#oh also the filename being ''Top Sneaky'' is literally just because it was intended as a gift for someone

[kingdomoftyto]

WIP ask game! Top Sneaky!!!!

uehehehehhehe

The premise of the AU is pretty straightforward: Shinichi knows magic is real, while Kaito is the skeptic.

The way it works in practice is: Shinichi's transformation into Conan is a result of a curse instead of a drug, with the Black Org being more akin to a cult than a mafia. And, although Kaito still takes up the mantle of KID just like in canon, in this universe he gave up on his dream of being a magician shortly after his father's death. (Instead, he's getting an engineering degree. He's bored and aimless outside of heists.)

One of the aspects I'm most excited about is some really intertwined mythological symbolism that I want to work into a prophecy, but trying to make everything that I want actually fit is just sort of making things more difficult for myself lol rip

And I keep getting stuck on what direction to actually take the plot in general, so I only have a couple of chapters written so far and even those are kind of a mess imo. (´･ω･`)

Anyway, here's a generous snippet from a section that I like:

-

“Haibara, I think I was right about him.”

“Good morning to you, too, Kudou-kun,” she replied without looking up from her desk.

“He was avoiding the subject entirely,” Shinichi continued as if she hadn’t spoken, depositing his bag on the floor and leaning absently against the corner of the lab bench. “You said yourself that the moonlight thing was suspiciously occult, but when I pressed him for details he would only say he didn’t want anyone else getting involved.”

Haibara swiveled her chair around, and Shinichi caught a glimpse of half-melted candles surrounding a bowl emitting a worrisome amount of dark green vapor. “That doesn’t mean what he’s hiding is necessarily magic, let alone related to the Black Organization,” she said. Shinichi started to protest, but she went on, “And even if he is in the know, there’s no way to be sure he’s trustworthy.”

Shinichi took off his glasses to rub at his eyes. “We’ve been over this. If KID really has been keeping his knowledge of the supernatural a secret all this time, then his actions up to now would point to him being on our side. Why would he keep putting himself at risk with these high-profile heists? Why would he only use ordinary stage magic tricks? The most likely answer is that he’s taunting someone. Trying to get their attention.”

Haibara only crossed her arms, unmoved. Stubborn, Shinichi growled internally.

“And,” he continued, “if he’s looking for some kind of magic gemstone, which I’m now all but certain he is, then he’s probably trying to reach it before that same enemy gets their hands on it.”

“And you think that enemy happens to be our crows.”

“You don’t?”

She stood up, flicking some kind of powder into the bowl that caused the green steam to fizzle out with a pwoof, and crossed the length of the lab until they were standing nearly nose to nose. She stood a few centimeters taller than him now, having hit her growth spurt sooner, and she never failed to use that fact to her advantage during an argument. “I think even if Kaitou KID is after them, he’s too much of a wildcard to rely on if things get dicey—and they will, if you plan on taking the fight to the Organization. He’s a lone wolf, Kudou-kun, not to mention a wanted criminal. If he doesn’t want your help now, what makes you think he’ll cooperate when you insist on sticking your nose even further into his business?”

You don’t know him like I do, Shinichi almost said, but he realized how that would sound and thought better of it. Instead, he pulled himself up as tall as his grade-schooler height would allow and insisted, “If we’re on the same side, he has no reason to hinder our operations. I still think we should offer to share intel.”

Haibara looked dangerously close to rolling her eyes, but she backed down. “It’s not like I can stop you once you’ve made up your mind.”

Shinichi frowned. “You know I wouldn’t suggest this plan unless I really thought it was our best option, right?”

She sighed. “I do know that. And I know you’d prefer to convince me to agree rather than go against my wishes.” She leveled him a serious look. “But, Kudou-kun, there are some subjects where I think even you have blind spots. If you’re going to insist on getting that thief involved, at least do your best to not let your feelings get in the way.”

He blinked. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

She really did roll her eyes this time.