An Outlaw in the World of Conan, Tokisaki Kurumi

"I thought I had done it perfectly, but I didn't expect you to discover it after all." Director Ochiai, having come to terms with it, shook his head. "Since you've already seen it, go ahead and call the police." As he spoke, Ochiai raised his hand, indicating he had no weapons. "I won't hurt you."

Even though he said that, Ochiai knew that after a young girl witnessed a murderer kill someone, would she still believe the killer's words that he wouldn't hurt her and let him call the police?

If it were him, he probably wouldn't believe it either.

However, even though Ochiai had indicated he wouldn't resist, Kurumi, who had already walked to within ten steps of him, didn't take out her phone or scream in panic.

"No, I won't call the police, Director Ochiai." Kurumi shook her head, her gaze fixed on Manaka, who was nailed to the wall. "A traitor doesn't deserve sympathy."

Hearing this, Ochiai's eyes widened in surprise. He couldn't believe his ears.

"You're not calling the police? Why? Don't you know there are surveillance cameras here?" As he spoke, Ochiai gestured for Kurumi to look at the wall beside them.

Being caught on camera removing his helmet meant there was no way to justify his crime.

But Kurumi couldn't do that. If she didn't choose to call the police, she would be committing the crime of harboring a murderer.

This was something Ochiai did not want to see.

However, what Kurumi said next greatly surprised Ochiai.

"Are you talking about that one?" Kurumi looked up at the surveillance camera above and said dismissively, "That camera is broken!"

"What? Broken?" As soon as he heard this, Ochiai looked closely at the camera.

He was surprised to find that the small red light that should have indicated the camera was operating normally had gone out at some point, meaning the camera wasn't working at all.

11 Kurumi, Manaka's Manaka (Second Update)

When Director Ochiai saw that the camera, which should have been working normally, had suddenly stopped functioning at some point, he was bewildered.

In order to get his revenge, Ochiai had specifically chosen this spot, which was within the camera's range, so that he could imitate the setup of Divine Punishment and kill the demon Manaka as a knight.

He also planned to frame another employee who often stole and sold art pieces for his crime.

"But how did you know?" Seeing that the camera was gone, and combined with Kurumi's calm demeanor, Ochiai seemed to realize that Kurumi's presence there was not a coincidence.

"Did you do it?" Ochiai asked.

"Yes, this kind of backward technology simply lacks technical skill." From the perspective of Kurumi, a visitor from the 21st century, the technology of the 1990s was too primitive. Therefore, when she said this, her tone was filled with disdain.

By using King Crimson to damage the surveillance camera's wires, Kurumi could not only freely control the crime scene but also have a calm conversation with the elder Mr. Ochiai, who had just committed murder, without any scruples.

"Actually, I don't understand, Grandpa Director." When facing Ochiai, an elder she felt pity for, Kurumi's attitude was undoubtedly much more humble. "You went to so much trouble to set up this scene, but have you ever considered that the more elaborate your methods, the more likely there are to be flaws?"

Kurumi, who always acted simply and crudely, didn't quite understand such superfluous methods.

As a member of the Black Organization, Kurumi disliked a high-profile style of operation, as it would undoubtedly put her in a precarious position.

By using King Crimson, which ordinary people couldn't see, Kurumi had not only never failed in her missions over the years but had also risen in status within the organization, even rivaling Gin, due to this special ability that ordinary people couldn't comprehend.

Hearing Kurumi's words, Ochiai fell silent for a moment.

As an elder with rich life experience, he naturally understood this principle.

However, in order to achieve his double-edged plan and satisfy his desire for revenge, Ochiai still chose this method.

Perhaps, for him, he had already prepared himself for the consequences.

Seeing that he could no longer hide anything and feeling the urge to confide in someone, Ochiai began to tell his story while taking off the blood-stained armor he was wearing.

As Ochiai recounted Manaka's actions and how he had treated the artworks as if they were his children, Kurumi gradually understood the plight of the director, who had descended into obsession.

If it were an ordinary person hearing Ochiai's words here, they would probably loudly retort, "But that's no reason for you to kill!"

But Kurumi wouldn't.

Because she understood that for a man over fifty with no influence, his heart filled with rage, and in his desperation to protect the art museum, he could only choose this wrong path.

He had even prepared to die along with it.

