Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan.

Finally started my first fanfic! Please read and review.

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Chapter 1: Worry

"What's up with him?" Kaito stifled a yawn and pointed to the inspector with a thumb.

Ginzo Nakamouri was frustrated over something that he had been fretting over for the past 20 years.

"Something to do with Kaitou KID, I guess." Aoko sighed. "You know how my dad is obsessed with catching him."

"In his case, obsessed seems too mild a word." Kaito commented with a slight grin.

Nakamouri was peering over stacks and stacks of newspapers. They were of varying dates, the oldest one dating back to more than twenty years ago and the most recent one just yesterday. All had one thing in common. They were about KID.

Peering at the news articles as though he could rip KID's identity from them, Nakamouri frowned thoughtfully. KID was becoming more active lately, even having two different heists two nights in a row. He had no idea why but he didn't care either as long as it gave him an opportunity to catch that troublesome thief.

Damn you, KID. One day, I'm going to wipe away that insufferable grin of yours.

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"Kaito?"

When he didn't respond, Aoko gave an exasperated sigh and rummaged through her pencil case. Finally finding her ruler, she stretched her hand and poked his shoulder with every word. "Oi! What's. Wrong. With. You?"

He barely moved.

Her eyebrows furrowed in a mixture of irritation and worry for her childhood friend. Giving up all attempts of going unnoticed by her teacher, she opened her mouth to call him in something between a scream and a whisper.

"Kaito!"

Said person's head shot up, his eyes blinking in confusion. Catching her eye, he ruffled his unkempt hair and grinned at her stupidly.

"Sorry."

She sneaked a glance left, and stared at him. Usually, he was making a racket in class and causing chaos everywhere. Today, however, he was silent, occasionally paying attention but most of the time, sleeping through classes. She found the change in him disturbing.

What was wrong with him? His hand was lifted up to hide a yawn and he looked absolutely terrible. His dark eye bags did not escape her notice. Seeing her stare, he gave her a small smile. "Worried?"

Her cheeks flushed crimson. Apparently, he hadn't changed much. Casting a quick glance at the teacher, she scream-whispered at him. "As if!"

He noticed her genuine concern though and gave her an apologetic look. "Didn't get enough sleep yesterday."

Yesterday? He looks as though he hasn't had decent sleep for weeks.

"Idiot." She turned to glare at him but his eyes were already closing. She sighed and looked at the teacher scribbling equations on the board. She could not seem to concentrate though.