Chapter 63, Chapter 62: The Scarlet Prelude

The moon is asleep, but I am not.

I'm a little night owl

Since working with Rei Furuya, Kagemitsu Morofushi's routine has been completely transformed.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature is that the phoenix-eyed man, after taking a sip of tea, turns his head to look at the horizon where dawn is breaking, and he can often see the Tokyo sun at four in the morning.

Since fishing in Ireland, my schedule has been so packed these past few days that it's been almost suffocating. Sleeping only about two hours a day has really left me feeling exhausted.

His head felt heavy. Morofushi Kagemitsu downed the strong tea in his cup in one gulp, and just as he put the empty cup back on the table, he felt the tabletop vibrate as if someone had slapped it.

The empty disposable paper cup bounced once on the table.

"Why can't you just tell us the information directly?" Rei Furuya, sitting to his right, rested his hands on the table, his bangs casting a shadow over his eyes, his purplish-gray eyes bright and piercing. "Why do we have to communicate through Shinichi Kudo?"

“Because he has already contacted the FBI and the CIA and reached cooperation agreements with them.” Al, sitting to his left, was equally assertive, slamming both hands on the table as well.

The empty paper cup bounced once more on the vibrating table.

“And my intelligence won’t be a shortcut for the Japanese Public Security Bureau to seek personal gain.” The black-haired girl propped herself up to confront Rei Furuya, her dark eyes staring directly into his eyes as she questioned him pointedly, “Conan can guarantee that intelligence is shared among multiple parties, can you?”

“Indirect transmission of intelligence is dangerous. What about the time difference in between?” The blond-haired man stepped forward a centimeter, retorting to Zhuge Tongzhi, “And how can you guarantee that the child will share the intelligence?”

“Then have your assistant save Conan’s phone number. Do something even a three-year-old could do.” The black-haired man with frizzy hair leaned forward, not to be outdone, and said in a clear, childlike voice, “I trust his judgment. As for how much the police can get inside, that’s up to you.”

"I insist that the police obtain firsthand intelligence."

"No, no, discussion, no, negotiations, it's all over."

Two heads, one gold and one black, stood face to face, neither willing to give way. They engaged in a fierce verbal battle, relentlessly pushing each other's boundaries and arguing over the details of future cooperation.

Amidst the clashing swords and shadows on the small square table, Morofushi Kagemitsu poured himself a steaming cup of strong tea and sighed softly in the rising white mist.

I was a little sleepy, but the other person showed no sign of closing their eyes.

…

And just as he said, at the same time, the two people in the Kudo residence also had their eyes wide open.

There was no need for tea or coffee. Conan explained his thought process clearly to Shuichi Akai, who was completely disguised, and copied the simple drawing that Ai Haibara had drawn.

The pink-haired, squinty-eyed man sat on the sofa, listening calmly to Conan recount what he had overheard. The boy skillfully avoided mentioning Ai Haibara and Kirito's presence, organizing the information he had analyzed.

At the very center of the red and black vortex, the great detective acts like an unchanging anchor, carefully protecting his partners' secrets while honestly entrusting his trust to them.

Even though they had already cooperated on the fake death plan, when he encountered this small silver bullet again at this moment... Shuichi Akai opened his dark green wolf eyes, a faint smile appearing in them.

He was still moved by the boy's intelligence and determination.

"...Bourbon fabricated the death of Curaçao and hid him, while Ireland should also be in the hands of the Public Security Bureau." After saying his last sentence, he picked up the completely cold tea beside him, took a sip, and looked sharply at Shuichi Akai with his azure eyes.

"Then Mr. Akai, why did you fight with Mr. Amuro inside the Ferris wheel?" The originally objective and calm tone now carried a hint of accusation and incomprehension.

“Sorry, boya, but I didn’t mean it.” Shuichi Akai made an apologetic gesture and explained to the somewhat sulky boy, “After I arrived in Japan a few days ago, I started preparing my identity for the next operation.”

"Thanks to your mother's disguise, I planned to act under the false identity of a graduate student in engineering at the University of Tokyo, so I went to the University of Tokyo to gather information." Reappearing as a student with the youthful, nerdy face of Yukiko, Shuichi Akai casually glossed over the shady methods he used to fabricate his identity, focusing instead on the key points:

“There, I noticed traces of Scotland.”

Scotland? Is he a member of an organization studying at Tokyo University? Conan pricked up his ears, and after mentally considering the explanation, he found it strange yet strangely familiar.

