Chapter 65 Raven She gripped that feather tightly.
Yukiko Kudo went to a friend's house, but she's already on her way home.
Kudo Yu poured tea for the two of them and discussed the plot of the new novel with his editor and fans.
"It's Cat Detective!" Takanashi Chinatsu exclaimed in surprise.
Yusaku Kudo nodded and said, "The cat detective has a keen sense of smell, which is an advantage that ordinary detectives do not have, so the writing style will be very different from the past. Ms. Takanashi, these are unpublished contents, please do not reveal them for the time being."
"Yes, I understand!" Takanashi Chinatsu nodded repeatedly.
Karasuno Goku smiled and said to Chika, "There's no need to be so careful. After all, since Mr. Kudo has brought it up, the publicity will definitely start soon, probably in the next few days, right?"
"Don't call me out, Mr. Karasuno." Kudo Yusaku smiled and admitted it.
At Kudo Yusaku's level, whether a new book is promoted or kept completely secret is a gimmick. Even though he no longer needs such hype, publishers will always make various plans for their own benefit.
"So the book is already finished?" Takanashi Chinatsu was even more delighted. Wouldn't that mean she would be able to see Kudo Yusaku's new book soon?
Yusaku Kudo shook his head and said, "It's not convenient to reveal that."
"I've taken a look, and it's currently in the final stages. The entire book is about 200,000 words long," Karasuno Yu said nonchalantly.
Kudo Yusaku looked at Karasuno Goku in astonishment.
Takanashi Chinatsu was also surprised: "Is this something I can say?"
"Can't I say?" Karasuno Goku's expression was even more surprised than Takanashi Chika's.
The two stared at each other, and after a moment, Karasuno Goku clutched his head in anguish.
"Oh no, I've messed up again. Will the publishing house fire me?" Karasuno Goku was extremely remorseful and quickly apologized to Kudo Yusaku: "I'm very sorry, Mr. Kudo. My previous job wasn't as an editor, and I haven't been an editor for very long, so I'm not familiar with the taboos at work. Please don't report me to the publishing house. I'll remember to keep my mouth shut in the future."
Upon seeing this, Chinatsu Takanashi quickly declared, "I won't tell anyone, I'm very tight-lipped."
Yusaku Kudo smiled helplessly and said, "Since Ms. Takanashi won't tell anyone, I won't either. Let's just pretend this never happened. However, Mr. Karasuno, if you want to go far in the editing field, you should carefully read the editor's job requirements, which are written in the confidentiality clause."
"I understand, I will definitely watch it." Karasuno Yu nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Chinatsu couldn't help but laugh; this editor is so silly.
What's wrong with the publishing house? How could they send a newbie who hasn't been with them long to contact Yusaku Kudo? How powerful must this editor be?
"Honey, I'm back!" Yukiko Kudo walked in and, seeing Karasuno Goku and Takanashi Chinatsu, immediately said happily, "These must be the new editor and lovely fans you mentioned? Miss Fan, would you like to take a picture with me?"
Without hesitation, Chinatsu Takanashi exclaimed, "I want it!"
Yukiko Kudo smiled and posed for a photo with Chinatsu Takanashi, then looked at Goku Karasuno, whose eyes were filled with hope, and tentatively asked, "Mr. Karasuno, would you like to come along?"
"Please, let me take a picture with you!" Karasuno Goku pleaded with his hands clasped together, quickly ran over to prepare for a photo, but didn't dare stand next to Kudo Yukiko. Instead, he carefully stood next to Takanashi Chinatsu, looking at Kudo Yukiko with pleading eyes.
"Crack!"
Filming complete.
Yukiko Kudo examined the photo for a long time, then added their contact information and sent the photo to them.
Chinatsu Takanashi stared wide-eyed in shock at Kiko's social media account on her phone, finding it unbelievable that she had so easily added the big star's contact information.
Karasuno Goku's smile was exceptionally bright as he held his phone and looked at Takanashi Chinatsu: "Miss Takanashi, let's exchange contact information too."
