The Douzi Whose Vest Was Stolen

"It seems that person has other motives."

Fujino lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and handed the letter to Ai Haibara: "Signed as the one abandoned by God, Phantom's Child. It seems the other party is still a chuunibyou."

"..."

Ai Haibara took the letter and glanced at it. When she saw the signature, she narrowed her eyes slightly and was speechless.

Although Fujino seemed a bit oblivious, he called it chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).

But in her opinion, it really does seem like a case of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).

However, there must be something else involved.

She looked at it carefully for a moment, but couldn't think of any other hints.

Coming to her senses, she looked at Fujino and asked, "The time on this is tomorrow. Are you planning to keep your appointment?"

"Yes, after all, it's two million yen, so we have to go there eventually."

Fujino nodded, somewhat Ai Haibara hadn't noticed the coded message in the invitation was about Kaito Kid.

But thinking about it, it makes sense, even though he knew someone was impersonating Kaito Kid.

However, he didn't remember exactly how to crack the code.

I just remember there were some twists and turns involved, and I was afraid that someone would figure it out.

However, if we apply this to Conan, that little beast of a detective, or to others, it should be quite easy to spot.

"Then be extra careful."

Ai Haibara glanced down at the contents of the letter again.

He looked up and glanced at Fujino.

She felt that if it were Fujino, he would definitely go.

Even if she tried to stop her, she couldn't.

"Well, it's not necessarily dangerous..."

Fujino nodded, then suddenly asked, "By the way, is there anything you want to bring? I'll buy it when I go to the bank to cash the checks later."

Ai Haibara shook her head, indicating that she didn't want to bring anything back. Then, Fujino went straight out the door and went to the bank to exchange all two million yen.

He knew perfectly well what those checks actually were—given by the food detective.

I reckon that guy will die tomorrow. If he dies, the check will probably be useless.

After all, he still remembered that the guy was still heavily in debt from buying the Twilight Manor.

"But speaking of debts..."

Fujino walked down the street, his eyes slightly narrowed, when suddenly he thought of something, "If he's insolvent, he can just buy that villa... I just don't know if that guy has any relatives. If he doesn't, I guess we can get that villa for a very low price."

However, thinking of this, Fujino frowned.

Even if it were a purchase, it would be somewhat inappropriate for him to do so given his status.

After all, such a large source of funding cannot be fully explained.

If the tax bureau raids my home, I'm doomed.

I need to change my identity...

However, changing one's identity is not easy.

As he pondered, Fujino suddenly realized something, then opened the system interface, looked at the purple card, and murmured, "If I used a virtual identity card, that wouldn't be a problem at all..."

After thinking it over for a moment, Fujino felt it was feasible. Then, after considering it more deeply, he decided on the plan for the time being.

Having decided on his plan, Fujino took out his phone and dialed the number in his contacts labeled "The Phantom Thief Who Peeks into the Girls' Changing Room."

That's right, this is the phone number of Kaito Kid, also known as Kuroba Kaito.

This guy had called him before, wanting to launch a moral condemnation and verbally abuse him.

Then he saved the phone number.

I just don't know if it's a private phone number. If it is, then it can be found out through special means.

However, Fujino was too lazy to investigate. He knew that the other party was Kuroba Kaito. If all else failed, he could just wait for him at the entrance of Ekoda School. It wasn't worth it.

And since he dared to use it, this kid must have done some special encryption.

Fujino thought for a moment, then dialed the number.

After a brief beeping, the call was answered, and a young man's voice came from the other end. "Fujino, why are you calling me?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to chat with you about everyday things."

Fujino's tone was like that of an old leader concerned about impoverished households. As they walked, he seemed genuinely wanting to chat. "I saw on TV that you've stolen quite a few good things again? How have you been lately? It's getting cold, have you put on a cotton-padded coat? If you need anything, give me your address, and I'll buy some rice and flour and bring it to you to keep you warm. I promise I won't take a single needle or thread from the villagers."

Kuroba Kaito: "..."

You're really here just for a casual chat?

You're a detective, and I'm a wanted phantom thief.

We're not a good match...

But your tone sounds a bit strange.

I'm afraid you'll fly over and arrest me as soon as I give you the address.

Damn, while we were playing cards on the phone, the beads hit my face!

"Alright, we can send the warmth and such another day. Let's get down to business first."

Fujino changed the subject and continued, "I received an invitation that says 'Forsaken by God - Phantom's Child,' which should be your alternate account, right? KID and all that, you've been hiding it pretty well."

"Of course I know about that, I didn't send it!"

