[Conan] Black And Silver: The Bond Of Rivals Chapter 13

The Return Journey and Undercurrents

The lights of police cars and FBI vehicles pierced the darkness of the deep mountains. Continuous beams stretched into long ribbons of light along the winding paths, illuminating patches of the pitch-black forest.

Shuichi Akai carried the unconscious Gin in his arms as he slowly walked out of the safe house. The night wind caught the hem of his black coat and ruffled the emotions in his heart that had long refused to settle. The man in his arms breathed steadily, his long silver-gray hair sliding down his shoulder. His usually cold and fierce features were slightly relaxed now, stripped of their usual hostility and replaced by a rare sense of tranquility.

He naturally pulled the man a bit closer, carefully avoiding his injured shoulder. Even he didn’t realize how much hidden tenderness was tucked away in that gentle strength.

Jodie Starling followed beside them, her expression complex to the extreme.

She watched Shuichi Akai’s almost protective movements and thought back to the confrontation at Haido Port and the struggle inside the safe house. She understood now that the relationship between these two could no longer be summarized as undercover agent and enemy. Their entanglement ran too deep, their connections too tight, already twisted into a dead knot that no one could untie.

Conan Edogawa walked on the outer edge, his lenses reflecting the faint light. From time to time, he looked up at Shuichi Akai, his eyes filled with a depth of thought that didn’t match his age. He didn’t ask questions, nor did he point anything out. This seemingly young detective understood boundaries better than anyone. Some things didn’t need to be said; mutual understanding was the best distance to maintain.

Shuichi, what do we do with Gin next? Jodie asked in a low voice, breaking the silence.

Shuichi Akai looked down at the quiet man in his arms, his voice deep and firm. Take him to a secret base for temporary custody. He can’t be handed over to headquarters, and he can’t be easily let go.

As soon as he said this, Jodie immediately understood his meaning.

Gin was the core of the Organization and also the tether that Shuichi Akai couldn’t let go of. Custody was currently the only way to satisfy both sides.

I understand. Conan nodded slightly and handed over a communicator from his pocket. I’ll head back with Professor Agasa and Haibara first. Contact me anytime if anything happens.

He consciously avoided asking any private questions and turned toward the Beetle. Seeing Gin being taken away from a distance, Ai Haibara’s body trembled slightly, but she forced herself to stay calm and lowered her head. She knew that with Shuichi Akai there, that man wouldn’t pose a danger for the time being.

The convoy slowly drove out of the deep mountains and onto the highway shrouded in night.

In the back seat, Shuichi Akai kept Gin leaning against his shoulder, his fingertips unconsciously brushing away the damp strands of hair from the other man’s forehead. The car interior was quiet, filled only with the low hum of the engine and the overlapping sound of their breathing.

After an unknown amount of time, Gin’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.

He slowly opened his eyes, his cold green gaze still somewhat unfocused. His vision gradually sharpened, focusing on the person right in front of him.

Shuichi… Akai…

His voice was raspy, carrying the lethargy of having just woken up, yet still hiding a bone-deep obsession.

Shuichi Akai looked down, meeting his gaze calmly. You’re awake.

Gin moved his arm and realized he was being held firmly in the other’s embrace. He instantly understood his current situation. He didn’t struggle; instead, he leaned up slightly, his breath suddenly pressing against Shuichi Akai’s ear with a hint of a dangerous smile.

You kept me?

Or… could you not bear to see something happen to me?

Shuichi Akai’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He feigned indifference and looked away. You’re overthinking it.

Is that so? Gin let out a low chuckle, his warm breath ghosting over the side of Akai’s neck. Then why are you holding me? Why didn’t you just finish me off? Why take me with you instead of throwing me to the FBI?

The string of questions caused the atmosphere in the car to tighten instantly.

Shuichi Akai didn’t answer. He only tightened his arms slightly, pulling the man even closer.

Outside the window, neon lights flashed by, light and shadow alternating across their faces.

Some answers were already hidden in the heart, but they were simply unwilling, unable, and afraid to admit them.

Gin looked at his tense profile and suddenly spoke softly, his tone carrying a hint of almost tender seriousness.

Shuichi Akai, stop pretending.

I am in your heart.

From beginning to end, I always have been.

The night deepened as the highway stretched into the distance.

This entanglement—born in darkness, trapped in obsession, and ending in fate—was far from over.