Hugo continued to explain.
"Mockingbird is a rather special phantom thief organization. They don't act for personal gain, but rather uphold a philosophy of "the world for all."
They believe this world is full of injustice, with wealth overly concentrated in the hands of a few powerful families.
A senator's son will be a senator, a banker's son will be a banker, and the plight of the common people will never improve.
Therefore, their code of conduct is to rob the rich and help the poor.
They take the dusty wealth from those powerful families and, through various anonymous channels, redistribute it to the truly needy in the lower classes.
Their actions are secretive and their plans meticulous. They have toyed with many prominent European families and highly secured museums, treating the treasuries of the rich as their own backyards.
To some extent, they cause more headaches for the wealthy than Kaito Kid, who pursues elaborate performances."
"Robbing the rich to help the poor?!"
Sonoko's eyes sparkled even more after hearing this.
"Wow! How romantic! How cool! It feels just like Robin Hood! Are there also dashing and handsome phantom gentlemen like Kaitou Kid in Mockingbird?"
Her crush list instantly gained another member.
Ran, beside her, couldn't help but sigh and comment, "Hey, hey, Sonoko, snap out of it.
Right now, there are two groups of phantom thieves, simultaneously eyeing your family's black star! One is Kaitou Kid, and the other is Mockingbird. Your family's security pressure has doubled, okay? Why are you still so excited?"
Sonoko waved her hand dismissively, her face full of longing.
"Oh, Ran, you don't understand! Kaitou Kid always returns what he steals in the end, it's like a magnificent magic show!
And Mockingbird steals to help the poor, what a noble spirit of chivalry!
The black star is just a stone after all, if it's lost, it's lost.
No matter if Kaito Kid successfully performs his magic, or if Mockingbird sells the gem to help those in need, I think it's—super—cool!"
She cupped her face in her hands, a rosy blush of enchantment on her cheeks, completely lost in her romantic fantasy.
Seeing Sonoko's infatuated expression, Conan couldn't help but give her a half-moon eye and retort.
"Sonoko-Neechan, you haven't even met Kaito Kid or any members of Mockingbird, how can you unilaterally assume they're all handsome?
The last time Kaito Kid appeared was 20 years ago, so he must be over 40 by now, I think it's more likely he's an overweight uncle."
"Shut up, you brat!"
Sonoko gritted her teeth and punched Conan on the head, leaving a large bump.
"You're just as annoying as that deduction maniac Kudo Shinichi! Always saying such mood-killing things. Sometimes I even suspect you're Kudo Shinichi who's turned back into a child.
Why can't Kaito Kid be handsome? Maybe there are two Kaito Kids, and the current Kaito Kid is the son of the Kaitou Kid from 20 years ago?"
Sonoko clasped her hands in a prayer-like gesture to her chest, beginning her fantasy.
"If that's the case, maybe the current Kaitou Kid and I are the same age."
Conan silently rolled his eyes, despising Sonoko's infatuation in his heart.
Sonoko then looked at Hugo, asking curiously.
"Willard-San, have you met any members of Mockingbird? Are there any phantom gentlemen among them? Are they handsome?"
Hugo was startled by Sonoko's excited expression, feeling a misconception of a celebrity being discovered by a fervent fan.
He offered an awkward yet polite smile.
"Indeed, there are male members in Mockingbird. As for their handsomeness, they are probably about as handsome as I am."
"Yay!"
Sonoko clenched her right fist, becoming even more excited.
"I'll call my sister right away and tell her Willard-San deduction so she can prepare.
We won't go to Beika Museum now. Let's go to the rooftop of Beika City Hotel tonight to wait for Kaito Kid!"
...April 1st, early morning, Beika City Hotel rooftop terrace.
Under the night wind.
Rin, Hugo, Mouri Ran, Suzuki Sonoko, and Conan were gathered around a small table that had been temporarily brought up, playing Ludo by the light of an emergency lamp and flashlights.
"Yes! Another 6! My plane is taking off!" Sonoko excitedly rolled the dice, directing her red piece forward.
Ran sighed helplessly, "Sonoko, do we really have to play Ludo in this kind of place, at this time? It's so cold…" She pulled her jacket tighter.
"Of course we have to play."
Sonoko said righteously, "Otherwise, waiting around is so boring! According to Kaitou Kid's Preview, he won't appear until at least after 12:30 AM, and it's just past midnight now.
Of course, we need to balance work and rest, and conserve our energy while waiting for Kaitou Kid's grand entrance!"
As she spoke, she looked expectantly at Hugo, hoping he would agree with her.
"Am I right, Willard-San?"
Hugo smiled slightly, elegantly rolling his dice.
"Indeed, before waiting for an artistic performance, appropriate relaxation helps one appreciate it better. Besides, an April Fool's night should inherently have some unique charm."
His blue piece landed steadily on a certain square.
Conan, on the other hand, was full of vigilance, constantly scanning the dark corners around them and the entrance leading downstairs.
Kaitou Kid's announced location was here. Inspector Nakamori, to prevent being lured away, left most of the police force guarding Beika Museum.
He personally led the remaining police force to ambush downstairs.
After some more time passed.
Ran yawned, rubbing her eyes:
"Ah~ I'm so sleepy. I say, could it be that Kaito Kid saw so many of us playing Ludo here and got scared to come? Or, was that Preview simply an April Fool's joke?"
"No way!"
Sonoko immediately retorted, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on,
"Kaito Kid is a man of his word, his Notice has never been wrong. If he says he's coming, he'll definitely come!
And he'll surely make the coolest entrance! Maybe…"
She cupped her face in her hands, lost in fantasy,
"He'll be like an angel, riding the moonlight, draped in a pure white cape, elegantly descending before us…"
Just then.
A magnetic voice rang out.
"This lady is correct, Kaito Kid never breaks a promise."
Everyone suddenly looked up.
On the edge of the rooftop, at the tip of the highest lightning rod, a white figure had quietly appeared at some unknown moment.
A pure white top hat and a pure white cape fluttered in the strong night wind.
A monocle reflected the moonlight, and a confident smile played on his lips.
It was Kaito Kid!
"Waaahhh—!!! Kaitou Kid!!!"
Sonoko let out a fangirl scream.
Conan tensed his body, adjusting his Power-Kick Shoes to optimal status, ready at any moment to kick out the empty can in front of him.
Hugo remained seated steadily, his gaze towards Kaito Kid like someone watching the opening of a stage play.
Kaito Kid bowed slightly, about to deliver his opening lines as the prelude to his magic.
But suddenly, an unexpected change occurred!
A magnificently designed purple parasol, with gems inlaid in its handle and a bird pattern on its canopy, spun at high speed and crashed into Kaitou Kid.