Chapter 201, Seventy-Third Cycle (31)

Meow~

At the entrance of Poirot Cafe, a calico cat meowed sweetly and rubbed against the blonde, dark-skinned waiter.

"Is the captain hungry? Be good, just wait a little longer, Miss Azusa will bring the goat milk over soon." Amuro Tooru smiled and squatted down to pat the calico cat's head.

As if understanding, the calico cat raised its head and rubbed against his hand, then sat obediently without moving, only its long, flexible tail swaying gently.

The handsome blond youth smiled and gently stroked the cat's warm, sun-kissed fur.

It was early spring, and Amuro Tooru was wearing a white sweater with a black apron printed with the coffee shop's sign.

The golden sunlight made his light blonde hair and bronze skin stand out even more, and with the fluffy, adorable calico cat beside him, passersby and customers alike couldn't help but soften their expressions and smile.

Conan Edogawa watched him from the second floor for a while, then made a decision after thinking about it seriously. The boy turned around, jumped off the chair, and ran downstairs to the entrance of Poirot's Cafe.

"Wow! What an adorable kitten!" The child, eyes sparkling, crouched down next to Amuro Tooru and reached out to pet the cat. "Does this belong to Amuro-nii? Does Amuro-nii like kittens?"

Amuro Tooru gently stopped the child's outstretched hand and said in a gentle tone, "Conan, be careful. The captain is a stray cat. Although he was probably a pet before, he has been a stray for a while and has only started appearing in the neighborhood these past few days. If you suddenly touch him, you might scare him and he might scratch you."

Conan Edogawa exclaimed "Wow!" and, like a real child, was led by the blond youth to learn how to treat stray cats. He then successfully petted the cat in a way that the calico cat didn't resist.

Calico cats are actually very friendly. They get used to you quickly and will let you pet them.

"Remember to wash your hands before you eat," Amuro Tooru said, and Enomoto Azusa came out with the prepared and cooled goat milk.

The two of them still had to go to work eventually. After putting down their plates and watching their calico cat, nicknamed Captain, happily eat, they prepared to go home.

Conan Edogawa followed the two inside, and Amuro Tooru led him to wash his hands before he sat down at the table and ordered a new dessert.

Amuro Tooru went to make desserts.

The kitchen bar is right across from him, and its semi-open design allows everyone to see his movements and expressions.

Gentle, earnest, beautiful, and kind.

It's clear that he loves his life and the world.

He doesn't seem like a code name member of a criminal organization at all.

It's hard to believe he's actually Bourbon.

If this is all an act, then just how terrifying is this person?

But if it wasn't an act, and if he really had a good side, then everyone's strange attitude would make sense.

"Thank you, Amuro-nii-san." The child happily picked up the spoon and took a big bite of the dessert.

It's delicious, sweet but not cloying, warm and soft, warming you from the tip of your tongue to your stomach, even relaxing your hands and feet.

The sunlight streaming through the window fell perfectly on him, and even the air smelled warm and sweet. The humidity was just right, and almost every customer in the store had a happy and comfortable smile on their face.

Conan Edogawa held his spoon, his eyes still fixed on the blond youth who had returned to the bar.

He was seriously considering whether Amuro Tooru was truly an enemy.

Bourbon and Vermouth were on good terms, and those who knew his identity were not nervous about his arrival.

Could he be like Vermouth, trying his best not to harm or even protect the organization when they're not looking?

The attitude of Ai Haibara is the most suspicious. Bourbon was once a familiar partner who did experiments with her. Does her attitude suggest that something happened between them, just as Vermouth was always worried about his safety, that caused Bourbon to also worry about Sherry's safety?

On the mystery train, he said he wanted to bring Sherry back alive, unaware that Vermouth actually wanted to blow her up.

"Ding-a-ling—" The coffee shop door was pushed open.

Conan Edogawa's thoughts were interrupted by the newcomer, and he stared at the person without moving, still holding his spoon.

