#kaitou retort

[kiaroscuro]

Chapters: 3/3

Fandom: Persona 5, Magic Kaito Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Amamiya Ren & Phantom Thieves of Hearts, Kurusu Akira & Phantom Thieves of Hearts, Amamiya Ren & Arsene (Persona Series), Amamiya Ren & Kuroba Kaito | Kaitou Kid Characters: Amamiya Ren (Persona Series), Kurusu Akira, Persona 5 Protagonist, Arsene (Persona Series), Phantom Thieves of Hearts, Hasegawa Zenkichi, Kuroba Kaito | Kaitou Kid, Kaito Kid Task Force (Meitantei Conan/Magic Kaito), Shounen Tantei-dan | Detective Boys, Yoshizawa Sumire | Yoshizawa Kasumi, Mentioned Shadow Operatives (Persona Series), Mentioned Detective Conan and Magic Kaito Ensemble Series: Part 3 of you captured my soul with your gaze

Summary:

Ren blacked out his screen, his own disbelieving expression staring at him, until his trembling stilled, a grin fighting for dominance. He glanced at his not-cat. "Joker was challenged," he whispered, in awe.

"Someone challenged the Thieves already?" Morgana's fur bristled in indignation, but Ren merely shook his head.

"No, Mona. Joker was challenged." He licked his lips, and gave up trying to withhold a truly manic grin. Morgana's tail swished in agitation, the not-cat not comprehending. He was about to retort, when Morgana meowed in indignation as Arsene materialized, decked out and with energy crackling around him, the same manic sort of expression lighting up his mask. He'd heaved Morgana up into the air and was grinning at the not-cat.

"Ren! By whom was Joker challenged!" Morgana hissed, and Ren laughed, loudly and freely and a little bit mad as well, as he thought of doves and moonlight magicians.

"Kaitou KID!"

--

aka: a clash of Thieves atop the Tokyo skyline

[electricea]

The buzz around the latest request on the Phan-Site had been immense and even on regular social media, it seemed that the topic was unavoidable. Perhaps with this mind, it was inevitable that their fledgling group would also hold a small meeting about this very request.

So, with coffees all in hand, they had leaned to look over Ren's shoulder as he'd read out the request.

Upon hearing the request, Ryuji had been the most sympathetic to this kid's situation - having known what it felt like to already have a parent who worked a lot, so to have a dad who was barely around? However, Ann also had unique insight on this very issue - as she also often didn't get to see her parents very much and whilst a sad situation, it wasn't something that could be helped.

Yusuke had brought the most logical take to their discussion - pointing out that the thief had immediately returned all items taken and with this just this in mind, did this really warrant a change of heart? Or was this just someone venting their own frustrations about their dad's work situation, here?

"Whatever you guys decide, it has to be something you all agree on," Morgana had surmised, his words sounding like a simple cat's meowing to everyone else there.

That part they had agreed on - every case had to have the approval of each member, with none acting of their own accord and will, while there were some cases in which it was tempting to get personally involved, as Morgana had pointed out many times over, they were Phantom Thieves - and Phantom Thieves didn't get caught.

Not to mention, if they were stealing hearts, Ryuji wanted to be sure that it was for the right reasons, as well.

Having read the request seem to have sent the entirety of the group into a silent, solemn, thoughtful slump as each of them seemed to quietly ponder the correct course of action to take, here.

Usually Phan-Site requests were pretty easy to accept or downright shoot down? Abusive boyfriend? Easy yes, there. Someone's girlfriend breaking up with them? Whilst also shitty, not exactly warranting of a change of heart, either.

This case had brought an unexpected nuance that broke the usual black and white they were accustomed to - one thing that was clear was that not everyone was going to agree straight away to this and whatever they did decide would be accompanied by a great deal of apprehension.

Yet, they also had one thing working against them here - the pressure on social media was immense, several anonymous people rooting for both Kaitou KID and for the Phantom Thieves? Whatever was going to happen, people expected a response and they would surely expect one soon, wouldn't they?

He had heard the snicker almost immediately, midway through running his hands through his hair - the snicker sounded derisive and doubtful, a clear Kaitou KID supporter from the sounds of it, and against his better judgment, he found himself retorting.

"Guess you're not much of a Phantom Thieves supporter, huh?"

Plotted Starter for @electricea​ !!

A lot of people are talking about it online, ever since a request put into the Phan-site had begun gaining a lot of discussion. The post in question went a little something like this:

Blue_Sapphire posted:

I can’t believe I’d ever post here, but I’m at my wits end! My dad (police inspector) keeps coming home late because of the same guy, and I can’t think of anyone else to help. You guys have heard about Kaitou KID, right?

He’s a terrible, nasty no good thief! He keeps breaking into places to steal things only to return them the next day and no one knows why! He’s been around for, like, 20 Years now. There’s so many broken things and stolen things and nobody can catch him. Maybe if he confesses his identity to the whole world my dad can finally arrest him and give him the punishment he deserves!!

Please, I’d never ask a thief for anything if it wasn’t really serious. I just want my dad to stop worrying about KID all the time so he can be home more often. Please make that mean old thief confess!!

The post had blown up overnight, of course. The prospect was enticing, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts VS the infamous Kaitou KID. It’s all anyone can talk about online now.

Kaito himself has a sneaking suspicion about who posted that particular request to the forum in question.

“Peh, no group of wannabe thieves is ever gonna catch the great Kaitou KID-sama,” he snickers to himself as he scrolls through his phone, relaxing in a nearby cafe. He of course had heard about the prospect online, and could only silently laugh to himself.

He’s in some corner cafe called Leblanc, fitting name for who’s sitting there right now. His father’s costume was based on that of Arsene Lupin’s after all, so Kaito couldn’t resist checking out the establishment. The coffee’s actually pretty good.

…also he’s staking out a museum in Tokyo for his next heist since there’s a gem that’s going to be displayed there next month. He’ll probably only be in and out of Tokyo for the next thirty or so days before the heist, then he’ll return to Ekoda all over again.

As if his heart could be stolen. It’s locked up in a tighter vault than the old man Suzuki’s iron tanuki, those guys don’t stand a chance! He takes another sip of the drink he orders as he chuckles to himself.

Though if the Phantom Thieves of Hearts did want a showdown, who would he be to deny his loyal audience a show? He’s excited to see how this might play out…

[beesgav]

That tuxedo-mask-lookin fellow

[sunseteyes]

THE WINTER I SAW YOUR SMILE

ㅤㅤ ↪︎ STARRING: neito monoma; gn!reader

ㅤㅤ ↪︎ THEMES: fluff, enemies to lovers—more like idiots friends to lovers honestly

ㅤㅤ ↪︎ WORD COUNT: 2, 101 words

ㅤㅤ ↪︎ SYNOPSIS: like perry the platypus to doofenshmirtz, joker to batman, or even conan to kaitō kid, for you, neito was your archenemy. but why is it that no one ever asked neito what he thought of you?

ㅤㅤ ↪︎ INTERMISSION: this is an entry for our server collab secret santa! merry merry christmas @dimplesum i hope you’ll enjoy my gift for you~ also, thank you to @imahoeforanimeguys for beta reading this :D

[12:51 AM]

if there was one person who could understand neito well, itsuka kendou would say it would be you.

you have known neito monoma ever since you were children, maybe much more than anyone would, even if they were his new friends. no matter how much they knew him, it would always be you who knew him better, the best.

it was not because you were his childhood bestfriend, or sweetheart, or any of that sappy story seen in disney movies or romance novels. your and neito’s story is far too easy to understand than any of those for it can be summarized by the word “archenemy,” like perry the platypus to doofenshmirtz, or joker to batman, or maybe even conan to kaitou kid—yes, you were kind of addicted to that show for quite some time.

along with being neito’s archenemy comes with knowing full well what ticks him off and also what makes him feel pleased. basically, that knowledge became the reason why everyone knows you’re the one who has the better hand when it comes to neito in general.

so when did you two first treat each other like archenemies?

it started when you two were still in kindergarten, was it? you’ve known each other for so long that it still surprises you how you and neito still see and even talk to one another. you could barely remember how and when exactly the scene played about at that time, but there were bits of memories where it was him who started to get on your bad side. although on neito’s defense, it was actually you when you started commenting on his hairstyle back in the days. after all, he used to sport a straight cut of bangs back then and it was the very thing that got stuck in your mind and couldn’t help but let it out every single time you see neito’s face, no matter how much he had physically changed from the boy you used to know.

being neito’s archenemy consists of constant teases, banters, glares, smirks, and being scolded by someone—usually a teacher or a mutual friend of yours, which is kendou, since tetsutetsu joins into the arguments too, which leaves kendou to babysit the four of you.

it’s not as if you were always arguing or at each other’s throats though. people even say you two make a good team, but it will only lead to neito and you teasing each other on how the other is flustered by such a statement. you do admit that there is a wave of relief that washes over your chest whenever you hear those words, but you could never find yourself letting out that kind of confession especially since it would wound your pride, and boost someone’s ego—ehem, neito. you have no specific reason why it calms you down to have someone say those about you two, but it may be because it thrills you to have someone else tease neito, however it also gives way for him to tease you as well, so you have rather conflicting thoughts when it comes to that matter.

by the time neito and you had reached high school though, you knew something changed.

was it how the glares started softening a bit? was it when the bickers would shorten whenever one of you decides to give in to the other? people commented on how you two became more mature, but for some reason, you knew there was another reason why this came to be, something you dare not say nor even think about, not that it should matter anyway.

the knocking on the door startled you awake from your thoughts, suddenly urging you to stand from the sofa to answer whoever was on the right mind to knock on your apartment at half past 12, or wait is it 1 AM already? either way, it’s too late for anyone to try and visit you, unless it’s someone who has bad intentions, but would they really knock if they have? still, there’s nothing wrong to be cautious, especially during these days.

“neito?” the rush of words came out of your lips sooner than you had the time to shut yourself, it was also louder than intended that’s why the other person on the other side of the door was able to hear it loud and clear.

“(y/n)! you’re there, right? could you let me in? it’s freezing out here!”

“and why would i?” you retort back, already gripping on the knob to turn it and reveal neito’s figure right in front of you. “what the hell are you doing here? at this hour even?”

and yet, he ignored you, entering your complex, then pushing you aside as he enjoyed the warmth that your apartment provided, with you closing the door behind in order to give him a long, contemplating look.

he seemed like he came from somewhere else, considering that the way he dresses up for home and for outside activity were different and quite unique by themselves. you noticed it after a few times of seeing him stay by your apartment with your other friends, or when you all go out to shop, have a meal, or stop by some place itsuka had found. you two were always on the same friendship circle, you noticed, yet it had never occurred where you and him stayed in one place all alone, after all you two were considered as “archenemies” still, aren’t you?

“i’m asking you what you’re doing here, monoma.” you bluntly questioned, making sure to emphasize how you’ve said his name. whenever you call him by his surname, he and you both know that you were pissed—or coming to. and like any other time, he chose to make a comeback as well, just as you had expected.

“it’s freezing outside, (y/n), do you want me to die? come on, be a kind person for once.”

“i am a kind person, monoma, but as far as i know, you don’t usually barge into people’s homes at around 1 AM.”

he scoffs, still rubbing his gloved hands together, trying to warm them up from the temperature winter brought upon december. “it’s just 12:51, and you’re not just any people. aren’t we friends?”

it was your turn to scoff, bringing your grasps on your waist, leaning to the side as you raise your brows in utter disbelief. “friends? no we’re not, what are you talking about.”

it was the truth, anyway. even though you’ve treated him as an archenemy, throughout the years, you were friends with neito, it just so happens that you treat each other quite differently than most friends do, that’s why you chose to name it as a word that others don’t frequently use. who calls their friends an archenemy? probably only you, or some others too—maybe.

“hey (y/n), do you have any snacks, ramen perhaps?”

your eyes narrow at the sight of neito rummaging through your kitchen, already knowing his way around. how can you blame him when he had already visited the apartment a couple of times with itsuka, tetsutetsu, and a few other friends that you’ve had over the years.

sighing to yourself, you leaned to one of the counters as you watched him, now cooking not just a pack, but two packs of ramen—that was, mind you, yours. each and every equipment and whatever he was using was yours, and it should infuriate you, your mind tells you so. however, you just seemingly can’t.

“you should pay for those, including my gas, neito.” you muse to the boy, his back turned to you as he continued preparing the ramen that he was preparing for the both of you, the sight apparently engraving itself on your mind whenever you have the chance to look at your kitchen. what can you say? he looks good while doing stuff like these, and you wouldn’t mind having to see him do so next time, that’s if you would have the chance since you would bite your tongue before you could even confess about it.

“you know, i’m this close to thinking that you really hate me, (y/n).”

your brow raised, momentarily catching his eyes when he briefly glanced at you. “why’s that?”

“well for one, you’re treating me as some kind of enemy of some sort. we should be allies, you know.”

“yeah but you’re the one who always starts the argument first, neito.”

he chuckles then, leaning to the side as he sends a look to you, one that is glinted with slight mock and amusement, like per usual. “that’s because you’re so easy to rile up. you always have these puffy cheeks and narrowed eyes when you do,” he gestures to his own face and he suddenly laughs, pointing at you with a spoon. “-yeah! just like that!” he hollers, making your brows furrow even more, now glaring daggers at him.

“shut up.”

neito kept on laughing to himself and he only stopped when it was time to turn the gas off and take the saucepan out of the casserole, bringing it swiftly to the table where he lay it on top of a pot rest. it was also him who rushed to get bowls and utensils for each of you, which led you to simply sit down by the table, feeling a little bit awkward at how he basically served you and did the table for you. if you didn’t zipped your lips tight, you would’ve said how much you’d like to get used to this kind of treatment from him.

“what are you waiting for? dig in! it’s not like i put poison in it.” he chimes, getting his own part of the ramen and eating them in almost an instant that you were quite sure he must have been starving when he got here.

“what were you doing out, anyway? were you on a date?” the words slipped your mind as you ate, your eyes glanced down to the food, finding it difficult to look at him in the eye after such a question.

“hm? what if i tell you i was?”

you forced yourself to let out a shrug, still not meeting his gaze that was surely on yours. “it’s not like i care.”

he scoffs and chuckles—which was it, you have got no clue—one of the rare times when you seem unable to read neito’s actions.

“you’re acting like you do though.” he mutters as his smirk reached his ears, patting the chopsticks to his lips as he tried to intimidate you.

it was silent for a couple more seconds before you decided to break it, meeting his eyes with one of an uncertain gaze, almost wanting to look away immediately.

“why are you acting like we’re suddenly close, is this how you are after a date?” you questioned, hiding your hesitation by taking a bite of your ramen, letting its warmth travel down to your chest and your stomach, in hopes of comforting you in some way.

“you must be misunderstanding me, (y/n).” this time, his face was looking dead serious, no more smirk and glints of mischief by his irises, as if he had a change of mind in an instant. “i wasn’t on a date. i am on a date.”

your breath faltered and your movements came to a halt, the chopsticks and your hand raised on a level that left it hanging by the air, just like how the atmosphere stilled the moment you heard the words coming out of neito’s lips.

“what?”

“i said, i am on a date.” he points to you with his own utensil, gesturing for both of you. “we are on a date.”

“uh-when did i-”

“and before you react, i’m just here to clarify that i already know you like me, that’s why you’re acting like this.”

your mouth opened to react and retaliate, but you only looked at him in disbelief, watching his nose crinkle up in delight, the corners of his eyes curling as he grins, his hair slightly swaying softly at the smallest signs of his movements.

now he might be damn right that you like him, but it’s not as if you’ve realized it that long. still, your voice didn’t let you fight him back because he seemed to be enjoying his own bubble—one that he was gladly sharing to you right now. you’ll have to clarify his statement from earlier soon, but not now perhaps. because now, he looks so pretty with that smile, and you’d rather be teased than having to rid of a sight like that.

[balancingdiet]

Civilian

Characters: Kaito/Shinichi, Aoko Words: 11.2k LMAO!!! (recommended to open new browser tab before clicking “Keep Reading”) Note: 9 months ago I made this prompt, and I finally did it. Sort of, or at least closely related enough hahhaha Other reading link: AO3

Investigating a supposedly abandoned building shouldn’t be too much of an effort for Kaito, that is if he didn’t have to try hiding his identity from a certain detective as well.

//"It looks so difficult and complex," Kaito lied and heaved a sad sigh. "But I think I can try to unlock it, even though I'm obviously just a normal civilian."

"Aren't you a magician?" Shinichi drawled. "Don't you know how to unlock things?"

