Gin likes me?

"I can't let my brother and senior die in obscurity!"

"If that happens, I won't even have the face to visit his wife and children!"

146: You're so slow coming back, idiot

Silence, without actually taking many puffs of the cigarette, Uozuka Saburo just silently gazed at the scenery outside the window, as if there was something worthy of his careful appreciation.

He understood very well how Kogoro Mori felt now.

Although Uozuka Saburo did not ask for the details, after Uozuka Saburo handed the rescued Maori Ran to Maori Kogoro, he happened to pass by the convenience store that Maori Kogoro had disguised himself as before.

He was sure that the man with a gun lying behind the cover of the cargo rack had stopped breathing. Based on his and Daimon Miyuki's observations over the past few days, Uozuka Saburo knew that this man must be a colleague of Mouri Kogoro.

However, looking at the grief-stricken Kogoro Mori now, Saburo Uozuka knew that they were far from being just ordinary colleagues.

This feeling was not unfamiliar to Uozuka Saburo. He also knew that Kogoro Mori was too timid to face it, but he still felt that he had to step forward for something.

Even when he was informed of the death of Akiba Osamu, who had nothing to do with him and had simply disguised his identity out of admiration, that feeling was enough to make Uozuka Saburo feel suffocated and aggrieved. Not to mention that Mouri Kogoro and the dead policeman were truly brothers and colleagues with a deep relationship.

How to face the families of fallen comrades? This question is unknown to Uozuka Saburo.

"I have to find out! Because Ino-senpai died for me!"

Well, the level of trouble has risen by more than one level.

With a bitter smile on his lips, Uozuka Saburo felt that he really had no way to face Mori Kogoro at this moment.

"Mr. Maori, you know very well that these things are not something you should inquire about."

After taking a puff of cigarette, Saburo Uozuka turned his head for the first time after Kogoro Mouri spoke. Although he did not take off his sunglasses, his eyes were fixed on Kogoro Mouri's face.

Since Kogoro Mouri also believed that he might have been involved in this incident, but was not under the control of the same action unit as them, Saburo Uozuka did not mind using this identity to talk to Kogoro Mouri, a police officer.

"Because even if you knew, you couldn't provide any help."

He spoke the most cruel words to Mouri Kogoro in a cold voice. Although they had known each other for a short time, Mouri Kogoro still left a very good first impression on Uozuka Saburo.

Capable, principled, honest, kind, and loyal.

He should be a policeman and should continue to live a good life as a policeman.

As the speculations about the organization that Vodka and Kurosawa Hotaru had told him flashed through his mind, Uozuka Saburo became even more determined.

Unrelated people should not get involved in this kind of thing.

"Mr. Maori, you have a wife who loves you and a lovely daughter. I think you should cherish and value your current life."

Without giving Kogoro Mori any chance to continue speaking, Uozuka Saburo stood up from his seat decisively.

He no longer wanted to deal with police officers like Kogoro Mori.

When passing by Kogoro Mouri, Saburo Uozuka paused, slowly raised his hand and patted Kogoro Mouri's shoulder, then left the family restaurant without looking back.

"..."

Sitting in his seat in silence, as if he didn't notice that Uozuka Saburo had left, Maori Kogoro just lowered his head, letting the cigarette in his hand continue to burn shorter.

When the spark of the cigarette slowly rose and touched Mouri Kogoro's fingers, the burning pain made Mouri Kogoro, who had been in a daze for a long time, raise his head again.

"You're right, Mr. Kurosawa."

After putting out the cigarette in the ashtray, Kogoro Mouri slowly stood up with a gloomy face but his eyes gradually regained their spirits.

If Uozuka Saburo saw the look in Mori Kogoro's eyes here, he would definitely make an unhappy sound after a long period of silence.

Anyone with this kind of determined look is a troublesome person!

"But I chose to become a police officer, not just to choose a job."

. . .

"I am back!"

Dragging a large tray, Uozuka Saburo carefully opened Kurosawa Hotaru's room with the key.

After sticking his head into the room and taking a look around, Uozuka Saburo quietly walked in.

Gently placing the tray in his hand on the table beside the bed, Uozuka Saburo leaned over and carefully looked at Kurosawa Hotaru, who was curled up in the quilt with her eyes closed and sleeping like a porcelain doll.

"Really, isn't she cute when she's quiet?"

The heart that had been hanging in the air finally settled down quietly. Looking at the fast-sleeping Kurosawa Hotaru, Saburo Uozuka couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth slightly.

