Vermouth: Bourbon Really Isn't Human

"You really surprised me, Tang Ze."

Casting a distant glance at Heiji Hattori, who was waiting for Tang Ze at the other end of the corridor, Vermouth shifted into a more relaxed pose against the windowsill. Making sure the people over there could not see her expression, she narrowed her eyes at Tang Ze.

"Your class has been quite lively lately. I had thought you were a child who preferred to keep a low profile. Have you been attending Teitan for a while and decided you wanted a change of pace?"

Medical staff and patients' families hurried back and forth through the ward corridor, and the rooms' soundproofing was weak. Probably taking those factors into account, Vermouth did not simply switch back to her own identity. Instead, still as Chiaki Araide, she began fencing with words.

Tang Ze lowered his eyelids, concealing the particularly bright gleam in his eyes at the arrival of a performance.

Fortunately, playing the riddle-speaker was what he feared least.

"You flatter me, Dr. Araide. I have no intention of stepping onto the stage."

I'm not planning to steal Shinichi Kudo's spotlight, nor am I planning to draw anyone's attention.

"There was an unexpected change in their production, and the male lead has yet to be decided... I'm only filling in temporarily. The final choice depends on the male and female leads."

Something new happened with Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mouri, so I'm helping smooth things over.

"But Dr. Araide, that should be good news for you, shouldn't it? Don't you still have matters at your family hospital to deal with? From what I've seen, you've barely had time to manage the school infirmary lately."

*Don't open fire. You're shooting an ally. Besides, haven't the FBI and the like been giving you enough trouble lately? Things