Author's Note: Hi! Thank you for clicking this story. I hope you find this story enjoyable!
This is my first proper fanfiction. English is not my main language and also I'm working alone with no beta reader, so please be kind and gentle. Read & reviews are greatly appreciated! ^^
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the storyline. Characters are belong to Aoyama Gosho. Even the cover image is not mine.
I tried to do research in my writings, but it is a pure fiction and nothing more. I'm sorry if some of them are a little out of character, but I'm trying my best to make it as interesting as possible.
Published Date: 27/03/2019
X X X
First Summer in Kūdo Mansion.
"Noooooooo, Okaa-sann! I dun wanna go there!" a six years old boy, with a slightly messy hair, whined to his mom and dad.
"Well, Kai-chan, it's Summer holiday and you definitely would like to play with their kid rather than be alone in the house, wouldn't you?" A young mother with a short brown reddish haired, Kuroba Chikage, answered her only child.
"Otou-sann pretty pweaseee! Just let me stay at home! I won't try to burn the house down like the last time..." Kaito turned to his daddy with teary eyes. Toichi just laughed and stroked his child hair, making his messy hair messier if it even possible, "You would love their child, Kai. Trust me on this."
"But, but, but! You said he's a detective-wanna-be..." Kaito definitely preferred to stay alone at the house rather than be with a detective child! Every magic tricks wouldn't amuse a detective. His childhood's friend, Hakuba Saguru, had been a concrete proof. The kid was too stuffy and always wanted critics Kaito in every possible way! He never even tried to enjoy his magic, and always tried to figure out Kaito's magic trick. Well, Kaito wasn't not nearly as good as his father, but but but still, for a seven years old, Kaito was awesome for his magic trick.
"Oh Kai-chan, no more buts, okay? Mommy and daddy will come back before you know it." Chikage hugged her son. Kaito pouted, and whined. But he knew, no matter what he said, his mother and father will still be leaving him to play with this-shin-whatever kid. "Hmph."
Arriving at the Kudō mansion, Kaito awed at the grandness of the mansion. His mother and father only chuckled at their only son, and held Kaito's hands to the Kudō mansion front gate. Not a minute later, a young woman, with a long blonde curly hair opened the gate, and hugged Chikage, "Chi-chaannn! Oh how I miss you! How many years has it passed since the last time we met?"
"I miss you more, Yuki-channn! It has been too long! I believed the last time we met is when your Shin-chan born," Letting go of the hugs, the two mommies laughed and chitchatted for a good few minutes, until someone appeared from the inside of Kudō mansion, and cleared his throat, startling the two mommies. "Yukiko, when will you let our guests in?," Kudō Yūsaku, a renowned mystery writer from across the world, said to his wife, Kudō Yukiko. "I should have known better than letting you opens the door for the guests, shouldn't I?," Yūsaku said and chuckled. Yukiko sticked her tongue out and pouted.
"Long time no see, Toichi-Nii," the two males of the crowd shook hands, and smiled to each other, "Long time, indeed, Yūsaku-Otoūto."
"Now, now, who's we have here? Kaito-kun, I supposed?," Yūsaku bent a little to reach the boy and fondled his messy hair. Still sullen and whined, Kaito only pouted to the older man. "Kai, don't be a meanie to oji-san, what did I say about manner?" Toichi said to his pouting son.
In the meantime, "Shinichi, come out from the back of my legs, and meet Kaito-kun." Yūsaku said to his little son, who's currently hiding behind his long leg, and grabbing the hem of his father's pants while taking a peek of his supposedly-new-friend. Shinichi shook his head, shy of the new strangers.
Kaito took a good look at the shy kid and his mood suddenly brightens up, he's so cute... and sweet... Kaito immediately ran up to the other kid. "Hi! My name is Kuroba Kaito, a magician extraordinaire at your service!" He said loudly and with a small white pink poof, a blue rose appeared in front of Shinichi.
Your blue eyes scream mystery. The unattainable depth of the cerulean ocean is what your eyes tell me. You are extraordinarily wonderful.