There are not many opportunities for the always cold and tough big sister to show such performance in front of him. If Kurosawa Hotaru had not increased her training volume without telling him during this period, and the irregular rest time during several missions combined with the unfortunate date of this month, Uozuka Saburo would not have seen such a weak Kurosawa Hotaru.

Normally, the big sister doesn't care about that kind of life at all. She just trains when she needs to and does her tasks when she needs to. She just endures the slight pain and it will pass.

In Kurosawa Hotaru's own words, she could not allow this level of pain and irritation to overwhelm her.

"You said it so confidently, but it's still not possible to hold on."

The slight joy in his heart disappeared with a sigh. After all, Uozuka Saburo couldn't really watch Kurosawa Hotaru being happy when she was in pain.

Looking at Kurosawa Hotaru who couldn't help but slightly frown her beautiful eyebrows even in her sleep, Uozuka Saburo, who was left with only heartache and self-blame in his heart, couldn't help but reach out his hand and gently place it on Kurosawa Hotaru's forehead.

If he had discovered it earlier and been more prepared, Kurosawa Hotaru would not have been so weak.

"I'm sorry, big sister, I will definitely take good care of you and stay with you forever."

"I already knew about this."

"Um, big sister, you're awake." His palms were slightly stiff, and Uozuka Saburo grinned, looking at Kurosawa Hotaru who suddenly opened her eyes and looked at him calmly.

"Yeah." He glanced at Uozuka Saburo who had a somewhat embarrassed expression, and then slowly shifted his gaze to the arm of Uozuka Saburo resting on his forehead.

Just as Uozuka Saburo was about to say something to break the awkwardness and wanted to withdraw his hand without leaving a trace, Kurosawa Hotaru closed his mouth again.

"You're taking too long to get back, idiot."

"Sorry, big sister." All the words that Uozuka had to say were suppressed in his heart. Looking at Kurosawa Hotaru who closed her eyes again and no longer had any of her previous vigilance, Uozuka Saburo smiled and nodded.

"I need to take a nap for a while, please don't move and disturb me."

"Yes, I understand, big sister."

147: Uozuka, you will take care of me

"How's it going, big sister? My cooking skills haven't deteriorated yet, have they?"

Uozuka Saburo couldn't help feeling a little proud as he watched Kurosawa Hotaru sitting on the bed with the tray on his legs, eating the meat porridge he had cooked in small sips.

You know, since he met Kurosawa Hotaru, he has never seen Kurosawa Hotaru cook any decent food on his own initiative.

Even when simulating long-term training, they only used compressed dry food, which was called cooking but was actually just food to fill their stomachs.

But it is different for Saburo Uozuka. Although he has not received any professional training in the training camp in this world, the memories and skills left over from his previous life allow Saburo Uozuka to cook relatively good home-cooked dishes.

In addition, Saburo Uozuka himself was also quite interested in food, and after studying at the Pisco Building, he happily found a niche subject that taught cooking and studied it, and his skills improved a lot.

It’s just that I’m so tired from training that I don’t have much time to cook for myself.

"Yeah." He nodded gently and looked at Uozuka Saburo who was sitting beside his bed with a smug look on his face. Kurosawa Hotaru didn't want to agree with him and make the smile on Uozuka Saburo's face even more stupid.

However, feeling the hot meat porridge sliding down from her mouth into her stomach, the warm and comfortable feeling made Kurosawa Hotaru reluctantly acknowledge the taste of the dish.

"Hehe, as long as it tastes good, that's what I said before, the advantage of being able to cook, big sister, it's very convenient when you want to eat something by yourself. It's a pity that you don't learn with me."

With his mouth wide open, Uozuka Saburo was very happy to get the approval of Kurosawa Hotaru, because his big sister would not praise anyone easily.

"I don't need it." Kurosawa Hotaru scooped up a spoonful of meat porridge, slowly put it into his mouth, and glanced at Uozuka Saburo.

"Whatever I want to eat, Uozuka, just make it for me."

"Yeah, that's true. Big sister, if you want to eat something, just tell me. There's really no need to bother learning it yourself."

He nodded subconsciously. Uozuka Saburo didn't think there was anything wrong with what Kurosawa Hotaru said.

Seeing Uozuka Saburo's unconscious acquiescence, the indifference in Kurosawa Hotaru's eyes softened a lot, and he just continued to eat porridge without saying anything more.

"But big sister, we have something to discuss."

Saburo Uozuka didn't care who would cook.

