ALL NOVEL Chapter 245: Chapter 245: Moonlight
"Phew, I finally found it."
After confirming that the gemstones were once again secured in the display case, Tsukino Takashi let out a long sigh of relief.
It seemed that Tsukino Takashi was more concerned about the state of the gemstones than his own safety.
The detective from the First Investigative Division who had come to deliver the gemstones, along with Tsukino Takashi, later left the collection room.
After Sera Masumi saw the policewoman from Section 2 also leave the room, she whispered to Nakamori Ginzo:
"Officer Nakamori, since the gemstone has been found, does that mean the culprit…"
However, before she could finish her sentence, Nakamori Ginzo interrupted her with a gesture to remain silent.
"All is well. Please make sure no one else learns of this."
"Understood."
Sera Masumi nodded, understanding Nakamori Ginzo's intentions.
She left the collection room with Conan and Nakamori Ginzo, then followed him to where the officers from Section 2 were waiting.
---
"Officer Nakamori said everything is fine, so that means Mr. Tsukino Masayuki has been arrested and taken to the Metropolitan Police Department, right?" Conan asked in a low voice.
"That seems to be the case," Sera Masumi nodded.
The gemstone had been recovered, meaning Kaitou Kid could act at any moment.
As a result, Sera Masumi and Conan needed to stay close and remain on high alert for any suspicious individuals.
---
Meanwhile, in the lounge reserved for guests of the talk show program.
Everyone had been enjoying lunch in the room during the break.
But when they heard the news from Tsukino Takashi that the gemstone had been recovered, they all burst into applause.
"That's fantastic news!"
Seto Rin patted her chest, looking visibly relieved.
"When the exhibition is over, I want to visit the Scarlet Shadow Heart too," Nakamura Harina said enthusiastically, her face lighting up with excitement.
Akikawa Kyousuke, meanwhile, sat quietly in his seat, eating the sandwich he had prepared in advance from the store and observing the scene before him.
When he noticed that Tsukino Takashi had been called away after the morning talk show, he had already guessed that the gemstone might have been recovered.
However, Akikawa Kyousuke found it all a bit strange.
Had the Scarlet Shadow Heart truly been recovered successfully?
And what about the rumors surrounding Tsukino Takashi's involvement in drug trafficking?
These matters had little to do with Akikawa Kyousuke, and he wasn't particularly interested in the truth behind them.
Compared to Kaitou Kid and the Scarlet Heart, Akikawa Kyousuke was far more curious about the intentions of the undercover officer beside him, who had infiltrated a mysterious organization.
---
Akikawa Kyousuke glanced out of the corner of his eye at Toru Amuro, who had just finished eating two rice balls next to him.
Toru Amuro, with access to information from both the organization and the police, must have known about the phone Akikawa Kyousuke had slipped into Vermouth's pocket.
He must also have known that Akikawa Kyousuke had poisoned Vermouth and scratched her arm.
Yet, it seemed Toru Amuro had not revealed anything about him to the Shinigami-grade school student.
---
Akikawa Kyousuke had learned from Sera Masumi that Toru Amuro had a close relationship with Conan.
Initially, Akikawa Kyousuke had thought his identity had been exposed to Conan.
However, from Conan's surprised and embarrassed expression upon seeing him this morning, Akikawa Kyousuke realized that, in the eyes of the Shinigami-grade school student, he was still just an artist with a low mental age.
That was Akikawa Kyousuke's assessment.
Toru Amuro, Conan, and even Sera Masumi had not shared all their information with one another.
---
As Akikawa Kyousuke mused on this, Toru Amuro tilted his head back, drinking an entire bottle of mineral water in one go. Then, he stood and tossed the rice ball wrapper into the trash.
---
About twenty minutes later, Kenichi Matsumoto, who had gone out for lunch, returned from outside.
When the elderly professor heard that the Scarlet Shadow Heart had been recovered, he also showed a surprised expression.
The one-hour lunch break passed quickly.
After an introduction by the host Nakamura Harina, everyone returned to their seats outside the guest area.
Compared to the morning, when news of the Scarlet Shadow Heart's disappearance had left her anxious, Nakamura Harina was visibly more confident that afternoon.
---
Among the exhibition albums handed to Akikawa Kyousuke by the staff, besides the Ruby Scarlet Heart, there were two other collections classified as ultra-secret, with information not to be disclosed in advance.
These two collections, like the Scarlet Heart, had been revealed during the live broadcast on the day Tsukino Takashi discovered a warning letter from Kaitou Kid on his person.
One was a pearl necklace called "Gekka," worn by celebrities during the Showa era, and the other was a performance costume belonging to a famous singer from the same period.
---
During the morning talk show, Nakamura Harina and Nakano Takashi had introduced the performance costume to the audience on-site.
As the first collection to warm up the afternoon, they unveiled the necklace belonging to the wife of a dignitary from the Showa period.
---
"This pearl necklace, called 'Moonlight Flower,' can be seen as a symbol of high society. I wonder what Mr. Amuro thought when he first saw this necklace?"
The host, Nakamura Harina, took the microphone and turned to Toru Amuro.
It could be said that Toru Amuro, alongside Tsukino Takashi and Kenichi Matsumoto, had been one of the best performers on this talk show.
---
Although he wasn't a scholar specializing in jewelry research and collection, he had demonstrated sufficient professionalism and appraisal skills.
Additionally, Toru Amuro's good looks naturally drew the attention of the younger members of the audience.
---
"Just hearing the name 'Moonlight Flower' brings to mind the softness and elegance of moonlight," Amuro began.
"And after seeing it in person, I was even more convinced of my thoughts.
The pearls possess a soft surface luster and a faint silvery-white hue, perfectly illustrating the reserved nobility of women during the Showa era.
This dignified and elegant style remains timeless even today."
---
Toru Amuro maintained his persona as a luxury store employee, speaking in a calm and smooth tone as he evaluated the "Moonlight Flower" necklace.
The necklace was already captivating just by looking at its photos. After Toru Amuro's introduction, its value seemed to increase significantly.
It was clear that many young women in the audience were showing curiosity and longing for it.
They couldn't wait to rush to the separate collection room to catch a glimpse of the "Moonlight Flower."
---
However, just as Toru Amuro finished speaking and the host Nakamura Harina was about to invite Kenichi Matsumoto to speak about the necklace's historical background, a sharp alarm sounded.
Then, an urgent voice came over the radio:
"Attention! The 'Moonlight Flower' necklace is missing from Exhibition Room C-3. Please remain calm. Staff are handling the incident. Do not leave the exhibition hall. Thank you for your cooperation."
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(End of the Chapter)