Chapter 233: The Disappearance of Tsukino Takashi

"Where is Mr. Tsukino? Have you seen him?"

Toru Amuro looked at Seto Rin and Matsumoto Kenichi, who were the first to arrive at the scene, and asked hesitantly.

Seto Rin and Matsumoto Kenichi exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

"I didn't see him. I was alone when I arrived."

"Yes, aside from the two of us and the staff present, I didn't see anyone else."

Seeing that the first two people at the scene were clueless, Toru Amuro approached a staff member and informed them of the situation.

The staff member was quite shocked upon hearing this.

Unfortunately, they didn't have Tsukino Takashi's contact information, so they reached out to their superior, who then tried to contact Tsukino Takashi.

After about seven or eight minutes, another staff member rushed over and reported that they still couldn't reach Tsukino Takashi.

"No, I still haven't been able to get through to him."

The staff member listened to the automated electronic voice message after the call went unanswered and hung up, looking perplexed.

At that moment, everyone at the scene sensed something was wrong.

Tsukino Takashi was the key guest of this exhibition and its organizer.

The exhibits at Tokyo Big Sight, as well as the security and anti-theft systems, had all been arranged under Tsukino Takashi's instructions.

He was someone who would never cause any trouble.

"I'll contact the police."

The staff member who had just made the call responded quickly.

While speaking, they dialed another number.

After waiting for the call to connect, they quickly informed the recipient of the situation.

---

Meanwhile

Nakamori Ginzo of the Second Investigation Section of the Metropolitan Police Department was meeting with Sera Masumi and Conan.

He wasn't very familiar with the high school detective Sera Masumi.

However, he had heard that Sera Masumi had helped solve many cases recently and was an exceptionally capable detective.

Although Nakamori Ginzo claimed to be confident, his past confrontations with Kaitou Kid had left him somewhat lacking in assurance when facing the elusive thief.

Since Sera Masumi offered to help, Nakamori Ginzo naturally didn't refuse.

"Miss Sera, you want to help out. Thank you very much."

"However, I need to confirm your identity to ensure you're not Kaitou Kid in disguise."

Nakamori Ginzo looked at Sera Masumi and said loudly.

"That's understandable, but how do you plan to confirm my identity, Officer Nakamori?"

Sera Masumi nodded, asking in slight confusion.

She then saw Nakamori Ginzo gesture toward a female police officer nearby.

The policewoman said, "Excuse me," and extended her hand to pinch Sera Masumi's face, pulling at it.

By the time Sera Masumi reacted, the policewoman had already let go and nodded toward Nakamori Ginzo.

"Confirmed. No problem."

Hearing this, Nakamori Ginzo smiled and explained to Sera Masumi:

"Kaitou Kid can craft masks for disguises, so this is the safest way to confirm someone's identity."

As he spoke, he bent down and reached out to tug at Conan's face.

However, Nakamori Ginzo didn't control his strength well.

Conan felt a sharp pain as his face was pulled.

Needless to say, Nakamori Ginzo must have left his face red.

"Sorry, but this is a necessary step," Nakamori Ginzo said.

"Please! I'm just a kid!"

"How could I possibly be Kaitou Kid in disguise?!"

Hearing Nakamori Ginzo's serious explanation, Conan couldn't help but complain loudly.

With his short stature and the physique of an elementary schooler, how could he possibly be Kaitou Kid?!

However, Nakamori Ginzo responded seriously, "Just in case."

"..."

Conan was speechless and suddenly felt that Officer Nakamori Ginzo might be missing a screw in his head.

Nakamori Ginzo ignored Conan's resentful gaze and began explaining the basic situation to the two:

"Mr. Tsukino is supposed to remain in Area B-2 for most of the day."

"Today, he was scheduled for an interview here as a guest on a talk show."

"Several main exhibits have been placed in different locations. The most important one, the Scarlet Shadow's Heart, is here."

As Nakamori Ginzo said this, he noticed his phone vibrating.

He took out his phone and answered the call.

"Hello, what's going on?"

"What?! Mr. Tsukino has disappeared?!"

Nakamori Ginzo's suddenly sharp and excited voice immediately caught the attention of Sera Masumi and Conan, who had been examining the map.

The two listened as Nakamori Ginzo confirmed the situation over the phone before hanging up.

"I just received news from the staff that Mr. Tsukino, who was supposed to meet us twenty minutes ago, is nowhere to be found."

"I'm heading over to take a look now."

"We're coming too!"

Sera Masumi and Conan exchanged glances and spoke hurriedly.

---

Sera Masumi, Conan, Nakamori Ginzo, and several officers from the Second Investigation Section arrived at the room where the guests were gathered for interviews.

Nakamori Ginzo opened the door, entered the room, and quickly asked those inside about the situation.

As for Conan, the moment the door opened and he saw the figures inside, he froze in place.

Because he saw Toru Amuro there.

And Akikawa Kyousuke.

---

This was the artist Conan had vowed countless times in his heart never to get involved with again.

As Conan stood stunned, staring at Akikawa Kyousuke and Amuro Toru, he noticed that Akikawa Kyousuke was also looking back at him.

Then, Conan saw with his own eyes as the artist, who initially appeared normal, widened his eyes and opened his mouth in surprise upon seeing him.

His delicate cheeks instantly filled with an expression of shock.

Clearly, Akikawa Kyousuke was just as surprised as he was.

Seeing the surprised reaction on Akikawa Kyousuke's face and Conan's attempt to act calm under Kyousuke's gaze, Sera Masumi couldn't help but chuckle.

Conan, who claimed to have inherited his mother's acting genes and prided himself on his excellent acting skills, couldn't even come close to Akikawa Kyousuke's level!

'However, if I hadn't called Akikawa yesterday and personally told him the kid would be here today…'

'I might have actually believed he was genuinely surprised to see the kid.'

Sera Masumi thought to herself.

Beside her, Conan, who had suppressed his emotions, turned to look at Toru Amuro, who was also present, and realized something.

'Mr. Amuro still seems to doubt Akikawa Kyousuke.'

(End of the Chapter)