Everything was set. Within a day, Shuichi managed to set up everything for the next heist. From convincing Byakuya Togami to use one of his mansions, to hiring 50 security guards all around the place. Hell, he even took the liberty to rent a hotel nearby just  for this occasion.

Was it a pain in the buttocks? Yes.

Was it worth it? For Shuichi, no. But for the sake of his job, yes.

But even with all the preparation, Shuichi knew deep in his mind was a seed of anxiety. Though only he alone knew of the sprouting plant in his consciousness, as he held a facade of  "I don't care".

That's how it's always been.

From the start of his work as an (apprentice) detective at the age of 12, Shuichi has always held no confidence over his deduction. There would always be hesitancy in every speculation he arrived at, and often would apologize if he got the slightest bit of detail wrong.

But that was when he was working at his uncle's agency.

As time went on, certain incidents affected Shuichi's life heavily, and he switched to the Kirigiri agency. At first, he still held on to his previous behavior. However, he slowly started to erase it and started to replace it with a sense of apathy.

No longer caring whether he was right or wrong, as long as he gets the answer. No longer blinking an eye if someone corrects him, even if they were wrong. No longer afraid to tell his deductions if needed. No longer scared of what anyone thinks of him.

But that was all a facade.

Inside, there was still a fear of expectations not being reached and anxiety of what other thought of him. And Shuichi acknowledges this. He knows he won't ever get rid of it. He'll just have to lie to himself that he doesn't care.

Because it's better that way, right?

And slowly that just becomes an actual part of him. Like a lie that lingered too long and eventually became the truth. Like a mask glued on so much that you can't get it off anymore.

But now this feeling inside his heart is back.

Why? He didn't know exactly. Perhaps it was a fear of not reaching to other's expectations as this case had been a heavy one. Perhaps it was the thought that the item he thought Phantom Thief was going to steal ended up being the wrong one. Who knows.

And as the days went on, it hasn't gotten better.

After waiting around two and a half weeks, no sign of the Phantom Thief. Had Shuichi been wrong? What if the Phantom Thief did his heist in Hagakure's place and all the preparation he did was useless?

He couldn't help but feel a never-ending pit inside his stomach, despite merely sitting on his hotel bed. But he wouldn't show any external discomfort, apart from his slightly furrowed eyebrows. Apparently the known fact that he was alone wasn't enough to break apart his facade.

Phone clutched in his hand, he replayed the conversation that happened just minutes ago.

A small debate between text just ended through text. Well, it wasn't much of a debate as Byakuya coldly stating that he wants his mansion back as soon as possible and Makoto scrambling for excuses. But a debate nonetheless.

And Shuichi, as a background person watching the events, still couldn't help but feel like it was his fault. After all, it was his deductions that led them here.

He rose his eyes and looked out the window monotonously. Stary skies reflected with his caramel-yellow eyes. Sighing, he threw his body backwards and onto the bed. After a while, for the first time in forever, he fell asleep.

-

"... Say what?"

"I repeat, some things in the mansion have been tampered. And we can say with 100% certainty it was not any of the security guards."

A few more days have passed, and up until this moment, there were no news. But when news did came in, it was concerning.

The head of security called Shuichi saying some of the stuff in the mansion were tampered. And of course, it was none of the guards he hired. And so, after the call ended, Shuichi took it upon himself to dress up and go to the place himself. It was about 10 PM, so it should be nearing Phantom Thief's heist time (which is often midnight).

Throughout the years, Shuichi's adopted a "mystery persona" of his own. At the beginning of working in Kirigiri's agency, Shuichi requested that he works in the background. As kind of like a person pulling the strings in solving the cases. And at first, it was fine. Background checks were an indoor job thing unless the more personal info needed to be gathered, but that was unlikely.

But as time went on, more and more heavier cases were assigned to him. And the more involved they became, it was near impossible for Shuichi to solve them without being known. After all, sometimes e-mails can't solve an infidelity case.

And so, the two detectives, Kyoko and Shuichi made an agreement. With more homicide cases going around, Shuichi agreed to assist Kyoko on some of them. In return, he'd have Makoto as kind of his cover-up person. Essentially like a puppet with Shuichi giving orders.

And so that was how it goes...

...for quite the while.

As the case became harder and harder, it was no longer effective for Makoto to go and do Shuichi's business. And so, Shuichi just made his face hidden whenever he needs to get involved. With a mask, overshadowed by a hood. And it wasn't long before the public noticed.

Rumors and conspiracy theories spread slowly. And so, people started to call him "the Shadow Detective". A detective that works in the shadows.

And Shuichi just accepts it.

So here we have the detective stepping into the mansion, and immediately speaking to the head of the security guards. Shifting Shuichi's eyes down to his uniform, a nametag was written 'Adachi' on it. Pulling out a map of the mansion, he placed it into his hand.

"Adachi-san, I'll need you to hold onto this until you are dismissed from this... situation." Even with a mask covering his face, it was clear by the tone of his voice and his demeanor that he was looking directly to his eyes with intensity.

