✓ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀: Detectives of East and West (RanpoxY/N)

20: Escape

Y/N

The name echoed in the room, a sinister presence that seemed to linger in the air long after it was spoken. The infamous "X"—a shadowy figure known for orchestrating criminal activities from the shadows. The room was silent, each of us processing the gravity of what Kazuya had just revealed.

"X....." I whispered, feeling the weight of the name settle in my chest. This case had just become far more dangerous than any of us had anticipated.

Edogawa remained silent beside me, his expression unreadable. But I could feel the tension in his hand, still holding mine. This was far from over, and we both knew it.

The game had just begun.

~~~

The next day

I sat in one of the uncomfortable waiting room chairs, my legs pulled up, hugging my knees to my chest. The room was filled with the muted hum of hospital activity, but to me, it all seemed distant, like I was hearing it through a thick layer of cotton. My mind kept replaying the moment I got the call, the sudden panic, the rush to the hospital. And now, all I could do was wait.

I was lost in my thoughts when a small motion caught my attention. I looked up and saw a hand extending toward me, holding a bottle of sparkling water. I traced the hand back to its owner—Atsushi. He was trying to give me a reassuring smile, but the worry in his eyes was hard to miss.

"Thanks." I mumbled, taking the bottle from him. He nodded, his smile faltering slightly as he watched me.

Naomi sat on my left, her hand resting on my shoulder, gently squeezing it every now and then, as if to comfort me. I could feel her concern, her unspoken words of reassurance. On my right, Edogawa sat quietly, his expression serious as he stared down at the floor. He looked deep in thought, probably contemplating everything that had led us to this moment. He didn't see this coming, and that was unsettling for someone like him.

Standing in front of me were Atsushi, Kunikida, Tanizaki, and Dazai. They all looked tense, their usual calm demeanors replaced with a sense of urgency and worry. We were all here, inside Yokohama General Hospital, because of the call I received earlier. My mother had been sent to the ICU. The shock had hit me hard, making me blurt it out in the office. The others had immediately responded, and we had rushed here as quickly as we could.

Now, all we could do was wait for the doctor to come out with news. The minutes felt like hours.Tanizaki stepped forward, his face lined with guilt. 

"I-I'm really sorry, Y/N." he said softly, for what felt like the hundredth time.

Before I could respond, Kunikida placed a hand on Tanizaki's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. 

"It's not your fault, Tanizaki. None of us expected this to happen." Kunikida said, his voice firm but gentle.