Options system in my brain: Detective Conan

"Eh?!"

The announcement that the "Moon Flower" necklace had been stolen caused an immediate sensation across the entire Tokyo International Showcase venue.

"Yuehua was stolen? Wasn't Kaitou Kid here for the Scarlet Shadow Heart?"

"Did someone else commit another crime and try to frame Kaitou Kid?!"

Upon hearing the announcement, the officers of the Second Investigation Division, who had gathered in Area B-2, were instantly thrown into chaos.

"Wait a minute, think carefully! Kaitou Kid's notice didn't clearly indicate what he planned to steal!"

"He never mentioned that his target was the Scarlet Shadow Heart!"

Suddenly, a police officer realized this.

The others remembered it as well.

The content of Kaitou Kid's notice had been: 'I will come to the Tokyo International Exhibition Center and take your most precious treasure.' However, it never specified the target.

"Could it be that Kaitou Kid wasn't here for the Scarlet Shadow Heart at all? Was his target always Yuehua?"

"Did we simply mistake his objective for the Scarlet Shadow Heart?!"

The female police officer, who had earlier confirmed the identities of Sera Masumi and Conan, voiced her thoughts.

After hearing her words, the criminal investigators of the Second Investigation Division present at the scene began to panic.

---

The three most prominent exhibits of this showcase—

The Scarlet Shadow Heart Ruby Collection Room, the Moonlight Pearl Necklace Room, and the "Dream Weaver" performance costume from a famous singer of the Showa era—were located in Areas B-2, C-2, and D-2 respectively.

"B, C, and D represent different locations, and the following numbers represent areas within those locations," someone noted.

Most of the officers from the Second Division and the security personnel organized by Tsukino Takashi were concentrated in Hall B.

Although additional security had been deployed in the other two halls, the level and intensity of security were significantly lower than those in Hall B.

---

"Wait, there's something I don't understand."

"No matter how you think about it, the Scarlet Shadow Heart is the most valuable of these three exhibits, right?"

"Even Mr. Tsukino Masayuki has been coveting this gem."

"How can the value of pearls compare to that of gems? Even if the necklace is expensive, it doesn't come close, does it?"

A puzzled police officer asked aloud.

---

"That officer is referring to cultured pearls."

Conan suddenly lifted his head and addressed the questioning officer.

"What's the difference?" the officer asked, still confused.

"Cultured pearls are formed in shellfish through human intervention."

"They're very common now and have a high production rate, which is why they're not expensive."

"But the pearls in the Yuehua necklace on display this time are all 'natural pearls.'"

"Natural pearls, formed without human intervention, are extremely rare and therefore very expensive," Conan explained.

---

However, he noticed that even after his explanation, the officers didn't seem entirely convinced.

Once again, Conan lamented the inconvenience of being stuck in a child's body.

He turned to Sera Masumi for help.

---

Understanding his plea, Sera Masumi looked at the officers and nodded.

"Conan's right. Natural pearls are incredibly valuable."

"I recall a necklace made of natural pearls that once sold at an auction for $36 million, which is about 5.2 billion yen."

(The pearls once belonged to Marie Antoinette, the wife of Louis XVI.)

---

"5.2 billion yen?!"

The officers gasped in shock after hearing Sera Masumi's statement.

Many of them had never considered that pearls, often ground into powder for cosmetics, could hold such astronomical value.

---

"In short, it's not uncommon for natural pearls to fetch millions of dollars at auction."

"While Yuehua might not be worth billions of yen, it's a necklace made of a string of natural pearls, so its value is undoubtedly high."

Sera Masumi's explanation completely cleared the officers' doubts.

---

As soon as the announcement ended, several officers headed swiftly to Area C-2.

Under Nakamori Ginzo's orders, the rest of the officers also left one after another, heading toward Hall C.

Just as the room emptied, Sera Masumi prepared to follow them.

However, Conan stopped her.

---

"Miss Sera, wait a moment."

"What's wrong?"

Sera Masumi turned and looked at Conan.

---

"Even though natural pearl necklaces are expensive, they're not gemstones," Conan said in a serious tone.

"Of course, I know that," Sera Masumi replied.

"Only mineral crystals can be classified as gemstones. Pearls are primarily composed of calcium carbonate secreted by shellfish, so strictly speaking, they're 'jewels,' not 'gemstones.'"

"Everyone knows Kaitou Kid likes to steal gemstones, but he doesn't only steal them, right?"

"I remember he's stolen paintings and other items before," Sera Masumi countered.

---

"That's true, but in most cases, Kaitou Kid targets gemstones."

"There's a highly valuable gemstone in this showcase, so logically, Kaitou Kid should be here for it."

"I think the stolen pearl necklace is just a diversion created by Kid. If everyone rushes to Hall C-2, it might give Kid the opportunity to act on his real plan."

Conan, having confronted Kaitou Kid numerous times, was already familiar with his tactics.

While the stolen pearl necklace was valuable, Conan was convinced that Kid's true target was the Scarlet Shadow Heart.

In any case, even if Kaitou Kid took the necklace, there was a high probability he'd return it later.

Thus, Conan believed their top priority should be staying near the Scarlet Heart Collection Room.

---

"If that's the case, why didn't you tell Officer Nakamori earlier?" Sera Masumi asked.

"Because I'm not entirely sure if Kid stole the pearl necklace."

"Plus, Officer Nakamori and Kaitou Kid have a long-standing rivalry. If this truly is one of Kid's plans, seeing Officer Nakamori lead a large group of Second Division officers to Area C-2 would give him the confidence to proceed with his real objective."

"That's why I think there's a high chance that Kaitou Kid will exploit the weaker security in Area B-2 to target the Scarlet Shadow Heart!"

---

After finishing his explanation, Conan dashed in the opposite direction of the officers from the Second Division.

Sera Masumi followed, understanding what Conan meant.

He intended to use the police as bait to lure Kaitou Kid, giving himself the chance to confront him alone.

(End of Chapter)