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Chapter 2
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The whole class is plain terrified. The atmosphere is stifling and thick, everyone is on guard.
Even the teacher would sometimes falter in her discussions, whole body tense and ready to bolt at the slightest sign of anything unusual. Some students looked like they want to glance at a certain person sitting near the window, but changed their minds at the last second. Nobody wants to be the victim after all.
The only one brave enough is Aoko who kept glancing at her extremely silent best friend, knowing that she's the only one in here who actually felt worried for him. Hakuba just looks wary and suspicious, while Akako doesn't even bother looking at all. Kaito is just staring at the view outside, face cold and neutral.
Aoko realized she doesn't like seeing that face on him.
"Ne... Kaito?"
She could practically feel the whole classroom tense up.
She watched as Kaito absently mumbled in reply, though his cold eyes never left the window.
She tried again, "Kaito... are you... are you alright?"
To her confusion, Kaito's eyes suddenly flashed with amusement against the glass, and she distinctly heard him mutter something about 'like father like daughter' or something along those lines, before finally turning to look at her. "Gomen Aoko, just thinking."
Again, the class tensed. A thinking Kaito is a scheming Kaito, and everyone knows just how bad a scheming Kaito can be. Unfortunately, Kaito didn't miss the action. He suddenly grinned at them all mischievously, his previous blank expression falling away like water, "Awww~ I didn't know you guys actually missed being pranked! Why didn't you just say so?"
In five seconds flat, all the chairs suddenly teleported several feet away from Kaito's own, leaving Aoko, Hakuba, and Akako the only ones in their original places. Kagami instantly frowned in confusion; Aoko and Akako, she can understand. Those two can and will totally kill her if they really tried. The latter more likely than the former, so they can stay. But Hakuba?
'Kaito's' grin suddenly widened and his eyes shot towards the half-British detective (who suddenly tensed) in amusement, "You seem to be getting a bit too slow on joining our classmates huddling over there, Hakuba-ojiichan~" A snap of his fingers and smoke suddenly puffed up around Hakuba's head, causing him to scramble to his feet in shock. Too late, his hair is now dyed bright white with streaks of grey, making him look like an old man. Kaito nodded in satisfaction. "Now you look the part."
Hakuba glared at him, "Any reason I'm the only one with dyed hair?"
Wrong thing to say. Kaito's grin suddenly turned shark-like, causing even Aoko to back away warily. "Remember folks, it was Hakuba who suggested this. I'm only fulfilling his heartfelt wish." And then he was up and smoke started coming out everywhere, completely filling the room with pink smoke. There was a mad scramble as everyone bumped into each other and lost their balance, until the smoke finally cleared and the class was left looking like the elderly, complete with white hair and house dresses. Cries of disbelief echoed throughout the room.
In the resulting chaos, only three people noticed Kaito's disappearance. Two left to chase after him, both with entirely different reasons, while the third just watched all this neutrally, oddly the only one not affected by the teen magician's latest prank.
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~oOo~
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The moment she was far enough away from the chaos did Kagami's grinning mask suddenly falter and fall away, leaving a dark shadow on her face. She frowned angrily at the thought that she actually brooded in class like a depressed little girl and was caught off guard by Aoko, of all people. She has always been aware of her surroundings ever since suspicious British bastard and sensitive Red Witch became her classmates (there's no telling what she might say or what might happen if ever she was talked to while off guard), though now Hakuba's probably even more suspicious, so there goes her efforts. Good thing he provided her an excuse for an escape attempt. Though the annoying thing is, she never brooded in front of people because the last time that happened was because of the accident, and only Aoko has ever seen her like that.
God, she's probably worrying herself sick right now...
Kagami ran a hand through her short spiky hair, suddenly feeling incredibly guilty. She has known Aoko for a long time, first meeting her several months after the accident. Kagami had been a pretty moody and depressed kid then, absolutely nothing like who she is now. Who wouldn't if someone they're so close to they're practically joined at the hip suddenly died and left them all alone?
And then that faithful meeting at the clock tower happened.
She can still remember that day clearly. Aoko had been waiting for her father there because of a promised trip. Kagami can still remember her sad face then when she realized that her father is incredibly late, and that was the moment Kagami realized that she never wanted to see that kind of expression on that girl's face again.
And so she did a magic trick for the first time in months since the accident and, for the first time ever, introduced herself as 'Kuroba Kaito'.
And since that day, they've been practically inseparable. Aoko had been like the sister she never had, and Kagami wished Kaito could've met this kind and amazing girl. Wouldn't that have been wonderful?
Kagami absolutely regrets lying to Aoko every day. Responding to the name 'Kaito' is like a stab in the heart, and even if Kagami wanted to confess everything to her, she just can't. The lies have piled up too much there's really no going back. And then Kaitou KID was added to the mix, which made confessing practically impossible. But she tries to make up for it by always bringing a smile to her best friend's face, whether through magic tricks or their usual mad chases. A small thing, but if she didn't do it, what then?