"Oh— Yes. A civilian who happens to be a magician." Kaito gave a thumbs up. "That's why I THINK I can do it."//

---

Kaito's life had been flipped upside down more than a hundred times, but if he had to choose the one that remained constant, it would be Aoko's inquisitive senses.

She was easily fascinated in nature. Feisty too, much to Kaito's chagrin. But to be fair, he did leverage on her curiosity plenty of times for his heists' sake, and because of that, he hadn't figured how he would explain all his wrongdoings to her after his life as Kid ended.

So taking one step at a time towards that possible path of forgiveness, he tried by agreeing to most of the things she asked him to do, like trespassing into their high school in the middle of the night, joining that stupid Kid Capture Brigade club she created…

And now this: accompanying her to investigate an abandoned building for their university's student newspaper.

If Kaito had to complain, it would be how far the building decided to abandon itself away from town; the travelling already took them a bulk of their afternoon. But comparing this to the other requests Aoko made in the past, this was no biggie for Kaito. He could already imagine how the day would play out; probably a couple of self-paranoia scares, some trips and bumps over the old floorings, and maybe having someone joining in their investigation—

Wait.

What?

Kaito's life had been flipped upside down more than a hundred times, and one of the reasons was his uncanny luck to meet the people he didn't wish to see right now.

Aoko gasped, just two seconds slower than Kaito's realisation to their new visitor.

Standing by the broken door in his iconic unbuttoned blazer and pants was Kudo freaking Shinichi.

If newspaper articles and television didn't count, it would be three years since Kaito last saw the detective (in his other smaller form). And frankly, Japan wasn't that big, so Kaito should consider that quite a miracle. But compared to those 2D prints, seeing Shinichi in real life struck a heavier chord in Kaito's memories, and there was an equal balance between the fond and not so desirable ones…

Bullets. Blood. Debt

"This isn't an illusion, right?"

Kaito snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at Aoko over his shoulder. He hadn't wished for something so bad since he checked the gem for Pandora last week, but there was no point in trying to delude himself, or Aoko, when standing right there in the flesh was definitely that detective.

But before Kaito could confirm it, Aoko was already standing in front, her lips pursed to bite back her giggly excitement (and maybe to stop herself from exposing her scrapbook filled with Shinichi's articles and whatnots).

"You're Kudo Shinichi!" Aoko clicked onto her pen rapidly. "Like the Kudo Shinichi? Right? Detective of the East!"

"Just Kudo Shinichi." The said man afforded a small smile. "I'm quite over with that alias."

Alias… hah, Kaito thought wryly. And what about the others? Like the reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes, Silver Bullet, once-upon-a-time Edogawa Conan and also the Kid Killer—

"Nice to meet you!" Aoko placed a hand over her chest. "I'm Nakamori Aoko."

Kaito inwardly groaned.

"Nakamori?" Shinichi clarified.

"Yes."

"…Is your father a Police Inspector?"

"You're right!" Aoko's face brightened as she nodded. "He's the Inspector of Kaitou Kid Task Force."

"What a coincidence."

"How did you figure it out? Nobody ever says I look like my dad." Aoko tilted her head. "Is it by my name?"

"That's half of the reason." Shinichi pointing to her belongings. "I noticed you have an interesting Anti-Kid charm, and also the pen you're using was a gift to commemorate the founding anniversary of the Metropolitan Police Department. Only people affiliated to the police will have that."

"As expected of the detective," Aoko said in awe. "I really can't help but admit I'm a big fan of your work!"

Kaito couldn't roll his eyes any further behind his head. "Oi, Ahouko…"

"Sorry." Aoko hastily gestured over at Kaito, as if remembering his existence. "Anyway this is Kuroba Ka—"

"Kuroba is fine."

Aoko snapped a disapproving look and nudged Kaito in the ribs. "Can you sound any less rude?"

"Maybe it's a symptom whenever I'm close to any detective."

Obviously hearing their conversation, Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "Symptom?"

Kaito shrugged. "Like allergies."

"I guess it's better to say he's allergic than repulsive," Aoko muttered.

Shinichi shook his head. "That's fine; it's normal for some people to be repulsive against this line of job."

"Yeah, and maybe because Kaito is also a magician—"

"OKAYYYY that's too much information given. And you also just revealed my name, Ahouko." Kaito tugged Aoko's sleeve, pulling her a step away from the door Shinichi was still standing by. "We're here to do your work, not to chit-chat. Much less with strangers."

"What work?" Shinichi asked, and at the moment Kaito felt like he had fallen into the hole he dug.

"I'm currently helping to write a column for our university paper and I asked Kaito to accompany me," Aoko replied. "There seems to be some rumours going around about this abandoned building so I thought it'd be an interesting topic."

"And those rumours might be?"

Aoko parted her lips, ready to say everything because she was so easily pulled into any conversation like that, but Kaito cleared his throat, stopping her.

"What about you?" Kaito gestured a hand to Shinichi. "What are you doing here?"

Aoko looked excited to know Shinichi's answer too.

The detective, however, shook his head, but at least he had some kind of heart to explain after witnessing Aoko's shoulders fell. "It's police matters and not something I can share with the civilians."

Kaito cheered at the thought of Shinichi regarding him as a civilian, but the first part of his sentence sent a feeling of uncertainty to his gut. Police matters?

"If it's police matters, I'm not sure if the rumours we heard are going to be helpful." Aoko laughed sheepishly. "People said they heard some kind of activities happening at night here, and they think there's… ghosts."

Shinichi finally entered the room, one arm crossed while the other hand touched his chin. "Ghost, huh..."

Aoko tilted her head. "Do you believe in ghosts?"

Mulling for a while, Shinichi spoke, "There are many things one would wish to have a choice to not believe."

Kaito blinked.

Right. Having been shrunk by ten years from ingesting a pill, even Pandora's myth would have a hard time competing for the first place of bullshits that Kaito wished he had a choice to not believe in…

The room had grown too quiet for Kaito's taste. He glanced at Aoko knowingly; she looked lost in her own thoughts too.

He wondered what she was thinking, yet at the same time, he was a little afraid to know.

Kaito cleared his throat, snapping the other two attention back to earth. "Since we have nothing to do with each other and we're about done, shall we go home?" he said to Shinichi and then to Aoko.

Aoko glanced at her pink notebook and clicked her pen absently. "But we haven't been to the remaining floors. And there's also the roof too."

"We've seen nothing new for the past three levels." Kaito waved a hand around. "I bet it's gonna be the same — old and dusty."

"I would also advise you to leave as soon as possible," Shinichi said, stopping Aoko's attempt at a retort. "And if you don't mind, I have a couple pictures of those floors and the roof for you reference. I can send them to you via email."

"Really?" Aoko beamed. "That'll be nice!"

"Why do you need Aoko's email? Can't you just send via Bluetooth now?" Kaito drawled, though Ask was already scribbling down the details on a paper from her notepad.

"My battery is dead." Shinichi fished out his phone, because it was in every detectives' blood to show the evidence no matter what.

Whatever. But at least Shinichi did something right by advising Aoko to leave as soon as possible, and Kaito couldn't help but be thankful for it.

While the two were fussing about the email exchange, Kaito slipped half of his body out of the room and stared at the growingly dark corridor that led to the stairs up the next floor.

Kaito didn't feel it earlier, but after all the things Shinichi said, he wondered if he had been missing some signs.

"Thank you!" Aoko snapped her notebook shut and kept her materials back into her bag, her handmade Anti-Kid charm dangling loudly. "Are you also leaving too, Kudo-kun?"

"Not yet. I still want to explore this room."

"Alright! Take care." After Shinichi acknowledged her words with a nod, Aoko skipped towards Kaito.

"Thought you'd never leave," Kaito said with an eye-roll.

Aoko stuck out her tongue. "Let's go. And don't call me heartless because I remember the promised ice-cream treat after this."

It was never for the ice cream, but he grinned anyway. "Good."

As Aoko walked out of the room, Kaito gave Shinichi a last glance.

To his well-kept surprise, Kaito found Shinichi to be watching his conversation with Aoko, but when their eyes met, he turned away, showing only his broad (and albeit a little lonely) back for Kaito to see.

What a reunion, Kaito thought, before he finally turned on his heels, leaving the man tied to his many forgotten memories behind.

.

.

In the next three days after that chanced meeting, Kaito poured more time researching about Kudo Shinichi than he ever did for his project assignments in his entire university life.

The detective did appear on the media sometimes when he solved murder cases that shook the nation, but other than those, he was often in the back shots or nowhere to be found in the pictures; and easily counting these numbers, he had appeared much less periodically compared to the time before the Organization he dealt with fell apart.

But there was nothing Kaito could find — not from the recent news or about Shinichi — that would make the detective turn up at that abandoned building.

Was he there for his private investigation? What if it was related to the not-so-fallen Organization? A supposedly undetected rat that then grew an army under the sewers?

An email pinged on Kaito's computer, showing a notification about the student newspaper Aoko was a part of being published. It could serve as a small distraction for now (but he knew those thoughts would always be on the back of his mind).

Kaito clicked on the link and kept scrolling till he reached Aoko's column.

"Building lies abandoned, or not?"

As expected, Aoko had mostly written about the things she shared on their train ride back home. The building was abandoned, yes. And it looked too run down to be inhibited by anyone, yes. But what Kaito didn't expect was the way she concluded the mystery with a quote:

"There are many things one would wish to have a choice to not believe."

- A renowned detective who preferred to not be named.

Kaito rolled his eyes.

He guessed the pictures wasn't the only thing Aoko asked from Shinichi, and he wondered if they talked about anything else. Like the weather? How Hakuba sucks? Or…Kaitou Kid?

Kaito sighed and resumed browsing through his 'research', scrolling through pictures of different angled Shinichi looking back at him…

"What am I even doing?" Kaito said aloud to himself and shook his head. "Why should I even care about this, him, and that stupid building? I have my own problems to worry about."

Willing himself, Kaito shut his computer and headed to bed (not while spending the next intervening hours thinking about everything more than once every ten minutes).

.

.

As a reward for completing three assignments and his heist (though it wasn't Pandora) in a night, Kaito decided to give himself a break and take a solo trip to the abandoned building.

(There was no denying he needed to find better ways to spend his free time.)

Kaito parked his bike under a tree, a short distance away from the building's front yard. He usually planned six steps ahead, but given this unfamiliarised environment, he might have to improvise his decisions and timings along the way, which meant trusting the periodical public transport wouldn't be a wise choice.

Twirling his bike keys, Kaito kept them inside his pocket. He skipped past the cracks and rocks and arrived at the front of the building. It looked exactly like how it was, but without Aoko's blabbering and presence, there was nothing to distract him from the sudden unsettling feeling in his gut, like Kid's instinct; a phantom's sense…

Or maybe it was just Kudo Shinichi's fault.

Slipping past the cracks of the door, Kaito entered.

The building had five stories, but due to its extremely high ceiling and long stairs, its true height was way taller than such. Maybe ten? Perhaps. Even at his pace, Kaito was heaving a little when he reached the fourth floor, where Aoko and him didn't explore. He decided to start from there.

Kaito didn't ask Aoko to send him what Shinichi gave her, not that he didn't want to see what it was. He was afraid of her follow-up questions to his curiosity, and if she happened to figure out his intention of revisiting, it would do no good for him or her; he couldn't afford to risk her safety for anything.

But anyway, everything seemed perfectly normal for now. Normal in a sense that Kaito hadn't whipped out his card gun and smoke bombs and started running down the corridors for his life. This was also the fifth room he had explored so far on the fourth floor. Nothing much different from the others he had investigated... except for its size.

Kaito frowned at the new discovery, wondering if he was imagining it before he checked the windowpanes. Yes, definitely smaller. The other rooms had nine windows, but this only had seven. His attention grew high on alert as he looked at every inch of the room more carefully—

Kaito squinted his eyes at the top of the wall. "Is that a switch?" he wondered aloud. The old, cracked paints and cobwebs had covered it well.

Even with the biggest jump, it was still an impossible height for Kaito to reach the switch. He glanced around the room, trying to improvise, but there were only a couple of broken chairs, glasses and debris, which Kaito couldn't make out what they were.

Nothing useful.

If Aoko was here, he could imagine her pulling out her selfie-stick and calling it her secret weapon. But Kaito came just as prepared too; he just wasn't sure if his secret weapon liked to be called in the middle of its napping time.

Adjusted his arm to a right angle, a dove popped its head out of Kaito's sleeve.

"Hello Mochi." Kaito grinned.

It cooed, and if Kaito didn't know better, he would have missed the dangerous intent in its voice. He quickly took out the secret weapon for his secret weapon — some sunflower seeds. Thankful, it worked as Mochi finally came out of its den and flew to his wrist to get its little treats.

"So easy to please..."

After it was done, Kaito pointed at the wall. "Ok, go and flip that switch for me."

It would be a joke if it only switched on the lights or something lame like that, but everything was worth a try.

Mochi fluttered its wings... before flying past Kaito's head and towards the door behind him.

"Oi!" Kaito yelled and ran after it.

Secret weapon or not, his doves could be erratic at times, especially Mochi, which was why he decided out of all his doves, he would bring it with him so they could have a better bonding time—

Kaito froze by the door.

Standing in the middle of the corridor was Kudo Shinichi, his body tensed as Mochi settled on his shoulder. He glanced up, his stunned face turned into a scowl when he noticed Kaito.

"You—" Shinichi snapped, "Is this your dove?"

What on earth... "Fancy seeing you again," Kaito managed to say without giving away the feeling of wanting to jump off the building.

"Get it off me."

Biting back a smile, Kaito pulled out another fistful of sunflower seeds. "Come back Mochi, I'm the real owner with treats here."

Knowing its bargain, Mochi flew away from Shinichi and onto Kaito's wrist, pecking its beads on the seeds.

"You greedy little pig," Kaito muttered.

Shinichi closed their distance, his face still plastered with the disapproving scowl. "What are you doing here," he asked.

"And what are you doing here too?" Kaito shot back.

At least Shinichi was mature enough to not play the I-asked-you-first game. "I'm reinvestigating the scene."

"You've been coming down since?"

"No, I was busy. I'm only free to come down today."

Oh right, Kaito suddenly remembered the news (coincidentally, and not because he was searching up Kudo Shinichi again) about a series of murders that happened all around Tokyo, though those cases were solved within a day or two. At that rate, it got to be Shinichi doing the work.

Definitely very busy for Shinichi.

And definitely very unfortunate, for Kaito, that of all the days to come, he just had to choose the one when Kudo Shinichi was free.

"Your turn."

Kaito blinked. "My turn to?"

"Answer the question."

"Oh." Kaito scratched the side of his nose. "I lost something and came back to find it."

Shinichi eyed Kaito, in a way that brought him back memories of the earlier days when there was nothing but doubt and uncertainty during the beginning of their temporary truce and partnership.

(Kaito wondered how those memories came to him when he thought he had forgotten them all.)

"And you realised it only after two weeks?" Shinichi deadpanned.

"Yes," Kaito said, totally free of the irony.

"What did you lose?"

"Something." Kaito stroked Mochi's feathers when it showed signs of agitations after finishing the seeds. "But please don't mind me. I'm sure your investigation is more important than my lost item."

Shinichi obviously didn't seem satisfied with his answer, but he said nothing else as he walked past Kaito and into the room (while glancing warily at Mochi). Or maybe the detective wasn't even feeling anything in the first place, and those furrowed brows were becoming a default expression of his.

Kaito stood by the door, hesitating. Should he just leave? Then what about his so-called lost item? And more importantly... Kaito stared at the wall where the almost-hidden switch was. He still hadn't figured what its purpose was.

Heck it.

"Anyway, what is there to investigate here?" Kaito entered the room and inconspicuously followed Shinichi around. "I thought you've been to the upper floors already."

"I haven't."

"You haven't?" Kaito raised an eyebrow. "Wait, does that mean you lied to Aoko and I that day?"

Kicking over a debris, Shinichi didn't hesitate to admit. "It was late and dangerous for two civilians to continue loitering around."

Still regarded as a civilian, huh? Kaito grinned to himself at his appointed identity. "Then those pictures you sent—"

"Were duplicates from the lower floors."

"What a liar," Kaito said, though he couldn't help but inwardly wince a little at his own hypocrisy. "I'm gonna tell Aoko and smash your reputation."

"But you didn't hesitate to ride on the lie either." Shinichi raised an eyebrow back in a form of challenge. "You wanted to leave too, no? I helped you."

I wanted to leave because you were there, Kaito thought drily.

But Mochi cooed, as if agreeing out loud for Kaito.

