Chapter 6: No one's untouchable
Tobias takes another bite of his sandwich bought from the nearby mini Market.
After the sudden revelation four years ago, he starting to distance himself from his blonde friend and his senpai, the action which confused by both of them for unknown reason. He felt horrible, sure Tobias has fair share of his assassination in the past so killing to him now feel more like a job than a Hercules task that put strain onto his mental heatlh.
But it doesn't, by all mean, he's proud of it, the two scientists he killed, they had family, they had just met their daughters and he outright killed them in cold blood. Both of them happened to be parents of the important characters in the series, being Akemi Miyano and Shiho Miyano. That was even harder to think about when he realized earlier that day, the auburn hair girl he bumped into could be Shiho herself, how ironic she met the killer of her parents prior to the night they died.
'No wonder those dreadful feeling always surged when I met those scientists… Damn great, now I put two childs into a damn orphanage at best or just single handedly yield them to the crows at worst.'
Tobias sighed, to relieve himself from the guilt, he accepted more job than usual, even going as far as doing those contracts during day. But because of those actions inadvertently pushed away Saguru and Minerva, making them felt worry for their fellow grumpy friend for straight up four years. After such long time of waiting strenuously, Minerva decided to propose to both of her Kouhais today for a gathering of trio to celebrate her scoring championship she said, they're going to meet up at her house and from there make a detour to Royal Museum for sightseeing, as well as check out some kind of very top dollar jewelry that's putting on the display for the public.
Though Tobias knew better, Saguru must have been in cooperate with their senpai to cooed he out to meet them, another reason being this is a beautiful jewelry, it's bound to attract a certain unwelcomed Magician theft that Saguru has been pestering Tobias to go with him and catch this theft. If his assumption is right, then this theft is none other than Kid himself, or Toichi Kuroba for the record since he's still early in the canon. Tobias slapped himself for neglecting the fact that later in the series, Saguru Hakuba dedicated himself to basically chase after Kid, kinda remind him of that Nakamori inspector but ten times more handsome and more intelligent, no offense though.
He sighed and look to his watch, it's near the meeting time but Saguru was nowhere to be found. Then again, who he's kidding, it was him that pushed them away for four years so he has no right to complain about few minutes, those are amateurs number compare to the time he distance himself from others.
"Well well well, if it isn't my favourite grumpy assistant Watson, why the long face?"
'Oh yeah, forgot that this guy's still prideful as hell.'
Standing just a meter away from Tobias was Saguru himself with his gentleman smile, those year of puberty has started kicking in making both Saguru and Tobias grow into fine specimens at the age of thirteen, quote from their female peers. Saguru now looks similar to his counterpart in manga with his signature smile and blonde-brown hair.
"You're almost late…" Tobias mumbles but audible enough for Saguru to hear. He chuckles lightly and shows Tobias his pocket watch.
"I don't think so Airu, as you can see I'm just about on time according to this watch, which is only looses 0.001 second per year." Said Saguru with full pride in himself to point Tobias could practically feels it seeping out of his blonde friend's body.
Tobias mentally slapped himself, he forgot Saguru will soon or has already became a meticulous magnificent bastard who's obsessed with being punctual. The pocket watch is always perfectly tuned, and he'll berate anyone who's late.
"Right take this and hop on, Minerva-senpai is waiting for us." Tobias throws Saguru a blue painted helmet while he put on his black one and rev up his motorcycle's engine.
"Still can't believe you bought yourself a Motorcycle, you sure know how to drive properly? Do you even have a license?" Inquired by Saguru while putting helmet on. He believes in his friend's judgement but definitely does not want to forfeit his life this early.
"I had my way Sherlock, now get on or if you fancy a walk from here to Minerva-senpai's house, be my guest. I'm sure as hell don't though"
Tobias bought himself an Aprilia SVX 550 painted in black and gray color scheme, finally he could achieve his dream of owning one supermoto bike to drive to his heart content. The excessive money he made from all those contracts he took on during those four years more than enough to granted him many privilege including riding this baby while somehow still managed to obtain his own driver's license, though he needed to convince his parents first. Finally they conceded but his father has an even better idea, a motorcycle training to help him whenever he need to catch up to his assassination target or reaching in someplace during critical time.
It was one of the best time during his life though, especially when your parent's so rich that they willing to rent out the entire track just for Tobias's personal use, he could perform all kind of tricks, practice his reaction time and just simply drive his motorcycle and do anything he want. It's a perfect hobby keeping his mind off from the constant killing from his working contracts as an Agent.
The ride was uneventful, there were some occasional question coming from Saguru here and there but Tobias quickly answered curtly, not wanting to reveal much about his other live. Saguru could only sigh in resignation, he's worry about his grumpy friend and his withdrawal attitude, out of the three, he's the most secretive when it come to his personal, not like Saguru want to intrude it, but the constant mood change as well as his distant nature suddenly came out of nowhere four years ago had negatively affected their friendship.
Minerva's house can only be sum up in one word… luxury. It look more like a villa than a cottage, if Saguru and Tobias's perception are right, then it also has rooftop pool and a dedicated tennis court just for Minerva herself. The money he earned from those contracts thought enough to buy himself a cozy cottage like back at Japan, he can't fathom how professional tennis player like his senpai who literally have just joined the championship for like 2 years could afford villa like this, and even a private tennis court too.