To see kind and sweet Aoko worrying for a lying, double-faced, scumbag like her hurt, because Kagami knew she didn't deserve it after everything she did. Though she still thinks she has a good reason to brood earlier, but she can't exactly tell Aoko about that.
And worse, it feels like she had forgotten something. Something very important. Something that she knew if she missed she'll regret badly.
Not the prophecy, that's still too fresh in her mind not to forget. No, this feels like something else, though the prophecy is still the main reason for her bad mood. Speaking of that, Kagami can't believe that she still can't figure it out. Which is unbelievable, because she has obviously become quite an expert in regards to the riddle department. But Akako said this prophecy is horrendously easy, so if she can do it, then Kagami can bloody well decipher it too!
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The purple rain will weep and whimper,
the green wind shall scream and groan;
the red moon might get lost,
when the blue sun disappears to roam.
The white rose will fall through darkness,
when the Lady abandons thee.
Twilight is coming, be prepared,
The crows shall rejoice in victory.
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The only thing that she managed to piece together are the last four lines. The white rose is obviously herself. Akako even said so earlier. And even without that hint, it's still obvious. White has something to do with KID for obvious reasons only a blind man can't understand, while rose probably has something to do with her being 'Kaito' because, if she thought about this literally, 'Kaito' has always given more roses to other people both as her civilian identity and her KID counterpart, so 'white rose' could only mean her. Though the 'falling through darkness' part worries her a little.
'The Lady abandons thee' is a bit tricky. Unless Akako's talking literally or figuratively, 'Lady' could mean anything. If it's a real person, then Kagami has many ladies in her life, including herself. There's Aoko, her mother, Akako, her female classmates and KID fans, and a whole lot more. Can the prophecy mean one of them will soon abandon her?
But if, and only if, they're talking figuratively, then Kagami has one more important lady in her life, whom she almost bets is the real one indicated in the prophecy:
Lady Luck.
Kagami was sorely tempted to put her fingers on her chin in a standard 'tantei thinking' pose like what detectives does but resisted the urge. 'The white rose will fall through darkness, when the Lady abandons thee.' So if the Lady is Lady Luck, whom she believes has always provided her with luck her whole life, then those sentences would basically mean that Kagami will be in for a HUGE amount of crap the moment Lady Luck finally abandons her to the wolves. Or in this case, the crows.
And then the second to the last line: 'Twilight is coming, be prepared.' She doesn't know whether or not to think of the 'twilight' line as literal or figurative. On one hand, it could mean 'be prepared the moment the sun goes below the horizon' or it could even be 'be prepared when everything goes downhill' since the prophecy seem hellbent on making her life miserable anyway.
She tried not to think about that damning last line. It's not going to happen yet. After all, it will only happen the moment Kagami's luck abandons her and she loses. At least, she assumes that's what it means.
As she said, she's confused and frightened as heck and would absolutely love nothing more than to kick Akako and the damn prophecy straight back to Lucifer for predicting the future for her again. (She's still a bit sore after the Pink Sapphire Heist. She wants to make her own paths to the future, thank you very much.)
Rapid footsteps suddenly alerted Kagami to the fact that someone is coming towards her direction. She tensed as she prepared herself to run and disappear (she's absolutely not in the mood to socialize) when—
"KAITOOOO!"
Kagami instantly flinched at the unexpected but familiar call, her masks automatically slamming down in place to form a perfect picture of mild annoyance. She then stopped, allowing the still dyed white and wearing elderly clothes Aoko to catch up with her. At the same time, she started to become aware of where exactly her feet led her that Aoko found her so easily...
Of cooourse.
The rooftop. Why is it always the rooftop?!
"Kaito, wait!"
"What now Ahoko?" She said, adding a bit of exasperation in her tone. In truth, she wasn't really angry, this is just a way to get Aoko to leave her to her thoughts. Though she could just escape anytime...
"Don't even think about running off again." Aoko's eyes blazed with fire and Kagami immediately gulped nervously.
Yeaahh... maybe she'll hear her out first.
"Okay, I'm not leaving. So what's wrong?"
To her surprise, Aoko suddenly backed down, her gaze turning from angry to concerned and hesitant. "Kaito... I just want to know if something... if there's something wrong...?"
Kagami slowly raised an eyebrow, wondering where this came from. "Wrong... like what?"
"Like... like.. oh I don't know!" Aoko suddenly looked aggravated and uneasy. Whatever this is, it sounds like it's been eating at her since earlier. "It's just... you look.. your face looked scary a while ago."
I... what!? "My face looks scary? You wound me Aoko!" She clutched at her heart exaggeratedly. "If anything, it's your angry face who looks scary!" She then grinned playfully, "Shall we conduct a survey? I'm pretty sure everyone will agree with me."
