In Detective Conan: Intercepting Miwako Sato at the Start

Page 73

Nearby, there happened to be several properties owned by the Mishima family, including a secluded mansion where the head of the Mishima clan, Ryuichi, recuperated, and a private art gallery owned by Yusuke Mishima.

The clues seem to be converging, pointing towards the core of the Mishima family.

Yuki Takada decides to take the risk of contacting another key figure in the Mishima family—the second son, Yusuke Mishima.

The reason for choosing him is that Yusuke Mishima is not a businessman, and we can have better communication with him.

Moreover, compared to Ryunosuke Mishima, who is the president of the company, Yusuke Mishima gives the impression of being more detached from the family business, which may make it easier for him to find a breakthrough.

Unsurprisingly, my attempt to schedule a meeting through formal channels was rejected.

Undeterred, Yuki Takada learned that Yusuke Mishima frequented a members-only upscale bar at night.

Back in her office, Sato Miwako anxiously asked, "Inspector Takada, has the memory card been cracked? Is Nakamura Yoshihiro's case closed?"

“No… not yet.” Yuki Takada shook his head: “Sato, although we got some useful information from that memory card, the current clues are not enough to solve this case.”

"By the way, Sato, will you come with me to a bar tonight?"

"Ah..." Sato Miwako's face suddenly flushed red without her noticing. "Inspector Takada, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Besides, it wouldn't be good if others misunderstood us."

"..." Takada Yuki was speechless, feeling that Sato Miwako might have misunderstood something.

……

That evening, Sato Miwako changed into a formal dress and arrived early at the open space where she had arranged to meet Takada Yuki.

A simple yet striking black dress.

The neckline is a shallow V-neck, with the edges trimmed with extremely fine black lace.

The lace pattern is a minimalist vine design, almost imperceptible unless you look closely, yet it subtly softens the stiffness of the satin, adding a touch of gentleness.

Yuuki Takada was taken aback when he saw Miwako Sato's outfit. He asked, "Sato, it's just a mission, why are you dressed like this?"

Yuki Takada was simply wearing regular casual clothes.

“No…” Sato Miwako looked at him seriously: “Takada-senpai, didn’t you say you were going to a bar tonight?”

"I thought you invited me specifically, so..."

“Alright…” Takada Yuki said softly, “This time, I called you here to handle a case. Come on, get in the car quickly, I’ll drive you to that upscale bar.”

Yuuki Takada, driving the car, glanced at Miwako Sato, who looked somewhat awkward and a little disappointed in the passenger seat, and sighed helplessly.

“Sato, we’re going to that bar to stake out and see if we run into Yusuke Mishima, not to go drinking and socializing. You’re dressed like that… you’re too eye-catching.” Yuuki Takada said while keeping an eye on the road. “But… cough, it’s definitely appropriate and meets the bar’s dress code.”

Upon hearing this, Sato Miwako's blush faded slightly, and she regained her usual serious demeanor, saying, "I understand, Takada-senpai. I hadn't considered things carefully; I was only thinking about what would suit the occasion... So, what is our specific plan?"

"That upscale bar is members-only and has strict security; you definitely can't just barge in to find someone."

"Moreover, it might cause a huge uproar."

Yuki Takada explained, "We'll wait near the parking lot outside."

"According to intelligence, he usually arrives after 9 p.m. and leaves before 1 a.m. Our goal is to find a relatively informal opportunity to approach him after he enters the bar and probe his reaction to the Nakamura Yoshihiro case."

A short while later, the car entered the area and stopped in the shadows on a street corner not far from the upscale bar.

From this angle, you can clearly see the bar's understated yet luxurious entrance and the private parking lot next to it.

Time passed by, and luxury cars lined the entrance to the bar, with everyone coming and going being either rich or powerful.

"It's truly another world," Miwako Sato murmured.

Yuki Takada didn't reply, but just stared intently at the entrance.

