"Looks like that person has other motives."
Fujino lowered his gaze, thought for a moment, then handed the letter to Haibara Ai. "It's signed 'God-Forsaken Phantom Kid.' Seems like this person is a real chuunibyou."
"..."
Haibara Ai took the letter and her eyes narrowed when she saw the signature, a hint of exasperation in them. While Fujino might have been a bit blunt, calling it "chuunibyou," she couldn't really argue. It *did* seem like the work of one. Still, she knew there had to be more to it. She scrutinized the letter, but no obvious hints came to mind.
Looking up, she asked Fujino, "The date on this is tomorrow. Are you planning to go?"
"Yeah, two million yen is nothing to sneeze at. I've got to at least check it out." Fujino nodded, a little surprised Haibara Ai hadn't figured out the invitation was from a fake Kaitou Kid. But then again, he knew it was a fake, but he didn't remember how the actual cipher was broken. He only recalled it being quite convoluted, designed to throw people off. Though, for Conan, that little beast of a detective, and others, it would probably be simple enough.
"Then be careful." Haibara Ai looked down at the letter again, then back at Fujino. She figured Fujino would definitely go, and even if she tried to stop him, it would be useless.
"Don't worry, it might not even be dangerous..." Fujino nodded, then suddenly asked, "Oh, by the way, is there anything you want me to pick up when I go to the bank to cash the check?"
Haibara Ai shook her head, having nothing in particular in mind. Fujino then left, heading straight to the bank to cash the two million yen. He knew exactly what those checks were—from that gourmet detective. He figured the guy would probably be dead by tomorrow, and if he died, the checks would become worthless. After all, he remembered that guy was still deeply in debt from buying that Twilight Mansion.
"Speaking of debt, though..." Fujino walked along the street, his eyes narrowing as something clicked in his mind. "If he's insolvent, couldn't that villa be bought up? I wonder if that guy has any relatives. If not, that villa could probably be snapped up for a steal."
But then Fujino frowned. Even if he were to buy it, it wouldn't be appropriate for him to do so in his current identity. Such a large sum of money couldn't be fully explained. If the tax agency raided his place, he'd be in serious trouble. He needed a different identity... But finding a new identity wasn't easy either.
Lost in thought, Fujino suddenly remembered something. He opened his system interface, looking at the purple card, and murmured, "If I use the identity virtualization card, then it wouldn't be a problem at all..."
After mulling it over, Fujino decided it was feasible. Thinking a little deeper, he temporarily settled on a plan. With the plan decided, Fujino pulled out his phone and dialed the number labeled "Kaitou Who Peeks in Girls' Changing Rooms" in his contacts.
Yes, that was Kaitou Kid, or rather, Kuroba Kaito's number. The kid had called him before, trying to lecture him and talk big. That's how Fujino got his number. He wasn't sure if it was a private number, but if it was, he could probably track it down through special means. But Fujino was too lazy to bother; as long as he knew it was Kuroba Kaito, he could just stake out Ekoda High School if he had to. It wasn't worth the trouble. Besides, since Kaito was using it, he'd probably encrypted it in some special way.
Fujino thought for a moment, then dialed. After a few short rings, the call connected, and a young voice came through the receiver: "Fujino, why are you calling me?"
"Nothing, just wanted to chat." Fujino's tone was like an old leader checking in on a struggling family. He walked along, sounding genuinely interested in small talk. "The news says you've stolen a lot of good stuff again? How have you been doing lately? It's getting cold, have you put on your winter coat? If you're missing anything, just give me an address, and I'll bring some rice and flour to warm you up. I promise not to take a single stitch from the folks."
Kuroba Kaito: "......"
*This guy, is he really just calling to chat? You're a detective, I'm a wanted Kaitou. We're not exactly suited for this... But your tone, why does it feel so weird? You're not planning to fly over and arrest me if I give you my address, are you? Damn, you're playing mind games over the phone, and the calculations are hitting me right in the face!*
"Alright, we can save the warm greetings for another time. Let's talk business." Fujino brought the conversation back on track. "I received an invitation, signed 'God-Forsaken Phantom Kid.' That must be your alias, right? 'KID' or whatever, you hide it pretty well."
