Phantom Thief of Heart!but conan

Chapter 1112: Excellent Popularity
"Are you feeling sorry for her, or do you simply not want to see another unfortunate person like her?"

Tang Ze's questions about Vermouth's feelings were very direct.

Curacao may not have a very strong meaning at this stage, but in his next plan, Curacao also has its own role.

It would be helpful to understand Vermouth's true thoughts on Curacao.

“Regret?” Vermouth was amused by his choice of words. “What an interesting way of putting it. I thought the prerequisite for using this word was that there must be at least some difference in status and position.”

"Don't you count it?" Tang Ze asked back, "I'm not saying that your status is high, but..."

"It was because her status was too low at the time?" Vermouth tilted her head. "You know, standing inside or outside, or whether she's enclosed in glass or not, it makes no difference to us."

Tang Ze tapped the leather surface of the steering wheel with his fingertips, agreeing with her statement.

He was not the real Hayato Tsuchiguchi, so naturally he did not have similar experiences to hers. But just through the information left by his parents and what he had seen and heard in the organization during his long time as Kumail, combined with Haibara Ai's descriptions which were sometimes told frankly and sometimes kept secret, he could roughly understand what Vermouth meant.

As previously speculated, Vermouth is most likely a descendant of Karasuma Renya, but she was probably not born naturally, and the purpose of her birth was not to continue her bloodline or life, but because the Karasuma family, which had difficulty in having offspring, could not find a suitable direct bloodline to test the effects of APTX, so she was born as a "custom-made guinea pig."

This part contains some information from Toru Amuro. Overall, her situation is indeed very different from that of the normal successor or descendant of an organization boss, so a large part of her self-deprecation is true.

"...So what kind of ending do you hope for Curacao?" Out of temptation and also because he wanted to get to the bottom of Vermouth's mentality, Tang Ze asked a question that seemed to be irrelevant.

Vermouth took out a slender women's cigarette from the cigarette box in her handbag, and raised her eyelids when she heard the words.

In order to make cycling easier, she didn't wear heavy makeup today. She looked exceptionally young and beautiful no matter how you looked at her. Her face didn't look her age at all. Without eye makeup, she even looked a little younger.

Vermouth more or less understood what Kumail meant.

If Kumail didn't think that Curacao was really not dead, he would not have given Gin that answer, nor would he have asked her what she thought of Curacao.

Curacao is a special killer carefully trained by the organization. Even if he has no memory, he may be able to survive such a dangerous car accident just by relying on the muscle memory acquired through training.

Kumail asked this because he wanted to know Curacao's true status and situation in the organization, and wanted to consult her opinion on how to deal with this issue.

Vermouth pulled out a lighter and watched the flames ignite in the darkness, illuminating her fingertips.

"I hope she never comes back." Finally, Vermouth answered in a low voice, as if mumbling, "Living as a child, knowing nothing, in an unknown place, or leaving here forever, forever..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"It sounds quite kind," Tang Ze concluded.

"Akai Shuichi is dead?"

However, Toru Amuro's focus was not on what Tang Ze said. Instead, he put down the cup in his hand and looked at Tang Ze's expression subtly with an extremely suspicious look.

It was almost closing time, and the only people left in Polo Cafe were Toru Amuro, who was still cleaning up at the bar, and the "native" Karasawa.

Naturally, the two of them had no reservations when discussing.

Gin didn't let him participate in this incident from beginning to end.

It's hard to say whether this is due to organizational intrigue, or Gin feels that Kumail alone is troublesome enough without the need for more gunpowder to increase the damage, or perhaps it's difficult to avoid problems with Rum when Curacao is involved...

In short, Bourbon was excluded from the incident throughout this time.

Even though Gin knew that since he had mobilized Kumail, this matter would most likely reach Bourbon's ears eventually, Gin still did it.

"...dead." Tang Ze blinked his eyes and answered calmly without changing his expression.

The corner of Amuro Toru's mouth twitched.

