Disclaimer: Detective Conan is not mine. This fanfic is a translation.
Enjoy Reading!
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October 10th, Sunday, clear skies.
Sitting in the passenger seat of a sapphire-blue Porsche 914, Ritsu, now a newly promoted operator in the operations division, was quite frequently "called in" for missions. Mainly because his current mission completion rate stood at a perfect 100%, and he always handled things cleanly, leaving no traces behind. That alone had earned him Gin's high regard.
As for why he was in Vodka's car today. It was simple, the ever-working Gin was on vacation.
No matter how capable Gin was, he was still human. And humans couldn't operate nonstop, day and night, forever. So after Ritsu joined the organization, Gin finally took his first vacation of the year.
As for why Vodka didn't take one, it was because, although he usually accompanied Gin, his tasks were mostly limited to driving or planting bombs, relatively easy work. His brain, more often than not, was just for decoration.
No thinking, no fatigue.
Today's mission wasn't particularly difficult. Their main objective was to put pressure on a Tokyo underground gang known as the Nisan-kai.
Rumor had it they were secretly colluding to monopolize Tokyo's arms trade. That was basically like defecating on their boss's head, something the organization absolutely wouldn't tolerate.
While holding a portable laptop and searching for nearby road information, Ritsu asked, "Vodka-san, I've been meaning to ask, does our organization actually have a name?"
"Of course it does. What, you want to know?"
Of course he did. Otherwise, constantly referring to it as "the Black Organization" felt rather unprofessional.
Even so, Ritsu maintained an indifferent expression. "Just a little curious… Can I take a guess? Does it have something to do with black?"
"Haha, no wonder the boss values you as a strategist." Vodka laughed happily, slowing the car to a stop at a red light. "Macallan, there's no harm in telling you. Our organization is called Black Crow. With your smarts, you should know what that means."
Black Crow… a black crow?
In Japanese culture, crows are said to guide the souls of the dead. But in Natsume Sōseki's novel I Am a Cat, crows are described as ominous creatures.
Whether one interpretation or the other, both fit the organization's naming style quite well.
"Black Crow, huh? That's a good name."
"I think so too. Black and crow together just give off a really cool and mysterious vibe. Macallan, are we almost at the destination?"
Ritsu glanced at the laptop. The digital map showed they were nearing Block 7 of Okuho Town. There was an underground casino operated by the Nisan-kai here. Today, he and Vodka were going to infiltrate it, find the boss, and give him a little "lesson."
The organization's intelligence division had already identified the boss: a senior member of the Nisan-kai's Tokyo branch named Dōjima Shunji. He held considerable influence within the group, and the casino likely served as a way to launder illegal profits.
"Yeah. Enter through the parking lot at Block 5, there's a hidden door marked 'Staff Only.'"
"Got it. Should we disguise ourselves? Walking in like this might not be a good idea if people see our faces."
Reaching into his backpack, Ritsu pulled out a pile of simple disguise tools. "You go first, Vodka-san. Try to look as different from usual as possible."
"Alright."
After parking near Block 7, Ritsu thoughtfully stepped out of the car to give Vodka some privacy to change. If they walked in dressed in their usual black outfits, they'd look exactly like mafia members coming to smash the place.
About fifteen minutes passed, and Vodka still hadn't called him back. Ritsu couldn't help but suspect that instead of disguising himself, the man was meticulously dressing up.
"Macallan, what do you think of this look? Can you still recognize me?"
Hearing the car door open, Ritsu turned around and froze.
So this was what Vodka looked like without his hat and sunglasses?
His short hair was slicked back with gel into a neat pompadour. His single-lidded eyes weren't particularly large, but they were average enough. His light brown irises were small, giving him a somewhat lifeless and even intimidating look. Yet somehow, combined with his overall features, he gave off a strangely reliable impression.
The light purple shirt he wore was a bit tight, not from fat, but because of his well-built chest. The top button couldn't even be fastened. On top of that, he had added a thick gold chain.
A burly, oddly charismatic… middle-aged man? The whole look screamed nouveau riche.
"Well?" Vodka's tone carried a hint of anticipation. He rarely showed his real face.
Usually, he imitated his boss by wearing a fedora and sunglasses to look more imposing. Now that he was showing his true face, he actually felt a bit shy.
But from Ritsu's perspective, seeing such a burly man dressed like that while acting bashful… was honestly a bit terrifying.
"That purple shirt suits you very well, Vodka-san."
He had finally taken the step into flattery but it was also the truth. Vodka really did suit purple.
"Haha, good! Your turn, Macallan. Try not to look too handsome, I'm worried some rich lady might take a liking to you!"
"…Got it."
Could he be any more blunt? He was still a minor, for crying out loud.
Ritsu casually put on a plain white shirt, making himself look like a bartender. Then he added a pair of thick black-framed glasses and drew a bit of stubble on his chin. After confirming he looked different enough, he opened the car door and asked, "Vodka-san, how's this?"
"So that's what you look like with a beard, huh? Definitely doesn't suit you but I can't recognize you anymore."
"Then it's a success. Let's go."
"Yeah. Stay sharp in there."
'Shouldn't you be the one using your brain?' Ritsu couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Ever since joining the organization, all he ever heard from Vodka was "Boss this" and "Boss that." Ritsu had every reason to suspect Vodka earned his codename through sheer flattery.
The Nisan-kai's underground casino had strict security, no prohibited items allowed. Fortunately, both of them had left their guns in the car.
"Hold on, this guy doesn't look twenty yet."
Ritsu reacted instantly, forcing a smile. "I just look young, that's all. I'm actually twenty-five."
"Oh right, what's that term… baby face? Too bad you're a guy, no big breasts! Hahaha—" the guard laughed hysterically, though it was unclear what was so funny.
Being randomly "teased" like that didn't feel great. Still smiling, Ritsu walked inside, already forming at least ten different plans in his mind to mess with the loudmouthed guard later.
"Macallan, you stay on the first floor. I'll check the second."
"Got it."
Ritsu moved slowly through the crowd, slightly hunched to reduce his presence. His gaze swept across faces, searching for their target, Dōjima Shunji.
This really wasn't a place for minors. There were plenty of scenes that made him uncomfortable, he almost felt like calling the police to shut the whole place down.
Wait… calling the police to wipe them out didn't sound like a bad idea. He wondered if Vodka would like that kind of revenge plan.
Having made up his mind to "boost police performance," Ritsu tapped his concealed earpiece twice and whispered, "Vodka-san, no sign of the target on the first floor."
"My luck's good… Dōjima is with me. Meet at the second-floor restroom."
"Understood. On my way."
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[Author's Note: The protagonist finally goes on a mission with Vodka~ Not sure why, but I really like old Vodka—he's my source of joy.]