'Talk about spending money… But who am I kidding, she's literally managed to snatch the first place consecutively in two years. And if I remember correctly she's soon earn herself the nickname 'Grass Court Queen'.'
Tobias glances back at Saguru, who's also marveling at the sight of his senpai's house.
'Oh yeah I forgot this guy's also a dangerous one too, I don't delve into much about Saguru Hakuba personal information but I remember he's also a son of what seem like Superintendent General of Tokyo Metropolitan Police, so in a sense, this guy might not be too far behind Minerva in term of wealth and influence that is.'
"So you want to go in first?" Saguru turns his head to ask Tobias, who in turn was quite startled by it due to his train of thought.
"Well, aren't you the gentleman here? I'm just an assistant Holmes, an assistant, not a butler."
"Sure sure." Saguru chuckles then proceed to walk toward the intricately carved wooden door, the sheer amount of wealth this place exuded enough make Tobias's skin crawl. The two Sherlock Holmes duo waited for awhile until the door is opened and greeted by a blonde kid with blue eyes.
"H-Hello?" Said the kid shakily, the two Japanese share the look of confusion on their face until Tobias suddenly remember in the Holmes's Revelation, Minerva has a brother name Apollo Glass. He was about to call out but was stopped by his consciousness, if they hear him, they would be confused how in the world he know.
"Who's the kid?" Asked Tobias in English to his friend, who could only shook his head. "Don't know, but let me try. Uhh, hello kid, is there anyone name Minerva Glass? We're her Junior friend invited by her."
The kid contemplating a bit before his eyes widen with bright full smile, he then pointed at us. "AHH! Both of you are The duo Holme's apprentices solving case on newspaper right?! SIS! Holmes's apprentices are here to meet you…!" The kid ran back into the house leaving both Saguru and Tobias in confusion, they could only look at one another and meekly smiled like nothing happen.
"Sorry Saguru-kun, Airu-kun! I was busying work out!" came the blonde queen senpai, Tobias has to quickly advert his eyes by turning the other way around while Saguru didn't have chance to react as he was entranced by Minerva's beauty. Their senpai was wearing sport clothes with towel over her shoulder and she's sweating from morning routine for athlete.
'Remember her, remember her, remember her,… wait why thinking about Sera somehow helped me with this situation?!'
True, somehow that calm down his heart beat whenever he thinks back about the night they talked to each other when they were still a kid at that beach vacation, Tobias has used this technique whenever he started to loose the grip of reality and managed to pull back from the depth of it, he still questions it but decided to shrug it off till today.
On the other hand, Saguru almost wanted slap himself for staring too much at his senpai, being a renowned gentleman in the school, he has utmost standard to uphold but now he's almost broke by gawking at sight of Minerva, also not to feed any ammunition for his assistant Watson to make fun of himself.
"Are you both okay?"
"A-Ah nothing senpai! We're all good." Saguru, for first time in his entire life, stammered in front of the girl. Seeing this, a mischievous idea popped inside Tobias's head making his sadistic side slightly reared it's head with his signature grin.
"Ahh! A shame really" Tobias said as he shook his head, the action made both his senpai looked at him weirdly. "and here I thought that kid was your love child with Minerva-senpai. Tsk tsk what a same…" A deafening silence permeated the entire atmosphere around the trio until there were smoke coming out from both Minerva and Saguru.
"W-What are you talking about!? H-how is that even sound plausible to you! A-and h… how did you arrive that conclusion." Saguru stuttered desperately to defend himself while Minerva was petrified. Tobias's smile grew wider as the old friend sadistic smile finally showed it's full ugly self.
"Who know? That kid sure looked like you, and only god know what in heaven both of you have been doing while I was away. Admit it, Minerva-senpai has many hundred of fans and admirers but you gotta say it's weird she don't have anyone in her league till now right? especially even after she managed to snatch the first place twice in a row in Wimbledon yet no sight of her interest. From there I believe it's not because she doesn't have one but she's already had one but in secret, if we exclude her family out, who're the closest person to her? You and me! And if we eliminated me out of the equation the only person left is YOU!"
Tobias said with the most sadistic smile he ever bought out. Right now Saguru was too speechless to refute Tobias's statement as he kept mustering incoherent words while Minerva just stand dead on spot.
"Kuku, relax, it's just my theory, maybe Minerva-sempai is devoting to Tennis so she still hasn't had time for those thing yet. Anyway, sorry for intruding!." Tobias said as he walked into the house, ignoring the two statues with their eyes glued to him. He flashed them a satisfied smile and winked his eye toward Saguru before disappearing into the house.
Saguru and Minerva broke out of their stupor and glance at each other but both parties quickly broke their eyes away, still flusher by Tobias's comment, a blush creeps up on the face of detective and tennis player making them redder than tomato. Finally Minerva broke a small giggle.
"Well what an entrance huh?" Minerva said, Saguru could only offer a sheepish smile at her remark. Though deep inside him, he doesn't know should he chastise Tobias for making fun of his senpai and him or compliment him for being a best wingman.
Saguru will burn that bridge when it come, now he has to act like a gentleman to his senpai. "I'm deeply apologize for my friend's action."
