Fujino didn't know if Hakuba Saguru had also noticed this.
When Spider used his illusion, his mask emitted a specific red light and a particular sound frequency.
Of course, Fujino didn't tell Hakuba Saguru how Spider used his illusions.
He figured it out himself, why should he tell Hakuba?
"What's your phone number?"
Hakuba Saguru suddenly asked Fujino.
"Why are you asking for my number?"
Fujino frowned upon hearing this, looking at Hakuba Saguru strangely.
"I've been investigating this Spider for some time now. My return to Japan this time was also because of him."
Saying this, Hakuba Saguru took out his phone – a flip phone, likely a foreign brand. "Spider's target is Kaito Kid. As long as Kid remains in Japan, Spider won't leave anytime soon."
"Your opponent is Kaito Kid, while my target is Spider. Since that's the case, we might interact frequently in the future. If we two high school detectives team up, then Kaito Kid and Spider..."
Originally, he thought Fujino was just another high school detective like himself, perhaps with inferior reasoning skills.
But witnessing the scene just now changed his impression of Fujino.
Although he didn't want to admit it,
Fujino was strong in both observation and combat ability, possibly even surpassing him.
He finally understood why his father praised him so highly...
He just didn't know about his reasoning skills.
They were probably decent enough.
If he teamed up with Fujino, another high school detective...
But before he could finish, Fujino interrupted him:
"I think you might be misunderstanding something."
"Misunderstanding?"
Hakuba Saguru was baffled by Fujino's words.
Based on the intel he had gathered,
Fujino had already confronted Kaito Kid at least twice.
He believed Fujino's relationship with Kaito Kid was like his own with Spider – arch-nemeses, like Holmes and Moriarty.
Seeing Hakuba Saguru's confused look, Fujino understood the guy might have mistakenly categorized him as just another high school detective. "Kaito Kid isn't my opponent. The only reason I came here to stop Kaito Kid this time was because I was commissioned by the museum director to protect the jewel."
"While I am a high school detective, unlike you guys who solve cases and chase professional killers in your spare time, I am a professional detective. My main source of income relies on commissions."
"Teaming up to catch phantom thieves, professional killers, and whatnot... let's forget it. Although your intel suggests there won't be retaliation, that's just a possibility. Who knows what happens when you provoke that kind of professional killer?"
"Most importantly, my time and energy are limited. Without a commission and corresponding payment, I won't get involved in your affairs."
"Of course, if you need help with something, you can always choose to commission me."
Yes, he was a high school detective.
But unlike Hakuba Saguru and Kudo Shinichi, who were amateur detectives in their spare time, he was a proper 'detective'.
Whether it was Holmes or Poirot, the fundamental purpose of becoming a detective was to earn money.
High school detectives could pursue fame or ideals, chasing criminals without payment like workhorses.
But expecting a detective who worked for money to act like a high school detective workhorse?
Dream on.
Fujino had no interest in showing off his intelligence or combat prowess for the sake of it.
It offered no profit and involved significant danger.
No money, no risking my life.
Even the likes of Poirot and Holmes wouldn't engage in such dangerous, unprofitable ventures.
Of course, if someone paid him for a commission, that was a different story.
As long as the price was right, he'd even harvest their kidneys.
"In that case, I won't insist... But exchanging phone numbers is still necessary. If I need help in the future, I will commission you."
Hakuba Saguru didn't push further. He could understand Fujino's point.
Fundamentally, he had misunderstood.
The other party wasn't a high school detective like him.
He was a professional detective.
But that was still quite good.
Although they couldn't form an alliance for free, being able to hire muscle was still a decent option.
As for money...
Hakuba Saguru indicated he wasn't short on cash.
His father was the head of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
And he had earned considerable rewards from Scotland Yard for solving murder cases in London over the years.
He could certainly afford a small commission fee.
Fujino particularly appreciated this aspect of the talented Hakuba Saguru.
Hakuba Saguru's reasoning skills might not match Kudo Shinichi's, but in terms of emotional intelligence, Hakuba definitely blew Kudo Shinichi out of the water.
That Conan brat seemed to have put all his points into reasoning ability.
Zero points in emotional intelligence.
After exchanging phone numbers, Fujino had just stepped out of the museum when he was surrounded by a large group of news reporters.
"Detective Fujino, what are your thoughts on being defeated by Kaito Kid this time?"
"Having confronted him once before, you let him escape again this time. Please share some thoughts."
"Does this mean Kaito Kid is invincible?"
The surrounding reporters bombarded him with questions.
There was an undertone of holding him accountable.
Fujino was already used to these reporters who loved to swarm around smelling trouble and conduct unscrupulous interviews.
He thought for a moment, then calmly stated, "I think you've missed the main point. This time, we won, not what you call lost."
"Won?"
The surrounding reporters looked confused. "You didn't even catch him; how is that winning?"
"Do you know what kind of phantom thief Kaito Kid is? Do you know how many countries have issued warrants for him?"
Fujino turned the tables, questioning the reporters back.
"Kaito Kid is an international thief, wanted by over twelve countries..."
A female reporter answered Fujino's question. "But what does that have to do with Kaito Kid escaping from you?"
"Exactly. Kaito Kid is a grand thief wanted by over twelve countries."
"Since he's wanted by so many countries, why haven't those countries managed to arrest Kaito Kid? Not only have they failed to catch him, but the treasures they were protecting were even stolen by him..."
Fujino wagged his finger, adopting the air of an expert. "Although the MPD and I didn't catch Kaito Kid, we at least prevented him from stealing the treasure announced in his notice. Do you understand the significance of that?"
"And since the treasure was secured, doesn't that mean we didn't lose? In fact, we won. We won big time."
"I see!"
"Detective Fujino, please share your thoughts on defeating Kaito Kid this time..."
Just like that, under Fujino's verbal barrage, the reporters present were completely swayed.
The original accusatory tone instantly transformed into an interview seeking Fujino's comments on his victory.
Fujino: Nobody understands shifting the narrative better than me.
"He can handle negative media interviews with ease, even turning the tide."
Nearby, Hakuba Saguru, about to leave in a police car, glanced back. "Is this what a professional detective is like?"
After the media interview concluded, the time had reached past nine PM, nearing ten.
Once the media finished, Director Arima promptly paid the one million yen commission fee.