A/N: Minna-san! Hisashiburi, ne!

Yay, update!

This chapter is consist of five parts. It's quite a hassle, but I hope you guys would still like it...

Don't worry, I made this part quite humorous, for a change, ne? ^w^

Enjoy!~ v^_^v


Ch8 School Trip

~PT 1 Adjusting to Changes~

Everything that's happened around him lately made a huge impact on the high school magician Kuroba Kaito. A few hours after he heartbrokenly walked away from where he saw his best friend with the detective he despises the most, he found himself locked in his room, refusing to talk to anyone. And, as a result of soaking in the rain for quite a long time without bothering to take a hot bath afterwards, he had a bad case of a cold, which forced him to not go to school for more than a week. He finds this as a blessing, though, since this made him think over all that's happened, and somehow accepts that Aoko will be hanging out with a new crowd starting that day, thanks to him being such an immature jerk!

Speaking of Aoko, the gossip about her staying at Hakuba's house spread like wildfire, that by the time the week has ended, everyone at school, except for Kaito, already knew about the two of them officially dating and having small talks during their spare time. Despite this, though, Aoko wouldn't deny the fact that, every once In a while she still thinks about his best friend and his current situation. The problem is, she never had a nerve in her to visit him… not when she and Hakuba's pretend relationship is now a real one. After all, even if Kaito couldn't do anything about his dense side, she'll never know how he'll react. It's better off this way, he'll find out eventually.

And, indeed, he found this out first thing in the morning of his return to school, all weak and groggy-looking, without a single part of him wanting to be involved in anything. This bothered Aoko so much, especially since the high school magician hadn't shown the 'magical' side of him ever since… not even once… In the end, though, she decided not to do anything about it, that all this will eventually become clear and everything's going to be normal again.

As for Inspector Nakamori, the loss of his daughter around the house gave him more time to focus on his detective work and less time to remember how Aoko shouted at his face about not being a good father to her. Although sometimes, he wonders what she's doing at the moment in that blonde detective's house. He never trusted him. He seems too arrogant and too obsessed about keeping time and all, he seemed to act like he's the most important person in the world. He finds Kaito more reliable than him. After all, knowing him as Aoko's ever trusted best friend, he knew the magician has something up his sleeve to take things back to normal.

Well, that's what he thought… For the next few days, none of them said a word to each other, thinking that there's nothing left for them to talk about. And so, it remained like that, even up until the day for their three-day school trip to Izu came.


~PT 2 Forewarnings~

It was exactly two in the morning when the bus that the class hired going to Izu arrived to pick everyone up from school, with everyone expecting to have a really tiring trip. Really, who would even think of going to Izu via a bus when there's the presence of the shinkansen (bullet train) to help them get there in a flash? But then, who would argue? After all, the adviser did say that this 'tiring two hours or so' trip is part of their experience, giving the class more reason to feel like they're the unluckiest people in the world. And to make things worse, another one and a half hours were added to the trip, thanks to their tire problems, frequent stop-overs and dead-end encounters.

There he was, just leaning lazily on the bus's windowsill, trying to figure out how a certain girl named Koizumi Akako ended up beside him, with her arms locked on his, while his best friend sits beside Hakuba. From where he sits (at the last few seats at the back of the bus), he would glance up to them every now and then only to find Aoko sleeping soundly beside the detective, with her head on his shoulder. It pisses him off, but hey, what is there to do to prevent this?

-Earlier that week…-

"I need to have a word with you, Kuroba-kun." the sorceress said to him as he was just about to leave the empty classroom.

Knowing about who Akako is, Kaito's first thought was to get away from her as soon as possible. Before he did, though, he decided it's better to hear what she has to say. After all, she had been a great help to him countless of times during his heist, and she's one of the very few people who knew who Kaitou Kid really is.

"What do you want?" Kaito asked nonchalantly, as he looked out the classroom window just in time to see Aoko and Hakuba leaving the school grounds, hand in hand.

"Tell me, are you planning to get yourself in trouble?"

That sounds inaccurate, Kaito thought. I'm always in trouble.

Confused, the magician asked, "What are you saying? I'm in enough trouble as it is. What more trouble can I possibly get in to next?"

"A deadly one, perhaps… That which might endanger yourself and the people around you…"

With Akako's words, Kaito was torn between whether to laugh at this nonsense or worry about this possible peril. Not once had her premonitions been wrong… Not once!

"But why are you telling me this?"

Kaito watched as Akako started to walk around the room in a casual manner, making her look like a know-it-all.

"Kaitou Kid, I know about your secret… And you can't deny the fact that you created another identity for the sake of winning a girl's heart." Akako added a smirk before saying, "Surely, that was a foolish decision, don't you think so… Ace?"

With Akako's words, Kaito was rooted to the spot. He knew there's nothing he can hide from the sorceress, but why did it come as a surprise to him? Is it because he's thinking she might tell his secret to somebody? Is it because she knew he can't win Aoko's heart by doing so? Or is it because Akako simply said it was a completely foolish thing to do so?

