The sizzle of grilling meat filled the private room, but it didn't interfere with the ongoing conversation between the two.

"By the way, did the detective who let the thief go yesterday end up getting punished?"

Ren was genuinely curious about how Officer Nakamori's situation had turned out.

"You mean the Second Investigation Division's officer?"

Recalling what Yumi had mentioned that morning, Miwako shook her head slightly.

"Yumi said that officer is actually one of the most capable detectives in the Second Division. He's also the one who's always been in charge of chasing Phantom Thief Kid. Even though the thief always gets away, at least thanks to Nakamori, the Second Division has someone on the case at all. That's why they went easy on him—it was just a verbal warning."

"But Yumi also said there's another reason. Apparently, most detectives in the Second Division don't want to be assigned to capture Kid. Nakamori is the only one willing to take on that thankless job."

"The higher-ups in the Second Division figured that if they punished Nakamori too harshly, there'd be no one left to pursue Kid. So they just let it slide."

"The last fig leaf of the Second Division, huh?"

Even though it sounded ridiculous, Ren felt it was probably true.

Since no one else in the Second Division wanted the job, they pinned it all on Nakamori. Fortunately, the man actually had the resolve to shoulder that burden.

So, no real punishment. Just a slap on the wrist.

Especially now that everyone knew chasing Phantom Thief Kid was like chasing a ghost. No one wanted that responsibility.

It was clearly a matter of avoiding accountability.

But what could they do? Kid was a nightmare to deal with.

He was the kind of thief no one could catch, a constant headache for any department.

And most detectives weren't skilled enough to decipher the riddles and misdirection Kid used.

So rather than take the blame themselves, it was easier to push the entire responsibility onto someone like Nakamori—someone willing to take the fall and capable of keeping up with the thief.

"Yeah…"

Miwako's feelings about this were complicated. But she generally understood why no one wanted to deal with Kid.

"It's not that the Second Division detectives are bad. Their specialty is fraud, white-collar crime, and corruption. They're not suited to tracking high-mobility criminals like Kid. They lack the kind of instincts frontline officers need."

"Kid behaves more like a magician showing off than a typical criminal. The Second Division probably just isn't cut out for handling people like him."

"Even though Kid hasn't actually done anything outrageous so far, and he always returns the gems he steals within two days, it still feels like he's just messing with the police. That alone is enough to provoke people."

"Because he's so slippery, it's no wonder the Second Division wants to wash their hands of him."

Ren nodded slightly. Chasing someone who was a master of disguise would give anyone a headache.

"What about you, Miwako? A lot of people seem to like Kid. Do you?"

"Of course not."

Miwako gave a straightforward answer. She had no love for a thief who constantly humiliated the police just to show off.

"But I can understand why some younger people are fans of his."

"Because he does things they secretly wish they could. Every time he appears, it's like watching a magician on stage performing for an audience."

"People who like Kid aren't necessarily bad. They just think he's cool and interesting."

"But personally, I can't bring myself to like someone like that."

She understood why some people found Kid appealing, but he wasn't someone she could respect.

"Actually, there's a reason behind Kid's actions. Just like the question you're about to ask me—he's also investigating something. Something that forces him to keep appearing on stage."

Hearing Ren's words, Miwako realized that he likely knew Kid's true identity.

But she didn't ask.

Because Ren had made it clear—Kid had his own reasons, and those reasons were similar to hers.

Even if she didn't like what he did, if there were hidden circumstances behind it, all she could do was refrain from interfering.

"Everyone really does have their own reasons."

Miwako sighed and gently steered the conversation back to its original course.

"So, Ren… can you tell me who was responsible for my father's death?"

"Of course."

Ren nodded without hesitation.

He took out a deck of tarot cards, shuffled and cut them smoothly, then drew three cards.

The Devil upright.

The Moon upright.

Death upright.

"'The Devil, the Moon, and Death'… what a bitter result."

A clear image emerged in Ren's mind—the strongest form of revelation tarot could provide.

"Eighteen years ago, your father was investigating a bank robbery. The suspects were heavily disguised, and the surveillance footage was mostly destroyed. Only a few brief images remained."

"But your father still managed to identify the robber through those images and witness reports about the suspect's height."

"Unfortunately, while returning with the suspect in custody, an 'accident' occurred. Your father was struck by a truck and died in the crash."

Miwako's fists clenched tightly.

"Before he died, my father said something to the suspect—'Akiyoshi'... For years, both the officer in charge of the case and my mother and I tried to figure out what he meant. But we never knew anyone named Akiyoshi."

"That's because you've been looking in the wrong direction."

Ren spoke calmly, but Miwako stared at him in disbelief.

"Your father's body was already in critical condition from the crash. It was pouring rain that night, and part of what he said was drowned out by the noise."

"He didn't say 'Akiyoshi'. He was saying, 'surrender'."

"If the witnesses had realized that back then, the investigation might have shifted to your father's social circle."

"The real killer—the one responsible for the truck accident—was someone who disappeared from your father's life 18 years ago."

"And that man's name is Shuji Kano."

(To be continued.)