Chapter 273: Unhappy
In order for Sera Masumi to stay and better implement the plan, Conan decided to head to Location D in her place, even though she was initially about to go there herself.
Toru Amuro also knew that if someone like him, a stranger to both Sera Masumi and Nakamori Ginzo, were to remain present, it would only raise concerns for both.
Thus, Amuro chose to follow Conan to Arena D.
Sera Masumi watched the two of them leave quickly. Yet, deep in her heart, she couldn't help but feel slightly unhappy.
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"This again..."
"You want my help, but you refuse to reveal any information to me."
Ever since Sera Masumi realized that Conan didn't truly trust her, she'd started feeling increasingly uneasy about his attitude—one that screamed, 'Don't worry about the reasons, just do as I say, and I'll handle the rest.'
Even though she understood Conan's goal was to prevent the organization from achieving their objectives, his approach left her feeling alienated.
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It was particularly troubling that Conan asked for her help, which made her realize she was being treated differently from others.
'The kid asked me to get Nakamori Ginzo the fake gem, clearly to help Toru Amuro.'
'Amuro wanted the fake gem to complete the organization's mission. But when the detective from the First Division returned the gem to its display case, Amuro wasn't even present.'
'There's no way he could've known Nakamori Ginzo's Scarlet Shadow Heart was a fake.'
'If he realized it was fake, it's because the kid told him—he must've shared the reasoning I'd just deduced.'
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Sera Masumi clenched her fists tightly as irritation consumed her.
She'd always shared her discoveries with Conan as soon as she made significant progress in understanding a case.
But in return, Conan revealed those insights to others while withholding important information from her.
It felt as though she was being used purely as a tool to solve crimes.
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This thought made her hesitate.
Could she still bring herself to help?
To trick the organization, the fake gem had to convince everyone that it was genuine.
That meant she couldn't let Nakamori Ginzo know it was fake.
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If she wanted to get the gem, she'd have to deceive Nakamori Ginzo.
But wasn't that exactly what Kaitou Kid would do?
If she didn't act, though, Nakamori Ginzo—now in possession of the fake gem—might end up targeted by the organization's snipers.
These were matters Toru Amuro should've been responsible for.
Yet, Conan had pushed them onto her shoulders.
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After thinking everything through, Sera Masumi realized the best option was to give the fake gem to Amuro.
He'd then have to gain Nakamori Ginzo's trust and deceive him.
The more Sera Masumi dwelled on it, the angrier she became, her clenched fists cracking audibly.
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"This is so frustrating."
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the unhappiness in her chest.
Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to Akikawa Kyousuke.
Although Sera Masumi hadn't had much interaction with Akikawa Kyousuke, she felt certain he would never allow himself to be manipulated like this.
'Perhaps life would be simpler with someone like him around.'
She sighed inwardly and walked toward Nakamori Ginzo.
---
Meanwhile, Conan and Toru Amuro had already left Yuehua's collection room and made their way to Hall D, where the Dreamweaver Costume Collection Room was located.
It took them roughly five minutes to run from Yuehua to Location D.
From the entrance of Pavilion D to Dreamweaver's collection room took an additional five minutes.
---
Thanks to the earlier announcement instructing tourists to evacuate, as well as the Second Investigation Division officers already stationed in Location D, the area was practically empty.
This allowed Conan and Amuro to reach Area D-2, where the Dreamweaver Collection Room was, just before 3:30 PM.
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"It seems the entire exhibition is organized by the Tsukino Foundation.
But the Tsukino brothers still appear to have their eyes set on disconnecting the gem from the consortium and claiming it as their own."
Conan spoke to Amuro as they ran.
Even though the Scarlet Shadow Heart technically belonged to the Tsukino Consortium, and Tsukino Takashi was its next heir, that didn't make the gem his personal property.
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Ownership of a company's assets didn't equate to personal ownership.
What's more, Tsukino Takashi hadn't even taken control of the consortium yet.
"Besides, Tsukino Takashi seems to harbor a deep hatred for Kaitou Kid.
He even installed a bomb inside the display case—likely with the sole intention of killing Kid."
Conan explained as he ran.
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"I heard that after Kaitou Kid sent him an invitation letter that evening, Tsukino Takashi increased security measures overnight.
That was probably when he came up with the idea of planting a bomb in the display case," Amuro replied.
"It's really hard to understand why someone would do something so dangerous over something like this."
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Not only was Tsukino Takashi's behavior incomprehensible, but many of his actions also seemed downright foolish.
First, using a series of explosions to cover up his intent to blow up Kaitou Kid served no purpose other than worsening his crimes and harming innocent people.
Second, if he actually succeeded in killing Kaitou Kid, his crime would escalate further.
While Kid was a thief, that didn't give Takashi the right to act as his judge and executioner.
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During this time, Conan asked Amuro about the organization's purpose for wanting the Scarlet Shadow Heart.
"Mr. Amuro, do you know what the organization plans to do with this gem?"
"I'm not sure. This mission was suddenly assigned to me," Amuro responded.
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Time ticked by.
Conan and Amuro hid at a distance, watching the Dreamweaver Collection Room in Area D-2.
Conan glanced at the watch on his wrist.
When the second hand pointed to twelve and the minute hand reached six, nothing happened.
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The imagined loud noise and explosion of sparks never came.
The Dreamweaver Collection Room remained silent and undisturbed.
Conan and Amuro waited four to five minutes longer but still didn't see any explosion.
Doubt crept into both their hearts.
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"Did something go wrong?"
At the same time, in Surveillance Room B, Akikawa Kyousuke watched the camera feed.
With a faint smile on his lips, he observed Conan and Amuro in Hall D from a distance.
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(End of the Chapter)