Chapter 98: Guarding the Black Star

Ran glanced at Kaito Kuroba and, recalling a face she hadn't seen in a long time, silently nodded.

Fujino also chimed in, "I just thought this guy was Shinichi Kudo."

Sonoko, examining Kaito Kuroba, added, "This guy really looks like Shinichi Kudo. No wonder Ran mistook him."

Aoko Nakamori was surprised. "Does Kaito really look that much like Shinichi Kudo?"

Hearing everyone speak in unison, Kaito Kuroba couldn't help but twitch his mouth. 

Really? Do I look that much like Shinichi Kudo? Why does that name sound familiar...

He remembered. Wasn't he the guy who shot at him from a helicopter before?

"I'm really sorry about earlier!" 

Having understood the situation, Ran slightly bowed to Kaito Kuroba in apology.

"Ah, it's okay."

Kaito Kuroba, seeing Ran bowing in front of him, had a somewhat awkward expression. 

No wonder when he passed by this girl earlier, he heard someone shouting like a washing machine. It turned out she mistook him for someone else. He thought she was calling someone else.

Meanwhile, he kept glancing at his childhood friend Aoko Nakamori out of the corner of his eye. 

They look so similar, but why is there such a big difference?

At this moment, Sonoko Suzuki, who was looking back and forth between Ran and Aoko, sensed something unusual.

"Speaking of which, besides Shinichi Kudo, Ran, you and Aoko also look very alike."

"Do we?"

Ran and Aoko spoke almost simultaneously. 

The others, looking at the similar Ran and Aoko, all nodded in agreement. 

Just like that, the small misunderstanding quickly passed. 

Although they hadn't spent much time together since they met, Sonoko and Aoko had become acquaintances. 

They even exchanged phone numbers... Maybe that's just how high school girls are?

Fujino was somewhat incredulous.

On the rainy road.

"So, you see, there are many people in this world who look very similar. You two didn't believe it."

"Indeed, they look very alike."

Sonoko nodded deeply at Fujino, then sighed, "If you don't look closely, I can't tell which one is Aoko and which one is Ran."

Ran silently held her umbrella, thinking about what had just happened. 

That pair of childhood friends really resembled her and Shinichi. 

For a moment, she felt an inexplicable sense of envy...

"By the way, Fujino-senpai, can I ask you for a favor?"

Suddenly, Sonoko remembered something, "The Beika Museum will be hosting a world-famous jewelry exhibition soon. My family's Black Star will also be part of the exhibit. If possible, Fujino-senpai, can you help protect the Black Star?"

Fujino was puzzled. "The Black Star?"

"That's right."

Sonoko nodded, "It's a pearl that is said to bring good luck. My father said it's the guardian deity of the Suzuki family."

After hearing this, Fujino thought for a moment and asked, "Is there any evidence that Kaitou Kid plans to steal the 'Black Star'?"

"There is!"

Sonoko took out two pieces of paper from her pocket and handed them to Fujino and Ran respectively. "This is Kaitou Kid's notice. If possible, besides Fujino-senpai, can Detective Mouri also come to help?"

Ran, taking the notice, asked in confusion, "But even if we don't ask my dad and Fujino-senpai, can't the police handle it?"

"Actually, I just want to see what that guy looks like."

Sonoko chuckled, "The true face of the world-famous phantom thief, don't you want to see it, Ran?"

Saying this, Sonoko's face flushed, "He must be a cool middle-aged man, right? Like those handsome Western uncles..."

"I think it's possible he's just a high school student like us."

Fujino's words interrupted Sonoko's daydreaming.

Sonoko was stunned, then looked at Fujino in surprise. "Why do you say that, Fujino-senpai?"

"If I remember correctly, Kaitou Kid disappeared eight years ago, right?"

"Yes."

"If he disappeared eight years ago, it means the original Kaitou Kid might have died or retired."

Fujino paused and continued, "And the Kaitou Kid of eight years later is likely not the original Kaitou Kid, but his son or a disciple who inherited his name."

"That really makes sense..."

Hearing Fujino's analysis, Sonoko rubbed her chin, showing a rare serious look. "In that case, Fujino-senpai, you definitely have to catch that guy!"

"I want to see who the legendary Kaitou Kid really is!"

...