"Ahahaha, nothing nothing Saguru-kun, seeing him this lively bring back good memories of us. Come in!" Minerva smiled widely
Saguru's heart suddenly fluttered, he didn't know why but it struck him, 'Maybe it wasn't so bad at all.'. One thing for sure though, the trio finally reunited after a long time.
He may need to thanks Tobias for being a wingman later though.
"KID? As in that magician thief KID?" Minerva voice comes from the kitchen while both Saguru together with Tobias and Apollo are talking to each other in the living room.
"Yes senpai, and his target seem to be the some kind of gemstone in the Royal Museum. Something something name Pharaoh's Legacy…" Saguru says while he's watching news on the outlets about it, the reporter said KID sent the letter a few days ago to the Museum owner to announce his next shows to which earned a scoff from Tobias. 'Show off…'
["As you can see, right now the Museum is crowded with tons of reporter and many fans of the infamous magician thief KID. Police's reinforcement has been mobilized at maximum capacity to not only control the crowd but also ready to catch the thief. Just now we managed to see the message the magician left behind, as it's read:
In the next three days, when the moon is on high rise with the sun in mirror, I shall come and deliver the soul of the deaths to the other side of the world by stealing the Pharaoh's Legacy. Signed: KID
We will update the situations as it's develop, see you around."]
"Saguru, you feel something's off with the message?" Tobias asked his blonde friend who paid attention meticulously to the news, it's seem like he caught some kind of hidden meaning beneath the message KID left behind.
"Hmm, kind of, but we can't reach the conclusion yet, I need more extra info to work with." Saguru said, true that's always want one day to meet the infamous KID but now he has too little intelligence to asses the situation and put a wrench into KID's plan.
"The Pharaoh's Legacy? I know about that!" Chimed in the voice of Apollo making both bishounens looks at him expectantly, perhaps the knowledge behind the gemstone could help both detectives in training to deal with the thief has in store for them.
"Alright, Apollo you can be our little assistant, so tell us. What do you know about it?" Saguru flashed the boy his charming smile making Apollo's smiled widen, nodding giddily. Tobias could only roll his eyes at the display of Saguru's unrivalry charisma and his eloquent speech to convince other people, but Tobias listen to nonetheless.
"Umm! The Pharaoh's Legacy is actually not a single gemstone but a gold encased neckale that comprise of 5 different jewelry, each symbolised one different deity in Egypt mythology being Osiris, Horus, Seth, Re and Anubis. Brightest and biggest gemstone being Anubis." Apollo puffed out his chest in pride about his knowledge to share with his idols.
Saguru and Tobias glances at each other, something is off here and it's seem like both of them have pickup a rather important detail about the Pharaoh's Legacy as a whole and underlying message in KID's letter.
"Well can't believe he deliberately deliver right that to us, just hope the police's realized." Tobias said as he chuckle.
"Now now Watson, don't come to conclusion that hasty, we still haven't inspect the stage he'll perform the tricks yet." Though Saguru said that, he couldn't stop a smirk creeping up his face, he and Tobias may have already a glimpse of what will happen and this is the first time they face off against the infamous thief, a big case at that.
"Oh? You two gonna to catch a that thief KID? You and your addiction to Sherlock Holmes stuff… Ah well guess a trip of us gonna to watch the two Heisei detective and his assistant catch a thief, right Apollo?" Minerva's voice comes from the door way, she's holding a tray of various drinks she made for her kouhai and her brother. Apollo, upon hearing, jump in ecstatic.
"Your little brother is knowledgeable, Minerva-senpai. Just like Saguru." Tobias said with a grin as he sipping his morning coffee made by his senpai without turning his gaze back to his friend since he's known their expression already. A blush creeps up both of Minerva and Saguru's face, the two still flustered about earlier commotion and now their friend is acting deliberately as a wingman.
"What does he mean by that sister?" Apollo innocently asked his sister, for some reason his sister just suddenly move like a robot and refuse to meet Saguru's gaze so he's quite confused by their action.
"Nothing nothing! Tobias just wanted to mess with us." Minerva quickly defuse the situation, she can't let her five year old brother tainted by such thing as this early age.
"So are we gonna to go now? Or you gonna to play skinny love like that for another 5 minutes?" Tobias exclaimed and walked past both of his friend to front door after he had drunk down the entire coffee cup in on swoop.
Saguru broke out of his stupor as he's fuming. "WATSON!"
"HAHAHAHA!"
"Now this… is rather unexpected." Saguru said, he looks around to see most visitor today are all Fan club of KID. The quantity is nothing scoff at though, KID really have large fanbase for his tricks and Saguru doesn't understand why would they cheer for an illicit act like stealing. 'Oh well, life is strange I guess.'
"Yeah, I have no idea that what's with a guy dress up in a white suit knowing to do elaborate tricks could earn such support and garner this many people…" Tobias voice his support for Saguru's idea.
"So what are we gonna to do, they seem to only let a handful of people inside?" Minerva said with inquisitive tone, she want today to be the field trip day for her group with two of her kouhais but it's seem like this is going nowhere.
"Let me handle it." Saguru then proceed to walk toward one of the guard, both Tobias and Minerva look at each other in confusion as the guard, when hearing what Saguru whispers into his ears, suddenly flay around his radio a bit before speaking something urgently into it, a few second later, the guard nods at Saguru. He turned back and motioned them to follow him.
