"Conan, aren't you a big hero now? You managed to return the Black Star," Inspector Megure said, eyes alit in mock wonder, "I saw it on the news the other day!" It was after another routine case solved by the famous Sleeping Kogorou and Inspector Megure seemed to deem it alright to initiate a conversation with the bespectacled boy whilst poor Takagi had to wrap the case up by doing the menial work.

"Ehehe, it was just a coincidence that I was there..." The boy in question replied the kindly man sheepishly, with an elaborate gesture of rubbing the back of his neck.

Right after the painfully slow small talk with Inspector Megure ended, Conan went to the emptier side of the crime scene and took up his usual thinking position with his fingers resting on his chin. His mind whirling. Phantom thief. Magic. Codes. Top hat and cape.

He couldn't believe that he hadn't made the connection until the heist was over!

Sure it was a long time ago, but that thief at the clock tower a few years back had made quite an impression. Conan's brows furrowed. He felt absolutely obtuse that he didn't recognise that smug mug of the stupid thief earlier. It actually took the presence Inspector Megure, who was with him at the clock tower, to jog his memory.

So he was called Kaitou KID? How amusing. He was played a fool by the very thief whose name was coined by his own father. Twice. Apparently Dad has dealt with Kaitou KID quite a few times, looking at the extensive data gathered on the thief from his crime files.

But that wouldn't make much sense. The thief he saw at the heist seemed younger than 20, which would be impossible given that Kaitou KID's heist activities can be tracked back at least 7 years ago. He couldn't have been thieving since he was barely 10, now could he?

Either he's not the age he appears to be or he isn't the same thief that conducted the first few heists. From what Conan has seen of the Black Organisation and his own mummy dearest (feel the sarcasm), disguising your age under the shadow of a top hat seems laughably easy to do.

However, it's too early to draw any conclusions. Succession, or even a copy-cat could be equally possible as well.

He'd have to attend more heists to gather more data on the thief since Dad's information wasn't anything conclusive. Of course, Conan would bet his first edition copy of 'The Sign Of Four' that his father probably knew much more than what was written down in his files, but there was no way he'll ask him. He couldn't bear to have to see his Dad's condescending smirk (despite being known to wear the exact same smirk frequently himself whilst he solved mysteries and puzzles).

"—onan! Conan!"

Conan looked up and saw Ran's irate face glaring down at him.

"What are you thinking so hard about? How many times do you think I've called your name?" Ran lectured her charge exasperatedly.

Conan bowed his head, appearing apologetic for ignoring Ran. Though the gesture actually meant nothing close to remorse. Since the whole Black Star fiasco, he hasn't been able to look at Ran's face straight without feeling a myriad of confusing emotions.

The most straightforward and obvious one would be embarrassment. Both for imagining Ran in a compromising position and also being gullible enough to get tricked into running to cover her up.

Then there would be the irritation and frustration at not being able to catch the dumb thief. He hadn't been closer at catching the elusive bandit as Kudo Shinichi than he had when he was Conan. The thief had managed to get away at the last second both times somehow so he couldn't claim that his incompetence was due to his current size or anything. Yet he still couldn't help but keep think of every moment of the heist where his former stature would have given him a better edge over the pompous thief.

The surprising and confusing part was that this issue annoyed him to such an extent. Conan has been in this state long enough that he had accepted that being a kid and a grown-up each has its own advantages and inconveniences. Or so he thought he had. Apparently, dealing with this particular person has made the more childish and competitive side surface. The feeling was comparable to a good discussion about his idol, the one and only Sherlock Holmes. Kaitou KID should be honoured to be placed in the same class as Holmes, really.

The thought made Conan crack a wry smile, before he ran after Ran, who has left him behind as she couldn't seem to get through to him and didn't want to continue to try.

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