Vineyard [Detective Conan fanfic, Vermouth x Gin]

Chapter 6

Disclaimer: Detective Conan belongs to Gosho Aoyama and associated parties. I do not make money nor own anything with the exception of my own original characters.

Author's note: The main storyline stays the same with added content. But it has been heavily rewritten and uploaded as of 28/06/2022, so please read it from the beginning. This story is officially set in an alternative universe where the Miyanos and Akais aren't related.

Chapter 6

Akemi popped her trunk, carefully balanced two bags full of groceries, and walked slowly down the driveway. Suddenly, the bottom of one bag gave out, spilling its contents all over the place. She crouched and tried to salvage the situation by gathering what was left of the grocery.

"Need a hand?"

Akemi looked up to see Vermouth holding a little girl's hand.

"I can help too." Kate suggested, full of joy.

"Thank you." Akemi smiled, grateful for any human interaction. The move had been more brutal than she thought. Being away from her sister, in a foreign land, not to mention Akai's crazy schedule. While his work was much less dangerous than law enforcement, it was just as demanding.

"Can you hold this, baby?" Vermouth picked up a tomato and put it in her daughter's palm, giving her the illusion of participating.

"Yes." Kate nodded.

Vermouth started gathering the groceries on the sidewalk before unloading the rest of Akemi's bags. "Do you want to join us for dinner?"

Akai had been away so much that even the neighbors noticed.

"I don't think Gin wants me there."

"Exactly. That's the fun." Vermouth smiled as her neighbor was stocking the fridge. "Give Akemi the tomato, sweetheart."

"Here." Kate held up the fruit with two hands over her head.

"Thank you very much," Akemi said; her heart melted a little.

"You're welcome. Let's eat!" Kate grabbed Akemi's hand and dragged her out the door.

"Oh ... okay." Akemi took in her darkened, empty house. Suddenly, Gin's glare didn't seem so menacing. Channeling every ounce of courage, she followed the girl.

***

"Akemi will be joining us for dinner." Vermouth stated matter-of-factly when she got through the door.

"Excuse me?" Gin was in the middle of stir frying a mixture of colorful vegetables, and he reacted with the volatility of a fuming volcano. "And you tell me now?" Then, he turned around and saw the look on Vermouth's face. He knew the look. That woman was scheming, and once again, forcing her plan on him.

"I'm terribly sorry to intrude." Akemi bowed deeply with every bit of etiquette a Japanese possessed.

"You should be." He mellowed out, getting back to setting the table, and adding a plate.

"I invited her, Gin." Vermouth explained, guiding her guest to the living room.

"Obviously." He scoffed. It was stereotypical of that woman. Luring people in, charming them to her own ends; Akemi was merely a pawn.

"Do you need a hand?" Looking at the busy man in the kitchen, Akemi offered. She wasn't comfortable sitting down while her host made all the preparations.

Her kind proposition was met with a stern glare. "Stay out of my way."

"Do you want anything to drink?" Vermouth asked, pouring herself a glass of wine.