He is now accustomed to looking beyond the surface to the essence. For example, he completely ignores Tang Ze's emotions and expressions and only considers whether his words are true or false.

If you take Tang Ze's external performance seriously, it is hard to say whether what awaits you next is a cake or a trap.

As long as you know Tang Ze’s true identity, you will naturally know how incredible this sentence is.

"Impossible. He's not that easy to kill." Amuro Toru threw the white cloth he was using to clean the cup back into the sink and made his judgment, "Even if he's really dead..."

"Even if he is really dead?" Tang Ze pretended to be stupid. Not only did he not respond, he also repeated it.

"...Then I will go visit him." Amuro Toru narrowed his eyes, his expression very subtle.

There is also a precedent of Tang Ze bringing back a dead person.

Shuichi Akai, no matter from which angle you consider it, there is no way that Tang Ze would sit idly by and watch him die right before his eyes.

Ignoring the relationship between the two of them, since Shuichi Akai had been undercover in the organization for so long, even for reasons of position, Tang Ze would definitely want to help him.

Rena Mizunashi is an example.

She used to be a CIA agent and paid a huge price to survive in the organization. Because of this price, her position cannot be shaken and she is not someone who can be easily contaminated by the organization.

If it weren't for this consideration, there would be no need for Tang Ze to get involved in her affairs.

After all, Tang Ze's own path is much higher and more stable than that of Mizunashi Rena...

In response to Toru Amuro's highly emotional answer, Tang Ze smiled and made a cross in front of his mouth.

"In short, it's better for you to just treat him as dead." Tang Ze could only answer euphemistically.

Of course, Shuichi Akai certainly knew that this matter could not be hidden from Karasawa, and Karasawa even provided some help in disguise, including helping them create the situation, using his identity as a troublemaker to divert Gin's attention, rationalizing some of Rena Mizunashi's emotions, etc., but this plan was ultimately a joint effort of Conan and Shuichi Akai.

From beginning to end, the other party never came to consult Tang Ze, so Tang Ze assumed that the other party felt that there was no need for him to know about this matter.

Well, I don't understand, but I respect.

Anyway, we will be neighbors if we move here, so just move if you want.

Moreover, this situation aligns well with our upcoming needs. "You want me to... cause some trouble?" Amuro Tooru, understanding Tang Ze's meaning, quickly turned serious. "What, is there something you can do about it?"

"Of course."

Grabbing the coffee cup on the table, Tang Ze shook it under the light.

The slightly layered coffee liquid and milk were mixed again during the shaking, and the color was adjusted back to a mild and moderate level.

"Curaçao has caused Rum a great loss. As one side gains, the other loses, and he will soon be cornered. He cannot afford to lose the power he holds, nor can he lose the support of the organization. He will not tolerate a junior replacing him."

"And then?" Amuro Toru observed Tang Ze's expression and sensed a hidden meaning in his words. "When things get to that point, it's time to fight to the bitter end. After all, he's the second-in-command of the organization."

A lean camel is bigger than a horse. Not only Rum himself, but even his parents are inseparable from the organization.

It is impossible that he has no personal channels and resources at his disposal. It is a very risky move to fall out with him.

"Yes. Then, he can only find his own way out..."

Then he crawled into the bag that had been designed for him.

Without saying the second half of the sentence, Tang Ze just smiled and raised his glass, clinking it ceremoniously with the empty glass that Amuro Toru placed on the table.

It was as if what he was holding in his hand was not coffee with four sugars in it, but fine wine to celebrate victory.

"I'll make his exit exciting enough."

Amuro Toru watched his actions, making no attempt to cooperate. He simply wiped the damaged glass again. Helplessly but not too surprised, he asked, "What's this plan you can't tell me?"

"Not really. It's just that I probably don't need anyone's help. The current plan can handle it well." Tang Ze finished the last bit of coffee and shrugged. "Just think of it as a little surprise."

"I don't like finding coins in cookies." For someone who always has so many ideas, Amuro Toru could only express his resistance to so-called surprises and then helplessly replied, "It's a good thing to have such confidence."

