Disclaimer: Same as always!
6
[79]
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Art Museum is found in West Shinjuku amongst a row of sky scrapers. The lower level of the building was spread out like the hem of a skirt with the 42nd floor being made into a museum. From the first floor one could take a designated elevator straight to the museum, bypassing the other floors.
A group of people got off this elevator and headed directly towards the museum reception counter right in front of it. At the head of the group was an elderly lady purchasing her ticket. "Thank you for your patronage" said the receptionist lady as she bowed her head. The elderly lady bowed slightly back before heading to the viewing rooms.
In the hallway that led from the reception center to the exhibit rooms was a big window that gave a vast view of Tokyo. There, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta cried out in admiration.
"Whoa! We're high up~!"
"This is amazing!"
"Look! You can see Bell Tree Tower!"
"You're right!"
[80-81]
Standing next to the kids, Professor Agasa gave a satisfied nod.
"You guys, didn't you come to see the Sunflowers?"
Conan said from behind them with an annoyed look. "Oh yeah," said Ayumi, remembering their initial purpose for coming.
"Alright, let's go see the Sunflowers!" Genta and Ayumi ran off. "Ah!" Mitsuhiko stretched out an arm after them.
"You two! You're not supposed to run!"
He said before running after them himself. "Jeez" Conan complained.
"Are those guys actually interested in the Sunflowers"?
"Oh? They weren't the only ones who said they wanted to see the Sunflowers, right Professor?"
Haibara said. "Yes" Professor Agasa nodded as he started to walk after the kids.
"It's important to prepare for the "Japan's Beloved Sunflowers" exhibition when it opens."
"Like a preview?"
Conan grumbled. Haibara followed the professor.
"In any case, I didn't think that you'd come. Is it alright for you not to go to the meeting?"
"They've already got six professionals with them. More than that, I need to figure out what KID is planning. It's too strange for him to target anything outside of big jewels. Something's up…"
"So you've decided to get a look at Van Gogh's Sunflowers for yourself then?"
"Yeah…"
Conan took out a ticket printed with a Sunflowers design on it from his pocket and looked at it.
"Maybe if I learned more about them, I could figure out KID's motive…And then I may be able to read his next move…"
###
Ayumi, who had already circled around the museum suddenly stopped in her tracks, "Huh?"
"This is the end."
"So which one's the Sunflowers?"
The three kids looked eagerly about the exhibition.
"Ah! There it is!" Mitsuhiko pointed towards the end corner of the room. On the other side of a big glass wall there were three paintings lined up. On the right was a picture of a tree-lined path in the countryside. On the left was a still life depicting an apple and a napkin. Finally, in the middle was a vase holding fifteen sunflowers.
"Wow~~~"
[82-83]
"Where? Which one's the Sunflowers!?"
"This one right? The middle one."
Ayumi pointed at the middle painting.
"It's so pretty~"
"It's really amazing~"
"Right?" said Genta as he, Ayumi, and Mistuhiko pressed their noses up against the glass.
"Speaking of which, what exactly is so amazing about it again?"
"Uh…."
The other two kids gave him a flat look. "You guys," said Conan, coming up behind them.
"If you're not quiet they'll kick you out of here."
"O-kay~"
"Sorry for all the ruckus" Haibara apologized to the elderly woman wearing a kimono sitting on a bench in front of the paintings.
"It's fine."
The elderly lady smiled kindly and nodded at them. "Whoa~!" Just then the professor came up close to the Sunflowers and said in a loud voice. Conan and Haibara automatically frowned at him.
"So this is the rumored fifth Sunflowers. It's indeed very beautiful~"
"Hey, Professor!"
"If you're not quite they'll kick you out you know!"
The kids warned the Professor. "Oh, is that right?" he smiled embarrassedly. From behind him the elderly lady chuckled.
"Ah! I'm sorry that was rude of me," he said.
"Do not worry about it."
The woman looked at him with amusement in her eyes.
"Now let's go buy souvenirs!"
"Let's go let's go!"