Kuroba Kaito's tone rose a few decibels, sounding somewhat indignant. "What kind of 'Forsaken by God, Phantom Child, 'Phantom's Child the 'person' radical next to it alluding to the goat and beast in the New Testament, and it's pronounced like 'KID,' is just too abstract art, isn't it? What kind of chuunibyou is this?"

"I think it suits your temperament quite well."

Fujino nodded silently and said with a light laugh, "This kind of abstract art, with its touch of chuunibyou and such, does indeed resemble your style."

Kaito Kurokawa: "&*%#￥@@"

It's really upsetting to have your identity stolen.

Now it's even more upsetting to be called an abstract art idiot.

I was inexplicably blamed for something.

I was even ridiculed.

"So where did you hear about this?"

Fujino's lips curled up slightly, and he said seductively, "I only found out by receiving the email myself."

"I just happened to see it..."

Kuroba Kaito lowered his guard and, having just spoken, quickly corrected himself, saying, "I'm KID, I just happened to see a detective's letter!"

Then, he changed the subject. "So, you received it too?"

"Oh..."

Fujino nodded. "I received it too. They gave me a check for two million. I just got back from the bank after exchanging the money."

Kuroba Kaito speechless for a moment. "You're faster than me, the great thief."

"So what?"

Fujino asked seriously, "Are you planning to go and see what's going on?"

"Of course I'm going."

Kuroba Kaito's tone also became more serious. "I want to see what they want to do with my name, Phantom Thief KID, and what they'll do if they dare to do anything to tarnish my reputation..."

Smash his head off!

"So how do you plan to get there?"

Fujino said with a playful tone, "Are you planning to impersonate someone again this time? I reckon everyone here is a detective, so it won't be easy for you to impersonate someone."

"You don't need to worry about this!"

Kuroba Kaito said meaningfully, "Anyway, I'll definitely surprise you when the time comes!"

"Then I'll hang up. See you tomorrow."

Fujino hung up the phone and let out a long sigh of relief.

That one I saw must be Hakuba Saguru, right?

After all, Kaito Kurokawa and Hakuba Saguru were in the same class.

It's actually quite normal to see it when you come into contact with them.

Never mind, who knows how they saw it?

He should also make preparations for his trip there tomorrow.

The next morning, in front of the Mori Detective Agency.

"Brother Fujino, are you ready?"

Mori Kogoro, dressed in his old-fashioned suit, sat in a white sedan and asked Fujino.

"Well, there's nothing to prepare."

Fujino nodded and glanced at his bag. "I brought the Wooden Sword, and some other things with me."

Mori Kogoro asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why are you carrying Wooden Sword?"

"Of course it's for self-defense. After all, who wouldn't worry about their safety if they received an invitation from an unknown person?"

Fujino said, then laughed and said, "But I still have to trouble you this time, Mouri-niisan. My car broke down after I came back from my trip yesterday, so I need to hitch a ride with you."

"It's nothing, I was just going the same way!"

Mori Kogoro laughed heartily, then pondered for a moment, "But what you said makes sense, Fujino- kun. If there's any danger, it's really not worth it for two million... But they've already sent the check, so there's nothing we can do about it."

Fujino couldn't help but ask, "Mouri-niisan, did you exchange the check for cash?"

Not yet.

Mori Kogoro shook his head. "Anyway, it's a check, I plan to cash it when I get back."

"Forehead..."

Fujino paused for a moment, feeling that Mouri-niisan was going to have worked for nothing this time.

"But why haven't those two come down yet?"

Mori Kogoro glanced back and said, "Ran is one thing, but why is that kid so slow too?"

As he spoke, he shouted upstairs, "Hey, you two, hurry up! Otherwise, it'll be completely dark by the time we get to Tottori Prefecture!"

"Alright, alright!"

At this moment, Ran brought Conan out of the detective agency. "After all, it's a banquet, so we have to prepare something, and that dress is not easy to take care of."

Ran was wearing a pink short-sleeved loose top and khaki capri pants. She was also carrying a green bag, which should contain the dress she mentioned, as well as Conan's clothes.

Conan, on the other hand, was wearing a light blue hoodie and dark green shorts. Apart from his external gadgets, he didn't bring anything else with him.

"This is really troublesome..."

Mori Kogoro sighed, "I knew I shouldn't have let you guys come along. From Fujino's analysis, it seems quite dangerous over there."

"Danger?"

Ran was stunned for a moment, "It's just a dinner party, there shouldn't be any danger, right?"

Conan, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes, glancing at his watch and then at his soccer shoes.