“He was a police undercover agent who infiltrated the organization in the same batch as me and Bourbon. His code name was Scotch Whisky. About a year ago, his undercover identity was exposed, and he was hunted down and eliminated by the organization.”

University students from Tokyo University, public security officers... Could it be such a coincidence? Conan stared blankly with his beady eyes, as if some questions that had been avoided for a long time had suddenly been answered.

"Interestingly, the Scottish identity was reported twice within five minutes." Shuichi Akai said slowly, looking at Conan who seemed to have come to his senses. "Although the nearest members of the organization participated in the raid, the one who succeeded in the end was still the one who reported it at the very beginning."

“A newly adult codenamed member, Al.” Dark green wolf eyes met azure round eyes. Rye, who was the second to arrive at the scene of the chase, smiled, tapped his earlobe, and continued, “When I arrived, she almost gave me a gift.”

"Unfortunately, I'm not planning on getting my ears pierced yet, so I have to regretfully decline." He made a somewhat lame joke.

"Ah, oh, I see." Conan stammered, unsure of Shuichi Akai's attitude.

But the FBI agent didn't delve any deeper. After a brief explanation, he went on to describe his route of action: "Following the fake identity, I discovered that the Japanese Public Security Bureau seemed to be fishing for a big fish. I followed them all the way and ended up meeting Bourbon inside the Ferris wheel."

As expected of Mr. Akai, not only did he get his identity sorted out in just a few days, but he also quickly got involved in the police's efforts to rescue him. Conan listened to the man's busy but meticulous actions over the past few days, and a look of half admiration and half respect appeared on his face.

“I’ve dealt with Ale head-on, and it’s easy to find the girl under his name by following the trail through Scotland.” Shuichi Akai returned to the previous topic, spreading out his empty palm, using this suggestive gesture to express his harmlessness.

“With Scotland alive, it’s obvious who that child is.” The pink-haired man smiled. “Boya, it seems you’ve already reached an agreement.”

"I've already left the FBI, so please rest assured. Your goal, my goal, and Al's goal are all the same." He saw Conan's dilemma, pressed his fingers together on the table and pushed them forward, making his stance clear: "We're here to eliminate the organization."

No, Mr. Akai, I'm afraid that's not the case.

Thinking of his friend who had simply collapsed to the ground upon seeing Gin from afar, Conan revealed a half-moon eye. Based on his understanding of Zhuge Tongzhi, she actually had no intention of getting involved with any bottle of alcohol.

But clearly, it's difficult for someone who has gone deep into the mire to remain completely innocent.

At least, Scotland, as discovered by Shuichi Akai, is now just a big muddy spot marked 'Ale is here'.

"Well, Zhuge did tell me some things." Conan wiped his face to bring himself back to his senses and said seriously to Shuichi Akai, "But I can't handle the specifics of the cooperation."

"I will wait here at the Kudo residence."

"Now, let's talk about the crow's seven children."

"oh?"

Two silver bullets, one large and one small, sat facing each other. The lights in the reception room shone through the curtains, casting a hazy, warm yellow glow in the gradually brightening morning mist, but it was quickly swallowed up by the increasingly intense outdoor light.

"That's all I know." Conan rubbed his eyes, yawned, jumped off the sofa, stretched his slightly sore legs, and relaxed his body from sitting for so long.

"As for the rest."

The boy, with one hand in his pocket, walked to the window, pulled open the curtains that were bathed in sunlight, and looked at the rosy dawn flowing across the sky like red silk, bathed in the bright morning light that shone through the clouds.

From Shuichi Akai's perspective, who was sitting on the sofa, in front of the shrunk but brilliant detective was a vast expanse of crimson, varying in shades, after the morning mist had dissipated.

Conan, who had just turned away from the crimson curtains, looked around. His face showed the exhaustion of not having slept all night, but it was not hard to see the excitement in his heart. He looked at the pink-haired man who was also looking out the window, grinned, and said, "I'll have to ask my partner about it."

Shuichi Akai slightly raised the corners of his mouth, smiled faintly, picked up the freshly refilled hot tea, and said, "Then, I hope her guardian will accompany her."

"I have a good relationship with Scotland."

Conversely, it means he has a very bad relationship with Bourbon. Conan automatically translated it, and then a scene of the two passionately fighting popped into his head again. He quickly patted his cheeks to banish the image.

“She shouldn’t need anyone to accompany her.” The boy sighed, put his hands behind his head, yawned, and mumbled, “She stayed at Xiaolan’s house last night, we can just go there later.”

“Okay.” Akai Shuichi nodded. “I’ve prepared a gift for Miss Ran.”