"Is it really okay? Can we discuss Mr. Kudo's new book together?"
"Uh-huh!"
Takanashi Chinatsu was overjoyed and immediately added his contact information.
Looking at the black bird in Karasuno Goku's social media profile picture, Takanashi China shivered reflexively, her eyes filled with terror. A crow?
At that moment, Karasuno Gaku peeked over and said with a smile, "It's Xiao Yi, my pet raven. It's very smart."
"Is it a raven?" Takanashi Chinatsu breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yes, they are close relatives of crows, both having black feathers, but they are larger and more intelligent than crows, and their hunting methods are more sophisticated. They can even prey on crows.” Karasu Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile, and his eyes shone with satisfaction and pride.
It was a very ordinary conversation, but for some reason, Takanashi Chinatsu felt uneasy.
"This is for you." Karasuno Goku handed a feather to Takanashi Chika; it was a multicolored black.
"This is……"
"I'm willing to share Xiao Yi's feathers with you."
It's such a strange statement, yet I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong with it.
Chizuru Takanashi held the feather in her hand, the hairs on her arm standing on end, and a tingling, trembling sensation ran through her fingertips.
Before Takanashi Chika could ask a few more questions, she saw that Karasuno Goku had already said goodbye and left. The door closed again, and his black figure disappeared completely outside the door.
"Mr. Kudo, that editor..."
Yusaku Kudo laughed and said, "He's like a complete novice, isn't he?"
Chinatsu nods subconsciously.
“He joined the company three months ago and was originally in charge of another author, but that author passed away from a heart attack recently. So the publisher asked him to follow up on my manuscript. In theory, he only has the right to urge the manuscript to be published. The manuscript review and publication work are handled by more experienced editors.”
Chizuru suddenly realized that all she was doing was chasing up the manuscripts; no wonder a newcomer was given the job.
But, theoretically?
Chinatsu looked at Yusaku Kudo with a puzzled expression.
Kudo Yusaku's gaze was calm, shrewd, and composed as he slowly said, "Actually, I haven't seen any other editors since he started following my manuscripts."
My vigilance instantly rose.
Takanashi Chika looked towards the door again, and through the door, she seemed to see the other person's black back again.
Is this raven feather really just a coincidence?
Ravens, even ravens that hunt crows.
Could he be someone sent by Karasuma Renya?
Takanashi Chinatsu looked at Kudo Yusaku with a heavy heart. As a famous writer and part-time detective, he couldn't possibly not see the suspicious points.
"He'd be perfect as the protagonist of my next novel, don't you think? Miss, you're pretending to be my fan." Kudo Yusaku smiled as he exposed Chinatsu's true identity.
Takanashi Chinatsu was startled, but quickly regained her composure, and looked at Kudo Yusaku with a newfound appreciation.
No wonder he's her favorite writer; his ability to write detective novels is first-rate, and his ability to be a detective is equally first-rate.
"I wouldn't call myself a fake fan. I genuinely love your novels, especially your brilliant mind. Surely a great author wouldn't kick me out of the fandom?" Takanashi Chika winked playfully.
"But it's not just about wanting my autograph, is it?"
"How did you figure that out?" Takanashi Chinatsu didn't quite understand where she had given herself away.
"You're too fanatical. While I don't condone judging people by their appearance, you can certainly see a lot from a person's eyes." Kudo Yusaku gazed into Takanashi Chinatsu's eyes, his voice gentle yet now professional, calmly analyzing, "There is indeed genuine affection for me in your eyes, but it's very different from the gaze of a fanatical fan; it's more of an appreciation. These days, young people call them rational fans, right?"
"Aren't rational fans fans?"
“But rational fans won’t stalk my son,” Yusaku Kudo sighed.
Takanashi Chika sighed inwardly. She was indeed very capable; in front of such a great detective, all her attempts to conceal her abilities seemed to have no way of hiding.
