[Conan] Black And Silver: The Bond Of Rivals Chapter 8

Cage in the Deep Mountains: Gentle Confinement

The black Porsche drove into the rolling mountains. The rain began to taper off, leaving only a fine drizzle tapping against the car windows like a silent countdown.

Finally, the car stopped in front of a detached cabin hidden deep within the dense forest.

Aside from the sound of the wind, there was total silence. All signals were completely blocked, making it feel like an isolated island cut off from the world.

Gin pushed open the car door without a moment’s hesitation. He reached out and grabbed Shuichi Akai’s wrist, his grip steady and impossible to shake off.

There is no FBI here, no pursuit. Only us.

His voice was low and carried an undeniable authority, mixed with the damp, cold air of the post-rain atmosphere. From now on, you aren’t going anywhere for a while.

Shuichi Akai furrowed his brow, his fingertips tensing as he tried to break free from the restraint: Gin, do you really think you can trap me like this?

Whether I can or not, you’ll find out soon enough.

Gin gave a soft chuckle, filled with a sense of forceful certainty. He stopped pulling and instead led the man toward the cabin. The moment he pushed the door open, he kept the other man firmly shielded in front of him, blocking out the wind and rain from outside.

The interior was simply furnished but extremely tidy, clearly a safe house kept by the Organization for long-term use. The living room contained a sofa and a desk, with a closed bedroom in the corner and a door leading to the kitchen.

Gin brought him to the sofa and let go of his hand. However, he did not step back; instead, he stood directly between Akai and the door, cutting off any possibility of a hasty departure.

Don’t think about escaping, he said calmly. His tone was cold, yet devoid of murderous intent. Alarms have been set up in these mountains. If you walk a hundred meters, you’ll be detected.

Shuichi Akai sat down in silence, his fingers unconsciously curling into a fist.

He scanned his surroundings, his gaze cold and somber.

His current situation was more dangerous than he had imagined. There was no signal, no way to contact Jodie, and Gin’s people were everywhere. At this moment, he was like a man trapped in a cage, without even a sliver of room to struggle.

Yet, that strange throb in his heart grew clearer as Gin approached.

Gin turned and walked toward the kitchen, his back disappearing behind the door.

A moment later, he emerged carrying a glass of warm water, which he placed on the coffee table in front of Shuichi Akai. His movements were natural and fluid, lacking any of his usual ruthlessness. Instead, he seemed like an ordinary traveling companion.

Drink some water first, he said. His tone was flat, yet it carried a rare hint of softness.

Shuichi Akai didn’t move. He only looked up at him, his emerald eyes swirling with complex emotions: What exactly are you trying to do?

Gin leaned down to meet his gaze.

Those cold green eyes were inches away. There was no hesitation in them, only a burning concern and a sliver of softness he refused to acknowledge.

It’s very simple.

His voice was extremely low, carrying a lethal magnetism. I’m waiting for you to admit, with your own lips, that you have feelings for me.

The air froze instantly.

Shuichi Akai’s heart skipped a beat. His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he forced himself to remain composed: You’re dreaming.

Whether it’s a dream or not, we’ll know soon enough.

Gin straightened up and turned toward the bedroom, leaving behind a calm but firm statement: I’ll sleep in the living room tonight. You take the bedroom.

Don’t try to pick the lock or climb out the window—the windows are reinforced, and the door has a lock.

He walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind him, though he didn’t actually lock it.

Shuichi Akai sat alone on the sofa, staring at the closed bedroom door for a long time without moving.

Steam was still rising from the warm water on the coffee table, the mist blurring his vision.

He knew very well that Gin wasn’t imprisoning him out of malice.

He was trapping him, but he was also trapping himself.

He was afraid that if he let go, this person would disappear into the light again, never to be found.

He was also afraid that if he let go again, he would lose him forever.

Shuichi Akai reached out, picked up the glass, and took a small sip.

The warm water slid down his throat, warming his stomach but throwing his heart into turmoil.

He closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

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

It was fate, a tug-of-war, an obsession they had to face together even though they knew it was impossible.

And now, they were both trapped in these deep mountains, and neither could escape.