LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 293: Chapter 293: Request
After Masumi Sera and Kyousuke Akikawa finished viewing the paintings displayed at the National Art Museum, they began walking toward the exit.
Both had their own thoughts, and neither was the type to calmly appreciate the artwork.
Thus, both Akikawa Kyousuke and Sera Masumi went through the paintings rather quickly.
The primary reason Sera Masumi had called Akikawa Kyousuke this time was an idea that had suddenly struck her during her visit to the Tokyo International Exhibition Hall.
At that time, she had been completely disappointed with Conan while at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center.
As a result, Sera Masumi no longer trusted what Conan had said or done.
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What worried Sera Masumi the most was, undoubtedly, the whereabouts of her older brother, whose life or death remained uncertain.
Now, her trust in Conan was slowly wearing away.
Sera Masumi couldn't help but question whether Conan had also lied to her about her older brother.
Among all her suspicions, the one that stood out the most was about the graduate student Subaru Okiya, who was living in the Kudo family home.
Sera Masumi had always suspected that Okiya Subaru's true identity was her older brother, Shuichi Akai.
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After witnessing Akikawa Kyousuke's meticulous and terrifyingly sharp observational skills and reasoning abilities, Sera Masumi couldn't help but entertain the idea of letting Akikawa Kyousuke come into contact with Okiya Subaru.
'If Akikawa gets the chance to interact with Okiya Subaru, he will definitely notice some clues.'
'However, there's one major condition for this plan to work.'
'Akikawa must appear before Okiya Subaru without arousing any suspicion. He must not allow Okiya Subaru or the boy to doubt him in turn.'
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Sera Masumi had been contemplating this matter for days.
Because aside from testing Okiya Subaru, it was equally crucial to protect the personal information of those on her side.
Especially considering that if Akikawa Kyousuke made contact with Okiya Subaru and the latter noticed something was amiss, it would backfire.
Otherwise, it would be utterly foolish to put the cart before the horse while confirming Okiya Subaru's true identity.
Above all, Akikawa Kyousuke must not reveal the truth about the situation to Conan or Okiya Subaru.
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Sera Masumi was troubled about how to arrange for Akikawa Kyousuke to interact with Okiya Subaru without leaving any trace.
At the same time, she was still figuring out how to ask Akikawa Kyousuke for his help.
"I've already asked Akikawa for help before," she thought to herself.
'In the end, I didn't actually help Akikawa at all.'
'Instead, there were several instances where Akikawa came to help me.'
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Thinking about this made Sera Masumi feel guilty.
She believed she had already gained enough benefits from Akikawa Kyousuke.
So now, she wasn't sure how she could possibly ask him for help again.
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"What's wrong? What's on your mind?"
Akikawa Kyousuke's voice suddenly snapped Sera Masumi out of her internal struggle.
When Sera Masumi looked at Akikawa Kyousuke, she noticed that his gaze wasn't particularly emotional. Most of the time, he looked at her with lazy, half-lidded eyes.
She couldn't help but feel surprised.
'Did he notice again?'
'Was I so lost in my thoughts that Akikawa could see something was off with me?'
'He's far too sharp.'
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After sighing inwardly, Sera Masumi decided not to hide it any longer.
"I'm very sorry, Mr. Akikawa.
Actually, I have an older brother, but he's been in a state of life-or-death uncertainty for a long time now.
My brother is incredibly strong—both mentally and physically. So, I don't believe he's dead."
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Although Sera Masumi didn't reveal Shuichi Akai's name to Akikawa Kyousuke, she still explained the general situation regarding her brother.
Since Conan had inexplicably used her as a pawn, Sera Masumi no longer wanted to treat Akikawa Kyousuke with the same guarded attitude.
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Furthermore, Akikawa Kyousuke had voluntarily shared information about himself—details that could affect his identity and safety—several times before.
This had built a strong bridge of trust between them.
Thus, Sera was convinced.
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Compared to Kudo Shinichi, whom she had known since childhood, this artist she had only recently met had earned her trust far more quickly.
Sera truly believed that even if Akikawa Kyousuke heard about her older brother, he would never share it with anyone else.
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After omitting the highly sensitive information that her brother was a former FBI agent and a former member of the Organization, Sera Masumi began explaining her brother's situation to Akikawa Kyousuke.
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After hearing her out, Akikawa Kyousuke was somewhat surprised.
'Is his intelligence and strength really greater than that of a handsome detective?'
'And it seems like the handsome detective wasn't lying—this is indeed true.'
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Sera Masumi was already one of the most capable individuals Akikawa Kyousuke had ever met.
Yet now, after seeing her defeat Vermouth in close combat at the hot springs hotel, another "older brother" with even greater attributes had appeared.
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"I don't think my brother is dead. I believe he's simply hiding for some reason.
Right now, I have a few people in mind who could be him."
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"Oh, do you want me to help you figure out if one of them is your brother?"
Akikawa Kyousuke asked.
Sera Masumi, already accustomed to Akikawa Kyousuke reading her thoughts mid-conversation, nodded.
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"But I'm curious. You already have a few candidates in mind. Wouldn't it be enough to confirm if one of them is your brother?"
Akikawa Kyousuke asked again.
"Just because someone looks different doesn't mean they're not my brother.
Mr. Akikawa, you must have noticed during the recent case that Kaitou Kid could transform into someone else at any time.
And Vermouth has the same ability.
Some people in this world have mastered the art of disguise."
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"Although this person looks completely different from my brother, the dissonance I felt when facing him, as well as the things he unintentionally revealed, make me suspect even more strongly that he's my brother.
But due to certain circumstances, I temporarily set my suspicions aside.
Now, however, I've returned to doubting that person again."
Sera Masumi explained.
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After finishing, she noticed Akikawa Kyousuke remained silent.
Quickly, she added:
"Of course, I wouldn't ask you to go out of your way to do anything, Mr. Akikawa.
I only hope that if you ever have the chance to meet him in the future, you could tell me the characteristics or details you notice about him.
With that information, I'll be able to determine his identity myself."
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"If there's a suitable opportunity, I'll keep an eye out."
Akikawa Kyousuke nodded.
"But my abilities may not meet your expectations, Ms. Sera."
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(End of Chapter)