Lawless Madman in the World of Conan, Tokisaki Kurumi

Even Conan, sweating nervously, didn't notice that Kurumi had casually referred to herself as an orphan whose parents were both deceased.

A long moment passed. Only when Kurumi continued walking ahead did the somewhat pale Conan finally snap back to reality.

Who... who exactly is she? Why do I feel like she can see right through me?

Conan's heart, which had almost stopped, began to pound rapidly. In his daze, he felt as though he wasn't looking at a beautiful young girl, but a reaper exuding the wails of the dead.

Little did Conan know, as Kurumi had leaned down to speak to him, the King Crimson, invisible to ordinary people, had reached into Conan's chest and gently grasped his beating heart.

The feeling of his heart stopping and the illusion he saw were likely hallucinations produced by his brain as he teetered on the brink of death.

Walking ahead, Kurumi, having just teased Conan, was in a great mood.

The look on his face, as if he'd seen a ghost, made Kurumi feel that bullying him was an incredibly enjoyable thing to do.

Meanwhile, in the surveillance room.

During the time the two spent dawdling in the hallway, Kubota, who had already come under police suspicion, was forcibly handcuffed and taken to a police car.

While Kubota was the prime suspect in the death of Boss Manaka, his theft and sale of art pieces was a concrete fact.

Therefore, even though the police couldn't definitively conclude that Kubota was the murderer, he couldn't escape the charge of theft.

After the police took Kubota away, Mouri Kogoro prepared to take his daughter and Conan home to rest.

"Uncle, where are Inspector Megure and the others?"

Running into Mouri Kogoro in the hallway, looking relaxed, Conan, who instinctively felt something was wrong, quickly asked.

"Inspector Megure is of course taking the suspect away," Mouri Kogoro stretched. "Alright, let's head back too, I'm exhausted!"

"We're going home, Conan!" Mouri Ran said happily to Conan, thinking the killer had been caught, but found him looking shocked and uneasy towards the hallway.

There, Kurumi and Director Ochiai were walking towards him, chatting and laughing.

As the two passed each other, Conan noticed Kurumi silently say something to him.

We'll meet again.

Kudo Shinichi

20 A New Plan

Words are like invisible killing blades.

The day after the art museum murder case, Kurumi, completely unconcerned about the psychological shadow her parting words had cast on Conan, was lounging on her sofa at home, watching TV during her idle, boring time.

The warm air from the air conditioner chased away the chill from the clean and tidy living room.

Still dressed in a loose white T-shirt, her fair legs bare, Kurumi casually rested her feet on the sofa's armrest, idly contemplating what to do next.

Kurumi didn't know what Conan was doing, but based on her own speculation, she could likely guess that Conan was restless because of her words.

Or perhaps, he might be sporting dark circles under his eyes right now, analyzing whether she was an accomplice to the person in black who attacked him at the amusement park that night.

Otherwise, how could Kurumi possibly know his true identity as Conan?

If analyzed from this perspective, the problems Conan faced were even greater.

Was it a coincidence that Kurumi knew Ran? Was Director Ochiai, the real culprit, being covered up by Kurumi from behind? Was there some kind of transaction between them? Did the fact that Kurumi knew his identity mean his situation was very dangerous?

The various issues Conan pondered, to some extent, were as Kurumi guessed, causing his young heart to race.

The word "restless" might be more accurately replaced with "unable to eat or sleep peacefully" to describe Conan's current state of mind.

However, none of this concerned Kurumi.

The reason she specifically said that sentence last night before leaving was mainly because she wanted to see Conan's reaction afterwards to satisfy her own wicked amusement.

Secondly, it was to "properly" discipline this fellow, on behalf of her older sister Vermouth, who rashly acted whenever a case appeared, and didn't even know how to hide his identity as a child.

Recalling the intellect and personality Conan displayed when encountering cases, which were completely inconsistent with his childlike appearance, if he didn't have the protagonist's halo, who knew if he would be discovered by others and get into trouble.

Therefore, rather than letting Conan continue to court death indefinitely, it was better for her, a kind big sister, to teach him how to keep a low profile.

Moreover, her older sister Vermouth also admired this young couple, even being jokingly called Kudo Shinichi's adoptive mother.

So, out of the affection between herself and Vermouth, Kurumi felt she should also take care of this reckless kid to some extent.

At the very least, she couldn't let him be discovered by those dangerous people in the organization.

Otherwise, if Vermouth found out that she knew Kudo Shinichi's true identity but failed to protect him, her backside would probably be sore again.

The thought of Vermouth's terrifying appearance, radiating her dominant aura, made Kurumi feel a dull ache in her backside.

"So troublesome!!!"

That pain mixed with a faint sense of pleasure, and upon recalling it, Kurumi wondered if she had been corrupted by Vermouth over the years...

One day later.

Under the clear and sunny weather, Kurumi, on a small yacht heading to Moon Shadow Island from the pier, enjoyed the gentle sea breeze on the deck. Her long black hair billowed beautifully in the wind.

Her "perverted" system, though unreliable and occasionally issuing embarrassing missions that made her blush and her heart race, was, in a way, reminding her of some key plot points in Conan.

Tokisaki Kurumi didn't know how the system determined critical plot points.

Perhaps it was things that were beneficial to her?

Like obtaining those maple leaf gold coins for the organization.

Or maybe it was just for fun?

Having her watch the Mona Lisa or something.

Or perhaps, it was to avert future tragedies?

Like the cross-dressing guy on Moon Shadow Island—Aso Narumi.

Thinking about the events on Moon Shadow Island, it was definitely one of those childhood trauma-inducing cases from the early plot.

Moreover, the case there had fundamentally changed Conan, no, it should be Kudo Shinichi's way of doing things.