"Oi." He scowled at his dove. "Are you—"

Kaito's little chiding had stopped him from noticing Shinichi halting in his tracks, causing him to knock into the detective's back. Kaito jumped away quickly, hoping their accidental contact didn't change Shinichi's mind in any way about his identity... (He might be getting a little paranoid.)

But Kaito's worry was unnecessary as Shinichi looked too preoccupied with his new finding to care about the bump — he, too, had noticed the switch.

"Oh! What an interesting switch you found, detective!"

With narrowed eyes, Shinichi glanced at Kaito before staring at Mochi on his wrist. "Were you going to ask your dove to help you with the switch earlier?"

"What? Of course not. How would I, a civilian, even notice the switch in the first place? Mochi is here only as my companion."

The side-eye continued. "Then I suppose you wouldn’t know if your dove is capable of flipping the switch on command?"

"Are you asking me, a civilian and his very normal dove, to help you with your investigation?”

"My question only requires a yes or a no."

"I'll take a maybe. Because we'll never know unless we try." Kaito chuckled, turning away from Shinichi and whispered to his dove, "Please don't embarrass me."

That said, Kaito raised his hand and Mochi flew up on cue and towards the wall. It hovered over the switch for a second, head tilting curiously before giving a peck.

A hiss, like a rush of escaped air, came from behind a large cracked mirror hanging on the wall. It turned unhinged on the side and swung open, revealing a secret compartment behind.

"Damn," Kaito breathed out, and this time his surprise was real.

Done with its task, Mochi landed and settled on a debris on the floor, watching.

Shinichi took out his phone and turned on his flashlight. There were stairs leading all the way further up, but it was too dark to see where it led to. Shinichi took a step in.

Kaito followed.

The detective turned, shining his light onto Kaito's face and nearly blinding him. "Aren't you busy with finding whatever you've lost?" Shinichi asked, with a hint of contempt that Kaito couldn't blame him for, given his previous dismissal to Shinichi's concern for his missing item.

"I figured this might be a little bit more interesting." Kaito grinned in reply. "And who knows, maybe you'll need my help again?"

"If I remember correctly, it's your dove that did most of the job."

"I raised it with my blood, sweat and tears so that has to be something."

Shinichi gave a mild roll of his eyes and finally shone his phone away and towards Mochi's direction. "Is your dove not following?"

"Mochi hates confine spaces."

"Hm." Shinichi made a noise that sounded neither happy or upset and continued his way up the dark stairs.

At the last second, Kaito ducked out from the compartment and scattered more sunflower seeds on the ground. "Stay here okay, Mochi. Don't go around finding any poisonous worms."

Mochi was already busy eating to even acknowledge whatever Kaito said.

He just prayed it understood and hurried to follow the light; to where Shinichi was.

.

.

The long stairs eventually led to a room, which was pitch black at one second but lit up the moment Shinichi first stepped inside; the ceiling lights switching on one by one.

Kaito squinted his eyes, trying to get use to the sudden brightness. "Judging by the sensors, does it mean we're the only one here?" 

Shinichi didn't answer, but he stood there, as if waiting for something to happen.

Kaito was almost tempted to hum just for the sake of it.

"I can't guarantee that," the detective finally admitted when nothing seemed to be able to confirm his speculations. "But keep close to me, in case anything happens."

Kaito considered feigning scared, but he didn't want Shinichi to legitimately think he was and send him out of the secret hideout. "Ok, detective."

"And don't touch anything."

"Yes yes."

Shinichi kept his phone and surveyed the room while Kaito quietly did his own.

The room looked way more decent than any of the ones outside; there were signs of people staying here, or been here, keeping the dust and cobwebs away. In the middle were three chairs surrounding a large table, and on it were two ashtrays full of burnt out cigarettes, a couple of files and some empty water bottles.

Shinichi pulled out a pair of gloves from his pocket and put them on before picking up a file. His frown deepened every time he flipped to the next page.

Kaito strained his neck, trying to peek at the file's content. "What's that?"

"Records on some trades they made, though it's in codes so I have no idea what the trade is about, for now," Shinichi muttered. "The most recent trade happened last week. It also states another one is happening in three days."

"Maybe it's drugs?"

Shinichi stiffened.

"Or weapons." Kaito quickly added.

"Either is likely." Shinichi shut the file and placed it back where he found it. He left the table and began scrutinizing the shelves against the walls, though there was nothing but rubbish on them, as far as Kaito could tell.

Kaito looked back at the file, contemplating. Giving his civilian status, he couldn't possibly ask whether everything here was related to the Black Organization...

"Is this the police matter that you've talked about?"

Shinichi hummed. "Not what I expected."

Huh? "What do you mean?"

"...Besides the ghost rumour that Nakamori mentioned, there were others that were circulating and keeping people away."

Is he changing the topic? "Like what?"

"Witchcrafts, curses, or... experiments." Shinichi paused. "Witnesses claimed they saw the lakes that goes downstream from this building turned black or green a couple of times."

Kaito was almost tempted to believe in those rumours if he didn't know Akako was currently in England with Hakuba right now... Unless she knew some spells that could teleport herself back and do her weird things here. But given the evidences of these illegal trades and whatnots, Kaito trusted Akako enough to know she wouldn't be a part of it, despite how creepy she could be sometimes (he was still dumbfounded to this day to why Hakuba was willing to accept her like that).

"So... What were you expecting in the first place?"

Shinichi stared at Kaito over his shoulder.

Seconds passed so long it felt like minutes. Kaito cleared his throat. "Uh... Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing." Shinichi glanced away.

"You didn't answer my question."

"I don't see why I have to tell you either.

Kaito inwardly sighed. "Fine. Whatever it is, maybe there's something more we can find in there." Kaito pointed at the rounded corner of the room that led to another door.

Shinichi abandoned the crushed soda can on the shelves and followed the direction to where Kaito pointed. There was a door like Kaito mentioned, but it was passcode lock; not as easily accessible as it was to the room they were in.

"It's locked," Shinichi grumbled out the obvious and leaned an ear towards the door. "I can't hear anything from here either."

"Let me try." Kaito bent down to the glowing keypad. Ha. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. He recognised this system like the few museums he had broken into before. He just needed to disable it and it should do the trick.

The only problem was Shinichi's intense gaze on him.

"It looks so difficult and complex," Kaito lied and heaved a sad sigh. "But I think I can try to unlock it, even though I'm obviously just a normal civilian."

"Aren't you a magician?" Shinichi drawled. "Don't you know how to unlock things?"

"Oh— Yes. A civilian who happens to be a magician." Kaito gave a thumbs up. "That's why I THINK I can do it."

"Ok," was all Shinichi said (and Kaito thanked heaven for that). He pulled out another pair of gloves from his pocket. "Use this."

"Thanks." Kaito accepted it, though he had his Kid's gloves on him as well.

He made a show of trying to put the rubbery and sticky gloves on that Shinichi grew bored and went back to the shelves to inspect those soda cans again. Taking the opportunity, Kaito whipped out his tools from his sleeves and began his habitual tinkering.

Ten seconds. Three dying beeps. The glow disappeared.

"Done."

"That's fast," Shinichi commented when he returned to Kaito's side.

"Beeeeeecause luck is on our side." Kaito laughed. And not waiting for Shinichi to say anything more that could risk his identity, Kaito pushed open the door.

The sensors acted again, lighting up the next pitch-black room and revealing rows and rows of guns, grenades and boxes of bullets. And on the other side of the large room were piles and piles of blank paper, which were going to be used for creating counterfeit money with the big printing machine behind. Next to the machine were big bottles of black and green ink.

"I think this should explain everything," Kaito said.

They headed to different direction; Shinichi checking the weapons and Kaito looking at the papers. Kaito had to admit these were of good quality and the criminals would definitely reap what they harvested from their investments. But too bad their dreams were gone and they would be spending at least twice of their lifetime in jail for all these smuggling and counterfeiting crimes—

Make that thrice if Kaito count in the fake paintings and jewels too.

At the blind spot of the room, Kaito found a high stack of famous paintings, and next to them on the floor were at least three dozen of Big Jewels encased in a large transparent glass box. Being more familiar in this line, he could tell with one look they were all fakes.

"Jewels?"

Kaito jolted from his squatting position, his heart nearly leaping out of his mouth. He half turned, scowling. "You scared the hell out of me."

"Why? Are you planning to steal something?"

Kaito tried to look offended. "Of course not."

"Are they real?" Shinichi gestured his head at the gems.

"The answer is obvious, isn't it?" Kaito muttered (whilst trying not to choke on his nervousness). "If they are into the business of printing counterfeits, these stuffs got to be too."

Shinichi looked amused. "A nice deduction."

Kaito scowled at Shinichi's head after he turned away. Is he being sarcastic or what?

Whatever. Kaito whipped out his phone and took a couple of pictures. Regardless if Shinichi were to bring down these bad guys or not, he should at least keep a note on these forgeries; if a similar jewel came up on the news, he would double check its authenticity rather than holding a heist for nothing—

A sudden slam from the door.

A series of gasps.

Kaito turned.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

Remaining in his squatting position, Kaito crawled across the room and peeked his head from behind the money printer.

Aw crap.

Two men. Two guns. Both pointing at Shinichi.

"I SAID WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!" and "RAISE YOUR HANDS!" were both screamed at the same time.

Shinichi obeyed the second command while keeping his lips sealed.

No Soccer ball this time to save your life. Kaito thought mockingly as he ditched his rubbery gloves.

One of the men turned to his partner. "You know what, let's just shoot him before the others find out that someone came—"

A flick of his wrist and with his card gun in hand, Kaito shot at the ceiling lights.

The room turned to an abyss.

"What the?!" A cocking sound from a gun.

"Oi! Don't shoot! Unless you want to accidentally set the grenades off, idiot!"

Memorising every position, Kaito rushed out from his hiding spot and grabbed what he knew was Shinichi's wrist, pulling him along as he made a dash towards the door.

Before the lights in the first room flickered back on, Kaito shot them out again; they weren't needed anyway. He continued running past the table and out of the room, the only comfort he could find amidst this havoc was the warmth of Shinichi's wrist and his mint-scented breath—

"Shit." Kaito clicked his tongue, staring at the darkness on the other end of the stairs. "The mirror door is closed."

"Look." Shinichi flashed his phone's light to their right. "There's another stairs here."

"I guess it's a risk we have to—"

Multiple gun shots rung in the air, and Kaito thought he felt a bullet flew past the top of his head.

No words were needed as they rushed up to wherever the stairs led them too. But like the other stairs in the abandoned building, it was long and seemingly endless. Kaito was two seconds away of giving up when he felt a faint wind brushing his cheeks before the pale light from the dark sky touched their skin.

They reached the roof.

Slipping his card gun up his sleeves before Shinichi noticed, Kaito panted, "Now what?"

Another gunshot rung in the quiet night and the echoes of the thunderous footsteps continued, only that they were getting louder.

It was Shinichi's turn as he pulled Kaito's wrist, dragging them to the roof's ledge; five level of floors but with the height of ten. Kaito gulped, his surprise turned wary as the tip of their feet inches away from nothing. There was no way they would go without at least a broken spine if they jump down.

Unless...

Shinichi grabbed the front of Kaito's shirt.

"Use your damn glider."

"Uh— Huh?" Kaito blinked rapidly. "My what?"

"Kaitou Kid's glider! I'm sure you have it on you now!"

Shinichi was right on the mark, but what Kaito didn't understand was how he figured about his identity? Did he notice the card gun?

But there was no more time to think or waste.

Two sounds of gunshots.

It was do or die.

Kaito knocked his left shoulder, sending his hidden cape flying out from the back of his shirt before solidifying into wings. Aoko's weight worked before, but Kaito wasn't sure if Shinichi's would. He kept the hesitation to himself and showed a smirk.

"Bridal style?"

Shinichi scowled. "Are there other options?"

"Nope."

Scooping Shinichi up, Kaito jumped off the roof and glided his way towards the forest that stretched infinitely beyond the dark horizon.

But Kaito's worry wasn't unwarranted — the glider indeed couldn't manage both of their weights. And Mother Nature hadn't been kind too. The wind's direction was going against their favour, and before they knew it, they flew down instead of straight after a distance and went crashing into the forest below.

.

.

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"My only request is don't meddle with my future heists anymore, little detective."

"...Ok." .

.

Kaito had no idea how long he passed out, or maybe he didn't and felt like he did, but no matter the case, the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was Shinichi, his face dark and earnestly serious as he stared at whatever that was in front of the bushes they were currently hiding in.

It was one of the men earlier.

"So did you find anything?" the man said into the walkie talkie.

A static. "I found a bike. Maybe it belongs to Kid and his accomplice."

"Get rid of it."

"Of course. And what about you? Found anything?"

"No. The ground's all messed up and I can't tell what any of the marks are."

"...Why do you think Kid is here anyway?"

The man shrugged, as if his partner could see it. "Maybe he wants to find a new hideout? But we got it first."

A static laugh. "Anyway, should we tell this to the others?"

"No. What if they pretend to make a big fuss and use this opportunity to cut our shares in the profit?" The man lowered his voice. "It's not like that thief can report us when he's a criminal himself."

"You're right."

"Let's forget about it." The man gave his surrounding one last look. "I'm going back to the hideout right now."

"Ok. I'm coming back too."

Until the sound of the man's footsteps was completely gone, Kaito heaved out a sigh of relief.

Shinichi did too, but more discreetly. "The coast is clear." He glanced at Kaito. "And you're awake."

"So I did pass out."

Shinichi nodded. "You landed headfirst."

Kaito groaned, the thumping headaches coming as if cued. "No wonder."

Shinichi brushed the leaves away from his face and stepped out of the bush, not without checking the direction where the man left once more. He put out a hand for Kaito.

"Thanks for the offer but I can't move," Kaito admitted much to his reluctance. His entire body was aching so much that he had trouble lifting his arm.

Surprisingly, Shinichi didn't complain. He bent forward and pulled Kaito up by the arm, but now all of Kaito's aches turned to jolts of pain.

"Ow, ow." Kaito made a dying whale noise as he struggled to keep his balance. The last thing he wanted was to fall on Shinichi.

"Your leg is bleeding." Shinichi widened his eyes. "I didn't notice it when I drag you behind the bushes."

"Bleeding? It must be just a scratch— Oh damn I am bleeding." Kaito sighed. He couldn't tell from the darkness, but he could feel the dampness of his blood soaking the bottom of his pants. "This sucks.”

"Clearly."

"For your information, my landing is always perfect. This is the only exception."

"I didn't ask."

"Just thought you should know."

Ignoring him, Shinichi helped Kaito out of the bushes and set him down on the forest floor. Kaito didn't notice before, but when the sky cleared and some light miraculously managed to cast through the forest overhead, he spotted a bruise on Shinichi's right cheek.

He didn't go unscathed either.

"Are you okay though?"

"Nothing as bad as yours." Shinichi unclipped Kaito's cape.

"What are you doing? That's our only mode of transport."

"Based on the current circumstances, there is no point for the glider now." Shinichi put out a hand. "Give me a pen knife. Or whatever tool you have to cut your cape."

"Why?"

"A bandage for your injury."

Jii would be so mad, but was there really a choice? Kaito sighed and flicked his wrist, producing a penknife like what Shinichi wanted.

There was no warning or whatsoever when Shinichi began wrapping the cape around the opening of Kaito's wound. He dug his fingers into the ground and suppressed a groan. He needed a distraction from the pain, but Shinichi wasn't giving him any either so Kaito had to find it himself.

"He— Hey, how did you know that I'm Kid?"

"Why don't you guess?"

"Don't you love to show off their deductions?" Kaito mumbled. "Just enlighten me."

"I don't mind seeing your confused face."

"What you're seeing now is my super-in-pain face, not confused."

"Sorry," Shinichi suddenly said, which ironically made Kaito confused.

"For what?" Kaito asked warily.

"For this."

Shinichi finished the bandage with a tight knot and it almost sent Kaito's soul out of his body. He grabbed the remaining cloth of his cape and pressed it into his face, muffling his groan.

"Okay, I'm done."

"You— You're going to kill me first before I even bleed to death," Kaito snapped. When Shinichi ignored him and returned the penknife, Kaito continued, "Was it my card gun that gave it away?"

Wiping whatever off his forehead, Shinichi slumped onto the floor next to Kaito and heaved a sigh. "It's before that."

"So that jewel question was a taunt?"

"Yes."

Kaito gave Shinichi a withering look. "Then was it the lock? When I managed to disable it so fast that even the Detective of The East couldn't believe it."

Shinichi rolled his eyes. "Before that too."

