The newspaper didn't provide much detail, but the Japan-U.S. film exchange seemed like a semi-official event based on its scale.
Regarding Sharon Vineyard, the paper only mentioned her name, offering no further details.
Shuichi Hayashi finished reading and was about to return the newspaper to Yuka Takahashi when he noticed a report on the back about a theft.
"On April 11, a theft occurred on Okachimachi Jewelry Street, where a ruby worth over 100 million yen was stolen. The day before, the jewelry store received a heist notice from the Phantom Lady. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Third Investigation Division is currently investigating."
The Phantom Lady—probably the second Kaito Kid's mother, right?
Is this before the first Kaito Kid debuted?
Shuichi didn't know much about Kaito Kid, only recalling that Yukiko Fujimine learned her disguise skills from the first Kid. He turned to glance at Yukiko in the classroom corner, catching her whispering to Yuka while sneaking looks at him.
Noticing his gaze, Yukiko flinched guiltily. "W-what?"
"Talking smack about me?" Shuichi asked.
"No way!" Yukiko said, feigning innocence. "I was just telling Yuka about yesterday at the izakaya—you know, that little girl who kept calling you 'Onii-chan.'"
"Oh, really?"
Shuichi gave her a long look but didn't press further. He handed the newspaper to Yuka. "Thanks, Takahashi."
"N-no problem," Yuka said, forcing a smile.
Before, she'd have been thrilled to talk to Shuichi. But now, after Yukiko's gossip, the thought of his "peculiar tastes" filled her with disgust. She didn't even want the newspaper he'd touched.
"Takahashi, your paper?" Shuichi repeated, frowning.
"You're done already?"
Yukiko, terrified her lies would unravel if they kept talking, snatched the paper and shoved it into Yuka's hands. "Yuka, let's hit the bathroom!"
Dragging her friend out of the classroom, Yukiko breathed a sigh of relief.
"That creep touched the paper—I don't even want it anymore," Yuka said, tossing it into a nearby trash can with a grimace.
Uh, did I go too far?
Yukiko's cheek twitched. She'd only meant to keep Yuka from getting too close to Shuichi, not wanting her friend to suffer his teasing like she did. But Yuka's reaction made it clear she genuinely believed Shuichi was a creep who liked little girls.
If this gets out, he'll kill me!
Panicking at the potential consequences, Yukiko tried to backtrack. "Actually, now that I think about it, that little girl seemed really familiar with Shuichi. They probably knew each other from before…"
"You mean he's been targeting that girl for a long time?" Yuka interrupted, waving her hand angrily. "We can't let this sick behavior slide! I'm telling the teacher right now!"
"Yukiko, you're my witness. Let's go find Ms. Murakami!"
"Huh?"
Yukiko froze, dumbfounded. I-I messed up again, didn't I?
She racked her brain for an explanation as Yuka, brimming with righteous indignation, dragged her to the teachers' office. Knocking on the door, Yuka marched in and found their homeroom teacher still fast asleep.
"Ms. Murakami, I have something to report!" Yuka said loudly.
"You brats! Didn't I say I'm trying to sleep?" Ms. Murakami shot up, scratching her hair irritably. "Keep this up, and I'll drop dead! You want me to chop you up or what?"
The girls hadn't expected their usually gentle, approachable teacher to react so explosively. Startled, they froze, as did the other teachers in the office, who turned to stare.
"T-teacher?" Yukiko asked cautiously. "You okay?"
"Uh…"
Ms. Murakami froze, realizing she wasn't at home but in the school office.
"Oh, it's Fujimine and Takahashi!" The ferocious teacher vanished, replaced by her usual warm, smiling self. "What's up? You can tell me anything, and I'll help."
Teacher, isn't it a bit late to play nice now? Yukiko thought, rolling her eyes inwardly.
Yuka, recovering from her shock, mustered her courage. "Teacher, I need to—"
Before she could finish, Yukiko clamped a hand over her mouth. "Teacher, Yuka just wanted to tell you Shuichi already collected two riddle notes."
"Oh, Hayashi-kun won?" Ms. Murakami glanced at her chest. "I could've sworn a girl took the note from me."
"Teacher, you hid it in that spot. How could Shuichi grab it himself?" Yukiko said, exasperated. "Eri Hii got it for him."
After a quick deflection, Yukiko ignored Yuka's struggling and dragged her out of the office.
"What's with those two?"
Ms. Murakami frowned at their retreating backs, then noticed the other teachers staring. Realizing she'd let her true self slip, she hurriedly bowed to her colleagues, sat down in a panic, and buried her face in her hands, mortified.
Ugh, my carefully crafted gentle image is ruined again! If my old embarrassing stories get out, how am I supposed to find a boyfriend?
Outside the office, Yuka looked at her friend in confusion. "Yukiko, what are you doing? Why didn't you tell Ms. Murakami the truth?"
"W-well," Yukiko said, rubbing her hands nervously. "Yuka, I might've misspoken earlier and caused a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? Don't cover for that creep," Yuka huffed. "You mentioned that little girl, and he didn't even deny it. Doesn't that prove you were right?"
"Actually, that girl's his cousin," Yukiko said with a nervous laugh. "Her calling him 'Onii-chan' is totally normal."
"His cousin?" Yuka said skeptically. "But you said he likes little girls."
"Liking his cousin isn't weird, right?" Yukiko said quickly. "I mean, in Japan, cousins can even get married legally."
"N-no, that's not right," Yuka said, eyeing her friend suspiciously. "Yukiko, you're acting weird today…"
(End of Chapter)