24. Hayashi Yoshiki, is Not Good at Naming

Edogawa Conan stood there stiffly.

But Mouri Ran, who was sitting opposite him, had already started enjoying the cake happily.

"Hmm~~~~"

The deliciousness of the cake made her reaction very cute - Mouri Ran covered her mouth with one hand very ladylike, her eyes narrowed into crescent shapes, while Kisaki Eri looked at her with a doting look and helped her get a tissue.

Hayashi Yoshiki was sipping his own cup of coffee.

Well enough.

Many coffee beans have more abstract flavors, such as bright and lively fruity or floral notes, rich grain caramel or biscuit aromas, etc. Hayashi Yoshiki can't understand them all, but he knows that coffees with fruity and floral notes tend to be more sour, and coffees with woody flavors tend to have a stronger bitter taste. "By the way, Conan, your name is Edogawa Conan, right?"

"...Um."

"OK."

As Conan watched Hayashi Yoshiki pick up the pen and write on the notebook again, he felt that his expression must be very stiff.

He wouldn't use his own name as a reference when he turned his own experience into a comic, right?

Wait--

I have to dissuade him from really wanting to publish this work!

Conan was secretly anxious.

And Hayashi Yoshiki did write Conan's name in his notebook, but he was thinking about other things at the time.

He has always been concerned about how Death Note determines real names.

Is it the target's registered name upon birth?

Or is it a name that the target himself subconsciously and innerly agrees with?

Or is it a name that is recognized by society and others?

Regarding the third guess, if we use Conan as an example: Conan's real name is "Kudo Shinichi", but his current identity is "Edogawa Conan", and whether it is in the consciousness of others or registered in the household registration, the name is "Edogawa Conan".

Even Conan himself has almost gotten used to and accepted his new name.

In this case, would it be effective if the name Edogawa Conan was written on the Death Note?

"…"

With the tip of his pen against his notebook, Hayashi Yoshiki became more and more concerned about this issue.

The notebook he always carried with him always contained pages torn from the Death Note. It was very convenient to write a name using the notebook as a cover.

"Brother Yoshiki, do you remember my name too?" Conan couldn't help but ask.

"Well, because your name is interesting, Conan."

"It's just okay..."

Conan felt okay about the name he had said casually in a hurry.

But his eyes were fixed on the notebook in Hayashi Yoshiki's hand - ever since the incident at Yoko Okino's house, he had been specifically looking through the videotape of Hayashi Yoshiki's live broadcast on Nichuiri TV, and he also knew that this mystery novelist had a habit of collecting other people's names.

"Speaking of which, Brother Yoshiki said he is not good at naming. How bad is he?"

"I'm also curious about this question, Brother Yoshiki." Xiaolan asked with her eyes wide open.

"Ah..."

Lin Jiashu's face froze.

Under the curious gazes of the two people, he seemed to have considered it carefully, and finally turned over the notebook in his hand to show them.

Edogawa Conan, Edogawa Kebei, Edogawa Keichi, Kawadogawa Conan, Umidogawa Conan, Edogawa Kurogi...

"…"

"…"

With just one glance, both Mouri Ran and Conan were stunned, and the former's eyes even became small.

Hah!?

Conan looked at Hayashi Yoshiki in disbelief.

Can't you put some of your imagination into the talent of naming, even just a little bit!?

So these are the names you came up with while watching me!?

Conan trying not to laugh out loud, but Mouri Ran, who was sitting opposite him, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

After laughing, she quickly apologized: "S-sorry... I wasn't laughing at you, Brother Yoshiki."

"It doesn't matter. After all, I'm really bad at naming." Hayashi Yoshiki closed the notebook.

"Everyone has things they are good at and things they are not good at."

Kisaki Eri also couldn't help laughing.

But when she looked at Hayashi Yoshiki's delicate and beautiful face, she found this aspect of him unexpectedly cute.

Mouri Ran also nodded:

"Yeah, actually, this suddenly makes Brother Yoshiki feel more real."

"?"

"…Because Brother Yoshiki is so handsome, and he's excellent in so many aspects. Although he seems easy to get along with, it always feels a little unreal." Xiaolan felt a little embarrassed.

"Is that so?"

"Well, I feel like this kind of Brother Yoshiki is better."

"By the way, have you two exchanged phone numbers?" Kisaki Eri suddenly interrupted.

"Not yet."

After Mouri Ran answered, she took out her cell phone the next second and looked at Hayashi Yoshiki with a bright smile: "Brother Yoshiki, let's exchange phone numbers."

"Okay, my number is—"

Under Kisaki Eri's smiling gaze, the two quickly exchanged numbers.

Conan was feeling a little jealous but he couldn't say anything. He could only bite the straw in his drink cup in silence.

"By the way, let's go out for dinner together today."

"But I have prepared the ingredients for curry rice at home, and I have to cook for dad..."

"Don't bother with that slovenly guy. That's it. I'll book a restaurant now—"

"Oh, let's just wait until next time, Mom!"

"…"

Mouri Ran started to act coquettishly.

Kisaki Eri was about to object, but Hayashi Yoshiki suddenly said, "Sorry, Aunt Eri. I have an appointment later, so I may have to leave for a while."

"How come Shiki too... Fine, let's wait until next time."

"Well, there's a restaurant I really want to try. Shall we go there then?"

"Which one?"

Mouri Ran smiled and took Kisaki Eri's hand, and spoke to her with an expectant expression.

Looking at this scene, Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but smile.

Mouri Ran is probably like this only when she is with Kisaki Eri. After all, she is the one who takes care of Mouri Kogoro and Conan. Not only does she cook, but she also does housework. She also has her own duties as a student that she cannot neglect...

Only when facing Kisaki Eri could the 16-year-old girl act like this.

And Conan?

At this moment, he was still staring at Hayashi Yoshiki with a vigilant look, wondering whether he had any feelings for Mouri Ran.

"What's wrong, do you want to eat this cake?"

Hayashi Yoshiki noticed his gaze and simply moved his piece of cake towards him - he didn't feel like eating anything sweet today.