In the operations room without its leader, the fully assembled Phantom Thief Troupe sat around the table, silently exchanging looks.
Among them were the first three members to join, who understood the gravity of the situation and wore especially serious expressions, as well as the others, who were baffled as to why Asai Narumi not only wanted to hold a small meeting, but specifically wanted to discuss it away from Tangze.
"The situation was explained when we were notified." Asai Narumi, who had gathered everyone here, cleared her throat. "Everyone, any thoughts?"
"Um..." Hirotsugu Morofushi looked around before becoming the first to break the silence.
"If you want to ask something, just ask. No need to raise your hand." Asai Narumi pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Oh." Hirotsugu Morofushi, who had instinctively raised his hand in a proper manner, awkwardly lowered it. "Uh, I just heard what you said. Someone reported on the Phantom Thief channel that the director of the Beika Library might be involved in the gray-market drug trade. We don't know exactly what he's transporting, but it's definitely illegal."
"Yes. I ran a search based on the information the commenter provided, and what he said is probably true." Asai Narumi gestured at her phone. "Noah's reply says the man may indeed be using his position to provide smuggling routes."
"I have no questions about that part. The issue is..." Hirotsugu Morofushi furrowed his brow. "Why do we need to hide this from Tangze? Does Tangze not want to get involved in cases like this?"
"No, quite the opposite. He's far too eager to get involved in cases like this." Akemi Miyano pressed at her temple.
"That case back in my hometown... Oh, the new friends might not know yet. To put it simply, my father was