"What?" Kaito sighed irritably. "Just tell me already."

"I can consider, if you tell me why you came back to the building in the first place."

Kaito blinked. That was an unexpected trade. "Didn't I say I lost—"

"You and I clearly know that I don't believe in the lie at all."

Kaito scoffed. "Why do you want to know anyway? I'm there for my own business."

"Did that man hit the jackpot?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow. "Are you really looking for a new hideout?"

"No."

A tug played at the corner of Shinichi's lips. "But that's the only reason I can think of for you to be there."

The question suddenly got Kaito remembering about the unspoken reason to why Shinichi was there, too. He said it was police matters, but it all didn't turn out to be what he expected...? Since Shinichi already knew his identity, Kaito supposed it was alright to be frank:

"Are those people related to the Black Organization?"

Shinichi's face turned into a blank. "What?"

"The Black Organization, or whatever that you used to call them."

Shinichi lowered his gaze. "No. But maybe they are inspired by them. Who knows?"

That didn't sound comforting. Kaito frowned. "So were you investigating if these jackasses are part of the Black Organization?"

Shinichi nodded, much to Kaito surprise — Not by his answer, but his willingness to admit it so quickly.

"I've never stopped finding any possible traces of them even after their downfall," Shinichi explained. "So when I heard the rumours, I thought it might be plausible... with the experiments and all. But seeing their operations — the sloppy hideout and the way they handle their trades — I figured it wasn't them, though that doesn't mean they aren't my concern too."

Hah. That was why. Kaito nodded. Shinichi's reason totally made sense, and now Kaito only feared for his embarrassment if he explained his. So why was he here? Because his gut senses told him there was more to the abandoned building. But why did he care? Because Kudo Shinichi was also investigating this. And how did that matter?

Kaito honestly didn't know.

But it was more important to make sure Shinichi didn't know.

"Speaking of which..." Kaito jabbed a thumb towards the direction of the building. "What are we going to do about them? Do you have your police mates to call for backup?"

"I lost my phone."

"It's okay, I have—" Kaito's grin faded as he stared at his cracked and black screen after fishing his phone out of his pocket.

Shinichi didn't bother waiting for Kaito to finish his sentence. "We might have to stay over the night and figure it out tomorrow."

"Isn't it too late?"

"Their next trade is three days later; there's still some time before anything goes out of their hideout."

"So are we gonna stare at each other until the sun rises?"

"You should sleep," Shinichi suggested after glancing at Kaito's bandaged leg, his face, and then his leg again.

"I don't need sleep," Kaito said, and shook his head. "Or more like I can't sleep with you around me."

"I'm not interested in you."

"Touché. But what I meant was because you know I'm Kid."

"I'm not going to do anything about your other identity." Shinichi crossed his arms. "I promised you, didn't I?"

"Thanks. I owe you one."

"My only request is don't meddle with my future heists anymore, little Detective."

"...Ok."

Ah. The realisation came a little late, but now Kaito remembered it and not as a dream. The blurriness of the memory and the throbbing pain in his head definitely didn't help, and maybe sleep was really what Kaito needed.

"Are you not going to tell me how you figured my identity out?" Kaito tried for the last time.

"No."

"Fine. The conversation is now boring and I'm really going to sleep." Kaito scooted his butt and laid on his back, not before gathering his cape and crumbling them into a ball to use it as a make-shift pillow.

After getting comfortable in his position, Kaito glanced at Shinichi, who was still sitting cross-legged by his side. "Anyway, it might be tempting, but don't watch me sleep."

"That's the last thing I'll ever do."

"Before you die. So it means you'll rather watch me sleep than die."

Kaito turned on his side, back facing Shinichi as he began pretentiously snoring.

It was nice to have the last word in.

.

.

"Kid."

Kaito — Kaitou Kid — glanced away from the night view, his cape flapping wildly as he made a suave turn to his new companion on the roof.

"Hello, little detective."

"It's all done," Edogawa Conan said.

With all that scuffle earlier, it was amazing to see Conan only with a bandage on his cheek. Even Kaito suffered worse when he wasn't the main star of the show; he managed to temporarily fix the large gash on his right arm after stealing some supplies from a nearby hospital, though Kid's costume covered his imperfections perfectly.

"Is that Shuichi guy alright?" Kaito asked, while keeping his tone nonchalant for the better part. "He received quite a nasty shot in the stomach."

"He's fine."

"That's good."

That Shuichi guy was one of many people Kaito disguised as per Conan's request during the final showdown with the Black Organization. But even though Kaito didn't interact or personally know him, it would still disturb him if something bad had happened to the person he copied his face from.

"So... it's really done, that Organization of yours."

Conan nodded, his face remained solemn. Even after three hours had passed since everything, he still seemed stuck in that war.

"Are you going back to your original self soon?" Kaito smirked, trying to dispel their current mood to a better one. "I'll miss staring down at you like this. And also, a pity that I can't disguise you so freely anymore."

"Funny," Conan sneered.

"Shouldn't you be thanking me instead?"

That put things back into perspective for Conan. He gave a resigned smile. "Thanks. I owe you one."

"My only request is don't meddle with my future heists anymore, little detective."

"...Ok."

"I guess this is the last time we will ever talk like this." Kaito tipped his hat up. "Don't miss me."

"On a serious note," Conan said, looking very seriously so. "If you ever need my help, I'm willing to give it to you, just as much as you did when I asked."

"Thanks, but as a Kaitou, I prefer to do things alone."

"My offer still stands."

Kaito raised two fingers to his eyebrow as a salute. "Take care, little detective."

He leaned back, falling off the roof with grace before his cape turned to wings.

It was an amazing exit.

But most important of all, his landing was perfectly done.

.

.

"...roba. Oi Kuroba. Wake up."

"Ugh, give me five more minute…"

A sigh. "The two men seem to be on the move."

Kaito flung open his eyes.

Everywhere was still dark—

Like on that roof.

"De— Detective?" Kaito blinked, staring at Shinichi's face above his. "You've grown... bigger."

Shinichi frowned, moving his face away from Kaito and stood up from his squatting position. "What are you talking about?"

"Uh, nothing." Kaito sniffed and sat up. "What happened?"

"I said the two men seem to be on the move." Shinichi gestured his head over to the building's direction. "I thought to ask you to come and... see." He suddenly looked hesitant as he glanced at Kaito's bandaged leg. "I hope your sleep rejuvenated you a little."

"Yeah, I'm feeling better now," Kaito said, which was the truth. "But I need a hand."

Shinichi stuck his arm out for Kaito to lift himself off the ground. He dusted his legs and attempted a stretch. The bleeding had stopped for now, but it still ached when he tried to move, though it was nothing that Kaito or Kaitou Kid couldn't endure.

Shinichi took the lead as they manoeuvred their way down the forest path and towards the building. The sun hadn't risen, but there were signs of activities from the birds and bugs in the forest. It made Kaito wonder how long he had slept.

"Have you been keeping a lookout the entire time?" Kaito asked.

"Yes."

"You didn't sleep?"

"No." Shinichi gave Kaito a glance. "Your snoring was too loud for me."

A second ago Kaito was feeling bad, but he wasn't anymore. "I can sue you for defamation."

"By all means—" Shinichi stopped and raised his hand (and this time Kaito was quick to realize before he knocked into Shinichi again).

They were a few steps away from the end of the forest.

Exchanging a silent signal, they crouched together before making a dash out of the forest, past a small field, and towards the row of thick bushes that surrounded the side of the building. Ignoring the pain from his leg, Kaito kneeled on one knee to elevate himself better and observed from behind their hiding spot.

True to what Shinichi said, the two men were standing in the front yard outside the building, one looking at his watch while the other was on his phone.

"Are they waiting for something?" Kaito whispered. "Do you think they changed their trading time?"

Shinichi shook his head next to Kaito. "They don't have any goods with them, but I can't say for sure."

The sun was slowly rising, taking shadows and darkness away with its light. Kaito used the opportunity and peeped at Shinichi. He looked tired but focused, but what Kaito couldn't believe was how his hair remained the same throughout the entire day and night.

Life's fair like that.

"There's a van."

"Huh— Oh, yeah. A van." Kaito regained his composure, acting as if he totally wasn't distracted and thinking about Shinichi's hair three seconds ago. He looked over just in time to watch the said van driving into the front yard of the building. After parking, three men got off; the driver twirling with the key like how Kaito did for his bike.

Aw, Kaito missed his bike.

"I think they are changing shifts," Shinichi said.

"If only there is a way we can get onto that van." Kaito pulled out his card gun from his sleeve and checked his cartridge. "Hm, I only have two shots left. Should I try?"

"No," Shinichi snapped. "You're injured. They are armed. Or at least two of them are. It's a risk we can't take."

"Is that concern I hear, detective?"

"It's dread." Shinichi sent Kaito a disdainful look. "I don't want to carry your dead body back."

Kaito kept his card gun grudgingly. "Then now what?"

Shinichi touched his chin, thinking. "We can—"

"What the hell!"

In sync, they looked at each other before raising their heads like two rabbits looking out of their burrow, trying to detect the cause for the yell.

Kaito gasped.

Mochi?!

Failing for who-knows-how-many-times, the driver's comrades tried to swat Mochi away as it flew up, out of their reach, before swooping down to peck the driver's face again and again until he finally dropped his key onto the ground. Before they could react, Mochi snatched the keys with its beak and angled its flight towards Kaito and Shinichi's direction.

It dropped the key onto Kaito's hand and flew away again.

"Wh—Who is there!" one of the men exclaimed, noticing Kaito and Shinichi's heads above the bushes.

"Shit, is it Kid?"

"Kid? Like Kaitou Kid?!"

But their conversation didn't continue, and neither did they manage to pull out their guns to start a war, because at the very next second, they were all swarmed by a flock of birds; their hands too busy trying to protect their face and eyes from being pecked on.

"Mochi!" Kaito exclaimed to the sky. "Our life saviour—"

Shinichi grabbed Kaito's wrist, pulling him up. "Let's run already!" he yelled.

Registering the chance, they jumped over the bushes, sprinting across the front yard and towards the van.

One of the men was a little smarter than the rest — he suddenly laid flat on the ground, his face briefly away from the attacking birds as he whipped out a gun from the back of his pants.

But Kaito noticed it too. Before he pulled his card gun out, he tossed the key to Shinichi and then shot, hitting the man's gun away and out of reach.

As if realizing what they missed, more birds swooped down and attacked that man.

"Get on!" Shinichi already started the van.

Kaito did.

As Shinichi reversed the vehicle to get back on the road, Kaito unrolled the window and whistled a special tune only his trained doves would recognise. A flutter of white, and in a second Mochi flew into the van and settled its wings on Kaito's headrest.

Shinichi sped off.

Kaito let the silence fully sink in before ruining it with a heartfelt sigh.

"What a fantastic morning exercise." Kaito waved his card gun in the air. Maybe he should save his last card shot as a memento.

"…How many doves do you own?" Shinichi asked.

Kaito watched the wing mirror. The birds were still attacking, but after Mochi left the group, some started to disperse, as if the fun was over for them.

"12."

"That looks nowhere close to 12," Shinichi retorted. "The number's got to be at least three times of that."

"None of them were my remaining 11 doves." Kaito laughed and patted Mochi's head. "Mochi probably made some friends in the forest and gathered them for help."

Shinichi looked like he wanted to comment on something but didn't in the end.

"Oh." Kaito snapped his fingers. "I know the answer now."

Shinichi's eyes remained on the road. "Know what?"

"It's Mochi, isn't it?" Kaito grinned. "Because clearly, only the amazing Kaitou Kid can raise a dove so smart and well. That’s how you figured my identity out."

"I won't deny that your dove is smart, but no. It has nothing to do with it."

"Can't you just tell me already?" Kaito grumbled.

Shinichi shook his head, but a small smile danced across his lips until they disappear. "Why don't you be useful and find me a phone. I need to call for backup before they take everything and escape."

"Oh, right." Kaito straightened, deciding to focus what was more crucial on hand. He leaned forward and patted around the bottom of his seat, trying to feel for a secret phone. But remembering Shinichi's opinion about these men in comparison to the BO, he opened the glove compartment, revealing a dozen of phones, probably stolen.

"Nice," Shinichi said, which was a little funny because it sounded like what Kaito would say instead.

"Lady Luck is really shining on us." Kaito picked one out and switched it on. "The day can't get any better."

Shinichi gave Kaito a side-long glance. "Your leg is bleeding on the seat."

"...Damn. I almost forgot about that."

.

.

"Abandoned building discovered to be a criminal hideout." (Click More to Read)

It had been two days since that crazy night and three hours since an official statement was released to public. And given that time gap in announcement, there were more rumours than legitimate news online, but Kaito read them all, even though the details were either repetitive and the same.

And that was good, of course. Because what he feared more was finding something new, like the possibility that one of the criminals mentioned Kid was at the scene or something.

But so far there was none; either these men had completely forgotten about his existence and blamed the birds for their downfall or Shinichi had kept everything perfectly under wraps—

"Kaito!"

"Aoko?" Kaito scooted himself to the side of the campus bench so his childhood friend could sit beside him. "What are you doing here? Don't you have lessons now?"

"It's cancelled and I'm on my way back to the dorm." Aoko tilted her head. "And what are you doing here?"

"I finished my assignments so I'm just chilling outside." (He had been in bed all day yesterday because of his leg and he needed a breather.)

"Oh— Did you change your phone?"

"Yeah." Kaito twirled his new phone around for show. "I accidentally broke my old one." Though luckily, he had everything on cloud, including the photos he took yesterday.

"I see that you're also reading the recent news too; I was actually going to text you about it." Aoko stared at Kaito's phone screen, snorting. "Finally something that isn't about Kaitou Kid."

Kaito grimaced and tilted his screen away. "I have the freedom to read whatever I want."

Aoko stuck out her tongue, but her cheeky expression didn't last when she returned her attention to the news again. "Anyway, who knew the abandoned building we explored just two weeks ago would house such dangerous people! Gosh."

"Well—"

"Luckily we heeded Kudo-kun's advice and left." Aoko rubbed the side of her arms nervously. "Although it would be a great scoop, the risk is too much."

"In case you forgot, it was I who suggested to leave first."

"Fine, fine, Bakaito. Don't be jealous." She gestured her head to his phone. "I'll leave you to your reading and we can text later. I'm going back to finish up my projects first."

Kaito still had a lot of things to say, and one of the things was that he was not jealous. But he arranged the priorities in his head and pulled Aoko's bag, stumbling her back again.

"Wait, I have a question."

"What?"

"You and that Kudo detective exchanged emails, right? Did you tell him any weird info about me?"

Aoko raised an eyebrow. "What is there for me to say?"

"I don't know. Just— Anything. Did you tell him anything?"

"I didn't. In fact, we didn't talk much. He only sent me the photos and I asked for his permission to use his quote."

"Really?" Kaito frowned. "That's it?"

The glint in Aoko's eyes made Kaito a little uncomfortable. "Is there something you want me to tell him for you?"

"No."

"Or you can tell him yourself if you want. I have his email address—"

"Bye Aoko." Kaito waved her off and pretentiously stared his phone, as if it contained the answer to the existence of the universe.

Aoko chuckled. "Bye Kaito." She waved and skipped her way towards the direction of her dorm.

Kaito glanced up, watching Aoko's back disappear behind the school building.

Besides worrying if Kid's presence at the abandoned building would be exposed, Shinichi's early discovery about his identity was also bugging him as well. He had been betting all on the chance that Aoko had mentioned something crucial to Shinichi, but if she didn't, then how on earth did he figure it out?

A chime came from Kaito's phone and he almost didn't recognise it as his ringtone since he just changed it. He looked at the caller ID.

Unknown number? Kaito frowned, alert on the rise.

He picked up the call. "Hello?"

"Is this Kuroba Kaito?"

Kaito blinked, his heart lurched. "...Detective?"

"We found your bike."

"Holy shit." Kaito flung up from his seat, earning curious stares from other students. That was two surprises in a row, the first being receiving a call from Kudo freaking Shinichi. "You serious?"

"Do I sound like I'm kidding?"

"I thought it's a goner," Kaito said. "Or even if it's not, it'll be kept as an evidence to prosecute Kid."

"I've settled the Kid problem. Don't worry."

"Oh." Kaito managed to hide his third surprise well. "Thanks for that."

"When are you free?"

The question got Kaito a little more flustered than he should be. "Why?"

"You need to come to the headquarters to fill in some forms before you can take your bike back."

"Right, of course." Kaito was tempted to slap a hand over his forehead. "I can come over now." He paused. "But are you free? Is your murder magnet not activated today?"