“I wasn’t sure either, but when Shinichi left, you seemed more focused on him. Even Yukiko couldn’t really attract you?” Kudo Yusaku glanced at his wife.
Yukiko Kudo asked in a sweet voice, "Miss fan, is my son more popular with you than me?"
"Of course not. Just because I pay more attention to him doesn't mean I like him more. Compared to him, I definitely prefer the two of you." Takanashi Chinatsu tacitly admitted Kudo Yusaku's guess.
Her eyes darted around, and she looked at the great writer in front of her with great interest, asking, "Isn't it a little unsafe for you to suddenly expose me?"
“Indeed, but I am confident in my ability to protect myself,” Yusaku Kudo smiled.
His fingers were on his waist, and the pockets of his clothes at the bottom of his trousers were bulging, clearly indicating the presence of weapons.
Is it a gun?
Although guns are banned in Japan, it's not surprising that characters like Yusaku Kudo and Yukiko Kudo would own a gun.
Keen and meticulous.
"Just because I'm a girl, you think you can control me? Your son knows you can't judge a book by its cover. It's not right for him to be so confident without really knowing my abilities."
Yusaku Kudo nodded, but retorted, "But I think it's even worse to call the police and slander someone's reputation based on mere speculation."
"As expected of my idol." Takanashi Chinatsu was truly relieved this time.
Gentle yet meticulous, capable yet kind—what more can be said about her?
"Miss Takanashi, why are you following Shinichi? What do you want from him?" Yusaku Kudo's eyes were calm and his voice steady.
Yukiko Kudo had retreated far away at some point, thus avoiding becoming a hostage to Chinatsu Takanashi.
This couple is really difficult to deal with; both of them are very smart.
Chika admired them, but didn't want to drag them into it, so she just shrugged and prepared to leave.
"Please wait a moment, Ms. Takanashi." Yusaku Kudo's voice turned cold.
Takanashi Chika turned her head and met the dark muzzle of the gun in Kudo Yusaku's hand.
It was a Glock 19M pistol, small and compact, with a 15-round magazine, a common model used by the FBI.
Before Takanashi Chinatsu came, she briefly looked at the information of the two families. Kudo Yusaku often travels around the world to collect information and handle various cases due to his work. He has helped police in various places solve many problems. In addition to the Japanese police, he has also maintained a very friendly relationship with the FBI in the United States.
"Great writer, Japan bans guns."
“I have a gun license.”
"But the pistol is obviously not included." Takanashi Chinatsu was speechless. Although she wasn't a good person, she wasn't completely ignorant of the law either.
Kudo Yusaku said without changing his expression, "You won't report me, and I won't expose it on my own. This is our little secret."
Takanashi Chinatsu looked helpless. Were they really that close? She had absolutely no desire to share any secrets with Kudo Yusaku, especially since the gun was now pointed at her.
"Miss Takanashi, I think you can understand a father's concern for his son. Please tell me your true purpose in following Shinichi."
"I didn't hurt him, and I wasn't even carrying a weapon," Takanashi Chinatsu said, spreading her arms to show her harmlessness.
Yusaku Kudo remained unmoved: "Please answer my question directly."
"Well..." she sighed, and a card slipped from her sleeve.
Kudo Yusaku's expression changed slightly, but he didn't make up his mind to fire the gun.
Being a good person is hard, Takanashi Chinatsu smiled and gently said, "Invisibility."
The card transformed into a transparent veil, concealing Takanashi Chinatsu's figure.
Yusaku Kudo still didn't fire, but quickly retreated to Yukiko's side, wary of any possible attack.
Takanashi Chika had no intention of attacking them. She quickly walked to the door while invisible, ready to open it and leave.
I tried turning the doorknob twice, but it wouldn't budge.
The door was locked.
Takanashi Chinatsu opened her mouth in astonishment, and then heard Kudo Yusaku's voice.
"Because extremist fans occasionally sneak in, I installed the latest security system in my home. It has just been activated, and all the doors and windows are sealed."