There weren't many people in the store at that time. Sera Masumi immediately spotted Conan Edogawa. Her attention, which had been focused on Amuro Tooru, instantly shifted to the child. A bright, happy smile spread across her face as she rushed over and sat down opposite him.

"Conan-kun!" she said enthusiastically, "Haha, what a coincidence! You're here to try today's new product too? How is it? Is it delicious?"

"It's delicious, you should try it!" Conan Edogawa raised his innocent face, smiled, tilted his head, and asked softly, "But, is Sera-neechan really here to try the new dessert at Poirot Cafe?"

Is the target the dessert? Or the person who makes the dessert?

Sera Masumi's smile froze for a moment, then she quickly regained her composure, though her gaze towards him was complex and meaningful.

It also carried a sense of exploration and curiosity.

“Of course, my classmates all say that the new drinks at Poirot Coffee are delicious, and I’m curious too,” she said, turning around to order.

However, Amuro Tooru was busy, so it was Enomoto Azusa who came over.

After Enomoto Azusa returned with the menu, Sera Masumi and Edogawa Conan were still watching over there.

Enomoto Azusa said something to Amuro Tooru, who looked up at them and smiled.

Only after the blond youth lowered his head to continue his work did Sera Masumi turn around and smile at Conan Edogawa opposite her: "Conan-kun, what kind of person do you think Mr. Amuro is?"

While scooping up dessert with a spoon, Conan Edogawa casually remarked on the opinions of those around him regarding Tooru Amuro, his mind racing as he pondered why Sera Masumi had come here to observe Tooru Amuro.

Actually, his feelings for Sera Masumi are still a bit complicated. He was wary and suspicious for so long, but it turns out she is actually Shuichi Akai's younger sister.

Furthermore, this younger sister is unaware of her brother's true situation, unaware that he is still alive. So, all her previous suspicious behaviors and reactions were simply a result of her disbelief that her brother was really dead and her investigation into the cause of his death. She was even deceived on the train by an organization member disguised as Scar Akai.

In a way, both he and Sera Masumi were kept very secret by Shuichi Akai.

Conan Edogawa paused, his hand holding the spoon still, and a subtle look appeared in his eyes behind his glasses.

He remembered that Sera Masumi didn't seem to know that Scar Akai was actually an organization member in disguise, and she also didn't know what information they had obtained from Sera Masumi.

However, there's no need to worry. Sera Masumi knows nothing, and even if she tries to probe, she can only reach the same conclusion as the FBI—Akai Shuichi is really dead.

Even if Shuichi Akai himself briefly appeared on the train in his true form, there were inexplicably many people on the train who could disguise themselves, making it impossible to determine whether Shuichi Akai was still alive or someone else was impersonating him.

So, what is Sera Masumi thinking now? Will the organization continue to test her?

Conan Edogawa suppressed the urge to confess to her.

However, Sera Masumi's attitude towards him had always been strange. He even suspected that Sera Masumi knew he was Shinichi Kudo and didn't treat him like a real child at all, so he abandoned part of his pretense and tested him a few times.

"By the way, where is Sera-neechan's brother? Didn't he finally finish his work and come back to see you? Did he go back to work again?" Conan Edogawa asked.

“That’s not Xiu-ge.” Sera Masumi’s expression changed instantly. “Xiu-ge is dead.”

Conan Edogawa looked at her in surprise.

However, Sera Masumi quickly realized what was happening, regained her composure, and came up with other excuses.

It's really surprising. Even though no one told her, Sera Masumi seems to know some things about the organization and is once again certain that her brother, Akai Shuichi, is dead, and that the Shuichi she saw before was actually someone else in disguise.

It was as if some very capable and trustworthy person had analyzed something with her.

Yeah, why does Shuichi Akai seem completely unconcerned about his sister getting involved in such a dangerous situation?

Is Sera Masumi being followed by someone?

