"Sir! I caught his foot!"
"I grabbed his shoulder!"
"Hahahaha! We've finally trapped you, Kaito Kid!"
Beside the pile of excited officers—stacked like a human pyramid—stood Inspector Ginzo Nakamori, laughing triumphantly.
The banquet hall went still.
Guests stared, caught between disbelief and awe. Many were too shocked to react at first, but slowly the realization sank in:
"They caught Kaito Kid…?"
"Is it real this time?"
"Did they really get him!?"
Executives, politicians, and socialites exchanged astonished looks. Most had never seen an international thief apprehended live—and their anticipation was palpable.
Ran and the others were just as stunned.
"What's going on, Yoshiki-nii?"
"Nothing too dramatic," said Hayashi Yoshiki calmly.
"Once I spotted a trace of Kaito Kid, I discreetly informed Inspector Nakamori and asked him to position his men accordingly."
Ran looked at him in admiration.
Sonoko, who had just returned from greeting guests with her mother, overheard this and gasped.
"That's incredible, Brother Yoshiki! So you've outsmarted Kaito Kid twice now!"
"Maybe he underestimated us a little. That said, Nakamori and his men made quite the scene..."
As if on cue, the officers began rising from the pile.
But what they found beneath them made their expressions drop.
All that remained was Kaito Kid's white cape and suit.
Inspector Nakamori's rage was volcanic. He studied the discarded costume, then narrowed his eyes.
"No way he slipped out like that! He must've disguised himself again and is among us now!"
The officers looked at one another, a fresh wave of panic spreading through them.
A smug grin flashed from a young officer in uniform.
It was Kaito Kid, already in another disguise.
With one swift motion, he tossed a smoke bomb to the floor.
A thick cloud burst forth. Before anyone could react, the Phantom Thief had vanished into the mist, leaving the pursuing officers to stumble about helplessly.
When the smoke finally cleared…
"KAAAAITOOOOO KIIIIID!!!"
"He escaped again..."
But Hayashi Yoshiki wasn't surprised.
In fact, if the officers hadn't lifted the cape so hastily, they might've secured him. But Kaito Kid's speed—and adaptability—were still exceptional.
"What a shame, Yoshiki-kun," sighed Sonoko, visibly disappointed."We were so close!"
"Yeah, but his reflexes are amazing," added Ran with a small nod.
The officers from Investigation Section 2 looked thoroughly dejected.
After the chaos settled and waiters began cleaning up the broken glasses and fallen trays, Tomoko Suzuki approached once more, her smile refined as always.
"Truly impressive. You're every bit the knight we hoped would guard the Dark Night Star, Mr. Hayashi. I was quite nervous just now."
Her eyes glanced at his shirt.
During the scuffle, some champagne had spilled onto Hayashi Yoshiki's white shirt, staining it visibly.
"If you don't mind, please change."
A butler stepped forward, offering a fresh white shirt and a towel.
Hayashi accepted them gracefully.
And without hesitation, he began unbuttoning his soaked shirt on the spot.
The moment he exposed his torso, the reactions were... intense.
Sonoko and Ran both turned bright red. Even Tomoko Suzuki blinked in surprise.
Underneath his crisp, intellectual exterior, Hayashi Yoshiki possessed a sculpted physique—cleanly defined muscles, sharp collarbones, chiseled abs, and smooth, pale skin.
It wasn't just attractive—it was startlingly unfair.
(It's a foul move to look like that... with that face!)
Sonoko screamed internally.
"...My nose feels hot..."
She clamped a hand over her face just as someone nearby shouted:
"Hey, your nose is bleeding!"
Startled, Sonoko turned—only to realize it wasn't her, but a flustered socialite standing beside her whose nose was bleeding profusely.
Still, she wasn't far behind.
After changing shirts and buttoning his own suit jacket again, Hayashi Yoshiki was approached once more by Tomoko Suzuki.
"...You're really sure you don't want to marry into the family, Mr. Hayashi?"
"Still no plans for that, I'm afraid."
Looking at her daughter, still starry-eyed and flustered, Tomoko simply shook her head.
But then her demeanor shifted, and her tone became serious.
"Mr. Hayashi, the thief may be in hiding for now—but I doubt he'll give up before this cruise reaches Tokyo Port. After tonight's events, he'll be even more cautious."
"I agree," said Hayashi quietly.
"So I'd like to entrust the real Dark Night Star to your care."
She removed the jewel she was wearing and held it out solemnly.
It was a gesture that surprised even Hayashi.
"Madam, aren't you worried I may fail to protect it?"
"I trust your judgment and ability. Frankly, I don't believe anyone else on board has your level of insight."
She smiled gently."Besides, even if we lose it, it won't ruin the Suzuki legacy. We didn't reach sixty years of success on superstition alone."
Hayashi Yoshiki reached up, removed the replica from his chest, and fastened the real jewel in its place.
Tomoko Suzuki smiled approvingly.
"Madam, please rest assured!"
Kogoro Mouri, stepping forward, puffed out his chest."
Even if it costs me my life, I will protect that gem!"
"I leave it in your hands as well, Mr. Mouri."