"How did you do it?" Inquired by Tobias. Saguru, who in turn just smirked at his assistant which did nothing but annoying Tobias further.
"A magician must never reveal his his magic trick." Saguru said with a small smile. Tobias could only rolled his eyes, but then suddenly perked up at Saguru.
"Are sure you're Saguru? Because that quote sound something like a kind of nonsense that KID would spout out." Tobias said as he eyeing his friend suspiciously, sure he, Saguru and Minerva have been traveling here together since they left their senpai's house so the window of time for KID to disguise as Saguru could near zero but that doesn't mean Tobias could eliminate the possibility. After all, only he, his blonde friend, his senpai, senpai's younger brother are allowed to enter the museum. Minerva subconsciously stands between Apollo and Saguru.
"Woah woah calm down Tobias, you and I haven't separated from each other during our trip here right? So I have perfect alibi to prove that's I'm not KID in disguise." Saguru waves his hand dismissively to defend himself. Tobias could only raise his eye's browns but decided to shrug it off too, no used in catching the thief if they constantly doubt each other, that's what KID want anyway, chaos so he could sweep in to steal the good.
"You! Are you two the young detectives my men said?" The group turns to see a middle age man in police uniform walking toward them. Saguru and Tobias nod to the man question, he huffed then looks at them with his scrutinize gaze.
"Commissioner Garrett, I hope both you live up to your reputation and who's this?" Garrett said as he turned his gaze to Minerva, who seem to be a bit uncomfortable, not until Saguru steps in between.
"She's Minerva Glass and our friend, I believe she's quite famous so you'll recognize the name." Tobias snickers at Saguru's action, he may not know it but Tobias could tell it's definitely not one of his gentleman act but he did it with his own volition.
"Huh, no idea what a professional tennis player could help but since you vow for her, I'll buy it. Come, I'll quickly walk you through the whole situation." Eventually, the group together with commissioner Garrett survey around the museum design to have a good idea of what the layout are and how tight the security is.
The museum itself consists of two wings upstairs, an eastern wing on the middle floor, and two wings in the basement. An outside garden in middle of it with fountain the walkway, there're also numerous of room of utility like security and electricity boxes around the hallway dedicated to a large blast resistance door lead to the main room held the prize of today, the Pharaoh's Legacy, although to specifically, the only one in prize room is just the gemstone of Anubis though, according to the Museum owner but for some reason Tobias and Saguru doubt it.
As for the rest, the plan is actually spreading out the five gem into different position with many artifacts surrounding it, they even go as far as to create diamond stimulants and put the real one among them to fool the thief, though commissioner Garrett didn't say which one is real, which is one fake.
On the upper floor, Horus and Osiris are separated into two different wings while Seth and Re are put in the Eastern wing of ground floor. The room contain Anubis must be access via through another main room to display mostly egyptian artifacts, both of them are heavily fortified.
Saguru's holding the KID letter as to discover any deeper meaning behind it, he's also mulling about the mysterious layout of the room contain the Anubis one as Garrett nor the Museum owner didn't want to show it to him and his friends.
'Something's missing here…' His gut's telling him that the polices are withholding something crucial but they doesn't trust his group enough to divulge it.
On the other hand, Tobias is observing all the display cases contain the four different gemstone, the four diamonds are all in cut in emerald shape with length 10 cm and width 5cm, it's seem to have thickness about 2 cm. He then proceed to inspect the display glass until he notices something is off, he looks to the other artifacts to confirm his theory. A small grin grows on Tobias's face.
Saguru pokes his assistant, the two need to discuss the next step of their plan based on the information they gathered throughout the survey trip, though the duo has somewhat of an idea what will happen in the next night, granted the message should be a structure to both of their hypothesis of what will likely to transpire the day of the heist. Now they just need to confirm one last element.
"Saguru, you noticed the difference between these display case?" Whispers Tobias.
"Yes, I think we all which one is real and which one is fake by now, don't we?" The Heisei Holmes smiles, he could always count on his assistant when the time in need to come for small details to solves the numerous cases in the past. But now, this is different, they're about facing an elusive opponent who's notoriously known to break through even the toughest security in the world to steal his prize. Saguru tries his best to remain the calm gentleman demeanor but deep inside, he's trembling with excitement.
"Yep, now we only need to see what's inside the basement, if only we can get our hand on the blueprint." Tobias murmured, he could use his Agent status to get that but doing so be abusing the power so he discarded his thought, not only that but his friends would question how did he get it.
"Gotta improvise Watson, let's go, we have no time to waste. Minerva-senpai and her brother are occupied with artifacts."
The two of them are now currently in the basement hallway littered with crates and excessive tool, Tobias and Saguru opt to go together due to the basement layout is designed similar to a small maze. On their way to examine the interior, Tobias voiced his question.
"Do you think it's possible to access the grand room from here? Like a secret passage or making his own entrance, something similar like that?"
Saguru put on his thinker pose a bit before shaking his head.
"The possibility is low, first there's no guard here, even if they try bait and switch tactic, at least some form of protection should be employed in case KID disguise as staff of Museum. As you can see, not even a camera here to monitor. Second, the thickness between the basement and ground floor, to make that kind of entrance to the grand room, he's gonna need hella lot of explosive device or a very very very drill, the execution is gonna to be nightmare. Not only that but we have no idea the interior of the Grand Room, all we know that's is involve some kind of trap to catch KID as line of defense…" Saguru, during his speech then notices a crate near him and Tobias, he doesn't say anything but go near it to have a better look.