"C'mon, let's hurry and go Professor"
"Hahaha…"
Conan and Haibara smiled wryly as they watched the Professor being pulled away by Mitsuhiko.
"Jeez, just what did those guys come here for anyways?"
While frowning, Conan walked up to the Sunflowers. Haibara folded her arms and watched him. After a bit, the older lady spoke to her.
"Young lady, it seems that something more intriguing than the Sunflowers has caught your eye."
"Huh?"
[84-85]
"It seems that you've been watching for quite a while."
As she said this the elderly lady cast her gaze on to Conan's back. Haibara's cheeks turned pink as she quickly looked away from Conan.
"Please forgive me. You just seemed so much like my old self that I couldn't leave it alone…"
"Uh….Obaasan do you come here often?"
"Yes, every day."
"You seem to really like Van Gogh's Sunflowers."
"That's right," said the lady though her expression clouded over.
"…but not this Sunflowers….."
As Haibara turned to look at the woman, a large group of people heading their way caught her eye. To her surprise Kogoro and Jirokichi were with them. Nakamori, other policemen, Charlie, and the curators were also there.
"It seems that it's not been touched."
"Ojisan! What's going on?"
Conan came running over to them in surprised. "Huh!?" Kogoro exclaimed as he frowned at the boy.
"What are you doing here!?
"What about you?"
"Nice timing little guy!"
Said Jirokichi, noticing Conan's presence. "We'll include you as well!"
"It couldn't be that KID…!?"
"Yes, that guy's next target it-"
"Are you really going to talk about that here?"
"Oh right, sorry."
Jirokichi noticed the attention they were garnering from the other customers and quickly shut his mouth. The museum director turned to Kogoro and the others.
"As you can see, for the time being there are no problems with the painting. I'd like for us to not bother the customers any more than this, so let's move our discussion to the reception room."
"I understand, let's go back for the time being."
As Nakamori and the others turned to go back, Conan ran back up to Haibara.
"Haibara, I'm going with Ojisan and them. You go back together with the others. Also-"
"I know" Haibara smiled.
"Keep this a secret from the kids."
[86-87]
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
As Conan ran back to Kogoro's group, the elderly lady smiled at Haibara.
"It seems that you are quite depended on."
"We don't have the kind of relationship that you are-"
"No" the lady interrupted.
"You have the same eyes that I did seventy years ago. The exact same…"
The lady looked back to the Sunflowers. Haibara looked up, as if being pulled along with her.
"In the words of the sunflowers….'I will gaze only at you'…but you know what, if you only look, you will surely have regrets. Just like me."
Haibara looked in surprise at her as tears were gathering in the elderly lady's eyes.
"People first realize that something is important to them once it's lost….Just like that Sunflowers…."
Haibara could only watch on in silence as the elderly lady sadly stared at the painting. Just then,
"Haibara! We're leaving!"
The kids, carrying their souvenirs, returned.
"Huh? Where's Conan?"
"Something urgent came up it seems."
"Really? Again!?"
Haibara, who had started to walk towards the kids, stopped and turned back to the elderly woman.
"Thank you for the warning. I'll make sure I don't have any regrets."
The woman watched Haibara leave, slightly surprised, before turning her gaze back to the Sunflowers.
"….Kiyosuke-san…"
With pain deep in her eyes, the woman continued to sit on the bench for a long time.
###
"'Tonight I will come for the La Berceuse's left (the first copy). Kaitou KID.'"
Sitting in an armchair in the reception room, the museum director read aloud from a tablet.
"How does this notice mean that this museum's Sunflowers will be targeted?
"La Berceuse in Japanese is "The Woman Rocking the Cradle.' It's not the Sunflowers." The director and one of his subordinates raised their eyebrows. "La Berceuse" was a painting done by the wife of Joseph Roulin, a delivery man who was friends with Van Gogh. So how is this connected to the Sunflowers?"
[88-89]
Sitting on the sofa to their right, Nakamori shook his head, "No."
"What's important is what comes after that. 'left (first copy)….."
