Multiple choice system: Conan World

Akikawa Kyousuke was convinced that the man in a suit and black-rimmed glasses who had just passed behind him had been the one to receive him in the office about forty minutes ago.

Akikawa Kyousuke didn't know much about many things, but when it came to surveillance and counter-surveillance, he excelled.

After all, these skills had once been his bread and butter for survival in his previous life. Wherever he went, he instinctively observed the people around him.

When Akikawa Kyousuke had just issued the household registration information at the district office, he had casually glanced around and noticed the man in black-rimmed glasses in the hallway.

It wasn't just the man's detective-like demeanor that stood out; it was also the aura he carried, which clashed with the hurried atmosphere of others conducting their business.

---

For one, Akikawa Kyousuke was sure that the man hadn't been there when he first entered the district office.

That meant the man could have only entered after Kyousuke himself.

The usual procedure at a Japanese district office involved filling out a form, obtaining a registration number, and waiting for the number to be called.

Yet, Akikawa Kyousuke hadn't seen any registration number in the man's hands.

Not only that, but the man kept wearing earbuds and looking at his phone.

It was as if he was waiting for someone. But throughout, Akikawa Kyousuke noticed he neither scanned his surroundings nor showed any signs of impatience.

---

A criminal police officer following him inexplicably to the district office without conducting any official business immediately raised Akikawa Kyousuke's suspicions.

No matter how slim the chances, Akikawa Kyousuke decided to test the man.

He deliberately chose an unconventional route: taking the bus.

Afterward, he came to this commercial bookstore, which doubled as a café, to read comics.

Sure enough, Akikawa Kyousuke spotted the man again.

---

'I'm certain he didn't follow me until I got on the bus.'

'In other words, he shouldn't have known I took the bus, let alone that I came here.'

'But he still showed up.'

'This means it's not just tailing—there's a tracking device installed on me.'

---

Akikawa Kyousuke had just checked his clothes on the bus and found no signs of a locator.

That left only one possibility: the phone had been tampered with.

---

'This man doesn't seem like the type to employ illegal means to achieve his goals, unlike Kyouji Toda.'

'But secretly installing a tracking device on my phone without consent is already illegal surveillance.'

---

The man's actions contradicted Kyousuke's judgment of Kazami Yuya.

'One of my judgments is wrong.'

'Either this man matches both scenarios...'

'Or he can conduct "illegal" surveillance "legally," meaning—is he police?'

---

Akikawa Kyousuke's phone had been obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department that morning.

Thus, the man must be someone with the authority to access evidence.

Although the Criminal Division and the Public Security Bureau of the Metropolitan Police Department had entirely different responsibilities, they often cooperated, granting access to such resources.

---

'I haven't done anything worthy of police attention. Is it because Kyouji Toda is watching me?'

'First, it was detectives from the First Investigative Division, and now it's Public Security detectives. They're all like flies.'

'The key difference is that these flies don't seem to be much smarter. Even after the target suddenly changes routes, they still insist on catching up. They're completely clueless.'

---

Ding!

Just as Akikawa Kyousuke was deep in thought, he heard a crisp mechanical sound in his mind.

---

[Unhealed injuries, a phone installed with a tracking device, and suspicions of being followed by Public Security detectives—what will you do?]

[1. "Accidentally" damage your phone to reasonably avoid tracking.]

[Reward: Recovery Card x1]

[2. Ignore it and let your location remain exposed (resolved after one month).]

[Reward: Skill Card x1]

[3. Warn the trackers.]

[Reward: Trait Card x1]

[4. Kill the tracker and eliminate future problems.]

[Reward: +5 to Physical Attributes]

---

'What happens if I complete all four options?'

Akikawa Kyousuke couldn't help but feel curious.

Of course, it was merely a thought.

If a detective was following him, it meant someone had instructed him to do so.

If this detective were to die, it would undoubtedly stir up significant trouble—like poking a hornet's nest.

And the same principle still applied:

The other party was only tailing and investigating him, meaning they had no solid evidence. This meant it was still in the stage of suspicion.

Taking the initiative would only expose him.

---

'The first option is the simplest. Accidentally drop the phone in water or let it fall off a building, then get a new one.'

'But these detectives came knocking of their own accord. It would be a waste not to use them.'

Thinking this, Akikawa Kyousuke kept reading his comics with his head down.

---

Kazami Yuya noticed Akikawa Kyousuke finally finishing the black tea on the table after staying in the bookstore for over an hour.

He then saw Kyousuke pick up two more volumes of Masked Superman, get up, and head to the counter to pay.

---

This time, after confirming that Akikawa Kyousuke had returned home, Kazami Yuya called Rei Furutani from the car.

"Mr. Furutani, Akikawa Kyousuke went directly to the district office after being discharged from the hospital. I found it odd, so I followed him."

"I then discovered that he issued household registration information for himself and his mother, as well as their address change records."

---

Kazami Yuya briefly reported Akikawa Kyousuke's actions to Rei Furutani.

"If he lived with his mother, he wouldn't be unaware of her household information or address changes."

"So what does he plan to do with these documents? Could he be trying to confirm the timing of the move for some reason?"

---

After hearing Kazami Yuya's report, Rei Furutani also began to ponder.

"I'm not sure what Akikawa Kyousuke wants to do, but he's a man of few words. I've never heard him talk to himself."

Kazami Yuya added.

He then explained that Akikawa Kyousuke suddenly took the bus and ended up at Tsutaya Bookstore to read comics.

---

Hearing this, Rei Furutani's tone suddenly changed.

"Kazami, did you notice that Akikawa suddenly changed his itinerary, yet you still followed him?"

"Yes, why?"

Kazami Yuya suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

"Did you ever think that Akikawa Kyousuke might be testing if someone was tailing him?"

---

"That's impossible. He's never seen me before, so how could he know he's being followed?"

"Special individuals, like spies or undercover agents, are highly sensitive to being tailed."

"Kazami, when you appeared for the second time, were you within his line of sight?"

"To confirm the book in his hands, I pretended to be a customer and walked past him."

"But he didn't seem to notice me."

---

"Fine. Don't follow Akikawa Kyousuke for now."

"If what Kyouji Toda said is true, you may have already raised Akikawa's suspicions."

"All right."

Kazami Yuya reluctantly agreed but still felt Rei Furutani was being overly cautious.

---

"Kazami, I know you don't believe me and think it's impossible for Akikawa to have such abilities given his background."

Rei Furutani suddenly guessed Kazami's thoughts, leaving him surprised.

But this time, Rei Furutani's voice lost its usual measured tone, becoming low and serious.

"Remember, never underestimate your opponent."

"If Akikawa Kyousuke is truly dangerous, Kazami, you'd be dead after appearing in front of him a second time today."

(End of Chapter)