"Saguru?" Tobias also questions his friend's abrupt stop, his eyes lays on the crate that Saguru took interest in.
"Tobias, hand me the crowbar." The Heisei Holmes order to which surprise his assistant, who could only stare in confusion plastered on his entire face, but he decided to follow.
The moment the wooden crate is open, a smile adorned Saguru's face. Tobias decides to have a peek, the cog in his head start turning until a grin appears on his face too like Saguru.
"Well now…"
A few hours later
"I can't believe you two are so addicted to Sherlock Holmes to the point you left us to do investigating and play detective on your own."
Minerva is fuming. Of course she is, their trip was suppose to be a get together to foster their friendship after Tobias distanced himself from them for four years. She was only joked back at her house that her kouhais would catch the magician theft, mostly because in the past, her kouhais only solved case around near there school, although their reputation got boosted, it's nowhere near a professional detective. She sure didn't expect them to outright abandoned her and her brother and seriously committed to unveiling the KID.
Saguru and Tobias could only offer their senpai an apologetic smile, they were so into planning theory and hypothesis which scenario could happen that they forgot their senpai was waiting for them to satisfied their detective addiction.
"Ehe, sorry senpai, it's just that we were close to solving the mystery of that KID so we kinda forgot about the time."
Minerva sighed, in the end she couldn't reprimand her kouhais, after all it's their obsession with Holmes may have been running deep into their blood since the first day they met. Apollo though is beaming with a biggest smile he could muster.
"You guy know what's the magic KID will perform next?! Can you show it?" Apollo begs. Saguru and Tobias look at each other and smirk, they look back to young Apollo and ruffle his hair.
"A magician must never real his magic trick."
"It's sure a beautiful evening for such grand event, don't you think so? Sherrinford?" Tobias says as he leans on his motorcycle, munch another sandwich as an afternoon snack with his friend, sitting next to his friend.
"A perfect evening, a nice ride… and we drive to the ends of this Glimmering Milieu…" Saguru chuckle with a coffee cup on his hand, he argued that it's required since both of them gonna to stay up late to catch the phantom thief.
"Sure sure, no need to give chapter and verse though, Heisei Holmes." Saguru's grumpy friend remark sarcastically as Saguru's choice of word. Reality though, at first Tobias seem skeptical about making friend with the Half European detective because of his fear of creating deviation from original plot, the Hitman sure didn't expect his friendship to come a long way since then, not even counting the fact that they even have the future Grass Court Queen in their circle of friend.
Tobias has came to piece with his existence in his world, he knew that his presence alone has caused a ripple effect across the entire plotline. While not entirely cause the a full deviation, the change was noticeable, evident by the fact that he assassinated Shiho's parents, being Elena Miyano and Atsushi Miyano, it were intended for them to die in an accident in original timeline, now? Not so much.
'At this rate, I won't be surprised much if more divergence occurs in the future, here just hope not to be complete alienate from what I knew.'
Tobias sighed, he put on his helmet and rev up his bike's engines, he throws the other helmet to his friend, Saguru, motions him to get ready as well for this night show.
'Ah well, beggar can't be chooser.'
A few hours later
"Woah… I did not see that one coming…"
"Yeah, I thought the number of fan yesterday was already enough, but damn…"
Tobias and Saguru have just left the parking lot nearby to walk toward the museum on foot. The crowd surrounding the Royal Museum should be enough to just over half a football stadium. It's still baffle them how on earth a phantom thief like KID could be crowded as a celebrity with million of fan across the globe.
"Right, we'd better make haste lest get stuck in this many fans, but I'm surprised much considering that guy always make use of the chaos his supporter of could create to his advantage, Commissioner Garrett's men should recognize us, also keep your eyes open, who knows we could spotted the thief before he could even perform his trick."
Tobias and Saguru try their best to snake their way to the entrance of the Museum, it's clear that for tonight, the Royal Museum is clear of visitor with almost entire police force of London stationed here, although the duo doesn't know why there're a lot of reporters and camera man inside the Museum's premises.
'Don't they suspect KID will disguise as one of the TV crews.'
Unfortunately for Tobias and Saguru, no matter how inconspicuous they tried to be, some spectators may have recognize them from the distance.
"Wait! Who are those kids that got in?"
"Now that you said it, aren't those the Asian kids who's helped solving case with the police recently?"
"The self proclaimed Heisei Holmes?"
Murmurs quickly spread throughout the people watching the scene unfold as the two detective and his assistant talk casually with the police and they let them in. It's soon catches the attention of the paparazzi as well as many as reporters.
"We've just received the news that the police has invited a duo of young detectives to help them in catching the phantom thief KID. It's still unsure of their intervention would be able to figure out the magic show tonight or not but we will constantly update the situation as it goes on."
The camera then proceed to zoom in on the two figures talking to the police guarding the entrance of the Museum, the news soon exploded on internet forum about speculation of the identities of the two young detectives. It's wouldn't have been anything substantial had someone watched the news at the same time, said the snaggletooth girl's eyes was widen when she realized when the camera focus on the duo detectives.
Back to Tobias, he's pinching the bridge of his nose because he and Saguru are now being asked to interview with the reporter about their role in tonight show then suddenly, a chilling sensation's sent down his spine.