What to do? Now that things have come to this, no amount of rebuttal can change Tang Ze's mind.

Rather than trying to predict what this overactive brain would do, it's better to deal with the problem at hand.

"Rather than worrying about something so far away, it's better to think about how to go crazy and show that you don't believe Akai Shuichi's death. That would be more convincing... For example, how about finding an excuse to overturn Rum's bed?"

"Huh? What do you mean...wait, is Rum in the hospital?"

"Maybe she's lying next to Reina Mizunashi. Hey, Miss Mizunashi has been accompanied by colleagues during her two hospital stays. She must be very popular in the organization, right?"

"..."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Is this edible?"

"Of course, it's placed here for you to eat."

"Oh, okay, thank you..."

After persuading Curacao, who was sitting there obediently, to eat something, Miyano Akemi confirmed again that she was in good condition, her eyes were clear, and there was still no sign of memory recovery, before she left her room.

As soon as she walked out the door, she saw Teru Hoshikawa standing on the other side of the corridor, seemingly observing the door of the room on this side, wary of something.

"Hiroshikawa?" Miyano Akemi, who had guessed his thoughts after studying his expression for a moment, smiled helplessly. "Her memory has regressed to her childhood. She's not threatening at all. There's no need to be like this."

Bringing Curacao directly back to the Phantom Thieves' base would definitely be a reasonable decision.

If there is any place in this world where one can absolutely avoid the organization's investigation, this is definitely one of them.

Vermouth came here in person and was completely misled into another space. She walked in without noticing and left without noticing. To say that there is anyone else who can see through this place is too much of an underestimation of the ability of Noah's Ark.

The Noah's Ark, which was raised little by little by Tang Ze, has changed more than just its appearance.

Noah's Ark's ability to feel emotions and understand human power gradually deepens as he gains deeper control and understanding of the Internet, as well as as few people set foot in it, but there are always a few visitors, and occasionally as lucky ones who are not sent to change their hearts but are thrown in to play games.

If we were to play the holographic game of Cocoon again now, even Tang Ze, without relying on plug-ins, would find it difficult to see through its essence.

Curacao can stay here safely until Tangze is ready to let her participate in the next arrangements. The stable environment will not easily stimulate her to have any relapses or changes.

"It's hard to say." Hearing Miyano Akemi's words, Hoshikawa Teru's tense expression didn't relax. "Her memory hasn't suffered any serious damage. As long as she encounters some stimulation again, she may recover."

"Once she recovers, she will recognize Tang Ze as her ally. It's okay, right?" Miyano Akemi patted his folded arms.

"It would be great if she could really recover completely." Xingchuan Hui just shook his head. "If she is the same as now, and her memory has only recovered to a certain age..."

The current Curacao, or Sonya, has memories of the time when she was just selected and taken away by the organization.

Judging from Sonya's behavior, she may be similar to Teru Hoshikawa and his mother. She may be a homeless child whose origins cannot be found, who lacks a stable environment for living and growing, and has no place to live.

People with this kind of background are most likely to disappear silently on the edge of the city. Even if they are in a big city like Tokyo, they are just shadows of the city and passers-by in this world.

It is natural for her to feel grateful and happy about the organization's selection, but this little joy will soon be crushed by the heavy reality.

"As long as she recovers a little bit of her memory, in a year or two, no, maybe it won't take that long, a month or two, or even a day or two, she'll remember what she went through." Xingchuan Teru's expression was very gloomy, his eyes slightly obscured by his bangs, dark and gloomy. "Then she'll be full of aggressiveness and refuse to trust anyone."

Some of those trainings and experiments were not that difficult, but some were extremely painful.

In this process, even the most ignorant child will quickly realize a fact.

——I am not treated as a human being.

"That's okay." Miyano Akemi patted his tense arm again and said something a little coldly, "No matter how aggressive a child is, they're still just children. Isn't that why the organization chooses people this way?"

(End of this chapter)