…

Seven o'clock in the morning, downstairs at the Maori residence.

"What! Zhuge left in the middle of the night last night?!"

A pink-haired man in a turtleneck sweater, carrying a gift box, pushed up his non-prescription glasses and turned his squinting eyes toward Conan, who was tugging at Ran Mouri's clothes and asking questions eagerly.

"What time did she leave last night?" Conan pressed on before Ran could answer the previous question.

"I don't know the exact time, but I think it was around three or four in the morning?" Ran Mouri recalled uncertainly, tapping her head lightly with her finger. "She left in a hurry and left a note."

"Well, they said it was urgent." The girl in casual clothes squatted down, put the schoolbag she was carrying in one hand into her arms, took out a piece of homework paper with only a few lines of writing on it from the side pocket, and unfolded it for Conan to see.

Shuichi Akai subtly moved his feet and looked down from behind.

"Sister Lan, the Mapo Tofu is super delicious!"

I really want to eat it again tomorrow, but something urgent has come up, so I'll have to come back to visit you a few days later QAQ

Without revealing any time or place, Conan held the piece of paper, which was clearly torn from a workbook, his lips tightly pursed.

"They didn't say what it was about, and I was shocked when I woke up this morning," Ran Mouri said with a hint of helplessness. "So I called Mr. Midorikawa, and thankfully he had already picked up Kiri-chan."

Going to Scotland in the middle of the night? Was it voluntary or...? Conan scrolled through his phone's inbox, which had no new messages, and then took out his detective badge to activate the location tracking function.

The metal badge beeps loudly when the switch is turned on, indicating that the other badge is very close by.

Conan was taken aback, and then heard Shuichi Akai beside him ask in a gentle, youthful voice, "Ms. Mori, did that child leave his schoolbag here?"

The badge was inside the backpack. Realizing what was happening, the great detective casually stuffed the note into his pocket, opened the small pocket on the back of his backpack, and sure enough, pulled out a detective badge that was flashing its light.

She didn't take her detective badge with her. Conan felt this was bad, especially for Zhuge Tongzhi, who kept occasionally nagging him to go and rescue her.

"Ah, this is what she left here when she was doing her homework." Ran Mouri stood up, carrying the rather heavy schoolbag in one hand, and exchanged pleasantries with her new neighbor, Shuichi Akai. "Mr. Midorikawa said he'll come over later to pick up the schoolbag."

Just then, a young man wearing a blue hoodie and jeans waved and jogged over from the other end of the street.

"Miss Lan—I'm so sorry to bother you!"

The young man who had run over stopped in front of the three of them, panting for a few breaths. His small braid at the back of his neck was slightly damp with sweat and trembled as he spoke intermittently.

"I've come to get Xiaotong's schoolbag." The man, having caught his breath, straightened up, blinked his pair of blue-gray droopy dog ​​eyes, took the leather flap schoolbag from Ran Mouri, hugged it to his chest, and smiled, saying, "Thank you for getting up so early during the holidays."

Morofushi Kagemitsu's gaze swept over the pink-haired man beside the girl, and when he looked down, he saw that the person he had been arguing with last night and this morning was looking up at him, his young face showing a composure that was not in keeping with a child's appearance.

The person Zhuge Tongzhi trusts.

"It's alright, Mr. Midorikawa, this is my usual schedule." Ran Mouri waved her hand, then asked with some concern, "You left in such a hurry, is Kiri-chan alright?"

Before Morofushi Hiromitsu could answer, Conan tugged at his hoodie leg, tilted her head up, and asked sweetly, "Nana, and why isn't Mr. Midorikawa coming along?"

As soon as he finished asking the question, Conan clearly felt Midorikawa Hikaru's gaze towards him become complicated for a moment, but before he could interpret it, the other party smiled and said to Ran Mouri, "The reason you left in a hurry is because you originally booked a flight for last night, but the flight was delayed."

“This trip might take a while.” Morofushi Kagemitsu said, pulling two clean white envelopes from his hoodie pocket and handing one to Ran Mouri and Conan, saying, “So Kirito used the time to write letters and asked me to make sure they are delivered to you.”

Conan took the letter sealed with wax, held it up to the sunlight to observe the movement of the wax seal, and confirmed that the letter had most likely not been opened a second time.

After confirming it, he simply held it in his hand. After all, theoretically, the sealing wax seal should be scraped off with a knife, and he couldn't possibly open the letter directly in front of Morofushi Kagemitsu.