'What the hell was that?' He frantically looks around but spots nothing out of ordinary. His gut is tingling, he could feel it. Not until he's snapped out of it by Saguru.
"Tobias! What's wrong? You seem to be daze off just now" Saguru said with concern hinted in his voice, he's still afraid that something's just clicked whatever inside his friend's brain and triggered bad memories that makes him distance himself again.
"No nothing, it must have been my imagination."
Saguru obviously doesn't buy it but it's seem like his friend won't answer any further even if he presses on so for the time, he'll relents.
"Right, if you say so… There's still a few hours left before the show begins, I was thinking if you want to go with me to do one final overview to see if anything's out of place?"
"Yeah… let's go…"
Near Midnight
"So, you youngsters found anything yet." Inquired Garrett as he's drinking his cup of tea, the man was at first with their intrusion as he felt like the duo seem like just a wannabe detective but later after he'd seen their first action of investigation by them, he was moderately impressed by such young ages. In the end, he accepted their help but another reason being that KID doesn't steal much in England so most officers here are lacking experience in dealing with a magician thief.
"Nothing out of ordinary commissioner, but we have theory of what his plan will be, now we just need to wait for confirmation." Saguru said with full confidence. Yesterday, after he and Tobias came back home, they both stayed up late to come up different kind of scenarios based on all what they had found.
"There are up two timelock doors here, he's gonna to need a lot of time to unlock them unless KID directly override them via two terminals in security room if he want to steal the Pharaoh's Legacy." The Director of Museum assures everyone, but it's seem that didn't convince both Tobias and Saguru, who both looks skeptical at the fact that this magician theft they are dealing with.
"I don't think so Mr. Director" Tobias states, to which earned everyone's attention around him while Saguru smirks, watching his assistant's deduction. "You forgot that he's also a magician, the least thing you expect him to do, the most likely he pull it off. I can assure you that if you speculate that he won't walk through the front door, then he will waltz right in, scoop up the Pharaoh's Legacy and exit through front door without touching the timelock."
Everyone is taken aback by his claim, some doesn't even believe in them and brushes it off like with a scoff. Everything Tobias said is treated like a joke or an empty claim, not until the light of the entire Museum is completely turned off.
"WHAT THE HELL?" one of the officers exclaims.
"He's here, KID's here!?" The Director shrieks in horror.
"Calm down both of you! Someone calls the guards patrolling near the Electricity boxes." Barked commissioner Garrett.
On the other hand, both Saguru and Tobias are both awfully calm about the black out, as if they've predicted this long time to go. They keep standing there with Saguru, observing his pocket watch, waiting for the time to come.
The light comes back on after just 2 minutes, in their eyes it's a bit short but if their theory is correct, then the shorter the blackout is, the more beneficial for KID it is. The radio on commissioner is full chaotic sounds from many different officers, trying to get their bearing of what's going on. Everyone is in scramble until an officer who looked to be complete exhausted storms into the room.
"The… the gems… Horus and… and Osiris were all stolen." He said with hoarse voice, everyone in the room except Tobias and Saguru has their face drained out of blood. The duo grows a faint smile on their, confirming the next step of their plan, the same thing can't be said to commissioner Garrett and the Director though, the former almost goes ballistic when he heard the news while the latter's face was completely paled at the news.
"What are you waiting for?! Lockdown the entire place! The rest of you follow me to the Grand Room." Garrett said as he bolts out of the room with the Director, who's sweating like waterfall by the way, and the rest of the guards. The situations right now is too hectic for them to notice the two detectives who's following them calmly from behind.
The Director's nervously fiddling with the radio in his hands, trying his best to stay calm amidst panicking of surrounding officers. "Is the camera on yet? Do we have the visual inside the Grand Room?!" He stuttered.
Tobias could only looks at his friend and both of them chuckle, this is far too amusing not to watch when what he said earlier becomes true now. The timelock lead to the Grand hall still on but they have no visual inside the Grand Room, now they just need to wait for the final part of the impostor's show to unveil.
"Tell them to manually override the Timelock first, we need to get in there fast as there's still a chance KID himself need to solve the puzzle." Garrett orders the Director, the poor man could only sweatingly follows.
'Now for the grand finale.' Instead of following on the front with commissioner and the Director, the duo choose to slow down the back of the formation. They also prepare the necessary equipment for KID's final trick.
As soon as the second timelock is done unlocked, the whole crowd of officer staff pouring in the cave-like structure stair lead to the Grand Room. Meanwhile Tobias and Saguru descend down leisurely.
"How long do you it will take for the have a taste of their own medicine?" Asked sarcastically by Tobias with both of his hands behind his head.
"10 seconds give or take, incapacitating agents like sleeping gas kicks in quite fast through the human's nerves system, it should render them unconscious soon enough−" Just as Saguru says, the duo picked up a faint smell in their nostril, effectively alerting them of what's happening next.
"Well time to make our entrance."
Toichi Kuroba is satisfied, the heist was by no mean hard. He must admit the system security in between is tough to get by though, but who said he need to crack those annoying door to get his prize when he could easily pull some string to make the house owner do it for himself.
'Now the puzzle…' The puzzle is actually the annoying part here. It's not hard to solve but seriously time-consuming, one step wrong and he has to wait for the reset timer and sleeping gas fill in the room again.
