed to reply, "Don't call me by that name..."
"Then what should I call you? Shiho?" Yuu said. "I actually quite envy you for having a codename. It sounds quite nice."
This was the truth. If he had a codename, his status in the Organization would rise significantly, allowing him access to more internal intel, which would be extremely helpful for his future operations.
The little girl twitched her lips, giving Yuu a speechless look. He was their savior; the three of them were now in the same boat, for better or worse. However, she was still unclear about Yuu's true nature. From their previous encounters at the base, she was certain he was part of Gin's circle. Yet, here he was, saving them behind the Organization's back.
"Who exactly are you?" she asked, choosing to counter with a question.
"Hmm..." Yuu pondered for a moment. "An orphan who knows a bit of magic and was forced to join the Organization?"
"Why is that a question...?" There were so many points to criticize that the little girl didn't know where to start.
Yuu smiled. "Because I don't know which part of 'who' you are referring to."
"Are you a man of the Organization, or..."
"Let's wait for Akemi-ge to come out. It saves me from explaining twice," Yuu interrupted. "Ask whatever you want later, and I'll answer. But don't ask about the things Akemi already told you."
Ai was crucial. She was not only vital for the future destiny lines but also indispensable for perfecting APTX 4869. Yuu had told Akemi almost everything. One could say that aside from knowing Yuu was a member of the Organization who chose to help them, Akemi knew very little about his background. Now that Ai was here, things couldn't stay that way. Mutual trust is the foundation of cooperation, and sharing backgrounds is an effective way to deepen that trust.
As a transmigrator, Yuu knew the Miyano sisters' details intimately—even family secrets involving the Akai family that they themselves didn't know. Yet, they knew nothing of him. While they could learn over time, Yuu didn't have that luxury. The "Conan-logic" timeline was unpredictable, and he couldn't stay with them constantly without giving Gin a trail to follow.
Women always take longer to bathe. Though she said she was just "rinsing off," it was twenty minutes before Akemi emerged. Yuu and the little girl had already finished dinner.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Akemi wore a clean nightgown, her exposed skin glowing a tender pink and smelling of shower gel. She looked like a beautiful flower that had just been watered, making one want to step forward and taste her.
The night was long, and Yuu didn't plan on leaving. He had plenty of time to enjoy this "water lily." But first, he had to settle the anxious little girl.
"Let me formally introduce myself. I am Yuu Hoshimiya, 22 years old. I currently serve as the health and physical education teacher at Teitan High School..." Yuu held nothing back, explaining the Destiny Contracts and Destiny Chains. He used "magic" as a vague explanation for his system and past-life memories. As for how he learned magic? If anyone asked, he'd just say it was a natural awakening of talent.
Akemi, having already completed her contract, was surprised but took it in stride, continuing to eat Yuu's cooking. The little girl opened her mouth to ask more, but realized everything had been covered. Yuu was forced into the Organization and wasn't loyal to it. Because of his magic, he knew secrets and saved them. As for why he risked it all, Akemi had already explained it in bed: partly because he lusted after them, and more importantly, because he wanted her to continue researching APTX 4869.
After a silence, the little girl looked at Yuu seriously. "I understand. I will continue the research, but I will not perform human experiments."
Yuu was satisfied. The most important link in his plan was finally on track. "Don't worry, I couldn't get you human test subjects even if I wanted to," he joked. "But instead of continuing the development of APTX 4869, you should focus on developing the antidote first."
"Eh?" The little girl froze, then, remembering Yuu's lust for her, she instinctively threw a chopstick at him. "Hentai! Is that all you think about?"
Yuu was baffled until he saw her blushing face. It turned out she had agreed to both the research and the previous "lustful" conditions. Did Akemi not explain clearly?
"You misunderstand. I just think a child's body is inconvenient," Yuu explained, catching the chopstick easily. "Your height makes lab work difficult, and a child's stamina is far too low."
"Is that really it?" she asked suspiciously.
"Of course. Though, part of it is that I can only make a move on you once you change back," Yuu added shamelessly. "Your current body is great, but it probably couldn't handle my size."
In her current "lewd" loli form, even if he controlled "Little Yuu" to its smallest state, he couldn't enter smoothly. Even if he wanted to use a "legal loli," he'd need to develop her a few times in her adult form first so she could adapt before she shrank back...
Wait, how did APTX 4869's de-aging work? Was it just making the body younger, or was it time reversal? If it was the latter, no matter how many times he had sex with her in adult form, she would be "brand new" every time she shrank. That was exciting, but it would make using the legal loli much harder. Yuu guessed it was the former; it was a drug, after all. But the science of the A-drug was a mystery. Mary Akai aged back thirty years, while Conan and Shiho only aged back ten. Each had different side effects.
Whoosh! This time, a glass flew at his head. Luckily, it was empty. Yuu caught it effortlessly and looked at Shiho in confusion. "What? Didn't you already agree?"
"I did not!" The little girl realized her previous phrasing was misleading. Her small chest heaved as she defended herself. "It's because you're such a pervert that I thought the wrong thing!"
