The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan

"The deceased, Taiji Tatsumi, was fifty-eight years old and the president of a video game company." Takagi Wataru reported to Megure Thirteen who had crossed the cordon. "The people who found the body were employees of the same company. They were going to take the elevator back to the company to get something. The body was found in the elevator."

"What are you going to get?" Mumu Shisan took out his booklet and casually learned about the first discoverer.

"Oh, this company's office is on the 24th to 36th floors of the Central Building. Today is the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of their company. They went back to get the bouquets they needed to use at the end of the event." Takagi Wataru completed the preliminary survey smoothly. He replied politely, "The elevator is also for their company's exclusive use."

"The clothes of the deceased were very untidy." He looked down at the scene and touched his chin. "The murderer was trying to make money, or was he looking for something on the deceased?"

"It is currently unclear whether the deceased suffered any property damage. However, the staff present said that they had not heard any gunshots. This floor may not be the location of the murder." Wataru Takagi answered truthfully, "According to the staff, the president was there In the middle of the event, I said I felt unwell and was going back to the company to take a rest.”

"So, it is very possible that when there was no one in the company, someone else broke in and wanted to steal. Unexpectedly, the deceased suddenly came down in the elevator... After being shot, the employee who needed to go downstairs pressed the elevator button. , the corpses came up." Mumu Shisan followed this logic and analyzed it.

"No, if the murderer is armed with a weapon and intends to rob or otherwise, he can use the gun to force the deceased to follow him and lead him to a place where no one is around to deal with it." A young voice interrupted their discussion, "And no matter what it is, The robber searched the deceased and found that he had unbuttoned his shirt cufflinks, which is too exaggerated."

"Maybe it's to check the watch or something...it's you, Brother Kudo." Megure Thirteen turned his head, looked at the young man who was already standing in front of the elevator door, and sighed secretly.

"Shh, don't expose my identity." At any rate, he still remembered that he wanted to minimize the news of his appearance again. Kudo Shinichi quickly lowered his palms, "I, uh, I'm just coming back temporarily this time, I don't want to make too much trouble." High profile. If anyone asks, just say I'm the new police officer."

"Being so mysterious is really out of character for you." Megure Thirteen raised his thick black eyebrows, "Weren't you always unwilling to have anything to do with the police?"

Maybe it was due to the media hype. Kudo Shinichi didn't seem to want to be considered to have a close relationship with the police. Megure Thirteen had been working with him for a long time and was already used to it.

"Once in a while, please, please. Xiaolan and I came to the observation restaurant upstairs for dinner today, and we don't want to make too much noise." After finding an excuse for himself, Kudo Shinichi clasped his hands together and reluctantly explained.

"Can high school students go to such an expensive restaurant to eat casually? Times have changed." Megure Thirteen sighed.

Moreover, as soon as the detective came to eat, a murder occurred in the building. Is this a different kind of damage to goodwill?

Hey, why do I have such an association...

"I don't know why, but I have a vague impression. Did a similar case happen here before? Ten or twenty years ago?" Mu Mu Shisan, who couldn't think of an answer for a while after recalling it, looked towards him for advice. subordinate.

"Officer Megure, I was only in elementary school at the time, so I can't even remember..." Takagi Wataru smiled bitterly.

"Forget it if you can't remember. Focus on this case first." Mumu Shisan shook his head and re-examined the scene, while muttering silently in his heart.

These detectives are really guys that people love to hate.

————

"Your friend is a detective." The waiter who stepped forward to ask if he wanted to continue serving food nodded suddenly.

"Yeah, so he rushed out when he heard the scream just now. He should be back soon." Mao Lilan, who was confident in Kudo Shinichi's ability, nodded affirmatively.

"That's really interesting." The waiter looked at Mao Lilan's beautiful face and smiled.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I heard from our old supervisor that there was such a couple twenty years ago, sitting at your table. After the man went to solve the case, he returned to the restaurant and said something loudly to the girl. .”

Mao Lilan was stunned and glanced in the direction Kudo Shinichi left: "What did he say?"

"Proposal. How about it? Isn't it very romantic?" The waiter winked at her teasingly, "I wish you a pleasant night."

Proposal……

Mao Lilan stared blankly at the waiter's leaving figure. After a few seconds, the blush hung on his cheeks again.

"It's too exaggerated. How is it possible..." Pressing her heart that was beating violently, Mao Lilan turned around and muttered softly.

"When you encounter a murder case while eating, after a careful reasoning display, like a hero returning home in triumph, you tell your love to your lover... It really seems like their style." He picked up the napkin on the table and wiped his lips. Corner, Belmode looked away and looked at the person sitting opposite with interest, "What do you think the cool guy wants to say to her?"

Tang Ze scooped up a spoonful of ice cream and stuffed it into his mouth. He didn't want to look at the aunt's face opposite him that was almost full of smiles: "Then you should ask him in person. I'm curious, if he really chooses Frankly, even telling the whole story about the organization...what are you going to do?"

It's not surprising that Belmode would keep an eye on people. Kudo Shinichi's return caused a much bigger noise than before. To completely cover up the fact that he appeared, Belmode would have to expend a lot of energy.

It was also because of this that Karasawa found a reason to take Conan, now Haibara Ai in disguise, away from Maori's house, and chose to come over in person to help him deal with everything.

He couldn't let Haibara Ai be exposed to Belmod's sight alone, and this time Kudo Shinichi might have the opportunity to tell Mao Lilan exactly what he had not said.

"Tell, just tell." Belmod shook the wine in his hand and brought it to his lips gracefully, "Let the chicks who are about to fly out of the nest know how dangerous the outside world is. This is to protect them."

She was attracted by these bright pure white souls and unconsciously approached them, but she knew very well that if she wanted to keep these pure white souls sparkling, she should stay as far away as possible and not let the darkness touch them at all.

"Last time you and Bourbon had such an unpleasant quarrel, I thought you didn't even want to step foot here." Tang Ze teased as he swept the cups and plates on the table that exuded the fragrance of organizational funds.

The money that Karasawa brought back, apart from sharing the stolen goods with Toru Amuro, oh no, the shared part was basically filled into the small coffers of the Phantom Thieves. Although he never saved money on expenses, he would not go to places like this all day long to eat.

Today, looking at the bill, he deeply understood the joy of bourbon.

Spending other people's money on a big meal is a pleasure.

A dessert worth nearly 10,000 yen, Karasawa only had four of them, and he was even a little bit unsatisfied.

"Bourbon hate is Bourbon's problem. Food is not guilty." Belmode snorted, not surprised that Kumel had found such specific information.

Moreover, with the scenery of two children as a side dish, Bourbon's insidious calculations were not worthy of affecting her appetite.

"Then I wish you a happy meal." Karasawa, who was still in his Akechi Goro state, put the last spoonful of ice cream dipped in chocolate sauce into his mouth and adjusted his straight shirt, "Okay, I'll go take a look at our How’s the superhero doing?”

Belmode raised his wine glass to him in agreement.

If the cool guy really failed to hide his identity and was exposed to so many viewers, another famous detective would appear and take over the case, which would attract the attention of more than half of the audience.

Kumail’s identity is really useful.

"The princess is still waiting for her knight, so don't let her go away disappointed."

Tang Ze nodded, stood up, and walked towards the safe exit.

Of course he understood. What Belmod meant was that if Kudo Shinichi's medicine expired here and he turned back into Conan, then he should cooperate with the disguise to become Kudo Shinichi and at least give Mao Lilan a formal farewell. .

However, she doesn't need to worry about this kind of thing at all.

This time, the hero naturally has a way to overcome obstacles and stand in front of her.

Karasawa promised.

————

"Control your emotions first, Miss Tatsumi." Interrupting the endless sobs of the exquisitely made-up woman, Kudo Shinichi confirmed, "You said that you checked the time because you saw Mr. Ohba's watch, and he was using his left hand at the time. , touch the earring on your left side..."

"Of course. Although it was very dark at the time, Oba's handwriting was luminous. I saw it very clearly, at 8:30." Chizu Tatsumi nodded as he wiped away his tears.

"Well, that's really a coincidence." Kudo Shinichi squinted in the direction of Oba and said pointedly.

"Indeed, it seems like it was done deliberately to let her see it." Megure Thirteen thought for a while and noticed Oba's suspicion.

His intimate behavior with Tatsumi Chizu seemed to be deliberately creating an alibi for himself. It was too deliberate.

"Are you doubting me, officer?" Ohba, who was targeted, calmly said, "But you just checked, and there is no smoke reaction in the clothes I changed or on myself, let alone Qianjin. I didn’t hear any movement, so I can’t be the shooter.”

"Although I covered the opponent's ears, it was impossible for Ms. Tatsumi not to hear a sound at such a close distance, but the event started at 8:30, and the sound of the cannons could completely cover up the sound of the gunfire. I heard the continuous firing of cannons. , Ms. Tatsumi will think that the sound she just heard is very natural."

Kudo Shinichi turned Tatsumi Chizu in a direction so that her back was facing the elevator door. He stood opposite her and demonstrated the actions he would perform during a large-scale crime.

"Hold Ms. Tatsumi like this, and then after you kiss and the other person closes their eyes, raise your hand and press the elevator button... When the elevator door opens, you only need to raise the prepared gun, and then, bang!"

Tatsumi Chizu stood there blankly, trying to recall all the details of the passionate kiss in the darkness, and clenched her hands nervously.

