Chapter 149: Unknown Surveillance
The bond between Natsume and Charlotte was, in many ways, a genuinely close one.
While Conan Edogawa was engrossed in studying Charlotte's photographs, a lively conversation was unfolding on the other side of the living room.
"So, Miss Yoko is here visiting a friend?" Ran's eyes widened in understanding after listening to Charlotte's explanation. She finally pieced together why the famous idol had been frequenting their building: to see her friend, Mizunashi Rena.
"Yes! I only recently found out that the Yomiuri Television anchor, Miss Mizunashi, lives in this building too. As it turns out, her apartment is directly below mine," Charlotte explained with a bright, professional smile.
"Wow, that's such a coincidence," Ran remarked.
Natsume nodded, adding to the thread. "It is. Charlotte even told me she ran into Miss Mizunashi while on assignment to interview Lady Ningguang. They really seem destined to cross paths, don't they?"
A light laugh escaped Ran. "That's true. Maybe in the future, Charlotte can even get Miss Yoko's autograph for us through Miss Mizunashi."
Miss Yoko's autograph? Kogoro's ears perked up. He desperately wanted to blurt out that he wanted one too, but he managed to clamp his jaw shut. An idea began to form in his mind. If he could find a way to get on good terms with this Miss Mizunashi, it would be the perfect stepping stone to getting closer to his beloved Miss Yoko.
Takeuchi Koichi, Charlotte's editor-in-chief, noticed the shift in the detective's focus. Seeing Kogoro's attention drift, he tactfully let their own conversation trail off, giving the man a clear, unobtrusive path to eavesdrop on the girls' chat. Before long, his own curiosity was piqued as well. After all, who could resist a little gossip, especially when it involved public figures?
The mention of Ningguang's name was enough to pull Conan away from the photos. He trotted back over to Ran's side, his interest piqued. To his disappointment, however, the conversation quickly veered away from the mysterious businesswoman and remained fixed on the television anchor, Mizunashi Rena.
Just as Conan was about to devise a way to steer the topic back, Charlotte mentioned something unusual she had recently observed, and his sharp ears immediately latched onto it.
"What?! Miss Yoko is in trouble?!" The possibility of his idol being in danger was enough to make Kogoro shoot up from his seat. He leaned in close to Charlotte, his entire body thrumming with urgency. This time, however, he caught the warning glance from Ran and managed to restrain himself from being quite as rude as before, though his voice was still laced with panic.
"Huh? Oh, no, no! It's not Miss Yoko who's in trouble," Charlotte quickly clarified, waving her hands to placate the frantic detective. "The one having problems is Miss Mizunashi. I just happened to overhear them talking when I passed by her door. I think Miss Yoko is worried about her, which is why she's been visiting more frequently lately."
"Troubles?" Ran's brow furrowed with concern. "Has Miss Mizunashi run into some kind of difficulty?"
"Hmm…" Natsume's expression grew thoughtful as she looked toward the window. "Do you think the problems Miss Mizunashi is facing could be related to the people in the apartment building across the street… the ones who have been watching this place?"
When she had arrived at Charlotte's apartment earlier, Natsume had distinctly felt the faint, persistent weight of gazes from the building opposite. Her initial assumption was that the people who had sent Charlotte threatening letters were monitoring her. But when the culprits were apprehended, it was confirmed that there were only two of them, and both were now in custody.
That meant the surveillance from across the street was likely aimed at someone else. Now, hearing that Mizunashi Rena was in trouble, Natsume couldn't help but wonder if the two were connected. Still, she couldn't be entirely certain if the anchor was the true target.
"Surveillance?! Someone is watching this place from across the street?!"
To everyone's surprise, the one who had the strongest reaction was not Kogoro, but Editor-in-Chief Takeuchi, who had been mostly quiet until now. The news that there was a potential stalker on top of the recent threatening letters made him jump to his feet.
"Seriously?" he exclaimed, his voice tight with anxiety. "How can just anyone get in here? Isn't the security supposed to be top-notch? First, they let someone walk right into the building to deliver threatening letters, and now there are peeping toms nearby… No, this place is far too unsafe! Charlotte, you should move!"
Charlotte immediately began damage control, trying to dissuade her editor. "No, there's no need for that! Besides, the surveillance probably isn't even for me. Editor-in-Chief, you don't need to worry so much. And if something did happen, shouldn't you be more worried about the person who attacks me, not me? Relax."
After a great deal of coaxing, she finally managed to get Takeuchi Koichi to abandon his crusade to have her relocate. As the editor-in-chief finally relented with a sigh, the others in the room let out a collective breath of relief.
Conan subtly wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. Mr. Takeuchi was just a bit too much; the man's frantic voice was still echoing in his head.
With that interruption settled, the group returned to the previous topic. They now knew someone was watching from the building across the way, but the target remained a mystery.
"How about… we go ask Miss Mizunashi?" Ran suggested. "Since she's been having problems lately, we can tell her what we've noticed. If the surveillance is aimed at her, she might have some idea why. And if it's not, we can still ask what kind of trouble she's in. Maybe we can help."
"A brilliant idea!" Kogoro was the first to leap to his feet, striking a dramatic pose. "Miss Yoko's friend is a friend of the great Detective Kogoro Mouri! Now is the time for me to step in!"
He then began to mutter under his breath, a sly grin spreading across his face. "If I can solve her friend's problem, and then have her put in a good word for me with Miss Yoko… hehe, Miss Yoko will definitely admire me even more." By the end of his thought, he couldn't suppress a low, self-satisfied chuckle.
No one else had any objections. With a shared purpose, they all agreed to head downstairs and speak with Mizunashi Rena.
At that very moment, in the apartment directly below Charlotte's, Mizunashi Rena pressed her fingers to her temples, a headache blooming behind her eyes as she processed the news she had just received.
She never imagined her younger brother would follow her all the way to Japan, tracking her by her current cover identity. Worse, she had recently discovered he'd even gone to the television station looking for her.
The situation was becoming dangerously complicated.
As an undercover agent planted within the Black Organization, it was impossible for her to meet with Eisuke, let alone acknowledge him as her brother. Yet, she couldn't just let him continue his investigation. If the Organization took notice of him, both of their lives would be forfeit.
Lately, she had also occasionally sensed someone monitoring her from a distance. It was very likely the FBI, who suspected her of being a member of the Black Organization. With them watching her every move, she absolutely could not let Eisuke run around freely. She had to find a way to ensure his safety, and fast.
Her gaze fell upon the newspaper lying on the table. A photo of the "Sleeping Detective," Kogoro Mouri, stared back at her. An idea began to take shape in her mind, and she fell into deep, calculating thought.
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