Blinking his beautiful cerulean eyes, Shinichi slowly came out from behind his father's leg, with curiosity he said, "Blue rose? How did you get that? I don't think there's any blue rose growing. Or is it artificial?"
Art-ch-i-fi-ci-what...? Geez, he sure does know difficult words. Mentally facepalmed. Shinichi's words deflated most of the Kaito's hyped mood. Of course, he had to question its existence. Being a detective and all. Stupid Hakuba! I don't want to remember you! Great, now his mood is ruined...
"B-but... This is the first time I've seen such a beautiful blue rose... T-thank you," Shinichi stuttered and took the blue rose from Kaito's hand placing it in front of his chest like it was a precious piece of art. Kaito's eyes immediately lit up, and grinned widely to Shinichi, "No need to thank me!" Nope, he's definitely different.
The adults smiled at the cute interaction of the two children. Looking at his watch, Toichi then said, "Oh, It's already time for us to go. Kaito, behave and try to not bother Yūsaku-nii and Yukiko-san, okay? Otou-san and Okaa-san will only go for two weeks," Toichi said to his now smiling son.
"I'm oh-so gonna miss you, my Kai-channnnnnnnn!" Chikage hugged his son tightly. "Gah! K-k-kaa-sann— can't b-bre-ath," Kaito flailed at his mother's bone crushing hug. Chikage laughed and let go of her son, "be a good kid and play with Shin-chan!" Grinning widely, Kaito excited to play with his new friend, "Of course, kaa-san! Have a nice holiday with Otou-san!"
X X X
Not even an hour later...
"Shin-chan! Shin-chan! Let's go play hide-and-seek outside! I'm bored..." the hyper Kaito whined to Shinichi, who was reading a series of Sherlock Holmes book peacefully.
"But Kai-chan, I dun wanna go outside..." Shinichi replied while still reading his book.
"But you're already here like... for an hour with no body movement! Only read these difficult book!" Kaito countered while poking Shinichi's side.
"A-a-aa! Kai-chaa-nn! It tickles! S-stop!" Shinichi was a ticklish type of kid.
Grinning naughtily, Kaito took the 'difficult book' from Shinichi's smaller hands, and threw it somewhere else. He heard protests of 'Hey!' comes from Shinichi's mouth before pinning Shinichi down before him, straddling and started to tickle Shinichi's side, "Awww, Shin-chan is ticklish! Come on, Shin-chan! Let's go outside and play in the park!"
"Kai-chaan! M-my b-ook! I-I don't want t-to go o-outside! S-stop that Kai-chann!" Shinichi's laughter sounded like a beautiful melody to Kaito's ear, and Kaito definitely loved Shinichi's laughter more than Shinichi's serious face.
"Pretty pleaseeeeeeeee, Shin-channn!" Kaito said pleadingly and put both of his hands in front of his face.
Out of his breath, Shinichi's sighs, "F-fine... Just this time..."
"Yeay! Let's go then, Shin-chan!" Kaito jumped happily and started to drag Shin-chan out of the Kūdo mansion.
X X X
"Kai-chan! Where are you? I'm already tired!" Shinichi shouted loudly. Looking back, he saw the sun already set and the sky was slowly turning dark.
Kaito and Shinichi were playing hide-and-seek at Beika park in which Shinichi was chosen to be it for no apparent reason. Kaito and reasons were definitely not a good buddies.
"Kai-chann! Kai-chan! I give up! Please come out?" Shinichi said pleadingly while walking around the park.
Rustling rustling rustling
Turning his head, Shinichi thought it was Kaito finally came out from his hiding spot, "Kai-cha—"
"Look, who do we have here?"
"The pretty and smart, Shinichi Kūdo!"
"You forget the 'freak' part!"
Laughing hardly, the three big bullies towered Shinichi's small body. Shinichi's eyes widened at the three ten years old boys with a big build standing in front of him. Behind the three big bullies, there was a boy with freckles spreaded on his face. He stood behind them in fear of getting bullies, he stayed silent. That was the best course of action, to be the bullies' servant, to be treated as lackey. Afterall, anything was better than being the target of their bullying.
Stepping back, Shinichi's small body started to shake slightly from his fear, "W-what do y-you guys want?"
