Over the next month, Kaito had come to Aoko's house, and eaten the dinners that she made three more times. In those three times, she had yet to speak, or really acknowledge Kaito. She tried to ignore that anyone sat on the other side of her father at dinner, even though she could hear him when his father spoke to him, and sometimes when Saguru spoke to him.
When she first saw Kaito again, she swore that she was seeing things. There was no way that Kaito was here. She had given up hope, but had known in the back of her heart that he would someday return. As he sat there, eating, she couldn't help but stare, wanting to touch him, but afraid that if she reached out for him, he would disappear, back into her memories. When she heard him speak, Aoko seemed to be in a dream, or maybe even a nightmare. His voice, which used to be full of life, was now dull, and lifeless, with no emotion. His eyes had dulled, no longer the bright, blue eyes that she remembered, that she loved. That she could become trapped in while he talked about magic, or almost anything for that matter. The circles under those eyes made his face look hallow, and pale. His wild hair seemed a bit tamer and has lost its sheen and taken on a few grays. He was just older. She couldn't remember his father very much, but, even though Kuroba Toichi was older than Kaito is now when he died, he looked so much younger in the pictures that were left behind. She wanted to grab Kaito by the shoulders, shake him and demand that he tell her how he got this way. How he lost what had made him Kaito.
But, as he and his mother went to leave every time, she said nothing. As she stood behind Saguru as her father said his goodbyes, she watched as Kaito stared sadly at the floor as he buttoned up his jacket. Every time, he looked at her, mouth opening and closing slightly, as if he was going to say something, but then bowing slightly, eyes returning to the floor and taking his exit. It was then, once he had left, that Aoko felt the weight in her chest release.
Saguru didn't seem to be cooping any better. He had become more distant, sometimes being timid when it came to even holding her hand. He used to smile with his eyes at her. A smile that she felt that he had only ever given her, but now, his eyes said something else, something that she couldn't read. He always smiled at her sadly before taking her in his arms, kissing her forehead.
Aoko sighed, looking out a window from her room, down onto the street below. She watched as people walked, some couples walking arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand. Aoko's eyes became unfocused as she went off into a different world. Remembering how Kaito would practically drag her by the arm off to school when they were running late (usually because of him) and later, leading her by the hand away from her house in the middle of the night, knowing full well that her father knew they were 'sneaking' out.
She smiled at the memory when Kaito thought he was smooth enough to come in through her window, and on his way back down, he almost landing head first onto her father, who was screaming that Kaito has the sneaking skills of a year old boxer dog.
She smiled sadly, remembering the first time that Saguru came to the door with a bouquet of flowers. It was about a year after Kaito had disappeared and he was so bashful. "I thought that you might want some company for the evening." He smiled shyly.
They hadn't hit it off at first, but he was patient. They went on a few dates over the next couple of years, but nothing happened from it. It wasn't until Aoko sat down in front of a mirror and told, really told herself that Kaito was gone, and he might never be coming back. After a few weeks of telling herself this, she was finally able to go to Saguru's door, with flowers and ask him if he would like some company. He only laughed, and grabbed his coat.
That was almost two year ago. She thought she was happy. She thought he was happy. But now, with Kaito back it turns everything over, and nothing is normal.
Her eyes widened as she saw Kuroba-san, screaming at someone that was behind the corner to hurry up. She followed her gaze to see Kaito, arms full of bags, brimming with food.
Aoko's heart clenched tightly in her chest, making it almost impossible to be able to breathe. What was she suppose to do now? Let Kaito waltz back in to her life, after all the pain that he caused her. She quickly walked away from the window, hell bent on taking a bath.
She missed Kaito stopping in front of her house, looking up at her window with glazed eyes, before continuing his walk home.
III
Eight months since he had come home. He smiled widely as he inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh air of the top of Tokyo Tower. Kaito didn't know what it was, but there was always something so comforting about high places. Perhaps he was part cat or something. He looked down from his perch, watching the people, Japanese and tourist alike looking out at the skyline, completely unaware of him meters above their head. He stayed crouched, not wanting to bring attention to himself. He scanned the top of the buildings, watching birds fly freely, with the only worry of where to get their next meal. How he had always wished that he could feel that free. He looked back down at the people below him, cracking a wide grin when a small child stared wide eyed at him through the steel girders. He waved frantically before bounding out of sight before the boys parental unit looked up to see what had the boy's eye. Kaito tried his hardest to sit comfortable and he watched the sun set. How he had missed Japan.
Things seemed to finally be going back to normal for Kaito. In his mind, and in his heart. Going to the Nakamouri's for dinner became a routine thing. Sometimes going over two or three times a week. Sometimes it was a formal thing, other times Kaito and his mother brought take out. He started getting odd jobs around town, and picking up some gigs doing magic. Nakamori always asked him how it was going for him as soon as he walked through their door. It was three months ago that he had started to speak more, saying more than 'alright,' or just shrugging. He and Hakuba started to get coffee, talking about everything under the sun (steering clear of one particular subject) and he even called up Akako, just to see how she was doing. He was also making great progress talking to Aoko. He was still nervous about speaking to her, but he come from not making eye contact to making the eye contact, giving small bows, to giving small smiles. His mother says that he is acting childish, but he thought he was hitting milestones.
Aoko… he leaned forward from his perched position; letting a dove appear and letting it fly. He wondered how she felt, what she thought. She had yet to talk to him. He wondered what she'd been up to, what her goals were now that he had, no doubt, destroyed all the ones that she had as a young adult.
He watched his foot dangle through the steel as his dove flew back to him and landed on his foot, becoming comfortable on his swinging leg. "She looks so sad…" he whispered to his dove, who made no acknowledgement, but remained still, "maybe that's just because I came back and screwed everything up…" he slowed his leg to a stop, earning a head cock from his bird, "It's not like this was something I could help, me going crazy and all. And besides, she deserves someone…someone that isn't an internationally wanted criminal. Someone like Hakuba." He said the name with distaste, but didn't believe his own hatred. He continued to swing his leg. "It's not like he ever left her, or stole things, or tormented her father, or made her cry…he deserves her love…not me…" he started to move, rising to his feet and stretched. He looked down at the dove who hadn't moved from his perch on Kaito's foot. Kaito laughed softly to his small friend. "Well, little guy at least you aren't going anywhere." He raised his arm and the bird flew faithfully onto his hand.
He stood tall, watching his friend fly east, no doubt, towards home. The wind blew gently, rustling his hair as he inhaled the fresh air deeply. He looked down, through the rafters and grinned at the small crowed of children that had gathered and were staring up at him. The boy must have went and told anyone that would listen about the strange man that was at the top of the tower. He gave them a small wave, making confetti fall out of his sleeve, making them all laugh before clicking his heels together, and falling back, off the rafter, eliciting a few screams from the children below. As he fell, and gained speed, his thoughts returned to Aoko. I don't even know how to win her…tolerance back…perhaps I should give up…But, as the hang glider opened up, and he felt the familiar jerk as he was raised back into the sky, he smiled softly. "I'll just have to start all over…" he broke out into a grin and did a barrel roll towards the east, heading home.
