Chapter 169
Not just Kudo Shinichi was a bit stunned—the system was also stunned.
[Aren't the skills of the two identities separate? They don't share... How did Samukawa Shinryu's deductive ability...]
Usuha Izuki: [Oh, I heard about this case at the Metropolitan Police.]
The system breathed a sigh of relief: [I thought so... But I don't remember it?]
[Because I made it up.] Usuha Izuki said matter-of-factly. [You seemed so incredulous, so I comforted you.]
System: [...So your deductive ability really is this strong?! Then why do you exchange for skills?!]
[This isn't deduction—this is wild imagination. I didn't expect such a coincidence either. If it's just logically fabricating cause and effect, it's actually quite simple.] Usuha Izuki complained. [And I exchanged so many skills for Samukawa Shinryu—was it for deduction?! I did it to survive in the organization! Not joining the organization was entirely the undercover system's fault!]
System: [Alright... I was saying you seem to enjoy using those skills quite enthusiastically.]
Usuha Izuki said righteously: [Why work hard when you can slack off?]
[...I see you really do work hard to avoid overtime.]
Usuha Izuki ignored the system.
The system also noticed that every time it spoke the truth, Usuha Izuki would ignore it... But it remained skeptical about whether this was really just wild speculation that happened to hit the mark.
After all, being able to make it this coincidental was also a technical skill.
Kudo Shinichi was also very suspicious: "Your guess was way too accurate..."
At first he thought it might be coincidence—maybe there just happened to be a case where a housewife received a suspicious call and was then killed, unrelated to the 10-yen coins.
But as the news revealed more details, it seemed increasingly like the same case...
Regarding whether Usuha Izuki was lucky or genuinely skilled, Kudo Shinichi frantically contributed suspicion value, moving the system almost to tears.
[Worthy of the protagonist's suspicion value... this weight is directly x10!]
The key point was that despite farming suspicion value, it was very safe—no possibility of being directly reported by Kudo Shinichi and sent to jail!
Usuha Izuki really had a firm grasp on safety.
He said confidently: "You already deduced to the public phone booth. Following that logic further, you could reach the same conclusion I did. You just didn't open up your thinking and pursued reasonableness too much. Sometimes reality is more absurd than fiction... I suggest reading more novels."
Kudo Shinichi thought about it—following that line of reasoning, reaching such a conclusion indeed made sense. So was it a problem with his imagination?
"After all, I couldn't possibly be the perpetrator, which is why I could guess so many details, right?"
Kudo Shinichi: "...It would be more likely that you have police friends and already heard about this case."
Though he said this, Kudo Shinichi had already acknowledged Usuha Izuki and began sharing recent mystery novels he'd read with him.
Though Kudo Yukiko and Vermouth were also chatting, both had divided some attention to the side. Seeing them get along so harmoniously, Kudo Yukiko couldn't help covering her mouth and laughing, then quietly said to Vermouth:
"I didn't expect them to get along so well. You should have brought him earlier."
As his real mother, she had to admit that although Shinichi could appear polite and cheerful, perhaps because his mind was too clever compared to his peers, this child was somewhat proud, sometimes quite self-centered, only focusing on what interested him—a bit warm on the outside but cold inside.
Now finally, besides Yusaku, he could chat about mysteries with others so happily. She was very pleased too.
Vermouth smiled: "I only just learned he was your fan."
Probably after coming to Japan, Usuha Izuki started watching Japanese dramas, and after finishing recent shows he was interested in, worked his way back through older series, finally reaching dramas from when Kudo Yukiko debuted.
...His life seemed quite leisurely. No wonder Gin found Usuha Izuki displeasing.
But he originally wanted to live an ordinary person's life, the boss meant for him to be a mascot, Usuha Izuki was willing, the boss was willing—only Gin wasn't. Who did Gin think he was?
Vermouth added another mark against Gin's name.
Today's purpose had been achieved, and he'd even farmed some suspicion value. Thinking about having to work tomorrow, when the time was about right, Usuha Izuki gave Vermouth a look.
Vermouth immediately understood and appropriately suggested leaving: "I have another appointment next, so I won't disturb you further."
Kudo Yukiko politely tried to persuade them to stay, and when unsuccessful, glanced at her son's reluctant expression and smiled as she invited: "Usuha-kun, please come play with Shinichi again when you have a chance! His father and I are returning to America in a few days, so he'll be a bit lonely here alone."