"What, indeed," Smirking evilly, the biggest boy of the three said, "Oh, no need to be afraid of us," Grabbing Shinichi's shoulder firmly, preventing him from stepping backwards putting more distance between them, "Right?" A chorus of evil right was heard from the rest of the bullies.
"Oh I know! Let's play together, freak!"
"Yeah! Great idea! Our special hide and seek, isn't it?"
"Okay! Now, I'll be it and you guys hide!"
They talked between themselves and decided to play hide and seek. "Come on, freak! We'll show you the greatest place to hide!" The biggest bully and the other bully dragged Shinichi forcefully. Laughing maniacally, they started to walk towards the nearest public restroom. Still trying to resist, Shinichi pulls up his hands, "N-no! Let me go!"
"Shut it!" he said while grabbing the collar of Shinichi's shirt. Grabbing the big bully's hands with his two smaller hands, "N-n-no! Please... Don't..." Shinichi's voice shaking and his eyes started to glass with tears. He purred in mocking voice, "oh don't cry~ you must be so happy that we want to play with you!" The smaller freckled boy followed them carefully tip-toeing, scared to be noticed.
After a good ten minutes walk from Beika Park, they arrived at the public restroom with a small janitor closet on the right side of the restroom. The janitor closet size was only for one grown adult space. The door had only three stripes of holes that allowed for ventilation.
The smaller boy that had been following them noticed the janitor closet, being in there first-hand experience for hours. He knew the terror of being locked up inside a dark place. He immediately ran from there, looking for a boy with messy hair that he vaguely remembered came together with Shinichi to the park.
"Oh! Look, freak! I've found the best hiding place! Are you happy, freak?" the bully threw Shinichi's small body off. Shinichi's body full of dirt, and his knees scraped when he was thrown off. Laughing loudly, he said, "the genius Shinichi Kudō must be able to go pick the lock and go outside, right? Oh, it must be nice to be a genius, freak!"
Snickering, the other answered, "I bet you're tearing up coz you're too happy, right?"
Again with the laughter, then they just shove Shinichi's body into the janitor closet. "N-no!" Shinichi cried and shouted.
"Shut up! You should be thank us for giving you the most suitable place to hide until, I don't know, maybe until somebody finds you?" One of them closed the closet door and locks it up. "N-no! Please! Don't lock me here! P-please open the door! I'm sorry! Don't leave me here alone! I'm sorry! Please!"
"Have a good day in the closet."
Then the bullies locked him there and left him alone. And Shinichi's pleading cries reached their deaf ears.
"Please! Open the door! Don't leave me here!"
"Please! Someone.. Anyone!"
"Please.. Don't leave me here alone..."
"Please... Let me out... I'm scared.."
Crying and sobbing loudly, Shinichi's voice grew weaker and weaker. The lack of oxygen started to get him good. His conscience started to fade out, even though he had just been locked for half an hour.
Okaa-chan, Otou-chan... Kai-chan...
X X X
Yawning.
"Hoamm," Kaito just starting to wake up from his slumber. "Whoaaa! I fell asleep in the middle of hide-and-seek with Shin-chan!," Kaito hide in the top of the tree, waiting for Shinichi to find him. Apparently, Kaito was too good in hiding... Kaito have been waiting in his hiding spot for a... a friggin' four hours since they started the game!
Where is Shin-chan? Did he still searching for me?
Jumping down from the top of the tree, Kaito started to take a stroll on the park, looking for the cute little Shin-chan.
After a good five round of searching the Beika park, Kaito started to think that maybe Shinichi had gone home first without him. The sky was already dark, and he didn't want to worry the Kūdo couple by coming home late in the first day of his stay. Shrugging, Kaito started to make his way to Kūdo mansion.
"Tadaimaa, Oba-san, Oji-san! Is Shin-chan home?," Kaito put out his shoes and walked straight to the living room.
"Okaerii, Kai-chan! Shin-chan? I thought you played together with him?," Yukiko answered while making tea.
