AN: This is a companion piece to "Bug Sweep" which you probably should read before this one. Thank you for The Symbol of Faith (Indelible_Faith) for betaing! All mistakes are my own if you notice some, please tell me.
They had been reading and categorising reports for the PSB for decades. Thus, strange occurrences and incidents reported were nothing new to them. Neither were doodles on the margin of official reports which technically should have been written again, because doodles don't belong in any official document.
However, what Rei Furuya, codenamed Zero, was handing in was concerning. His paperwork had always been exemplary. Especially when he first joined, his reports had shown that the man was diligent and intelligent, a truly valuable operative. From time to time there had been suspicions in them that seemed a bit far-fetched, but most suspicions had proven to be true. Most notably the hunch that Rye had been a double agent.
After the death of his fellow infiltrator and friend, Hiromitsu Morofushi, his accounts had somehow become more clinical and more vicious. Considering the circumstances and since it didn't hinder his ability to operate successfully, they just noted it in Furuya's file, but didn't report it. Operatives all had their quirks, they were human after all.
When Rei Furuya informed them that he suspected that Shuichi Akai, who had been shot in the head on camera, was not dead at all and had somehow tricked the organization, they had been on the verge of reporting Furuya for insanity and unhealthy obsession.
Especially, when investigations just seemed to prove the fact that the FBI agent was dead. Yet, shortly before they decided to report that obsessive behaviour, news came in that confirmed the most outrageous hunch up to that point– the FBI agent was alive.
During the whole investigation, or more precisely since he began working in Café Poirot, there had been short complaints in the margins and an occasional recipe. Mostly about having to replace his bugs, since they were destroyed regularly. It wasn't a large amount, the equipment department confirmed that, so they had let it go. Not to mention that bugging a famous detective practically called for it.
But since they found out that Shuichi Akai was truly alive, the notes in the margins got stranger. The margins of the report after that one featured a crossed out but extensive list of fixtures and items fitting to a kitchen or pantry or both.
The report itself had been short and concise, even if it had a feeling of frustration to it– it certainly had been snarky. The subsequent paperwork had suspicious white powder on it that turned out to be flour later on, and had a triumphant feeling to it. The only notes in the margin said "Found it!" with a happily grinning smiley face next to it. The report itself had been very professional and clear.
About a week later the margins were taken over by doodles again. This time by happy smiling faces and light bulbs. A score of "Me 0:1 S" with a promise of victory next time was on it, too. And a sandwich recipe they would try later at home. Because so far, every recipe that had appeared in the margins had proven to yield delicious results. The report's contents were rather dull, though.
On the report after that, however, the margins were crowded with notes that gave mixed signals, some were angry, others content. There was a crossed out list of bathroom equipment and fixtures, the crossing out getting more aggressive with each line. But it also featured a "Found it!" accompanied by a smiley and a score that said "Me 0:2 S" with an even more certain declaration of victory for next time. Also, it had been damaged by water. Nevertheless, the report itself had been clear and concise, nothing to complain about apart from the unprofessional margins.
Some reports later the margins featured crossed out bathroom appliances again. This time places near the Café Poirot were listed as well (and crossed out with increasing intensity). However, the report itself stayed perfectly professional, leaking none of the frustration visible in the margins.
Another few reports later the margins proclaimed victory, citing the score of "Me 1:2 S". Which was strange, because someone as perfectionistic as Furuya getting so happy that it landed in the margins of his paperwork when it wasn't an overwhelming victory? The opponent must be truly formidable (they suspected Shuichi Akai).
The margins of the report after that were filled with mad ramblings with repeating phrases of "Why soap?", "elementary school project" and "mad devil child". Which, yeah, was very concerning.
What on earth did Furuya have against elementary school projects working with soap? There had only been a few elementary schoolers that the agent had any kind of regular contact with. All centered around the boy living in the Detective Agency above the Café. So, was it about the boy?
Getting so worked up about a boy, not to mention an elementary student, was really concerning. Not to mention that apparently the mysterious "S" wasn't Akai at all– a lot of clues pointed to a child, the elementary schooler mentioned before. Even more baffling was that Rei Furuya was losing to him by a score of 1:3. There wasn't much an elementary schooler should be better at than a trained operative, other than looking adorable and being a crying nuisance. Which this contest probably wasn't about.
So either the elementary kid was as formidable as the notes in the margins suggested or Rei was slipping. Former seemed to be ludicrous (or too scary) to even consider, because Furuya was one of their best. So, the other option was that Rei Furuya was slipping, even if it didn't show in his official statements, yet.
They had to report this.
A few weeks later Furuya's assessment landed on their table.
Apparently "S" stood for "Sleeping Kogoro" and was the codename Furuya had assigned to Conan Edogawa, the KID Killer, and a truly brilliant and aspiring detective. He even recommended the child to be snatched up as soon as possible. Because there were others who have set their eyes on him as well.
The recommendation wasn't taken lightly and the kid was pending for an evaluation by another member of the PSB to ensure neutrality. Because apparently, the assessing agent noted, this was another thing that Rei could antagonise the FBI over.
Anyone with a little research ability could admit that the kid was impressive. At least on the outside. He was well known as the KID Killer, outfoxing the teenage thief (because really, as many precautions the teen took, he was still quite green) on a regular basis. And he was involved in quite a few cases where, when you read between the lines, he was a lot more involved than what the newspapers want to make you believe.
If a following report on the child's assessment was to believed, the brat was even more impressive. They could only observe from afar, because getting near him apparently triggered the child's senses, prompting him to look for you. At least, being further away meant that you had time to hide before he spotted you. They also found that he was the little leader of his group of friends.
He was the brains behind the so-called "Detective Boys" (ironically consisting of three boys and two girls) and directed them at small cases and crime scenes alike.
The assessing agent recommended putting him onto the list of potential recruits.
They finally breathed a sigh of relief, even if Furuya's reports came with scribbled margins again. This time with toilet rim blocks and a sad "Me 2:4 S".
Well, at least their agent was catching up.
AN: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review!