IW: Chapter 163 - The Wise Do Not Fall in Love, Unless It's Vermouth!
"Outwardly, he looks like a child."
Bai Ye said indifferently, but every word he spoke put considerable pressure on Miyano Shiho's heart.
She was increasingly worried that her identity had been exposed.
However, Bai Ye didn't have that aura that made her feel afraid, the aura unique to the Black Organization; it simply wasn't present on Bai Ye.
"That's right, he looks like a child on the outside, but his soul is indeed an adult's!"
Sadako nodded in agreement; she hadn't thought about it closely until now, but observing Miyano Shiho's soul strength, it was clearly not a child's soul.
Sadako also realized at this moment that the child in front of them was probably not that simple.
"What do you mean?"
Miyano Shiho subconsciously froze. How did the conversation suddenly turn to her soul?
Occultism?
"Because this Office specializes in handling supernatural occurrences and various cases."
Since he decided to keep Miyano Shiho, Bai Ye naturally didn't hide the matters the Office needed to handle.
She would find out later.
What's interesting about this world is that even if one shrinks, their original appearance can still be discerned through their soul and other means.
"Soul? Don't joke around. You're from the Organization, aren't you?"
Such a ridiculous and bizarre reason was something she simply refused to believe. In her opinion, the other party was just lying to tease her.
"Organization? Us?"
Miko looked a bit bewildered, feeling like she was talking about something different.
"Sadako, show her your ability."
Rather than explain, it was better to let Miyano Shiho witness Sadako's ability. She believed the other party wouldn't have so many questions then.
And after witnessing Sadako's ability, Miyano Shiho also fell into a state of intense self-doubt.
She had lived for so many years, and this was the first time she had seen such a thing as a ghost!
Wait...
If ghosts exist in this world, does that mean she can also see her sister?
She had thought she would never see her sister again, but now that souls still exist, had her sister also become a soul protecting her?
Miyano Shiho looked left and right, feeling a little disappointed; she didn't seem to see her sister.
"So, do ghosts exist in this world?"
"That's right."
Bai Ye nodded, instantly seeing through what Miyano Shiho was thinking.
However, it's possible that Miyano Akemi truly exists in this world as a soul.
"So you know I'm an adult?"
Miyano Shiho had already believed Bai Ye's words, because Sadako's ability was indeed not an illusion; the other party truly existed in a soul form. She understood the moment she reached out and passed directly through Sadako's body.
Her identity as an adult seemed to be no secret to this group of people.
"Don't ask such idiotic questions."
Bai Ye said exasperatedly. She had already been exposed, yet she still asked. Was Miyano Shiho's IQ lowered due to being too shocked?
"So, you look like a child, but your body is unusual?"
Miko understood!
After Miyano Shiho told them some of her experiences, Miko looked at Miyano Shiho as if she were a ghost.
So, this world is still this dangerous?
"Very good. Since you have some talent, then stay and work in my Office."
"Hey, is it really okay to decide so arbitrarily?"
Miko watched Bai Ye speak to himself, seemingly without any intention of asking Miyano Shiho's opinion.
"I agree!"
Miyano Shiho initially thought that following them would only bring misfortune, but now she felt that perhaps the Black Organization wouldn't dare approach if she stayed with this group.
No matter how fierce they were, they probably couldn't deal with ghosts, right?
She also understood that staying with this group might increase her chances of finding her sister's soul.
"Very good. So, do you need to go to school? Or continue researching your potion? Let me tell you first, what I value is your skill as a scientist. I don't care if you continue to research that medicine, but I value your research ability."
Bai Ye directly stated what he coveted from Miyano Shiho.
He didn't need to be so hypocritical. He wasn't approaching her with a purely altruistic motive, and she would realize it later anyway, so Bai Ye didn't plan to lie.
Upon hearing Bai Ye's words, Miyano Shiho was a little surprised, but also felt that Bai Ye was very genuine. He would directly state if he valued her abilities instead of beating around the bush to make her do things. Sincerity is a killer move.
