All Shuichi wanted was to fall back to his usual unhealthy life style.

Just staying in his room eating snacks and as the only food source.
Sit in front of a screen for basically the whole day.
Never getting sleep for some reason (insomnia, usually).
Never leaving his room, with the exception of the kitchen because ramen.

And god forbid he goes outside to the sun and interact with people.

Because heaven knows he can't properly do the last one without being weird.

Which is why, the internet is, sometimes, a better place.

-

"Do I really have to do this." muttered Shuichi. But really, it was closer to a grumble.

"Yes, Shuichi, you do. This case has been going on for almost a month, and they need you to be apart of the team," Kirigiri calmly responded, keeping her eyes on the road, "Beside, we both know I'm going to France to solve a serial murder case right after this."

"But why, I'm barely a capable detective..."

"You're wrong and we know that," Kirigiri retorted, having the slightest trace of a ghost smile in amusement, "Now take a rest while you're on this ride, you're sleep deprived."

"No I'm not, I got a good one hour sleep."

"Not enough, Saihara."

A tired huff was let out, "Okay, mom." And with drooping eyes, which had immense bags under them, Shuichi fell asleep.

-

"Who are you and why are you here?" one of the cops questioned. Rude, but they were doing their job.

"I'm a detective sent by Makoto Naegi."

"May we see an ID?"

"Of course," Shuichi pulled out his ID that Makoto would entrust him with, and he quickly went into the building.

The recent heist happened about five days after the phone call was made. The case this time was a stolen small box of jewelry that had once belonged to an emperor back in the old days of Japan in Kyoto Prefecture. The price was estimated about more than 50,000, making it the highest of prices the Phantom Thief had stolen in one heist.

And Shuichi is here to solve the case- I guess. One way or another.

He doesn't know either; adulthood is weird y'all.

Shuichi grumbled under his breath while honey-caramel eyes roamed the building, taking small details of the items around him in general, then unconsciously storing them in his memories. Like the weird shaped stones on the small pedestal thingies, and hey, that one looks like a dic-

"Sir!" a timid voice called out, snapping Shuichi's attention away, "If I-I'm right, the you're the detective inspecting the place, right?"

Time to put on a nice guy attitude.

Shuichi smiled at the person, "Yes, that is correct." After just a quick inspection from the eye, Shuichi deduced that the person he was talking to is a staff, as evidenced by the badge on their chest, "Then I assume you're here to lead me to the scene of the crime?"

"Y-Yes, sir. If you would please follow me..."

And Shuichi trailed after them as instructed, going from hallway to hallway, skimming through the small monuments and doors littered through the way. Suddenly, the person took a sharp left and opened a door. A door which had caution tape surrounding it and led to a wide room. And in that wide room, an array of glass-protected items were lined up with some texts next to them. Most likely the history behind the item.

But of course, none of that was much of importance at the moment.

Through the lined up historical items, the staff led him to one particular podium. It had a box of glass surrounding it, as did every other item, but the insides of it were empty. No trace of anything.

Another thing that stuck out was at the side of the glass, a sort of code was drawn to it. Upon further inspection by Shuichi, it was from purple paint. An easily washable type, at that.

.. / .-- .- -. - / .- -. / .. -. - . .-. . ... - .. -. --. / --. .- -- .

"I WANT AN INTERESTING GAME"

'Why the hell would he use morse code? That seems rather... inefficient, I guess, since it's written,' Shuichi thought as his mind immediately translated the series of dots and stripes, 'Just saying, there are a lot more ciphers and codes he could've used...'

After being done with that, the detective noticed that there was a piece of paper taped to the glass as well. Plucking it off and examining it, the paper was actually just a roughed up paper. And a quite... decorated note at that.

At the edges of the paper were small drawings of card symbols; such as spades, hearts, etc. scattered, but were connected by some sort of chain. A total of two dies were placed on the paper. Additional doodles were drawn, some of them being handcuffs, a gem, and a masquerade. All of them were drawn with either black, red, or purple marker.

And of course, there was the writing in the middle,

Because you all are useless knitheads,
Allow me to give you a hint in this thread

A sphere of magic that one would hold
Can tell stories that are yet to be told

While it is usually a scam,
The price is still very grand

A device that lets you see into the future
In two weeks, I will capture

And although I suck at rhyming,
Just remember, I may be lying

A clue in the form of a poem? That's different I suppose.

After taking a photo of the paper, he secured the piece of evidence in a zip lock bag. And of course, he took a picture of the code as well.

After investigating everything else, the detective decided to take what he got and go.

"Well, I suppose that was all," he muttered to the head policemen, "You can wrap up the crime scene. I'll report to Naegi-san about the investigation."

"Yes, sir." And after those words were uttered, they began to usher everyone else out.

Walking over to the front door of the place, Shuichi began to ponder over the case. No doubt it was the most interesting case he's dealt the past few weeks- no, months, even. And it looks like the Phantom Thief isn't going to stop soon.

I mean, honestly I kinda want him to not stop-

Actually, Shuichi, no. You're supposed to be catching this guy. You're supposed to stop him.

Sighing over the thought, he just decided to discard it temporarily for the mean time. Right now, he doesn't have a ride, and that was what he should be worried about at this moment.

Damn. Kirigiri already left to the airport, so I guess I just have to go to the train station.

Walking to his destination was, to him, just drawn out and empty. Mind either blank or wandering off to destructive and/or violent intrusive thoughts that are most definitely illegal, he didn't bother to actually take a look at his surrounding. Just the road that he walks on, and with a brain that is on autopilot.

And before he knew it, he was at the train station, casually thinking how it would be if he yeeted a baby in the- actually no don't do that.

Just as he bought a ticket and went through the gate, the Phantom Thief just intrudes his thoughts out of nowhere.

I mean, I've dealt with serial thiefs before, it's just...

He walked onto the train as it arrived,

This one's drastically different...

Through the previous heists I've seen on the internet or on TV or just straight up from Makoto, it would seem the Phantom Thief has a disregard of actually getting caught and more interest in getting attention from the police.

Other than the first thing he stole of price, he wasn't exactly concerned of having a face reveal. In fact, he just did the equivalent of putting himself on a TV billboard and had bold text saying  THIS IS WHAT I LOOK LIKE. THE ONE WHO STOLE THAT DOLL? IT'S MOI, RIGHT HERE. LOOK. AT. MY. GORGEOUS, HANDSOME, FABULOUS. FACE.

And of course... there's the code.

I WANT AN INTERESTING GAME

With the calling card next to it, I can only assume that he wants a challenge of some sorts..? Giving the enemy a head start so there was an actual chase? I don't know?? It's literally my job but I suck at it-

"Next stop, Osaka. Exits are at the right side." The announcer rang out, shoving Shuichi out of his thoughts. Shuichi got up, as it was his stop, and hurried out the doors.