Chapter 18: Please Calculate Our Chances of Survival~

Mamiya hesitated, torn between going or staying, but Kaito Kuroba and Hichiji Ichi had already decided to head out first.

“Are you coming back tonight?” Mamiya asked.

“No, we’re going out for two days this time,” Hichiji replied.

Kaito casually offered an excuse, “I’m planning to head back first. He’ll take me to Tokyo, and then I’ll go sightseeing on the way…”

In truth, they planned to attend a gathering organized by a magic enthusiasts’ alliance chatroom.

These days, Kaito and Hichiji had exchanged phone numbers and chat accounts, and Kaito hadn’t forgotten to drag Hichiji into one chatroom after another—even into the one where all his close friends gathered.

To Kaito, Hichiji was, besides himself, the rightful heir to his father’s legacy—at least in terms of disguise techniques.

His father might have taught others as well, but Kaito wasn’t familiar with them, nor did he know how many he’d taught. For now, Hichiji was the only one Kaito had brought in and acknowledged.

At this gathering, Kaito intended to participate under the guise of the Phantom Thief Kid. If afterward anyone learned from Mamiya that a high school student had attended, yet the attendees had no high schoolers but did have an extra Phantom Thief Kid, it would be easy to deduce that this high school student was Kid himself.

So he didn’t plan to tell Mamiya the truth. Besides, he had taught him everything necessary, and he really did have to return to school this time.

“What if the hospital calls?” Mamiya rubbed his forehead.

Going out was troublesome, but staying here was just as much trouble.

He was anxious, sleepless…

“Just brush it off as usual,” Hichiji said casually.

“Alright, I have experience,” Mamiya tried to cheer up. Sending one of them off was a good thing. “If you’re going, then go. Want me to take you to Tokyo?”

“No need, we plan to cross-country train—just walk there,” Hichiji said.

Mamiya didn’t bother to argue further. “Call when you get there…”

“Don’t worry,” Kaito smiled, patting Hichiji’s shoulder, “I’ll take good care of this guy!”

Mamiya wanted to ask, “Who’s really taking care of whom?” but these two were probably evenly matched. He gave a tired wave. “Remember to bring anti-snake venom serum…”

…

On the road.

Hichiji rented a car, planning to drive himself—he had a license, so it was more convenient.

In the back seat, Kaito busied himself with disguises. “Uncle Mamiya’s been looking pretty down lately. The weather’s so cold, and Hichiji just clings to your arm without moving. There’s really no need to bring anti-snake venom serum. He didn’t even think of that… Do you think he’s disappointed we can’t solve the mystery?”

“Maybe.” Hichiji wasn’t too concerned about Mamiya’s thoughts. After all, he had been training nonstop lately and wanted a break.

Though, given the circumstances, a certain grim elementary student detective would attend, and there might be a case, but watching the main cast and the snowy scenery could also serve as relaxation…

Kaito had transformed into a young, plump man. “You really don’t want to disguise yourself?”

“No need,” Hichiji said. “I’m keeping my distance from you.”

“That’s cold-hearted of you…” Kaito feigned grievance.

“You want to use the Phantom Thief Kid’s identity to encourage the family of the late Kazuki Harui, right?” Hichiji saw through him. “Kid is a famous magician. That identity carries more weight than just a high school student’s recognition, and it would comfort his family. As long as I keep my distance, your Kid identity won’t implicate me. No need to waste time and energy disguising again. We even pretend not to know each other in the chatroom.”

…

“Pretending not to know is just to tease them, but you really see through everything…” Kaito sighed. “It’s such a pity that Mr. Harui died. Since he’s gone, his ‘Ikasama Doji’ chat account is probably operated by his family, and they promised to come to the gathering. His family might be there. Harui’s death is partly our fault…”

“It was you guys,” Hichiji corrected. “I hadn’t joined the chatroom back then.”

Kaito was momentarily speechless. “Don’t be so nitpicky. Also, we could disguise ourselves together as Kid’s assistants…”

“Better not,” Hichiji said. “When you run, can the glider carry two people?”

Kaito smiled confidently. “Two people? No problem!”

“I’m carrying forty pounds of extra weight,” Hichiji reminded him. “Kaito, please recalculate our accident risk. Don’t forget to factor in the strong winds in the mountains lately and their severity. Also, calculate our survival odds if an accident happens in those conditions.”

Kaito’s smile froze. “Alright, we’ll pretend not to know each other…”

“Since you’re already disguised, rent a car yourself later,” Hichiji instructed. “I’ll take you to a place where you can rent one.”

“Hey, come on,” Kaito protested. “Just say my car broke down, you happened to stop your car, and you gave me a ride to Tokyo. Isn’t that easier?”

