Options system in my brain: Detective Conan

"That's totally fine!"

Hearing this, Sera Masumi hastily spoke in a loud voice.

She understood that Akikawa Kyousuke's words essentially meant he was accepting her disguised request.

A surge of great joy and hope began to well up in Sera Masumi's heart.

She suddenly realized that Akikawa Kyousuke was far more reliable than she had initially thought.

---

"Can you give me the basic information about the person you suspect?"

Akikawa Kyousuke asked.

"The name of the person is 'Okiya Subaru.' He's a guy with squinting eyes who wears glasses.

He probably stayed with the Kudo Shinichi family in Yoneka City a few months ago.

From various clues, I always feel that this person is likely my older brother.

But after several encounters, I couldn't find anything new."

Akikawa Kyousuke: "..."

After hearing Sera Masumi's description, Akikawa Kyousuke suddenly fell silent.

Originally, he had no knowledge of the Okiya Subaru mentioned by Sera Masumi.

But since Sera Masumi said that Subaru Okiya lived with the Kudo Shinichi family, it was almost equivalent to putting a mark on Subaru Okiya's forehead that said, "Something's off about this person."

---

Although Akikawa Kyousuke had never met Subaru Okiya, just based on Sera Masumi's few words, he could deduce that even if Okiya Subaru wasn't Sera Masumi's older brother, he must be involved in a very significant case.

"I see."

Akikawa Kyousuke nodded again.

In any case, Sera Masumi didn't want him to contact Okiya Subaru at the moment.

One thing Akikawa Kyousuke admired about Sera Masumi was her sharp mind. She could accomplish many things on her own without needing guidance.

---

Since Akikawa Kyousuke had never interacted with Okiya Subaru before, it was impossible for him to hastily approach this person.

That kind of action would be akin to shouting, "Everyone, look at me!" in front of a crowd.

It was a very dangerous and foolish move.

But Sera Masumi had fully grasped this concept herself.

Akikawa Kyousuke could see that she was also considering how to naturally connect with Okiya Subaru.

---

Additionally, he noticed the hesitant and uncertain look on Sera Masumi's face when she first spoke.

Akikawa Kyousuke knew that as long as he accepted her request, Sera Masumi would definitely feel a great sense of guilt in her heart.

For Akikawa Kyousuke, this was just a task that could be casually completed at some indeterminate time.

So, there was no harm in agreeing to it.

---

It was precisely because Sera Masumi had such a sharp mind that she could recognize the risks involved in contacting Okiya Subaru.

And before this capable young detective worked hard to completely avoid those risks, Akikawa Kyousuke didn't need to take any action.

As Akikawa Kyousuke had predicted, after seeing him nod, a look of joy crossed Sera Masumi's face.

But soon, that pretty face showed an expression of inner conflict and regret.

---

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Akikawa.

I clearly promised to come and help you, but in the end, I'm the one receiving your help instead."

Sera Masumi apologized to Akikawa Kyousuke with a sincere expression.

But what Sera Masumi didn't know was that Akikawa Kyousuke never provided information to her purely unilaterally.

---

For example, what she revealed to Akikawa Kyousuke at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center—details that she considered insignificant to solving the case—became the foundation for Akikawa Kyousuke's contact with Kaitou Kid and for the organization's suspicion of Amuro Tooru.

Sera Masumi's own investigative skills, along with the information she gathered on-site and the intelligence she pieced together using her sharp detective mind, often provided Akikawa Kyousuke with valuable insights.

After hearing Sera Masumi's account, Akikawa Kyousuke became curious about the "older brother" she spoke of.

---

"Speaking of which, how is your relationship with your brother?"

Akikawa Kyousuke asked.

As soon as he spoke, he noticed that Sera Masumi became visibly more emotional.

"Although my brother is usually a bit serious, I know he still cares a lot about me deep down."

"So that's how it is."

Akikawa Kyousuke nodded.

---

This was another very valuable clue.

Since, according to Sera Masumi, her older brother cared deeply for her and their relationship was not hostile, it made sense for Akikawa Kyousuke to help her identify his true identity.

At least based on Sera Masumi's description, the fact that her brother surpassed her in both intellectual and physical capabilities was quite intriguing to Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

Before long, the discussion between Sera Masumi and Akikawa Kyousuke about Okiya Subaru came to an end.

After receiving Akikawa Kyousuke's verbal promise, Sera Masumi was visibly elated.

She hadn't expected Akikawa Kyousuke to so easily agree to the matter she had been struggling with.

Although Akikawa Kyousuke nodded, it didn't necessarily mean he would uncover anything significant about Okiya Subaru.

But Sera Masumi had great confidence in Akikawa Kyousuke's abilities.

As long as he could find some clues that she hadn't discovered, Sera Masumi would be satisfied.

---

After receiving Akikawa Kyousuke's help so many times, Sera Masumi felt a bit embarrassed.

She then shifted the conversation to him.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Akikawa, have you found your next job?"

Sera Masumi always felt that Akikawa Kyousuke's career as an artist had been somewhat unsatisfying.

So, she asked with curiosity.

---

"Well, it's been arranged.

In early April, I'll be filming a variety show at a villa in Gifu Prefecture."

Akikawa Kyousuke glanced at the detective in front of him, who seemed unaware of her own tendency to attract trouble, and replied.

"Gifu Prefecture! I've heard the scenery there is beautiful, surrounded by mountains and lush forests. The environment must be especially pleasant!"

Sera said with a bright smile.

---

"What are your plans for that time?"

"I'll probably have started school by then, so I don't think I'll be able to make it."

Sera Masumi replied regretfully.

She believed Akikawa Kyousuke was definitely inviting her by asking this question.

Sera Masumi herself was very interested.

---

It was a pity that, even though Akikawa Kyousuke's filming for the variety show was scheduled for the weekend, she had other commitments on those days.

There was no way she could travel to Gifu Prefecture, which was hundreds of kilometers away from Tokyo.

"I see."

Akikawa Kyousuke felt relieved after hearing this.

---

As long as the detective didn't show up, there shouldn't be any issues.

His main concern now was whether a certain elementary school "Shinigami" student would inexplicably run into the mountains and encounter him again, triggering another murder case.

---

(End of Chapter)