It's definitely not the FBI. Who else has the power to put Shuichi Akai at ease?

Why is Sera Masumi frequently observing Amuro Tooru at Poirot Cafe? Is it because she knows Amuro Tooru is Bourbon of the organization? And so she wants to find out her brother's secret from him?

I have a feeling that it's not just that; Sera Masumi's attitude towards Amuro Tooru is also a bit strange.

Conan Edogawa placed the spoon on the empty plate, sighed inwardly, and even felt a faint ache in his head, which had already healed.

Honestly, none of them are easy to deal with.

*

Conan Edogawa, who had just eaten a warm and soft dessert in the morning, was shivering and huddled in the refrigerated compartment in the afternoon.

He was surrounded by several children from the Junior Detective Club, all squatting down and watching him lie on the ground making a code, which he then stuffed into the collar around the neck of the calico cat named Captain.

After the cat left safely, Ai Haibara turned her head and whispered, "Hey, if that child goes to Poirot's Cafe, won't he run into that person?"

Conan Edogawa didn't turn his head, but subtly observed her expression out of the corner of his eye: "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted him to see. He'll definitely notice the signal immediately, after all, it's Bourbon."

Ai Haibara: "..."

Ai Haibara's expression was subtle: "You're still as bold as ever."

Conan Edogawa chuckled, then turned to her and asked, "Do you think he'll come to save us?"

Ai Haibara fell silent.

Of course, it's obvious.

Conan Edogawa didn't lower his voice when he said this, and the three children next to him heard it and expressed their thoughts.

"Can that older brother really decipher the code and come to our rescue in time?"

"He's the apprentice of the famous detective Kogoro Mouri, he must be a really good detective too, he definitely can! And Amuro-nii is such a nice guy, if he deciphers the code he'll definitely come to save us!"

"But I don't think Mr. Mori is that great..."

After a while, Conan Edogawa also said, "I can't guarantee it either. Maybe the captain lost the code around his neck on his way to Poirot's Cafe, or maybe the captain suddenly doesn't go to Poirot's Cafe anymore."

Therefore, they need a backup plan.

When Conan Edogawa changed the address of the cake, which was originally intended to be delivered to Professor Agasa's house, to the Kudo residence, Ai Haibara knew his intentions.

"You're planning to ask that person for help? Will he come to save us?" Ai Haibara genuinely doubted the dangerous man named Subaru Okiya.

Seeing Conan Edogawa nod confidently, she couldn't help but ask again, "Who exactly is that Subaru Okiya?"

Conan Edogawa looked up and blinked: "Why don't you tell me what kind of person Amuro Tooru really is?"

Ai Haibara: "..."

We can't talk today.

Well, since they've already shared half their trust with those two people because of each other's reactions anyway.

They had done everything they could, but the three real children were still very scared and worried. The two fake children, however, had great confidence in the people who knew their identities, and were certain that even if such powerful people encountered some problems, they would be able to quickly decipher the code and rescue them.

In the end, Subaru Okiya did indeed decipher the code and help, but he didn't come in person. Instead, he pretended to have a deliveryman bring the phone.

They were discovered by the two deliverymen before they could even use their phones.

It was Amuro Tooru who finally rescued them from the two prisoners.

A blond young man got out of a white Mazda with a smile on his face, but his eyes were cold. He knocked one prisoner unconscious with a punch and scared another prisoner into trembling and surrendering.

Amuro Tooru was instantly surrounded by several children who praised him wildly for being amazing and handsome.

"Huh? What code? I didn't see a code. I just happened to be passing by." Amuro Tooru, who was tying up the prisoner, looked puzzled.

Although he looked really fierce and handsome just now, he now looks completely innocent and harmless.

The three children were instantly disappointed: "What? It was just a coincidence."

Although they were a little disappointed, they were still very grateful to Amuro for saving them. Since they were already at Professor Agasa's door, they invited him to come in and have some cake.

Conan Edogawa: "!!!"

Conan Edogawa was terrified and panicked, stammering as he tried to stop him.

But to everyone's surprise, Amuro Tooru refused first.

The blond youth looked up at the curtains on the second floor of the Kudo residence, which weren't fully drawn, and then at Professor Agasa's villa. Through the window, he saw a round-headed robot and a thin, dark-haired boy smiling while holding the robot.

He glanced one last time at the quiet Matsuda residence, then smiled and looked down at the nervous Conan Edogawa, saying, "I'll let it go this time. I'll definitely come to visit again when I have time."

It's not the right time to make a proper visit yet. Let's wait a little longer; it will be soon.

*

Conan Edogawa was still a little shaken.

Back at the Mouri Detective Agency, he didn't even sit for three minutes before running downstairs again to Poirot Cafe to find Enomoto Azusa.

"Hmm? Amuro-kun, he's not feeling well and has taken the day off." Enomoto Azusa sighed. "Amuro-kun's health doesn't seem to be very good. He often feels unwell and takes the day off, but he always says there's nothing seriously wrong. Shouldn't he go to the hospital to get him checked out?"

Conan Edogawa: "..."

No, he just has other jobs.

To be honest, even now, Conan Edogawa still doesn't understand why Bourbon would obediently work at Poirot's Café and become Kogoro Mouri's apprentice.

Poirot is a waiter at the Poirot Café, a private detective, and a codenamed member of the Black Organization. He juggles three jobs and does each one very well. Doesn't he get tired?

The thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before Conan Edogawa returned to the main topic and asked Enomoto Azusa for the previous code.

"Ah, so that was actually a code?" Enomoto Azusa exclaimed in surprise, covering her mouth.

From her, Conan Edogawa learned the truth.

At first, she did notice the invoice clipped to the captain's collar, but it was blown away by the wind just as she was about to show it to Amuro Tooru.

Amuro Tooru didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but later, during her break at work, she suddenly remembered it and pointed out the strange thing about the invoice.

After listening, Amuro Tooru asked a few more questions before asking for leave and leaving.

Conan Edogawa (dead fish eyes): "..."

They call it a coincidence? What kind of coincidence is this?

Furthermore, Enomoto Azusa only remembered the English word code for the corpse, but did not remember the license plate number hint below it.

This means that Amuro Tooru was able to find them so quickly because he probably deduced factors such as wind speed, wind direction, and terrain, found the invoice that was blown away, and read the code.

Conan Edogawa is speechless.

What exactly is going on with Bourbon?

He is indeed low-key. He is so good at tennis, but he pretended to have an arm injury so he couldn't play much in order to avoid the limelight. He is so good at reasoning, but he even pretended that everything was just luck and coincidence in order to avoid attracting attention.

But how is a waiter who attracts attention and is greeted and talked about like a celebrity when he goes out? Not to mention that he has become the top disciple of the now very famous Kogoro Mouri, and has even become famous with the police. He is simply too high-profile.

Bourbon, what a strange fellow.

Was he trying to portray himself as a good-looking but physically weak detective who frequently asked for leave due to illness in order to lower other people's suspicions and vigilance?

But... he still risked revealing that he was actually very powerful to save them.

Conan Edogawa left Poirot Cafe and stood outside, gazing at the setting sun, lost in thought.

Was Bourbon really a bad person?

Perhaps he isn't the enemy?

*

[Vermouth: Bourbon, why are you still staying by Kogoro Mouri's side? Are you addicted to playing the detective?]

[Bourbon: Don't worry, I won't do anything dangerous to them. I just still have things I want to investigate.]

[Vermouth: Oh? What has piqued your interest?]

[Bourbon: If you're interested, would you like to come along?]

[Vermouth: What are you planning to do?]

[Bourbon: Spring has arrived, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.]

[Bourbon: Want to go cherry blossom viewing with me?]