"I know about that, and it wasn't from me!" Kuroba Kaito's voice rose a few octaves, clearly annoyed. "What 'God-Forsaken Phantom Kid'? 'Phantom' with that character next to it, hinting at the little lamb from the New Testament? And then 'KID'? That's too abstract! What kind of chuunibyou is that?"
"I think it suits your personality just fine," Fujino nodded quietly, a faint smile on his face. "That kind of abstract art, pulling off a chuunibyou act, it really does sound like your style."
Kuroba Kaito: "&*%#￥@@"
*It's tough when your identity's been stolen. Even tougher when you're accused of being an abstract, chuunibyou artist. He got stuck with a reputation he didn't earn, and then got mocked for it.*
"So, where did you hear about this?" Fujino's lips curled into a slight smile, enticing him. "I only found out because I received an email."
"I just happened to see it..." Kuroba Kaito relaxed his guard, then quickly corrected himself mid-sentence: "I'm KID! I just happened to see a detective's mail, that's all!" Then he changed the subject: "So you got one too?"
"Oh..." Fujino nodded. "Yeah, I got one. They sent a two-million-yen check. I just got back from cashing it at the bank."
Kuroba Kaito was speechless. "You're faster than me, the great thief."
"So, what's your plan?" Fujino asked seriously. "Are you going to check it out?"
"Of course I am." Kuroba Kaito's tone grew serious. "I want to see what they're going to do using my name, Kaitou KID. If they dare to do anything to tarnish my reputation..."
*He'd smash their heads in!*
"How are you planning to go?" Fujino teased. "Are you going to disguise yourself as someone again? I bet everyone there will be a detective, so it won't be easy for you."
"Don't worry about that!" Kuroba Kaito said meaningfully. "I'll definitely surprise all of you when the time comes!"
"Alright, I'm hanging up. See you tomorrow." Fujino hung up the phone and let out a long sigh.
*That "seeing" he mentioned, was it Hakuba Saguru? After all, Kuroba Kaito and Hakuba Saguru are in the same class. It wouldn't be unusual for him to have seen it if they were interacting. Never mind, who knows how he saw it. He should start preparing for tomorrow's event.*
---
The next morning, in front of the Mouri Detective Agency.
"Fujino, my friend, are you ready?" Mouri Kogoro, dressed in his usual suit, asked Fujino from inside a white sedan.
"Yeah, I'm all set." Fujino nodded, checking his bag. "Wooden sword, some other stuff, all with me."
Mouri Kogoro looked a bit puzzled. "Why are you bringing a wooden sword?"
"To protect myself, of course. For an unknown invitation, who wouldn't worry about their safety?" Fujino said, then chuckled. "But I'll have to trouble you again this time, Mouri-san. My car broke down after I got back from my trip yesterday, so I'll need a ride with you."
"No problem, it's on the way!" Mouri Kogoro laughed heartily, then lowered his gaze in thought. "But Fujino, my friend, you do have a point. If it's dangerous, two million yen might not be worth it... But they've already sent the check, so there's no turning back now."
Fujino couldn't help but ask, "Mouri-san, have you cashed the check yet?"
"Not yet," Mouri Kogoro shook his head. "It's a check anyway, I planned to cash it after we get back."
"Uh..." Fujino fell silent for a moment, feeling like Mouri-san was about to go on a wild goose chase for nothing this time.
"But why aren't those two down yet?" Mouri Kogoro looked back. "Ran is one thing, but why is that kid so slow?" He then shouted upstairs, "Hey, you two, hurry up! Otherwise, it'll be completely dark by the time we get to Tottori Prefecture!"
"Alright, alright!" Just then, Ran emerged from the detective agency with Conan. "It's a banquet, after all, so we need to get ready. And that dress is a pain to handle."
Ran was wearing a pink, loose short-sleeved top with khaki capri pants. She carried a green bag, which likely held the dress she mentioned, along with Conan's clothes. Conan was dressed in a light blue hoodie and dark green shorts. Aside from his usual gadgets, he wasn't carrying anything else.
"What a hassle..." Mouri Kogoro sighed. "I should've just not let you two come along. From Fujino's analysis, it sounds pretty dangerous over there."
"Dangerous?" Ran looked surprised. "Isn't it just a dinner party? There shouldn't be any danger, right?" Meanwhile, Conan's eyes narrowed slightly as he subtly checked his watch and then his soccer shoes.
---