Elio's custom-made cards for her have many advantages, such as quick and accurate activation, and even no need for a staff or pre-cast animation. However, they have one major drawback: the mana consumption is extremely high.
The invisibility spell, which normally lasts for minutes, only lasted five seconds before Takanashi Chinatsu reappeared due to depleted magic power.
Standing at the door, Takanashi Chinatsu smiled ingratiatingly at the two of them, clasped her hands together, and pleaded, "I really don't have any bad intentions, please, please let me go!"
Yusaku Kudo didn't fire a shot, but he also didn't release her; he stared at her with a serious expression.
Yukiko Kudo, standing to the side, exclaimed in surprise, "Is it magic? That's amazing! I never thought I'd have a magician fan!"
"Yukiko-neechan, please help me! The great writer won't let me go!" Takanashi Chinatsu complained in a spoiled tone.
Yukiko Kudo blinked, tilted her head and smiled at her, saying, "I can help you, Miss Fan, but you have to answer my question: Why are you following Shinichi?"
Chika Takanashi sighed. "We're back to square one again. It's true, neither great writers nor big stars are easily fooled."
Two hours later, the delicious-smelling food was served.
Chinatsuka Takanashi stood awkwardly to the side, while Yusaku Kudo had already put away his gun and was smiling as he invited her to have a meal.
Why did things turn out this way?
She came to see Ran Mouri, not to have a meal at the Kudo's house. Now, she's not only having a meal, but she can't even leave.
"It's already eight o'clock, aren't you hungry, Miss Fan?" Yukiko Kudo smiled and came over to pull her when she saw that she wasn't going over.
Takanashi Chinatsu helplessly dodged away, saying dejectedly, "If you don't want to do anything to me, can't you just let me go?"
"No." Despite her gentle voice, Yukiko's answer was so heartless.
“Shinichi has something to do, and we as parents can’t just ignore it.” Kudo Yusaku put away his phone and said, “He won’t be home tonight, so Miss Takanashi doesn’t need to wait for him.”
"I'm not waiting for him; I just want to leave now."
"I will not let you leave until you explain yourself clearly," Yusaku Kudo said firmly.
Takanashi Chinatsu was so anxious she wanted to spin around in circles. Was this some kind of joke? Had they really put her under house arrest?
"Why don't you call the police?" Takanashi Chinatsu said weakly.
Yusaku Kudo shook his head. "As long as you say you're our fan, the police can't do anything about it. Some things can't be solved just by calling the police."
"Then I'm calling the police! This is illegal detention!" Takanashi Chinatsu said, pulling out her phone as a threat.
Yusaku Kudo smiled and didn't take it seriously.
Yukiko Kudo continued to urge her to eat.
Chinatsu Takanashi was in a terrible predicament.
That's the downside of meeting smart people; you get completely seen through.
Of course, she couldn't call the police. Her motives were impure to begin with, and she couldn't just pin the blame on the two of them. She really liked them.
She looked down at her phone, scrolling through her contacts, and then looked up and gritted her teeth, saying, "You'd better not push me."
Seeing that the two still had no intention of letting her leave, Takanashi Chika hardened her heart and sent a message to Gin, then swaggered down to eat.
Yusaku Kudo and Yukiko Kudo exchanged a glance and then sat down, subtly hinting at their conversation while eating.
Chat? No.
No matter what the two said, Takanashi Chika remained silent, pretending to be mute.
After finishing his meal, pretending not to hear, a soft "click" came from the door.
Overjoyed, she immediately ran to the door, only to find it already opened from the outside.
Kudo Yusaku looked surprised and immediately got up to go over. When he saw the man in black outside the door, his expression turned serious.
"Don't worry, they didn't bully me," Takanashi Chinatsu called out as she walked over, worried that her brother might pull out a gun and shoot without saying a word.
Realizing what Takanashi Chika meant, Gin nodded slightly and turned to signal her to leave with him.
