BWDC:SDDK Chapter 139: For Safety's Sake, Let Uncle Mouri and That Brat Conan Stay Home!
"The Kid of Edo...?"
"Oh, I've heard of him. Although he's called a phantom thief like me, he's more of a common thug. He has a criminal record all across the country. If he can't get the treasure he wants, he doesn't hesitate to kill."
"Supposedly, he uses wire-lines or parkour skills to scale walls and escape the scene... Why the sudden interest?"
After accepting the commission to create a disguise mask, Kuroba Kaito intended to head straight back to his classroom to wait for the next period.
After all, break time wasn't exactly generous. Ren Ichimonji had taken up so much of it that Kaito didn't even have time to perform a quick magic trick to tease Aoko. He had no choice but to head back.
However, hearing Ren mention another somewhat famous phantom thief, Kaito shared what he knew. Given his understanding of Ren, the fact that he was asking about the Kid of Edo meant he had likely caught wind of something. Thus, Kaito followed up with a question of his own.
He held no respect for a "phantom thief" like the Kid of Edo. If Ren knew someone who needed help, Kaito didn't mind lending a hand to ensure the police caught the guy sooner rather than later.
However, Ren simply replied:
"I saw a news report about the Kid of Edo."
"Supposedly, a period drama troupe that tours nationwide—following a route nearly identical to the Kid of Edo's crimes—is arriving in Tokyo this afternoon. I plan to go check it out."
--- If there's a problem, I'll solve it along the way.
During this period, Miyano Akemi could go see Miyano Shiho at any time on any day except today. He had to ensure that the events he already knew about wouldn't be disrupted by any unforeseen variables.
Hearing this, Kuroba Kaito let out a sigh.
"I see. Well, I won't be joining you. I've taken quite a bit of leave lately; I won't get many more chances to skip class without a good reason. I'd rather not get another lecture from my homeroom teacher."
Even though he wouldn't actually listen to the lecture, who enjoyed having a teacher droning in their ear?
Still, the high schools over in Beika Town seemed to have such flexible schedules. If only the schools here in Ekoda were just as free.
...On second thought, if that freedom came at the cost of Beika's crime rate, forget it.
Kaito didn't even want to imagine what he'd do if the death rate in Ekoda skyrocketed to match Beika's.
Just as he turned to return to the classroom, Kaito suddenly realized he had overlooked something. He spun around quickly.
"Hey, that rumor about me stealing people's boyfriends... was it the person standing next to you who—"
The person was gone.
Kaito's voice cut off abruptly.
Speechless.
Am I the master magician or are you? Your other tricks are mediocre, but this 'living person disappearance' is seriously fast.
Kaito shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets.
Fine. He was finishing the disguise mask this afternoon anyway, and Ren would surely come by tonight to pick it up. He'd just get the truth out of him then.
The issue wasn't exactly urgent...
Ring—!
The class bell echoed.
Kaito looked up at the campus PA speaker.
He fell silent.
Actually, the issue was a bit urgent.
If he took the stairs, he wouldn't make it. Should he try a wire-line rappel again? He'd have to bet on reaching his seat before the teacher stepped into the room.
"What kind of invitation? I don't know anything about that."
"Uncle Mouri hasn't received any invitation from a period drama troupe. Why do you ask?"
At the Mouri Detective Agency, Conan sat on the sofa holding his phone, sounding quite confused.
--- Normally, when Uncle Mouri receives an invitation to go somewhere, that place is about 80% guaranteed to have a violent incident. But Uncle hasn't received anything yet.
Why was Ren Ichimonji calling to ask about this? Did he think someone was going to send an invitation?
"No, really. If an invitation had arrived, I'd definitely know. Since I don't know, there isn't one," the "Death God" schoolboy replied, glancing at Mouri Kogoro, who was busy drinking nearby.
Because Ran had gone to school, no one was around to keep Uncle Mouri in check. He had liberated himself and was already deep into a drinking session.
Fortunately, it was just beer. He shouldn't be completely incoherent by the time Ran returned.
"Anyway, if you feel like a violent murder is about to happen somewhere, count me in."
"I'm going too! Cases constantly attract detectives to the scene!"
Before Conan could finish his sentence, the door to the agency was pushed open.
Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko appeared at the entrance, carrying their school bags.
Ran, who had been smiling, instantly switched to a "combat face" the moment she saw Mouri Kogoro drinking.
"Dad! Why are you sneaking drinks again? Didn't we agree you were quitting?"
Mouri Kogoro, who had been happily savoring his beer a second ago, stopped smiling immediately.
--- Good grief, is the schedule at Teitan High School really this flexible now?
I don't remember it being this loose when I was a student.
Mouri Kogoro snapped to attention.
He discreetly hid the beer can behind the computer monitor before asking:
"What's with the aggressive entrance... did something happen?"
Hearing this, Ran and Sonoko exchanged a look.
Ran immediately explained:
"A new transfer student joined our class recently, a high schooler named Ito Tamanosuke."
"He's the new leader of a traveling period drama troupe. To test out how the new script performs, he invited us to watch a show. I have extra tickets, so I came back to ask if you and Conan wanted to go."
Conan: ?
Are you kidding me? I told you: Mouri Kogoro + an invitation (or free tickets) = a violent murder event. Maybe I should just make sure Uncle stays home this time, or else something's definitely going to happen at that theater!
Mouri Kogoro: ?
Wait, why is that brat Conan invited too? Based on experience, whenever that kid shows up at a scene, trouble follows. Maybe I should just leave him here to watch the office. Kids don't even like period dramas anyway!
"For safety's sake, let Uncle Mouri / that brat Conan stay home!"
Mouri Kogoro and Conan spoke in perfect unison.
The next second, they turned to glare at each other.
"Why would you say that?!"
Ren Ichimonji: ?
What? Both Conan and Mouri Kogoro are going to the theater of that traveling troupe?
Ren, who was listening to the activity in the agency via a bug, frowned.
He realized the situation wasn't simple.
--- Fine, I'll head over first.
I'll see if this suspicious Kid of Edo is actually hiding in that troupe!
End of Chapter
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