"BLACK·STAR"
In the modest glass display case before them lay the world's largest black pearl, Night Star, its dark luster shimmering like a captured fragment of the cosmos.
Shiro Suzuki, ever affable, nodded as he introduced it. "Ever since my grandfather added this pearl to our collection, the Suzuki family's fortunes have soared to new heights."
"In other words," he continued, his voice warm with pride, "it's the guardian deity of our family."
"Who would've thought it'd catch the eye of an international thief?"
Uncle Mouri, glancing at a team of guards hurrying past, furrowed his brow in confusion. "Speaking of which, the thief's notice said April 1st—that's tomorrow. Why the heavy security starting today?"
"Well," Shiro Suzuki replied, his tone measured, "the notice does specify tomorrow, yes. But we can't predict when or how they'll strike, so we've set up everything tonight, on March 31st."
They couldn't rule out the possibility that the notorious Phantom Thief 1412 would make their move in the early hours of April 1st. Preparations had to be airtight.
No matter what, the Suzuki family's black pearl—the Night Star that brought them luck—could not be stolen!
Conan, lost in thought, mulled over Tsuneo's earlier comment wishing him a "Happy April Fool's Day." It nagged at him.
The Night Star exhibition wasn't a one-day affair. Why choose April 1st specifically? It was hard not to overthink it.
"Of course we're hitting a fancy restaurant!" Sonoko laughed, puffing out her chest to flaunt her flair.
"Not bad for Japan's top rich kid," Tsuneo said, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Heh!" With her father nearby, Sonoko toned down her usual smug grin, opting for a more restrained smile.
"Sonoko, are you sure everything's okay?" Ran asked, glancing at the black pearl in the display case, her voice tinged with worry.
The Night Star wasn't just a priceless gem—it was a symbol, a guardian of the Suzuki family's legacy.
"No worries, no worries!" Sonoko waved her hand dismissively, continuing to chat with a grin.
"Tsuneo, what do you think this legendary thief looks like? Harrison Ford? Jean Reno? Ooh, maybe Brad Pitt!" Sonoko's eyes sparkled as she whispered excitedly.
"Why not Kudo?" Tsuneo teased.
"Huh?" Sonoko and Ran exchanged puzzled looks.
Phantom Thief 1412 had been active internationally for a decade or two. How could he possibly resemble a high school kid?
And why that guy, of all people?
"What a bunch of carefree weirdos…" Conan muttered under his breath.
With all these serious-faced guards rushing around, setting up defenses, these three were just giggling away.
Sonoko, your family's heirloom is on the line, and you're this cheerful?
And Tsuneo—what's with saying I look like a thief?!
"I already told you!" a tall, burly man in a suit barked, his mustache twitching as he issued orders to his subordinates. "Focus on the riverbank! Deploy some forces there now!"
Kintaro Chaki, 49, was a superintendent at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division, specializing in catching clever criminals.
"That thief plans to infiltrate via the Tsutsumi River, which flows right by this museum!"
Shiro Suzuki stepped forward, intrigued. "Have you cracked the code in the notice?"
Officer Chaki flashed a confident smile and nodded. "The 'invitation with the waves' mentioned in the letter means they'll come drifting down the Tsutsumi River!"
"The only place around here with waves is that river. No doubt about it!"
"Hahaha!" Uncle Mouri burst into laughter, unable to contain himself.
"Aren't you Mouri, the guy from Division 1?" Officer Chaki's face darkened, visibly annoyed at being mocked. "What's so funny?"
"You're so off the mark, Officer Chaki. Don't you get it?"
"'Waves' means the ocean."
"And 'ocean' makes you think of a field."
"And 'star'—that's Star!"
"In other words, the thief is pointing to Yoko Okino, the idol star performing at the nearby Beika Concert Hall starting tomorrow. No mistake!"
"Plus, Yoko's final song at the concert is confirmed—Moonlight Girl!"
"It ties to the line about 'the moon separating two people.'"
"So, Phantom Thief 1412 will strike at 9 p.m. tomorrow, when the concert ends, near the Beika Concert Hall!"
Kogoro Mouri delivered his deduction with unshakable confidence.
The room fell silent, everyone stunned.
Even Tsuneo hadn't expected Uncle Mouri's fangirl obsession to reach this level.
"What is this old man blabbering about…" Conan thought, rolling his eyes.
"That… actually makes sense," Officer Chaki said, surprisingly considering the possibility.
Tsuneo glanced at the Night Star in its case.
Could this thing lower people's IQ or something?
Officer Chaki didn't seem much sharper than Officer Megure.
Someone digs a ridiculous hole, and he just jumps right in.
One dares to spout nonsense, and the other dares to believe it…
"Truly the work of the great detective Kogoro Mouri!" Shiro Suzuki exclaimed, his face lighting up with a smile as if he'd had an epiphany.
"What an… impressive skill…" Tsuneo's mouth twitched as he watched Mouri laugh triumphantly, hands on his hips.
"What skill, Tsuneo?" Ran asked, curious.
"Deduction! His deduction skills!" Tsuneo replied earnestly, nodding with conviction.
Definitely not his ability to BS…
"Squads C and E, head to the Beika Concert Hall area immediately!" Officer Chaki commanded his team.
Conan opened his mouth to protest but stopped, seeing Chaki and Suzuki's convinced expressions. He hadn't cracked the notice's code himself, so he had no grounds to interrupt.
"Where's that new guy we got last month?" Chaki asked, scanning the room for his absent subordinate.
"Captain Nakamori took his team out this morning. Not sure where," an officer replied.
"That kid sure picks his moments!" Chaki grumbled, turning to leave.
"It's already two o'clock. Let's grab some food!" Sonoko announced to the group.
"Let's go, let's go!"
The museum was brimming with jewels from around the world, but Tsuneo had zero interest in sticking around. He grabbed Conan, nudged Mouri, and headed for the exit.
Food first!
Who cares about some international thief?
Gotta eat now!
Not a second to waste!
(End of Chapter)
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