Usuha Izuki also nodded with a smile: "Sure, if it won't be a bother."
After both Usuha Izuki and Vermouth left, Kudo Shinichi suddenly remembered something: "Oh no, I forgot to get his contact information!"
Saying this, he looked at Kudo Yukiko.
Kudo Shinichi figured that since Kudo Yukiko and that big star were friends, getting Usuha Izuki's phone number from the star should be simple, right?
But Kudo Yukiko pretended not to see: "Hmm? It's fine if you forgot. You can ask him directly next time you meet."
How could adults interfere in making friends?
Kudo Shinichi's expression immediately became indescribable.
...Why did these adults all like to tease him... Damn it, once he grew taller and entered high school, he shouldn't be treated like a child anymore!
Meanwhile, Vermouth returned to her car, fastening her seatbelt while asking: "Is that enough? You said you wanted to meet Kudo Yukiko, but you spent the whole time chatting with her son."
"Mm, I already got her autograph anyway, and little Shinichi was quite cute too." Usuha Izuki touched his chin. "He doesn't seem like a child his age—very mature mentally and very clever..."
"Should be inherited from Kudo Yusaku." Vermouth warned: "Speaking of this, I won't interfere with whoever you like to associate with normally, but you'd better hide organization matters tightly. For example, Kudo Yusaku is very perceptive—be careful he doesn't discover anything."
"I know. You be careful too."
Vermouth said proudly: "Who do you think I am?"
She was a world-class actress. If she didn't want to be exposed, even Kudo Yusaku couldn't discover anything.
Only an amateur like Usuha Izuki needed to be careful.
But he originally had little contact with the organization anyway. In her view, the ordinary person atmosphere on Usuha Izuki had thoroughly soaked in, completely covering any Middle Eastern remnants—perfectly done.
"Shall I take you home?" Vermouth asked while driving.
Usuha Izuki shook his head: "Just drop me at the station. It's still early—there's somewhere else I want to go."
Vermouth wasn't really his mother to worry about his late-night safety. Since he said so, she'd do as he asked. But mentioning going home reminded her of something: "The one taking care of your daily life now is Miyano Akemi, right?"
"Right. Do you know her?"
"...I knew her parents." Mentioning someone she disliked, Vermouth didn't even furrow her brow, displaying full actress prowess. "Has she said anything to you?"
"Just boring daily stuff—probably nothing you'd want to know." Usuha Izuki said casually. "But she's been doing well lately, if you want to know that."
Vermouth: "..........."
She didn't want to know that someone annoying was doing well!
"Oh, and also, she mentioned wanting to see her sister..."
"Refuse her." Vermouth said decisively. "Since you've decided not to get involved in organization matters, you should also avoid contact with her sister's affairs."
Usuha Izuki's tone was light: "Okay, I'll listen to Vermouth."
Vermouth paused, her tone softening: "Mm."
After dropping Usuha Izuki at the platform and turning back toward her hotel, Vermouth checked her email during a red light.
Bourbon's email was the most glaring.
[Are you alright? Botanist didn't do anything, did he?]
It wasn't that Bourbon was particularly gossipy, but he was extremely eager to know information about Usuha Izuki, especially what he was like in front of others, to compare whether he really treated the two Japanese Public Security undercover agents specially.
He'd heard plenty from Vodka's complaints about Gin and Vodka's side, but felt Usuha Izuki simply disliked Gin and enjoyed toying with Vodka. Compared to them, Usuha Izuki showed mercy to everyone, which had lost reference value.
Moreover, Usuha Izuki never invited Vodka and Gin out to play alone. Despite Vermouth being abroad for years, she surprisingly had this honor, which Bourbon thought was good reference material.
For Vermouth, Bourbon was handsome and well-dressed, and she quite enjoyed chatting with him—pleasing to the eye. But his strong opinions about Usuha Izuki puzzled her.
[What could he do? We got along very pleasantly. Why do you always encounter cases when going out with him? I think it might be your own problem.]
After clicking send, Bourbon replied instantly.
[Botanist, is that you? Use your own account to talk and give the phone back to Vermouth.]
Vermouth: "..........."
—This wasn't just having strong opinions anymore—this was serious prejudice...