"I hope you can help me find my sister's soul, if she still exists in this world."
Miyano Shiho thought that since Bai Ye had a request for her, she could also make this request.
She would provide her research ability to help Bai Ye with research, whether it was APTX4869 or something else; she could research anything she was involved with.
But she also had one condition: Bai Ye had to find her sister for her.
"Okay!"
A very reasonable condition. As long as her sister's soul was still here, helping her find it was not out of the question.
[Ding! Changed Miyano Shiho's fate, rewarded with one gacha chance.]
Use.
[Ding! Gacha chance used successfully, congratulations on obtaining: Red Magic]
Got it!
Last time, he drew the Demonic Cultivation Physique, and this time, Red Magic. So, he was rewarded with a replica of Koizumi Akako, huh?
But it was still good; at least it wasn't some other crappy stuff.
Collecting his thoughts, Bai Ye turned to Miyano Shiho and asked, "So, now you have two choices before you. The first is to adapt to your current identity and go to school. The second is not to go to school and just stay in the Office."
Bai Ye didn't necessarily require Miyano Shiho to go to school.
Stay here or go to school, Bai Ye gave her the choice.
"My identity is a problem."
Compared to the anime where Miyano Shiho had no other choice, she was not very willing to go to school.
"I don't want to go to school anymore."
Considering her current age, she would have to start from elementary school, and she had no desire for such a childish life.
She wanted to stay here and research the medicine to change back, and at the same time, perhaps Bai Ye would also ask her to do research later. As an exchange for finding her sister, she would do her best to help with the research.
"Oh, right, I need a new identity."
She definitely couldn't use her old Miyano Shiho identity. She would need Bai Ye's help with that next.
"No problem. A new name?"
"Ai Haibara."
Ah.
Still the same as the anime, huh?
Bai Ye shrugged and didn't try to stop her.
The next day, Bai Ye took Ai Haibara's file and photo to the police station to process her new identity.
"Miwako, you seem a bit out of sorts lately, don't you?"
"What else could it be? It's just those thieves!"
Officer Sato Miwako said through gritted teeth. She had been investigating that phantom thief's information recently. She resented the guy who used the Metropolitan Police Department as a stepping stone to gain fame, and she swore to bring him to justice.
He had only appeared once, but he already had quite a few fans.
And as a police officer, she hated such people the most!
But as she delved deeper into the investigation, Officer Sato Miwako realized just how deeply hidden the culprit was.
She had absolutely no information.
"That phantom thief, huh? I told you, you've really been worrying yourself sick over this guy lately!"
Yumi teased, it seemed Officer Sato Miwako was quite invested in that phantom thief.
"Just a thief, that's all. Do you think people nowadays are crazy?"
Officer Sato Miwako grumbled irritably. Why would a thief have so many fans?
"Indeed, what's so great about a thief to be praised?"
"You think so too, right?"
Officer Sato Miwako nodded, then suddenly realized it wasn't Miyamoto Yumi's voice. She abruptly turned her head and saw only a tall, fair, handsome young man smiling at her: "Officer, excuse me, where is the place to process identity documents?"
"Over there..."
Yumi, infatuated, pointed to a building, her eyes never leaving Bai Ye.
So handsome!
"Thank you."
Bai Ye turned around, a faint smile playing on his lips. It seemed he had caught the attention of the police.
"So handsome!"
Yumi tugged on Officer Sato Miwako's arm, shaking it continuously. As she was shaken, Miwako's eyes couldn't help but show a hint of exasperation: "Hey, hey, hey, rein in your infatuation. He's already gone."
Though she said that, she did indeed feel that the young man was quite handsome.
"You don't understand. If I had met him when I was younger, he would definitely be my Gekko for life. Do you know which woman will be lucky enough to get him later on!"
Yumi ignored Miwako's attitude, cupping her face and sighing to herself.
"Then why didn't you make a move?"
"Sigh, I'm already an old lady, why would I?"
Yumi complained a bit. She was already old, and besides, a handsome man might not even look at her.
