"Sorry!"
Akihiko Tou paused mid-stroke and looked up at the sweet girl before him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but she hurried on, "Tou-kun, this might be forward—and I know it could trouble you—but please believe me, I'm serious."
"I've liked you ever since I saw you in the library—I think it was love at first sight!"
She bit her lip and glanced shyly at Akihiko.
He sighed inwardly.
Love at first sight? More like you've got a crush on my body!
"I'm really—"
She cut him off, but before she could finish, Akihiko said, "Don't interrupt—tell me, can you get into Tokyo University?"
He braced for a polite refusal.
"I—I think if I work harder I might manage," she stammered. "My grades aren't as high as yours yet, but I could make it."
Akihiko's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Honestly, I'm flattered, but you're not really my type."
Her face fell. She prided herself on her looks and smarts—surely she matched his ideal.
She opened her mouth to plead, but Akihiko pressed on.
"Kawakami-san, I prefer women either older than me or… much younger."
She gaped. "Tou-kun, you—what? That's perverse. We're in high school!"
"Not joking. I'm a pervert!"
He glanced at the clock. Library after school awaited him—no time for this.
"Sorry, that's just how I am. Excuse me."
Akihiko rose and left the classroom, exhaling softly.
"Too handsome, too many problems—how can you study?"
Since arriving at Teitan High, Akihiko had daily love letters. Confessions came in threes every week, all politely declined.
Yet, honestly, Sakura Country's high-school girls were beautiful in their sailor suits and short skirts—pure adolescence incarnate.
Across campus, couples strolled hand in hand, but Akihiko remained alone.
Not far away, two girls walked together.
"Ran-chan, look—that's Akihiko Tou!" Sonoko Suzuki pointed excitedly at the tall, lean figure ahead; Ran Mouri followed her finger, eyes conflicted.
Three months ago, Ran had learned from her mother that she had an older brother, Akihiko Tou. She'd worried he wouldn't fit in.
Yet in just three months at Teitan, he'd risen to first in the school, outshining even Kudo Shinichi in popularity.
"Ran-chan, he's the most sought-after guy here—no contest." Sonoko proudly brandished a photo she'd downloaded: "He's way better-looking than Shinichi, and his grades are genius."
Ran rolled her eyes. "A paper's nothing—if Shinichi didn't spend half his life on cases, he'd get into Tokyo, too."
"Not so fast." Sonoko hummed. "By the way, didn't Shinichi invite you to the amusement park? Don't go."
"Why not?"
"Come with me to chase Akihiko…"
She trailed off as the two groups met.
Akihiko smiled at Ran and Sonoko's chatter—it felt like the prologue to a new mystery.
"Tou-kun, you overheard that…" Sonoko began.
"I heard everything."
Sonoko's cheeks flamed—her embarrassment was adorable. Ran shook her head—Sonoko was always bold in love.
"How have you been, Ran-chan?" Akihiko asked, slightly amused by the formality.
"I'm fine, Akihiko-san. Thanks for—" Ran bit her lip.
"'Akihiko-san' feels weird between us," he teased gently.
Ran turned bright red—she'd never called Shinichi that, either.
"Ran-chan, what's your relation?" Sonoko tugged at her arm.
"I'm living with him—my mother's house. We've met a few times."
Sonoko pouted. "Ran-chan, you have a hot brother and you didn't tell me?"
"Stop it," Ran laughed, nudging Sonoko.
Akihiko smiled and waved goodbye as he headed inside.
Suddenly, Kudo Shinichi appeared in the schoolyard, flanked by uniformed officers—about a dozen in all, the sight sending ripples through the campus.
Students recognized Shinichi at once and murmured.
"Why's Shinichi brought the police here? A murder?"
"He's coming this way—looks like he's after you, Tou-kun."
Ran blinked in surprise. Shinichi walked straight to her brother.
"Sorry, Akihiko-san—" Shinichi began.
"The police and I suspect you're connected to a major homicide. You need to come with us."
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