Guns and Coffee in the World of Science

The forest on Moonshadow Island was exceptionally tranquil. The towering trees reached the sky, their dense canopies slicing sunlight into dappled spots, casting a shadow on the leaf-strewn path. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the air was filled with the faint scent of pine and the salty air of the ocean. From time to time, a bird fluttered through the forest, its clear chirping adding a touch of life to the tranquility.

Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan walked side by side on this quiet path, stepping on the thick carpet of fallen leaves, their steps light and leisurely. Mao Lilan walked in front, jumping from time to time like a free deer, while Chen Shuo lagged behind a little, a faint smile on his face, watching her figure gently.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here." Mao Lilan turned her head and looked at Chen Shuo with surprise. "Look at those branches intertwined together, like a natural arch! And the air is so fresh. I have never breathed such pure air in Tokyo."

"It's indeed quite nice." Chen Shuo smiled slightly, his gaze following the direction Mao Lilan pointed. Several vigorous old trees intertwined along the roadside, their thick trunks covered in moss, their branches interwoven into a natural arch, as if welcoming every visitor who entered this forest. "This forest is very well preserved. It's a rare sight to see such a view."

"Yes, I feel much more relaxed." Mao Lilan took a deep breath, smiled and closed her eyes, as if she wanted to keep the tranquility and beauty of this moment in her heart forever.

Chen Shuo looked at her, his smile deepening. "You should get out more often and stop being trapped in the busy environment of Tokyo. If you can free yourself from worrying about it occasionally, you'll be better able to face the trivialities of life."

"Yeah!" Ran nodded and opened her eyes, a glint of joy in them. "Sometimes I feel like I'm really overwhelmed in Tokyo, especially with things at home. Although Dad and Mom have reconciled, they're still living separately, and Shinichi is always caught up in all sorts of things..." Her voice was filled with a hint of helplessness and fatigue, but then she smiled again. "But fortunately, with Brother Shuo around, I feel like I can relax."

"Really?" Chen Shuo smiled, his tone gentle, "Then enjoy this moment of peace and don't think about those troubles."

Mao Lilan lowered her head, kicked the fallen leaves under her feet, and looked at the tip of her shoes shyly: "Brother Chen Shuo, you and Shinichi are really completely different."

"Oh?" Chen Shuo raised his eyebrows slightly, revealing a playful smile. "How is it different?"

"Hmm..." Mao Lilan raised her head, trying to think of how to describe it. "You won't talk to me about detective stories that I have no interest in, nor will you care whether I am passionate about solving cases or not. You always listen to me quietly, but every time I am confused or don't know what to do, you always say something to reassure me."

Chen Shuo didn't say anything, but just looked at her quietly, with a hint of encouragement in his gentle eyes, motioning her to continue.

"And..." Mao Lilan blushed slightly, lowered her head, and muttered softly: "And...you won't always leave me aside to pursue some case like Shinichi does. You are always steady and patient. When I'm with you, I never seem to have to worry about being abandoned."

Chen Shuo's heart moved slightly, and the smile on his lips became softer: "Maybe it's just my style. Compared with natural detectives like Kudo Shinichi, I don't have that much enthusiasm."

"That's the best way you are!" Mao Lilan suddenly raised her head and looked at Chen Shuo seriously, her eyes full of determination. "I like chatting with you, really!"

Chen Shuo was stunned for a moment, then laughed, his voice low and gentle: "Really? That's good. After all, your happiness is more important than anything else."

Mao Lilan pursed her lips and lowered her head, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening. She rarely saw Chen Shuo smile so sincerely. Normally, he was gentle and polite, yet with a hint of distance. But today, in this peaceful forest, she seemed to see a softer, more genuine Chen Shuo.

"Brother Shuo..." Mao Lilan said softly, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum, "Do you think... am I a little too dependent on you?"

Chen Shuo was slightly stunned, then shook his head, a gentle smile in his tone: "How could that be? Everyone needs to rely on others in life. Your father relies on your understanding and support, and your mother relies on your company and care. Occasionally, you also need a shoulder to lean on."

"Hmm... that's right." A hint of confusion flashed in Mao Lilan's eyes, but then she smiled again: "I always feel that... every time I'm with you, I don't want to think about those complicated things anymore. I just want to walk quietly like this and chat about some light topics. Just like now, without thinking about anything."

"Then don't think about it." Chen Shuo said calmly, his eyes gentle and deep. "Sometimes, following your own feelings is easier than deliberately thinking about the future."

