i am just a student? in Conan world

Due to Fujino's righteous action, all the bombs that Kaito Kuroba hid in the power station were found. That night, the bomb squad, working overtime, successfully defused them all.

In the movie version, the explosion at the power station was glossed over, making it seem insignificant.

However, in reality, planting bombs at a power station and setting them off is extremely damaging.

If Kaito Kuroba had succeeded in detonating the bombs, it would have caused tens of billions, even hundreds of billions of yen in economic losses to Osaka.

It could also have indirectly led to many injuries or even deaths.

As a result, the police classified this failed bombing attempt as a terrorist attack.

Kaito Kid was officially labeled a terrorist.

Kaito Kuroba: "Let me thank you…"

Logically, Kaito Kid's reputation should have taken a nosedive.

But the opposite happened.

Kaito Kid's reputation wasn't negatively affected at all.

Even the police didn't seem intent on holding him accountable.

It's clear—this is the Conan universe after all.

…

In the blink of an eye, the date turned to Monday, August 23rd—both normal and somewhat unusual.

Because Fujino had protected the Egg of Memories, the Emperor's Easter Egg exhibition at the Suzuki Modern Art Museum proceeded as scheduled.

However, Fujino didn't attend the exhibition.

He was going to receive an award from the police.

In this joint operation between the Tokyo and Osaka police, Fujino played an indispensable role.

Whether it was strategizing to protect the Egg of Memories or executing his righteous actions, he made significant contributions.

While Kaito Kid wasn't pursued, that didn't mean Fujino wouldn't be rewarded.

As a detective, this time he was going to receive a well-deserved reward from the police.

…

At noon that day, the Tokyo and Osaka police held a joint press conference.

They announced that their operation to stop Kaito Kid had been a great success.

And, due to Fujino's outstanding contribution…

The Osaka police decided to award him a certificate of appreciation.

The certificate was framed in what appeared to be gold but was actually brass.

It was handwritten with a brush, and the signature was from Heizo Hattori, the head of the Osaka Police Headquarters.

Fujino didn't care much about the certificate.

To him, it was just a piece of paper—worthless.

What he cared about was the 1 million yen.

Yes, along with the medal, he also received a reward of 1 million yen.

That small sum of money brought Fujino some comfort.

"Still, compared to saving such an enormous amount of economic loss, 1 million yen feels a bit too little…"

Fujino couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Then again, he thought, receiving a bonus and a certificate was already something to be thankful for.

The Osaka police? They're alright.

Unlike those aristocrats over in Kyoto…

Not only did they not give him a single feather for defusing bombs, but they also put him under investigation.

And after taking him away, they didn't even bother to send him back, forcing him to almost pay 800 yen for a taxi.

…

After slipping away from the award ceremony and press conference, Fujino stepped outside, only to run into Momiji Ooka, wearing a white high school uniform top paired with a long gray pleated skirt.

"Your performance this time was impressive, my future—"

"Ahem."

Fujino felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, coughed lightly, and cut off Momiji's spell. "Momiji, what are you doing here... Don't tell me you didn't go back to Kyoto last night."

"Nope."

Hearing how Fujino addressed her, Momiji clearly felt delighted and smiled, "I just happened to 'coincidentally' come to Osaka again after school and 'coincidentally' ran into your award ceremony."

Got it.

So you actually made a special trip after school from Kyoto to Osaka just to wait for me?

Scary.

Unable to endure the pressure, Fujino had no choice but to follow her. 

Riding in a luxury car, he was taken around Kyoto by Ooka Momiji. 

They even made a stop under the maple tree from years ago. 

However, Fujino didn't recall any useful memories. 

Interestingly, while wandering the streets, Fujino noticed someone watching him. 

He remembered the man—it started yesterday when he met Ooka Momiji. 

The method of tailing was rather peculiar, almost like a secret agent's style. 

With his enhanced eyesight and eagle vision, Fujino easily identified the man's identity. 

—Iori Muga, male, 30 years old, an actual spy and a former member of Japan's Public Security. 

Now, he's the Ooka family's butler, a servant of Ooka Momiji. 

You have to admit, the wealthy sure know how to do things their way. 

A public security agent turning into a butler at a whim. 

... 

After a full day of touring, Fujino returned to the hotel and learned that Natsumi Kosaka had arranged a meeting with Shirou Suzuki. Soon, they headed to the Suzuki Modern Art Museum. 

Along with them were the four people from before, who had heard there might be a second "Egg of Memory." 

An art dealer, a photographer, a researcher, and that Russian diplomat. 

In no time, the museum's reception room became lively. 