"Wait– then he hasn't home yet?!" Kaito felt a bad feeling in his stomach when Yukiko shook her head. "Let me search for him again! Yukiko-basan, dun worry, I'll bring Shin-chan home!" Kaito rushed to the front door before Yukiko even answered.
"Shin-chan! Shin-chann! Where are you?" Kaito once again found himself in the Beika park. The park was deserted and quite as the full moon above had already surfaced from its slumber.
"Shin-chan! Answer me! Shin-chan!" Kaito runs around the park for nth times. Slumping on the bench, Kaito wipes his sweat, and a worried frown shown clearly on his face. Shin-chan, where are you?
"E..ex..cuse me..?"
Kaito turned his head so fast, thinking it was Shinichi. Looking disappointed, he said, "What?"
The boy, named Mitsuhiko, nervously said, "A-are you the one with Shinichi-kun that comes to the park this evening?"
"Yes yes, oh yes it's me! Do you know where is he?" Kaito's eyes glimmed with hope of finding Shinichi.
"W-well.. He.. he was dragged by t-the bullies.. I tr-tried to find you for two hours.."
"He what?!"
The next moment, they heard a laughter. Who's there? Turning his head to the source of the voices, they seem didn't notice Kaito's presence.
"I-i-it's th-em! They are th-the one dragging Shinichi-kun." Mitsuhiko gulped and stepped backward in reflex. Hearing that, Kaito felt enraged and he walked towards the three bullies.
"Do you think he's still there? It has been already two hours since we've locked him there."
"Of course, how could he comes out from the janitor closet?"
"Right, he definitely still crying inside the janitor closet."
"That freak detective geek deserves that! Who does he think he is? The oh-so smart and genius Shinichi Kudō?"
Kaito felt all his blood boiling. Clenching his fist, his hands shook of his anger. Kaito is not afraid of the bigger children! He refuses to lose from a coward like them! Kaito walks approaching them.
Poof!
He glued their feet to the ground with his especially strong glue made by himself. Truthfully, he had prepared the strong glue to glue his mommy and daddy, so they wouldn't leave Kaito alone and put him in who-knows house for days!
Surprise by the sudden action, they turns their body to meet the seven years old boy glaring furiously at them.
"What the–"
"What is this thing! I can't move my feet!"
"Who are you! What did you do?"
Feels his anger grows more, Kaito shouted, "What. have. you. done. to. Shinichi."
"It's glued! Oi, weird kid! What are you doing!"
"Let us go, or else!"
Snickering dangerously full of anger, Kaito replies, "Or else what? Answer my question. Where. Is. Shinichi."
"Oh that freak?"
"Who cares about him?" They laughed again. Hard. Laughing likes it was the funniest thing in the world. "Oh come on. You're definitely agree with us, aren't you? He's a total freak! Always says unknown words, only stays at home, doesn't go outside and play, he isn't normal!"
"Yeah! And he acts so knowingly like he's the mightiest of all. Trying to proof that he's a genius and all, I suppose. Arrogant kid."
Clenching his fists, Kaito likes he want to punch them. But his father always taught him to never use violence if there was any other way. Unclenching his fist and suppressing his anger, he asked them with his voice surprisingly dropped several octaves lower, "Did I ask your opinion? No."
Poof.
They were now coated by liquids that smelled funny in which Kaito initially mixed to pull a prank for his new friend, if the new friend in question was boring and stuffy as hell. Well, that was change the moment Kaito laid his eyes on the sweet boy, Shinichi.
"Answer me!"
Gulping at the kid's treat, they started to shudder and answer, "W-we lock him–"
Kaito growled and glared, "WHERE?!"
"i-i-in-side the janitor closet.. A-at the nearby public r-r-re-restroom."
Hearing their answer, Kaito immediately ran leaving the stupid bullies with their feet glued to the ground, searching frantically for the nearest public restroom.
It has been.. what... two hours? Shin-chan, I'm going there now!
X X X
In a hurry, Kaito finally found the stupid public restroom. He bent and put his hand on the top of his knees, while panting hard. A soft voice with small sobbing perked his ear,
"Don't leave me here alone... Please.. I'm scared..."
