BWDC:SDDK Chapter 3: I Haven't Even Sent the Notice Yet, How Do You Know?
"Is that so? Why are you telling me this?"
Mouri Ran's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to look behind her.
The figure speaking was almost entirely concealed within the darkness. Only a pair of bright, dangerous eyes were visible. The person seemed to be holding something—a faint glimmer of white suggested it might be a coffee cup.
"When you say 'Riddler'... who are you referring to? Phantom Thief Kid?" she asked.
Right at that moment, a few beams of light suddenly flickered to life in the pitch-black banquet hall. Like spotlights, they converged on a ceiling beam not far away. Standing atop that beam, dressed in a white uniform, was Phantom Thief Kid, looking quite dashing.
That wasn't the real Phantom Thief Kid; it was the "White Magician," Sanada Kazumi.
Ren Ichimonji didn't spare a glance for the fake Kid that Suzuki Tomoko had hired for show. He simply whispered, "Perhaps. Does it really matter?"
What do you mean 'does it matter'?! It matters a lot! And why call me a Riddler? Isn't that a bit hurtful?
Kuroba Kaito, disguised as Mouri Ran, twitched his lips, momentarily unsure of what expression to make.
He stared at this mysterious coffee-clutching man of unknown origin. Suddenly, he recalled the prophecy Koizumi Akako had mentioned during the school break—that he might be "heavy-handedly struck by Batman" during this operation.
This mysterious coffee guy couldn't be 'Batman,' could he... I don't recall Batman being fond of carrying a coffee cup.
Kaito's gaze swept over the figures near the spotlight.
Mouri Kogoro, Suzuki Sonoko, and that little brat who had given him a big surprise on April 1st were all present, watching the fake Phantom Thief Kid's magic performance.
Before he could say anything, he heard the mysterious man continue:
"First: 'On April Fool's Day, when the moon divides two people, I shall become the Black Star and come upon the waves, Phantom Thief.'"
"The meaning of that prophecy was that Phantom Thief Kid would head from the roof of the Haido City Hotel toward the Beika Museum between midnight and 4:00 AM on April 1st to steal the Black Star."
"Next: 'On April 19th, I shall board the Queen Selizabeth departing from Yokohama Port to claim the real Black Star, Phantom Thief Kid.' Literally, it means Kid will board the Queen Selizabeth on the 19th to take the treasure."
What is the point of saying all this now?
Kaito felt a sense of helplessness. He glanced at the fake Kid's performance, preparing to nudge this man out of the way so he could return to Mouri Kogoro's side before Sanada Kazumi finished, ensuring Ran's identity wouldn't be compromised.
Then, he heard words that shocked him so much he almost lost his poker face.
"Finally: 'I am like Caesar, enchanted by the Queen of Egypt; I have already come to your side, Phantom Thief Kid.' This notice is also literal. It means Phantom Thief Kid has already slipped in right next to the Black Star."
—What did you say?!
Kaito looked at the mysterious coffee man in disbelief.
He had known about Suzuki Tomoko's arrangements for this banquet for a long time and was fully aware of Sanada Kazumi's performance schedule. Thus, he had prepared a new notice in advance, intended to be attached to a playing card.
But he hadn't even sent it out yet! How did this person already know?
Could it be that his entire plan had been completely exposed?
Bang!
A gunshot echoed through the banquet hall.
Sanada Kazumi's magic show had reached its climax. Suzuki Tomoko fired a prop pistol at the fake Kid, a move just as heart-stopping as the words this unknown man had just spoken to the real Kid.
The lights in the banquet hall suddenly flared to full brightness.
Ren Ichimonji had already stepped back, vanishing into the crowd, leaving behind a visibly unsettled "Mouri Ran."
A notification appeared, showing his mission was 50% complete. Next, he only needed to ensure Kid's plan to steal the Black Star failed. Then, he could complete the task and claim the system item rewards.
Aside from that, Kid had stashed a hang glider for his escape.
In the end, Kid never got to use that glider.
Ren Ichimonji figured since no one wanted it, he might as well pick it up and study it. After all, it was a "Kohan-science" high-tech product from Dr. Agasa; the quality was guaranteed.
"Ahem! Everyone, listen to me!"
"To prevent Phantom Thief Kid from mingling among us and stealing the Black Star, I suggest that all guests pair up! Set a code word known only to each other to ensure the thief cannot profit!"
Seeing that everyone's attention was captured by the fake Kid, Chaki Shintaro quickly grabbed a microphone and shouted.
Hearing the voice, Conan scanned the room and noticed that Ran hadn't returned. His brow furrowed as he realized something was wrong. Hearing footsteps approaching from nearby, he spun around.
—It was merely an ordinary waiter from the Queen Selizabeth.
The waiter looked surprised by Conan's reaction but handed him a slip of paper anyway.
"Little boy, a gentleman just asked me to give this note to you."
Someone asked to give me a note? Who would do that?
Conan took the paper and pulled it open. His eyes flashed with astonishment.
The note stated that the real Black Star had been on Suzuki Tomoko from the very beginning. Furthermore, it claimed Phantom Thief Kid already knew Tomoko's plan and had hidden smoke bombs inside many of the imitation pearls.
Was this information true or false?
The "God of Death" elementary student couldn't be certain.
He glanced at the information on the paper once more, then focused on the signature in the bottom right corner.
...Why is it "Batman"?
"Regardless, I'll know once I try."
Conan whispered to himself.
He tucked the note into his pocket and instantly fixed his attention on the Black Star hanging from Suzuki Tomoko's chest. Almost simultaneously, several "Black Stars" quietly rolled across the floor.
Sensing that his identity might have been compromised, Phantom Thief Kid abandoned his previous plan of a disguised approach.
He chose a direct assault!
The Black Stars exploded in plain sight, turning into thick smoke.
Instantly, the banquet hall fell into chaos.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers immediately blocked the doors to prevent anyone from leaving. However, the sheer volume of people was too much; they were on the verge of being overwhelmed. In the frantic crowd, even Suzuki Tomoko was knocked to the ground.
Kuroba Kaito, disguised as Mouri Ran, appeared behind her at the perfect moment. He supported her, asking with concern, "Aunt Suzuki, are you alright?"
His hand brushed past the Black Star on her chest, deftly taking it.
However, Conan—who had remained stationary and unswayed by the chaotic flow of people—saw everything clearly. The contents of that note were all true.
The real Black Star was on Suzuki Tomoko, and many of the imitations were smoke bombs.
The only thing the note hadn't mentioned was... that the identity Kid had stolen was actually Ran's!
"You guy..."
The young detective's gaze suddenly became razor-sharp.
End of Chapter
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