Kaito could perfectly imagine Shinichi's eye roll. "I'm free now."

"Okay. See you later."

Cutting the call, Kaito made his way towards the metro station (and till this day he wasn't sure if he was actually excited to reunite with his bike or at the thought of meeting Kudo Shinichi in a while.)

.

.

Even if all the other officers around them were busy shouting around and finding clues to solve their cases, there was no telling who would be watching, listening or both. So during the entire documentation process, Kaito burrowed his face deep into the papers while Shinichi silently watched across the table.

And it didn't help when their faces looked alike—

That thought gave Kaito a new guess.

So the moment when they were alone and standing at the parking lot outside the headquarters (and also after Kaito had spent three minutes cradling his bike and looking for scratches), Kaito spoke:

"I know the answer now, and this must be it."

Shinichi stuck a hand into his work pants, eyebrows raised. "You're still guessing?"

"Duh."

"Didn't you mention there are some things that are best to remain a mystery?"

It was such a long time ago since they had that conversation during one of his heists, and Kaito briefly wondered how Shinichi remembered his words so well. Kaito cleared his throat. "That doesn't count when the mystery involves my identity and my ability of hiding it."

"Fair point," Shinichi said. "So what's your guess?"

Kaito pointed at Shinichi before tapping a finger on his own cheek. "It's because we have the same face."

Shinichi blinked.

Did I get it right?

Shinichi took a step back and scrutinised Kaito from head to toe. "To be honest, I don't see how we are that similar..."

Kaito wrinkled his nose. "What are you talking about? I don't need to put on a mask to disguise you and fool everyone."

"Yes, but no. This so-called similarity of our faces wasn't what that made me figure out your identity," Shinichi said, before he muttered almost incoherently under his breath, "besides, it's not only you that have the same face as me. That Okita..."

"What?"

Shinichi sighed and run a hand through his hair. "It's not the answer," was his final verdict.

"I officially give up." Kaito stuck his hands into his pockets. "Please. Just tell me already." (He barely refrained himself from admitting how he had been thinking about this the entire time.)

Shinichi bit his lip.

A pause.

An intake of breath.

"It was the way you stood when I saw you and Nakamori that day," Shinichi said. "It screamed to me that you're Kaitou Kid."

Kaito was too dumbfounded to even speak.

"Even the way you stand now." Shinichi gestured a hand over at Kaito, continuing, "You look just like the first time I met you as Conan and the last time I met you as Conan, too. You've been Kaitou Kid for years, Kuroba. You're not just Kaitou Kid; you've become Kaitou Kid — his essence and everything."

Kaito straightened, feeling extremely conscious with all the movements he was making now. "Just.. from this?"

Shinichi nodded. "It was the first thing that ignited my suspicions. The following things that happened only continued to confirm my theory... Especially the lock. Your acting is ridiculous."

Kaito scowled, whatever tension in the air he felt vanished. "Wow, thanks."

"Are you satisfied with my answer?"

"Of course not," Kaito muttered. Raising a hand, he copied one of Kid's signature wave movements. "But I always made sure there's a difference in whatever I do as Kid." An ace of heart between his fingers and gone the next. "Kid is still him. And I'm still... me."

"So Kaito is Kaito after all!"

He recalled Aoko said that to him after that stupid Sun Halo incident a long time ago. Kaito clenched his fist and stuck it back into his pocket.

Could it be that she also...?

"You may not notice, but those differences you created have turned into a part of you now." Suddenly, Shinichi looked tired as his eyes drooped at whatever memories that flashed across his mind. "It took me a long time before I got rid of Conan's manners and routines; I understand what it feels like."

Kaito crossed his arms. "But what if I don't mind it?"

"Given that you're good friends with Nakamori, I don't see why you'll be. Unless you're planning to admit your identity to her anytime soon." Shinichi lowered his voice. "She's honestly smarter than you think."

There was nothing Kaito could say to argue back.

"To stop the change, you have to stop being Kid." Shinichi face turned solemn, almost a replica of the Edogawa Conan that Kaito met on their last encounter:

"If you ever need my help, I'm willing to give it to you, just as much as you did when I asked."

"My offer still stands, you know." Shinichi finally said.

The arms around Kaito's chest tightened, and his thoughts stretched as long as the growing silence. Even after so many years, Kaito never failed to wake up every day and wonder if he could ever bring Snake down, avenge his father or even find Pandora; he still had some trouble putting trust in himself that he didn't see a point to put it in others.

But there was something about the way Shinichi stood before him, looking so determined as if he was born to be, and it made Kaito think, crazily, that if he really had to choose one person to put his trust in, that person would be...

"Regardless, I've said what I wanted to say." The determination in Shinichi's eyes faltered and he looked... deflated? Kaito couldn't tell, or understand, why the detective would be feeling that too—

"How is your injury?" Shinichi said instead, already changing the subject.

In return, Kaito observed the fading bruise on Shinichi's cheek; he supposed he didn’t have to ask back the question.

"This is definitely concern I’m hearing, right detective?" Kaito smirked, though Shinichi remained unamused. He wiggled his leg for show. "As you can see, I'm better now."

"Good."

Kaito leaned against his bike, hoping for both physical and mental support. Every second that passed was making it harder for Kaito to return back to that moment...

He bit his lip.

A pause.

An intake of breath.

"Thanks, detective."

"...For what?"

"For that offer of yours again." Kaito nodded. "I'll think about it."

Shinichi blinked, surprised.

But just when Kaito thought it was the end, Shinichi smiled, and it was completely unexpected that Kaito almost thought he imagined it.

"You know where to find me."

Kaito needed a while to regain his composure. "…But how will I know if you're free for me to find, murder-magnet?"

"Given your lovely intel, you should know better."

This time, Kaito allowed Shinichi to have the last word in, and he only grinned back in return.

.

.

Even though Aoko knew Kaito since childhood, it was still hard for her to understand him completely at times, especially given his erratic behaviours and attitude. But at least out of everything, Aoko did know one thing consistent about him, and it would be his love for his dad, magic, and doves...

And a specific bench on their campus too?

As usual after Aoko was released from her afternoon class, she spotted Kaito sitting alone on that same campus bench again, helmet by his side and phone in his hand. It wasn't as if he didn't have a dorm to rest in or friends to find, but then again, this was just another behaviour of his that Aoko didn't understand.

(But maybe it was partially her fault, because she never found the need or courage to ask Kaito for answers too.)

Aoko slowed her pace, trying to tiptoe her way towards the bench and give Kaito a scare. But when a white figure swooped down from the sky and landed on his lap, she was the one that got a shock instead.

A dove!

"Kaito!"

Kaito glanced up, his eyes widened and mouth parting about to speak.

"Wait!" Aoko raised a hand, stopping him before pointing at his dove. "Let me guess. Is it Pocky?"

Kaito grinned. "Nope."

"Mochi?"

Mochi cooed.

"Impressive. Not bad for your second try."

Aoko showed a peace sign and sat next to Kaito after he shifted in his position. "What is Mochi doing here?"

Kaito indirectly answered her as he pulled a string and unrolled the note that was tied to Mochi's foot.

Aoko leaned over, trying to see what was written on the note. But besides catching a glimpse of the neat handwriting, she couldn't derive anything else as Kaito turned half of his back towards her and covered the note in his hand.

"Please respect my privacy, Ahouko."

"But I want to know what that is!"

"No."

"Why?"

"Not going to tell you."

Aoko snickered. "Is it a love letter?" 

Kaito rolled his eyes. "Whatever you want to think." He stood up, taking his helmet and releasing Mochi back into the sky. "Anyway I have to go. Say hi to your dad for me when you visit him over the weekends."

Given the recent announcement of Kid's upcoming heist, Aoko wasn't sure about the plan anymore when she knew her dad wouldn't be at home much, but she didn't bother telling Kaito either. "Where are you going?" she asked instead, watching him from her seat.

"Finding the sender of the love letter."

Aoko crossed her arms with a huff. "Really?"

"Really."

"Fine, if that's the case. Please help me to tell that person I said hi too."

Kaito grinned. "Sure."

With that, he sped off. /end

[war-of-the-words]

A Treehouse? Really?

Summary: Prompt fill:  Person A: “Welcome to my humble abode.” Person B: “This is a tree house.” Written May 2017 Read on AO3

