i am just a student? in Conan world

"I'll take care of it!" 

Miwako Sato patted her chest confidently. 

"Um, Officer Sato—" 

Fujino interrupted, "Actually, I can handle this alone." 

His original plan had been to act solo. 

After all, given his skills, taking down the armed suspect alone wouldn't be difficult. 

But with Miwako Sato tagging along... 

"That won't do!" 

Miwako Sato immediately turned to Fujino, her expression one of responsibility, like an elder sister. "That suspect is armed." 

"Exactly." 

Inspector Jūzō Megure chimed in, "We'd be worried if you went alone, Fujino." 

"But if Officer Sato comes with me, won't she be recognized immediately?" 

"Hmm… Good point." 

Miwako Sato pondered for a moment. "Then I'll go undercover as a high school girl." 

"A high school girl?" 

Jūzō Megure's eyes lit up. "If you two pose as a couple, that would be even more convincing." 

"..." 

Fujino cast a strange look at Miwako Sato. 

He recalled that Miwako Sato was already 28 years old, right? 

Like Shizuka Hiratsuka, she was on the verge of hitting 30. 

Could she really pull off a high school girl disguise? 

At this moment, Jūzō Megure pulled out a walkie-talkie and issued orders to the undercover officers inside the venue: 

"Our target has two suspects. One will appear at Exit 18 shortly. Everyone, gather there." 

"The second suspect is the cameraman at Position 13. While we apprehend the first suspect, Sato and Fujino will take action and subdue the other one in secret." 

The orders were given, leaving Fujino with little choice but to comply. 

Despite Miwako Sato's commendable combat skills, in this situation, he felt it would have been better to act alone. 

Now, he was saddled with someone who might slow him down. 

But then again, this was the Japanese police—they wouldn't send a high school detective to face danger alone, even though he constantly outshined them. 

--- 

A few minutes later, outside the stadium's broadcasting van. 

"Fujino, you must be extra careful this time." 

Jūzō Megure handed a bulletproof vest to Fujino. "This vest can stop handgun rounds, but we can't be sure what kind of firearm the suspect has. If it's a high-caliber weapon, like a 7.62mm, it could penetrate the vest at close range." 

"Understood." 

Fujino nodded. "I'll avoid getting too close to the barrel." 

Jūzō Megure opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but eventually closed it. 

What he wanted to say was *don't be reckless*. 

"Is this a bulletproof vest?" 

Fujino examined the vest closely. 

This was his first time seeing a bulletproof vest in both his past and present lives. 

The vest was a sleeveless, black tactical design. "POLICE" was written on the chest in Velcro, and "Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department" was stenciled on the back. 

It looked decent, aesthetically speaking. 

As for its protective capability... 

As Jūzō Megure mentioned, while it could stop bullets, it wasn't designed for high-caliber rounds. 

Fujino wasn't relying on it for protection. 

The vest was more for appearances. He trusted his bulletproof suit to keep him safe. 

Even though its performance hadn't been tested yet, it should suffice. 

"Inspector Megure." 

At that moment, Wataru Takagi approached with a worried expression. "Are we really letting Fujino join this operation?" 

"The suspects are in very specific positions, and they might already know we're making a move. The only thing they don't know yet is that we've identified them." 

"We don't have many options... Fujino, being a high schooler who doesn't look like a cop, paired with Sato disguised as his classmate or girlfriend, will draw less suspicion." 

Jūzō Megure sighed. This operation's success hinged on not alerting the suspects. 

He couldn't let Fujino act alone—too risky. 

And sending two adult men together would be too obvious. 

Only one female officer could be selected... 

There were already very few female officers in the Criminal Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, and even fewer who could protect Fujino. 

This time, the only suitable one who came along was Miwako Sato. 

"But isn't the suspect armed?" 

Wataru Takagi paused, lowering his voice. "Even if she disguises herself as a student or something, isn't Sato-senpai a bit... unsuitable for the role because of her age?" 

"Takagi, what are you even saying?" 

Just then, a slightly displeased voice came from nearby. 

Fujino turned his head to see Miwako Sato walking toward them, now dressed in plain clothes. 

She was wearing what appeared to be Teitan High School's uniform, complete with long, golden wavy hair. 

To hide her age, she'd applied light makeup, giving her a youthful and lively appearance. 

Honestly, for a woman approaching thirty, dressing as a high school girl was surprisingly effective! 

At first glance, there wasn't much difference at all. In fact, Fujino couldn't help but feel a small "Conan-esque" shock at her transformation. 

Thinking this, Fujino turned toward Takagi and gave a mischievous smile. 

Poor guy—he'd unintentionally stepped on a saintly maiden's toes. 

After all, he'd been on the receiving end of her iron-fist justice more than a few times before. 

"So, Takagi," Miwako Sato said, narrowing her eyes at him with a trace of displeasure. "What exactly about my age is unsuitable?" 

"Uh... of course, nothing at all." 

Wataru Takagi scratched his head awkwardly. 

He glanced at Sato and, with a shy, boyish expression, said, "Sato-senpai, that outfit looks really good on you." 

"Yes, yes!" 

"It makes you look a lot younger, Officer Sato!" 

"I'd say Officer Sato is naturally youthful to begin with!" 

Several elementary school kids nearby nodded enthusiastically. 

"Ahem." 

Miwako Sato cleared her throat. 

Although the compliments about her youthfulness brightened her mood, being a 28-year-old woman dressing up as a teenager did feel a bit embarrassing. 

Still, this was all for the mission—there was no other choice. 

Yes, that's right. 

It's all for catching the criminal. 

Definitely not because of personal reasons. 

Taking a deep breath, Miwako Sato silently reassured herself. 

Then, lifting her gaze, she turned to Fujino to shift the topic. "Fujino-kun, that bulletproof vest suits you well." 

"Does it?" 

Fujino frowned slightly, glancing down at his outfit. 

On closer inspection... 

She wasn't wrong. 

He was wearing a white shirt underneath a bulletproof vest—a standard issue for the Major Crimes Unit. 

It did give off a certain *'Tiger of the Major Crimes Unit'* vibe. 

(End of Chapter)