This was the first time Heiji had heard of a chain mission.
[System, what's a chain mission?]
Heiji asked in his mind.
"A chain mission refers to several linked tasks. They may not be in order, and may not be related."
"But if one task fails, the entire chain mission fails. The resulting Sin Value will be the sum of all failed tasks. Host, please proceed with caution."
The system's voice was as cold and metallic as ever.
Heiji's face darkened. This is a trap. Any single failure causes the whole thing to fail? Is this designed to screw me over?
"Heiji? What's wrong?"
Kazuha noticed his expression and sat down next to him, concerned.
"It's nothing. I probably just caught a cold," Heiji said.
"You definitely caught a cold at the ski resort. I told you not to show off," Kazuha rolled her eyes, but she was worried.
Heiji smiled. A misunderstanding was fine.
"I'll get it!"
The phone rang, and Kazuha went to answer it.
"Sonoko? Yeah, he's here. Okay, I'll get him."
Footsteps.
"Heiji, Sonoko's on the phone for you."
[Sonoko?]
Heiji went to the phone. "Hello, it's me."
"Heiji, have you missed me?"
Sonoko's voice was excited and sweet.
"Stop joking. Why didn't you call my cell?"
Heiji smiled. Sonoko was the opposite of Kazuha; she was very expressive.
"Hmph, I called it several times, but you didn't pick up. I figured you didn't have it on you, so I called the house."
Heiji paused, then laughed. "My mistake. What's up, Miss Sonoko?"
Hearing his voice, Sonoko felt very happy.
"Heiji, Uncle Jirokichi wants to invite you to join the 'Sunflowers' security team."
Heiji was stunned.
"It's mainly to see through Kaitou Kid and the Night Baron's tricks. Uncle Jirokichi knows you've foiled them before, so he really hopes you can help."
He could tell Sonoko really wanted him to agree.
Heiji thought for a moment. "When does the exhibition start?"
"Heiji, you agreed?" Sonoko asked, surprised.
"If Sonoko is asking, how can I refuse?"
"Haha! Heiji, I'm so happy! In the past, you definitely would have just hung up," Sonoko cheered.
Just agreeing to one small request made her this happy.
"Don't worry, I won't hang up on you anymore."
Heiji was slowly starting to accept Sonoko as his girlfriend.
They chatted for another ten minutes before Sonoko had to go.
"Heiji, what did Sonoko want?"
Kazuha wasn't jealous, just curious.
"Jirokichi Suzuki wants to invite me to the 'Sunflowers' security detail."
"Really? Can you take me?"
Heiji thought about it and nodded. "Sure. Sonoko can pay for your expenses."
"Hmph, I don't want her to pay. I have my own money."
Kazuha wasn't jealous, but she wouldn't use Sonoko's money. It was a matter of principle.
Heiji smiled, but his eyes were serious.
I can't use my real identity for this chain mission. The Night Baron will have to make an appearance.
But now Jirokichi Suzuki has invited me to join the security. The identities and the timing conflict.
My first identity crisis is here.
Looks like I'll have to use my secret weapon.
"Heiji, Kazuha, over here!"
To save time, Heiji and Kazuha flew to Tokyo. Sonoko was waiting for them.
"Sonoko!"
"Kazuha!"
The two girls, sisters and best friends, greeted each other warmly.
"Kazuha, you don't mind, do you?" Sonoko asked, looking at Heiji.
"Hmph, I do. I mind a lot," Kazuha said, pretending to be upset.
"Heehee."
Sonoko suddenly threw herself into Heiji's arms, stood on her toes, and kissed him.
A strange scene unfolded at the airport: two young people kissing, while another girl stood nearby, pouting, but her eyes never left the man.
The pink BMW sped down the road.
"Sonoko, where is your uncle planning to exhibit the 'Sunflowers'?" Heiji asked.
"Heiji, didn't they say on TV? It's at the Chusei Art Museum. The one you bought for someone, Sonoko," Kazuha said.
Heiji shook his head. "That's just bait thrown out by Jirokichi."
"If the Night Baron or Kaitou Kid try to steal 'Sunflowers' there, they'll be walking right into a trap."
"Heehee, you can't hide anything from Heiji," Sonoko said sweetly.
"The Chusei Art Museum is just bait to lure them. Even the 'Sunflowers' there is a fake."
"The real 'Sunflowers' is hidden in the Tokyo National Museum. It's full of traps. No one can get in."
"But if the real one is unguarded, it's dangerous. And if it's heavily guarded, it's a dead giveaway. Isn't that a problem?"
Kazuha analyzed, frowning.
"That's why my uncle thought of Heiji. Having the man who always beats them guard the real one is the perfect plan."
Sonoko looked at Heiji with love and admiration.
"So that's his trump card. But won't Heiji be overworked if he's the only one?" Kazuha asked, worried.
Sonoko paused, also looking worried. "Maybe I should ask my uncle to send more people."
"Ahem, cough, cough."
Heiji suddenly started coughing violently.
"Heiji, what's wrong?" Sonoko asked, alarmed.
"Heiji caught a cold. It's from showing off at the ski resort."
Kazuha glared at Heiji, but her eyes were full of concern.
"I'll call my uncle right now and tell him Heiji is sick and can't work."
"Sonoko, don't. If it's just standing guard, I'll be fine."
Heiji had to stop her. This was his secret weapon: pretending to be sick.
"But you're sick!"
"Don't push yourself!"
But they couldn't convince him. In the end, he convinced them.
"Fine. But you can only stand guard. No running around."
"Exactly. I'll have my uncle monitor you."
"I know, I know. Please, my lovely ladies, have mercy."
Heiji thought to himself: How can I complete the system's mission if I don't run around?
This chain mission is a pain. Who knows what the Sin Value will be. If an A-rank mission pops up and I fail, the Sin Value will go through the roof.
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