Beyond the Truth: Mouri's Odyssey

Chapter 0039: Yukiko! Yukiko!

One week later, in a VIP suite at Singapore's Liyang Hospital, Yusaku Kudo lay on the hospital bed, listening to the conversation between his mother and the American doctor brought in from the U.S., just outside his room.

"Mrs. Kudo, I've done my best. While the wound has been repaired, the nerves in the affected area are completely destroyed. If recovery goes well, basic urinary functions shouldn't be an issue, but as for fertility... I'm afraid there's no chance..."

Before the doctor could finish, Mrs. Kudo broke into sobs.

Lying on the hospital bed, Yusaku Kudo gripped the bedsheets tightly. It was gone—everything was truly gone. His thoughts drifted back to the abandoned dock and the shadowy half-face that had emerged from the darkness.

'Whoever you are, I'll find you and make you pay the heaviest price imaginable.'

"Argh..."

Yusaku's bloodshot eyes bulged with veins as his face contorted into a grimace.

"Yusaku, Yusaku, stop it! You're scaring your mother..."

---

A week passed. The chaos caused by the horrifying terrorist incident in Beika City that shocked Tokyo began to gradually fade. After such a tumultuous event, the Youth Martial Arts Tournament was naturally suspended, and Kogoro Mouri's life slowly returned to normal.

He and Eri Kisaki resumed their days of daytime affection and nighttime passion.

Kogoro was a man of his word: when he said he'd stay playful from childhood to old age, he meant it!

However, Yukiko Fujimine had been acting strangely since the hijacking incident. Her attitude toward Kogoro alternated between cold and warm, with dramatic emotional fluctuations recently.

Although reliving the days from 20 years ago and being with Eri felt fantastic, Kogoro couldn't help but think of Ran in the present day. How was his precious daughter doing?

'When on earth will this damned regression mission end? So frustrating!' Kogoro had already submitted what he thought was the truth, but V-chan kept saying the case wasn't over and couldn't be concluded.

---

That evening, at the karate arena of Teitan High School, Kogoro Mouri lay on the mat, wearing a white martial arts uniform drenched in sweat. He had just finished exercising, his chest heaving as he panted heavily.

He was the only person in the entire arena.

'Ugh, how annoying. Eri had to head to Tokyo University to handle some paperwork, so it's back to sleeping alone for a few days.'

Suddenly, someone entered from outside, gently closing the arena's door. The figure remained hidden in the shadows.

"Who's there?" Kogoro called out, unable to see clearly.

After a moment, a silhouette slowly emerged from the shadows. It was none other than Yukiko Fujimine. She wore the school cheerleading uniform: a blue-and-white striped leather top that barely covered her ample chest, paired with a short skirt that hugged her curvaceous figure. Knee-high white boots highlighted her slender legs, while the exposed area between the skirt and boots revealed flawless, fair skin that was impossible to ignore.

Despite her bold attire, Yukiko's expression was one of firm resolve.

"So, it's you, Yukiko. You nearly scared me to death," Kogoro said with a sigh of relief.

Yukiko strode toward him with an intimidating aura. Seeing this, Kogoro quickly scrambled to his feet.

"Yukiko, what's wrong?" Kogoro asked in confusion.

The frustration bottled up in Yukiko's chest seemed to dissipate as she stood before him. However, upon hearing his words, her emotions erupted again.

"Kogoro-kun, you're asking me what's wrong? Don't you know?"

Pointing an accusatory finger, Yukiko's face was filled with anger. "Have you forgotten? At the abandoned dock in the west, the kiss we shared—have you forgotten it?"

"It's only been a week, and you've already forgotten everything. But I haven't forgotten a single moment."

"I haven't forgotten how, on the speedboat, Kogoro-kun held my face, wiped away my tears, and told me, 'Don't worry, I'll get you back safely.'"

"I haven't forgotten how Kogoro-kun stood in front of me, shielding me with a riot shield."

"And I definitely haven't forgotten how, even in the last moments before the explosion, Kogoro-kun gave me a doll he'd prepared, even though it was ugly. It was the best gift I've ever received."

From behind, Yukiko produced a small gray doll, now dressed in new clothes she had specially bought for it.

Hearing this, Kogoro scratched his head awkwardly. "Yukiko, that doll wasn't exactly—"

"Shut up! Let me finish."

Yukiko's icy glare silenced Kogoro. Holding the doll close, her aggressive demeanor softened into vulnerability.

"I feel guilty about Eri, but I can't suppress my feelings anymore. I've been struggling with this for days, but in the end, I can only confide in you, Kogoro-kun."

Kogoro opened his mouth, but he couldn't bring himself to interrupt the girl pouring her heart out before him.

"Kogoro-kun, though you're sometimes arrogant, annoying, and love teasing me... deep down, you're truly a wonderful person."

"Kogoro-kun, you're brave and intelligent, the perfect embodiment of the Teitan Knight. You were the first to identify the murderer in the gymnasium—your reasoning was so cool! And when I was trapped in despair, you gave me the courage to keep fighting. Even when I was tied to the bomb-laden speedboat, you risked everything to protect me. In that moment, I felt that even if I had to die with you, it would be worth it."

"Yukiko..."

"What am I supposed to do, Kogoro-kun? You're so amazing that you've completely filled my heart. Kogoro-kun, tell me, what should I do?"

Kogoro swallowed nervously, looking into Yukiko's eyes brimming with affection, unsure how to respond.

Yukiko took another step closer, her face just inches from Kogoro's.

"And even though the martial arts tournament couldn't continue, in my heart, Kogoro-kun will always be the strongest." Yukiko glanced at him briefly before looking down, seemingly embarrassed by what she was about to say next.

"So, about our bet... I admit defeat. I, Yukiko Fujimine, always honor my words. A bet is a bet. No matter what Kogoro-kun asks of me, I'll do it."

Her face turned scarlet. "Even if it's... something H-related!"

For a girl to confess so openly and even say something like 'Even if it's H-related'—how could Kogoro resist?

He cupped Yukiko's face and kissed her passionately.

One hand slid up Yukiko's slender waist, while the other reached for her exposed thigh.

---

The black belt slipped to the ground, and the white karate uniform fluttered in the air.

---

Unable to hold back any longer, Kogoro leaned down, beginning to explore deeper. In the empty karate arena, rhythmic sounds began to echo.

---

Volume 3: The Arrival of Haibara Ai