"Hmm..." Mao Lilan nodded thoughtfully. She knew that her relationship with Shinichi had become increasingly complicated. In the past, she would feel lost and anxious because of Kudo Shinichi's misfortune, but now... when she was with Chen Shuo, her heart was surprisingly calm.

"Brother Shuo..." Mao Lilan stopped and looked up at him with a hint of confusion in her eyes. "How do you think... our current relationship should be defined?"

Chen Shuo also stopped and looked down at her with a faint smile on his face: "Does it matter? That depends on what you think, Xiaolan."

"I..." Mao Lilan bit her lower lip, feeling mixed emotions.

She felt safe and relaxed around Chen Shuo. His composure and calmness always brought her a sense of security when she felt uneasy. However, she couldn't completely forget Kudo Shinichi—the childhood sweetheart who had been in her heart for many years. The two figures kept intertwining and overlapping in her mind, and she couldn't decide how to face it.

"Actually, there's no need to rush." ​​Chen Shuo patted her shoulder gently, his tone teasing, "You have plenty of time to think it over. You don't have to make a decision right now."

"You're right..." Mao Lilan whispered, then raised her head and smiled brightly: "However, no matter what the future holds, I hope to be able to walk and chat with you like today."

"Of course." Chen Shuo smiled, reached out and touched her hair, a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes, "No matter what happens, I will be by your side."

The two smiled at each other, and the wind in the forest blew gently, bringing a cool and refreshing feeling. Mao Lilan seemed to have solved some of the confusion in her heart, but more emotions were still churning in her heart.

She knew that her emotions were complicated, but at least at this moment - she just wanted to enjoy the time with Chen Shuo.

And so, the two continued along the path, their steps slow and leisurely through the silent and beautiful forest. Dappled sunlight shone on their shoulders, illuminating two figures walking side by side, gradually disappearing into the depths of the woods. Perhaps the future was still filled with unknown twists and turns, but the tranquility and contentment of this moment was enough to be remembered for a lifetime.

---

Leaving the quiet forest, Chen Shuo and Mao Lilan slowly walked along a path to an open area. In front of them stood a small community center nestled against the sea and the mountains. The building's architecture was simple yet elegant, its exterior walls covered in vines, creating a sense of age and solemnity. A gentle sea breeze rustled through, carrying a hint of salty moisture. The sound of distant waves drifted by, adding a touch of mystery to the tranquil island.

"The architectural style here is really nice." Mao Lilan looked at the exterior wall of the community center and pointed excitedly, "Doesn't it have a sense of age?"

"It's really quite nice." Chen Shuo smiled and nodded, his eyes casually sweeping across the entrance of the community center. The black and white cloth hanging at the door startled him slightly.

"Wait, Xiaolan, do you feel that... something is wrong?" Chen Shuo suddenly stopped and frowned.

Mao Lilan looked up and noticed the white cloth hanging on either side of the door and a black banner hanging in the center of the door, with black and white chrysanthemums dotted in the background. The entire community center was decorated like a huge mourning hall, and the surrounding atmosphere was particularly depressing.

"Huh? What's going on?" Mao Lilan looked at the decorations at the door in surprise, then turned to look at Chen Shuo in confusion, "Why... why does it look like a mourning hall?"

"I don't know either." Chen Shuo spread his hands, a hint of confusion in his eyes. I thought this was just an ordinary leisure facility, but it turned out to be a funeral hall? Did we accidentally stumble into some special event?

As the two stood outside the community center, puzzled, a middle-aged woman with a handbag passed by them, a look of sadness on her face. Seeing this, Mao Lilan hurried forward and politely asked, "Excuse me, what happened here?"

The middle-aged woman was stunned for a moment, then looked at Mao Lilan: "Tonight, the third anniversary of the former village chief Kameyama's death will be held here. Everyone will come here to remember him."

"Ritual?" Mao Lilan widened her eyes slightly.

"The former village chief, Mr. Guishan? How long has he been dead?" Chen Shuo asked subconsciously. Although he had just seen the banner, he always felt that this matter was a bit strange.

"Oh, it's been three years since Village Chief Guishan passed away."

After seeing the middle-aged woman off, Chen Shuo looked at the community center thoughtfully and silently. Xiaolan looked at Chen Shuo strangely: "Brother Shuo? What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"

Chen Shuo turned around and said seriously, "I don't quite understand your Japanese funeral customs... but is it really necessary to hold a funeral even after three years?"

Mao Lilan also reacted: "Uh... It should be just the custom of this small island... Please don't spread it to the whole of Japan..."