"In other words, your actions and manner of speaking today revealed your intelligence and composure because you appeared too clever and calm, and you were too eager to save the kidnapped child."

Yoruichi Kuromon tilted his head to hold the phone between his fingers, used tweezers to remove the film from the drying rack, and then cut and framed it.

"So I'd like to ask Brother Heimen to make a phone call to her later in front of me and Xiaolan using the bow tie voice changer invented by the doctor."

Inside the Mouri Detective Agency, Conan sat in the restroom, holding the phone and scratching his head.

Haruya Kuromon glanced at the time: "But Shinichi, I have no idea what you and Ran usually talk about."

"I originally wanted to ask Professor Agasa for help, but he had an upset stomach last night and kept running to the bathroom. I'll teach you; you just need to say these few sentences..."

Ten minutes later, following Conan's instructions, Kuromon Haruya dialed the number for the Mouri Detective Agency from the phone booth.

"Hey, Xiaolan, long time no see."

Ran Mouri glanced at Conan, then carefully analyzed the voice on the phone, too shocked to speak: "Shinichi! Is it really you, Shinichi!"

What tone should I use for this next line? Kuromon Haruya was extremely troubled as she flipped through the lines in her memo.

"What? Xiaolan." He tried to add a hint of resentful jealousy to his tone. "Have you already forgotten my voice?"

"What a heartless guy."

A faint blush appeared on Ran Mouri's cheeks. She covered her chest, somewhat puzzled: Why is Shinichi speaking so gently today?

"No way! You've been gone for so many days without a word, you must have been so engrossed in the case that you didn't even remember me."

Conan: Oh no, I didn't explain how to respond to this kind of conversation! Kuromon, don't give yourself away!

"I... I kept you in mind even while I was solving the case."

"You still remember me? Shinichi, that die-hard detective fan, said he was thinking about me even while solving cases?" The blush that had been spreading across Ran's face instantly made her pause in thought for a moment.

Upon hearing no response from the other end, Kuromon Haruya immediately realized he had made a mistake and chose to run away.

"Ah, stop! The prisoner is trying to escape and there's no time to spare. Take care of Xiaolan."

"Wait, Shinichi! Shinichi! Seriously."

Hearing Ran Mouri hang up the phone, Conan casually approached to check on her. Looking up, he saw his previously annoyed childhood friend leaning against the window frame, gazing tenderly and nostalgically at the full moon.

Conan: Kuromon-kun, what exactly did you say to Ran?!

Meanwhile, Kuromon Haruya, having finally shaken off the arrogant and stubborn couple, arrived at the agreed-upon back entrance of the mall with a leather bag full of photos.

[To new buyer g: I've arrived, wearing a blue trench coat.]

To make a living from this identity, Kuromon Haruya would occasionally post the photos on her personal homepage to sell her work.

Initially, the organization mainly used alt accounts to buy and boost comments, but after several rounds of promotion, more and more bird enthusiasts or prisoners who happened to appear in the videos were willing to pay to buy the content, and unknowingly, they accumulated a considerable amount of popularity.

A few days ago, another new buyer contacted him, willing to pay a high price to buy his series of photos of crows.

A beep sounded on my phone, a new message from the buyer.

[We are behind you.]

Something was wrong; he hadn't heard any footsteps.

Kuromon Haruya put away her phone and slowly turned around to look.

A tall, slender figure stood in the night wind; the silver-haired man, dressed in black, cast a cold gaze.

Gin.

Unexpectedly, Gin was the first to find his trail. Kuromon Haruya lowered his eyes, calculating the process of his cleanup. As an executive he had personally trained, it was understandable that he would find out about the omissions in the cleanup.

“g…”

"Did you bring the photos as agreed?"

Gin glanced sideways at the brown paper bag he was holding, his expression devoid of any respect.

Huh, he hasn't noticed yet?

"You must be Mr. G. Here is the set of crow pictures you purchased. You can open it in person to confirm if you need it."

Haruya Kuromon withdrew the boss aura he had almost emitted, bowing and scraping like an ordinary person who had been frightened by Gin.

"Ah."

Gin took out the leather bag, checked the photos, and after confirming that everything was correct, he took out his phone to transfer the money.

"Well, then I'll be going now." Kuromon Haruya took a half step back, preparing to leave without looking back.

If we get caught, we'll have to go back to the organization. Who wants to work? The organization has Rum to work for us!

"Stop. We'll be sending you more filming assignments later. What's your name?"

"My name is Kuromon Haruya."

How about we knock Gin unconscious and brainwash him again, if I can still beat him now?

"Kurosawa Formation".

Gin casually left behind his real name, then turned and disappeared into the alley, leaving behind a bewildered Haruya Kuromon.

Did I get through it just like that?

Within the organization, only the boss, Gin, is a bird photography enthusiast. Why would Gin buy photos for no reason?

If Gin had accidentally captured another criminal clue, he wouldn't have chosen such a low-key method; he would have just blown me up!

*Beep beep.* A message has been transmitted from within the organization.

[The photographer you signed, Maekawa, was murdered two hours ago. He was a rising star photographer discovered by the organization (documents attached).]

From eldest son (Gin)]

Kuromon Haruya opened the attachment and, as expected, saw information about his own identity.

Gin, I misunderstood you!

Wait, who did he say died?

Haruya Kuromon had a strange, ominous premonition. He opened his phone and searched for information about "photographer Maekawa," and the first thing he saw were news photos of a car accident murder scene. (This character is a fictional, one-time NPC, not a main character!)

In the middle of the road, the wreckage of two cars that had collided head-on was engulfed in flames.

But that's not the point. Across the street from the accident scene, Conan and Ran are strolling hand in hand, with the words "Mouri Detective Agency" prominently displayed on the second-floor exterior glass of the building in the background.

"Mr. Maekawa, the photographer I admire most, who's always on his own dime to be a fan—"

An unheard lament lingered in her heart, like a bitter cry, a yearning, a sob, a lament.

Shinichi Kudo and Conan Edogawa, I'll remember you.

"Shinichi Kudo..."

Muttering the name of this source of all evil, Kuromon Haruya staggered back to the apartment entrance.

"Shinichi Kudo, one day I will..."

"Mr. Heimen?"

An indistinguishable voice came from behind. Kuromon Haruya turned around and saw the murderous-looking Fanzawa Masato.

Fanze Zhenren looked at the absent-minded Kuromon Yaoye with some apology:

I apologize, Mr. Kuromon. I'm so slow to realize the true meaning of what you meant by 'similar auras' now. I've been wary of comrades on the same side all along.

You despicable Shinichi Kudo, how many more hateful things have you done! Even a kind and gentle person like Mr. Kuromon harbors murderous intent towards you!

"Keep it up, we'll definitely take down Shinichi Kudo!"

After offering a word of encouragement, Masato Hanzawa closed the door, giving Haruya Kuromon some private space to devise a plan for revenge.

Haruya Kuromon: Th-thank you?

That night, Conan, who lived next door to the Mori family, felt two chills seeping through the blankets, and the next day he caught a cold and developed a fever.

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