The phantom magician thinks back about the two young detectives, they seem to know the jig is up by now but there're no sight of them. Maybe they're late for the shows or have realized too late.
"Now that's an impressive trick KID, you sure could make fortune with being a magician career alone. I wonder why stealing Jewelry is your part-time job by the way?"
Of course, they're here, but Toichi didn't expect both of them are completely wide awake among the ground littered with sleeping officers. The two teen detectives stand there proudly with gas masks on their face, looking at the phantom magician.
"You're 1 minute and 32 seconds late KID." The one in brown suit said, making the other turns back to face his friend.
"You… you really have to do it huh?"
"Punctuality is one of the must have requirement in etiquette and you can't argue otherwise, Watson."
Toichi could feel the teen in black jacket rolls his eyes at his friend's remark. He's clearly intrigued by the duo when he saw they first step into the Museum as a self-proclaim detective at young ages, more so when they boldly stated that Toichi could steal the main prize of tonight without touching the timelock door.
"Well now the two young detectives, it's seem like you've seen through my magic trick. May I inquire how did you deduced it? But first! A little introduction won't hurt, does it." Toichi asks with hint of mild curiosity in his voice, he wants to test how far they've gone to catch him in his show. The duo looks at each other before nodding, Saguru is the first one to take off his mask with his signature smile on his face.
"Saguru Hakuba, detective-in-training, the pleasure's all mine KID."
Then come the kid in black jacket, he took off with a confident smile plastered all over his face as he points at Saguru
"Tobias Rieper, this guy's certified assistant. As for the trick".
Tobias grins, it's been so long since he had this satisfaction of deconstructing the culprit's master plan, not since the beach holiday incident. Most of the time he went with Saguru to solve case when they study in England, he always chose the supporter role by helping gather evidences at the crime scene, but now? This is difference, facing the infamous KID and solve the puzzle he left behind? It was too fun to pass through.
Noticing his assistant's smile, Saguru could only smirk and step back, letting Tobias has his own moment.
"The security of the Museum. Nothing is flawless KID, even thought the timelock mechanism seem like a perfect time-delaying strategy, it has a fair share of problem too. By sealing the prized gemstone behind a great deal of security to keep it away from you, they too are also lack control of it outside of monitor the gem with security cam. At that time, I was asking myself, hold on the second, if the KID can't reach it but so does the owner, what's the point? At that time I've realized, why bother wasting time when you can let the police themselves open the door for you, not like anyone would expect a theft to use a front door, would they?" Said Tobias with glee, deep inside, he's trying his best to suppress his sadistic smile from ever growing.
"That's where your letter come in−" Saguru chimes in with Toichi's challenge letter in his hand. "−Normally, people will be mislead by the fact that you were aim toward the Pharaoh's Legacy as a whole but in reality, your real prize for tonight is Anubis gemstone over there, the way you word it is a dead giveaway: 'I shall come and deliever the soul of the deaths to the other side of the world'. In Egypt Mythology, Anubis was the Egyptian god of the afterlife and mummification. He helped judge souls after their death and guided lost souls into the afterlife. The way you stated in message indicated that you were aiming for Anubis gemstone, the Commissioner and Director were unaware of this small detail and they fell right into your trap." Saguru finished his statement and step back, opting let Tobias takes the next stage.
"You stole only the Horus and Osiris gemstone simply because two out of four that were put on display to the public were real. The trick? Simple! The display case is how you identified which one is real, only the Osiris and Horus's display case have logo of the Museum on it, marking it as genuine, the same thing can be said to many artifacts out there, as long as it has logo of museum on, it's real stuff. The Director of the Museum used that way to tried to throw off your show but he didn't expect you to have already realized. That's why when one of the officers announced that Horus and Osiris have been stolen, the Director was in complete panic and it all back to my the timelock and your letter, he thought that you have known the real location of all five gemstone, combine with the outage of camera specifically in the Grand Room is more than enough to send the poor man to hysterical state." Tobias said with a grin on his face, he couldn't contain it so might as well let loose some of his true nature. 'Kuku, all according to keikaku.'
Finally, as a cherry on top, Saguru step up while spinning the gas mask in his hand. "As for how we came with preparation, let's just say that yesterday, we managed to discover a large quantity of sleeping gas tank in one of the crates under the basement. For an ordinary museum, it's sure suspicious to me so I came with a hypothesis that the Grand Room must have some kind of trap mechanism pertain to sleeping gas. Well, seem like my instinct was right all along."
Toichi Kuroba is completely blown away from the deduction of these two young detectives, he even questions if they are truly kid for their age as he could tell their intellect are way above average. A duo of teenage, a detective with his assistant at the age almost same like his son, managed to get behind his magic show just like that. Toichi could only smile at the two prodigies.
"True, true, I would have never expected a two teenage detective able to spot such small detail that the police could not see. So then, what now, are you going to catch me? Need I not to remind both of you that you're stuck in here with me, right?" Now it's Toichi's turn to go offense, detective's job is to discover the truth hidden by the fog of mystery while magician is complete opposite of that, they utilize the fact, turn them from true to false and from false to true. You'll be surprise that the best lie is the lie with 99% truth and 1% lie after all.
