The vehicle slowly started up.
At first, Sonoko was shouting with excitement, pedaling hard along with Ran.
They made the car wobble through the streets of Tokyo at the speed of a small electric scooter.
Every time she overtook a bicycle on the street, she was incredibly thrilled.
But as time passed, Sonoko's enthusiasm was quickly drained by the physical exertion.
The distance to the Suzuki Museum wasn't short, and by the time they finally saw the museum's roof, it was already 7:30 PM.
Rin found a parking spot and stopped the car.
"I... I can't go on..."
Sonoko slumped into her seat, exhausted like a dead dog.
She gasped for air, her tongue lolling out. "These legs don't feel like mine anymore... Rin... driving this car of yours is just too exhausting... I'm done for..."
Conan was also covered in sweat, although he wasn't as dramatic as Sonoko, pedaling for so long with his short legs was quite a struggle.
Listening to Sonoko's complaints, he muttered under his breath, "You're the one who insisted on riding this car. You brought this on yourself..."
Even though Sonoko was exhausted, her ears were still sharp.
Hearing Conan badmouthing her, she immediately turned her head and glared weakly at him.
"You brat, you have some nerve! You definitely slacked off! You weren't pedaling hard at all! I saw you coasting several times in the middle!"
Ran was in slightly better shape, after all, she had a foundation in Karate and excellent stamina.
She wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and smiled to smooth things over. "Alright, Sonoko, just think of it as exercise. We rarely get the chance to do this kind of workout anyway."
The group finally managed to get off that instrument of torture. Sonoko's legs felt weak, and she could barely stand, so she had to lean on Ran.
"Ran, hold me up. I feel like I'm going to float away."
...
Because of the news that Kaito Kid was coming, the area around the museum was already packed with a sea of people, making it impassable.
Officer Nakamori Ginzo held a megaphone, hoarsely directing the police and security personnel on site.
"Everyone stay alert! Check every single person entering! Especially their faces! You must give them a tug!"
"Kaito Kid's specialty is disguise! We absolutely cannot let him sneak in!"
When it was Rin's turn to enter, they were also stopped.
"Stop! You lot! Submit to inspection!" a police officer said sternly.
Seeing that her face was about to be tugged, Sonoko immediately became displeased.
"Hey! I'm a member of the Suzuki family! I'm an invited guest! Why do you have to tug my face! My makeup will get ruined!"
Officer Nakamori walked over upon hearing the noise. When he saw it was Sonoko, his brow furrowed even deeper.
"So it's the eldest Miss Sonoko. But even for you, there are no exceptions."
"Last time, it was because we didn't check your father that Kaito Kid found a loophole."
"This time, I won't let anyone pass. If you want to go in, you must be inspected. Those are the rules!"
"What! Officer Nakamori, you're so unreasonable!" Sonoko stamped her foot in anger.
Seeing the standoff, Ling helplessly suggested.
"Officer Nakamori, how about this? We'll all tug each other's faces to prove we are who we say we are and not Kid in disguise."
Officer Nakamori stroked his chin and considered it. He felt this was a fair compromise that allowed for inspection while respecting the Suzuki family's status, so he agreed.
"Fine! Then tug each other, and use force! I want to see the skin being pulled!"
So, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Rin, Ran, Sonoko, and Conan all tugged each other's faces.
Ran gently pinched Rin's cheek, Rin rubbed Sonoko's jaw, and Sonoko vengefully pulled hard on Conan's baby-fat cheeks, making him grimace in pain.
Officer Nakamori watched closely, and after confirming everything was correct, he waved them through. "Alright, go on in!"
Once inside the police line, Conan immediately noticed seven helicopters circling in the sky, taking turns patrolling and scanning the ground and the museum roof with searchlights.
But strangely, these helicopters didn't have police markings.
"Officer Nakamori," Conan asked, looking up, "aren't those helicopters from the police?"
At the mention of this, Officer Nakamori was full of rage and complained.
"Hmph! Those are helicopters arranged by Consultant Suzuki himself! He said he wanted to film from all angles, and as a result, he's taken up all the airspace."
"Our police helicopters can't even get in! It's completely reckless!"
Just then, a spirited old man walked over laughing, it was none other than Suzuki Jirokichi.
"Hahaha! Officer Nakamori, don't be so rigid!"
"Didn't Kaito Kid say it? He'll come on foot to take my blue wonder."
"Since he's not flying, what does it matter if there are police helicopters in the sky or not?"
Conan pressed further, "Uncle Suzuki, since you don't think Kid will come from the air, why did you arrange so many helicopters?"
Suzuki Jirokichi proudly stroked his beard, pointing at the massive sapphire blue wonder on the roof, and then at the various cameras pointed at it from all angles.
"Do you see? Seven helicopters in the sky, plus nearly a hundred high-definition cameras I've set up on the ground—over a hundred camera angles in total, a 360-degree view with no blind spots."
"When I defeat Kaito Kid tonight, these precious images will all be included in my autobiography!"
"At that time, I'm going to mock Kaito Kid thoroughly in the book for stealing my spotlight! Hahaha!"
Everyone: "..."
Just then, Sonoko's stomach suddenly let out a loud growl.
After all, riding in Rin's car was too physically demanding.
They hadn't even eaten dinner yet after pedaling all the way there.
"Ah! I'm so hungry! But Kid-sama is about to arrive..."
Sonoko was torn, she didn't want to miss Kaito Kid's appearance, but she was also starving.
Ran suggested, "There seems to be a fast-food place next to the museum. Let's go and come back quickly. We can just grab some burgers and drinks to eat? It should be in time."
This suggestion was met with unanimous agreement, especially from the famished Sonoko.
The group went to the nearby fast-food restaurant and pushed the door open.
Rin was about to go and order when his eyes swept over the busy figure behind the counter, and he suddenly called out in surprise, "Vivian?"
Behind the counter, a purple-haired girl in a fast-food uniform looked up. Seeing Rin, a look of pleasant surprise also appeared on her face.
"Pha... Rin, what are you doing here? Did you know I was working part-time here and specifically came to see me? I'm so touched!"
Seeing the expectant look in Vivian's eyes, Rin didn't want to discourage her, so he said, "That's right! I specifically came to visit Vivian, and also to see the commotion with Kaito Kid."
"Pha... Rin, you're so kind, hee-hee." Vivian was so touched that tears sparkled in the corners of her eyes.