A Swift Departure

That bastard Rye!

Tooru Amuro clenched his fists, tightening the gloves until they were taut.

The Organization didn't fully trust Bourbon, so they would dispatch other teams to stake him out in secret. This was within Tooru Amuro's expectations.

However, he never anticipated that this team would be led by Black Star, nor that they would use violent methods against Tang Ze.

Hatred surged in his chest, along with worry for Tang Ze Zhao's situation.

To target just one high school student, the Organization had deployed two codenamed members. This showed the extraordinary importance of the information he possessed.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tooru Amuro sternly lectured Tang Ze. "Do you think I'm incapable of handling these troubles? Hmm?"

Of course, it's because you stalker types are too good at your jobs, and I couldn't detect you at all.

Tang Ze couldn't argue back, so he lowered his head with an obedient expression to admit his mistake. "I'm sorry for making you worry. It won't happen again."

Tooru Amuro sighed, then tried to persuade him with a different logic. "Your case is quite serious. If things escalate, everyone involved will be implicated. You need to be careful about your safety."

"I understand, I'm sorry. I acted on my own initiative." Tang Ze maintained his obedient expression.

Faced with his demeanor, Tooru Amuro couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh. He shook his head and turned to the kitchen counter. "I hope you truly understand. What do you want for lunch? I'll make you some sandwiches."

"Okay—" Seeing that Tooru Amuro had finally let it go, Tang Ze quickly chimed in.

Two adhesive bandages were tossed from behind the counter to Tang Ze.

"Put these on the cuts on your face. Even small wounds can leave scars."

If you knew they'd leave scars, why did you pull so hard earlier! Tang Ze, being in the wrong, didn't dare to say it out loud.

The coffee shop quieted down, with only the sizzling sound of the frying pan in Tooru Amuro's hands audible.

On the television, the midday news was airing.

Tang Ze turned his head to watch the news, wanting to see if there was any information about new murder cases.

Now that "The Sleeping Kogoro" had debuted, he needed to pay close attention to related news to avoid missing opportunities to get closer to the main characters.

Traffic accident... Famous singer passes away... Violent crime... Violent crime... Murder case... Murder case...

After listening to seven or eight quick news reports, Tang Ze felt a bit numb. How could the public safety in Tokyo be like Gotham?

As he was silently commenting, the next news report began.

"Breaking news: Maru Group President, Mr. Maru Denjirou, held an emergency press conference half an hour ago, stating that he 'wishes to repent to the public for his wrongdoings over the years.' At the press conference, Mr. Maru Denjirou revealed evidence of the group's involvement in illegal financial credit operations, admitting that he had long used methods such as mortgage lending and violent debt collection to illegally seize dozens of antique collections..."

Tang Ze sat up straighter, focusing intently.

You know, Maru Denjirou might be scum, but he sure is decisive and efficient!

Beaten up in the morning, confessing his crimes by noon, not a minute wasted.

"...Next, we will have a live broadcast from our reporter at the press conference..."

The next second, the face of the sweet and elegant news anchor, with her faint smile, was replaced by Maru Denjirou's old face, complete with a full beard and a bald head.

"Due to my greed, I have committed grave sins," Maru Denjirou said, tears streaming down his face under the flashing camera lights. "I have hurt too many people, some even driven to suicide by my coercion. I know my sins are deep and cannot be redeemed, but I hope to return my ill-gotten gains to their rightful owners."

"If the collections have already been resold, I will do my utmost to retrieve them. Please believe in my resolve." Maru Denjirou bowed deeply to the camera. "For all the pain I have caused, I am truly, very sorry..."

Tang Ze touched the bandage on his face and smiled, his eyes narrowed.

"What are you smiling about?" Tooru Amuro placed the plate in front of Tang Ze, then looked up at the TV and shook his head. "What's the point of a wicked man repenting in his old age? The damage has already been done."

"I just feel like the world is becoming a little bit better," Tang Ze replied, still smiling. "That's enough."

It was a shame that Uncle Mori upstairs would likely miss out on a well-paying commission.

Tang Ze's regret only lasted until dinnertime.

Mori Kogoro, along with Ran Mouri and Conan, sat at the counter of the Poirot Cafe, beaming as he boasted to Tooru Amuro. "...I really don't know what got into Maru Denjirou. He commissioned me a few days ago to investigate his wife's infidelity, and he even scheduled a meeting for yesterday. But before he paid the final installment, he suddenly went and held a press conference to surrender. I thought this commission was for nothing. What a guy, always causing trouble."

"So the commission was canceled?" Tooru Amuro fiddled with the bubbling coffee pot, playing along with Mori Kogoro.

"Yeah, but everything has its turning points," Mori Kogoro puffed out his chest proudly. "I was just trying to get the final payment or some sort of penalty fee, but then Mrs. Maru Inako bought all the photos and evidence I had!"

"Dad..." Ran Mouri gave him a headache. "This isn't something to brag about..."

Mori Kogoro waved his hand dismissively. "If it weren't for my excellent skills and all the photos I got, that money would have gone down the drain."

"Anyway, Maru Denjirou is definitely going to jail now. The evidence is too complete, and the group will fall into Mrs. Maru Inako's hands. My evidence, if obtained by the board of directors, would be unfavorable to her, so she bought it all for triple the price."

Mori Kogoro let out his signature proud laugh, causing not only Ran Mouri and Conan to get starry eyes, but also Tang Ze to glance at him askance.

"Uncle Mori, it's not good to openly discuss a client's privacy..." Conan sighed weakly.

"It was Ms. Maru Inako who asked me to talk about it more," Mori Kogoro was, of course, a private detective with professional ethics. "Besides, the evidence is in her hands. More unstable rumors will help lower the stock price, and she's waiting to absorb more shares!"

Ran Mouri had mixed feelings. Thinking of Maru Denjirou, then of the beautiful young Mrs. Maru Inako, she said with a complex expression, "Is this what adult marriages are like?"

"That's how rich people are. Who cares? Amuro, three servings of seafood pasta for us!" Mori Kogoro waved his hand energetically, acting like he was ready to enjoy himself now that he had money.

Tang Ze took a sip of his hot cocoa, his gaze drifting.

So it turns out my prediction letter was that timely?

If it had been even a day later, Maru Denjirou would have been skewered like a candied hawthorn...

We really can't let our guard down, Death Gods.

Conan retracted his half-moon eyes and rested his chin on his index finger and thumb.

Maru Denjirou's sudden surrender was strange no matter how he looked at it. He had been doing bad deeds for decades, and now, past fifty, he had a change of heart overnight...

Could it be related to that calling card?

The calling card, from a group calling themselves the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts," stated that Maru Denjirou would pay the price today, and Maru Denjirou had indeed apologized and confessed to the public today.

Coercion? Vigilante justice?

How did they manage it?

Tang Ze, sitting on the other side, choked on his hot chocolate and couldn't help but sneeze.