“No. The car’s tire tracks, the marks you leave in the back seat, the timing, and your answers to questions could all create loopholes,” Hichiji insisted. “If Conan weren’t coming, I wouldn’t be this cautious. After you get out, I’ll clean up your traces. Don’t act too familiar there. I won’t talk much with you—the more you say, the more mistakes you make.”

Kaito was momentarily speechless. Was this excessive caution or just madness?

Then Hichiji found a place to stop and had him get out.

…

Deep mountains, snowfields, suspension bridge, villa.

The crisp, icy wind shook the snow from the trees. People crossed the suspension bridge, stepping onto the snow—a truly poetic scene.

When the others opened the door for Kaito’s disguised identity, Doi Takuki, they saw Hichiji, dressed simply in black, walking steadily forward—a striking image.

Only Kaito felt a wave of despair, regretting not disguising himself as something cooler. Maybe next time, when stealing jewels, he’d consider performing as a figure in a snowy painting…

“Oh, welcome, welcome!” The villa’s owner, Araki Yoshinori, greeted with a broad smile. “Come in, come in. I’m Araki Yoshinori, the owner of this house. In the chat group, I’m known as the ‘Taciturn Ventriloquist.’ And you are…”

“Let’s guess first!” the bespectacled girl eagerly suggested, starting to tally the missing guests. “Still to come are the magician’s apprentice, Shadow Mage, chatroom leader Escape King, Scarecrow, and the Vanishing Pani—five people left. Hard to guess…”

They chatted as they entered.

“I think it’s simple,” a more mature woman smiled. “The magician’s apprentice must be a girl. Vanishing Pani is probably a girl, too. The Escape King, as the chatroom leader, we can guess the style—it probably isn’t him. That leaves Shadow Mage and Scarecrow…”

“You’re the Scarecrow, right?” the girl with glasses hoped.

Shadow Mage had said some strange things in the chatroom. She hoped the handsome guy wasn’t the one acting all mysterious.

“I think he’s the Scarecrow. Though the Scarecrow joined recently, he doesn’t talk much. That’s a clear trait. I suspected it’s someone pretty cool,” Araki said as he led everyone to sit, smiling and turning to Hichiji. “Did we guess right?”

Hichiji nodded. “I am the Scarecrow. My real name is Hichiji Ichi.”

“I’m the Red Herring,” Kaito’s disguised plump character smiled kindly. “My name is Doi Takuki. I was going to let you guess who we are, but since you just joined the chatroom, it might be a bit hard for you.”

“I’m Phantom,” the bespectacled girl pointed at herself with a smile. “My name is Kurota Naoko. This is Tanaka Takahisa. She’s Ikasama Doji. Surprised she’s a girl? We were too!”

Soon after, Vanishing Pani arrived. Contrary to everyone’s guess of a woman, he was a full-on guy.

After a while, Kaito went upstairs to look at the snowy view, while Hichiji sat nearby listening to the others chat.

…

Later, the magician’s apprentice, Sonoko Suzuki, arrived, bringing along the trio of Kogoro Mouri, Ran Mouri, and Conan Edogawa.

Hichiji didn’t rush to join the fun. He listened to the introductions at the entrance, finished his tea, then stood to approach.

“Um… Doi Taku…” Sonoko looked hopeful. “Ah, you mean ‘Red Herring’? Has he arrived yet?”

“He’s here, upstairs,” Takahisa said.

Kurota Naoko turned at the sound and smiled. “Ah, he’s here!”

Sonoko watched expectantly as the round ‘Doi Takuki’ came down the stairs, her face instantly stiffening.

“You’re the magician’s apprentice, right?” Kaito greeted with a cheerful smile. “I’m Doi Takuki!”

“No way…”

Sonoko murmured. Her imagined handsome guy was gone!

“I knew you were a girl, thank goodness!” Kaito smiled warmly, a bit excited.

Sonoko could only force a dry laugh.

“Oh, by the way, the Scarecrow is here, too,” Kurota said, noticing Hichiji stepping out. She teased, “We all thought he was a serious middle-aged man before, but he’s totally the opposite!”

*Ding~*

Sonoko’s eyes lit up.

Hmm?

Conan’s pupils contracted sharply.

Though not every person in black deserves attention, that indifferent expression, emotionless eyes, and the extraordinary calm aura…

Could it be…

Hichiji noticed Conan’s wary gaze and his suddenly pale face: “…”

Ai Haibara, Jin’ichirō Numabuchi, and now Conan—three of them already…

There must be many others in those gangs dressed in black with even fiercer eyes, right?

Why did all these black-clad people assume he worked at the brewery?

And their reactions were so extreme—must be some kind of poison!

Conan was so unnerved by that cold stare his scalp tingled, and he forced a stiff smile.

Hichiji silently withdrew his gaze and said to Sonoko, “Hello, my name is Hichiji Ichi.”