The heist had taken a turn for the worst, at least, it had in Shinichi’s case. Presently, Kaito stood in front of the detective quite stunned, as the man had just tried to stop KID from escaping, he had attempted to kick his soccer ball at him. It backfired. Kaito had quickly maneuvered to the left, behind a glass pane he had set up for one of his tricks, which Shinichi had accounted for, but failed to take note of the large piece of glass; however the glass held, and Shinichi ended up with a face full of soccer ball. Now he was passed out, on the floor, in some out of the way shrine displaying  a holy gem they had kept hidden for ages and refused police aid for. Kaito had absolutely no idea what to do with the detective, if the members of the shrine found Shinichi in here they would most certainly have him arrested for trespassing, they had even threatened the police with such, so there was only one thing he could do. Luckily, Shinichi had been the first, and so far the only , person to find him, so kidnapping the detective without anyone noticing would be simple. So he did.

~~~~~~~

Shinichi’s head ached. Was it usually this miserable to be hit with a soccer ball? He almost felt guilty for aiming at KID so many times, but not only had Shinichi hit himself with his own soccer ball, he had also been thrown off balance and hit the floor, hard. Speaking of, how had the heist gone? The light meeting his still closed eyes made his headache worse, so he must have been knocked out for the rest of the night. The people at the shrine were adamant about not having anyone unrelated enter the shrine and that they could protect the jewel themselves, so he must have been arrested for trespassing. The birds cooing were too loud, did they have to be cheerful this early? Why could he hear birds this clearly? It was like they were right on top of hi- Shinichi opened his eyes and let out a little yelp. A bird, a dove he noted, had been laying on his chest, far too close to his face for comfort. The dove, similarly startled, quickly flew off of him and came to rest on a man’s arm.

“Finally awake, Meitantei?” The smug voice could only belong to one person, someone who, at this moment, Shinichi was glad to see. Shinichi sat up slowly, trying his best not to agitate the pounding headache, and looked at KID more closely. He was dressed in a black shirt with black pants, a black baseball cap low over his eyes, his incognito gear then , Shinichi thought. His eyes were as well hidden as always, but his smug grin was as clear as day.

“I have to be honest,” Shinichi started, a smug grin of his own, “I’m relieved I’m somewhere I’m not sure of instead of in holding.” KID laughed, a honest laugh, his grin becoming more genuine for just a second before the cheshire smile returned.

“How do you know we aren’t in a cell of some sort?”

“Because cells don’t let you keep pets,” he pointed at the dove perched delicately on KID’s shoulder, “and they don’t have floors and walls made of wood with completely open windows…” Shinichi’s sentence drifted off, much to KID’s amusement. The detective’s confident air quickly turned curious, his face scrunching up as he tried to deduce where he could be without aggravating his headache to much. Deciding to let the detective off the hook, Kaito spoke up.

“Detective, welcome to my humble abode!” He gave a grand gesture, throwing his arms open as if to indicate how amazing the small room was, the dove on his arm, and a few perched around the room flew out the window just past Shinichi head just for added effect.

“KID,” Shinichi paused, confirming his next words before he said them, “this is a tree house.” KID kept his arms spread as if he were expecting some sort of acknowledgement or applause; however, Shinichi gave him no such thing, slowly standing and brushing himself and straightening his clothes. “I appreciate you keeping me from being arrested, as ironic as it is, and I appreciate you letting me rest somewhere instead of just dumping me outside of the heist site, but I have to get going, I have things to do today.” He looked around for a door out of the room, a quick glance out of a window told him it was far to high up in the tree for one to simply jump out of, so there had to be a way to climb out. To his dismay, the only exit he could see was a trap down beneath KID’s feet.

“Come on, detective.” KID crossed his arms, frowning in a way that was clearly meant to be an exaggeration, “Do you dislike me so much that you don’t want to spend some time with lil’ ol’ me?” Shinichi stared at him for a few moments, an expressionless face meeting a pouting lip with what would be puppy-dog eyes if Shinichi could see them, before he eventually sighed and sat back down on the bed.

“Magician Under the Moonlight, Heisei Lupin, the great thief, Kaitou KID, wants me, a detective, to stay and have a chat, in his super secret base, a treehouse.” He said it in a mock-serious tone, more of a statement than a question, but KID seemed pleased the detective had understood what he wanted. “Well then, what does the great thief want to know about me that he doesn't already? My favorite book? Favorite soccer player? Favorite food?” KID shook his head, still giving Shinichi his smug smile.

“Of course not, I already know all of those things. What I want to know is,” he paused, seemly for dramatic effect, prompting Shinichi to tell him to continue, “Do you have a lover?” The room went quiet, neither spoke for quite a while, Shinichi too stunned to respond. His mind thinking of all the possible reasons as to why Kaitou KID would ask him such a question. The doves, who had returned to perch in several different windows, started to coo nervously and flew closer to KID and looked at him curiously.

“Why would you want to know something like that?” Shinichi final responded, his face displaying just how wary he was of what KID would do with the information. KID merely shrugged in return, casually leaning back into a window frame.

“I was just curious.”

“About a rival’s love life?” Another shrug from KID.

“Why not, I already know everything else about you. A thief has to stay informed.” Shinichi sighed, visibly mulling over the question before properly answering.

“I don't have a lover, no, but there is someone I'm interested in.” KID stood a little straighter and leaned, intrigued, in Shinichi’s direction.

“Oh? Do go on detective, who’s the lucky lady? Still Miss Mouri, perhaps? Or is it some young thing in the police force? Just say the name I’m sure to know them fairly well.”

“I would hope you did.” Shinichi said it like it was an unconscious retort to his statement which, frankly, made Kaito nervous. Was it someone on his taskforce? Was it Aoko? He really hoped it wasn't Aoko, that would be painfully awkward.

“So you won't tell me who they are?” Shinichi shook his head, a smug grin on his own face as Kaito was the one who now looked confused.

“Maybe you should just let me go so I can meet them.”

“You're seeing them today?!” KID started pacing the length of the small room, “You go to one of my heists, in the middle of nowhere , when you know you have a date tomorrow? Seriously?” Shinichi shrugged.

“I wasn't planning on being abducted by a master criminal.”

“You should have told me sooner! Go! Don't be late!” Kaito threw open the trap door and gestured wildly to it. Shinichi laughed then walked over to the door.

“Wow, you really are a gentleman.” With that, Shinichi climbed out of the tree house and onto the world below, calling up one last time before leaving, “I'll see you soon KID.” Kaito just closed the trapdoor and slid onto the floor, pulled off his hat and shoved his face into his hands, his doves surrounding him, sensing his foul mood.

“Great job Kaito,” he mumbled sarcastically, “You get your crush alone in a cute little tree house hideout, get him to tell you if he likes anyone, then encourage him to go on a date with that person, perfect!” he pulled his bag out from beneath the twin sized metal bed Shinichi had been sitting on, and pulled out his phone. He had several missed calls from Aoko and one text message.

A : Bakaito, I called and rang your doorbell far too many times to count. I wanted to tell you in person, but I guess this will have to do if it gets you back here. I got you a date with that detective you're always gushing about, you're welcome, it's today, so don't be late!

Kaito read and reread the message multiple times before it finally sunk in and, as soon as it did, the doves were all in a stir as Kaito grabbed his bag and practically leapt out of the tree house. He was a gentleman after all, he shouldn't keep his date waiting.

[sweetchcolate]

fandom: Magic Kaito

words: 422

-

"Bye dad, see you tomorrow!"

Toichi ruffled his son's hair. "Don't trouble inspector Nakamori too much, alright?"

Chikage tugged on Kaito's cheeks. "Don't forget to brush your teeth before going to sleep. And don't forget to comb your hair in the morning, okay? I don't want you looking like an eagle made its nest on your head."

"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Kaito said petulantly, face twisted in slight pain and annoyance. He pushed his mother's hands away and rubbed his red cheeks. "Sheesh, it's not like I'm leaving forever. It's just a sleepover at Aoko's."

Chikage put her hands on her hips. "That's not an excuse to slack off on your daily routine."

"How would you even know if I do?"

"Do you want to find out?" she retorted, raising a brow.

Kaito shook his head quickly. "N-no thanks. Anyways, I gotta go, Aoko's waiting!"

"Take care honey!"

Their son waved back one last time, and both Toichi and Chikage stood in the doorway until Kaito was no longer within their view. Then, Toichi closed the door and cradled his face in his hands with a deep sigh.

His wife snickered under her breath before devolving into laughter after a few seconds.

"You've been holding this back all evening, haven't you?" Toichi asked, raising his head to watch as his wife doubled over, holding onto her stomach. She tried to make eye contact with him, but it sent her into another fit of laughter.

"Y-y-you should have seen your face," Chikage managed between peals of laughter, "when he― when he introduced little Aoko as a Nakamori."

Toichi smiled a little. "Glad to know my misfortune cracks you up."

Chikage straightened up, a massive grin on her face, and put her hands on her husband's shoulders. "Toichi," she said, leaning closer to him for emphasis, "this is prime irony at its finest."

Toichi bowed his head, conceding the point: over thirty million people in all of Tokyo and his son just happened to make friends with the only daughter of inspector Nakamori, the very same man who had been chasing him for years and has been recently promoted head of the Kaitou 1412 Taskforce.

"I'll never get over how rotten your luck can be," Chikage told him, eyes twinkling in amusement.

Toichi took one of his wife's hands in his own, kissing it. "I live to entertain the lady," he said. "Even if it may come at my own expense."

"Let's just hope Kaito inherits your charms and looks, instead of your luck."

-

A/N: because honestly, what are the chances of Kid's and the guy in charge of his arrestation's children meeting? Kaito is not the only one with awful luck lol

[hanneswrites]

i found something interesting and we should discover it together

Title: i found something interesting and we should discover it together

Pairings: Hakuba Saguru/Kuroba Kaito/Kudo Shinichi/Hattori Heiji || HakuKaiHeiShin

Rating: T

Word Count: 1.8k

Summary: Private Detective Agency / College AU How did these four boys get together in the first place? Who knows.

Saguru sighed as he rubbed his temples. This case was eating him alive. Three weeks and no lead, no clues, no sign of a witness or a suspect, nothing. There was a knock on his door, a soft knock—Shinichi—before it creaked open to reveal the barely-open eyes of his lover.

“It’s morning, babe, go to bed.” Shinichi said, closing the door. Saguru could hear the shuffling of Shinichi’s slippers going down the hallway to his own office. A smile crept over his features as he made his way out of his own office, down that same hallway, and into their bedroom. Kuroba was already curled up in bed, hogging all of the blankets. He sighed as he climbed into bed and tried to burrow himself under the covers surrounding Kuroba. He shifted a bit to let Saguru in.

“Late night?” Kaito mumbled, wrapping his arms around Saguru’s waist and pulling him closer.

“Of course,” Saguru replied, “I suppose you’ve been asleep for a while.” He kissed Kaito’s forehead. Kaito hummed in response, burying his head into Saguru’s chest,

“Shhhh, sleep.”

A loud crash from the kitchen startled both Kaito and Saguru awake and Saguru was suddenly aware of a warm arm draped over him, overlaying Kaito’s arm as well.

“Shinichi is trying to cook.” Kaito groaned as he disentangled himself from Saguru.  He slipped on a pair of lounge pants – clearly Saguru’s, as they were way too big for Kaito’s hips and pooled around his feet. Saguru moved to get up but was met with a hand on his chest, pushing him back down into the mattress.

“You finish sleeping. You know how you get when you’re sleep deprived. Plus, I think Heiji needs some company.” Kaito gave him a quick peck on the cheek before heading off to the kitchen, presumably to stop whatever atrocity was currently being cooked up by Shinichi.

It all baffled Saguru sometimes: his life now, how domestic they had become, how this crazy dream had become a reality, how well they worked together. How they’d gotten here—it was so far off now it felt like a dream. Part of him understood that they hadn’t always been like this, but it was just so damn hard to imagine the three of them not being an integral part of his life now.

By some stroke of luck, Heiji, Shinichi, Kaito, and he had all ended up at the same university. They had all studied together their first year, bouncing ideas off of each other. Even though not all of them had the same major or coursework, it was helpful. Sophomore year they had gotten an apartment together, for costs, they rationed. They all knew that was a lie, but that didn’t mean they’d admitted it. A large apartment: small bedrooms, one master bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, baths.

Unsurprisingly, Shinichi made the first move – on Heiji – that had been boiling even when Saguru had first met them. Saguru had bitten his tongue and bared the moderately loud moans coming from the master bedroom. He’d also bitten his tongue when he noticed Kuroba grow quieter as the weeks went on. He ignored it for about two weeks exactly before knocking on Kaito’s door in the middle of the night. There was light peeking out from under the door and Kaito had no reason to be up this late. The door cracked open, and Kaito, red-eyed and puffy-faced stood before him.

“Kaito,” Saguru whispered, his voice cracking halfway through, despite himself. He sounded pitiful. “What’s the matter?”

And that was how Kaito had ended up in Saguru’s bed, squeezing the life out of him and soaking the left shoulder of his nightshirt, explaining to him that he liked him, but he was confused because he also liked Shinichi…and Heiji. Saguru comforted him that night; he’d kissed his forehead and told him it was alright, that he felt the same way. But how would they tell the others? Heiji and Shinichi seemed content with what they had already. And Kuroba didn’t want to tell them, he didn’t want to burden what they had.

Saguru and Kaito had become lovers then, comforting each other, loving, settling. And they weren’t secretive about it, like Shinichi and Heiji tried to be. Both of them noticed the shift in the air then, the tense feeling permeating the apartment when they all ate together. It was Heiji that broke the silence this time.

“Ok. We’re all bein’ idiots. We gotta work whatever this is out.” Heiji sat them all down in the living room one fateful Tuesday.

“Work what out, Hattori?” Shinichi said, glaring up at Heiji, who glared back at him.

“Yer bein’ the most stupid. Quiet.” Heiji shushed, sitting down on the couch next to Shinichi, “Shinichi and I have been all jealous this whole time because y’all’ve been all over each other all the time.”

Saguru paused, he took the information in, turned it around in his mind, and almost snickered at him.

“And? Why?” He said. The words came out too bitter and he knew, but he refused to continue.

“And we’ve talked about it,” Heiji had a smile now, only to fall when Shinichi punched his arm, face a bright shade of red. “He likes both of you. I like both of you. We want to ask you if you’d join us.”

--

A while later, Saguru woke to Kaito patting his shoulder. Heiji had managed to nearly roll himself off the bed now, his head laying half on the mattress, half off. Saguru caught a fleeting smile on Kuroba’s lips.

“Dinner’s ready,” Kaito said, and Saguru took to the task of waking Heiji.

Spaghetti with Bolognese sat on the table, while little burnt bits of peppers sat discarded next to the stove. Shinichi sat at the dinner table, waiting for the rest of them, a sheepish smile on his face.  Heiji followed them in, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“Shinichi,” Heiji yawned, “it smells like you burnt down the kitchen again.” Shinichi chuckled nervously and Kaito burst out laughing.

“He almost did!” Kaito said, “When I got out here he was dozing off on the table and the peppers he was trying to cook had sparks coming from them.” Shinichi blushed, wringing his hands together.

“You’re one to talk, Kaito. You nearly knocked down a load-bearing wall while trying to hang up a shelf.” Heiji snorted, pointing accusingly at Kaito with his fork. Kaito laughed along with him.

“I did do that, didn’t I? But I wasn’t the one who filled the laundry room with bubbles because he overfilled the washing machine and put an entire bottle of dish soap in.” Kaito countered and everyone looked at Saguru, fondly remembering the “Laundry Incident”.

“To be fair, I had never done laundry before. Baaya-san always did it for me.”

“How did you survive living alone freshman year?” Shinichi, who was now halfway done with his second plate, asked.

“I paid my neighbor $50 per week to do it for me.” Saguru answered, gracefully twirling spaghetti around his fork.

“’Guru…..no……no….” Kaito chuckled.

“Hey, Heiji would just let his laundry pile up until Shinichi got tired of it and put them in the wash,” Saguru retorted.

“That was more out of laziness than necessity, to be honest.” Heiji said.

“You did break our first bed though.” Shinichi was smirking now, and that sent Heiji into a full-on denial rant.

“That bed was unstable from the beginning! Also, it wasn’t just me! Saguru had a hand in it as well.” Heiji huffed. Kaito patted him on the leg and smiled.

“Unfortunately, no. Saguru and I were in England when that happened, if you remember. “ Kaito continued, clearing the now empty plates from the table and putting them in the sink.

“Fine, fine.” Heiji laughed, “You got me. I suppose that’s not the worst thing I could have done.”

It was Kaito and Heiji’s turn to do the dishes. They usually tried to avoid this – pairing Heiji and Kaito together and trying to have them do literally anything productive. But tonight seemed to be starting off in the right direction, so Shinichi and Saguru settled down on the couch with the television blaring the local news channel. Fingers intertwined, resting against each other, languidly watching the newscaster freak out over every small piece of news.

“How is Ran doing?” Saguru asked, shifting a bit to let Shinichi lay his head in Saguru’s lap.

“She’s well. She and Sonoko moved in together recently and they’re having all of the ‘living together for the first time’ quarrels. He grabbed Saguru’s hand and placed it on his own forehead, “All the silly little fights, y’know? Ran is going to defend her Master’s thesis soon and she’s pretty stressed about that but I know she’ll be fine.” He closed his eyes as Saguru ran his fingertips slowly through his hair.

“I agree, if anything she’s probably over-prepared, knowing Ran.” Saguru said and Shinichi smiled.

“She really worries too much. Always has. Any updates from your various step-siblings?”

“No, but my dad and step-mom are doing alright. From what I’ve heard from them—” A loud crash resounded from the kitchen, followed by the sound of water hitting the tile floor and a fit of giggling from the two in the kitchen. Saguru sighed and Shinichi kissed the palm of his hand.

“Do you think we should go figure out what they’re doing?” Saguru asked, resting his hand on the side of his lover’s face.

“No. They’ll be fine.” Shinichi said, snuggling into Saguru further. The buzz of the television, the leftover, lingering, smell of dinner, the warmth of each other, it was hard not to lose yourself in it, Saguru thought, his eyes drifting shut.

“—OH DEAR! BREAKING NEWS FOR ALL OF YOU KAITOU KID FANS OUT THERE,” The newscaster nearly shouted, “The thief has released a new riddle and here it is…” Saguru’s eyes fluttered open and he could feel Shinichi shift in his lap, as the newscaster read off the riddle and the day the heist would take place.

“Kuroba—“ Hakuba started,

“Kaito!” Shinichi finished. The laughter in the kitchen stopped.

“Yes?” Kaito called.

“Really? A heist on your birthday? Again???” Shinichi sighed. There was a pause, followed by a guilty, “Nooo.”

“Why?” Saguru asked, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

“Why not?” Kaito called.

“Why didn’t we get a heist note?” Shinichi asked.

“It’s on Heiji’s desk.”

“Of course it is.” Heiji groaned.

“And what’s with this riddle?” Shinichi said, brows furrowed, “It makes literally no sense.”

Kaito burst into the living room, hand on his chest like he’d just been mortally insulted.

“Excuse you. It’s poetic. Ingenious, even.” Kaito scoffed, plopping down onto the couch next to Shinichi’s feet.

“Yeah, yeah. Sure you’re not running out of ideas?” Saguru smiled, running his fingers through Shinichi’s hair once again. As Kaito huffed out a speech about how they were all clearly lacking in knowledge of classic European poetry, Saguru closed his eyes and laid his head back on the couch-back.    

[presumenothing]

till called for, ii

continues directly from here – third and final chapter of the main arc, epilogue to be posted shortly now up here!

(AO3) (FFN)

The photograph was of Irene Adler herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to “Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for.”