Similarly, it was also a regret in Kudo Shinichi's heart.

However, setting aside Kudo Shinichi, Kurumi was quite interested in Aso Narumi, the cross-dressing guy.

But more than anything, it was probably pity.

The music that continued to play until his death in the mansion engulfed by flames had indeed left a deep impression on Kurumi.

Therefore, regarding the mission assigned by the system this time, Kurumi tidied up her luggage and boarded a ship from the pier as a tourist, planning to enjoy the countryside life while contemplating her next move.

After a period of sailing, Kurumi, standing at the bow of the ship, could already see the Moon Shadow Island pier with the naked eye.

At this moment, a burly man in a black suit emerged from the cabin.

"My lady, we are almost there."

As an external operative of the Black Organization under Vermouth, they treated the organization's high-ranking members with utmost respect.

Even though a girl who looked no older than sixteen stood before him at this very moment.

The man knew very well that none of the members in the organization with alcohol-related codenames were anything but ruthless.

Furthermore, as Vermouth's subordinate, the man had previously cooperated with this girl, codenamed Bloody Mary, on missions.

Their swift and uncanny methods made these men dare not underestimate this seemingly harmless girl.

"Very good." Without turning her head, Kurumi continued to gaze at Moon Shadow Island not far away.

Kurumi's indifferent attitude did not surprise the man in the slightest.

Or rather, they were already accustomed to it.

"By the way, my lady, do you need our assistance this time?" The man, assuming this was a assassination mission, wore a cruel smile.

It had been a while since they had taken action.

They were feeling restless.

Kurumi shook her head, "No need. This is my solo operation."

With that, Kurumi took out a piece of paper from her pocket and held it in her hand.

"The person on this paper will be released from the Metropolitan Police Department in a while. Once he returns home, bring him to the 'Ferry Terminal' and hand him over to the people there to be taken away."

Respectfully taking the paper from Kurumi's hand, the man's heart trembled as he came into close contact with Kurumi's flawless fair right hand.

"I understand. As long as he's alive, is that enough?" Suppressing the inappropriate thoughts in his heart, the man nodded slightly.

"Just don't kill him."

21 Kurumi, Out for a Vacation

After handing the paper containing Kubota's information, obtained from Director Ochiai, to the organization's lower-level personnel, Kurumi, pulling her suitcase filled with daily necessities and change of clothes, disembarked from the yacht after it docked.

This time, Kurumi, who came to Moon Shadow Island as a tourist, had two objectives: first, to complete the system-assigned task of saving Aso Narumi's life. Second, Kurumi wanted to use this opportunity to change Conan's impulsive personality.

This event, which had a significant impact on Conan's detective career and even altered his sharp and aggressive approach to solving cases, was something Kurumi had thought about extensively. Ultimately, she decided not to interfere too much.

Another point that gave Kurumi a headache was that she didn't know the exact timing of the plot's events. Therefore, Kurumi could only resort to the most cumbersome method: arriving at Moon Shadow Island beforehand and waiting for the rabbit.

As for why Kurumi didn't have people stake out the Mouri residence and rush over when the Mouri family went out?

The main reason was that Kurumi didn't want the organization's members to notice this family too early.

Especially the relationship between Mouri Ran and Kudo Shinichi; with a little investigation, the organization's members would easily discover their intimate childhood friend status.

If anyone were to ask why Kurumi was keeping an eye on the Mouri family, it would be difficult for Kurumi to explain.

Holding a map of Moon Shadow Island in her left hand, Kurumi planned to find an inn to stay in before going out to explore.

Although Moon Shadow Island wasn't large, its beautiful scenery and the rural life, so different from the big city, offered a sense of peace and tranquility, far from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Breathing in the island's air, Kurumi, determined to enjoy her time here, felt her mood lift considerably.

Since tourists often visited the island, Kurumi, holding her suitcase in one hand and the map in the other, didn't cause much surprise among the local residents.

However, due to Kurumi's outstanding appearance and alluring figure, passing men couldn't control their eyes and stole furtive glances at her.

This is what men are like! Kurumi mused, taking it all in.

Even as a man, he would cast appreciative glances at beautiful women passing by, so she understood what those men who kept looking at her were thinking.

Of course, their eyes were their own, and Kurumi couldn't control them.

However, if they harbored improper thoughts about her and intended to act on them, Kurumi certainly wouldn't go easy on those lustful individuals.

While she couldn't wield the immense power of King Crimson to punch through chests, Kurumi, having trained for so many years, was no pushover herself.

Dragging her luggage and following the map, Kurumi found the inn located in the town.

There were no towering buildings or luxurious facilities like in the big cities; the inn that appeared before Kurumi looked very simple from the outside.

The three-story inn didn't look out of place in the surrounding rural environment.

But this was only natural.

After all, this was the countryside, and the architectural style naturally had to blend with the local lifestyle.

One couldn't suddenly have a hotel dozens of stories high, with neon lights flashing at night, appear amidst a cluster of residential houses.

That would create a strong sense of disharmony in the atmosphere.

Stepping into the inn and into the lobby, the simple yet meticulously designed layout increased Kurumi's satisfaction with the inn.

"Welcome!"

Seeing the glass door being pushed open by the girl with the suitcase, the owner, who had been in the business for decades, stood up politely and warmly from behind the counter.

"Are you here to stay, madam?" the man, who looked amiable, asked.

Judging by Kurumi's beautiful appearance and the items she carried, the discerning man immediately recognized that the clothes she wore were definitely high-quality.

Although he was an honest innkeeper who wouldn't stoop to overcharging customers, this didn't mean the owner wouldn't provide wealthier guests with even warmer and more attentive service than others.