Jirokichi Suzuki was relieved to see Heiji.
"Uncle, when did you and Heiji get so close? He's sick, don't bully him."
Sonoko eyed Jirokichi warily, holding Heiji's arm.
"What are you talking about? Why would I bully Heiji?" Jirokichi huffed.
"Sonoko! Kazuha!" Ran called out.
"Ran!"
"Ran!"
The three girls ran over and started chatting.
[Is that guy Hattori really sick?]
Conan looked at Heiji suspiciously.
[Great, that Hattori brat is sick. Now Consultant Suzuki will have to rely on me, the famous detective! Once I solve this, maybe I'll get a fancy car too.]
Conan rolled his eyes at Kogoro Mouri's day-dreaming.
"Consultant Suzuki, you can begin the speech," the museum director said.
"Right." Jirokichi nodded, then looked at Heiji. "Heiji, you're coming up with me. Sonoko, not this time."
"Uncle! Heiji is sick! Don't bully him!"
Sonoko didn't care about the speech, and she was happy to let her boyfriend take her place.
But she was worried about his health.
"It's fine, it'll just be a moment," Jirokichi waved his hand.
Heiji smiled at the two girls, but he was frustrated. I really shouldn't pretend to be sick ever again.
They stood on the stage, met by countless camera flashes.
"Consultant Suzuki, please, why is Mr. Hattori with you instead of Miss Sonoko?"
"Is the rumor true, that Mr. Hattori is Miss Sonoko's boyfriend?"
"When are they getting engaged?"
The reporters started firing questions.
Jirokichi's face darkened. "This is not a gossip column! If you don't want to report, you can leave!"
He roared, and the reporters fell silent.
They all knew Jirokichi got irritable when Kaitou Kid was involved.
Jirokichi looked at the reporters, satisfied. "As you know, we purchased Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' for 300 million dollars."
"Today, we are exhibiting it in this museum."
Clap, clap, clap...
"However, Kaitou Kid has sent a notice! And even the Night Baron plans to steal it."
"Today, I hope they come! So everyone can see their true faces!"
The hall was silent. This was Jirokichi's declaration of war.
"Consultant Suzuki, have you solved their riddles?" a reporter asked.
"The riddles? Of course. They were too easy," Jirokichi said seriously.
"Can you tell us what they mean?"
If they could find out the meaning, the trip wouldn't be a waste.
"That's a secret," Jirokichi shook his head.
"He knows?"
Kaito Kuroba scoffed. "If he knew, he wouldn't be holding this exhibition. He's bluffing again. What is that Heiji Hattori up to?"
[Does he really know?]
Conan frowned and looked at the heavy police presence.
[No... they definitely haven't solved it. Otherwise, they wouldn't need this much security. The 'Sunflowers' in there must be the real one.]
"Mr. Hattori, were you the one who solved it?"
"It was just luck," Heiji nodded.
Watching Heiji on TV, Kaito Kuroba stared at his expression.
"Damn it, I can't read him at all."
He was disappointed, but it also boosted his confidence. His calmness is just a cover. Heiji Hattori hasn't solved the riddles.
Heiji stood at the podium, his expression calm.
"Mr. Heiji, are you Miss Sonoko's boyfriend?" a reporter suddenly asked.
The three girls, who had been chatting, went quiet. Sonoko blushed.
Heiji looked at the reporter. "Yes."
Sonoko's head snapped toward Heiji, her eyes wide with surprise and joy.
Kazuha smiled and squeezed her hand.
"Sonoko, you..." Ran looked at her, shocked.
"Ran, I'll explain later," Kazuha said.
Heiji's answer sent a murmur through the crowd.
He ignored it and looked at Jirokichi. "Uncle, shouldn't we get started?"
Uncle???
This time, everyone was shocked, including Sonoko.
"Yes. Inspector Megure, Inspector Nakamori, the police side must be secure! This is a 300-million-dollar painting!"
Jirokichi yelled, as if afraid people didn't know.
"Don't worry, Consultant. We're more nervous than you are," Inspector Megure said with a sigh.
The museum doors opened, and the crowd of visitors began to buy tickets and enter.
The 'Sunflowers' was in the center of the main hall, inside a glass case, surrounded by a two-meter-high barrier.
Visitors could only see it through the glass.
The camera feed was shaky; you couldn't see the painting clearly on TV.
Kaito Kuroba's eyes lit up. It's a fake, just as I thought.
The exhibition was halfway through, but there was still no sign of Kid or the Night Baron.
"Mr. Hattori, maybe they aren't coming."
"Or maybe your deduction was wrong."
The reporters were getting disappointed.
Conan stared at Heiji, not moving an inch, his glasses flashing. The Night Baron won't be coming today.
Swoosh!
"When sin appears, the gentleman of the night will also appear under the hot sun."
"Light will be swallowed by darkness, and sin will not escape the Night Gentleman's grasp."
"It's the Night Baron! He's here!"
On the roof of the Chusei Art Museum, a blood-red figure stood, his cape looking even more striking in the daylight.
[It's really the Night Baron? That's impossible!]
Conan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Chain Mission Triggered. Second task: C-Rank Mission, eliminate Conan's suspicion."
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