"The left most likely is referring to is a 'triptych'."
From next to Nakamori, Kogoro continued,
"That's where there are three paintings that make a set-"
The director lifted a hand to stop him, "No, I know that."
"More importantly, why does the La Berceuse have to be the Sunflowers?"
"Well that's…" Kogoro put a hand to his chin at the employee's questions.
"Why was that again….?
"Jeez, get yourself together man. You're a samurai right?"
Nakamori criticized Kogoro. Conan laughed humorlessly to himself.
"For a detailed decipherment of the notice, why don't we ask Azuma Kouji-san to explain?"
Charlie proposed to Kogoro and the others. From beside them, Jirokichi spoke up, "Oh! That's right" he said, looking up at the Kouji who stood with the other curators around the sofa.
"It's fine, right Azuma?"
"Sure. Assuming that Detective Mouri's hypothesis of the 'triptych" is correct, imagine putting the La Berceuse's painting in the middle of a set. Which paintings would be on the left and right of it….?"
The director's eyes opened wide at Kouji's explanation.
Speaking of Van Gogh's 'triptych', it was written by Van Gogh in a letter to his brother that when being put up for decoration, the La Berusuzu should be placed in the middle with a Sunflowers on either side of it.
"The Sunflowers…."
"Yes" Kouji nodded.
"In his letter to his little brother Theo he even went so far as to draw an illustration of what he wanted, so there is no doubt about it. Gogh thought that placing Sunflowers on either side of the La Berusuzu would make them like wings that made the painting stand out even more. And of the seven Sunflowers, the ones that look like wings are the ones that are drawn with tilting stems. Which would mean the Sunflowers that are meant to be placed on either side of La Berceuse would be the third and seventh painting on the right, and the fourth, fifth, and sixth on the left. The fifth and the sixth painting Van Gogh drew while looking at the fourth – in other words, they are copies. And of these they are both found on the left side. And as KID wrote in his notice, the 'first copy' would make his target be the fifth Sunflowers, which is exhibited at this very museum.
"I see" said the director, who had closed his eyes and was nodding at the explanation.
"It seems that indeed the Sunflowers at this museum is being targeted…"
"So then…" The subordinate, now persuaded by Kouji's explanation, then looked at Nakamori.
"What is it that we should be doing…? According to KID's notice, he's coming tonight."
[90-91]
"We need to move the Sunflowers to a safe place immediately."
"As one would expect, moving it immediately is a little…."
Though the employee seemed to be at a loss, the director raised his hand, "I understand."
"We will explain the situation to our customers and close the museum as soon as possible.'
"Thank you very much for your cooperation."
"However, moving a painting such as the Sunflowers won't be that easy."
"Nevertheless moving it within an hour would be…"
At the director and his subordinate's troubled expression, Jirokichi let out a confident grin.
"You do not need to worry about something like that. Isn't that right Ishimine? With your experience and knowledge it should be possible to move the Sunflowers by sundown."
From where he stood behind Kouji, Ishimine gave an enthusiastic reply, "Yessir!"
###
The museum had been closed early. The base of the building was surrounded by police cars that were stopped with their lights flashing. What's more is that in the air above the building there were police and news helicopters flying about.
Inside the building, Ishimine's company's staff, the museum director, and Nakamori and his men were watching over the Sunflowers being removed from its place on the wall.
"Yes, very good. Slowly now. That's it. "
Ishimine was giving out orders from nearby as his staff carried the painting. Nakamori and Kogoro were impressed by the promptness and accuracy of the task being carried out.
"As expected of the Cheetah Delivery Service. To have gotten this far in only thirty minutes…."
"There's an hour before sundown….It seems that we'll be able to make it in time somehow."
At Ishimine's order, the Sunflowers was gently rested on the ground. Keiko then stepped up.
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
"Let's see…could you bring the lid over here as we start wrapping this?"
"Got it. Natsumi, let's carry the lid."
Keiko and Natusmi went to the further end of the exhibition room. They made to pick up the lid from where a security guard was standing nearby.
"Oh! I'll help."
