Traveling back thirty years to Conan, intercepting Princess Eri

The atmosphere in the living room gradually became lively, with everyone discussing their trip to Osaka.

Only Reiko was still sullen because she hadn't gotten a seat, occasionally lightly punching her brother's back with her little fist, as if venting her dissatisfaction.

Lin Xiuyi smiled helplessly, patted her head with his other hand, and whispered words of comfort.
"After we finish discussing the itinerary, I'll take you to buy ice cream, okay?"

Reiko's eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded immediately: "Okay! Pinky promise!"

Lin Xiuyi helplessly beckoned to her with her finger, sighing inwardly.

My younger sister is much easier to please; she'll be happy if you give her a little something sweet, unlike the other girls around her, who are all difficult to "handle."

"If you ask me, let's leave tomorrow morning!"

Chikage Tomizawa was the first to lose her composure. She placed her hands on the table, leaned forward, and said urgently,
"Even if you don't take the Shinkansen, it only takes half a day to get there by regular train, and you can go shopping in the afternoon."

"Wouldn't tomorrow be a bit too rushed?" Eri Kisaki frowned slightly. "Shuichi hasn't had a proper rest since he came back from America. Why don't we let him rest for a couple more days and recharge before setting off?"

"You can also relax in Osaka!"

Yukiko objected almost without thinking.

She glanced at Eri, and the discomfort she felt from learning that Eri had slept in Hayashi Hideaki's bedroom the night before resurfaced.

"Osaka's environment is much better than Tokyo's, and the air is fresher. Going there for a vacation and relaxation would definitely be a hundred times better than being cooped up at home in Tokyo!"

Although she said this to everyone, her words were clearly aimed at Eri Kisaki's "proposal to postpone".

In the ensuing discussion, a subtle atmosphere of antagonism began to permeate the air.

Whenever Eri Kisaki makes a suggestion, whether it's about departure time, accommodation selection, or itinerary arrangement, Yukiko usually objects without hesitation, almost reflexively.

Her reasons sometimes sound reasonable, while at other times they clearly come across as argumentative.

After several attempts, Eri Kisaki couldn't take it anymore and slammed down her water glass.
"You stinky fox, are you deliberately trying to go against me? I say east and you say west, is that fun?"

"Can you please stop being so presumptuous?"

Yukiko glared back defiantly, crossed her arms, and adopted a "I'm just stating the facts" attitude.
"I'm just stating my own views and opinions. Are you the only one allowed to express your opinions in this room?"

"you……"

Eri was so angry at her blaming attitude that she bit her lip.

Lin Xiuyi sat between the two men, feeling as if he were sitting on the crater of a volcano about to erupt. The murderous aura emanating from both sides made his scalp tingle.

He quickly cleared his throat and, before the conflict escalated, proposed a compromise in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing. Tomorrow is indeed too rushed, and there are still many things that haven't been prepared; but we don't need to wait too long, how about we leave the day after tomorrow?"

"Oh dear? The day after tomorrow is too late!"

Before Hayashi Xiuyi could finish speaking and before Yukiko could even respond, Tomizawa Chikage started shouting.
"It's only one day later, what's there to prepare? There's still time to pack!"

Sitting next to Tomizawa Chikage, Orikasa Midori offered her opinion: "It's only one day later, it won't cause any major problems, right?"

"This invitation was specially extended by Ms. Shizuka Ikenami!"

Chikage Tomizawa quickly retorted, invoking the name of the person who invited her.
"If we go a day later, wouldn't that just make Miss Ikebami wait another day? That would be so impolite! It's better to go earlier to show our sincerity!"

As Lin Xiuyi watched Tomizawa Chikage's unusually enthusiastic, even somewhat anxious, demeanor, his doubts grew stronger.

He squinted, scrutinizing Tomizawa Chikage with a suspicious expression.

"Hey, tell me honestly, why are you in such a hurry to go to Osaka?" "You got unusually excited yesterday when you heard we were going to Osaka. You wouldn't... have something going on there, would you?"

"What...what could possibly be wrong with me!"

Chikage Tomizawa was taken aback by the question, her eyes darting away for a moment as she subconsciously avoided Lin Xiuyi's gaze, and her tone became somewhat unnatural.

"I just like Osaka and want to go there for fun, is that not allowed?"

"of course can."

Lin Xiu nodded, then deliberately dragged out her words, speaking slowly.
“But I suddenly feel that leaving the day after tomorrow is too rushed. How about we go a week later? I can also take care of finishing up the cases at the Metropolitan Police Department in the next few days.”

"no!"

Tomizawa Chiyoko was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; she suddenly jumped up from her seat and blurted out her objection.

However, as soon as she spoke, she met Lin Xiuyi's all-knowing, mocking gaze and immediately realized that she had overreacted and fallen into his trap.

The girl sat back down angrily, crossed her arms, and gave a defiant snort.
"Hmph! Even if... even if I really have something going on, so what? Just tell me if you'll help or not!"

"We need to explain clearly first, what exactly is going on?"

Lin Xiuyi leaned back in her chair with a leisurely air.

"I need to assess the risks before deciding whether to get involved in your mess."

"This one……"

Tomizawa Chikage glanced around, her gaze sweeping across everyone's faces before finally settling on Lin Xiuyi, her tone hesitant.

"This is a bit special. Can I tell you about it alone?"

"You only told Shuichi?" Eri's eyes were full of vigilance. "You're not planning to steal something in Osaka, are you, Lady Phantom Thief!"

"Phantom Thief Lady?"

Orikasa Midori paused for a moment, then looked around in confusion.

Besides them, there was no one else in the living room.

She then turned her gaze back to Tomizawa Chikage, her face filled with shock as she asked,

"Sister Qianying, are you the legendary phantom thief, Lady Qianying, who specializes in stealing ill-gotten gains?"

Of the group present, only Midori Orikasa hadn't been to the amusement park before, thus missing the chance to learn about Chikage Tomizawa's true identity.

The others already knew beforehand, so when they heard Midori Orikasa's question, they simply exchanged knowing glances.

"Heh heh, didn't expect that, did you!"

Tomizawa Chikage puffed out her chest triumphantly, her face full of pride.

"That's right, I am the Phantom Thief Lady who strikes fear into the hearts of those heartless rich guys!"

"Are you stupid?"

Lin Xiuyi glared at her, her tone tinged with helplessness.

"The more people know your identity, the greater the danger. And you're still so smug? Do you really think being a phantom thief is some honorable profession that you can just announce everywhere?" (End of Chapter)