"All right, that's the last one."
Ren Kuroda straightened, dusting his hands. "Four cameras total. You remember all the locations, right? Once the intruder shows up again, we'll catch their face on video."
He scanned the living room one last time—each camera perfectly hidden in discreet corners, just as Yoko Okino requested.
"Thank you so much, Detective Kuroda." Yoko bowed repeatedly, her elegant features softening with visible relief.
Ren tilted his head slightly. "Any other concerns?"
The idol hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers. "Um… this might be asking too much, but could you maybe… pick me up after work for the next few days?"
Her voice lowered as she added nervously, "Even with the cameras, I still don't feel safe. If that person… tries to hurt me…"
She trailed off, but the fear in her eyes said everything.
"Of course," Ran said at once, understanding perfectly.
She was a girl too—she knew that uneasy feeling of being watched or followed.If not for her years of karate training, even she might have been scared walking home alone at night.
Yoko managed a small smile. "Thank you. That really puts me at ease."
As if suddenly remembering something, she turned and disappeared into her bedroom. When she came back out, her arms were full of signed CDs and photo books.
"These are just small tokens of gratitude," she said shyly, handing them out to everyone.
"Whoa! It's the limited-release album! I've wanted this forever!" Ran's eyes lit up with delight as she took the CD.
Ren couldn't help a faint smirk. She really knows how to win people over.
After exchanging contact information with Yoko and confirming her work schedule for the next night—ten o'clock sharp—they said their goodbyes and left the apartment.
On the walk back, Ran hugged her gift to her chest, beaming. "I didn't expect Miss Yoko to be so kind! I always thought famous idols were cold or hard to approach."
Ren nodded thoughtfully. "She's easy to talk to, yeah. She's got a nice aura—doesn't make people feel uncomfortable."
Ran's smile faded slightly. "Still… it's scary. Even idols have to deal with things like this. I really hope we catch whoever's been sneaking into her apartment soon."
"Agreed," Ren said simply.
They continued chatting as they reached the familiar neon sign of the Mouri Detective Agency.
Ren stopped at the entrance. "It's late. I'll head home from here. See you at school tomorrow."
"Right. See you tomorrow, Ren-kun! You too, Conan-kun!" Ran waved happily before climbing the stairs to her apartment.
Ren and Conan continued down the street together.
"So," Ren asked idly, hands in his pockets, "where do you live, kid?"
"Just up ahead." Conan looked up at him, then asked curiously, "But, um… Ren-nii, why were you carrying so many surveillance cameras? You just pulled them out of your pocket like it was nothing!"
He'd been dying to ask that question since earlier.
Ren's tone was perfectly calm. "I'm a detective. Carrying surveillance gear is normal, isn't it?"
Conan squinted. "No, it's not! Not at all! Maybe one camera, sure—but you had four!"
"I just restocked my equipment today," Ren replied lazily. "Happened to have extras."
In truth, he knew there was no point trying to deceive someone like Conan Kudo—his observational skills were too sharp.But he wasn't about to explain the real reason either.
Better to let the kid speculate.
Conan, of course, didn't buy a word of it.He's totally bluffing… but I can't push too hard like this. Not while I'm stuck in a kid's body.
He sighed inwardly. Being a child is such a pain.
The Next Night, 10:00 PM — Nichiuri TV Station
Under the glow of the streetlights, Kogoro Mouri fussed over his reflection in a small pocket mirror, smoothing back his hair for what had to be the tenth time.
"Dad," Ran said flatly, "you've already fixed your hair, like, five times."
"This is my first official meeting with Miss Yoko! I need to make a good impression!" Kogoro said earnestly, adjusting his tie.
Ran crossed her arms and sighed. "You might want to save yourself the trouble. Her type is young, smart, and handsome. You don't exactly fit any of those categories."
Her comment hit like a bullet. Kogoro's confident grin crumbled instantly.
From the side, Conan snickered, clearly enjoying the show.
Kogoro shot him a glare. "What are you laughing at, brat? Shouldn't you be in bed by now? Don't your parents care where you are?"
Conan straightened up quickly, feigning innocence. "I'm your assistant, remember? I'm supposed to help with the investigation! And my parents are overseas—they won't mind."
Kogoro snorted. "Tch. About that 'assistant' nonsense—I was drunk last night when I said it. Doesn't count!"
"What?!" Conan's eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't just go back on your word!"
"Why not?" Kogoro said smugly. "I don't even know where you live or who your parents are. If something happens to you, I'll get blamed for it! So no more assistant business."
"I live with Professor Agasa!" Conan blurted quickly. "Ask Ran, she'll tell you!"
Ran nodded without missing a beat. "It's true, Dad. Shinichi called me this morning and asked me to look after Conan for a while."
Kogoro groaned. "Ugh, that kid again…"But he didn't bring up the subject of sending Conan home again.
Conan exhaled in relief. Good save.
Just then, Ren—who had been quietly watching the entire exchange with faint amusement—spoke up. "Miss Okino just came out."
"Where?!" Kogoro immediately craned his neck in every direction.
"There," Ren said, pointing. "The one bundled up head to toe."
Sure enough, a woman in oversized sunglasses and a wide hat exited the building discreetly.
Kogoro's face lit up. "Yoko!—"
Before he could take a step, Ren grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back.
"Easy, Detective," Ren said dryly. "You run up to her screaming her name, you'll blow your cover. We're supposed to be protecting her, not outing her to the paparazzi."
Ran pinched the bridge of her nose. "Exactly! Dad, please try not to ruin this in the first five seconds."
"Ah—right, right! My bad," Kogoro said sheepishly.
Conan, watching the scene, could only sigh. I can't believe this buffoon is my 'boss.' My future as a detective assistant looks doomed already.
Ren quickly texted Yoko to let her know they were in position, then turned to Kogoro and Conan.
"All right. Detective Mouri, Conan—you two go first. Pretend to be father and son. Stay about a hundred meters behind her and watch for anything suspicious."
He continued in a firm, commanding tone: "Every few blocks, we'll rotate. Ran and I will take the next shift."
"Got it!" Kogoro nodded enthusiastically—though Conan looked far less thrilled.
Before he could protest, Kogoro barked, "Move it, kid! Or you're fired!"
Conan groaned but had no choice. "Fine…"
As Kogoro strutted off down the street, Ren and Ran followed at a measured distance, their footsteps steady under the Tokyo night lights.
The hunt had begun.