As Morofushi Kagemitsu watched Conan confirm the secrecy, he recalled the casual warning that Zhuge Tongzhi had attached to the two letters he handed him last night:

'Don't try to open it. I only need to glance at it to know if it's the same letter as before.'

If nothing unexpected happens, the letter should contain exclusive information that Albedo only gives to Conan.

If the only way to obtain intelligence is to cooperate with this child, then the Japanese Public Security Bureau can forget about distancing itself from the FBI and CIA.

As long as Shinichi Kudo is willing to insist on information sharing, then regardless of whether the three parties are willing or not, a fierce, undercurrent-driven cooperation between the Red Team is bound to unfold.

A simple and forceful strategy.

"As for why I'm still here," Morofushi Kagemitsu crouched down, his deep blue-gray eyes meeting Conan's gaze, and replied, "It's because I'm going to attend an academic conference recently, so I asked a trusted friend to go with her."

Bourbon took Zhuge Tongzhi with him; they were no longer in Tokyo.

Conan gripped the envelope tightly and turned to look at the Poirot Cafe, which was open for business. Sure enough, he only saw Enomoto Azusa busy at the counter.

"I see." Ran Mouri asked with some curiosity, "Was it a very important meeting?"

"Oh, right? After all, my advisor said it would affect my future studies." He stood up, looked at Okiya Subaru next to him wearing a turtleneck sweater, and smiled, "Okiya-kun probably knows that too."

“Of course.” Fake students naturally wouldn’t have any academic pressure. Akai Shuichi was somewhat surprised by Scotland’s frankness, but quickly realized what the so-called 'academic conference' meant.

The two men, disguised as whiskey, naturally extended their hands and shook hands.

Regardless of anything else, let's just consider it as a tacit understanding between them, since they are all now students of Dongda University.

"Huh?" Ran Mouri blinked, looking at the two young men talking familiarly, and belatedly realized, "Speaking of which, Okiya-kun is also a student at Tokyo University."

"Hmm, it is quite a coincidence." Morofushi Kagemitsu smiled while holding his schoolbag. After completing his main purpose of delivering the letter, he said goodbye to Mouri Ran, "I'm sorry to have bothered you, I'll be leaving now."

"Okiya-kun, please make sure to chat more when you have time." He turned and nodded to the pink-haired, squinty-eyed man one last time, then turned and left without saying anything more.

Conan was about to follow, but Shuichi Akai, who was about to present the gift, turned around and blocked him, forcing him to stop.

“Receiving a letter is a very happy thing,” he said, opening his eyes slightly. His dark green eyes looked at Conan beside him, and the envelope in the boy’s hand was already crumpled at one corner.

"However, you need a craft knife to scrape off the sealing wax completely." The pink-haired man pointed to the envelope in Ran Mouri's hand. There was a simple five-pointed star printed on the red wax, unlike other wax seals that were more exquisite and ornate.

"In this era, this sense of ritual is worth preserving."

Conan, having understood the implication, gritted his teeth, pulled his gaze away from Morofushi Hiromitsu, turned around, took Ran Mouri's hand, and waited for Shuichi Akai to finish this scripted conversation between neighbors.

Yes, he first needs to read the contents of the letter carefully.

Conan, with a sullen face, pushed open the door to the Mouri Detective Agency, bypassed the sleeping Kogoro Mouri on the sofa, climbed onto the office chair, and rummaged through the pen holder on the table, finding two small knives.

He slammed a small knife on the table and left it to Ran Mouri, then grabbed another and ran towards the bathroom, shouting to the girl who entered a step later, "Ran-neechan, my stomach hurts!"

After saying that, he slammed the bathroom door shut and began to pry open the seal on the envelope with a knife. He quickly and easily took out the letter inside.

The letter, folded twice, could be unfolded in just three seconds, revealing a character sketch with a slightly cartoonish style.

He is a one-eyed chef with rabbit teeth, a small mustache, and a head that is round and bumpy like a potato.

Um?

Conan removed his fingers from the paper and saw the letters RUM under his fingertips.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Zero definitely prioritizes profit in Japan, because we all know who his lover is (loudly).

But Zhuge Liang wasn't Japanese.

Therefore, she chose to tell what she knew to a life-or-death advocate, rather than to the undercover agents with their own vested interests.

Of course, direct cooperation with Zero and Jing will inevitably have advantages and benefits.

However, this intelligence should not be used as a tool to sacrifice a minority for greater gains.

Xiao Ke is brave, not reckless; he respects life, not a saint.

In Morning Star's memory, both the washing machine and Lulu the cat were like this (shyly).

…

Thank you for your patience!

Mwah