A/N: Hurrah, an early update! I'll be occupied starting Easter till late May so I thought it'll be better to have this put up before I forget.

I should mention that the coming two chapters are based on Episode 15 of the Magic Kaito 1412 anime. Likewise, the earlier two chapters are based on Episode 7 of the same anime.

Comments and criticisms highly welcomed. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 3: The Princess and the Thief (Part 1)

"Good morning, everyone. Before we take attendance, I'll to introduce you two new students that would be joining our class."

"Transfer students, now? In the middle of the term?"

"Yes, one of them had been hospitalized until recently. Some of you may remember them. They were your classmates during your first year."

There was hush whispers the students spoke excitedly among themselves, trying to guess the identities of the new students.

"Come in, you two."

The door slid open, revealing a wheelchair-bound girl with vermillion hair and rose-coloured eyes. Behind her, an indigo-haired girl with turquoise-coloured eyes pushed the wheelchair towards the front of the room, before moving towards the blackboard and writing down their names on it.

A few students gasped as they recognized the pair.

"Hello everyone. My name is Yuuki Anju. This my friend is Toudou Erena. Please treat us kindly."

"Welcome back, Anju-chan!"

Honoka cried out enthusiastically as soon as the teacher stepped out the classroom for recess. She tackled the other girl into a hug, straddling her lap.

Their classmates laughed, clearly used the ginger-haired girl antics by now. They were more surprised she was able to wait that long before glomping their newest classmate.

Anju took it in stride, returning the girl's hug with a pat on the back. "I missed you too, Honoka-chan. I'm sorry you weren't allowed to visit. My family has always been protective of me. Like this one is."

Honoka raised her head and turned towards where Anju had gestured, only to be met with glaring turquoise eyes. She gulped, slowly climbing off Anju as if she was afraid she would provoke the other girl with quick movements.

"H-hi, Erena-chan."

Honoka had forgotten Erena was quite protective about her childhood. It's been a while since she had been on the receiving end of that glare. There was only one person who could rival that glare.

"Umi-chan! Save me!"

She ducked behind the cobalt-haired girl's back, hiding herself so the glare couldn't reach her, much to the surprise of the other girl.

"H-hey!"

Kotori giggled as Umi protested, trying to shake the other girl off her back. She should really stop Honoka before she gets herself in more trouble with Umi. The cobalt-haired girl was still a bit touchy Kaitou-san cosplay incident. Honoka certainly didn't help by spreading the photos she took around the school. A bunch of students ended up following the cobalt-haired girl around the school for days, begging that Umi dress up for them as well. It took many glares and resounding 'No!'s before they backed off, much to Umi's chagrin.

To that end, Kotori did count herself fortunate that she only had to abstain from cheesecakes for a month. If Umi had known this would happen, she would have made her abstain for a year, or even more, and Kotori definitely wouldn't have been able to survive that.

"Hello, I don't think we've met." Anju interrupted, diplomatically.

"Sonoda Umi. I transferred in the start of the second year."

"That explains it. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Thank you. Likewise."

"So, what have all of you been up to lately?"

Umi let out an audible groan, which was accompanied by a facepalm. Kotori patted the other girl's shoulder in a comforting manner. They both knew what would happen next. A question like that was an opening for only one topic.

"Have you heard of Kaitou-san?" Honoka asked, peeking over Umi's shoulder with stars in her eyes.

The ginger-haired girl gasped as she saw Anju shook her head. "Who is he?"

"He is only the most dashing, spectacular gentlemen thief ever!"

"Not sure how gentlemanly he can be if he steals." Umi deadpanned.

"Oh, hush you." Honoka retorted, before continuing. "And I think I know where he'll be striking next!"

With a finesse most could not believe she possessed, Honoka whipped out her phone, selected a video and played it within mere seconds. The four of them huddled together, squinting at the screen from Honoka's outstretched hand.

"Welcome to Japan, Princess Nozomi." An off-screen reporter began. "I hear you've brought prized paintings and jewels with you from Norwegia."

"Yes, I look forward to showing them to you all." The princess smiled, politely. "This includes Kaitou-san, naturally."

Surprised murmurs and flashing of cameras were heard at the provoking statement.

"Are you not worried about Kaitou-san?"

"I have the utmost confidence that the Japanese police force, together with our own detectives, will be able to protect our country's prized possessions from any ill intent."

