August 19th.
With Inspector Ginzo Nakamori's passionate rallying cry echoing through the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the curtain officially rose on the "Last Wizard of the Century" incident. The Tokyo police began coordinating security and capture protocols with the local Osaka police.
Ran received a call from Sonoko, inviting her on a trip to Osaka to see the sights and catch a glimpse of the Phantom Thief Kid. Yuu was naturally invited as well, though he planned to arrive a bit later. Before he left, he had to deal with the instigator of this entire mess, Kaito Kuroba. If Kid didn't show up, the whole event would lose its meaning.
Kaito planned to make his move on the night of August 22nd, three days away. The 22nd was the only part of the heist notice the police had deciphered correctly. So even if Yuu left tomorrow, he'd still have a two-day buffer.
After escorting Aoko home, Yuu didn't spend much time consoling her. The girl's resilience was impressive; she bounced back from her sadness remarkably fast.
In the Nakamori living room, Yuu found himself alone with Aoko for the second time. Compared to the ambiguous tension of their last encounter, this time they maintained a proper distance, yet a closer look revealed a deeper, more harmonious intimacy between them.
"Hoshimiya-sensei, thank you," Aoko said softly, hugging her knees on the sofa. "If not for you, I don't know how long I would have been played for a fool by Kaito."
Kaito had teased her since they were children. Aoko never voiced her frustration, but that didn't mean she felt nothing. She endured the small pranks because of their bond, but this... this was different. She couldn't forgive him. Not telling her father was the last shred of mercy she had for their friendship.
"It's nothing. Actually, I had my own selfish reasons..." Yuu paused, deciding to lay his cards on the table. "I never intended to expose Kuroba-kun to the world or blackmail him. The only reason I told you is because..."
"I understand, Sensei. I'm not a child." Aoko lifted her exquisite face, so similar to Ran's, and looked at him with shy, pale blue eyes. "Actually, I like you too, Sensei. being with you feels comfortable and easy... and happy."
Indeed, only fools take others for fools, Yuu thought. It was the 21st century; finding a truly clueless high school girl was rare. Her reserve was just a layer of shy pretense.
Yuu cut to the chase. "Then, Aoko... would you like to be my girlfriend?"
"I..." Aoko bit her lip, hesitating. "I do, but you're a teacher and I'm a student..."
"Don't worry about that. What I'm about to tell you is the real issue you need to consider."
Since Aoko had confessed, Yuu couldn't hide his reality. He reached out, pulling her youthful, soft body into his arms, and began to stroke her silky brown hair. He had wanted to do this since their first meeting.
While playing with her hair, Yuu explained his relationship with Ran, Sonoko, and the others. "Now, can you still accept it?"
"I... I need to calm down..."
As expected, Aoko couldn't accept it immediately. Her face was frozen in shock. The last two days had been an emotional rollercoaster. Her childhood best friend was the criminal her father hunted, and the handsome older brother figure she liked turned out to be the ultimate philanderer...
It was the 21st century! How could someone have a harem? And a mother-daughter combo?! How could those girls agree to this?
As an only child sheltered by loving parents, Aoko had no idea how deep the waters of society ran. Her father chased a phantom thief, but her mother, a prosecutor, dealt with cases that would shatter Aoko's worldview daily.
Yuu didn't pressure her. It was a hard pill to swallow, but not impossible. He planned to introduce Aoko to Ran and Sonoko later; they were all good girls and would get along.
"No need to answer now. I happen to be going to Osaka soon..." Yuu briefed her on the upcoming events. Aoko was curious how he knew, but she didn't ask. Like Kaito's identity, Yuu would just say it was "magic."
"Aoko, come with me to Osaka. You can meet Ran and Sonoko, and it'll be a good distraction."
"Okay. I'll pack and go with you tomorrow, Sensei."
Aoko agreed quickly. Being home alone during summer break was boring, and she wanted to surprise her father. Plus, she was curious to see Kaito as Kid. As for the romance... she would leave it to fate.
Though she hadn't officially agreed to be his girlfriend, she didn't stop his small intimacies. Fresh from heartbreak, she craved a warm embrace and leaned into him on the sofa. Yuu was happy to oblige; even if he couldn't "eat" yet, he could enjoy the "handfeel."
They cuddled until dusk fell, and Aoko finally shook off her gloom.
"Sensei, are you staying tonight?" she asked, standing up. "Dad is working overtime because of Kid, so you can sleep in his room."
The Nakamoris had slept in separate rooms for years, so this wasn't strange to Aoko. But Yuu declined. Sleeping in a middle-aged man's bed while being unable to touch the daughter (or the voluptuous mother) wasn't appealing. Teleporting home was easier.
