Chapter 228: Three Views

Akikawa Kyousuke listened to the conversations of several people present for a while.

It became clear that these guests, invited to the event, had varying attitudes toward Kaitou Kid.

The elderly professor Matsumoto Kenichi expressed considerable anger over the fact that the pieces displayed in the exhibition had been targeted.

His words and demeanor revealed his deep dissatisfaction with Kaitou Kid.

Although the junior, Seto Rin, specialized in art history, she seemed to greatly admire Kaitou Kid.

She was aware that Kaitou Kid was also a thief, but she couldn't agree with Matsumoto Kenichi's bias against him.

As for the host, Nakamura Haruna, she claimed not to approve of Kaitou Kid's actions.

However, Akikawa Kyousuke noticed her wandering gaze as she spoke.

Additionally, every time Matsumoto Kenichi criticized Kaitou Kid, Nakamura Haruna would purse her lips and slightly lift her chin.

All of this indicated that she was highly dissatisfied with Matsumoto Kenichi's remarks.

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Akikawa Kyousuke judged that, perhaps because of her role as the host, Nakamura Haruna couldn't publicly express her support for Kaitou Kid, as Seto Rin did.

After all, Nakamura Haruna was a presenter who specialized in hosting historical and artistic programs and events.

If it were discovered that she supported Kaitou Kid, her career as a host would likely come to an end.

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"By the way, Akikawa-kun, what do you think of Kaitou Kid?"

At that moment, a voice reached Akikawa Kyousuke's ears.

He turned around to find Amuro Tooru looking at him.

At the same time, Seto Rin and the others, having heard Amuro Tooru's question, also turned their attention to the two of them.

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Seto Rin's gaze was filled with obvious anticipation as she looked at Akikawa Kyousuke.

At present, she was the only one openly supporting Kaitou Kid.

For this reason, she desperately needed someone to stand on the same side as her.

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However, Akikawa Kyousuke hesitated for a moment before responding,

"Well… Although Kaitou Kid usually returns the stolen items to their original owners, he still committed theft in the end."

"If he only stole in secret and then returned the items, it might be fine. But he sends a warning letter every time, letting everyone know about it."

"It always feels like… he's causing a lot of trouble for the police."

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Seto Rin, who had been eagerly awaiting his response, was suddenly filled with disappointment upon hearing this.

She looked at Akikawa Kyousuke with a gaze that seemed to say, 'You're just jealous that Kid-sama is more popular than you,' and then turned away.

Seto Rin understood that it was difficult for men to sincerely praise another man for being better than them.

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Matsumoto Kenichi, on the other hand, was very satisfied with Akikawa Kyousuke's statement.

His impression of the handsome artist, whom he had initially dismissed as merely a pretty face, suddenly improved significantly.

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"Although I still don't agree with Akikawa-kun's claim that, 'If he only stole in secret and then returned the items to their original owner, it might be fine,' Akikawa-kun's perspective on life is clearly much better than that of most young people these days," Matsumoto Kenichi praised.

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As for Amuro Tooru, he didn't believe a word of Akikawa Kyousuke's statement.

He found it hypocritical for Akikawa Kyousuke to criticize Kaitou Kid for wasting police resources.

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Amuro Tooru, as a public security officer, didn't consider capturing phantom thieves his priority.

But at the very least, he believed that Kaitou Kid wouldn't harm others, let alone commit acts that would take lives.

The actions of both Kaitou Kid and Akikawa Kyousuke were undoubtedly crimes. However, the latter's behavior was clearly far worse.

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Originally, Amuro Tooru thought that Akikawa Kyousuke's distorted three perspectives—his values, worldview, and outlook on life—were shaped by his childhood experiences, making him completely different from others.

But now it seemed that Akikawa Kyousuke clearly understood the fundamental difference between procedural justice and consequential justice.

Yet, despite knowing this, he still chose to use crime as a means to solve problems.

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Just like how most companies assess employees' three perspectives through personality tests before hiring them, Akikawa Kyousuke understood perfectly well what kinds of values would be acceptable to businesses and recognized by the public.

Thus, he concealed his true self and painted his artist's mask in colors most palatable to everyone.

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Obviously, such a person was far more dangerous than someone who wore their distortions and malice openly on their face.

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As a public security officer, Amuro Tooru had the right to act justly without strictly following procedures.

But clearly, Akikawa Kyousuke had no such rights.

Moreover, everything Amuro Tooru did was for the sake of Japan.

Akikawa Kyousuke, on the other hand, acted purely out of his own selfish desires.

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Through Akikawa Kyousuke's opinions on Kaitou Kid, Amuro Tooru deepened his understanding of him.

Just as he was lowering his evaluation of Akikawa Kyousuke in his mind, he noticed Kyousuke looking at him.

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"What is your opinion of Kaitou Kid, Mr. Amuro?" Akikawa Kyousuke asked with a smile.

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"Like you, Akikawa-kun, I can't approve of Kaitou Kid's behavior."

"No matter the circumstances, it's an undeniable fact that he steals from others and wastes police resources."

"And oftentimes, he causes considerable financial losses," Amuro Tooru replied.

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As Amuro Tooru expressed his opinion, it became clear that among the guests present, those opposing Kaitou Kid had overwhelmingly outnumbered his supporters, with a ratio of four to one.

Seto Rin was utterly defeated and didn't attempt to argue any further.

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"Speaking of which, there are only two days left until the official start of the exhibition. Is there any chance of meeting Mr. Tsukino today?"

"Didn't Mr. Tsukino say he would come this afternoon?" Seto Rin asked.

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"I don't think so. He's probably too busy right now. With Kaitou Kid targeting his collection, he likely doesn't have time to rehearse with us," Nakamura Haruna replied.

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The clock struck ten in the morning, signaling the start of rehearsal.

After all, Kaitou Kid's prior warning letter had nothing to do with the invited guests being interviewed.

Whether or not Kaitou Kid successfully stole the gem wasn't their concern.

The group then made their way to their assigned seats to begin rehearsal.

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Akikawa Kyousuke stared at Amuro Tooru's back for a moment as he turned to leave.

Recalling the fleeting, subtle physiological reactions that appeared in Amuro Tooru's body right after making his statement—

A slight raise of an eyebrow and a barely perceptible narrowing of the eyes.

This was a sign of doubt.

In addition, Amuro Tooru also made a slight retraction of his chin.

This indicated an internal rejection of acceptance.

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Although these microexpressions from Amuro Tooru were brief and subtle, they did not escape Akikawa Kyousuke's sharp eyes.

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"Mr. Amuro doesn't seem to believe what I just said," Akikawa Kyousuke thought to himself.

(End of Chapter)