Happy times are always fleeting.
By 7 AM, the first day of training was over.
Sweaty Ran turned to Conan. "Let's shower quick and get ready for school!"
Tsuneo gave the detective a knowing look.
You planned this, didn't you?
With your deduction skills, it's not impossible.
No wonder you were so into kicking that ball alone.
Conan, under Tsuneo's gaze, was practically steaming.
But he kept holding the unicorn girl's hand, heading home.
Tsuneo, back home, checked his mailbox as usual.
Still no reply from the radio host.
But a strange white card sat in the empty box.
"From the lion of dusk to the maiden of dawn."
"When the clock without a second hand reaches the 12th word."
"I shall descend from the bright sky tower, claiming the egg of memories."
"End-of-century magician, Kaito Kid!"
A chibi thief adorned the card's corner.
"A notice?"
"No, an invitation."
Tsuneo flipped it over: "You're cordially invited, Dark Knight."
The thief was, as ever, polite and true to his word, inviting him to a magic show.
No date or time, but newspapers would reveal it.
Tsuneo pocketed the invitation, grabbed his tool bag, and left.
First, breakfast at the Doc's…
"Drug analysis almost done?" Tsuneo asked, bowl in hand, to someone in bunny pajamas.
She hadn't been to school in days.
With dates jumping around, who knew how much time had passed?
His old brick phone was now a sleeker model with a small caller ID screen.
"Almost, but no special lab rats lately," Haibara said, sipping milk, looking cute while talking about poisoning mice.
Since getting APTX4869, she'd been glued to the lab.
"Conan said Ayumi and the others were asking about you," Tsuneo said, slowly reaching to tug her hoodie's bunny-ear drawstring.
Smack! Haibara swatted his hand. "Want to donate blood for testing? I'll give you the pajamas."
After a pause, she added, "If there's no progress, I'll go back to school soon."
Tsuneo glanced at Dr. Agasa and Miyano.
Did she eat something weird?
Who wants to go to school?
"Staying cooped up won't help," Dr. Agasa nodded.
As a researcher, he got it.
Miyano just smiled, saying nothing.
Missing those kids, huh?
"I'll pass it on, cold-faced, warm-hearted scientist," Tsuneo said, sipping soup, glancing at her.
Tsundere.
"Hmph." Haibara grabbed her milk, hopped off the chair, and returned to the lab.
"Tsuneo, I got an email. He's in Japan," Miyano said, smiling.
"The FBI's here?" Tsuneo nodded.
"Send him an email. Let's meet tonight."
Dr. Agasa's computer, modified, was safe for emails.
Poor Gin, another nemesis.
"Meet?" Miyano bit her lip, unprepared.
"I'm meeting him," Tsuneo clarified, exasperated.
Against the Black Organization, Akai Shuichi was useful.
His sniper rifle could floor Wolong and Fengchu.
A greeting wouldn't hurt.
Their meeting could wait…
The FBI had its share of loose cannons; safety first.
"Got it," Miyano nodded.
"Oh, one more thing!" Dr. Agasa slapped his forehead, grabbing a business card for Tsuneo.
"My old friend called yesterday. His car's acting up."
"Tsuneo, if you're free, check it out."
"Terai Kinosuke…" Tsuneo read, glancing at Agasa.
Blue Parrot Billiards Bar…
If that odd high schooler saw me with him, he'd flip.
"Doc, you know who he is, right?" Tsuneo asked.
"I know nothing," Agasa said, eyes closed, shaking his head.
"Heh."
Tsuneo's look and laugh screamed disbelief.
Last time, when that thief disguised as Toichi Kuroba tossed a flashbang in your face, you didn't know?
The bar was in Tokyo's Egota district, not far. He'd check it out.
Two hours later, at the Blue Parrot Billiards Bar:
"Thanks for coming so far to fix my car," Terai Kinosuke said, smiling.
He'd only mentioned the car's noise to Agasa in passing, but Agasa took it seriously.
"No big deal, just a small issue."
The old man, with round glasses and Agasa's Mediterranean hairstyle, could pass as his twin with a few extra pounds.
True friends…
"You play pool?" Terai asked, noticing Tsuneo eyeing the cues on the wall.
"A bit," Tsuneo nodded.
An old mentor taught him pool.
Power creates miracles!
No mistake there!
And he was plenty strong now!
Terai smiled. "No customers yet. Let's play a round!"
Agasa's junior deserved a warm welcome.
Maybe he could introduce him to the young master.
(Chapter End)
------------------------------
🌟 Hi everyone! 🌟
If you love my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here: [patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ] 💖
By joining, you will get access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and some special perks that I have prepared just for you. Every support really means a lot and helps me strive every day! 🙏✨