The security guard bent down to touch the lid, but-
"Wait! We will do it."
Kumiko and Kouji ran over.
"Ishimine won't like it if anyone other than our team members get involved."
"That's right. But we appreciate the offer."
The security guard took a step back as Kumiko and Kouji bent to lift the lid.
"Are you ready? Let's lift it on three."
[92-93]
At Kumiko's signal, the four of them lifted the lid together. They slowly made their way towards the stand. The wrapping of the Sunflowers was already finished.
"We've brought the lid."
"Oh, thanks. Leave the rest to us."
Ishimine walked towards the lid. Charlie, from where he stood watching over the operation, turned his head towards Nakamori.
"Don't you think that it's about time we went to check on the safe?"
"Oh, that's right."
Nakamori nodded his head and started over to the director "Director, do you have a moment?"
Conan, from where he stood next to Kogoro watching over things, put a hand to his chin in thought.
It's just as Charlie said. As long as the notice is stated for tonight, it's unmistakable that KID would need to steal the painting from the safe.
Just as the Cheetah Delivery Service staff were picking up the lid to put it over the Sunflowers in its case, something dropped to the floor.
"Oh, sorry."
It was Ishimine's smart phone. Even though Natsumi made to pick it up, Ishimine got there first.
"It's not a problem, please continue."
"Yes."
As the staff were lowering the lid right in front of Conan, he spotted something that looked like a card stuck to the underside of the lid.
"Wait! There's something on the lid!"
"Hey! Brat!"
Kogoro quickly grabbed the boy by the collar and lifted him into the air.
"Don't you realize there's no time? Stop making a ruckus!"
"But it looked like a KID card…!"
"Is that true little guy!?"
Jirokichi's eyes lit up at Conan's words.
"Ishimine, let's look at the underside of the lid!"
"Y-yes sir. Lift up the lid."
Obeying his orders, the staff lifted up the lid and started to turn it over.
"Ah…!"
Natsumi and Ishimine, from where they were bent over near the case noticed the car and stood up.
Natsumi grabbed the card that had be stuck to the lid with tape.
"It's a card! Could it be…!?"
"Natsumi, come here!"
[94-95]
Nakamori quickly ran over and took the card from Natusmi. On the front of it was the little KID mark that was always there.
"There's no doubt. It's a KID card."
He turned the card over.
"I have indeed taken the Sunflowers. Kaitou KID."
After reading the message aloud, Nakamori raised an eyebrow.
"Taken it…? But it's right here isn't it!?"
"Only that? Was that the only thing written on the card?"
Conan asked, having escaped from Kogoro's hands. "Yes" Nakamori nodded. Jirokichi looked puzzled.
"What does this mean!?"
"It can't be that the Sunflowers here is a…."
At Charlie's words, Kogoro turned towards the painting.
"You're saying it's a fake!?"
Everyone looked started at the painting. From a bit further away where he had his arm rested on the transportation caret, the corners of the security guard's mouth lifted.
The Sunflowers was then taken to the security room. Under the surveillance of the rest of the group, Natsumi used a scoop to begin appraising the painting. As she leaned closer to look through the scoop, Jirokichi sucked in a breath.
"To think that KID would lie about the time he'd appear…"
"Yeah, it's something we'd never expect from KID until now."
"He did it in order to neatly fool us."
Charlie raised an eyebrow at the Jirokichi, who looked discouraged along with Kogoro and Nakamori.
"At the very least that man is a thief….What are you expecting from someone like him? He'll do anything to steal what he wants. Even if it meant killing someone."
The director and his subordinate's eyes widened at Charlie's statement. Just then Natsumi lifted her head from the painting.
"How does it look?"
The director asked uneasily.
"If it's a fake, it's a really well made one. It's difficult to appraise it accurately here."
"I see…"
"Is it possible to leave it with me temporarily? I can take it to my company's studio where we can give it an exact appraisal."
[96-97]
The director paused a moment at Natsumi's proposal before agreeing, "Understood."