From Natsumi Kosaka, Fujino learned: 

Her great-grandfather, named Kiichi, once worked as a craftsman in Fabergé's studio during the reign of Tsarist Russia. He married a Russian woman, and after the October Revolution, the two returned to Japan the following year. 

Her great-grandmother died shortly after giving birth to her grandmother, and her great-grandfather passed away nine years later. Her grandfather and parents died in a car accident when she was five. 

Her only remaining relative, her grandmother, passed away last month. 

Natsumi Kosaka had been working as a pastry chef in France. This time, she returned to Japan to sort through her grandmother's belongings. 

While organizing those belongings, she discovered the blueprint she had shown Fujino yesterday. 

"As I mentioned before," 

Fujino examined the blueprint and addressed the group: "The paper used for both halves of the blueprint is the same, and when put together, there's a clear gap between the two eggs. I deduce that the middle section of the drawing was torn off. Originally, this was likely one large diagram, meaning it should have depicted two eggs." 

Everyone agreed with Fujino's analysis. 

Then, Conan, whose movements were somewhat clumsy, remembered what was said yesterday and started fiddling with the "Egg of Memory." 

He wanted to verify another of Fujino's theories. 

This Egg of Memory was said to hide the secret of another egg. 

He couldn't believe Fujino's intuition was truly that sharp. 

Conan fiddled with the egg for a bit and then discovered a small mirror beneath it. 

When the mirror fell off, Conan was stunned. 

Kogoro Mouri was stunned. Ran was also momentarily frozen. 

After all, this egg was worth 800 million yen. 

If it broke, selling Conan wouldn't cover the cost. 

"The small mirror was always easy to detach." 

Luckily, Sonoko Suzuki stepped in, waving her hand nonchalantly. "I knocked it off several times when I was a kid. That mirror was likely added later." 

Hearing this, Ran breathed a sigh of relief, and Mouri wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. 

Conan quickly noticed something unusual and used the mirror to reflect a hidden pattern. 

Natsumi Kosaka immediately recognized the castle in the reflection. 

It was the Kosaka family's castle in Yokosuka. 

However, Conan didn't feel any pride in uncovering this clue. 

On the contrary, he felt a bit defeated. 

Because Fujino had already deduced this clue last night… 

His actions had only served to confirm Fujino's guess. 

Was this really just detective intuition? 

Darn it. 

Once again, he was a step behind. 

Was this just the result of innate talent? 

"It's exactly like Fujino said." 

Natsumi Kosaka studied the castle's pattern and, in amazement, looked at Fujino with admiration. 

"The same?" 

Everyone turned slightly and looked at Fujino. 

Only Conan and Makoto Nishino seemed unsurprised. 

"That's right." 

Natsumi nodded. "Last night, Detective Fujino said the clue to the other egg was likely hidden in this one, and it turns out he was completely right." 

"In addition to that blueprint, I also found a key while sorting through the belongings." 

With that, Natsumi took out a key from her bag and asked Fujino, "This old key doesn't match any doors in our castle. Could there be another secret to it?" 

Uncle Mouri, eager to impress the beautiful young woman, had initially wanted to show off his reasoning. 

But upon hearing that Fujino had already figured out the clues last night, and that Natsumi was seeking Fujino's advice, he paused and kept quiet. 

Now that he thought about it, his previous actions seemed a bit over the top. 

Trying to steal the spotlight now would only damage their relationship. 

"It's likely the key to the hiding place of the second Egg of Memory." 

Fujino pondered for a moment before speaking. "But to be certain, we'll need to visit the castle in Yokosuka." 

"If that's the case, would you be willing to accompany me to the castle when we return to Tokyo?" 

Natsumi smiled as she extended the invitation. 

"To the castle?" 

Fujino initially wanted to mention that this would count as an official case. 

But, sensing that formalizing the contract in front of so many people wasn't appropriate, he decided not to bring it up. 

He would discuss the details with Natsumi later when they were back at the hotel. 

After agreeing to visit the castle, the surrounding group became inexplicably excited, each expressing a desire to join. 

The group consisted of an international fugitive, a shady art dealer, an unscrupulous reporter, and a Russian diplomat. 

Natsumi Kosaka, either naive or overly trusting, actually agreed to let them all come along. 

... 

Later that evening. 

Back at the hotel, Fujino spoke with Natsumi Kosaka. 

They decided on the terms: Fujino would investigate for a fee of one million yen if he found the second egg, and if not, he would receive a 100,000 yen appearance fee. 

After seeing Natsumi off, Fujino received a phone call. 

"Fujino!" 

As soon as he answered, he heard a rushed voice on the other end. 

"Who is this?" 

Fujino paused and asked. 

The voice on the other end calmly replied, "Kaitou Kid." 

(End of chapter)