[Miu404] A Second Life That Begins with a Bad Ending

A dual-rebirth story about IbuShima, with a reborn bad ending timeline and the world of Conan as its backdrop.

(1)

The cold muzzle of a gun pressed against his forehead. With a bang, Shima's body crumpled silently to the ground.

In the final second before losing consciousness, a smile still lingered on his lips.

He knew that once he was dead, Ibuki wouldn't... absolutely wouldn't...

let the other person get away with it.

When Shima Kazumi woke up again, he found himself apparently reborn into his days in the First Investigative Division. His partner was Yoshitaka Kosaka, who had died in an accident in the past.

Did this mean he had another chance to choose?

[If only I could go back to that time...]

He used to think that way every moment of every day...

The direction a marble rolls changes constantly with the will of the people. Perhaps, at some minute or second, it can become the most important turning point in someone's life.

Perhaps this was his second chance, a chance to choose a new direction for the marble.

(2)

Watching his partner die with his own eyes was the most painful and darkest moment of Ibuki Ai's life. He gently closed his partner's eyes and picked up his gun without hesitation, aiming it at the killer. Just before he pulled the trigger, he lost consciousness.

When he came to again, he had returned to the days when he was still in Okutama.

...Shima, Shima.

He woke from nightmares at midnight, his partner's death replaying again and again in his dreams. It was as though Shima held the leash around his neck in his hand. If that leash ever snapped, he would return to the chaotic life he once had, lose his way completely, and spiral into madness and loss of control.

He wanted to find his future partner, his very best partner.

But when he secretly watched that First Investigative Division ace from the doorway, he hesitated to step forward.

Did he still deserve to be a police officer?

If he held the leash in his teeth, then personally placed it in the other person's hands,

would Shima refuse?

Was it really all right for him to make up for Shima's regrets and Uncle Gamo's regrets, then happily run toward an HE with Shima?

Ibuki Ai couldn't find the answer. The moment that First Investigative Division ace looked over sharply, he instinctively hid himself.

His tall frame crouched pitifully behind the door. Ibuki buried his face between his knees, until a shadow fell in front of him and an achingly familiar voice came from above.

"You wanted me to see you, didn't you?"

Mm-hmm. It's Shima, after all. His observation skills are as excellent as ever.

"Idiot, what are you doing hiding here?"

Mm-hmm. Blue's an idiot, so what can you do?

"Ibuki?"

Mm-hmm... Huh?!

Ibuki stared up in shock. Backlit, he thought he saw the corners of his partner's mouth curl up.

Ah, Shima...

The sunlight really is dazzling today.

A cozy reading guide:

A sweet story of mutual salvation and dual rebirth, with two strong leads, Ibuki x Shima.

I really wanted to see what would happen if two officers who call their partners Shima-shima and their childhood friends Jinpei ran into each other at the police station, so I crossed this over with Conan. The Police Academy Group will also be saved, but Conan isn't a major part of the story, just a backdrop.

Mainly MIU404, no secondary couples, everyday stories about Mobile Investigative Unit 4.

Cover commissioned from: @TeKunGouGouZhangYu

Theme: Every choice along life's path