"As it's quite plausible he could have switched it with a fake, I think I can get permission from our superiors."
Just then the security guard who had been standing towards the back until that moment pushed aside the subordinate and walked up close to the director.
"That won't be necessary, director." He said.
"What's the meaning of this?" Shouted the director.
"Hey you! That's rude!" scolded the subordinate.
The security guard stepped to avoid the subordinate and grinned as he held up a card. Seeing a certain mark on the card, the director raised his voice.
"Th-that's a KID card!
What-!?
Under the eyes of Conan and the others, the security guard put the card in the director's pocket and patted it lightly.
I see, having to appraise the painting in the first place is a part of KID's trap-!
"That Sunflowers is without a doubt the real deal. I guarantee it!"
Pushing the director away from him, the security guard quickly put a hand to his own clothes. The garments were thrown into the air and under them appeared Kaitou KID dressed in his pure white suit.
"KID! You! How dare you try and trick us!"
In the moment that Nakamori leapt towards him, KID fired his card gun at the monitors. Don Don Don! The cards smashed into the monitors one after another. From the damaged monitors came smoke and fragments that burst forth. Natsumi and Kouji impulsively made to cover the Sunflowers in order to protect it. But just then a wire wrapped itself around their bodies and they cried out.
"Azuma-san! Miyadai-san! Are you okay!?"
Conan ran towards them where they had been tied together by the wire and were now sitting on the floor.
"Yeah, but never mind us, the Sunflowers was taken!"
"Go catch KID!"
Just as Conan made to chase after KID, the thief threw a smoke bomb onto the desk. Along with a bursting sound the smoke quickly filled up the room, blocking everyone's vision and causing them to cough. KID used that moment to open the door and rushed out into the hallway.
"Wait! KID-!"
Charlie followed Conan out of the room while coughing and the two started their pursuit of KID.
###
"This is Nakamori! KID's taken the Sunflowers and is making his escape. There is a high chance that he will appear on the roof. Everyone be on your guard!"
"Yessir!"
[98-99]
The Metropolitan Police helicopters flying about the building turned on their spotlights. The lights revealed KID's form standing on top of the stairwell-room that lead out to the roof.
"We found KID! He's on the highest part of the roof!"
Conan and Charlie burst through from the door of the stair-room and looked up at KID bathed in light.
KID gave a fearless grin and snapped his fingers. A pashu, pashu sound rang about and from behind KID burst forth a stream of smoke.
"This is bad! He's gonna get away!"
Charlie unthinkingly reached for the holder in his breast pocket, but as this was Japan, of course there was no gun in it.
"Dammit, if I just had my gun….."
The smoke spread out endlessly from KID, covering the roof in an instant. The pilots of the helicopters were now unable to see KID's form.
"Kid has lunched numerable flying objects! We're unable to find him!"
While running about the roof, Conan activate his criminal tracking glasses and zoomed in on the sky upwards. At the end of the different streams of smoke sprouting out in all four directions were white hang gliders. On each one was a doll that resembled KID.
From the midst of them he spotted a new hang glider, under which he could see the real KID holding a canvas.
"That's…!?"
Conan removed his hand from his glasses. He cursed and clenched his teeth.
"He got us…"
"Where is that guy!?
Charlie came running up behind him, but Conan just shook his head.
"It' already too late…."
Charlie watched KID's form getting smaller from the edge of the roof. His face contorted as he cursed.
"I can't believe that guy….just as he proclaimed, he came and stole it at night…."
Kogoro and the other officers arrived belatedly onto the rooftop. They saw the multiple dummies going off in all directions and began to make a fuss. The two pursuers stared on in anguish.
Hahahaha, Face it guys, you just cant win against KID. You know why? Cuz he's just AWESOME like that muahahahah.
Thanks for reviewing! I will try to respond to the new reviews shortly. And a big thanks to those sharing their impressions. It makes me feel like Im rewatching the movie with you all. ^_^v
Next Chap: Some more exciting KID outsmarting everyone and their mom action. Plus a scene that was missing from the movie!? You lucky readers you!