Supporting his knees with his hands, looking at Kurosawa Hotaru who was quietly drinking porridge on the bed, Uozuka Saburo, who had originally prepared to speak in a stern tone, subconsciously lowered his voice the moment he opened his mouth.

"Didn't we agree that every time we increase the amount of training, we have to do it little by little with the help of a professional trainer, and on those special days of yours, we have to reduce our training volume appropriately to ensure our health."

"Look, I was just a little careless in my mission and you collapsed. How bad is that."

"What? You think I'm causing trouble?" The spoon in his hand paused slightly, and Kurosawa Hotaru slowly raised his head, looking at Uozuka Saburo with cold eyes.

"Of course not. It's not a big deal. Taking care of the big sister is my most important task."

Facing Kurosawa Hotaru's gaze, Uozuka Saburo met her with a calm and gentle look without any fear.

"I'm just a little angry and remorseful."

"Why are you angry?" A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, and Kurosawa Hotaru felt a little confused.

If it was Uozuka Saburo who said that he blamed himself, Kurosawa Hotaru could still accept it, because after living together for so many years, she knew very well that in daily life, this big boy always liked to exist by her side as a caregiver, and always liked to interfere with her daily living habits and state.

However, Kurosawa Hotaru does not hate this feeling. It is better to say that she has become very accustomed to Uozuka Saburo's control over her life.

Whenever she hurt herself or felt pain because of her willfulness, Uozuka Saburo would act even more uncomfortable and anxious than herself, as if he blamed himself for not taking good care of her.

Kurosawa Hotaru likes this feeling.

Although she couldn't explain why, she liked the feeling that Uozuka Saburo's eyes were full of her and his mind was full of her affairs.

However, she couldn't allow herself to indulge in this state of being cared for!

So, once a year, it is enough to let yourself get hurt and then enjoy Uozuka Saburo's care.

But this time it was different. This time it was really Kurosawa Hotaru who fell into the trap accidentally.

Kurosawa Hotaru knew that Uozuka Saburo would definitely notice something was wrong with her, and she didn't try to hide anything. When Uozuka Saburo pulled her back from the training ground, she obediently lay on the bed and waited quietly for him.

She has behaved very obediently today, why is Uozuka Saburo still angry?

No, it seemed that when Uozuka Saburo took care of me like this for the first time, he also said that he was very angry?

"Of course I'm angry that you don't take care of your body, Big Sister. Really, everyone recognizes your talent, Big Sister, and I know how strong you are, so why are you so anxious?"

Looking at Kurosawa Hotaru putting the spoon back into the casserole, Uozuka Saburo shook his head helplessly, took the spoon from her hand very naturally, scooped a mouthful of meat porridge, blew on it and put it to her mouth.

After being stunned for a moment, Kurosawa Hotaru opened his mouth expressionlessly and drank it naturally.

Back in the day in training camp, if one of them was so exhausted from training that he couldn't eat, they would feed each other like this.

"You clearly promised me that you wouldn't be able to be fully prepared when you go on a mission, but you would definitely pay attention to your health during training. In the end, you still went to train anyway. Aren't you breaking your promise? If you do that, the image of you as a wise man in my heart will be gone."

"I'm not worried about getting hurt. Uozuka, you will take care of me." Accepting the food fed by Uozuka Saburo one mouthful at a time, Kurosawa Hotaru said something very calmly that made Uozuka Saburo laugh and cry.

"That's true, but is this the issue I'm talking to Big Sister about? I'm talking about someone who doesn't keep his word and promised me something but didn't do it!"

"...I'll pay attention." Her eyes flashed slightly. Looking at the serious gaze that Uozuka Saburo was looking at her with, Kurosawa Hotaru nodded slightly and took the spoon from Uozuka Saburo's hand.

"Okay, that's good to know." His eyes lit up, and seeing that his big sister had made a mistake, Uozuka Saburo almost shouted out in excitement.

"But, Uozuka, you also promised me that you would tell me everything you encountered during the mission, right?"

The voice returned to being cold again, and before Uozuka Saburo's smug smile could fully develop, Kurosawa Hotaru said something that made Uozuka Saburo's expression freeze.

"Um, big sister, didn't I tell you everything you asked~"

"Oh, I don't need to ask if I don't ask. That's right."

"..."

"(￣～￣) chew"

"Well, big sister, how about you ask?"

"Is this something I should ask or not?"

"...Sorry, I was wrong, big sister!"

148: God’s mercy