After politely declining Professor Agasa's invitation to stay for dinner, Yuu Hoshimiya followed the address to a place called "Blue Parrot Billiards Bar."
This bar was themed around billiards and had been run by Konosuke Jii since the days he assisted Toichi Kuroba. It was also the secret base he currently used to aid Kaito Kuroba. Although it wasn't even noon, Jii had already opened the shop. Usually, no customers would come at this hour except for Kaito, so when Yuu pushed the door open, the tall, thin, balding old man was visibly surprised.
Standing behind the counter, Jii put down the glass he was wiping and said politely, "Sir, the bar isn't ready yet. You might need to wait a little longer."
Yuu waved his hand and got straight to the point. "Old man Jii, I didn't come here specifically to drink."
"You are...?"
Yuu clearly knew him, but Jii searched his memory and was certain he had never seen this young man before.
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kaito Kuroba's teacher, Yuu Hoshimiya..."
Yuu sat down at the bar, observing the billiards-themed decor as he slowly began to explain. He had to admit, keeping a bar open for so many years in Tokyo's prime real estate meant Jii had some skills. It was quiet without customers, but the environment was far better than Gin's favorite dive bars. The atmosphere was excellent. Looking at the high-end pool table in the center, even Yuu, who had no interest in billiards, felt an itch to play a few rounds.
While Yuu found the place interesting, Jii had no such leisure. It took him a while to digest the information Yuu was spilling, and once he did, he was completely flabbergasted.
Setting aside the bombshell about Toichi Kuroba and Yusaku Kudo being twins, or that Chikage Kuroba was abroad and Toichi was alive as the Phantom Thief Corbeau... the simple fact that Yuu knew Kaito was Kid—and knew his upcoming plans in detail—was enough to make Jii's head spin. He didn't even care about the address Agasa had provided.
"Mr. Hoshimiya, are you saying Young Master Kaito will be sniped during this operation?"
Above all else, Jii cared most about Kaito's safety. This old man was traditional; since Toichi's time, he had considered himself a loyal retainer. He called Toichi "Master" and Kaito "Young Master." Without a wife or children, this lonely old man had wanted to avenge Toichi's "death" for years. Even knowing Toichi was alive and had kept it from him didn't bring resentment, only joy. To him, Kaito was like his own grandson.
"Yes. I came to ask you to warn Kuroba-kun. And if possible, have him come back here. I need to talk to him about Aoko."
"Understood. I will contact Young Master Kaito immediately."
Jii didn't care about Aoko or Akane; nothing was more important than Kaito's safety. Besides, with how outstanding his Young Master was, would he ever lack women? It was a bit of a biased view, but not entirely wrong. Setting aside the charm of Kid, Kaito himself was handsome and skilled in magic—a lethal combination for picking up girls.
Since Jii was handling it, Yuu was happy to relax. Once Kaito returned and the confrontation was over, his part was done. How Kaito dealt with his blown cover—whether he continued to deny it or started over—was his own headache. Just like Conan obsessing over the Black Organization, Yuu didn't care to manage their lives. In fact, giving the cousins something to do so they wouldn't bother him was the best outcome.
Having good relations with Conan and Kid had its benefits, but Yuu wanted precisely what lay outside of "almost everything." No matter how good their relationship, they wouldn't help him conquer their childhood friends or mothers.
As long as they didn't target him, it was fine. Even if his relationships with Ran and Aoko were exposed, Yuu wasn't afraid. These boys were flashy and obsessive, but they were fundamentally good people. They wouldn't take their anger out on the girls.
When Conan first learned about Ran and Yuu, he was furious. But after investigating and finding no foul play—just mutual affection—the great detective had to swallow his pride. He blamed his shrunk state for losing Ran, never considering his own neglect. Yuu and Ran knew this but didn't bother arguing.
You walk your sunny path; I'll cross my single-log bridge.
Yuu, Ran, Eri, and the others had effectively cut ties with Conan and Kogoro. Yuu planned the same for Kaito. Let him chase his father's "killers" and deal with the mysterious "Zoo" organization and the police. Meanwhile, Yuu would take care of Aoko, Akane, and the mature beauty Chikage Kuroba. Everyone stays in their lane; everyone wins.
While Yuu pondered how to reveal the truth to Kaito, Jii finished his call. As expected, Kaito took Jii seriously. He could ignore Aoko, but not Jii. Jii kept it brief, saving the details for when Kaito returned to Tokyo. In reality, compared to Yuu's intel, Kaito's heist was trivial. Russian royalty? An 800-million-yen egg? Who cared when family secrets were on the line?
Learning Kaito was rushing back, Yuu decided to wait at the bar.
About two hours later, Kaito Kuroba burst into the Blue Parrot. Compared to the dusty, travel-worn Kaito, Yuu looked elegant and comfortable. He had played some pool and enjoyed a lunch prepared by Jii. He didn't worry about poison; even if Jii tried, Yuu had magic now.
"Young Master." Jii rushed forward with a towel and water. Yuu watched without envy. Being served by a balding old man wasn't a flex when he had unparalleled beauties catering to his every whim at home.
Kaito cleaned up quickly and marched over to Yuu. "How do you know my identity? What do you mean my father isn't dead? And..."
