Edogawa Conan stood stiffly in place.
Across from him, Ran Mouri was already happily enjoying a slice of cake.
"Hmm~~~~"
The sweetness brought a delighted reaction to her face—Ran covered her mouth with one hand like a proper lady, her eyes curling into crescent shapes. Beside her, Eri Kisaki looked on dotingly and handed her a napkin.
Hayashi Yoshiki took a sip of his coffee.
It was decent.
He didn't care much for the elaborate flavor descriptions on most coffee bean packages—things like bright and lively floral notes or a rich aroma of caramelized grain. He'd learned that fruity and floral roasts were often sour, while woody ones leaned bitter. That was enough for him.
"By the way, Conan, your name is Edogawa Conan, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Got it."
As Conan watched Hayashi Yoshiki pick up his pen and jot something down in his notebook, he felt his expression freeze.
He's not actually going to use my name as inspiration for a manga based on my real-life experience... right?
No—
I've got to stop him before he seriously publishes this!
Conan was secretly panicking.
In truth, Hayashi Yoshiki had written down Edogawa Conan in his notebook—but for an entirely different reason.
He had long been intrigued by how the Death Note identifies someone's "true name."
Is it the name on their official records?
Or is it the name they subconsciously and personally identify with?
Or perhaps it's the name by which they are most commonly known in society?
Considering this third theory, Conan presented a perfect case study: His real name was Kudo Shinichi, but his current identity—recognized by both public records and everyone around him—was Edogawa Conan. Even Conan himself had grown accustomed to, and accepted, his alias.
In that case, would writing Edogawa Conan in the Death Note be effective?
"…"
Pen paused on paper, Hayashi Yoshiki found himself increasingly consumed by this thought.
The notebook he always carried contained pages torn from the Death Note, cleverly disguised among his notes—perfect for writing names without arousing suspicion.
"Yoshiki-nii, do you remember my name too?" Conan asked, unable to hold back.
"Of course. Your name is really interesting, Conan."
"It's... just okay..."
Conan had thought up the name in a hurry—it was a throwaway. But now his eyes were glued to Hayashi Yoshiki's notebook. Since the Okino Yoko incident, he'd gone back to review Yoshiki's TV appearance and noticed his habit of collecting names.
"Speaking of names, you said you're not good at naming things. How bad are we talking?"
"I'm curious too, Yoshiki-nii," said Ran, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"Ah…"
Hayashi Yoshiki's expression stiffened.
Under their eager stares, he hesitated for a moment—then turned the notebook toward them.
Edogawa Conan:• Edogawa Kebei• Edogawa Kexi• Kawadogawa Conan• Umidogawa Conan• Edogawa Corgi
"…"
"…"
After one look, Ran and Conan were stunned. Ran's eyes even narrowed into tiny slits.
Seriously!?
Conan stared at Hayashi Yoshiki in disbelief.
Couldn't he at least try to name things better, even a little!?
So this was what he was writing while watching me?!
He couldn't laugh, but Ran, who sat across from him, suddenly burst into giggles.
"S-Sorry... I didn't mean to laugh at you, Yoshiki-nii."
"It's fine. I really am bad at naming," Hayashi Yoshiki admitted, closing the notebook.
"Everyone has things they're good at and things they're not," Eri Kisaki said, chuckling.
But looking at Hayashi Yoshiki's handsome, composed face, she found this flaw of his surprisingly endearing.
Ran nodded in agreement:
"Yeah, it actually makes Yoshiki-nii seem more... real."
"...?"
"Well, you're really handsome and amazing at so many things. You're easy to talk to, but somehow, you always felt a little... unreal."
She looked a bit embarrassed after saying that.
"Is that so?"
"Mm-hmm. I like this version of you better."
"By the way, have you two exchanged numbers yet?" Eri Kisaki suddenly asked.
"Not yet."
No sooner had Ran answered than she pulled out her phone with a bright smile. "Let's exchange numbers, Yoshiki-nii."
"Sure. My number is—"
Under Eri Kisaki's approving gaze, the two quickly exchanged contact info.
Conan, meanwhile, could only sip his drink with a jealous scowl, biting the straw in silent frustration.
"Let's all go out for dinner tonight."
"But I already prepped ingredients for curry rice at home. I need to cook for Dad..."
"Forget about that slovenly guy. It's settled—I'll make a reservation—"
"Ah, let's save it for next time, Mom!"
"..."
Ran began to act playfully coquettish.
Eri Kisaki looked like she was going to object, but then Hayashi Yoshiki spoke up.
"Sorry, Aunt Eri. I actually have an appointment later, so I may need to leave soon."
"Oh, Yoshiki... Alright. We'll wait until next time then."
"Sounds good. There's a restaurant I've been wanting to try. Let's go there next time."
"Which one?"
Smiling, Ran took her mother's hand and started telling her about the place, full of excitement.
Watching them, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but smile.
Ran only acted like this around Eri Kisaki. After all, she was the one who cooked, cleaned, and managed the household while keeping up with school. She bore a lot of responsibility for someone her age.
But with her mother, she could finally be a 16-year-old girl again.
And Conan?
He was still staring daggers at Hayashi Yoshiki, trying to determine whether or not he had feelings for Ran.
"What's wrong? Want the rest of this cake?"
Noticing the boy's gaze, Hayashi Yoshiki casually slid his uneaten dessert across the table—he didn't really have a sweet tooth today.