Th screen cut towards Detective Minami who was conversing quietly with a tall blonde dressed in a white suit. They stopped when they noticed the cameras on them.

"I put the safety of our country's most prized possessions in your hands, Detective Minami, Detective Ayase."

Detective Minami smiled uncomfortably at the camera, nodding her head in thanks. The other detective didn't crack a smile, instead choosing to bow in a near-militaristic fashion.

The screen cut to black as the video ended.

"You think he's going to steal something from the collection brought in by the princess?" Umi asked, dubiously.

"Not just something. This!" Honoka scrolled the video back a few seconds, showing a shot of the princess, her finger pointing towards the princess' neck region.

"Her necklace? Why that?"

"Because it'll make for the most daring heist!" Honoka flicked through her phone, bringing up a close-up image of the necklace with a violet gem adorned on the center. "It's said that the necklace never leaves the princess' side, making it untouchable. What better thing would there be for Kaitou-san to steal than something deemed the impossible?"

"Did your mother get a notice?" Umi asked, directing her question at the taupe-haired girl.

"I don't think so. Mother hasn't mentioned anything of the sort, but I won't be surprised if she receives one soon."

"A notice?" Erena interrupted.

"Kaitou-san always sends a notice to the police of the time, place and object he is going to steal in advance. " Kotori explained to the two returning classmates with a shrug of her shoulders. "It's his MO."

"I'm not sure how good of a thief this Kaitou-san can be if the police are already aware of what he will steal." Anju remarked.

"That's why he's a gentleman thief. He tells the police what he would steal in advance. It's how he's able to outsmart his opponents despite all the obstacles that made him this popular!" Honoka swooned. "I can't wait to see what magic tricks he'll use this time."

"Magic?" Anju's voice raised in surprise.

"Yes! He's the best magician in Japan! Each heist is like it's very own unique performance-"

"Oujo-sama, please excuse me while I refresh myself."

At the nod of Anju's head, Erena left, walking stiffly to the washroom. Kotori looked after her in concern.

"Is she alright?"

"D-did I say something wrong?" Honoka cowered behind Umi again, as if expecting Erena to return and glare at her.

"No, you didn't, Honoka-chan. Relax."

"I noticed she tensed up immediately upon the word magic." Umi interjected. "Does she hate it?"

"On the contrary, Erena-chan loves magic." Anju's smile became pained. "That's why it hurts her so much to see it being used for such a malicious purpose."

"Goodbye, everyone."

"Bye bye, Anju-chan!"

"See you tomorrow!"

Honoka, Umi and Kotori waved as the white limousine took Anju and Erena away from the front gate of their school. When the car went out of sight, they began making their way home.

"I'm glad to know Anju-chan hasn't changed too much, even after the accident." Honoka began. "Erena-chan, on the other hand, she's really odd. She barely spoke with any of us. And the Oujo-sama thing! Isn't she playing up the master and servant dynamic a little too much? I half-expect Erena-chan to show up in a butler uniform tomorrow morning!"

"I thought Anju was heiress of the Yuuki Corporation. More so now that both her parents have passed away. Isn't it expected to have someone by her side for protection?" Umi questioned.

"Uh-huh." Kotori agreed, "The Toudou family have been servants and protectors to the Yuuki family for generations, with the most current pair being Erena-chan and Anju-chan. Per tradition, Erena-chan would have to call Anju-chan Oujo-sama."

"But Erena-chan didn't do so before." Honoka said. "She would call her Anju-chan like the rest of us."

"I remember." Kotori placed a finger against her chin. "I wonder what changed between them."

"Ah, crap! It's nearly four." Honoka swore, looking at the clock on her phone. "I promised my ma I'd be back by then to help out around the shop. She'd have my hide for sure if I'm late again! See ya tomorrow!" She ran off, waving behind her.

"I'd wish she'd be that considerate about being on time she asks us to hang out." Umi muttered under her breath as they watch the girl run off, nearly tripping over her feet once or twice in her haste.

"Don't be like that, Umi-chan." Kotori soothed. "You never know, she could change and be on time the next time we decide to go out."

The unamused look on the cobalt-haired girl's face spoke volumes. Heck, even Kotori herself didn't believe in the words that came out of her mouth. Time to change the topic.

"Speaking of change..." Kotori began. "What was that today?"

"What was what?"

