"Probably. Didn't that guy say the owner of American Style was his boss?" Aoko nodded.
Something's off about this Mr. Tsuneo, but what?
Shouldn't a normal person be curious about the legendary cue?
"Heh…" Kaito gave a weak laugh. American Style's in for trouble.
"Such strict rules," old man Terai shook his head.
Formal attire and age limits for pool…
"Speaking of, I'd love to see that cue," Kaito said, eyes gleaming with curiosity about the gem-studded stick.
"That cue was once mine…" Terai sighed, sharing his story.
In his youth, he was a gambler.
His superior pool skills won him plenty through bets.
Then, a gang boss hired a ringer named Renro, tampered with the chalk, and Terai lost the cue.
"Cherish your cue, avoid gambling," Tsuneo said, sipping cola, offering his take.
"Old man, I'll win that cue back for you!" Kaito grinned confidently.
No way he'd tolerate cheating.
"Huh?" Aoko scratched her head, recalling Kaito's pool skills.
You can't even beat me, and you're saying that?
"Let's eat first," Tsuneo said, having devoured snacks all afternoon, now starving.
At a restaurant in Egota:
Kaito pulled Tsuneo aside, whispering, "Please, be careful!"
How can you openly discuss the invitation, asking about time and the best view?
"So, the target's the Suzuki conglomerate again?" Tsuneo asked, glancing at him.
Quite the cursed connection.
Kyogoku Makoto will crush you one day.
"Yup," Kaito said, pulling out a clipped newspaper.
The Egg of Memories.
A Romanov dynasty treasure.
The Suzuki conglomerate's showcasing it in Osaka.
"What's this dynasty?" Tsuneo shook his head, unfamiliar.
"…"
"Let's eat," Kaito sighed, pocketing the paper.
What a troublesome guy.
After wiping out most of the table's food, Tsuneo was finally full.
"Kaito, what's with this Mr. Tsuneo?" Aoko whispered.
His appetite's insane!
Even old man Terai looks spooked.
"Pretty impressive, huh?" Kaito said, scratching his head.
Last time stealing the Dark Star, he clearly didn't do enough homework to slip up like this…
After dinner, Tsuneo said goodbye to the trio.
He parked his pickup in a secluded spot, sat listening to music, and glanced at the darkening sky.
"Almost time."
The repairman grinned, opening the truck's glovebox, pulling out his full set of "tools."
Cocky friends, see you tonight!
Nighttime.
In an alley by Egota Station, near American Style Billiards Bar:
"Hold it!"
"You groped me, didn't you?" Aoko demanded, face red.
Kaito had forcibly changed her outfit!
"Always getting handsy!"
"How else do I help you change…?"
"It was groping!"
"That's not groping!"
Terai, chatting with the bartender, overheard the two and chuckled wryly.
"Three total, thanks," the bartender said, eyeing the pair's antics. "Are they really college students?"
In suits and dresses, but so noisy—hardly college-like.
Kaito froze, then quickly threw an arm around Aoko. "Yup, we're married!"
"Right, honey," Aoko giggled.
Terai: …
These two…
"Enter," the bartender said, fooled by their act.
The trio sat at the bar, and Kaito ordered, "Chocolate ice cream, double scoop!"
"Young master, ordering that screams kid!" Terai warned.
"I love it, so what?" Kaito dug in, unbothered.
Wonder when that guy's showing up.
Better be after I snag the prize.
"Chocolate parfait!" Aoko ordered, beaming innocently.
Terai sighed, convincing her to get a non-alcoholic martini instead.
"This is good!" Aoko said, delighted.
"Now you look the part," the old butler muttered, head aching.
Just then, a tall figure in black sat beside him.
"Sir…" the bartender glanced at his colleague by the door.
Who let this weirdo in?
"Got a problem?" a chilling voice asked, freezing the bartender.
"N-No."
Seeing his colleague's helpless look, the bartender got it—a tough customer.
Business means dealing with rule-breakers.
The boss avoids trouble, especially with cops, so they let guys like this slide.
"He's weird," Aoko whispered to Kaito, sneaking a glance.
All black, hooded, masked, sunglasses covering his face.
A celebrity?
"Don't stare, it's rude," Kaito said, forcing her head straight.
He won't start a fight early, right?
Terai sat rigidly, not daring to look.
This the Dark Knight?
As expected, a different vibe from daytime.
That voice is terrifying.
This bar's gang is in for a rough night!
(Chapter End)
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