[Conan] Black And Silver: The Bond Of Rivals Chapter 4

Reunion After a Rainy Night

Night shrouded Tokyo, neon lights blurring into a hazy glow on the wet pavement.

Shuichi Akai made no effort to hide his tracks. Instead, he deliberately walked through sparsely populated alleys, his pace steady and his demeanor composed.

He knew that with every step he took, those cold green eyes were watching him.

Sure enough, after only a few minutes, steady and oppressive footsteps echoed from behind—unhurried, like the approach of the Grim Reaper.

Shuichi Akai didn’t stop, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

You’ve been following me for so long. Don’t you plan on showing yourself?

His voice rang out clearly in the quiet alley.

A second later, a black figure stepped out from the shadows, blocking his path.

Gin.

He was still dressed in his long black trench coat, his silver-gray hair falling loosely. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes were as cold as tempered ice.

You certainly have the nerve to show your face voluntarily, Gin spoke in a low voice, his tone laced with mockery. What, did you finally get tired of hiding in your safe house?

Shuichi Akai slowly looked up, his emerald eyes meeting Gin’s gaze calmly, without the slightest hint of evasion.

Hiding doesn’t solve problems, he said tonelessly. There should be a finality between us.

Finality? Gin took a step forward, the distance between them closing instantly until they were nearly touching. Shuichi Akai, do you really think I would give you the chance for finality?

Warm breath mingled with the faint scent of tobacco brushed against his face. The atmosphere instantly became tense and ambiguous.

The alley was so quiet that only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

Gin’s gaze was locked onto his face as if trying to see right through him. A few days ago at Haido Port, you said everything was a lie.

I’ll give you one more chance.

Say it again.

Shuichi Akai’s heart flickered imperceptibly, but his face remained calm. I’ve no need to repeat myself.

No need? Gin suddenly let out a low chuckle, a sound filled with obsession and danger. Do you think you can walk away unscathed like last time?

There are no sirens here, no passersby.

Only us.

He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly grazing Shuichi Akai’s jaw. The movement carried an unquestionable dominance.

Shuichi Akai didn’t dodge, though his eyes darkened slightly. Gin, we stand on different sides.

Sides? Gin’s fingertips tightened slightly, his voice dropping into a dangerous, magnetic register. To me, you only have one identity—

The only person I care about.

The air suddenly froze.

Shuichi Akai’s heart skipped a beat.

He looked at the man standing inches away, seeing those eyes full of violence and obsession, yet hiding a trace of barely perceptible concern. The defensive line in his heart was on the verge of crumbling.

The unspoken understanding during missions, the protection amidst danger, the confrontations on rainy nights…

Scene after scene flashed through his mind.

Was it all really fake?

He could lie to Gin, but he couldn’t lie to himself.

Let go, Shuichi Akai said, his voice slightly raspy.

I won’t. Gin stepped even closer, his presence completely enveloping him. Shuichi Akai, stop lying to me, and stop lying to yourself.

Do you dare to say that I am truly no different to you?

Their eyes met.

Darkness and light collided at this moment; archnemeses and obsessions became entangled.

Just then, the sound of a passing vehicle came from not far away.

Gin’s eyes turned cold, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he left a low, dangerous whisper in Shuichi Akai’s ear:

I won’t force you to admit it now.

But remember—

You can’t escape.

Next time, I won’t let go again.

As the words fell, he slowly released his grip and took a step back, returning to his usual cold and ruthless demeanor.

We’ll see.

Gin turned, his black trench coat cutting a sharp arc in the air as he quickly disappeared into the depths of the alley.

Shuichi Akai stood alone, his fingertips trembling slightly.

He raised his hand and gently touched his jaw where Gin had just been.

It felt as if the other man’s warmth and strength still lingered there.

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

He knew very well.

This entanglement between black and silver had long since ceased to be a simple matter of an undercover agent and a villain.

It was a destiny—one destined to end in mutual destruction, yet one that neither was willing to let go of first.