Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 45 Rotten Luck

Author's note: New chapters 44 & 45 as of 21/9/2023. I am sorry it took so long. I've planned this arc for years since even before the rewrite. As a result, there were too many things jumbled together. It took me a while to whittle the scenes down into a coherent storyline. Hope you enjoy the update.

Visit me on Tumblr for artworks and interesting tidbits: wormwoodwine

Chapter 45 Rotten Luck

Deep breath! In ... and out. Akemi mentally told herself. Ok, let's recap. Katherine Vineyard—the only daughter of Gin and Vermouth is here in the house, having lunch and chatting with Bourbon, who is loathed by her father and has a complicated relationship with her mother.

Akai and Akemi shared a look. Does Bourbon know? If so, what is his ulterior motive?

Cold sweat beaded Akemi's spine. The terror surged so swiftly that she completely forgot about her planned interrogation. She could find out about Shiho's boyfriend later provided that she and Akai made it through the day. Akemi bit her lips and nervously avoided Bourbon's dazzling smile.

All eyes were transfixed on the guest of honor, waiting with bated breath for his reply except baby Hikaru and the unflappable Mary. Unlike her silently freak-out son and daughter-in-law, Mary discreetly hid her amusement behind her glass of water while enjoying the drama unfolding and acting like nothing concerned her.

"No, sweetie. My name is Rei Furuya. And who might you be?" Bourbon scanned the adorable little girl across the table. He recognized everyone here, including Akai's new baby, except for her. Interesting.

"I'm Kate. Call me Katie." Kate beamed at the possibility of one more person available to play with her.

Thank God, he doesn't know. The Akai and Akemi breathed out a soft sigh of relief. Gin and Vermouth were due to be back the next day at the latest. They should be fine. No one needed to know.

"Bourbon is his ... nickname." Akai came up with a convenient lie.

Mary spoiled the facade with ... a scoff which instantly drew Bourbon's suspicious gaze.

Mum! Akai's heart skipped a beat. He forced a smile to chase away his anxiety and said, "Katie's ... my neighbor's kid. We're babysitting."

Mary made a point to scoff even louder.

Mum! Work with me. Akai silently cried as Akemi's face gradually turned white.

"Oh, like your nickname, Shu Shu!" Kate exclaimed and looked adoringly at her favorite Akai. Fortunately, Bourbon's attention was quickly drawn away by Kate's remark.

"Ha ha ha—" Shu Shu! Bourbon's laugh thundered ... for a second until ...

"Is there a problem, Bobo?" Akai curled the corner of his lip into a sharp smile. Shu Shu was still leagues better than Bobo.

Bourbon's fists balled up underneath the table. It took Bourbon's remarkable self-control not to swing at Akai's smug, good-looking mug. He forced a smile, turned to Kate, and took his time to enunciate every syllable clearly. "It's Bourbon, sweetie. Not Bobo. Bour ... bon."

Unfortunately for Bourbon, Kate had already taken a liking to his mispronounced name. "Bo ... bo. I like Bobo! It's cute!"

"Bobo it is then." Akai grinned and drove the knife deeper. "You're not going to say no to such a sweet little girl right, Bobo?"

"Sure, call me whatever you like." Bourbon smiled through his gritted teeth. Then, he continued with renewed enthusiasm. "Say, have we met?" The girl's slightly wavy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and overwhelming confidence awoke a sense of striking familiarity deep within his memory that he couldn't quite place yet.