Aoko's eyelid twitched in annoyance but she remained still. Kagami instantly became confused, her best friend is usually raging at her with her mop the very moment she annoys her, so what's happening? "I'm trying to be sensitive here, baka! The least you could do is stop joking for a moment!"
Wait, this is serious. "What's going on Aoko?" Kagami said warily, this is clearly not the time for jokes. "Did something happen?"
To her surprise, Aoko stared at her like she suddenly revealed that she is the Kaitou KID all along and that she's a girl all in one go. "Kaito... are you sure you're alright?" She asked, her tone full of concern now.
"Of course I am. It's you I'm worried about." Kagami also gazed at her with worry, all the while trying to remember what she missed. Maybe this is related to what she was trying to remember earlier; the important thing she can't seem to remember, and now even Aoko looks like she knows something she doesn't.
Aoko is still staring at him incredulously, "Kaito..." she said carefully, "It's tomorrow."
And just like that, her whole world and poker face shattered.
She barely managed to catch herself when she stumbled a bit, though Aoko was clearly prepared for this and was on her side in an instant. She gazed at her worriedly, "Kaito... don't tell me you forgot?"
"I-I.." Kagami was in shock. How could she have forgotten?! She never forgot it, not even once. How could she!?
And then she realized it. The goddamn prophecy really screwed with her head more than she thought.
"I..." Poker face, poker face! "I-I guess I'm just a bit distracted today..." They both knew it was a very weak excuse, but Kagami couldn't really care less when she just forgot that tomorrow is her twin brother's death anniversary.
She feels like utter crap from the lowest part of the earth.
But it seems like Aoko still couldn't let go of her suspicions. "If you forgot it was tomorrow, then why are you so broody earlier?"
Poker face, poker face! Finally, she felt her masks slide in place again, forming a picture of genuine shock and depression. "I-I... okay, I think I've just been too affected by last night's KID heist." She stated carefully, "The moment I heard that there was a gunman, and that Nakamori-keibu was almost shot, and that KID was shot... I guess I've just been too overwhelmed." She suddenly formed a determined expression, entirely without the help of her poker face. "I've made a mistake. My sister," My brother,"is more important than KID ever will be, and I'm disgusted that I forgot about tomorrow!"
Aoko didn't seem too convinced, but she thankfully let it go. "It's okay Kaito... you didn't forget it completely. Do you want me to come with you tomorrow or would you like to do it alone?"
Kagami glanced at her best friend, seeing the determined but understanding expression on her face. They both knew Aoko will understand whichever decision Kagami makes.
"I... I'm sorry Aoko..." The words aren't out of her mouth yet, but Aoko immediately smiled and nodded in understanding, "...but I think I should do it again alone."
"It's alright. I know how much she means to you. I'll come when you're done to pay my respects." To her surprise, Aoko suddenly hugged her, obviously intending to comfort. While Kagami more than appreciates the thought, (and has to admit that being comforted by someone and knowing that you're not going through this alone feels so good) she's still wary of what Aoko might feel while hugging her. Ever since Kagami had gone through puberty and she started to develop a more girlish figure, she began wearing foam underneath her clothes. Especially in case of incidents like this. After all, she can't very well let Aoko feel her chest when she's all dressed up as a man. That'll be so awkward.
She hugged Aoko briefly before letting go, making sure to still hold her by the shoulders so it doesn't feel like rejection. "Thank you Aoko." She said sincerely, unable to convey her emotions in just one word, but unwilling to say more in case she teared up. As it is, she can already feel her eyes burn.
Thankfully Aoko, as brilliant and kind as she is, more than understood. She nodded tearily before stepping away. She then glanced at her hesitantly, "D-Do you want me to stay here or do you want to be alone?"
Kagami let a genuine smile crack through her poker face at that, and she felt her chest burst with overwhelming fondness for this sweet and caring girl she just doesn't deserve.
"Please... stay."
Both didn't notice a figure silently slipping away from behind the rooftop door, brilliant mind whirling from the unexpected information he just overheard.
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Review replies:
MegamanLoverForever: Thank you very much! I see you're a KaiShin romance fan. I'm still waiting for more reviews to know if I should do romance or friendship so I'm still not sure. Please keep on reading and reviewing! :)
Locadi: Hey! I'm glad you found your way here. Yes, I wrote Clover Tales too. I mentioned it in the prologue and yeah... xD I'm happy I brought you into the genderbent fandom! Some stories are really good, while some are just meh. And I see you prefer a KaiShin friendship. I'm still waiting for more reviews to know if I should do romance or friendship so I'm still not sure. Rest assured if this became a romance it won't be explicit or mature oranything. I actually dislike fics like that sooo... Thanks for reviewing and I hope you continue to tell me your thoughts! I'll update Clover Tales soon, though my brain is still occupied with this fic so it may take a while. xD