Chapter 25: Pity, no more kicking down security doors with a single strike.

Karasawa took the photograph from the girl’s hand and cast a sidelong glance at Conan, who was repeatedly peering toward the floor above.

"I’m not, I didn’t!" Conan widened his eyes, mouthing the words frantically.

Karasawa kept his gaze fixed on him for a few seconds—a look of condemnation one might reserve for a scoundrel—and only stopped teasing when he saw beads of sweat forming on Conan’s forehead. He waved a hand toward the stairs. "I don’t recall him mentioning that he was seeing anyone... Why don’t you go downstairs and have a seat in the café for a moment? I’ll give him a call and ask. Oh, right, Conan, take this."

Karasawa handed over a gift box containing a folding fan and gestured toward the detective agency. "Could you pass this gift to Miss Mouri for me? I still have to take you to buy those books today, so we’ll meet at the shop after you’ve delivered it."

Conan understood the hint immediately. His eyes lit up, and he grabbed the box, shouting "Got it!" before scrambling up the stairs as if fleeing for his life.

Karasawa smiled, gentlemanly motioning for the lady to go first, and followed her down the stairs.

Having heard the young woman claim to be Kudo Shinichi’s girlfriend, Karasawa knew exactly what was happening.

The younger brother of a soccer player named Hideo Akagi had been kidnapped. The perpetrator was threatening Hideo, demanding that he throw the upcoming match. If they called the police or sought help from a detective, the kidnapper threatened to kill the boy.

Afraid to alert the culprit but desperate to find someone who could help rescue the child, the girl had taken a photo of Kudo Shinichi, claimed to be his girlfriend, and visited places he frequented. She hoped that if word reached Kudo Shinichi, he would contact her, giving her a chance to beg for his help.

By some twist of fate, she had struck a vital nerve, directly triggering Ran Mouri, who had been growing anxious and irritable from not seeing him for days. In a fit of jealousy, Ran had embarked on a crusade—or rather, a search—for Kudo Shinichi, culminating in her legendary feat of kicking an anti-theft door so hard it blew the frame right out of the wall.

Since no one had been hurt—save for the poor door—Karasawa would have actually enjoyed the spectacle, had Conan not stepped in to intervene.

The two sat at a table outside the café. While waiting for Conan to join them, Karasawa started a conversation: "May I ask your name? I’ll write him a message first." He pulled out his phone and pretended to compose an email.

"I—I’m Ryoko Akagi," she replied, her head hanging low, lacking confidence. "Um, we’ve been dating for a while... You can reach him, right? Could you please ask him to meet me?"

Meeting Karasawa had brought Ryoko a sense of relief. She wasn't sure if the perpetrator was monitoring her, and she hadn't anticipated that the places where Kudo Shinichi was rumored to frequent included a detective agency. If the perpetrator thought she was seeking help from such a place, the consequences would be unthinkable.

"Ryoko Akagi... Judging by your uniform, you aren't a student at Teitan High. How did you meet Kudo?" Karasawa tapped on his phone, continuing the conversation as if it were casual.

"I’m a first-year at Beika High. Well, we met by chance..." Ryoko stared nervously at Karasawa’s phone, speaking in staccato bursts. "Just tell him I have an urgent matter to discuss with him."

"Done, I’ve sent it." Karasawa pressed the send key. He had sent a message to Conan: *This girl is Ryoko Akagi. I think she’s in trouble—looks like a personal threat, very urgent. Get down here quickly.*

Within two seconds, the reply came through.

"He says he understands and will be here as soon as possible." No sooner had he spoken than the sound of rhythmic thumping echoed from the staircase. Conan, carrying his small bag, hurried down, his short legs pumping as he ran to Karasawa’s side.

Karasawa took the opportunity to ruffle Conan’s hair. Ignoring the boy’s indignant glare, he stood up and said to Ryoko, "Alright, the person I was waiting for has arrived. Would you like to wait here, or would you prefer to walk with us?"

The bright sunlight turned Karasawa’s eyes into the clear blue of a cloudless sky. His light-colored irises gave his gaze a piercing quality. Under his insightful scrutiny, Ryoko tightened her grip on her hands, sensing that Karasawa had guessed the truth or that the email had contained something significant.

The child from earlier was right; Kudo Shinichi’s friends were truly formidable.

She gritted her teeth, stood up, and bowed to Karasawa. "Then I’ll leave it to you."

Conan, still in the dark, looked left and right before grabbing the cuff of Karasawa’s trench coat, following the two like an accessory.

"My, Karasawa-kun is quite the charmer," Azusa Enomoto said, watching them walk away through the floor-to-ceiling windows with an ambiguous smile. "He’s only been here a few days and he’s already made friends with such a cute girl."

"Indeed, he’s making friends," Rei Furuya remarked, raising an eyebrow at the trio’s retreating backs, though his gaze was fixed on the small figure of Conan.

He didn't think Karasawa was the type to chase after women. Especially constrained by his status as a juvenile delinquent, Karasawa never initiated contact with anyone unless it was Sonoko Suzuki—who approached him first—or Ran Mouri in tow. He hadn't expected him to get close to the kid upstairs so quickly.

Perhaps Karasawa was unexpectedly popular with children?

After a moment’s thought, Furuya dismissed the idea of tailing them.

Although that bastard Rye was likely lurking in the vicinity, as long as Karasawa wasn't alone, he wouldn't dare make a move; it would be too easy to cause a scene.

Tsk. Besides, he had new work to finish. He needed to collect news reports on the case Karasawa was involved in yesterday to ensure Karasawa wasn't mentioned in any of them.

Ever since he started at this café, the workload had only been increasing...

***

"What exactly happened, Miss Ryoko Akagi?" walking side-by-side with her, Karasawa asked softly. "You don’t even have Kudo’s contact information, and he has never mentioned you to us. He isn't the type to be so irresponsible. You don’t really know him, do you?"

Conan, clutching Karasawa’s trench coat sleeve, froze. He looked at Karasawa with a hint of gratitude; he hadn't expected such a high assessment.

*Don’t get ahead of yourself, this is deduction, not a compliment.* Karasawa silently reached out and flicked his forehead.

Ryoko looked around to ensure no one was listening. Finally unable to contain her emotions, her eyes welled up with tears. "Please, follow me. I—I didn't mean to deceive you. I’m just so desperate. The match has already started. I want to beg you, and Kudo Shinichi, please save Mamoru. Please help Hideo!"

Ryoko led them toward the Akagi residence, pulling a letter from her bag.

*"Your brother is in our hands.*
*If you want him to return home safely, you must lose this match.*
*Do not intentionally miss the game, and do not notify the police or any private detectives.*
*Otherwise, your brother will lose his life."*

"I went to cook for Mamoru this morning, but I found he wasn't home. Then I saw this fax." Ryoko choked back her tears, her voice trembling. "Mamoru’s brother is Hideo Akagi..."

"Hideo Akagi!" Conan, a soccer fan, responded immediately. "The 'God-Legged Hero' from the Tokyo Big Spirits?"