Vermouth didn't answer right away. She glanced out the window, then turned back, resting her chin on her hand. "What's your plan?"
"...?"
Fujino was caught off guard by Old Auntie turning the tables on him.
Wait, you're going to rescue someone from your own organization. What the hell does that have to do with me?
You're asking me? I should be asking you!
Seeing Fujino's expression grow complicated, Vermouth smiled and narrowed her eyes.
"We've found where Mizunashi Rena is hiding..."
"Haido Central Hospital. I assume our information is right?"
Fujino spread his hands helplessly. "If you're determined to investigate, who could stop you?"
"But what do you mean by asking me for a plan?"
Fujino narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at Vermouth.
He wasn't sure what she meant by "plan."
Was she asking what he intended to do, and whether it would conflict with her plans? Or was she asking him to come up with a plan for her?
Those were two entirely different things.
Their narrowed eyes met, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Vermouth, however, kept smiling. "I mean I want you to give us an idea."
Fujino couldn't make sense of it. "You want me to give you an idea?"
"This is your business, isn't it?"
"Besides, you've already made your preparations. Why ask me?"
Fujino was speechless. A lawless organization had come to ask a Great Detective who was also an adviser to the Criminal Investigation Department about something like this.
How does that make any sense?
Vermouth's expression didn't change, but her face and voice carried a trace of grievance obvious enough for Fujino to notice. "Of course I have to ask what you think. It would be a shame if our plan made you angry..."
"Better to discuss it with you, just