Chapter 98

"I have emotions too!"

Ren Amamiya, who had been listening quietly, sighed softly.

"It seems the story is indeed just a story."

"In reality, a girl who keeps giving chances despite facing so many things is already gone."

He could completely understand Mao Li Lan's emotional outburst at this moment.

First, she learned of Kudo's concealment toward her, and then she discovered Kudo's "selfishness" toward her.

Next, she learned that in the future, another Irene Adler would meet Kudo's fate; any girl would become emotional over such a thing.

Besides, Mao Li Lan herself was not a girl who could be so magnanimous.

Knowing the boy she likes has other girls around him, jealousy is the norm.

Knowing the boy she likes will have another girl around him in the future, one with whom he shares a common fate and direction of effort, anger is normal.

"Mao Li, this is merely my own understanding; what I say next has no relation to Kudo at all."

Ren Amamiya thought for a moment and still added a patch to his subsequent words.

"I think, before Kudo got that blow, he did not believe he would encounter such a big matter."

"This is only natural; if he had known he would run into such a thing, he certainly would not have rushed up with hot blood."

"He simply habitually did what he liked to do, just like a normal seventeen-year-old boy."

"It's just that his past life was too smooth sailing; he did not know there was such a thing as a sneak attack, and he forgot that bad guys do not reason with him."

"He was like the protagonist in a hot-blooded anime, always liking the unknown, always liking to explore."

"Actually, these traits are quite normal wherever they are placed."

"And just think of Kudo's situation."

"Having received elite education since childhood, he understood many things from a young age; plus, his father had gone very far on the path of detective work, so teaching by example naturally gave him much curiosity about the unknown."

"He can be said not to have done this intentionally."

"Or rather, he could not grasp matters of emotion that accurately."

"For a boy, this is a very normal thing."

"Besides, you are childhood sweethearts, and since you do not deny the title of 'Kudo couple' at school, outsiders see you as a couple."

"But still, something was lacking."

"Kudo himself also knew something was lacking, so there were some words he really wanted to say, but some Gu Ji and unease kept him from speaking them."

"Constantly retreating due to nervousness, Gu Ji, unease, and a series of emotions might be the situation Kudo was facing."

"..."

Mao Li Lan listened to these words very carefully, very seriously.

She could completely understand the meaning in Ren Amamiya's words.

She also recalled Shinichi's look sometimes, tangled yet swallowing back words that had reached his lips.

But she could not help but laugh.

"It happened many times."

"As I remember, Shinichi had many times where he wanted to speak but could not get the words out."

"But, it is enough already."

"Words that cannot be spoken are simply not spoken."

"He could not speak them then, he has no chance to speak them now, and he certainly will not be able to speak them in the future."

When she spoke these words, she felt her mood was exceptionally calm.

Shinichi now has no chance to say those words, so they will not have any more relationship in the future.

Moreover, only at this very moment did she truly realize how correct Sonoko's past advice to her had been.

She and Shinichi had incompatibility in their three views.

Forcing them together like this would be useless.

Some things are destined not to change.

"Xiao Lan, this is just fine!"

"Do not think about that guy Kudo; just treat the matter of work as non-existent."

"Besides, hasn't he already killed the identity of 'Kudo Shinichi'? Just treat him as already dead."

"Mm, I plan to do the same."

Listening to Sonoko's words, Mao Li Lan also deeply agreed at this moment.

No need to think about Shinichi's matters.

He himself has made the decision, so there is no need to think about changing the result.

Anyway, Aunt Yukiko and Uncle Kudo have already killed Shinichi's identity.

She believed that the identity he killed was certainly very perfect, leaving no problems for the organization to find.

Since that is the case, then she should just treat Shinichi as dead.

No need to think about other things.

"After making this decision, I feel my mood has become much more comfortable."

"Before, it felt like a stone was always blocking my heart."

"Now, it feels much better."

Mao Li Lan relaxed completely.

The current her has already relaxed.

She knows her state is not actually fully healed; some things cannot be let go just by saying so.

But she felt she could let it go.

As long as Shinichi never appeared before her eyes again, there would be time for everything to change, and time to get used to the fact that Shinichi would never return.

"Ren, do you think it's a good thing that I chose to let go?"

"I cannot give an answer to that question."

"But if you truly think this way, then everything must be judged by your own standard."

"Do not think about so-called stories; this is a choice you must make yourself."

"Mm, thank you."

PS: There is one more update, it will be a bit later.