Chapter 47: Finally, Kid Has Arrived

“Phantom Thief No. 1412?”

Ran Mouri wiped the rainwater clinging to her bangs, repeated the name, and tilted her head. “What a strange name. What is that?”

“Eh, you don’t know? Your dad’s already a famous detective, you know—this is a very famous phantom thief with lots of fans,” Sonoko Suzuki said excitedly, bouncing up and down. “He’s been active for over ten years. I bet he’s a handsome middle-aged man, right?”

“Why would I need to know that? I’m not interested in detective work,” Ran sighed. “Why are there so many of these mysterious ‘phantom thieves’ lately...?”

“Ah, little Ran, you mean the ‘Phantom Thief of Hearts,’ right?” Sonoko’s eager expression didn’t fade as she continued enthusiastically, “Do you think he’s targeting your dad? Like some kind of ‘fated battle between thief and detective’? I saw on the news that three of your dad’s clients have suddenly confessed or publicly apologized for their misdeeds after receiving his warning letters.”

Hearing that, Ran sighed again.

She gathered her long hair over one shoulder, avoiding the rain dripping from the umbrella tip, and walked through the bookstore street alongside Sonoko.

“Although it’s not a bad thing—people who’ve done wrong coming forward to repent is as it should be—I just wish they’d pick another target to stake out. My dad’s been complaining these past few days that his business is affected. His clients are scared to come to him, worried about being watched by some strange person.”

“If you have a clean conscience, why fear this kind of ‘make you confess’ threat?” Sonoko waved her hand and finally recalled why she had mentioned the phantom thief in the first place. “Since he hasn’t been hired yet, I want to ask him to protect my family’s jewels. Your dad is so amazing; he should be able to unmask Phantom Thief No. 1412, right?”

“That so-called ‘Phantom Thief of Hearts’ is really mysterious too. No one has ever seen him in person. I wonder what kind of person he is...” As she spoke, Sonoko’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she waved ahead, calling out, “Karasawa! Karasawa! What a coincidence!”

Karasawa, emerging from the subway exit, was looking down at his phone, still wearing the Teitan High School uniform. Hearing the call, he looked up, somewhat puzzled.

“Wow—” Seeing his handsome face blurred by the rain, Sonoko’s heart skipped a beat. She immediately forgot what she was about to say and hurried over to Karasawa. “Did you forget your umbrella? Let’s share one!”

Just as Karasawa was about to say his umbrella was in his bag, he fell silent.

“Well, thanks,” he said awkwardly as he took Sonoko’s umbrella. Sonoko happily leaned close, taking up half the space under the umbrella, feeling as if the gloomy sky had suddenly brightened.

“Sonoko...” Ran, unable to hold back her enthusiastic friend, also walked over. “Karasawa, what a coincidence! Are you here shopping in Shibuya too?”

“Um... I’m just going to a shop in the subway to buy some drinks.” Karasawa’s eyes drifted away. “Don’t tell Amuro-san I snuck out again to eat sweets.”

Actually, Karasawa was working to support his family and occasionally playing the hero.

Since his little act with Amuro Tooru, Karasawa lost some freedom to roam. If he stayed out too long, Amuro would drag him back with a worried, “It’s really dangerous outside; I’m seriously worried about you.”

Karasawa had to compress his ‘Phantom Thief of Hearts’ activities, maximizing efficiency.

For example, he would gather four or five minor shadow figures in the Impression Space and then use one afternoon after school to blitz through the subway like a whirlwind.

Poor Amami didn’t have a cat car to ride and had to run so fast he felt like he was about to burst into flames.

Ah, overly strict parenting is a hindrance to justice!

“Amuro-san seems to be getting stricter with you,” Ran laughed at Karasawa’s expression. Just as she was about to tease him more, she caught a familiar face out of the corner of her eye while crossing the crosswalk.

“!” She spun around abruptly, instinctively wanting to chase after.

“Ran!” Sonoko grabbed her arm. “What are you doing? The light’s red! Be careful!”

“Shinichi! But I saw Shinichi over there!” Ran’s voice trembled as she tried to make out the figure disappearing into the distance between the flowing traffic.

Sonoko looked confused across the street, while Karasawa, holding the umbrella for her, furrowed his brow.

It felt like they were about to witness a classic scene.

———

“Phantom Thief No. 1412?” Amuro Tooru set down the coffee pot, ignoring Karasawa’s wistful look. He poured the remaining iced coffee into his own cup. “Definitely a famous criminal. Has he made a move again?”

“He sent a warning letter to the chairman of the Suzuki Group—Sonoko’s father.” Karasawa picked up his half-empty coffee and relayed what Sonoko had told them earlier. “He set his sights on the Suzuki family’s black pearl, the world’s largest ‘Black Star,’ leaving a cipher behind. Sonoko went upstairs to find Mouri-san to ask him to protect the pearl.”

“This guy also goes by the name Kaito Kid—a notorious thief specializing in famous artworks and jewels. Not only has he never been caught, but no one has ever seen his real face. Rumor has it he uses disguises and is a very tricky opponent.” Amuro sat down opposite Karasawa, watching him warily. “You’re not thinking of joining the fun at the Suzuki Group, are you?”

“I’m just curious...” Karasawa smiled obediently.

“Better stay put.” Amuro flicked his forehead. “He’s a thief the media loves to chase—always flashy, mysterious, and rarely slips up. Reporters adore eye-catching stories like this, so the scene will be swarming with police and journalists. If you go, you won’t see a thing.”

Kazami had to prepare escape routes for Karasawa, investigate the case, handle odd jobs assigned by Amuro, and scramble to prevent Karasawa’s photos from leaking to the press—he felt like he was being pulled in eight directions at once.

If Karasawa appeared on live TV because of Kaito Kid, Kazami Yu feared he’d pass out on the spot.

“Alright, I won’t follow along.” Karasawa sighed regretfully. “I’ll help Mouri-san solve the riddle. That’s allowed, right?”

Of course, he wouldn’t follow the police and Mouri Kogoro to the scene—not even a whiff of Kid’s trail to catch there.

His current mission was to glance at the riddle and see if it matched the one in his memory. Once confirmed, he would head straight to Kid’s usual spots to lie in wait.

As for worrying about live news coverage...

No worries. Even if he appeared on camera, Kazami Yu would have a hundred reasons to be calm!

Karasawa’s mind raced as he smiled innocently at Amuro.