"Stop, stop," Yuu interrupted. "I told old man Jii everything, including that the active Phantom Thief Corbeau is your father. Ask him later. I'm here for one reason: to tell you I've informed Aoko that you are Kid. She should be here any minute..."
Ding-ling.
The door opened again. The bar, usually empty by day, welcomed its third guest: Aoko Nakamori.
Even the fastest travel from Osaka to Tokyo took over two hours. Yuu had calculated the timing perfectly.
Kaito turned to see Aoko and remembered Jii mentioning this on the phone. Compared to Aoko, he was undeniably more focused on his father. If Yuu hadn't brought it up, he would have forgotten her entirely.
Today, Aoko had dressed up. She wore a light blue dress, her black hair cascading down her back. Light makeup added a touch of maturity to her youthful face. Her pale, tender calves peeked out from the hem, slender and perfectly proportioned. Her chest wasn't large, but the shape was pleasing.
While Yuu admired her, Kaito was sweating bullets. Losing his cover in front of Aoko was a disaster. The real problem wasn't Aoko, but her father, Inspector Nakamori. If Ginzo found out, Kaito's life as Kid—and as a normal student—was over.
Kaito cared for Aoko, but when his own safety was at risk, everything else took a back seat. He was exactly like Conan in that regard. Should I fake my death like Dad? Or disguise myself as someone else? He already believed his father was alive; he had never truly accepted that the great Toichi Kuroba could die in a magic accident.
Kaito was panicking, and Aoko's lips were pressed into a tight line. Neither knew how to start.
"Aoko, don't just stand there. Come sit," Yuu said with a light laugh. "I've said my piece. Now it's up to Kuroba-kun to explain."
Read: Explain as "Sophistry."
As Yuu expected, Kaito denied everything. Just like Conan, he had lied for too long to come clean now. Yuu stepped back, becoming a spectator alongside Jii.
The childhood friends erupted into an argument unlike any they had before. But without hard evidence, and with Kaito denying it to the death, Aoko couldn't prove anything.
However, the ending differed from Yuu's prediction.
When Aoko, tears streaming down her face, said she just wanted an answer and promised not to tell anyone, Kaito fell silent. After a long pause, he nodded.
Whether he trusted her promise or just felt guilty, he admitted it.
Upon seeing his admission, Aoko's turbulent emotions seemed to find an outlet. She calmed down instantly. She wiped her tears and, contrary to her usual behavior, didn't yell or scold him. She just stared at him quietly, then let out a soft breath.
"I understand. Take care of yourself."
Hearing Aoko speak with such sudden maturity surprised Kaito, but it quickly turned into relief. It had gone smoother than expected. Even if she broke her promise, there was no evidence. But if she kept it, everything was perfect.
While Kaito rejoiced, Yuu knew Aoko was truly heartbroken. His goal was achieved, but seeing the girl's lonely, sorrowful expression made his heart ache. Along with the heartbreak, the innocent Aoko who had been sheltered by her parents was gone. Her maturity wasn't just in her dress; her maiden heart had shattered, replacing romance and naivety with reason and adulthood.
"Hoshimiya-sensei, could you see me out?" Aoko asked after drying her eyes. The emotional exhaustion left her weak, and she didn't want to stay here a second longer.
"Of course. Let's go."
Seeing Yuu support Aoko as they left, Kaito felt a pang of discomfort. He wanted to stop them, but opened his mouth and found no words. Finally, he shouted, "Sensei, you haven't answered my questions yet!"
Yuu didn't look back but recited a string of numbers. "That's my number. If old man Jii can't explain it clearly, call me."
He had no intention of hiding the gossip about the Kudo, Kuroba, Akai, and Miyano families. Ai and Akemi already knew; adding Kaito didn't matter. Conan would have to wait—that brat was too reckless. Best to wait until Yusaku or Yukiko returned.
Kaito was helpless. No matter how unhappy he felt, he could only watch Yuu leave with his arm around Aoko. Once they were gone, he forced himself to focus.
"Grandpa Jii, tell me everything..."
"Yes, Young Master." Jii gathered his thoughts. "Mr. Hoshimiya said that Master Toichi and Yusaku Kudo were twins..."
While Jii explained, the meeting at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was winding down. After heated discussion, most of Kid's riddle was solved, except for the specific timing. (The location was actually wrong too, but no one realized it yet).
Finally, it was announced that the famous detective Kogoro Mouri would assist in the capture operation.
Kogoro was invited partly because of his fame, but mostly due to the Suzuki family's suggestion. The key item, the "Memories Egg," belonged to the Suzukis. To them, it was just a toy from Sonoko's childhood, but others valued it highly.
Tomoko Suzuki didn't care about it and left the police dealings to her husband, Shiro Suzuki, mostly to keep Jirokichi Suzuki calm. Shiro knew he was just a figurehead and had no interest in the egg, so he let the police handle everything. He didn't even want to hold the egg, leaving it with his secretary or the police.
As for how Kogoro got involved... it was entirely Sonoko's doing.
She remained a Kid fangirl even after being conquered by Yuu. She no longer wanted to date Kid, but she was curious to see his face. She planned to go to Osaka to see him and invited Ran to keep her company. Shiro overheard the call and, dreading being bored alone in Osaka, suggested inviting Ran's father too. At least Kogoro could drink with him and tell stories.
But Shiro couldn't just say he was bored. So, under the Suzuki family's recommendation, Kogoro became a special police consultant...