Chapter 11: Yukiko's Arrest

"Where is Professor Agasa's house?"

"Beika Town, 2-chome, 22nd Block."

Perhaps it was due to the robber's guilt toward the victim.

Conan didn't dare speak a word in the car.

On the way to Professor Agasa's house, Shoichi also remained silent, maintaining a highly aloof persona.

"Get out of the car."

The lights were on at Professor Agasa's house, but when Conan pressed the doorbell, there was no response from within.

Conan frowned.

At this point in time, having just been captured by the Organization, the fact that no one was home at Agasa's was terrifying information.

Without hesitation, Conan began to climb over the wall.

Shoichi watched with an expressionless face as Conan used his short little legs to scale the wall.

"Trespassing is a crime that carries different levels of punishment depending on the severity of the circumstances; generally, one might face fines or imprisonment," Shoichi said, glancing at his watch. "It is currently night; if you trespass at night, the prison sentence might be longer."

Conan lowered his short little legs.

"I have a legitimate reason," he said weakly.

Shoichi glanced at Conan.

*This kid... he's actually just as good at exploiting legal loopholes as I am. No wonder he hasn't been caught for over a thousand episodes.*

Since Conan had a legitimate reason...

Under Conan's stunned gaze, Shoichi skillfully picked the lock to Professor Agasa's house.

"Let's go."

"Oh, okay." Conan nodded, and his short little legs were the first to step into the house.

"Why are you so skilled at lockpicking?" Conan asked, puzzled.

"I always tend to forget my keys, so being skilled at lockpicking is quite normal," Shoichi said solemnly.

Conan looked at Shoichi suspiciously.

*Is that normal?*

Shoichi looked at him and said, "Then why are you so skilled at climbing walls?"

"Ah, haha!" Conan rubbed his head. "I also frequently forget my keys, so I've become quite used to climbing walls."

The two shared a look of mutual sympathy before withdrawing their gazes.

*Everyone's reasons are perfectly normal.*

Entering the room, the two used identical cat-like steps to cautiously check for movement, looking like seasoned thieves.

Upon reaching the living room, they saw a fat man tied to a chair.

Beside the fat man, a handsome middle-aged man was also tied up.

As Conan walked in, the middle-aged man raised his head and shouted, "Shin... Conan! Run!"

Yukiko Kudo, disguised as Fumiyo Edogawa, stepped out holding a bomb detonator. She froze momentarily upon seeing an outsider.

*Shoichi Sumitomo?*

*Didn't Yusaku say he would explain things in two days? Why has he shown up already?*

*Should the act continue?*

Yukiko looked toward Yusaku Kudo, who also appeared somewhat bewildered.

Another unexpected situation had arisen.

If they continued the act, the secret that Conan was actually Shinichi would be exposed.

However, this was not a play they could simply stop on a whim.

At the moment Yukiko dithered, Conan's kicked soccer ball struck her squarely in the chest.

"Ah!"

Yukiko felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Conan was the type of person who, once gaining the upper hand, would press the attack relentlessly. The wicked member of the terrorist organization was promptly tied up by Conan using a pink rope handed to him by Shoichi.

After tying her up, Shoichi even went as far as to tie a bow on Yukiko's rope.

"One should use one's remaining courage to pursue the retreating enemy, rather than seeking fame by acting like a failed conqueror," Shoichi remarked, expressing his approval of Conan's relentless pursuit.

Conan scratched his head.

Despite the misunderstanding during their meeting, he felt the two of them were unexpectedly compatible.

"Wait a minute!"

The bound Yukiko tried to say something, but Shoichi handed his handkerchief to Conan, who naturally used it to gag Yukiko.

"Mmph! Mmph!"

Yukiko writhed on the floor like a maggot.

Tied to their chairs, Yusaku Kudo and Professor Agasa exchanged bewildered looks.

*This isn't in our script!*

Originally, their script dictated that Yusaku Kudo and Professor Agasa would die a heroic death in an explosion before Conan's eyes, after which Fumiyo Edogawa (played by Yukiko) would mock Shinichi harshly.

This was meant to remind Shinichi to remain vigilant in the face of danger and to help him refine his strategy against the Organization.

But now, through a series of twists and turns, the story hadn't even ended with Shinichi being taken to the police station; instead, Yukiko had been captured by Shinichi.

Even after Conan untied Yusaku Kudo, the man couldn't think of an excuse.

"Hand this person over to the police. We must strike hard against such criminals," Shoichi said.

"No!" the Kudo father and son shouted in unison.

After shouting, Conan hesitated.

Previously, he hadn't told the police because the chain of evidence was insufficient, and he feared the Organization would notice his identity and retaliate against those close to him.

Now, those concerns seemed to have vanished.

"Taking her to the police station might work too," Conan said, scratching his scalp.

Yusaku Kudo looked into his wife's eyes.

He realized that the fury in Yukiko's gaze could no longer be hidden.

Being struck and captured by her own son was too heavy a blow for a mother to bear; she desperately needed to make her son feel the weight of her "maternal love."

But what about Shoichi?

With an outsider present, they couldn't exactly reveal Shinichi's identity.

Shoichi looked at Yusaku Kudo. "Do you have a problem?"

"No," Yusaku Kudo shook his head.

To protect his son's identity, he would have to let Yukiko suffer a little.

It was just a trip to the police station. Given his friendship with Inspector Megure, a little explanation would make it easy enough for Yukiko to walk out of the station after a quick tour.

"Mmph! Mmph!"

Yukiko reacted violently, appearing very dissatisfied with her husband's decision.

Shoichi nodded and said to Yusaku Kudo, "Don't worry. Given your relationship with my father, I will certainly put in a word with the police and the prison. I'll make sure this criminal who kidnapped you is well taken care of."

Yusaku Kudo fell silent. There was no need to go that far.

"Mmph~"

Yukiko was still struggling.

"Actually, didn't I tell you that Conan and I were playing a game?" Yusaku Kudo said.

"Oh? What kind of game?" Shoichi asked, raising an eyebrow.

...

The Sumitomo Villa.

Ai was practicing cutting fruit with a fruit knife.

She would use this knife to avenge her sister and eliminate the killer who took her life!

*Slash—*

The watermelon was split in two, and bright red juice splashed onto Ai's face.

She didn't care. She picked up a piece of watermelon and stuffed it into her mouth. Her teeth turned a vivid red, save for a single black watermelon seed stuck to them.

Yuko watched Ai cutting fruit with a smile.

*What a lovely and grateful little girl.*

*After being rescued by Mr. Shoichi, she is practicing cutting fruit so hard; she must be doing it so she can serve it to him.*

She secretly took a photo of Ai.

*I must let Mr. Shoichi see this hardworking side of her.*

(End of Chapter)