"Ran-san, did you make any chocolates for Valentine's Day?"
"Uh, I did…"
"No offense, but any chance one's for me?"
"Well—"
Hayato Masaki stepped back into the living room with Conan, narrowing his eyes at the scene.
Wakamatsu Toshihide had seized the moment Hayato stepped away to slide next to Ran again, leaning in with an eager grin.
You could call him a chatterbox or just full of himself, but ignoring Ran's clear discomfort and pushing closer? His nerve was something else.
Suzuki Sonoko couldn't take it anymore.
She yanked Ran behind her, glaring up at Wakamatsu's hulking frame. "Didn't Hayato-nii make it clear? Ran only came because she couldn't say no. Why do you keep crowding her?!"
Wakamatsu's face reddened.
Stung repeatedly, he was losing it. Clenching his fists, he snapped, "What's it to you? I'm not hitting on you!"
"What, you gonna take it out on a girl now?"
Hayato stepped forward, drawing Wakamatsu's glare off Sonoko. "Have some shame. It's not just your tacky style—your way with girls is pathetic too. Or is strong-arming them into dating you your thing?"
"You—I've had it with you!"
Wakamatsu roared, storming toward Hayato, fists raised.
Hayato almost laughed.
A big guy like this? No threat. Still, scrapping with someone so petty felt beneath him.
"Hayato-nii?!" Sonoko and Ran tensed.
"What're you doing?"
"Hey, Toshihide, this is Katsuhiko's house!"
Watanabe Yoshimi and the sullen Naomichi rushed to intervene.
Seeing Naomichi hold Wakamatsu back, Minagawa Katsuhiko's mother, tray in hand, exhaled. "Everyone, calm down. No fighting… I just brewed coffee, and there's cake in the kitchen. Sit and eat."
With the host stepping in, Wakamatsu grunted, slumping heavily onto the sofa.
The fuss left Ran and Sonoko uneasy, whispering about leaving, but before they could stand, Minagawa's mother gently pressed them back.
"Don't rush off. At least have some dessert… I'd feel awful otherwise."
Her earnest plea made it hard for Ran to bolt.
Hayato didn't mind.
He was already texting.
Wakamatsu Toshihide, Beika Medical University tennis club member. Please dig up detailed info and send it over.
Recipient: Gin. Sent.
"No need to stoop to his level, Hayato-nii," Sonoko whispered.
"I'm not bothered."
"Really? 'Cause you were so cool standing up to him!"
Sonoko's eyes sparkled again.
Hayato just smiled.
Sekiya Kaori returned, looking dejected, with Minagawa's little brother, Akihiro, in tow.
The boy clutched a neatly wrapped chocolate—not store-bought, but handmade for Valentine's Day.
Confession flopped, so she gave it to someone else?
Hayato glanced briefly.
Minagawa's mother spotted it and frowned, snatching it from Akihiro. "How many times do I have to say it? Your cavity's not healed—no sweets!"
"But Kaori-nee gave it to me—"
"No. Sweets after the cavity's fixed."
No room for debate, she pocketed the chocolate, glanced at Minagawa Katsuhiko smoking as he returned, and headed to the kitchen for the cake.
Hayato lifted his coffee.
Swirling it, the steam carried a bitter, nutty aroma.
He sipped.
Good coffee, but something felt… off. He frowned slightly.
No one else seemed to notice.
Even Conan was sipping eagerly—shrunk, he rarely got coffee anymore.
Minagawa's brother copied them, trying a sip, only to grimace at the bitterness.
"Here's my cake, everyone," Minagawa's mother announced, returning with it. Seeing her son wincing over the coffee, she quickly fed him a slice. "Here, cake'll take the bitter away."
She gave him several bites.
Watching him swallow, she smiled. "Everyone, try some!"
Her warm insistence got everyone to take a bite—rave reviews followed.
"Masaki-san, you too."
"Thanks, but I'm not big on sweets. I'll have it later."
"It won't taste as good if it sits. Just one bite—tell me what you think."
Was anyone this pushy about cake, even if cheerful?
Glancing at Akihiro, who clutched his cheek post-cake—likely a toothache—Hayato picked up a slice.
"Mm, nice flavor. Not too sweet."
"Wonderful."
She gathered the tray. Minagawa Katsuhiko finished his coffee, lit another cigarette, and headed to the yard.
"Hey, Katsuhiko, have some cake," she called.
"Quit nagging."
He strode out.
She didn't press, quietly cleaning the table and retreating to the kitchen.
Bzzt!
Hayato's phone pinged. A message from Gin.
Wakamatsu Toshihide, per resident records, lives alone at Nishizaki Apartments, Room 203, 7th floor, Beika Town 6-chome 72.
Except Wednesdays, his fixed day off, he trains at a nearby gym every night at 8:00 p.m.
…
Thorough intel.
Hayato skimmed the address, glancing over the rest.
Living alone, huh?
His routine made him an easy target.
Hayato texted a quick Got it. No reply followed.
Ran leaned in, whispering, "Hayato-nii, should we go?"
"Yeah, let's."
Hayato pocketed his phone and stood.
Ran apologized shyly to the group, hesitating before giving Wakamatsu a small wave.
He ignored her.
But as Hayato rose, smiling and bidding farewell, Wakamatsu muttered, "Tch, coward."
Before anyone could react, a woman's scream pierced from the yard: "Ah—!!"
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 30 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL