Chapter 232: Choices

Ding

[The public security officer who was murdered by the mysterious organization, the upcoming Showa Jewelry Exhibition.]

[Faced with a mysterious guest suspected of having the dual identity of a member of a criminal organization and a public security officer, and being approached and tested again, what choice will you make?]

[1. Do nothing and play your role as an artist until the exhibition ends.]

[Reward: Recovery Card x1]

[2. Deny what you have done.]

[Reward: Temporary Skill Card x1, Temporary Trait Card x1]

[3. Admit what you have done face to face.]

[Reward: Trait Card x1]

[4. Expose the other party's identity.]

[Reward: Specific Card x1]

[5. Kill the opponent and prevent future trouble.]

[Reward: Physical +5]

---

Right after Akikawa Kyousuke obtained information through Amuro Toru that only members of a transnational criminal organization should know, concluding that Amuro Toru could also be a member of that mysterious organization,

A mechanical, systematic sound suddenly rang in Akikawa Kyousuke's mind.

Despite the translucent blue system interface that appeared before him, Akikawa Kyousuke's actions didn't falter.

He continued eating his lunch with a knife and fork, still pondering Amuro Toru's identity.

---

Was Amuro Toru a member of the organization who became a police officer, or a police officer who joined the organization as an undercover agent?

Based solely on the fact that Amuro Toru was targeting him, it wasn't possible to determine the exact situation.

Amuro could be investigating him because the deceased officer had been pursuing him.

Or it could be because he had slipped his phone into Vermouth's pocket.

For someone like Amuro Toru, who had access to intelligence from both sides, it wasn't surprising for him to have multiple motives.

---

At the same time, there were contradictions in Amuro Toru's words and actions.

Akikawa Kyousuke realized that Amuro's earlier comments about Kaitou Kid seemed genuine.

For this reason, Kyousuke leaned toward believing that Amuro Toru was an undercover public security officer who had infiltrated the mysterious organization.

---

But if Amuro Toru was indeed a public security officer working undercover in a criminal organization,

Why wasn't he taking action against the organization members who had actually committed murders and instead targeting him?

Akikawa Kyousuke couldn't count how many people the organization had killed.

To his knowledge, they included the original owner's mother, Toda Kyouji, Kawasaki Ryo, Korn, and the public security officer who had been tailing him.

---

Yet, despite this, the public security officer before him had chosen to test him instead.

This puzzled Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

It felt like returning money to a friend, only to have it stolen by a gangster.

But instead of blaming the gangster, the friend blamed him.

---

"Is this a case of bullying the weak while fearing the strong?"

"Or are you essentially part of the criminal organization?"

---

Since this was only the third time Akikawa Kyousuke had encountered Amuro Toru, he didn't know much about this uniquely skilled public security officer.

Due to the lack of information, Kyousuke couldn't analyze the situation further.

---

"Forget it. Whatever the case, it's none of my concern."

Kyousuke grumbled internally.

---

About twenty minutes later, Akikawa Kyousuke and Amuro Toru finished lunch and returned to the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.

The rehearsal resumed at 1:00 p.m.

After more than three hours of rehearsals, the last day's work officially came to an end.

---

As everyone was packing their belongings and preparing to leave, Seto Rin noticed that Tsukino Takashi didn't seem to have any plans to leave.

"Mr. Tsukino, aren't you leaving?"

"If you don't respond, I'll have to check the venue's anti-theft system again... cough... cough."

Tsukino Takashi coughed twice as he spoke.

"Then... Mr. Tsukino, please take care of yourself."

Seto Rin politely expressed her concern and left the venue.

Everyone else also said their goodbyes to Tsukino Takashi and left one after another.

---

The next day.

The exhibition officially began.

Outside Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, it was as packed as a fan convention, crowded with tourists.

---

"Whistle—"

Itakura Misaki looked at the dense crowd outside, feeling overwhelmed.

"At first, the organizers were counting on Mr. Akikawa to attract some young visitors to the exhibition."

"Unexpectedly, Kaitou Kid's notice drew tens or hundreds of times more youth than expected."

Misaki couldn't help but laugh.

---

She turned to Akikawa Kyousuke.

"Mr. Akikawa, there are so many girls here today."

"When the time comes, if you work hard, you'll gain a lot of fans!"

Misaki couldn't hide the smile on her face, feeling as though she had struck gold.

---

"A free chance to boost your fanbase!"

"Weren't they here for Kaitou Kid?"

Kyousuke responded casually.

---

"Eh~ Mr. Akikawa, you don't understand girls."

Misaki wagged her index finger at him.

"Kaitou Kid is handsome, but he's too mysterious, and no one can approach him!"

"Since they've spent money, they'll definitely come to the venue."

"When they get tired of looking at old jewelry, they'll definitely light up when they see you on stage!"

---

"Artists like you, Mr. Akikawa, who are new and not yet famous, are the most appealing!"

"Because starting as a fan now means not only being an original fan but also building a close connection with the artist!"

---

Misaki continued enthusiastically.

Her excitement made it seem as if she was about to become his fan instead of the audience.

---

Kyousuke showed his guest ID to the staff and entered the venue early.

By that time, there were already many staff members present.

---

Kyousuke noticed something peculiar.

Many staff members were nervously patrolling, almost as if announcing they were police officers.

---

Kyousuke entered the meeting room and found Seto Rin and Kenichi Matsumoto already there.

However, they seemed to be in a tense disagreement about Kaitou Kid.

When Kyousuke arrived, the awkward atmosphere lightened.

---

Seto Rin, seeing him as a savior, quickly approached him for conversation.

Although Kyousuke had also expressed his disapproval of Kaitou Kid's actions, he was still the only guest close to Seto Rin's age.

This made him easier to approach.

---

About ten minutes later, presenter Nakamura Harina and luxury store employee Amuro Toru arrived.

However, Takashi Tsukino was nowhere to be seen, even ten minutes past the scheduled time.

---

(End of Chapter)