"...Interesting reasoning, rookie police officer. But at that time, the president had already left the venue and headed to the company below. Why was he standing still in the elevator? Even if he was indeed in the elevator at that time, the sound of the elevator arriving was... It will also be eye-catching.”

The well-prepared detective explained lightly: "This brings up the issue of the deceased's disheveled clothes. I heard from your company colleagues that you are responsible for playing the company's mascot at events. You only need to suggest to the deceased, for example, You pretend to leave first, and then come back in doll clothes, it can be used as a surprise for the event. For such an important anniversary, the deceased will definitely happily agree."

While speaking, he couldn't help but lift the collar of his suit slightly to get rid of the heat on his face.

Is the air conditioner turned on too high? It feels like it's getting hotter and hotter.

"So, the deceased's clothes were messed up by himself. Is he going to change his clothes directly in the elevator?" Memu Shisan said "Oh" and suddenly said, "That's right. If the elevator stays on this floor, Of course it won't make a 'ding' sound when turned on."

"Yes, as for gun smoke reaction..." Kudo Shinichi, who swallowed and felt a little dry, took a deep breath before speaking, "It is normal to not find gun smoke reaction on clothes. What are you really talking about?" The props are hidden here.”

He raised his steps and walked towards the frog costume sitting with his head down in the corner. Every step he took, he felt pain in his joints. He seemed to suddenly turn into the little mermaid who came ashore, walking in the sea of ​​​​knives and fire.

This reaction, this feeling...

Although there is a big difference from last time, this should mean that he is about to become a child again.

It happens to be at this time, at such a critical time...!

Whether it was due to the effect of the medicine or panic and frustration, he felt his heart beating violently in his chest, causing sweat to form on his forehead.

Speed ​​up, he must speed up, there is not much time left for him.

"I heard a detail when I asked about it. The staff said that tonight's mascot kept blinking at people. It seemed interesting at first, but it was very strange after seeing more. I was thinking, could this be the case? "He opened the doll's eyeballs made of transparent plastic shells, and pulled out a ball of gloves and rubber bands wrapped in plastic paper from behind the steel wire structure that pulled the paper.

"Wear gloves, put the pistol into a plastic bag, and secure the plastic bag with a rubber band. In this way, after shooting, not only will there be no smoke reaction on the clothes, but even the bullet casings will not be left at the scene."

"Can Miss Tatsumi not see such a set of actions?" Takagi Wataru imagined his movements for a while and couldn't help but ask.

"First of all..." Kudo Shinichi looked at the police officer he had just communicated with and snapped his fingers. "Before the event starts, the lights in the entire venue are turned off, and the only light source is at the stage."

The lights slowly dimmed as he spoke, and the faces around him gradually blurred into the darkness, and only vague outlines could be seen.

Kudo Shinichi, who felt pain all over his limbs, stopped holding on and reached out to hold on to the wall beside him.

He could barely stand.

"It's true that you can't see clearly." Takagi Wataru looked around and agreed with him.

"In addition to the gift he gave Miss Tatsumi, in the darkness, Miss Tatsumi who wanted to put on the necklace could only wear it in front of the dressing mirror in the bathroom, so that he could easily throw the gun into the nearby garbage chute." Clutching the shirt on his chest tightly, Kudo Shinichi tried his best to keep his voice steady, "Your fingerprints must still be on the plastic paper."

"...of course it exists." Daba stood in the dark environment, relying on the fact that no one could see clearly, and no longer concealed the proud and sinister smile on his face, "And it's not just my fingerprints. We discovered the eyes at that time problem. So I opened my eyes with a few staff members and took that thing out."

"Uh, yes, because one of the eyes kept blinking, we opened it and checked it, and found a bag. We were worried that it was a part that was already there, and we were afraid of damaging it, so we put it back..." Station The members of the club who were watching not far away quickly explained.

Eager for revenge, he couldn't miss today's opportunity, but he never dared to underestimate the power of the police and detectives.

So when planning, he tried his best to plan and try to eliminate all traces.

So far, he's been very successful.

"Then how do you explain what you said?" Kudo Shinichi, who could no longer stand upright, barely moved a few times while holding on to the wall, and leaned against the elevator door.

The cold metal plate pressed against his sweaty neck, temporarily keeping him awake.

Also, the last bit of evidence that one hit kills.

"'The necklace I prepared today matches your pink earrings very well." Ms. Tatsumi said, this is the jewelry she bought on the way here in order to meet you. In other words, this should be the first time you see it. That's right. Why do you know her earrings are pink?"

"It's not obvious just by looking at it..." Dazhao choked on his words when he realized something was wrong.

He turned his head sharply in the direction of Tatsumi Chizu.

"Yes, you two made an appointment to meet and kiss secretly in the dark. And in such an environment, even if you are very close, it is difficult to accurately distinguish its color. Unless..."

Kudo Shinichi said this, raised his hand and pressed the elevator button.

The elevator that had always stayed on this floor slowly opened, and the bright light pierced the darkness, like a knife striking the dim environment.

"Unless the elevator door suddenly opens, revealing a ray of light."

Oba, who was completely speechless, stood frozen on the spot.

"Hey! Ohba, are you really..." After the demonstration, the surrounding lights slowly turned on, and Tatsumi Chizu looked at her lover in disbelief.

She knew that there were some differences between her father and him. When she tentatively proposed that she was interested in Dachang, her father sternly rejected her, claiming that she could like anyone, but not Dachang.

However, are these differences really serious enough to require killing each other, or even using her to kill her father?

"Why did you open the elevator door at that moment, Mr. Ohba?"

"...The reason is very simple." The overhead light was turned on again, and the environment returned to light, revealing the expressionless face of the boss. "Because I swore to my father that I would definitely avenge him."

"Your father?" He secretly recited the surname Dachang twice and looked at his face when he remembered something.

"Twenty years ago, my father also ran a video game company. Then President Tatsumi found my father and lobbied him to merge the two companies. He said that together they would build an indestructible castle in the Rice Flower Central Building... "Oba sneered and shook his head, "But that's not a merger at all, it's cannibalism in the name of merger."

Turning around, he looked around.

The company that has been prosperous for twenty years prepared a full birthday party for itself. Exquisite original game paintings and various themed decorations decorated the entire venue.

These are all stolen by a hypocrite.

"He fired old employees and stole my father's company's exclusive technology and production plans step by step. My father became the nominal vice president and could no longer control the company at all... He was forced to a desperate end and committed suicide in frustration.

"And I, who tried to defeat the devil with the help of the devil's power, also became a devil. It may be inevitable that I will end up like my father."

"Like your father?" Takagi Wataru, who habitually stood there and politely waited for the prisoner to finish his speech before handcuffing him away, was stunned.

After confessing everything, Oba, who had a look of relief on his face, nodded without any obstacles: "Twenty years ago, he also committed suicide in this place. As revenge, he tried to disguise his death as President Tatsumi's arm. It's a pity. , his plan was easily defeated by a young man just like mine."

"Oh, that just made me remember it! Twenty years ago, this case was solved by Yuzuo." After hearing the keyword of suicide and pretending to be a homicide, Megure Thirteen suddenly raised his head, "On the day of the crime, I happened to meet Fucked Kudo Yusaku..."

In other words, the murderer's father's suicide and the murderer's attempt to imitate the previous case were also exposed by a father and son one after another.

"How ironic, Mr. Kudo... Kudo?"

Mu Mu Shisan turned his head to share his feelings, only to realize that just as the environment turned from dark to light, the detective who was chatting had disappeared.

"Where have you gone, where is Kudo?"

————

No, not now...

Please, hold on, hold on a little longer, give me a little more time, just a little bit!

As he trudged towards the elevator leading to the restaurant, Kudo Shin gasped for air. His black shirt was soaked with sweat and torn into messy cobwebs under his tight grip.

It was as if his heart was slowly cracking with the rhythm.

"She is still waiting for me, I promised her..." Unable to suppress the severe pain that was rising, Kudo Shinichi talked to himself, relying on his strong will, and moved forward mechanically.

It hurt, everywhere, high fever swept through his body, and his chest was so hot that his fingertips ached.

But, it really can’t be now. Give me a little more time, even if it’s twenty minutes...

When he reached the safety passage, he pressed his hand on the cold iron handle of the safety door, trying to use the force to push himself forward a few steps.

Then he suddenly pressed an empty space with his strong hand.

With a "squeak" sound, the door that had been closed for a long time was suddenly opened from the inside.

Kudo Shinichi, who had all his weight on him, lost his balance and fell heavily into the door.

Then a pair of hands firmly held his armpits and dragged him into the safe passage.

"Twelve o'clock is approaching. It seems that Cinderella is going to lose her glass slipper."

It took him a while to regain consciousness after being dizzy. Kudo Shinichi, who was almost paralyzed on the ground, raised his head.

I saw a head of white hair that shimmered in the dim light, and a pair of bright red eyes.

"Joker..."

Understanding that this phantom thief was probably going to use his disguise to help him clean up the final mess, Kudo Shinichi's heart relaxed slightly, then tightened again.

Damn it, in the end, can you still only use other people's mouth to express your inner confession for yourself?

He was unwilling to give in, he...

"Shhh."

Joker raised a finger, then stretched out his hand.

A black eyepatch appeared on his face out of thin air, covering his blood-like eyes.

"Want to go back and see the prince, Cinderella?"