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The source of nightmares would eventually become the nightmare itself.
Gin hadn't needed much effort. A blow to the head and one APTX capsule were enough to leave Conan with trauma he could never shake.
"You're with the Black Organization?"
"Wrong again, little detective. If I were one of them, you wouldn't survive three episodes."
Steven knew exactly what Conan feared most: his identity being exposed.
Once you found someone's weak spot, controlling them was easy.
"How do you know I'm Kudo Shinichi? And how do you know about that drug?"
Conan was on full alert.
Plenty of people knew who he really was, but very few knew the secret of APTX4869.
The first person to tell him about it had been Shiho Miyano, who escaped from the Black Organization after taking the same drug and shrinking as well. Now she lived as the elementary schooler Haibara Ai, one of only two people who truly understood the drug's effects.
Something this secret coming straight out of Steven's mouth made it impossible not to doubt him.
Even if he wasn't part of the Black Organization, he definitely had a deep connection to APTX.
"I know everything about you. Relax. Whether I ever join the Black Organization or not, I won't tell anyone your secret."
Steven gave a sly smile, clearly not interested in explaining further.
"Why?" Conan asked, his sense of danger rising even higher.
"Because I don't want anyone interfering in the game between you and me. Kanto's high school detective, Kudo Shinichi. I hope you enjoy playing."
Steven wanted revenge, not Conan's life.
Making him watch Ran Mouri and Yukiko become someone else's playthings would hurt far more than a knife ever could.
A game?
Conan frowned, his expression turning grim.
He didn't know what Steven meant, but he could tell it was nothing good.
"What are you two whispering about? You look like you're getting along pretty well."
Ran noticed them talking quietly and slowed down, curiosity getting the better of her.
"Oh, nothing much. Conan's really smart. He knows lots of things kids his age usually wouldn't. When he grows up, he'll definitely be an amazing detective."
"Maybe he'll even become the next savior of the police, just like Kudo Shinichi."
Steven casually dropped Conan's real name, deliberately poking at his raw nerves.
Before revenge came aggro. The plan was simple: dance wildly on the little grim reaper's minefield and enjoy the thrill.
"Yeah, Conan really is different from other kids," Ran said thoughtfully. "Every time Dad gets a case or helps the police, Conan always gives key hints."
She tilted her head, recalling Kogoro Mouri's investigations.
When awake, he talked nonsense nonstop. But once he suddenly fell asleep, he could accurately reason out the truth of a case. That was why people called him Sleeping Kogoro.
As for how that worked, even Ran didn't know.
"Hearing you say that, Conan really does sound like the reasoning maniac Kudo Shinichi."
"Miss Mouri, your dad falls asleep every time he solves a case. Have you never wondered if someone secretly uses a tranquilizer or something on him, then hides and uses his body to reveal the truth?"
Blatant hints. Shamelessly blatant.
Before Steven even finished speaking, Conan nearly lost his disguise.
"Uncle Mouri said his mind becomes clearer when he sleeps. He can think of overlooked details and solve complicated cases more easily," Conan said quickly.
"And the stuff I know, I learned it all from TV. It's not that useful. My deduction skills are just average."
Blaming it on TV shows. Basic survival skills for a grim reaper elementary schooler.
Steven just smiled as he watched Conan desperately explain.
What was the point of hiding it from him? Completely pointless.
"I'm not interested in deduction, but now that you mention it, it does sound strange. Next time Dad solves a case, I'll watch closely. Once I find the truth, I'll share it with you."
"Mr. Steven, forgive my bluntness, but can I call you Stev from now on?" Ran asked, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
Between a man and a woman, changing how you address someone was enough to close the distance.
"Sure, Ran."
"Then you should change too. Just call me by my name. When you say 'Miss,' it feels so distant, like we're not even friends."
Steven smoothly followed her lead and started flirting.
Some things couldn't be rushed.
Letting feelings grow step by step could be enjoyable in its own way.
"Okay. Stev, are you mixed, from Japan and America?" Ran asked, nodding, completely ignoring Conan as she chatted with him.
"No. I'm American. No connection to Japan at all."
An insult. A massive insult.
Being mistaken for someone with Japanese blood made Steven feel like his very existence had been tainted.
If that were true, he'd rather die than live disgustingly in the Detective Conan world.
Honestly, he wanted to say he was from China, but the damn system had assigned him an American identity. He had no choice but to accept it.
Still, being American was better than being Japanese.
And living in Japan while acting as their "dad" wasn't actually that bad when you thought about it.
"I'm so sorry. You have yellow skin and speak Japanese so fluently that I assumed you were mixed. Please forgive me if I offended you."
Ran bowed deeply, apologizing sincerely.
"There's a saying in China: those who don't know aren't guilty. I'm not that petty. You didn't mean it."
Steven waved it off generously.
That said, whether he accepted an apology depended on the person.
If someone else had insulted him with filthy language, forgiveness wouldn't come easily. Best case, a beating. Worst case, a bullet.
He let Ran off because he still needed to use her to get back at Conan. Leaving a good impression mattered.
And besides, crushing a girl this pure so casually would probably make even his pride protest.
At the very least, once wasn't too much to ask.
"You're really nice. No wonder girls like you so much."
"It's not that bad. I'm still single. Why don't you introduce me to someone?"
"Stop it. I'm terrible at playing matchmaker. Don't tease me."
"…"
Conan stared at the two of them laughing and chatting, fighting the urge to punch something.
Unfortunately, he wasn't even as tall as Steven's knee. Even jumping, he couldn't reach anywhere important. All he could do was stew in silent rage.
If he actually tried to fight, he'd just get pinned to the ground and rubbed into the floor.
"Hey… what's that?"
Suddenly, Ran stopped and looked up at the ceiling.
There was a strange lump stuck to the ceiling.
"....."