It has been 4 years since Kaito last saw Aoko, and 1 year since he finally found the Pandora and retired from being KID.
Kaito felt relieved. He was finally able to throw away his alter ego. But he knew that he had changed.
Sure, he still had his usual poker face that he had 4 years ago. But behind that poker face, there was a gaping hole in his heart.
Their parting wasn't complete.
He never got to say goodbye, and neither did she. He never knew how she was. But she probably did. After all, he was the international thief.
Today was just another day where he sat outside the clock tower. He smiled a little when he thought about how they first met.
Now that he thought back about it, their meeting was really cheesy like a movie. She was a lonely girl and he swept her off her feet with a rose.
And he remember how hard he fought to save their clock tower. Heck, this got to be the largest thing he ever saved in his life. And he re-enacted their meeting again. So just that she would smile at him.
He missed her.
He missed her mop chasing. He missed her cooking. He missed her messy hair. He missed her blue eyes. He missed her laughter. He missed her smiles.
And most of all, he missed how he would be woken up by her on a Sunday morning, but would find it worth it because he saw her smile right when his eyes opened.
And damn it. Damn it because he lost her. Damn it because he regretted it.
He wished he never stumbled across his father's secret. Maybe then, they would never been separated by this thing called lies.
If only he had more courage, maybe then he would have told her right when he started his night activities. And maybe then, she wouldn't have left.
If only he had been more careful. Then she wouldn't have to find out his alter ego the harsh way.
If only…if only he could turn back time, he would have done everything differently.
As he exhaled, his sharp ears picked up familiar footsteps. He looked up and his breath got stuck in his throat.
There she was, standing as snow fell around her. Her face was slimmer, but still flawless. Her hair was more tamed than it was 4 years ago. She was taller. And most of all, she was more mature.
He stood up tentatively, and took hesitant steps towards her. She did the same as he did, and smiled a little as they got closer.
When they were two steps away from each other, they stopped and stared at each other.
She raised her right hand, and there she held a red rose.
"I'm Nakamori Aoko. Nice to meet you." She smiled fondly at him.
He stared at her and at that moment, he felt like crying. And he felt like laughing. Cause gosh, she stole his idea.
Yet, he couldn't help but just let out a relief smile. With a few movements, the rose in her hands disappeared and reappeared in his.
"I'm Kuroba Kaito. Nice to meet you." He handed her the rose.
She took the rose, giggled and leaned forward, resting her forehead on his.
"Merry Christmas, Kaito."
At that moment, he knew why their parting was never complete.
It was because, it never did start.
And there was no need for goodbyes. Because they would always came back to each other.