"Me? A pervert?" Yuu considered himself a lecher, but a pervert? Compared to some Japanese men, he was a model citizen of the new era.
Despite his impure motives, his words made sense. Being small was inconvenient. Shiho felt her immunity had dropped; a bit of rain shouldn't have caused such a severe fever. The medicine helped, but her excitement was making her feel unwell again. Developing an antidote was easier than the drug itself, as she could use her own blood and hair for research—far more efficient than mice. This was why the Organization had forced human trials. She didn't know Conan was Kudo Shinichi yet; if she did, she certainly wouldn't pass up such a perfect test subject.
After the contract, Yuu's importance in Akemi's heart was equal to Shiho's. She didn't take a side during their bickering, just watched with a smile. She didn't get to open her flower shop, but this life seemed alright.
"By the way, think of a pseudonym. I'll get you a new identity," Yuu suggested. "You need one to go outside. Since Shiho is a child now, you'll need to go to school until the antidote is ready."
"School?" The little girl frowned. "You aren't planning to make me go to elementary school, are you?"
"What else?" Yuu countered. "If you stay home every day, the neighbors will notice and cause trouble. Or do you plan to never leave the lab?"
Japan's child protection was decent; if a child stayed home during school hours, someone would eventually call the police. It could be faked, but it drew unwanted attention. Besides, girls like to shop, and Shiho loved her designer bags. Without her sister's death to fuel a thirst for revenge, she wouldn't last long in a basement.
Shiho went silent, her head starting to throb again—whether from the fever or the thought of dealing with brats, she wasn't sure.
"Akemi-ge, once you have your identity, you can go out occasionally with makeup," Yuu added. "I'm trying to learn Disguise. Once I do, I'll teach you, and then you can go wherever you want."
Akemi knew basic disguise—she had used a different face as Masami Hirota—but it wasn't true Disguise. A keen eye could see through it. Since the Organization was active in Tokyo, she needed to be careful until Yuu could teach her the real thing.
Akemi nodded obediently, a beautiful smile on her face. Her smile hadn't faded since Shiho woke up. Tonight was the happiest day of her life.
"I suggest the name Ai Haibara for the little one," Yuu said. It felt right. He also suggested Akemi use Ai Haibara (with a different character for 'Ai', meaning Love) as her pseudonym. It was cute and made them sound like sisters. They agreed.
As the night deepened, Yuu was about to mention the Suzuki family and Shinichi when the little girl finally succumbed to her exhaustion. Her small body curled up in her oversized clothes, her face pinched in pain.
"Shiho..." Akemi held her sister, eyes full of heartache.
Yuu checked the time. It had been four hours since her last dose. "I'll get the medicine. Akemi-ge, get the hot water ready."
In the bedroom, Akemi began to undress the girl to wipe her down. Shiho, now somewhat conscious from the fever, was mortified that Yuu was watching. She snapped at him to leave.
"Who do you think changed you into those clothes in the first place?" Yuu didn't budge. "Besides, this is mine and Akemi's room. Yours isn't ready yet."
It was true the room wasn't ready, but he was also staying on purpose. It was better to cultivate habit before affection. Once she got used to intimacy with him, things would follow naturally. Plus, watching the cold scientist act like a flustered brat was entertaining.
"Stop wasting energy," Yuu shrugged. "You already watched the 'live show' earlier, why care about this now? Do you really think you're a child?"
Shiho gave him a classic "dead fish" stare. "It's because I'm not a child that you should leave, shouldn't you?"
Akemi stepped in to mediate. "Yuu-kun, just turn around for a bit. It'll be quick."
"Fine, fine," Yuu conceded, turning his back. "But you owe me compensation tonight, Akemi."
Akemi blushed, glancing at her angry sister, but nodded anyway. She didn't want to leave Shiho alone while she was sick. She hoped her sister would fall asleep quickly. Besides, it wasn't their first time.
"Pah! Hentai!" Shiho spat. "Do you have an exhibitionist streak? Do you have to do it in front of me?"
"That's right, I'm a pervert, and I'm going to take your sister right in front of you," Yuu teased. "If you hadn't shrunk, I wouldn't have let you off either."
Shiho was fuming, but there was nothing she could do but close her eyes. After the medicine and the sponge bath, she felt better. She was drifting toward sleep, but the sounds from the bed next to her kept piquing her curiosity. She cursed Yuu, but part of her wanted to watch again. If she truly hated it, she would have fought to the death. The Miyano sisters had survived the Organization by never compromising their bottom lines—no human experiments, no murder, and their virginity.
As Yuu ravaged Akemi, he kept an eye on the little girl. He was testing her limits. Because he saved them and Akemi had accepted him, the "sister-in-law" had an unexpectedly high tolerance for him. Yuu was an expert in these matters; he could tell she was curious. If she weren't sick, he might have pushed further. He couldn't do the final act without an antidote, but there were always hands, mouths, and beautiful legs to enjoy...