Dr. Agasa's house.
"Hey, you're not thinking anything shady, are you?" Conan noticed Tsuneo staring at the TV, which was covering the solved Maple Leaf Gold Coin case.
"Nope, not at all. You know I'm the most just guy around," Tsuneo replied.
"Wipe your drool then."
Tsuneo instinctively took the tissue Conan offered, wiping away tears.
Fifteen thousand Maple Leaf Gold Coins!
Last night, the newly formed Junior Detective League found them, taking down three mafia members in the process.
What was I doing yesterday?
Eating with Yoko Okino and Reina Mizunashi, lost in the idol's praise…
"Haha, I thought Tsuneo didn't care about that stuff," Dr. Agasa said, walking over with coffee.
"Money's enough for daily needs, but I've been thinking about buying a car," Tsuneo said, glancing at the grim reaper elementary schooler.
Six billion yen was astronomical, but with brains and skills, you could make that in the City of Sin, Mihama Town—if you were willing to cross lines.
"What're you getting at?" Conan grabbed the only juice on the table, eyeing Tsuneo warily.
"With a theft case like that, the finder gets a hefty reward, right?" Tsuneo sighed. "I've got a small lead on that Organization. Not sure if I should spill."
"I'm busting my brain worrying about you," Conan snapped, jumping up to chase Tsuneo as he stood to leave.
"Easy, Shinichi," Dr. Agasa said, grabbing his wrist.
"That guy's been snooping around on his own," Conan said, slamming his small fist on the couch.
"I know it's risky, but he's worried about you shrinking, too," Dr. Agasa said, flipping through a car magazine.
That Ford F-150 Lightning looked nice. Where'd it go?
Conan stared at Dr. Agasa. "Doc, is he your secret son or something? Can't we pick a cheaper car?"
"It's dangerous for him to dig into the Organization," Dr. Agasa said with a smile, handing the magazine to Conan.
"Yeah," Conan nodded, his face serious, genuinely worried for Tsuneo.
He'd only stumbled across a deal, got knocked out, and was fed poison—surviving by sheer luck. If Tsuneo was actively poking around, it'd be even riskier.
…
"Mrs. Takayama, is this okay?" Tsuneo asked, looking down at the beaming woman clutching his pant leg.
I'm no lecher, but did she have to wear such a low-cut sweater to test me?
"It's fine, just be careful," Mrs. Takayama said, her grip tight despite the ladder's stability.
Tsuneo wanted to tell her it was just replacing cabinet hinges, no need for the fuss…
He checked the other two cabinet doors, found no issues, and climbed down.
With Mr. Takayama away year-round and Mrs. Takayama being pampered, these small jobs always fell to him.
"Stay for dinner?"
"No, no, I've got to head to Mr. Sakaguchi's," Tsuneo said, pocketing the payment and slipping out.
"Take care!" Mrs. Takayama waved enthusiastically at his retreating figure.
…
Slowing down after leaving the alley, Tsuneo shook his head.
Think these housewives are all soft and sweet? If you heard what they discuss at their tea parties, you'd steer clear of any funny ideas. Those idle middle-aged women could be terrifying.
"Mr. Sakaguchi!"
By chance, Tsuneo spotted Masayoshi Sakaguchi walking his dog.
Seeing John wag his tail at a familiar face, Sakaguchi smiled and let go of the leash.
Tsuneo petted the dog and walked beside Sakaguchi, both watching a young man in the distance robbing a peer of his wallet.
Masayoshi Sakaguchi, a lawyer specializing in juvenile issues, had some local fame.
His son, Masato, had taken his own life years ago due to bullying.
The culprit, Go Maehara, had wept remorsefully before Masato's memorial, earning Sakaguchi's forgiveness.
But recently, Maehara reappeared nearby, acting as if Masato's death never happened, still bullying others.
Seeing Sakaguchi grit his teeth, Tsuneo patted John and said, "Nice weather today, isn't it, Mr. Sakaguchi?"
"Y-Yeah," Sakaguchi replied, nodding in confusion.
Tsuneo smiled at the German shepherd. "Time to go home, John!"
"Woof!" John glanced at his owner, and with a nod, yanked Tsuneo toward home.
For months, Sakaguchi had been taking John to the suburbs on weekends, likely planning something big.
The lawyer who'd upheld justice his whole life was finally ready to draw his blade.
As a repairman, Tsuneo figured he should help an old client solve their troubles now and then.
…
Nightfall.
At a Tokyo bar's entrance, Go Maehara, with his girlfriend and a few peers, drank beer and bragged about their recent hauls.
"College kids are the easiest—decent cash, scare 'em a bit, and they hand it over," Maehara said, flaunting bills he'd stolen that day.
"Haha, I met this hot college girl last time…" one of his buddies leered, sharing his own exploits.
These were just petty thugs, only bold enough to target timid students fresh from campus. They wouldn't dare mess with regular adults.
Prison food wasn't that tasty.
Revenge? Once you're locked up, no one's avenging you.
They'd just "take care" of your girlfriend…
"Hahaha!"
Their laughter grew louder, beer cans emptying one after another as they joked about sleazy exploits.
From a dim corner, a dark figure emerged.
Wearing a hoodie, mask, and sunglasses, clad entirely in black, he gripped a steel baseball bat.
Maehara and his crew, so brazen moments ago, fell silent as the figure approached the bar.
In the parking lot by the bar's entrance, only the clack of black leather shoes echoed.
(End of Chapter)
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