Saguru narrowed his eyes dangerously, now come next part he's least prepared for, most of the time when solving crime, the police will take care of the final part being arresting the criminal, not the detective's job. But considering the situation right now, with literally everyone expect for him, Tobias and KID are out cold on the ground.
Opposite of Saguru though, Tobias seem taking this way too nonchalantly as he now has his bored expression on his face. "We'll help you solve the puzzle of course! The sooner we get that puzzle undone, the faster we get out of here."
"Huh?" Saguru and Toichi were stunned by Tobias's sudden exclamation, helping a criminal? That sound absurd to his blonde friend and the phantom thief, sure right now the thief has more experience in dealing with the situation and this Saguru and Tobias's first time dealing with case big like this but that doesn't mean they have to surrender without a fight.
"Now before you question my sanity Saguru, I can explain−" Tobias said with his hand gesture not taking any question from Saguru. " −first you should know right now that guy in white suit cosplay Lupin over there −" Tobias points Toichi, who has a tick mark on his face.
"HEY!"
"−he's a magician, and you should have heard this quote already: The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. And beside, let me remind you that we have a promise to certain Grass Court Queen for tomorrow's plan." Tobias said with emphasize on the Grass Court Queen part to implies their senpai, at that moment Saguru stops, face stiffened.
"You came up with the idea of being target practice those years ago so you best take responsibility for it ya numbnuts. I'm not a masochist, thank you very much." Tobias deadpanned as he inspect the tiles puzzle, leaving both the heisei holmes and the magician thief in their stupor. Yesterday, after venting all of her frustration on her kouhais for leaving her and investigating on their own, Minerva made both of them swear that they'll come to watch a tennis match of her, and if Tobias and Saguru come late or don't come at all, someone gonna to be on receiving end of her racket.
Toichi could only chuckle at sigh, though he's interested in what Tobias said, it's clear that these two who are no younger than his son are also prodigy but they still have their quirks as a teenager, evident by their banter.
Half an hour later
"This… has turned into a rather difficult situation." Tobias said as he narrowed his eyes, it's over midnight now and he desperately need sleep, but the world said no, because he's stuck in here with a Sherlock Holmes zealot and an elusive phantom thief.
"You can say that again." Came tiring voices of both Saguru and Toichi. Tobias half expected it's from his friend but quite surprised from the infamous thief. The three geniuses furrowed their brows, this is going nowhere now.
"Infinity, life,…" Then an idea lit up inside Toichi's head, he proceed to step on some tiles that has Uoroboros and Ankh symbol finally come to the scarab beetle. Just then grand prize of tonight reveal itself in it's full glory. The Anubis gemstone, Toichi goes closer to examine the jewelry but not before turning back to see the two exhausted detectives.
"Go ahead and do the whole shine it under the moon or something like that. We're too tired to deal with this anyway." Tobias said which makes Toichi raised his eye's brow, 'How did this kid know what I'm about to do? And he somehow know that I won't steal the gem?' he eyes the thirteen year old boy help his companion and ascend the stair to get out the Grand Room, once both figures of young detectives no longer present in the room, Toichi could only chuckle. 'What an eventful night it is.'
Return back to our favorite duo detective, Tobias yawns as he tries his best to fight off his sleepiness while Saguru still holds a skeptical gaze.
"You sure he won't steal the stone? If so why?" asked Saguru with a doubtful tone.
"I've already done a research on him, he'll return back what he has stolen one way or the other. As for the motivation? Beat me." Tobias lied, in reality, he did know why Toichi Kuroba would running around and stealing these shiny stones only to return them later, but it's not like he can blurt out the entire plotline now, can't he.
Saguru want to question further but it's seem like his assistant won't be taking any more question from him so he decides to relent. They both require a much needed rest to recover from the constant catching thief ordeal today, and the fact that bunch of cameras and reporter pointing their mics toward the two friends detective with his assistant the moment they make it to the entrance of Museum doesn't help alleviating their fatigue any better.
"We saw what happened in the room, How did you come up with such ingenious theory!"
"Please Mr. Hakuba, can answer our question on how were you able to achieve such feast, and why you let the thief walk away like that? Is it some form of challenge?"
"Is it true? That you know the famous Grass Court Queen Minerva Glass?"
Saguru resists the urge to groan, he masks it by putting on his signature smile as a gentleman, but at that moment a sudden question arises in his head. 'Wait a second, why did they only mention my name? What about Airu?'. He turns his head to search for his companion but no sight of him.
'Traitor!'
On far away from there, Tobias is getting ready on his motorcylce, he's relieved that he managed to dodge the bullet with those paparazzi otherwise who know what will happen when the whole crowd of people witness he faints right in front of them. On a side note, he claps both his hands, praying that his friend Saguru will somehow survive for the rest of the night.
Just as Tobias revs up his bike's engine, a voice calls him. It's belong to someone he couldn't believe she would be here, it both sends calmness and chill down his entire body.
"AIRU!"
There she's standing, the girl he met back on that faithful night on the rooftop of his hotel during his beach vacation, the girl who somehow managed to keep his head cool whenever he's stressed. A smile plastered on her face adorn with a cute little fang, her short hair and emerald eyes only accentuate the tomboy side of her further. She's wearing a full leather jacket with fur on and blue jean. Her eyes looks directly to Tobias's with full glee and expectation.
"S…Sera!?"
The End