Turning his head so fast, Kaito's ears searched for the source of the small voice. And he ran toward the stupid janitor closet. "Shin-chan! Shin-chan! Are you there?" Banging the janitor closet, Kaito was relieved to finally find Shinchi.
"Please open the door... I'm sorry... I won't go out anymore... Please, it's scary here..." Shinichi's weak voice clenches Kaito's heart. Regretting why did he fall asleep, why did he think Shinichi has gone home without him, and why did he even force Shinichi to play outside with him in the first place...
"Shin-chan! I'm here! Wait, I'll try to open the door!" Kaito tried to open the door to no avail as it was locked with an old rusty lock. He had tried to pull the lock with all his might, but even though the lock was old and rusty, a six years old kid still couldn't break it. Thinking fast and hard, Kaito then lock around to find a pins under a bench. Kaito started go pick the lock using the pin. Sweating here and there, he thought back to his dad, how he could opened a lock so fast and as easy as breathing. The first time he saw his father picked a lock, it was when his dad had come home late from his magic show, completely forgetting their anniversary. His mom was angry and locked their bedroom letting his father sleep outside on the hard couch. His mom even took the extra measure to lock the refrigerator, making sure his dad wouldn't get any food that night. Kaito accidentally woke up in the middle of the night, because he wanted to go to the toilet. And that was when he saw his dad. Opening a refrigerator with a breeze, taking out a water and some chips and casually entered their bedroom. Blinking his eyes, Kaito rubbed his eyes with his pajamas. Shrugging his shoulder and he go back to sleep.
Oh how he wished to go back to that time and take a very careful look at what his dad done to open the door. He may be a magician that master a few magic tricks that a normal kid wouldn't even know how to. He may be a magician prodigy. But, he's not used to pick a lock. Even a prodigy like him, he's still a six years old kid. Ten minutes has passed, and only Shinichi's shallow breaths, sobbing, and his rambling of "Please, I'm sorry, and I'm scared" fill the silencing eerie air. And Shinichi's continuous rambling worries Kaito. Not even once Shinichi answered Kaito. He only repeated the same sentence again and again like a broken record. Another ten minutes of frustration, Kaito finally succeeded in his attempt of picking the janitor closet door. A breath of relief escapes Kaito's mouth.
Creak.
"Shin-chan!" Opening the janitor closet door, Kaito could finally see Shinichi. His blood boils once again seeing Shinichi's ragged body. His knees scraped, his hand has cut here and there. Trembling and shaking, Shinichi curls into a ball trying to push himself further into the closet. "N-n-noo... Please, I'm sorry... Don't hurt me..."
The sight truly broke Kaito's heart. "Shin-cha—" Kaito tried to pull Shinichi out of the closet, when Shinichi jerked up and whispers with a soft voice, "Let me out... Please... I'm scared..."
"Shin-chan... Please, look at me... It's me, Kai-chan," Kaito pleaded and held both of Shinichi's shaking shoulder. With a dull and puffy eyes, Shinichi slowly turned his face to face Kaito's violet indigo eyes.
"... Kai... chan...?"
Kaito's eyes lit up and a wave of relief washed his heart. "Yes, Shin-chan, it's Kai-chan," Kaito smiled and gripped Shinichi's shoulders in a comforting manner to provide assurance. Shinichi replied softly with his puffy eyes, "Kai-chan... won't leave Shin-chan here alone... right?"
"Of course! Kai-chan will never leave Shin-chan alone!" Proudly, Kaito tapped his chest with his fist.
"Promise?" Shinichi pulled out his tiny pinky finger to make a pinky promise.
"Promise." Replying with his pinky finger, Kaito hugged Shinichi's small frame and caressed his back. "I will never leave you alone, Shin-chan. Now, let's go home."
Shinichi gave a small hum and smiled. Not a moment after, he fell asleep in the warmth of Kaito's hug. Kaito then carried the sleeping Shinichi home piggyback style.
.
.
.
And that's how Kaito's first summer holiday spent in Kūdo mansion.
Author's Note: Thank you again for reading until the end!
Please, wait for the next chapter! I can't write daily, but I'll try to finish as soon as I can! ^^