“This is, without a doubt, the stupidest plan you’ve ever had,” Shiho said, voice making it abundantly clear that she was questioning her decision to go along with it.

“Give me a break, you’ve only known me for less than a week,” Shinichi retorted, attempting to sound significantly more confident than he felt.

Shiho only treated him to another unamused stare as she again tried to muss up his hair, which valiantly resisted the attempt, going right back to its usual cowlick once she took her hand away.

Finally she sighed, rolling her eyes in resigned annoyance before grabbing a baseball cap out of her bag (“I don’t even like baseball!” “Grin and bear it, Kudo-kun.”) and setting it on his head.

The plan (insofar as it could be called a plan, because Shiho was right, it was terrible and Shinichi couldn’t even begin to list the number of ways this could go wrong) started off fairly simple, relatively speaking – meet Akemi for lunch, and convince her not to go through with whatever it was the Organisation had planned for her.

That went off without too much of a hitch.

Miyano Akemi was nothing like the person Shinichi had been expecting. She reminded him somewhat of Ran, actually, which made him wonder how the two sisters could possibly be related, polar opposites as they were.

It turned out that Gin had made her a deal – a billion yen heist in exchange for allowing both of them to go free – that stank of a trap of some sort, and judging from Akemi’s expression she’d been well aware that of the possibility but had been determined to go through with it anyway.

(Shiho had paled when she’d heard Akemi talk about the deal, and Shinichi had tried to tune out the rest of their conversation, feeling oddly like he was intruding on a private matter.)

In the end, though, Akemi had accepted the alternative that they proposed. Which was fortunate, because Shinichi was already grasping at straws here - his forte was solving mysteries, not creating them, especially when he didn’t have access to his usual contacts.

Of course, no sooner had Akemi had left the cafe than a high pitched scream pierced the air.

Shinichi was on his feet before he even fully realised it, and only Shiho's quick but unyielding grip on his arm prevented him from moving any further.

“What do you think you're doing?” she snapped at him.

“Someone probably just found a dead body.”

“You don't know that.”

“I do.” It always is, Shinichi would’ve added, except then another person screamed about a dead body and made it a moot point.

“You can't be serious,” Shiho muttered under her breath, exasperated. “I don't suppose I could convince you to leave it to the police?”

“No such luck,” he confirmed, and she huffed in deep annoyance. “Look, we’re far enough from Beika that the police probably won’t recognise me on sight. And as long as I avoid giving the deductions like I usually do… unless you want to come along and help?”

He could see the exact moment when his words registered – Shiho shook her head empathically before letting his arm go. “Fine then, go play detective all you like, I’m not joining you.”

“Too late,” he informed her cheerfully, flipping his grip to pull her by the hand towards where the body lay, over the sound of her protests. “Time for your first case, tantei-san!”

.

The wind on the rooftop was bitingly cold, so Shinichi found the least exposed spot – the corner between the roof access and the ventilation unit – as he waited to put part two of the plan into motion.

Shiho had still been annoyed at him when they’d split up after leaving the cafe three hours ago, despite the fact that the case had been solved without anyone realising his identity. Though that had been mostly thanks to her concocting a plausible story on the spot when the investigating detective had asked them who they were, along with false names that Shinichi had kept tripping up on, until she’d pulled him aside and whispered dire threats if he didn’t get his – literal – act together.

She’d figured out the exact cause of death before he had, too: thallium poisoning, which Shinichi had read about before but never actually encountered on a case until now.

(“Maybe you should really become a detective,” he’d said only half-jokingly to her as they were leaving.

Shiho had looked at him for a long moment before answering. “The truth isn’t something I particularly care for, Kudo-kun.”

She’d refused to elaborate further, though, so he’d had to leave it at that.)

Shinichi was starting to regret not stopping to buy some hot coffee on the way here when the roof access door finally swung open quietly on well-oiled hinges, and a white-clad figure emerged onto the roof.

Kaitou Kid crossed half the length of the roof before stopping, though Shinichi didn’t doubt that the thief had already known he was there the whole time.

Kid spoke without turning around. “Quite the unexpected development, meitantei. To whom do I owe this pleasure?”

“Nakamori-keibu doesn’t know I’m here, if that’s what you’re asking. I’d prefer if it was kept that way.” Shinichi took a slip of paper out of his own pocket, holding it out to Kid. “I came to ask a favour, actually.”

Kid glanced over at his words, and Shinichi thought he saw a hint of surprise there, though it was difficult to know for sure, with the light of the full moon throwing the shadow of Kid’s hat brim across most of his features.

To Shinichi’s surprise, the note vanished from his fingers with a puff of smoke before reappearing in Kid’s own. “An address? And what should I expect to find there, I wonder?”

“Two people who could use your help,” Shinichi answered, his mind already racing. (The clocktower heist had been an impressive demonstration to start with, now that Shinchi knew who he’d been up against back then, but witnessing Kaitou Kid’s tricks firsthand was quite something else altogether – how had the thief managed that with two metres of intervening space between them?)

“I imagine that you aren’t referring to my less legal skillset, so… disguises, I assume?” Kid asked.

Shinichi shrugged noncommittally – it was true, but there was no need to give up the information when he still couldn’t be certain that Kid would actually help. (This was the riskiest part of the plan, really, but since Shiho remained adamant about staying away from the Organisation’s disguise expert, he’d decided to take a chance on Kid after recalling his disguise from the heist.)

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Kid said with some amusement. “Friends of yours?”

Shinichi chuckled dryly, and couldn’t help but imagine Shiho’s response to that question. “Not at all. Will you come?”

“A mysterious invitation, hand-delivered… how could I resist?” Kid grinned, and the note vanished again, failing to reappear this time. “Though I do hope this isn’t an ambush of some sort, meitantei, that’d be horribly disappointing. Not to mention rude.”

“No handcuffs, promise.” Shinichi’s words were punctuated by the thunder of the Task Force’s footsteps echoing up the ventilation unit.

“And that’s the cue for both of us to take our leave, I think.” Kid sketched a quick bow to Shinichi, still grinning. “See you later, meitantei!”

.

True to his word, Kid arrived at the empty warehouse where Shiho and Akemi had been waiting half an hour after Shinichi himself did. Though if the oddly reflective glint of light off a leg of one of the birds roosting in the rafters was anything to go by, the thief had already scouted out the location before actually turning up.

Shinichi would have been surprised if Kid had done otherwise, actually – he certainly would’ve been suspicious as well if their situations had been reversed, though he had been counting on curiosity to draw Kid out, based on what conclusions he could draw from the Task Force’s casefiles.

(Shiho gave him the stink-eye when he whispered I told you so, but he was definitely not imagining the hint of relief in her expression.)

Akemi was the one who moved forward to speak with Kid, who now wore a nondescript outfit and a small backpack, apparently having found the time to stash most of his costume somewhere on the way here. Which presumably meant that he was either still wearing his earlier disguise from the heist, or he simply didn’t think any of them were going to be able to discover his identity from his face alone.

Shinichi thought the former was much more likely – you didn’t stay uncaught for as long as Kid had by being careless, after all – until the thief walked close enough for both him and Shiho to see his face.

“…why does Kaitou Kid look so much like you, Kudo-kun?” Shiho asked in an undertone, her confusion mirroring his own.

“I have no idea,” Shinichi answered, staring at Kid, because Shiho was correct – there were only slight differences in their complexion and eye colour, and he wasn’t sure how much of the facial structure could be chalked up to latex prosthetics, but the overall resemblance to himself was singularly striking. “Either he decided to disguise as me on the way here for some bizarre reason, or my parents had another child who just happens to be a magician thief and forgot to tell me. What?” he added defensively at the incredulous look Shiho was giving him. “You don’t know my parents, that’s actually a perfectly plausible thing that might’ve happened!”

“I don’t know if I’d prefer that to be true or not,” Shiho said finally. “But it certainly explains quite a bit about you, at least.”

(Shinichi couldn’t even bring himself to be offended at that.)

“Oi, meitantei!” Kid chose that moment to call out. “Stop deducing things and come help, some of us would actually like to get home at a reasonable time tonight.”

“I didn’t know you even needed sleep,” Shinichi quipped as he walked over to where Kid was setting up a disguise kit from his backpack, Shiho trailing wordlessly behind him.

“Now, who said anything about sleep?” Kid retorted with the same grin from earlier before turning back to Akemi. “Okay, since you have to apply these disguises yourself I’m afraid they won’t be anything particularly elaborate, but I’ll see what I can do.”

True to his word, Kid worked only with the barest bones of his kit, which still boggled Shinichi with its sheer complexity – even considering that he was related to Kudo Yukiko, who Shinichi was convinced occasionally dressed up for nothing but the fun of it – and after he was done the sisters looked like…

…older versions of Ran and Sonoko, actually, Shinichi couldn’t help but think, and it wasn’t just because of the hair colour. Kid had focused mostly on Shiho’s features, working with latex to hide the sharpness of her brow and cheekbones, and finally producing a pair of oversized glasses that she’d reluctantly put on with a grimace. He’d also worked some gel into their hair, giving Akemi’s hair a noticeably messier look while straightening out the recognisable curls of Shiho’s.

The thief’s skills were impressive, Shinichi had to admit – despite the relative simplicity of the disguises, the pair now looked convincingly like two unremarkable college students rather than half-Japanese (and half-British, Shinichi suspected) sisters. It wouldn’t stand up to close scrutiny, even with the addition of coloured contacts and hair dye, but that was a risk they were going to have to take.

“So, how do I look?” Shiho had caught his assessing glance, apparently, her expression still acerbic from behind fake lenses.

…and completely at odds with her suddenly sugary tone, which was more than enough to give Shinichi goosebumps. “Please never, ever, do that again.”

“No need to be so serious,” Shiho replied with a moue of annoyance, still affecting the same tone, and Shinichi was having the sudden sinking realisation that she was actually enjoying this part.

Kid let out something dangerously close to a giggle, his disguise kit disappearing back into his bag with a snap of his fingers. “Right, I’ll be off then. And remember, you all owe me one!”

Shinichi was the only one who spluttered indignantly at that. “But – that – why do I owe you anything?”

“Clocktower heist, meitantei,” Kid answered cheerfully, already halfway to the exit. “Or did you forget the part where you fired a gun at me?”

“I fired it near you, idiot thief, there’s a difference!” he protested, but Kid merely waved jauntily before vanishing from sight, leaving Shinichi to mutter imprecations under his breath.

“Now that’s a story I’d like to hear,” Shiho remarked dryly, and Shinichi was too annoyed to be grateful that her tone had dropped back to its usual range.

“Shut up,” he grumbled, already deciding that he was going to turn up at Kid’s next heist armed with a dozen soccer balls and a tranq gun – because Shinichi didn’t aim at something without hitting it, and he was going to make Kid learn that the hard way.

.

The last part of the plan was in Akemi’s hands for now, since she apparently had some way of contacting the FBI, though Shiho’s expression when she mentioned it pointed at some unpleasant history behind that connection. (Shinichi had no delusions that she’d tell him the truth if he asked about it, though.)

They were back in the lab again, Shinichi drinking the last of the hot coffee he’d bought from a vending machine earlier. “I’d want to stay, you know,”

Shiho gave him another of her inscrutable looks before turning back to her laptop with a shake of her head. “You would do that, wouldn’t you.”

She had spliced in some old footage to the surveillance feed in order to cover her earlier absence – her weekly lunch with Akemi aside, it wasn’t a good idea to draw attention to the irregularity of both sisters being absent for an extended period of time. Shinichi watched her work in silence, and was almost surprised when she continued speaking.

“Well, it can’t be helped.” She didn’t look at him, only tapped a few more keys before closing the laptop and pulling out one of her notebooks instead. “I’m not some high school detective, just a scientist.”

The expression on her face as she’d said that was… not quite distant, Shinichi thought, but it was enough to prompt him into standing up and wishing her good night before going to the adjacent break room he’d been sleeping in.

It’d been a long day even by his standards, after all, and they still had more to do tomorrow.

.

Shinichi woke to a strong sense of deja vu.

Or, to be exact, he woke to the piercing glare of morning sun, and the feeling of having being propped up in an uncomfortable position for longer than was advisable.

Other sensations registered one after the other – the unyielding coolness of a wall behind his back, the rubbery numbness in his limbs, the cheerful cacophony of noise in the far background – and all Shinichi could think was really, this again?

Which said something about him, probably, but Shinichi didn’t bother thinking on that, searching his memory as he waited for feeling to return to his limbs.

His mind still felt a little sluggish, but he was fairly certain that the last thing he remembered was being in the lab with Shiho, which didn’t explain why he was apparently at an amusement p–

…hang on. Amusement park? Shinichi thought, wincing at the sun’s glare as he looked up. Don’t tell me –

But yes, that was the distinct shape of the Mystery Coaster, there was no mistaking it.

Shinichi groaned as he slowly manoeuvred himself into a more comfortable position. If he’d had any doubts about Shiho’s sense of humour, this certainly dispelled the last of them.

Couldn’t she have at least left him nearer to his house?

Because that was what had happened, clearly. Whatever her reasons (if it was anything about keeping him safe, she was being monumentally stupid given that he’d walked right into this mess himself), Shiho had ditched him along with the rest of his plan in Tropical Land, right back where he’d started.

Shinichi should’ve seen this coming, really. He’d expected it when she’d refused to tell him anything about her plans for after she and Akemi left the country, which made sense if she was trying to avoid making him a liability, but there’d been something off about her attitude even so.

His handphone chose that moment to buzz, and he took it out of his pocket with clumsy fingers, noting that it was fully charged despite the fact that he hadn’t even seen it for the past few days.

The screen suddenly went black, but before Shinichi could do more than blink in surprise, white text began to appear, scrolling smoothly past the screen.

Meitantei-san: I assume you’ve figured out what I’ve done by now. As far as anyone is concerned, I’m dead, and all traces of both my work and your presence here have been destroyed as thoroughly as is practically possible. Do try to keep your head down for a while – I would advise you to do so indefinitely if I thought you’d listen, but keep in mind what could’ve happened if you had run into anyone else. Some of my erstwhile colleagues may show a brief interest in you after this, though they will likely conclude that I was using you as a distraction to cover my escape attempt.

(And they wouldn’t even be wrong about that, Shinichi thought glumly as the text seemed to pause for a moment.)

This message will self-destruct after this, so I hope you’ve been paying attention. Do not look for me, meitantei-san – I’m sure that Watson of yours could provide you with some other mystery to unravel.

Shinichi’s eyes narrowed in puzzlement at that last line – his Watson? – but before he could re-read it the entire block of text disappeared along with the black screen, leaving him to stare at his phone’s lockscreen, which showed… several dozen missed calls and texts, at least half of them from Ran.

I’m okay, he texted quickly to both her and Megure-keibu, then brought up a browser window.

Shiho had said that she’d destroyed the evidence thoroughly, which most likely suggested – a fire? Shinichi hazarded a guess, typing several words into the search bar, and was rewarded with several articles about the major explosion of a building matching the approximate location he’d deduced the lab to be at.

He skimmed through the reports quickly, brief as they were. The incident had occurred well past midnight, and preliminary findings appeared to suggest foul play, with the rescue team confirming at least one casualty.

Shinichi leaned his head back against the wall and felt himself shiver slightly, though the aftereffects of the chloroform had long since faded. So Shiho intended to suggest to anyone looking that… she’d attempted to fake her own death, but had accidentally gotten caught up in the blast?

He didn’t doubt that the coroner would identify the body accordingly, since a blast of that magnitude would leave very little intact, and Shiho was more than capable of falsifying the necessary evidence – but that left the matter of where the corpse itself had come from, which –

You’d go for something cleaner, he suddenly remembered himself saying, back at the crime scene where this had all started.

(Do I not look capable of murder to you? Shiho had asked, and Shinichi didn’t have any idea how much of this she’d already planned back then – she could have gained access to some sort of morgue, and it was entirely plausible that the lab building itself had one, but on the other hand – )

His thoughts were derailed abruptly when his phone rang, and he pushed himself to his feet before answering. “Ran? I’m at Tropical Land, so – what? No, I’m not quite sure what happened but I’m not injured, there’s no need you to come over – ”

He didn’t know for sure what Shiho had done, but she’d been right about that much: Shinichi wasn’t going to look for her, not when it might endanger both her and Akemi’s lives, but now that he knew about the Organisation nothing was going to stop him from hunting down the rest of it.

It was what Holmes would’ve done, after all.

.

.

...this took a darker turn than expected at the last part? the original ending (EDIT: now up here) was completely different, but this suddenly happened and I had to rewrite the entire last third, go figure thanks but no thanks Shiho

as mentioned previously, the plot is not the point here, and there are definitely holes that I haven't patched up – hopefully it makes some semblance of sense at least, but I'm really here for the characters. so have some side notes on our three main players (or rather, two main players and a thief) here: 

Shinichi's suspicions in the last section are well-founded – remember, this is Sherry we're talking about here, whose opinion on the value of human life is... questionable at best. what exactly she did is left to your imagination, but her words here are very deliberate: the whole point is to scare Shinichi into realising what she (and by extension, the Org) is capable of, much as Ai does with the fake gun at the hospital. 

imo Ai's main change over time in canon isn't in personality (hence why Shiho's characterisation here remains fairly similar) but rather in her values/beliefs, which took a one-eighty or so after meeting Conan, and perhaps solving a case here is the first step towards a similar change for Shiho... or perhaps I just couldn't resist including that scene. my kingdom for detective!Shiho, come on. 

Kaito based the disguises at least in part on Aoko and Keiko, but only had on a minimal disguise himself because he was running low on supplies – he’s basically depending on the likelihood that none of them will report him based on this encounter, since they’d have to explain how it happened in the first place. (Jii objected to him turning up at all, obviously, but Kaito can be pretty reckless and soft-hearted when it comes to these things, as we all know.)

[kaoarika]

Nazo Retort

Something I started almost two years ago (MY BAD) after Sket Dance finished its serialization. And I used both Retort (Kaitou Retort and Lady Retort) from Medarot, for Enigman and Quecchon.

This cosplay/crossover was asking for it... completely.

(first time drawing Kirara officially)

Now, I need to do the “Retort” part of this.

[mismess]

[fyeahmedabots]

[balancingdiet]

fallen stem

Detective Conan & Magic Kaito Characters: Kaito/Shinichi  Words: 1700 ish Required Fic: Tabula Rasa Extra: (1) (2) (3) (4)

“Forgive him this time, okay?” Kaito said as he straightened the pot and arranged the plant’s weak stem to its place. “He’s not a plant-idiot. He’s really quite busy lately.”

Pulling the last piece of rubbish out of his suit’s pockets, Kaito slumped onto the floor, butt first and legs sprawled out. He was exhausted and tired and... Did he mention exhausted?

Yes. Exhausted.