"Forgive me, detective, but I do not need this map-"

"I do acknowledge the fact that you have memorized the layout of this mansion, however," Shuichi's stare became sterner, still maintaining eye contact, "I request heavily of this to you. Do not lose it, do not ruin it, do not give it to anyone else. Keep it on you until this is over."

The two were silently staring at each other, until Adachi carefully folded the paper and slipped it into his uniform vest, "Understood."

Once the whole exchange came to an end, Shuichi immediately went to the main room of the mansion. The room in which he placed the crystal ball he got from Hagakure's. And quite the dimly lighted one. Candles were the only light source, apart from the 'spotlight' on the crystal ball.

It was a secured room, stationing ten security guards around the place along with surveillance cameras with no blind spots.

The security guards were not armed with much. Probably only a walkie talkie and handcuffs and with no weapons. After all, Shuichi wanted the Phantom Thief alive. Whether or not he'd be sentenced to death if he gets caught, the court will be the one to determine.

But the most important thing is the crystal ball. Shuichi found out that Hagakure thought a glass ball was a crystal ball and a crystal ball was a glass ball... but his stupidity isn't his problem. The item itself is. The ball was encased in a glass box on a pedestal. There was a opening on the back in case of emergency in which anyone would need to get it out. Whether it would be the Phantom Thief or the Shadow Detective.

Behind that was a curtain. Not particularly to a window, but that doesn't mean there's nothing behind it. Gripping on the fabric lightly, Shuichi pulled the curtains. Behind it was just kind of a little hole in the wall. A decently sized cube. He wanted to ask Togami why it was built, but decided against it.

Lifting his body, he curled up in the small space. Reaching out, he then closed the curtains, leaving only a tiny gap to peek out of. After all, the lack of light made it impossible to notice it, unless a person walked up and checked very carefully.

Exhaling slightly, Shuichi readjusted his mask. The mask that would prevent him from looking into people's eyes if desired. The mask that would make it unknown to other people whether he was actually showing emotions or not. The mask that a certain infamous inventor made and modified.

But now, all he had to do was wait.

For a whole 2 darn hour... Great.

So that's how it was for a long time. And being in a small space and a curled back really does wonders of ache, Shuichi discovers. But he just ignores it, much like the problems he has in life.

-

Holy heck, Phantom Thief, just come in and steal the ball and the boring peace here!

Behind the mask, the detective's face was most definitely irritated. He just wanted this whole thing to be done with and go home. Letting out a rough exhale, he closed his eyes, just hoping for something to happen.

Besides, how bad can it be if he really does come and messes up everything up? There's security everywhere.

And as if an unknown entity read his mind, crap hits the fan.

Shuichi reached and took off his mask for his occasional breath of fresh air. But as he took a deep breath, he paused.

The scent is sweeter than usual... Definitely not the same as usual.

He pulled the curtain slightly, letting the outside air come in,

It's thicker outside...

And realization hit him like a train. Eyes widening a fraction, he let go of the curtain, leaving it to fall close.

Chloroform... It's chloroform...

He cupped his mouth and nose, closing the two as tight as he can. Holding his breath, he reached for his mask, before pulling back his hand. It wouldn't help. Not now...

I'll have to tell Iruma to install some sort of air filter after this is done...

Running out of oxygen, Shuichi knew he can't last long,

I have to wait for a minimal of five minutes. And unfortunately, humans can't last that long...

Letting loose of his hand slightly, he let a tiny bit of air slip into his nose. Hopefully, enough for him to breath, but not enough to knock him out.

After a few minutes, he heard several bodies drop to the floor. Words were exchanged, but he couldn't hear what they were. And after a few more thuds, the room went silent.

I probably should've notified them, but... too late I suppose.

Peaking his head out a little, he closed his eyes as kind of like a sigh,

I'll just have to wait until ventilation does its job.

-

"Nishishi~! Wow, slipping in some chloroform was easy peasy!"

With a laugh like that, the identity was no mystery. The Phantom Thief stood outside of the mansion, admiring his work that is of the twenty unconscious security guards near the doorway and around the garden. By now, the sleep-inducing scent has worn out.

Seriously, did they not equip these guys with some sort of mask? Not that I'm complaining, though!

Looking over the pile of not-dead bodies, Phantom Thief managed to find the guard in charge. Kneeling down to the body on the ground, he smirked,

I wonder if you have anything of worth on you...

And he did. In the guy's vest pocket, he found a piece of paper. Unfolding it, his eyes greeted to an okay drawing of a map of the mansion. There were labels of the different rooms in black marker, but the one that stood out was the writing of "my location" at the door way, and "valuable item" in another room, both in red marker.

Nishishishishi! Jackpot! Now I don't have to wander around the mansion uselessly!

-

That's it guys. that's the twist.

Shuichi had a mystery persona too. That's it, I guess. Sucks, right?

I made a drawing of Shuichi's mystery persona, "Shadow Detective"

no one asked for it but here ya go.

and you know what, here have some doodles (sorry for my horrible handwriting)