His inner world was not as calm as it appeared.

Contacting Yusuke Mishima was a risky move; it could easily alert him and even provoke a strong backlash from the Mishima family.

Around 11 p.m., a black luxury sports car drove into the parking lot, and the person who got out of the car was their target—Yusuke Mishima.

He was wearing a well-tailored casual suit, and without a female companion, he strode into the bar surrounded by bodyguards.

"Target spotted," Yuuki Takada said in a low voice.

"Let's go inside the bar and see if we can get closer to him."

As they were talking, the two walked into the bar. However, as soon as Yuuki Takada stepped inside, he was stopped by the security guard outside the bar: "Excuse me, sir, people who are not properly dressed are not allowed to enter here."

Seeing this, Yuuki Takada gave Miwako Sato a wink, as if to say: You go in first and observe the situation. I'll go in as soon as I've finished dealing with this.

"Oh?" Yuuki Takada looked at the two security guards who had stopped him at the door and smiled faintly.

"So how do we define neatness?"

"Well, people coming here should at least wear a suit," the security guard chuckled, responding naturally.

"Okay, I'll put my clothes on then, alright?" With that, Yuuki Takada put on his black trench coat, took out his ID with his left hand, and a black gun popped out of his sleeve and was immediately pointed at the security guard's head. "Sorry, I forgot to tell you, I'm a police officer, out on a mission. If you try to stop me, my hand might slip and the gun might go off, which wouldn't be good."

The security guard's face immediately turned ashen, cold sweat dripping down his face: "Sorry, officer, if you had shown your badge earlier, we wouldn't have dared to stop you. We would have been too busy asking you to come in."

As Yuki Takada entered the bar, he immediately caught a glimpse of Miwako Sato out of the corner of his eye.

"Sato, where is Yusuke Mishima?" Yuki Takada looked around but couldn't find Yusuke Mishima, so he immediately asked Miwako Sato.

Upon hearing this, Miwako Sato pointed towards the bar's restroom, "He just went into the restroom..."

Yuki Takada seized the opportunity and, taking advantage of the moment when Yusuke Mishima came out of the restroom alone, stepped forward and blocked him.

“Mr. Mishima, I apologize for bothering you for a moment. I am Yuki Takada from the Metropolitan Police Department. I would like to ask you some questions regarding the case of your company’s Director Nakamura.” Yuki Takada showed his badge and spoke quickly.

Yusuke Mishima looks to be in his thirties, dressed fashionably, with a slightly weary and cynical expression.

He paused for a moment, then revealed a mocking smile: "Officer, I've already told your police about Yoshihiro Nakamura many times before."

"What, are you trying to extract some information from us now?"

“I’m very sorry that my behavior may have offended you, Mr. Mishima, but I had no choice but to do so in order to find the truth. Please forgive me.”

Yuuki Takada stared intently into his eyes. "We've received some information suggesting that Director Nakamura may have been involved in something... that made him uneasy, and might even have threatened his safety. We've heard you might know something about it?"

"Understand?" Yusuke Mishima's eyes flickered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "I have no interest in my family's influence or the affairs of my company."

"Yoshihiro Nakamura was nothing more than my brother's loyal dog. What could I possibly know about him? I regret his death, but it has nothing to do with me."

"Excuse me, I must leave."

He walked past Yuki Takada and was about to leave.

Yuuki Takada lowered his voice and said quickly, "We found a recording that mentions your name and says you may have sensed something..."

Yusuke Mishima stopped in his tracks instantly.

He turned around abruptly, his nonchalant expression vanishing, replaced by a sharp scrutiny, even a hint of wariness.

He was silent for a few seconds, then waved to his bodyguards, signaling them to step back.

“This isn’t the place to talk.” Yusuke Mishima’s voice lowered. “Tomorrow at three in the afternoon, at my gallery. You’re the only one allowed.” With that, he looked away from Yuki Takada and strode away.