"Wait a minute!" Yusaku Kudo immediately shouted.
Gin grasped Chinatsu's hand, turned his head, and asked coldly, "Is there something you need?"
Despite it being just a simple question, Kudo Yusaku felt an aura of carnage and malice descend upon him. He had faced many vicious murderers during his investigations, but none of them possessed Gin's powerful presence.
He was a born killer.
"Miss Takanashi, may I ask who he is to you?" The moment Gin appeared, Kudo Yusaku's attention was inevitably drawn entirely to him.
"My colleague."
"I underestimated you. It seems you are more dangerous than I imagined."
"Now that you know it's dangerous, stop being curious. Curiosity will cost you your life." Gin's voice was cold and deep, more chilling than the sharp edge of a Swiss Army knife.
Without lingering any longer, Gin pulled Chizuru away.
After getting on the bus, Chinatsu Takanashi breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"What happened?" Gin asked.
Takanashi Chika immediately told Gin about the dream.
“Yusaku Kudo is very perceptive. If you don’t tell me anything, I won’t be able to react in time if he does something to you.”
"I didn't want to involve him either. I just came to see Ran Mouri. Who knew Shinichi Kudo would be so perceptive?" Chinatsu Takanashi felt frustrated. If she had known she would be facing Yusaku Kudo directly, she wouldn't have come alone.
"You never told me about that dream before."
"I just dreamt about it today."
“But you’ve already taken action.” Gin’s voice was filled with dissatisfaction.
Takanashi Chika stuck out her tongue; this was indeed something she felt guilty about.
“When I was investigating Bourbon and Scotland, I found something very interesting. Scotland broke into your apartment while you were abroad. Judging from the timing, he probably met with Matsuda Jinpei, but Matsuda Jinpei never mentioned it to you. I suspect he is connected to the Japanese Public Security Bureau.”
Takanashi Chika gave Gin a thumbs-up in amazement. "Wow, Gin managed to dig up something that had no prior information about so quickly!"
But...
Chika Takanashi chuckled.
“Bourbon and Scotland are both Japanese public security officers, and they know the second-year graduate student!” Takanashi Chinatsu said smugly, then she was one step ahead.
Gin's lips twitched noticeably.
"See? I told you I could find it myself, and this time it's not dangerous at all."
"You're lucky." After saying that, Gin's lips twitched again.
Takanashi Chinatsu was overjoyed. Yes, she was lucky, incredibly lucky!
With her incredible luck, if she really wanted an answer, it would come to her on its own.
Just like when Ray was exposed, even though he was such a cautious person, he was still tricked by a careless contact.
Gin deliberately changed the subject: "What else did Takanashi Yuusei say?"
"He said he's now called Liqueur, and that everything is under his control, so I shouldn't worry."
"Anything else? Did he mention Karasuma Renya's identity? Is he male or female? Old or young? Tall or short, fat or thin?"
Chizuru was stunned.
It seems... no.
Although we know from the internet that Karasuma Renya is a man, his father has not mentioned anything about his current situation except for the "great fortune".
"Are you sure he really saw Karasuma Ren?"
"That's what he said." Takanashi Chika said, frowning as she spoke. How strange. If her father really had met Karasuma Renya, why was there no description of his appearance or height? Those were extremely important details.
"His words are not to be trusted."
Takanashi Chinatsu quickly retorted, "Father wouldn't lie to me!"
"He doesn't lie, but he's unreliable too," Gin scoffed.
Chinatsu stared blankly at Gin, muttering, "So Father's abilities aren't strong?"
“No, he is very capable, but being reliable and being capable are two different things.” Gin looked at Chika with a complicated expression and said, “You’ve only met him as a family member, not as someone at work. You’ll understand once you meet him.”
Chika Takanashi is still confused. Is there a big difference between her father at work and her father in real life?
"Do you know what a raven is? Chizuru."
The sudden question made Chika Takanashi abruptly raise her head, her hand instinctively tightening around the raven feather in her pocket.
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