After returning home, Fujino sat on the sofa and opened the system mission interface that had alerted him earlier:

[Detective Profession Mission: Protect the Black Star Pearl Mission Objective: Protect the Black Star under Kaitou Kid's notice

Mission Reward: 2 million yen, 200 detective reputation points

Mission Deadline: Until April 20

Mission Location: Queen Selizabeth]

"April 14?"

Fujino looked at the mission on the system interface and murmured.

Then he took out his phone and checked today's date: June 23.

"......"

Fujino took a deep breath, suppressing his speechless thoughts. "It seems I have to wait for Sonoko to invite me to the Suzuki Zaibatsu anniversary event."

Then he took out Kaitou Kid's notice:

[APRIL`FOOL (April Fools' Day)

When the moon separates the two (the moon is between the satellite and the sun)

In the name of the Black Star (BS, the initials of BLACK STAR, BS TV)

Invited to the waves (direction of BS TV broadcast)

I will arrive]

[The detective world has opened · Enhances the host's 100% reasoning ability]

Based on vague memories from his past life and the boost in reasoning ability.

Fujino quickly deciphered the secret of the notice.

It meant that Kaitou Kid would descend on the rooftop of the Beika Hotel.

Speaking of which, the Beika Hotel seemed to be a very special place.

Kaitou Kid's first appearance, the place where Pisco confessed, and many other murder cases all happened there.

But these clues are still somewhat far-fetched...

I really don't know what Kaitou Kid is thinking.

Well, if it were easy to guess, there would be no point in sending a notice.

The next day, March 31.

Outside the Beika Museum, police cars surrounded the area. Officers wore bulletproof vests and tactical gear.

Besides police cars, several armored vehicles were parked nearby.

You could even faintly hear the hum of helicopters above.

It felt like the entire Tokyo police force had been mobilized here.

"For catching Kaitou Kid, the police sure are putting in a lot of effort."

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Fujino looked at the tightly sealed outside and sighed lightly.

But even so, Kaitou Kid still managed to escape from those officers.

Is Kaitou Kid really that strong, or is the Japanese police really that weak?

To deal with Kaitou Kid, such a large force isn't necessary.

For a thief of that caliber, you just need to find a certain grim reaper elementary school student.

But now, it seems the grim reaper hasn't become Kaitou Kid's nemesis yet.

"Fujino-kun, you're here too!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man's voice came from behind.

Fujino turned around and saw Kogoro Mouri waving at him, with Ran and Conan following behind.

Mouri and Conan were the same as always, but Ran's outfit was more refined.

A blue top paired with khaki adventure-style jeans.

You could question Ran's sense of direction, but never her fashion sense.

"Mouri-san."

Fujino responded, looking somewhat puzzled. "But why are you so late, Mouri-san?"

"It's because of this brat!"

Mouri glared at Conan, who was following him and Ran, holding a piece of paper and thinking. "If it weren't for this kid staying up late last night, we wouldn't be late today!"

"Ha-choo..."

Conan yawned, showing a deadpan expression.

It's not my fault you didn't have a car and got stuck in traffic on the bus.

Of course, he wouldn't say this out loud.

If he did, he might have a red bump on his head soon.

Tap, tap, tap!

At this moment, the sound of leather shoes hitting the floor approached.

Fujino looked towards the sound and saw a slightly chubby middle-aged man walking towards them.

Behind him was a girl in a red dress and yellow jacket with short hair.

Obviously, the girl was Sonoko Suzuki.

And the middle-aged man was the current head of the Suzuki Zaibatsu, Shiro Suzuki.

Shiro Suzuki wore glasses, and his expression was very amiable, apart from his thick eyebrows and the mustache below his nose.

"Detective Fujino, Detective Mouri, thank you both for accepting my daughter's invitation. With the help of the famous Sleeping Kogoro and the young detective, we are truly grateful. Your assistance is invaluable to us!"

Shiro Suzuki immediately started with pleasantries, shaking hands with both Fujino and Kogoro Mouri, making them feel much closer.

They even forgot that the person before them was the head of Japan's top zaibatsu, the Suzuki Zaibatsu.

As expected of the head of the Suzuki Zaibatsu, his emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills were top-notch.

Today, I had an argument with someone, so the update is late. Sorry.

This 6,000 words are two chapters of 3,000 each, equivalent to three updates.

(End of this chapter)