BWDC:SDDK Chapter 140: The Leader of the Period Drama Youth Troupe
The Period Drama Traveling Troupe.
In the realm of period dramas, this troupe once held quite a high reputation within the country, capable of performing on nationwide tours. Unfortunately, after the previous troupe leader passed away due to illness, the members drifted away or disbanded one by one, and their popularity gradually waned.
However, as the current leader, Tamanosuke Ito has a dream.
He wants to become a period drama superstar and make this traveling troupe inherited from his father great again!
"So, sir, would you like to hear about my restoration plan?"
The seventeen-year-old troupe leader, Tamanosuke Ito, said as much.
This youth leader of period drama was currently holding a stack of flyers, distributing them on the nearby streets. He was trying to use this method to drum up some foot traffic for the troupe's upcoming performance.
But in this day and age, who still watches period dramas?
So-called "Period Dramas" referred to historical costume plays.
The problem was that there were plenty of historical period dramas on television. Why would anyone pay to watch an offline stage performance by a troupe with only a few members and mediocre special effects? Wouldn't it be better to just watch a free TV show?
Tamanosuke Ito sighed as he saw that almost no one around him was taking the flyers.
---As expected, it's just too difficult to restore the prestige of period drama in this increasingly fast-paced era.
The first thing he did upon transferring to Teitan High School was ask his classmates if they wanted to come see a period drama.
He had also asked them to help distribute flyers and promote the show.
But looking at it now, it seemed there was still very little effect...
"So, you're the 'Period Drama Youth Leader'?"
A strange voice sounded from beside him.
Tamanosuke Ito was startled and quickly looked up at the person next to him.
His first reaction was that this person seemed very tall; his second was that the man was very handsome.
His third reaction was wondering how this person knew his identity.
---Though, was shortening it to "Period Drama Youth Leader" a bit inappropriate?
At the very least, shouldn't the word "Troupe" be added in the middle?
"Mr. Ito, I heard some other students mentioning your troupe."
"May I ask which theater you will be performing at next?"
Ren Ichimonji asked in a low voice.
Honestly, the decline of this Period Drama Traveling Troupe was a bit too severe.
The news only briefly mentioned that the Period Drama Traveling Troupe—which had been suspected multiple times of having the phantom thief "Edokko" among its ranks—had arrived in Tokyo. It didn't even mention where the troupe was performing.
Even searching online yielded no information about their performance schedule since arriving in Tokyo.
Therefore, he had to come catch someone in person.
"Ah, th-this... it's the Beika Theater..."
Tamanosuke Ito said somewhat nervously.
Although Tamanosuke desperately hoped for people to come watch the performance, having someone actually approach him to talk about it made him feel a bit overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
Ren Ichimonji pulled a flyer from Tamanosuke's hand.
He scanned the performance dates and location, then his gaze landed on the program.
[~The Arrest of Edokko~ Constable Itaro~]
This troupe certainly knew how to generate hype.
Knowing that the actors in their troupe were often suspected by the police of being Edokko, they simply used Edokko as a gimmick to write an unconventional, fictional period drama?
His gaze then fell upon the thick stack of flyers in Tamanosuke Ito's hand.
---The troupe's funds were visibly tight.
Even the leader had to come out personally to hand out flyers; no wonder there was no news coverage of the performance.
Ren Ichimonji patted Tamanosuke Ito on the shoulder and said meaningfully,
"As long as you're still performing at the Beika Theater then, I'll definitely come to support the show!"
Tamanosuke Ito: ?
Why does it feel like this gentleman's words have a double meaning...
Nonetheless, Tamanosuke answered seriously,
"Alright, we will definitely perform at the Beika Theater on time. Thank you for your support!"
After speaking, he remembered Ren Ichimonji saying he heard students mentioning the troupe.
He was just about to look up and ask where Ren had heard it.
However, in the brief moment he was distracted, the Ren Ichimonji who had just been speaking had vanished without a trace.
Seeing this, Tamanosuke Ito was instantly shocked.
He quickly scanned the surrounding crowd but still couldn't find any sign of Ren Ichimonji.
Doubt couldn't help but rise in his heart---
How could a person disappear so quickly? Could it be that I've handed out too many flyers today and I'm starting to hallucinate?
Just as Tamanosuke was thinking this.
Familiar voices rang out not far away.
"Hey, Itano-suke, over here, over here!"
He subconsciously looked up again.
This time he did see people, and they were acquaintances.
His classmates Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki appeared nearby, followed by two figures in blue suits—one large and one small. The person who had just greeted him was the more cheerful one among his classmates, Sonoko Suzuki.
---Hmm, it seems if that person just now wasn't a hallucination, he must have heard about it from Sonoko?
"I say, why do you have to come along, you brat? Don't you like watching special effects shows and cartoons the most?"
"Period dramas are deep stuff. Conan, you can't handle it. Leave it to me!"
Mouri Kogoro and Conan stared each other down, with Kogoro blustering loudly.
Conan, not to be outdone, retorted,
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you, Uncle? Didn't you just copy a video tape of Yoko-san's concert the other day?"
"Why aren't you staying home to watch the replay instead of coming to see a period drama you're usually not interested in?"
That goes without saying—it's a free performance, so it would be a waste not to watch!
Mouri Kogoro instinctively wanted to answer that way.
But catching sight of Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki greeting someone else and calling him Tamanosuke Ito, Kogoro immediately swallowed the words he was about to say.
Ahem, it wouldn't be good if the person in question heard that.
If this kid knew he only came for a free show, wouldn't he gossip about Ran behind her back? It's better not to say it out loud; let's just keep it as a mutual understanding.
"Damn it..."
Conan frowned, crossed his arms, and turned his head away.
He didn't even need to ask to know Mouri Kogoro was here for the free show. But Kogoro hadn't considered at all that his "bad luck" constitution might cause a sensational and vicious murder case to occur at the theater!
It seemed that the indirect approach of stopping Mouri Kogoro from going to the scene was no longer viable.
As things stood, he had no choice but to contact Ren Ichimonji---
Like hell he could!
Ren Ichimonji's philosophy was "good brothers are in the heart, but the phone won't go through."
Never mind him; Sonoko had gone to the apartment to look for Ren before coming to the agency, only to find he wasn't home. He didn't answer his phone either. Honestly, it looks like I'll have to rely on my own wisdom to solve the case this time.
---It's time to show the true strength of the Heisei Sherlock Holmes!
End of Chapter
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