[HIATUS] The Scarlet Memories [Detective Conan OC] (English)

Chapter 19

Everything will be alright. Everything will be alright.

I slowly get upstairs, in fear of the moment I'll be right in front of his door.

There is no reason to be afraid, right?

The fateful moment arrives. 

Should I knock right now?

I stay still in front of the door. After what feels like an eternity, I take a deep breath and press the doorbell button. A few seconds of silence pass, and I hear the sound of the handle being turned. The door opens, blocked by the safety latch, and I see Bourbon's head in the gap. He looks irritated.

- What are you doing here?

I find it difficult to support his gaze.

- C-Can we talk... Please...?

He closes his door temporarily to remove the safety latch. I stay still, waiting. The door eventually reopens, fully this time. Bourbon shifts, gesturing for me to enter, then looks outside.

- Did you come back alone?

- Yes.

He closes the door and we sit at his table, face to face, just like the night I woke up amnesic.

- Why did you come back? And where have you been?

- I... I remembered some things...

- And what are they..?

- ...

I look down, unable to meet his gaze.

- I did not kill Scotch... Just like you, I arrived after the shot...

- ... In that case, why didn't you check his vital signs ...?

- I... It was so sudden, I didn't realiz- 

He raises his voice.

- "Sudden" ?! Gin sent you to hunt him down! There was nothing sudden, whether you killed him or not.

I continue to stare at my hands. They shake.

What am I supposed to say...?

- I'm... I'm sorry...

I can feel tears coming to my eyes.

- Is that all you came to tell me?

- I... I'm looking for someone... and... and you might be the only person who can tell me where to search...

He slowly but surely regains his calm.

- Okay... I can't tell if I can really help, but at least I can listen to you. Who are you looking for?

- ... Well... I... I know that Scotch has a... A big brother and... And he's the one I'm looking for...

- ...Uh ? You are serious ?

Despite the irritation and coldness in his voice, I lift my head slightly and try to stand his gaze. His expression is more angry than I imagined. However, a few moments after seeing my eyes, he seems to notice something. He leans sharply towards me, causing me to recoil against the back of my chair.

- Don't tell me that...

He gets up before finishing his sentence and goes to his room. I don't move until he returns. When he comes back, he's with a little red box. He puts it in front of him before sitting in his seat.

Hm? Is he shaking?

- Do you remember your name ...?

- ... Miika.