"But, by doing this, can you really protect this art museum and the artworks filled with your love?" Kurumi, unconcerned with Ochiai's act of murder, was more concerned about what would happen to the art museum if Ochiai failed to protect it and was arrested after Manaka's death.

Did Ochiai really naively believe that killing Manaka would ensure the museum's survival?

Kurumi shook her head silently and sighed, "Grandpa Director, you seem to have lost yourself in hatred~"

Anger can make people lose their reason and do many wrong things.

For example, in the Conan storyline, there are many criminals who commit unforgivable crimes due to momentary impulse or hatred.

However, thinking of this, Kurumi gave a self-deprecating smile.

She was clearly a butcher with blood on her hands, yet she found herself advising others with such a mindset one day.

"Yes." Hearing Kurumi's words, he, who had completely calmed down, had naturally considered the aftermath.

Indeed, by killing Manaka, he had undoubtedly prevented the art museum from being redeveloped.

But that was only temporary.

Without Manaka, there might be other entrepreneurs like Mr. Qian, Mr. Zuo, or Mr. You who would want to acquire the art museum.

No one could guarantee that the next owner would be someone who loved art as much as he did.

The continuation of the art museum was also full of uncertainties.

"But, at this point, what can I do?" Ochiai's tone was full of dejection. He truly didn't want to see the art he loved disappear before his eyes.

Perhaps he had already prepared himself to be imprisoned for murder.

At least out of sight, out of mind.

Seeing Director Ochiai seemingly lost his backbone and utterly bewildered, Kurumi knew she had achieved half of her objective.

"So, that's why I'm here," Kurumi pointed to the armor at Ochiai's feet. "But now isn't the time to talk about that. Besides, Grandpa Director, you should rest a bit. You'll have to face the police after all this, won't you?"

Kurumi didn't want the scumbag employee Ochiai mentioned to take the fall.

It wasn't that she had a sudden change of heart; she had other plans for that employee.

Hearing Kurumi's words implying she wanted him to leave, Ochiai asked doubtfully, "What are you going to do, young lady? I'm enough to deal with the criminal here."

Even now, Director Ochiai didn't want a young girl like Kurumi to break the law to help him cover up his crime.

"Don't worry, this kind of thing should be left to the professionals, don't you think?"

Kurumi, now in her element, smiled charmingly.

King Crimson's time deletion ability was undoubtedly extremely useful for disposing of murder weapons and clues.

Within hours of Ochiai killing Manaka, King Crimson, carrying the blood-stained armor, repeatedly used its time deletion ability. Without anyone noticing, it handed the armor over to a tool person Kurumi had summoned using her organization's authority and instructed them to dispose of it quickly.

Besides the armor, Kurumi also found a ballpoint pen at the scene and a crumpled, balled-up note that Manaka had been holding. Both of these items were also disposed of by the tool person and the armor.

Returning to the art museum once more, Kurumi found Ochiai calmly sitting in his office as if nothing had happened.

She had to admit, when it came to shifting his mindset, Ochiai, with his rich life experience, did an excellent job.

At least outwardly, the old man now appeared as kind and amiable as usual.

"Grandpa Director, from now on, you should act as if you know nothing about anything that happens here." Kurumi offered a confident smile, as if she had everything under control. "When this is all over, I believe we'll need to discuss some matters."

Having already secured Ochiai's compliance, Kurumi was full of confidence.

12 That Person (Third Update)

Director Ochiai found himself increasingly unable to fathom the young girl who frequently visited the art museum.

"Who... who exactly are you?" In the director's office, facing the bloodstains without flinching, and even able to calmly converse with him, a murderer, everything made Ochiai believe she was far from harmless.

Although the girl's attitude towards him was polite now, this inconsistency between her demeanor and the situation made it even more unsettling.

Unconsciously, Ochiai began to regard Kurumi with seriousness.

"Kurumi, Tokisaki Kurumi." Kurumi calmly took a sip of tea poured by a female staff member. "Who I am isn't important; what's important is that I'm helping you."

'Tokisaki Kurumi... Tokisaki...' Ochiai remained silent, frantically searching his mind for any conglomerate or existence in Tokyo, or even all of Japan, that bore the name Tokisaki.

After much thought, Ochiai still couldn't find any leads.

Seeing the old man deep in thought, Kurumi remained silent, waiting patiently.

The power and initiative in their conversation were almost entirely in her hands. If not for her sense of regret, Kurumi would never have helped him.