He tossed his suit over his couch and stared at the filled trash-bag between his legs, which contained mostly the leftover props he’d used during the heist earlier—Empty plastic balls, bent pins, torn poker-cards and some packaging of all the other things; things that were not enough to use as evidence to proof him as Kaitou Kid.

Even if he knew Shinichi wasn’t going to do anything about his other identity, that didn’t mean Kaito wouldn’t stay vigilant.

After all that clearing up, all Kaito had to do now was to tie a knot over the bag and then throw it outside in the bin, but he was just so, SO lazy to move right now.

Damn, maybe he shouldn’t have sat down.

Now he wanted more; to lie down instead.

With the trash-bag clasped between his thighs, Kaito laid his back on the floor and stared at the ceiling. He could see his doves shifting on their spots, all recognising his posture as an “invitation” to disturb him, like littering their feathers over his body or pecking his forehead (the latter was just Yoshi only). So Kaito kept his eyes open, as a warning to his doves to not come disrupt his temporary peace, and continued staring at the ceiling.

Besides, he wasn’t craving for sleep; he wasn’t experiencing that kind of exhaustion. His exhaustion was a little bit more to do with his inner than physical state, but it wasn’t as if using its actual term (i.e. disappointment) would make things turn out all better.

It could never be, until he found Pandora.

But there was some hope recently; some hope that came from hell. Literally.

Just last month, Akako contacted Kaito, telling him of a prophecy she received from Lucifer (and Kaito wished he could pretend it was just a name of a dog Akako gave, but who was he kidding?):

“The moon is going to shine red soon,” Akako said. The hood over her head casted a shadow over her face, but he could still see the gleam in her eyes, which warned Kaito to not question her words or source. At all.

“Ok,” Kaito answered instead, before wearily looking at the clock hanging on his bedroom wall. It was three in the morning, but he figured that concern was never a problem to Akako, given how she claimed she didn’t need the so-called beauty sleep that most women said they needed. “So the moon will shine... red? And? Do you need to video-call me for this?” Kaito muttered.

“Do you know what it means?”

Kaito briefly hid his face under the blanket, hoping it muffled his groans before he re-surfaced and squinted at his phone screen. His brain was not really working, but at least he could find some boldness in him to retort, “What? Am I suppose to send an email to NASA or something?”

”Imbecile.” Akako removed the hood from her head and glowered. “It’s about Pandora.”

That got him shot out of bed, and the plan for his next heist began its way.

Caffeine rarely worked for him, but he decided to down two cups of coffee rather than switching on the loud music to keep him awake. He knew how he’d often disturbed Shinichi, and he used to never care about that. But given that Shinichi wasn’t having the time of his life lately either, Kaito spared him that pain and decided to be a good neighbour instead.

So for the next month after that video call, Kaito had held heists for all the jewels he knew existed in Japan at the moment, be it ones that used to never pass the need of his attention. He wasn’t going to take the risk of losing any signs.

But he’d been feeling nothing short of that exhaustion since then.

(Maybe it was better to have no hope at all.)

Sighing, Kaito brushed away his thoughts and forced himself to sit and stand up, careful to not topple the trash-bag. But just as he was about to tie a dead knot, a huge gust of wind rattled against his opened kitchen window, and Kaito glanced up. His ears twitched, hearing more than just the nature’s howl—there was a sound of a soft thud outside; something that begged his gut to not ignore.

Tentatively leaving his trash-bag on the floor, Kaito approached his kitchen window. From here, he could catch a small glimpse of Shinichi’s backyard, but it was dark, and he couldn’t see much of anything besides shadows.

After closing his kitchen window, Kaito stepped out to his backyard. He ambled over to Shinichi’s side, until he stopped at the fence that separated their territories.

“Hah.” Kaito shook his head, staring at a toppled pot, the vines and soil sprawled all across the grass patch. The sweet potato vine started to overgrow again, and one side probably got too heavy. Adding from the strength of the wind, it finally toppled over.

“Plant-idiot—” Kaito stopped and shook his head at his words. He then slipped back to his own house, took a spade and pruner tool, before jumping over the fence to Shinichi’s backyard.

From the even darker darkness coming from Shinichi’s home, Kaito knew he was still at work. But Kaito also knew Shinichi’s recent increase in overtime wasn’t related to his pure interest of solving complex murders. It was more of real work—the lengthy phone calls, loads of interrogating and thousands and thousands of words Shinichi had to write in his report—given that one division recently closed down due to corruption, and Shinichi and his team had taken over their duties instead.

Shinichi never told Kaito, but given his intel, it wasn’t hard for him to know about it.

Besides that, seeing Shinichi’s eye-bags, crooked smile, and his slightly less concern of getting his shitted mailbox cleaned immediately were more than enough of a clue for Kaito too.

Kaito squatted before the toppled pot.

(“Forgive him this time, okay?” Kaito overheard one day as he peeked out from behind the corner of the hospital’s corridor, to see Aoko patting her hands over Kanna and another boy’s head—the latter probably recently admitted and thus Kaito never saw him before. “Kaito nii-san’s been busy recently, but maybe he’ll come next time,” Aoko continued, with a smile that held something wistful, and nothing promising, too.

But even after Kaito popped out from behind the wall and surprised the kids, including Aoko, saying that he had cleared something off his schedule and managed to make it for the volunteering session today, that smile of hers still remained.

Kaito should have seen it as a sign, but he didn’t, and he still couldn’t quite forgive himself for that.)

“Forgive him this time, okay?” Kaito said as he straightened the pot and arranged the plant’s weak stem to its place. “He’s not a plant-idiot. He’s really quite busy lately.”

Flutters of wing came from his side and Kaito turned, watching as Tamago settled on the fence; its beady eyes observing.

“Why are you always around when Shinichi’s stuff are involved?” Kaito scoffed as he continued his plant work and patted the soil into the pot.

Another flutter of wings, and Wasabi perched next to Tamago.

“Not you too,” Kaito mumbled.

Kaito decided to focus on his work, but there wasn’t much to be done beside cutting a few overgrown stems to have a better balance of its weight. Afterwards, he collected the evidence that proved he’d meddled with Shinichi’s plants, jumped over to his backyard and disposed them into his trash-bag. Finally, he tied a dead knot and headed to his front door.

His ears itched, and he dug it—care-free—as he stumbled out of his house and threw the trash-bag away

Then, he spotted Shinichi’s car, and the said man stepping out of it too.

Strange, Kaito wondered, but he didn’t have his phone on him, so he approached Shinichi, who limply allowed him to pick his wrist and check the time on his watch.

“You’re back earlier than usual,” Kaito commented. He actually expected a few hours more before Shinichi returned.

“And you too.” Shinichi waved a hand over Kaito, like he couldn’t care less, yet Kaito could still catch a hint of concern in his tone. “I thought you have a heist today?”

Kaito knew Shinichi was busy, but it annoyed him slightly that he’d grown so oblivious about his activities. “I’m already done.”

“Ok.” Shinichi put out a hand. “Where’s the jewel?”

“Why?”

“I figured if I’m not going to turn you in, I should at least do my part for the police and get the jewel back.”

“So righteous…” Kaito clapped his hands drily. “If I’m still in Kid’s attire, I’d definitely take my hat off to you.”

“Don’t change the subject. Jewel?”

Rather than him changing the subject, Kaito felt it was Shinichi that was trying to particularly focus the subject on his heist, the jewel — just everything besides the fact that he had knocked off early tonight.

Pot calling the kettle black?

“Aren’t you afraid that you’ll get suspected if you return my loot again?” Kaito challenged, raising his eyebrow further. “I mean, I’ve disguised as you before so it’s kinda on the track record.”

That seemed to put some perspective for Shinichi, and he put down his arm and narrowed his eyes—the kind of annoyance that Kaito recognized better. “Thanks for bringing up those memories.”

“My pleasure,” Kaito said cheekily before looking up at the dark sky. “They were good times indeed…”

Those words slipped out of his tongue even before Kaito realized, but he didn't find them wrong, nor having the need to correct it aloud or to himself.

Good times.

They were indeed times that started well. Times of the better past. Times that could be called memories rather than nightmares and scars…

Even when it was present earlier, the moon was nowhere to be found; now it was just a piece of dark sky hanging above. But Kaito knew it got to be out there somewhere, probably hidden behind the clouds, like a taunt for Kaito.

”I’m here. But try to find me if you can.”

Please. Kaito thought. Please just shine red soon.

[balancingdiet]

Every Friday

Pairing: Kaito & Aoko Word Count: 2000+ Alternate Reading Site

Summary: It was like a custom, that every Friday Aoko would invite Kaito over for dinner.

"Are you free this Friday?"

Kaito looked up from his phone, his lips pursed just enough to hide his surprise. He hadn't realized Aoko was standing in front of his desk, hands by her hips as she stared down at him with a questioning look. Aoko's stealth had been slowly improving ever since she became a regular at his heists, but it could also be the news on his phone's fault, allowing himself to be so distracted and dropped his guard.

Nonchalantly, he exited his news app to check the calendar. "What's happening on Friday?"

"Nothing. I just want to ask if you want to have dinner."

"Isn't it too early? It's only Monday today." A grin slowly spread across his face. "Do you actually need four days of practice just to perfect a dinner?"

Aoko huffed and crossed her arms. "Just answer the question."

Kaito looked down at his calendar. It was blank, of course, but he'd already remembered all the dates for his upcoming heists. The next one is going to happen on Saturday, which was the night after her invite… But it was fine anyway, he already had everything planned, and there was no harm to spare a little time for a dinner date—

A dinner. Just dinner.

"Yeah, I'm free."

Aoko smiled and clapped her hands. "That's settled. I'll see you this Friday!"

Kaito was about to retort how he'd be seeing her every damn day actually, but she already left his table and went back to her conversation with her friends at the other side of the classroom.

Shaking his head, he continued reading the news on his phone

xxx xxx

It was Omurice with curry, and as much as Kaito was reluctant to admit, it had been one of the best dishes he ever eaten in his life.

He wondered if Aoko really used those four days to practice and perfect this.

"So how is it?" Aoko grinned over the dinner table.

Kaito grunted in response and pretended his mouth was too full to speak. But actions were always louder than words, and Aoko came up with her own interpretation of his response before she began on her meal.

xxx xxx

"Kaito!"

Kaito blinked and looked over his shoulder. He would recognize the voice even if he turned to ash, but he didn't expect to hear it while he was going back home after school today.

"Don't you have your math club meeting?" Kaito questioned after Aoko caught up to him.

"Yeah, but it was just a short one." Aoko said before they started walking together. "But even so, shouldn't you already be back home at this timing? You're walking quite slowly today."

Kaito could easily answer with something sarcastic or argument-provoking, but when he glanced to his side, Aoko was looking at him with eyes filled with genuine curiosity, and nothing in her previous statement was hinted with tease too.

In the end, he decided otherwise, allowing his original retort died in his throats and shrugged.

"It's a Friday today. There's no hurry to go home."

Aoko simply nodded to his answer and said no more, thankfully.

It was true, there was no hurry to go home; all his homework that were given over the weekends were already finished before the teachers left the class, and there wasn't a need to plan any heist for now when he just finished one yesterday (sadly it wasn't Pandora).

But that, was the reason why he was slow.

He had sprained his ankle when he missed a step on the stairs while escaping from the guards.

Although he had managed to put up a good enough act to pretend his feet were fine for the entire day today, this was where the limit ends.

He just hoped Aoko wouldn't notice.

"Are you free today?"

Kaito blinked out of his little trance and raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"Do you want to have dinner over at my place?"

Oh. At least it wasn't to go out to watch a movie or whatever. Dinner would still be fine for his ankle.

Kaito leaned towards Aoko with a grin. "It's tonight though, no need for practice?"

Aoko jabbed a fist into his shoulder. "Just a yes or no would suffice."

"Yes, yes." Kaito scoffed and rubbed his arm.

"One yes is enough."

Kaito rolled his eyes. "Yes, master."

xxx xxx

Instead of going home, Kaito went straight to Aoko's house. They did a bit of homework (Kaito had to pretend to be doing it since he already finished.) and talked a whole lot more during those few hours before Aoko had to start preparing for dinner.

Kaito volunteered to help at first, but she refused and shove him out of the kitchen even before he could attempt a second try. He was then abandoned in the living room with the TV for company, and the first channel that came up when Kaito switched it on was the evening news.

"The Blue Sapphire that was stolen last night by Kaitou Kid has been returned. Appraisals will be conducted to ensure the jewel is genuine before the millionaire returns to America and—"

Kaito switched to another channel.

The sound of chopping from the kitchen continued.

Dinner was served an hour later.

It was spaghetti with white sauce.

And again, Kaito loved it.

"How is it?" Aoko asked after she set the plates on the table (Kaito helped with the utensils).

This time, he nodded back in reply as he slurped onto the creamy spaghetti.

A small smile spread across Aoko's cheeks, and she began digging into her dinner as well.

xxx xxx

Kaitou Kid raised his gloved hands in the air and shone the emerald under the moonlight.

He counted to ten (Ten was too much, but he just needed an extra bit of hope).

When the count finished, he sighed and put down his hand.

Not Pandora, of course.

Almost nothing could have been.

It was just a myth.

But if he didn't believe in it, chase after it, and continued whatever he had been doing, why did he put on the monocle in the first place?

What were all those sacrifices for?

"Kaitou Kid."

Kaitou Kid—Kaito—froze, but luckily his slightly oversized costume (it was tailored after his father's size) and flapping cape did wonders to hide that flinch. He slowly turned, suave and all, and stared at the girl he knew all his life across the roof.

Her stealth really had been improving.

"Hello, Nakamori-san. Fancy seeing you here." Kaito kept the jewel in his pocket. He'd decide on the methods of returning it later.

She glowered. "Fancy."

"It's a Friday night. Don't you have plans somewhere else?"

"He couldn't make it." She said simply, though her scowl was still plastered on her face.

Kaito blinked. He? Who was that he? It definitely wasn't him since she didn't ask him out today, much less having the chance to reject her invitation.

His gut gave an annoying twist, and he lowered his hat to hide that slight grimace that almost slipped to his features. "What a pity, Nakamori-san. I bet he's missing out."

She didn't answer.

He stepped onto the roof's ledge. "I hope your date will work out in the future." Of course he didn't wish that date to work out in the future, no way in hell, but he said it, just because it was necessary to end this conversation.

"As long as you don't hold it on a Friday." Aoko spat.

It was a little too late to question what she meant as he had already free-fall off the roof, allowing the wind to take control before his wings took flight into the night.

But it didn't matter; Kaitou Kid had no rights to ask her anyway.

xxx xxx

Kaito went back home, clearly exhausted. He dumped the tools that required fixing in his basement, took a quick bath and slumped onto his bed, all ready to hit the sack. But as a habit, he would check his phone for some Kid's update and reply some texts he couldn't see when he was busy thieving.

There was a text from Aoko. Just ten minutes ago.

He sat up on the bed and opened the message.

'Are you free next Friday for dinner?'

Kaito frowned at his phone screen, the short conversation he had with Aoko as Kid came back to him and hitting his stomach with that awful twist again.

//"It's a Friday night. Don't you have plans somewhere else?"

"He couldn't make it."//

Kaito crafted a reply, his thumbs hovering over the screen. But he stopped and sighed. What could he ask or even say about her failed date when the person that knew about it was Kaitou Kid? This was truly one of the worst dilemmas he ever faced, perhaps a close second after wanting to tell Aoko the truth about everything.

He slumped back onto his bed and decided what he should reply instead.

'Yeah, I'm free.'

This was the only thing he could say.

xxx xxx

When Kaito entered Aoko's house (they both had each other's house keys), the strong aroma struck Kaito so hard he swooned, literally. He stumbled a few steps and entered the kitchen.

"What on earth are you making?" He gasped.

Aoko turned around in her apron and tied-up hair. "You're early!"

"Well, for once I'm glad I am." Kaito sniffed the air.

She chuckled. "Stop being a moron."

"Can I help with anything?"

"You can set the table."

"Ok."

It was Tempura for dinner on that Friday night, and there were of all kinds that Kaito could ever imagine, from prawn to mushroom to pumpkins…

But no fish, thankfully. At least Aoko remembered not to cook that.

In actual fact, she never once used any fish for all these past countless dinners.

"How is it?" Aoko asked as she watched Kaito munched over the crispy, battered mushroom.

His mouth was full, but he swallowed them all and nodded. "It's delicious." He said.

It really was.

Aoko smiled and picked up her chopsticks.

She left most of the mushroom for Kaito to finish.

xxx xxx

It wasn't Pandora, again.

Kaitou Kid then retired for the night

Kaito ditched most of his costume behind Jii's bar, leaving in just his blue shirt and white pants as he staggered home like every other heist. In this aspect, change was never constant. Exhaustion was constant, same with disappointment and bitterness.

The wish to destroy Pandora just all seemed so bleak.

He tried to push behind all those thoughts as he continued his way home. The streets became familiar again, and he passed by some blocks of houses he recognized, especially the one at the end.

Aoko's.

It was dark and empty. Of course, Inspector Nakamori must still be hard at work somewhere, and Aoko… she didn't come to the heist today.

Tonight was a Friday night after all. She must have had her plans.

He thought back about the night she told him of her failed date that happened months ago. Strangely (not really), the twisted-gut feeling bit him back as though it happened only yesterday.

He glowered and shut his eyes, stomping past Aoko's house with quick steps.

Kaito reached his home a couple of minutes later.

He slotted the keys and went in.

Beside his secret basement, there were many mechanisms in his house, like the ability to draw the curtains with a few claps and switching on the TV just by telling it to do so. But this, the ability to switch on the lights when he opened the door, wasn't part of the mechanism installed.

So when the house lit up after Kaito closed the door, his hand went straight for the secret pocket that kept his card gun.

What barely stopped him from whipping it out and firing the shots were the bright blue eyes that stared at him a few steps away.

Kaito breathed.

"What are you…"

And it was the last breath he took.

Aoko left the light switch and slowly ambled towards the entrance. From the distance he could tell her eyes were moist, but with a few blinks, those tears were gone.

"We're supposed to have dinner every Friday." She huffed, with a slight tease in her voice that Kaito couldn't understand. "And you just have to hold the heist today. Didn't I already tell you about it?"

//"As long as you don't hold it on a Friday."//

Kaito gaped. "You…"

"I know, Kaito. I know." Aoko said, her eyes suddenly droopy and… and shaped into something Kaito disliked.

"But— How…"

"The how doesn't matter. I've decided to do what I can do, even if it was the bare minimum." Her gaze dropped to his body, and she looked all much sadder despite the small smile etched on her lips. "You always look so skinny in your suit, like you've never eaten enough. You look slightly better without it. "

His heart sank with a mix reaction of relief and confusion, but it was more than enough to allow him to breathe again. "Aoko—"

"But as for the why…" She looked back up at him. "You have to tell me everything."

Kaito couldn't nod any harder in his life. "Okay." He managed a croak.

"I cooked Ramen today." Aoko tugged onto his hand and led him into his house. "Are you free to eat it?"

"Yeah, of course."

Her fingers curled into his palm as she glanced at him over her shoulder. "Good, because I put in a lot of effort on the broth."

"I can't wait." to tell you everything too.

She nodded, already understanding his implications, before her face split into a perfect grin. And it was one that was enough to answer about anything in the world.

The world that only existed for him and her.

[fyeahmedabots]

[fyeahmedabots]