No matter how many times it happened, i just can't used to it
- Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)
...
"You...what do you want to say?"
Dean was taken aback by Dick's serious expression.
He's coming clean?
What secret did he have to reveal?
Dean already knew that Dick was the heir to the Wayne family, a circus acrobat, a sharpshooter in high school, and the champion of the campus' Best Butt contest...
Dean already knew all of this about Dick.
Was he going to tell him he was Robin?
"You guessed it, I want to be a police officer in the future!"
Dick said it firmly, with determination in his voice.
"Huh?"
Dean looked at Dick with a strange expression.
This didn't sound like something he would say.
Isn't he a superhero? The leader of the Teen Titans and under Batman's wing? He's bound to join the Justice League in the future, maybe as a senior member.
Isn't that much more exciting than becoming a regular police officer?
And yet, here he is, telling me he wants to be a police officer.
What is he trying to fool?
"I'm not joking with you, Dean."
Dick could see the disbelief in Dean's eyes, which wasn't surprising because even he himself thought his idea was absurd.
"When I finish high school this year, I plan to go to the Police Academy in Blüdhaven to learn more."
Blüdhaven was a small port town in New Jersey, not far from Gotham.
Its main industry was fishing, and it was a poor town with a high crime rate and somewhat backward technology compared to Gotham's status as a world-leading economy.
To the outside world, Blüdhaven looked more like a human hell on the surface.
It wasn't a place most people would consider for their higher education.
"Is it true? Are you sure Mr. Wayne would approve of you going to a place like Blüdhaven to study?"
At this moment, Dean began to doubt whether the person in front of him was really Dick or whether the stress of Gotham's crime had finally driven him crazy.
"And your grades are not bad. Instead of going to an Ivy League school, you could easily get into a top-notch police academy in a big city. Blüdhaven..."
As a friend, Dean believed he had a responsibility to persuade Dick not to ruin his future.
"Stop, Dean. I understand what you mean, but I have thought this through carefully. Now, what we should be discussing isn't my college plans."
Dick wasn't lying; he had indeed thought about this decision carefully.
Deep down in his heart, Dick has started to question Batman's methods.
After all the years of fighting crime together in Gotham, the city remained the same. He wants to explore if there is a better way to change Gotham.
If taking down criminals with violence as a masked vigilante wasn't working, then maybe trying to enforce the law as a police officer would be more effective.
However, Dick can't stay in Gotham because it would certainly result in conflict with Batman. Besides, he chose this path to escape Batman's shadow, so he had to go to another city.
"I hope you're really sure about your decision. As for me, there's no way I'd go to Blüdhaven for college."
Dean said, giving up on trying to persuade Dick further. He had already said everything he needed to say.
"In short, if I want to become a good detective in the future, I need to develop the important skills in advance. It would be even better if I had some valuable experience."
"So, you want to catch Phantom Thief to prove your abilities, and you want me to help you see through his tricks?"
Dean finally understood why Dick wanted him to go to the exhibition.
"Are you sure Commissioner Gordon won't kick you out for interfering with official business?"
Dean asked skeptically.
"Don't worry. Let's just think of ourselves as private investigators. The police can deal with Phantom Thief in their own way, and we'll do it our way. We just need to make sure they don't find out. Besides... I have a friend who can help."
Dick said, pausing for a moment before continuing.
Dean quickly catches the critical information in Dick's words and interrupts, "You must have deciphered the riddle of the notice letter. How else would you know that Phantom Thief's operation this time is not at night?"
"Shh—keep it down, don't let others hear."
Dick quickly signals for Dean to be quiet.
"I can tell you the contents of the notice letter, but you have to promise to come with me to the exhibition."
"Hehe, it's clear that you want to play the game of cops and robbers and call it improving your detective skills. But in fact, you want me to come and help you decipher the thief's tricks. So is this for your improvement or mine?"
Dean chuckles.
"No, no, it's two different things. Even the most skilled detective wouldn't refuse the help of a professional. Finding the best assistant will make solving the case much faster and easier."
Dick keeps waving his hands around and trying to sound smart.
"...Alright, since you're inviting me so sincerely, I'll accept it."
Dean reluctantly nods and agrees to Dick's invitation.
"That's great! I knew you would agree."
Dick said. As promised, he revealed all the riddles of the notice letter to Dean, including how to use tarot card knowledge to decipher it.
Dean tried to look like he was listening, but he couldn't help but laugh inside.
Last time, Barbara didn't have any more doubts about Dean because he wasn't there.
Maybe the same tricks wouldn't fool Batman, but Dean and the Phantom Thief were still different people at the moment.
Their personalities and behavior were completely different.
This meant that Dean could slowly start using his real identity to carry out more suitable tasks.
Of course, it was risky, but it was worth it.
Time flew by quickly, and before they knew it, it was March 31st.
This day was not the day the Phantom Thief made a move for his crimes, nor was it the day for any other thief's move.
No thief other than the Phantom Thief sent a notice letter before committing a crime.
However, this day was still special, especially for the Orpheus Jewelry Exhibition Center.
The legendary 'Hope Diamond,' famous throughout the world as the Stone of Misfortune, will officially be put on exhibition today.
In the past few days, the diamond had been securely locked away, stopping anyone from getting close to it, but now it had to be taken out for people to see it.
In other words, any thief targeting this diamond could move at any moment.
"Why did you call me here now if Phantom Thief's crime is tomorrow?"
Dean asked quietly as he walked through the advanced technology exhibition hall, looking at different items as he moved.
At the same time, he quietly asked Dick who was beside him.
"I think Phantom Thief has a habit of exploring the venue in advance. He might be hiding somewhere here right now,"
Dick replied cautiously, his sharp gaze moving among the visitors, alert for anyone who is suspicious.
...
A/N: If we reach 900 power stones today, I will release an additional chapter tomorrow.
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