"You know what I'm talking about." Kotori teased. "You'd usually just go read a book whenever Honoka-chan begins talking about Kaitou-san, but you didn't do that today. In fact, you actually seem quite invested in the conversation. Don't tell me... Honoka-chan finally brought you over to the dark side?"

"Of course not!" Umi protested loudly, offended at the mere notion. "I just didn't want to be rude to Anju and Erena. There's no point in being unfriendly to them on their first day."

"So, it's okay to be rude when it's just me? Umi-chan, I'm hurt you think that." Kotori sniffled for added effect.

"N-no! Absolutely not!" Umi cried out, flustered at the sudden turn of events. "I treasure our friendship very much. Please don't cry, Kotori. I'd do anything to make it up to you."

"Really? Anything?"

"Anything."

"Then... onegai, Umi-chan, my punishment?" Kotori asked, batting her eyelashes.

Umi gulped. She should have realized that this was all some sort of ploy. Nothing could get between Kotori and her love for cheesecakes. It was a wonder she didn't give in to Kotori's plea to shorten the punishment before. A part of her wants to try resisting again, but she doesn't believe her heart would be able to take that look on Kotori's face any longer. Besides, she gave the taupe-haired girl her word. It was the honorable thing to do, even if she knew she would regret it.

"Alright." Umi sighed. "You can have your cheesecake."

"Thank you, Umi-chan!" Kotori wrapped her arms around Umi in a hug and gave her quick peck on the cheek. "I'm going to get one now! I heard the new flavour is amazing!"

Umi had a dopey smile on her face as the other girl left, a hand coming up to cup the cheek that Kotori kissed, before she came to her senses. She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the feeling as she berated herself. It was not time to be acting like a lovesick fool. She still had a lot of things to prepare before she could turn in for the night.

"What do you think of him, Erena-chan?" Anju asked, as she looked out the window, the scenery before her changing quickly as the limousine drove by.

"Who do you mean, Oujo-sama?"

"Anju." She reminded the other girl, but moved on after a pause in the conversation, realizing Erena wasn't going to correct herself. She'll try again. "Kaitou-san, of course. Was there anyone else Honoka-chan gave us such an in-depth introduction of?"

"It doesn't matter what I think, Oujo-sama." Erena waved a hand dismissively. "

Anju sighed. Talking to Erena lately was like talking to a brick wall: one-sided and short-lived. She didn't need another servant; God knows she already has more than enough as the heiress of the Yuuki Corporation. The vermillion-haired girl initially entertained the notion because of Erena's insistence on formalities. She knew her friend felt guilty about the accident, and needed to find a way to make up for it. So, she let her.

That wasn't to say her decision was made without ulterior motive. Being served by the one she loved has certain... benefits. It definitely put them in situations which would otherwise have been impossible for a stick-in-the-mud like Erena. Still, the time for amusement has long gone, now only in fleeting moments few and far between. Anju wanted her friend back, and she will not rest until she has succeeded.

Which brings her back to Kaitou-san, the magician thief whom Honoka so overtly adored. Perhaps there is a way for her to turn the situation to her favour.

"Isn't that right, Princess Nozomi of Norwegia?"

"Are you sure this would work, Ayase-san?" Detective Minami asked, a frown on her face as she peered over the schematics spread out over her desk. "Isn't this too simple?"

The smile the other detective gave her was relaxed and confident. "Sometimes the simplest plan is what works the best." She answered as she popped a breath mint in her mouth.

"Still, this only works if Kaitou-san does come. The event is scheduled for tomorrow, but we haven't received a notice!"

"He'll come. This is too big of fish for him not to try and catch. His reputation is at stake." The blonde pulled out her phone.

Detective Minami frowned, knowing what the other girl was implying. "I'm not sure how some discussion in internet forums would affect his repu–"

"D-Detective Minami!" An officer came running up to them with a hand outstretched in front of him, holding a card, while the other was on his knee as he tried to catch his breath. "W-we got it! A notice from Kaitou-san!"

Detective Minami took the card out of the officer's shaking hands. Her face filled with astonishment as she looked at her partner.

Eri gave a self-satisfied shrug. "The last thing a performer needs is a disgruntled audience."

To Detective Minami and Detective Ayase,

I humbly accept your invitation to see the collection from Norwegia. Please inform Princess Nozomi I highly look forward to making her acquaintance tomorrow evening, along with her most treasured necklace.

With kind regards,

Kaitou-san