Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

"Come over tomorrow, let's have a chat."

Then, before Shuichi Akai could receive Conan's reply, James's call came first: "...Latest information on the Black Cat, Akai."

"Ok?"

Shuichi Akai raised an eyebrow in surprise, then, as if remembering something, asked, "Did Yoshino join his team, or what?"

"No, it's a major piece of intelligence."

James immediately dismissed Shuichi Akai's guess, his tone very serious: "The intelligence was sent back from Spencer's side and then passed to me."

"Spencer?"

Shuichi Akai's brows furrowed instantly, and he straightened up from his chair.

"Speak the key."

"Spencer's subordinate was attacked by Black Cat, presumably as a warning to him not to harm Yoshino again... But the key point is that Spencer's subordinate, who was deliberately spared to deliver a message, felt that Black Cat, a mere assassin, shouldn't dare to confront the official Amelia organization head-on, so he inquired about the other party's identity, and the result was..."

"Stop keeping me in suspense."

Shuichi Akai had already sensed something was amiss and immediately felt a little dissatisfied with James's halting speaking rhythm, which was meant to create atmosphere.

"The Black Organization."

The air fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

Shuichi Akai remained silent for a while before finally managing a slight smile: "I think the Black Organization he's talking about probably isn't that Black Organization, right?"

"Yeah, I think so too."

James also agreed.

Shuichi Akai rubbed his temples: "So, there's a second Black Organization, and they haven't shown any trace of it until now. Their strength, purpose, and stance are all unknown..."

"...Did the black cat say anything?"

"No, besides what he was supposed to do, he only revealed this name... But to be honest, something feels a bit off. It doesn't seem like a problem to bring up the backing of Spencer in order to make him wary. But if this... Black Organization doesn't want too many people to know about it and just wants to operate in secrecy, then it's obviously unlikely that they would do this just to recruit a newcomer like Yoshino."

Shuichi Akai frowned.

"In other words, there are three possibilities."

"First, this existence is a fabrication by Black Cat... but that's very unlikely. Second, this organization now feels there's no need to operate in secrecy anymore. Third, there are other special purposes behind this action."

"Ah."

James agreed, saying, "To be honest, I think it would be fine if it were just a simple bluff, but I'm worried about the latter two possibilities, especially... that third possibility, which is really worrying."

"What did they say?"

"...After all, it's a scandal, so the authorities naturally don't want to publicize it. They'll probably just quietly issue a statement summarizing the whole story. As for Yoshino... they probably won't pursue it relentlessly. At most, they'll just put on a show. Otherwise, we in the FBI wouldn't be standing still. Of course, it would be best if we could find out some relevant information."

"In short, it's about adapting to changing circumstances, right?"

Shuichi Akai revealed a slightly mocking smile.

...Regardless of the type of organization, the "decision-making" at the top level often tends to be ambiguous and vague about specific details.

It's up to the individual to decide.

In this way...

If you do it right, it's considered "wise leadership" by the higher-ups.

If something goes wrong... well, then the employees will have to take the blame themselves.

That's why, if you encounter some middle managers who are unwilling to take the blame...

A one-size-fits-all approach has become the norm.

"……I see."

Coming to his senses, Shuichi Akai hung up the phone.

Then, the next day arrived.

Shuichi Akai and Conan arrived at the Sano family's house together.

"Is something wrong?"

Upon opening the door, they found two people, one tall and one short, standing outside.

Sano immediately had the idea of ​​kicking them out.

"I accidentally made a little too much lunch, but not too much. It would be a bit awkward to give it to someone else, so I thought it would be just right to bring it to you."

"Oh?"

Sano looked at the bento box in Shuichi Akai's hand with suspicion.

After thinking for a moment, Sano opened the lid, looked at the simple but beautiful combination inside, and then sniffed it... Well, just in terms of color and fragrance.

It's pretty good.

Thanks.

Sano closed the lid, took the bento box, and was about to close the door.

Shuichi Akai was immediately taken aback, but Conan, who knew Sano's nature well, reacted quickly.

It was kicked right into the crack of the door.

"Wait a minute! We've come all this way to bring you food, and you won't even invite us in? Isn't that incredibly rude?"

Sano glanced at the cast on Conan's foot.

"...Tsk, so it can't be clamped down."

Conan: "..."

Akai Shuichi: "..."

Do you want to listen to what you're saying?

"Alright, come in."

Sano finally opened the door... He probably knew why these two had come to the door.

It's just that they use meals as a means of exchange when something happens...

Are Shuichi Akai and Ai Haibara both following the same approach as Akira Miyano?

After placing the bento box on the table, Sano turned to look at the two guys who were curiously examining the furnishings in his room, and narrowed his eyes: "If you dare to rummage through my things, you two can go buy coffins in advance."

Conan and the other person froze.

Who the hell would rummage through your things?

Conan pursed his lips somewhat guiltily... After his conversation with Shuichi Akai, he did want to find out more inside information about Sano, which was why he came over, but this wasn't the first time he had been to Sano's house.

Besides, Sano isn't the only one living in the house now... Even if he were living alone, he wouldn't leave something particularly important out in the open; it would definitely be hidden away.

But then again...

If it's supposed to be a test, then how exactly should it be done?

Conan glanced at Sano's back, then at Shuichi Akai, who was deep in thought... Based on his understanding of this man, if he could find out something, he was a devil. He would either completely ignore him or stick to his guns, whether you believed him or not. In addition, he was good at making up stories and rambling on.

...Heh, let's just give up.

Just as Shuichi Akai was about to speak, Conan took a deep breath.

"Sano, tell me about yesterday."

"Ok?"

Sano and Shuichi Akai both looked at Conan.

What happened yesterday?

"What else could it be? You must have seen the headlines about the Suzuki Tower being bombed."

As he spoke, Conan picked up a newspaper that had been spread out to the side.

The surface still retained some of the warmth of Sano's hand.

"I saw it, so what?"

Seeing Sano's indifferent reaction, Conan pushed up his glasses: "Yesterday I asked you for help, why didn't you go... or did you actually call for help...?"

Do I need to repeat myself?

Sano raised an eyebrow and interrupted, leaving Conan speechless... He should at least let him finish what he was saying.

"It's a tart made with rye."

Conan thought for a moment and then changed the starting point.

Sano had already started eating his bento box, and after a while, he replied, "Who is that?"

Conan: "..."

Sure enough, it started again... Slightly annoyed, Conan scratched his head and said with a dark face, "I'm telling you, I can let other things go, but this guy is someone I mentioned to you before. There's no point in you pretending to be stupid with me, is there?!"

"Yeah."

Sano chewed on his chopsticks, looking confused. "I don't remember much... But there's nothing I can do about it, my memory is getting worse and worse."

Ok?

Conan froze, staring at Sano's face, and was suddenly startled.

"...Hey Sano, has your illness gotten worse again...or is it a side effect of the medication that's causing your memory loss?"

Faced with Conan's tense and worried question, Sano couldn't help but laugh.

"You actually believe that? That's really..."

Conan was stunned again, his face turning pale and then red.

This also made Shuichi Akai, who was standing next to him, unconsciously touch his nose.

...Luckily, Conan beat me to it, otherwise I would have started it myself.

I'm afraid I'll get high blood pressure from all that anger.

"Don't make jokes like that!"