"Alright, let's head back quickly. I still have to investigate that guy's information later. Next time, I will definitely catch him!"
"You're obsessed, you're really obsessed!"
Miwako's words made Yumi realize that Miwako was now trapped in a dead end, determined to catch the culprit, and was being too hard on herself.
"Heh, isn't that what police are like? I just can't stand criminals getting so much praise."
"Yes, yes, yes. Then I wish you good luck catching this guy soon!"
Yumi also knew that Miwako had this kind of personality, so she didn't say much more.
It's just that those guys at the Metropolitan Police Department are probably going to complain again. Miwako, who throws herself into cases, is rarely seen at the police station. They're going to miss their goddess.
On the other side, after helping Ai Haibara process her identity and then taking her to buy some things, Bai Ye felt his wallet getting emptier and emptier. It seemed he needed to make some money from a good-for-nothing.
He could only rely on Gin to send money tonight.
Now, Bai Ye saw Gin as nothing but a money-sending child.
Eight o'clock.
At the Great Clock Tower, Bai Ye, dressed in his black-based red cloud robe, arrived punctually.
"Don't move."
From behind, a pistol pressed against Bai Ye's back, and a cold female voice held a hint of amusement.
"It seems not everyone is a fool."
Bai Ye was a little surprised. He had thought that Gin wouldn't be able to decipher his code.
However, the person who arrived was Vermouth, which also surprised Bai Ye.
"The clock tower that controls time, isn't that the biggest clock tower in Mihana? Speaking of which, your code isn't all that, is it?"
Vermouth had actually just deciphered the riddle. Upon seeing the clock tower, she realized where the other party had set the meeting point.
"We're all collaborators. Is it necessary to point a gun at each other the moment we meet?"
"No choice. Now there are two options: one is to join us, and the other is for me to silence you here!"
Click.
The sound of a gun being cocked, but Bai Ye didn't feel Vermouth's killing intent. Was she trying to test him?
"But..."
Bai Ye, with a flick of his wrist, directly snatched the pistol from Vermouth before she could react, then dropped the bullets one by one onto the ground: "When it comes to hand speed, it seems you're underestimating me, aren't you?"
"..."
So fast!
Vermouth's face flashed with shock. She hadn't even reacted. She had undergone special training, yet the other party could snatch her gun before she even realized it.
"This time, because of your distrust, I've decided to increase my mission's remuneration by thirty percent."
"Alright."
A hint of mischief flashed across Vermouth's lips. Anyway, she wasn't paying for it; Gin would be the one paying, not her, so she didn't care.
Instead, she had developed a slight interest in Bai Ye.
"So, what's the mission?"
Bai Ye didn't dwell on the matter. He was waiting to get money from Gin to subsidize his household expenses.
This group of people in the Office didn't produce anything; he was solely supporting them!
"Steal a gem."
"Gems again, huh? Your Organization really has a special fondness for gems."
Last time it was stealing a gem, and this time too.
However, thinking that longevity was related to that gem, Bai Ye was also curious: what kind of gem could actually grant immortality?
"So, action tomorrow night?"
"Alright, but I need to send out a notice first."
Panache!
A phantom thief needs some panache!
If you say you're going to steal something, you don't just quietly steal it. You announce it: I'm going to steal it, protect it well, but in the end, I'll still take it!
"What a strange quirk!"
Vermouth smiled radiantly, shaking her hair. As for these phantom thieves, she didn't know why they had such peculiar habits.
Looking deeply at Vermouth, Bai Ye finally understood why people said the wise do not fall in love, unless it's Vermouth.
"So, this time, that guy wants you to supervise me, huh?"
"Who told you to make him so angry last time?"
Vermouth recalled Gin's expression last time, almost exploding with anger because of Bai Ye, and she felt like laughing.
She seemed to have never seen Gin lose his composure before, yet he was infuriated to this extent by this guy in front of her.
Speaking of which, she was really curious about the face beneath this guy's mask.
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