Chapter 104: Delayed Gratification

　　Conan's kidnapping case has come to an end for the time being.

　　Yusaku Kudo and Yukiko Kudo kept expressing their apologies and gratitude to Hayashi Yoshiki, but in the end they were too embarrassed to stay in the Metropolitan Police Department and left with Conan.

　　While driving, Yusaku Kudo began to organize his words.

　　He originally wanted to use this prank to make Conan understand the danger of his current situation, and to make him aware that he might still bring danger to those around him...but he almost ended up sending his wife to jail.

　　However, after understanding his painstaking efforts, Conan still chose to stay here.

　　After a conversation between father and son, it was finally Yusaku Kudo who was convinced.

　　He agreed to let Conan stay, but if he felt the situation became dangerous, he would take Conan away no matter what.

　　Yukiko Kudo didn't say much about this matter, but after the father and son had settled the matter, she finally spoke up and asked, "So, Shin-chan, who is that handsome guy?"

　　"Hayashi Yoshiki, he seems to be Aunt Eri's nephew, right? He is Xiaolan's cousin."

　　"He seems like a very gentle and reliable person... Oh, it's so confusing. We just wanted to trick Shin-chan, so how did you end up hurting him?" Yukiko Kudo couldn't help covering her face.

　　"Hello"

　　Conan gave a dead look when he heard that.

　　"I heard you say he's also engaged in creative work, right?"

　　"Yeah, like you, dad, you're a mystery novelist."

　　"Yeah?"

　　"And he's awesome..."

　　Conan talked about a lot of things.

　　The more the couple listened, the more surprised they were - especially Yusaku Kudo, who couldn't help but become interested when he heard about Hayashi Yoshiki's performance in solving cases.

　　And looking at his son's appearance, it seemed that he had admitted defeat completely.

　　"The Case Files of Young Kindaichi? I'll go find it and read it later."

　　The car carrying the family of three drove away quickly.

　　------

　　9pm

　　Yingmihua Apartment

　　When Yoko Okino heard the doorbell, she immediately ran to the entrance and opened the door. When she saw the figure outside the door, a smile subconsciously appeared on her delicate face.

　　"Kashiki-kun..."

　　"Good evening."

　　Hayashi Yoshiki was wearing a neat black casual suit and a light smile on his face. When Okino Yoko was about to respond, he suddenly stretched out his hands from behind his back - he was holding a red bouquet of flowers.

　　This is a beautifully packaged bouquet of roses that makes you feel romantic at first glance.

　　"ah.....".

　　Yoko Okino exclaimed softly and was very surprised.

　　"Will you like it?"

　　"like....."

　　Her face flushed slightly, and she happily took the flowers from Hayashi Yoshiki: "Thank you, Yoshiki-kun."

　　Yoko Okino made some space for her, and after Hayashi Yoshiki walked into the room, he closed the door.

　　Snap

　　Okino Yoko was about to tell him where to mop the floor, but just as she was about to open her mouth, she was pulled closer by Hayashi Yoshiki, and her cherry lips were blocked by him in a somewhat rude manner--

　　ah...

　　Without having time to breathe, Yoko Okino subconsciously clenched her hands holding the bouquet slightly.

　　The wrapping paper of the bouquet sandwiched between the two people was squeezed, making a slight sound, which made Yoko Okino hold her breath involuntarily, and she only felt the fresh mint taste in her mouth...

　　"..."

　　After a while,

　　As if trying to hide her excessive heartbeat, looking at the smile on Hayashi Yoshiki's face, Okino Yoko slowed down her breathing.

　　"Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

　　Hayashi Yoshiki chuckled.

　　But he looked so calm and composed that Yoko Okino couldn't help but pout.

　　Hayashi Yoshiki changed into indoor slippers.

　　At this time, she found that his right hand was wrapped in a small circle of medical bandage, and her heart suddenly lifted: "Yoshiki, what's wrong with your right hand?"

　　"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious."

　　"Why are you hurt? Are you really okay?"

　　"Yeah, it's really okay. And I don't feel anything now."

　　"..."

　　Despite what he said, Yoko Okino still cared a lot.

　　She reached out and grabbed Hayashi Yoshiki's wrist, and looked at it carefully... Although she couldn't see much, the bandage was only wrapped lightly around the back of the hand, so maybe it wasn't serious?

　　"It's nothing, really."

　　Hayashi Yoshiki pulled his right hand away from Okino Yoko's hand, with the same elegant and gentle smile on his face: "Compared to Yoko's worried look, your reaction when you first received the flowers was indeed more adorable."

　　"...Don't play tricks on others when they are worried about you, Yoshiki-kun."

　　"Understood~"

　　"Really!"

　　"Ha ha."

　　He followed Yoko Okino into the house and saw that the bright living room was exceptionally clean.

　　Today is a rare day off for Yoko Okino.

　　The TV series she starred in a while ago received very good responses, and her agency arranged several activities for her. After these activities ended, she finally got a few days of rest.

　　This was her first night off.

　　Yoko Okino put on makeup.

　　She is very suitable for the gentle and sweet makeup style.

　　With her long chestnut hair falling down, her fair oval face is delicately made up. Her innocent and bright eyes under her willow-like thin eyebrows create a pure atmosphere. Her light pink blush matches her snow-white skin very well.

　　Yoko Okino felt a little shy when being looked at, but she raised the corners of her mouth and put the flowers on the table in the living room.

　　"Let's sit here, Yoshiki-kun."

　　"Um."

　　Hayashi Yoshiki responded gently.

　　He sat down on the sofa with Yoko Okino, and a variety show was playing on the TV in front of them.

　　Holding Hayashi Yoshiki's hand and moving closer to him, Yoko Okino suddenly felt at ease and relaxed... She talked about what happened during the program recording in the past two days, and then expressed strong anticipation for the next few days of vacation. Her smile was so bright that even Hayashi Yoshiki couldn't help but be affected and felt better.

　　"But it seems like Yoko is having a hard time."

　　"It's hard...but I don't hate it at all."

　　"Yeah?"

　　"Well, I've always dreamed of becoming a star since I was a kid, so even though it's a bit tiring, I'm still very happy."

　　"That's amazing."

　　Hayashi Yoshiki praised her and couldn't help but reach out and touch her head.

　　This is the first time he has done such an action...

　　Yoko Okino did not resist, but she felt that his hands were really warm. Being touched like this, she suddenly felt as if she was not so tired anymore.

　　"But I'm sorry, Yoshiki-kun, I haven't been free before... It seems like I made you wait for a long time."

　　"It's okay."

　　"..."

　　"How should that phrase be called? Is it called delayed gratification?"

　　Hayashi Yoshiki said this and gave Okino Yoko a smile that made her blush, "The longer I wait, the more I seem to be looking forward to tonight."