However, the reporter still didn't understand.
"Are there any other questions? If not, please let Consultant Suzuki continue."
To Heiji, the reporter was just a sideshow, not worth his interest.
"Mr. Hattori, one last question. Consultant Suzuki invited you to protect the 'Sunflowers.' What is your plan?" the reporter of Japanese descent asked.
"Hmph! How could he have a plan? Last time was probably just luck."
The other reporter had looked up the "B" joke. When he realized it meant "Baka" (idiot), he started to hate Heiji.
Heiji smiled. "I do have a plan, but I can't tell you. Otherwise, the Night Baron and Kaitou Kid would find out."
The other reporters chuckled. They didn't expect him to tell them anyway.
"Putting on airs. It seems the so-called 'Modern Holmes' is just a fraud," the insulted reporter sneered.
Jirokichi Suzuki glanced at Heiji but didn't defend him.
A truly capable man never needs help.
Heiji understood why Jirokichi was looking at him. He smiled. "Sir, let's make a bet."
It's just a clown, but I guess this counts as a warm-up.
"A bet?" The reporter's eyes lit up. "Bet on what? How?"
"Let's bet on whether Kaitou Kid or the Night Baron will come today."
Heiji's expression was calm, his eyes full of confidence.
"Fine. What are the stakes?" the reporter gritted his teeth.
"If you win, I'll give you my plan as an exclusive. If I win, you just have to look at the camera and say, 'I am a Baka.'"
Heiji's words caused a commotion. Everyone watching, both in the room and on TV, gained a new understanding of Heiji Hattori: This high school detective is not a nice guy.
"Fine, I'll take that bet."
The reporter agreed. If he could get Heiji's exclusive, his status at the newspaper would jump.
"Alright. I bet that Kaitou Kid and the Night Baron will not dare to come," Heiji chose first.
"Wait." The reporter looked suspicious. "Why do you get to choose first?"
Heiji paused and raised an eyebrow. "Fine. You choose first."
"I bet that Kaitou Kid or the Night Baron will come," the reporter said, choosing the opposite.
"Okay. My choice remains the same," Heiji replied.
"What are you trying to pull now?"
Heiji frowned, looking annoyed.
The reporter's face was uncertain. He looked around. There are cameras and security everywhere... this is just a press conference. The thieves have no reason to risk coming here. And given Hattori's expression...
His face grew confident. "I'm changing my bet. I bet..."
This time, Heiji cut him off.
A flicker of panic crossed Heiji's eyes. "Sir, this is your last chance. You'd better be sure. No changing your mind again."
"Hmph. I bet that Kaitou Kid or the Night Baron will not come!"
Seeing the hidden panic in Heiji's eyes, the reporter was more confident than ever.
"That idiot. He was played by that Hattori brat," Kogoro suddenly muttered.
Conan looked at Kogoro, surprised. The uncle actually saw through it?
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Ran asked.
But no one answered her.
At Professor Agasa's house.
"Ai, are you saying Heiji did that on purpose?" the Professor asked.
"Yes. It's a method of using micro-expressions to confuse an opponent."
"The requirements are high. You need the opponent to be watching you closely."
"You use your own expressions to lead them into a trap without them even knowing," Ai explained coolly.
"Heiji thought of all that in such a short time? Amazing," the Professor said.
Ai didn't reply. She just tilted her head slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes as she watched Heiji on TV.
Kaito Kuroba, who was eating, froze, staring at the screen. Did that guy see through my plan again?
In the Suzuki Villa.
Kazuha and Sonoko were holding hands, staring nervously at the screen.
Back at the conference, Heiji's panic vanished, replaced by a calm expression.
"Sir, I hope you don't regret this."
The sudden change made the reporter's heart jump, but he quickly calmed down. "I won't. Now, Mr. Hattori, isn't it time for Kaitou Kid to appear?"
All eyes focused on Heiji, waiting for his answer.
Heiji looked up at the reporter. "Mr. Kaitou Kid, you've been listening long enough. Isn't it time you showed yourself?"
Everyone immediately turned to the reporter. "He's Kaitou Kid?"
"So it was him! No wonder he was antagonizing Mr. Hattori!"
"Kaitou Kid, stop hiding! You're exposed!"
Everyone surrounded the reporter, cameras pointed, waiting for the reveal.
"You're mistaken! I'm not Kaitou Kid! He's wrong!"
The reporter's face drained of color as he frantically denied it.
But no one believed him.
"Kaitou Kid! How dare you slip up in front of me! I won't let you escape!" Jirokichi Suzuki shouted.
All the security guards began to close in.
"It's really not me! Heiji Hattori, are you that sore of a loser?" the reporter roared.
Heiji sighed. "Consultant Suzuki, he's not Kaitou Kid."
Everyone froze.
"Then why were you looking at him?" Jirokichi snapped.
Heiji shook his head. "Mr. Kid, disguised as a security guard... aren't you tired of standing behind that reporter?"
"A security guard?"
Everyone paused.
"Brilliant, detective. You found me out after all."
A figure, his face hidden by the brim of his cap, stood quietly by a pillar. The voice came from him.
"It really is Kaitou Kid! He's here!"
Flash! Flash! Flash!
The cameras went wild. The reporters were ecstatic.
"It seems everyone is very excited to see me. In that case, I'll set off a firework to celebrate."
Firework?
Suddenly, the "Kaitou Kid" dummy began to expand, making a strange noise.
"A bomb! It's going to explode!"
Someone screamed, and the entire venue erupted in panic.
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