Furthermore, they both greatly admired the artwork titled Divine Punishment.

After a long while, Director Ochiai shook his head and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Miss Tokisaki. When people get old, they sometimes become absent-minded."

"It's alright, I believe Grandpa Director was just wondering who I am," Kurumi said, her eyes full of amusement as she looked at Ochiai's aged face.

This was understandable.

Facing someone whose background she couldn't fathom, who possessed evidence of his crime and had even actively helped erase it, and who seemed to want to discuss something with him, the fact that he could maintain basic rationality and calmness without panicking was enough to show Ochiai's strong psychological fortitude.

Upon hearing Kurumi's words, Ochiai's long eyebrows twitched.

Still maintaining a polite tone, Kurumi said, "Who I am, or who is behind me, isn't important. What's important is that we can help you."

"As for what just happened, consider it my sincerity." Unconsciously, Kurumi's attitude towards Ochiai shifted from that of a junior to one of the most mysterious members of her organization—Bloody Mary.

Without giving Ochiai a chance to speak, Kurumi continued to tip the scales in her favor. "Like you, I am someone who appreciates these artworks. Whether it's Divine Punishment or the replica of the Mona Lisa in the exhibition hall, these two pieces are my favorites here."

Honestly speaking, Kurumi was quite surprised that this art museum had a replica of the Mona Lisa.

Having some knowledge of art, Kurumi knew very well that only a small number of replicas were usually made for artworks to preserve them.

After all, a replica is not a forgery; there is not only a significant difference between the two but also the value of a replica is second only to the original.

Thinking of the Mona Lisa made Kurumi feel a little awkward.

Ever since she accidentally discovered this painting here, the system, which was as unreliable as ever, had suddenly given her a quest.

[Appreciate the Mona Lisa's hands for ten minutes every day.]

Seriously! She wasn't Kira Yoshikage, that hand-obsessed maniac. Did she really need to stare at the Mona Lisa's hands and get... excited?

Besides, what was that excitement thing anyway?

Putting aside this issue that greatly annoyed Kurumi, she continued in the office, "Grandpa Director, because the 'adult' behind me has some fondness for art and aesthetics, I was very angry when I learned that Manaka intended to convert this art museum into a restaurant, so I told him about it."

To let Director Ochiai know that she, Kurumi, was not alone and had a more significant figure behind her, Kurumi decided to increase the credibility of her words.

Hearing that Kurumi and the 'adult' behind her both liked art, Ochiai's suspicion lessened slightly.

Eager to save the art museum, he asked somewhat impatiently, "Miss Tokisaki, what does that adult intend?"

"He wishes to acquire this art museum and, while continuing to operate it, he also hopes that you, Director, can continue to be in charge of it."

With that single sentence, the scales between the two had completely tipped in Kurumi's favor.

She had gained complete control of the situation.

"So, as a token of our sincerity, Sha... cough!" Kurumi, almost slipping up again, quickly corrected herself: "That personage sent me to handle this matter."

Sha...? Director Ochiai, having vaguely heard Kurumi utter the word "Sha," deliberately chose to forget it.

Being as experienced as he was, he naturally knew that the more one knew, the faster one would die.

"But how did you know I was going to kill Manaka?" Director Ochiai's question cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Faced with a question that wasn't easy to answer, Kurumi naturally adopted an air of mystery, as if everything was within her grasp: "It's very simple, just intelligence analysis."

Seeing Kurumi's proud expression, Director Ochiai couldn't help but hold the young girl before him in high regard.

In Director Ochiai's opinion, Kurumi, who was only fifteen or sixteen years old, should have been in the prime of her life, enjoying a carefree school life. But seeing her calmly witness him commit murder and then calmly clean up the mess, with a detachment and adult way of thinking that came from countless repetitions, filled Director Ochiai with immense regret.

Director Ochiai even wondered who had turned the once carefree girl into the cold-blooded killer she was now.

Shaking his head, Director Ochiai decided not to dwell on these thoughts for the moment.

From this transaction, Kurumi had contributed both money and effort.

In contrast, he had only received the other party's favor without offering anything in return.

This made Director Ochiai doubt himself. Was it truly worth it for them to make such a grand gesture, just for an art museum and for him?

And... did he really have a choice?

As the two fell silent in the office, the office door behind them was suddenly pushed open.

"Di-director, something terrible has happened!"