"No, I need to pack. Plus, Kuroba-kun will probably contact me soon."
"Mmm... then I'll make dinner."
Yuu wanted to help in the kitchen again, but he was right—Kaito would call. He had fed too much verifiable intel to Jii for Kaito to ignore. Once Kaito confirmed the truth with his mother, Chikage, he would inevitably seek Yuu for answers about how he knew—and about Shinichi Kudo.
Five minutes after Aoko left, Yuu's phone rang. Unknown number.
"Moshi moshi."
"It's me. Hoshimiya... Sensei."
Like Conan, Kaito was forced to use the honorific. It kept the distance just right—close enough to talk, distant enough to scheme.
"Good evening, Kuroba-kun. Ask away."
"Who are you really, Sensei?"
"As you said, just a teacher."
"You know that's not what I mean."
"Fine." Yuu gave his standard "magic" excuse. Having met Akane, Kaito accepted this surprisingly easily.
"No wonder you're always with Koizumi..." Kaito muttered. For the first time, he felt his magic tricks were inferior to actual magic. But like Shinichi, he was insulated from the supernatural; he would never learn it.
Kaito then asked about Shinichi. Yuu spilled the beans on Conan without guilt. Even without him, Kaito would figure it out eventually. He also confirmed that Kaito was proceeding with the heist.
"Be careful," Yuu warned. "Ask Professor Agasa to make your monocle bulletproof."
Conan's glasses would be upgraded in a few days, meaning Agasa was already working on it. Yuu's warning was just a precaution. Kaito had dodged the sniper Seiran without it before; with it, he was untouchable. In fact, Seiran might not even get the chance to shoot. Yuu planned to capture the fake Chinese beauty himself.
After the call, dinner was ready. Yuu ate and left, returning home to relieve his stress and pack for Osaka.
The Next Day.
Yuu and Aoko took the Shinkansen to Osaka.
August 20th, Noon.
Yuu and Aoko met Ran, Sonoko, and the others in a Japanese-style garden owned by the Suzuki family.
"Hoshimiya-sensei! You're here!" Sonoko latched onto his arm, introducing him to the group. With the Suzuki heiress fawning over him, everyone else was polite—except Kogoro and Conan, who scowled like Yuu owed them money.
Yuu ignored them. Petty little men, he thought. Learn from Shiro Suzuki—he gave me his wife and daughter and still smiles at me.
As Sonoko made introductions, Yuu focused on the new beauties: Natsumi Kosaka, Seiran Hoshi, and Kazuha Toyama.
Natsumi, though 27, looked like a young girl with a sweet, gentle personality. As a mixed-race beauty, her wavy brown hair and rare gray eyes made her a top-tier "gentle older sister" target.
Next to her was Seiran Hoshi. With gray eyes and gray hair, she was obviously Russian, yet she passed as Chinese because she spoke the language. She was beautiful, but her main attraction was her legs—long, white, and showcased perfectly by the high slit of her cheongsam.
Compared to the mature, sexy vibes of Natsumi and Seiran, Kazuha Toyama—standing behind the dark-skinned Heiji Hattori—seemed a bit plain. Not that she wasn't cute; her high ponytail and green eyes radiated youthful energy. Her eyes, like emeralds, were easy to get lost in.
"This is Aoko Nakamori," Yuu introduced. "She's my student at Ekoda High and Inspector Nakamori's daughter. She found out about the heist and tagged along."
"Oh, the Inspector's daughter!" The group realized why she was there.
"Please keep it a secret," Aoko smiled. "I want to surprise my dad."
"More like a scare," Yuu teased. Aoko pouted hands on hips, looking adorable rather than threatening.
"You're Aoko? I'm Sonoko, and this is Ran." Sonoko, ever the extrovert, grabbed Aoko's hand and pulled her to Ran. "Wow, you two look exactly alike! Except for the hair and eyes."
Everyone marveled at the resemblance, though personality differences quickly became apparent.
With Aoko integrated into the girls' group, Yuu turned his attention to Seiran (the culprit) and Heiji Hattori. He needed to capture Seiran before the event concluded. As for Heiji, Yuu observed his dynamic with Conan. Just as he remembered, they were close. However, Kazuha seemed distant from Ran and Sonoko due to the lack of prior interaction.
Yuu glanced at the four high school beauties and smiled. Sonoko was truly the best wingman. She was currently whispering to Kazuha and Aoko, likely singing Yuu's praises.
I definitely need to reward her properly later, Yuu thought.