Yuki Takada knew he had made the right bet.

Yusuke Mishima definitely knew something.

Watching Yusuke Mishima's almost hasty departure, Yuuki Takada stood there, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

Yusuke Mishima's sharp, wary gaze and almost urgent promise at the end undoubtedly confirmed his inner suspicions.

This seemingly aloof second son of the family is far from simple; he must know some crucial inside information.

"Takada-senpai!" Sato Miwako hurried over, her face filled with concern and inquiry. "How was it? Did you find anything?"

"I noticed his expression seemed to change."

Yuki Takada withdrew his gaze, turned to Miwako Sato, nodded, and said in a low voice, "He asked me to come to his gallery at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon for a private meeting."

"Alone?" Sato Miwako immediately frowned, her eyes filled with worry. "This...this is too dangerous, Takada-senpai! The Mishima family is too complicated. Nakamura Yoshihiro's example is right before our eyes."

"What if this is a trap? You can't go alone!"

Seeing her eager and sincere expression, Yuuki Takada felt a warmth in his heart.

“This is a rare opportunity, Sato.” Takada Yuuki smiled faintly.

“His reaction just now shows that the recording touched a nerve. He may also be in some kind of anxiety or predicament. We need the clues he can provide.”

"Danger certainly exists, but this is the most direct clue we can grasp at the moment."

“But…” Sato Miwako wanted to argue.

Yuuki Takada interrupted her, his tone softening: "I know you're worried."

"But this is work, and some risks must be taken. Okay, this is not the place to discuss this, let's leave first."

The two walked out of the noisy bar one after the other and returned to their car.

The cool night breeze made the car interior a bit chilly.

A moment of silence fell over the car.

Miwako Sato seemed to still be upset about Yuki Takada's decision to keep the appointment alone. She looked at the neon lights flashing by outside the window, her profile looking somewhat tense in the interplay of light and shadow.

Yuuki Takada glanced at her, breaking the silence in an attempt to ease the tension: "Speaking of which, Sato, what's with your outfit tonight..."

"Although the occasion is a bit inappropriate, it was truly stunning. We never see this side of you at the Metropolitan Police Department."

Upon hearing this, Sato Miwako turned around abruptly, the blush that had just faded from her face instantly returning. She said, embarrassed and annoyed, "Takada-senpai! Please stop making fun of me! I thought… Anyway, I misjudged this time!"

Seeing her in such a rare, girlish state of embarrassment was a stark contrast to her usual capable and decisive image.

Yuuki Takada couldn't help but chuckle softly: "Sorry, sorry, I wasn't joking, I meant it sincerely. Just remember to ask about the operation plan beforehand next time you're carrying out this kind of stakeout mission."

"Yes! I understand!"

Sato Miwako straightened her back, trying to regain her composure, but her bright red ears betrayed her true feelings.

She quickly changed the subject, trying to regain her professional detective rhythm: "So, regarding tomorrow's meeting, even if you insist on going alone, we must be fully prepared to provide support."

I need to know the gallery's exact location and layout. I will have people deployed around the perimeter, maintaining constant communication so we can intervene immediately in case of any unusual situation.

At this moment, Sato Miwako became unusually serious, her eyes sharp, and she had already entered the state of deploying an action plan.

Yuki Takada nodded appreciatively. As expected of Miwako Sato, who had been his partner for so long, even when she was worried, she could immediately turn her emotions into professional action.

“Okay, we’ll do it your way.” Yuuki Takada agreed to her plan. “Once we get back, we’ll immediately retrieve the architectural drawings and surrounding environment maps of that gallery and develop a detailed contingency plan. Yusuke Mishima must have something to rely on for choosing to meet him on his turf, but we can’t just walk into the lion’s den unprepared.”

“Yes!” Sato Miwako replied solemnly, then added in a soft but firm voice, “Takada-senpai, please be careful. I will ensure your safety from the outside.”