Kaito let out a heavy sigh and said, "Baka, how many times have I told you I'm not Kaitou Kid? And what's with Kid and Ace anyway? If that's really the case, so what? Kid can still get what he wants and make the impossible possible, right?"

Akako once again began pacing back and forth, giving Kaito more reason to detest the turn-out of the situation.

"You can deny for as long as you want, but Lucifer doesn't lie. I didn't say you can't… I'm just saying you have to be more careful with your actions… You wouldn't want more people to know who's behind Kid's monocle, would you? By making a third identity, you're making your situation worse. Who knows, maybe more people will be after your life now that they have new leads…"

Kaito pursed his lips. He perfectly knows what Akako was talking about, and it is at that moment when he finally cuts the act and draws the curtain down to reveal to the sorceress that he is the Phantom Thief. After all, compared to Hakuba, Akako doesn't seem like the type of person who would help the police put him behind bars.

"Oh, you mean Hakuba? I'm starting to think he knows who Ace is from the beginning. It just bugs me that he's not telling Aoko anything about it."

Akako curled a smile on her face. She finally succeeded on making the high school magician reveal Kid's identity. She halted in front of him, leaned over and said, "Oh, so you won't deny being Kid this time?"

Kaito became more and more aggravated by the minute. He hates the fact that the sorceress is talking to him like she knows better than he does. Looking away, he told her, "Tsk, what else am I supposed to do? And I'm just interested in whatever information you'll tell me. So, spit it out, what's with Hakuba knowing who Ace is?"

"That's the least of your problems. By being Ace and attacking Kaitou Kid, you gave him the impression that you actually wanted his help and that someone's after your life."

Kaito took a deep sigh and leaned on the window, unable to bear the heavy aura he's feeling. He knew Akako's warning is an understatement. "Hmph, but someone really is after my life, right? Long before I became Kaitou Kid, someone already wanted the thief to be dead… And they did kill him…"

To emphasize the important point in his words, Kaito paused, his head now leaning against the closed window, before saying, "Oyaji…" (A/N: oyaji - term of endearment for 'father')

Silence enveloped them for a while in that 'chalkdust-scented' room. It was Kaito who broke it first when a thought came to him. "By the way, how did you know about Hakuba's suspicions? Did Lucifer tell you that as well?"

"No, it's just data from my observations."

"Observations?" he asked with confusion, raising his brow in the process.

Akako gave the high school magician an evil glare. Little did Kaito know that he's actually trying to go into Akako's private life, "THAT is something I wouldn't tell a dense person, such as yourself, until you figure out why Sagu—I mean, Hakuba-kun's acting that way."

Kaito rolled his eyes. "Hakuba, Hakuba, Hakuba… Seriously, what's up with that guy?"

Akako's eyes narrowed at him, and Kaito swore if the sorceress has some kind of laser-shooting equipment in hey ruby-colored eyes, he'd be burned to death. "If I were you, I'd worry myself more about more important things…"

Kaito's raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "'More important things'? Like what, huh?"

Akako stood perfectly still, trying to give the magician a hint that he should take every word she say very seriously… "This I tell you, Kuroba-kun, somewhere in the dark lurks a predator that's just waiting for the perfect chance to strike. His intentions might just lead you to even more crucial danger.

"But there's a way for you to turn this to your favor. One of these days, a wise one with eyes like a hawk will come your way. Depending on your actions, it might kill you, or it might actually be a chance for a fateful alliance."

"What the heck?" Kaito said, squinting in disbelief. "A wise one with eyes like a hawk…? Surely you're not talking about Hakuba's pet hawk, Watson, right?"

Considering Kaito's action as a joke, Akako laughed. "Hahahahaha! It's funny you can still try and crack people up by acting totally clueless…"

Kaito pouted. She totally thinks I got all that, does she?

"Anyway," Akako said, picking up her bag on the top of her desk, "if you don't want anyone else to know about this, I'd consider helping you keep it… What do you think?"

Akako paused to give the high school magician a time to think. She watched as he glanced in all directions, still keeping that pout on his face.

"Well?"

Finally, Kaito let out a sigh and replied, "Okay fine, but I just want you to know there's nothing you can do to stop me from doing what I have planned."

Kaito watched as Akako walked past him, making her way to the door. He really couldn't stand the fact that through that whole ordeal, Akako was keeping this annoying smirk on her face, as if she knew this will work on her favor.

"Suit yourself…" she said, leaving 'The Phantom Thief' immobile inside the room, still in total confusion as to why Akako's doing all this…

Well, to be sure, Kaito decided to accept Akako's help, and he ended up stuck with her. But all throughout that trip, Kaito kept reminding himself Akako was just doing all these things to keep him company and help him with his dilemmas, and not for anything else…


~PT 3 A Hidden Enemy~

A trip to Izu by a rented bus is such an exhausting experience for everyone in Ekoda High's 2-B class that by the time they got there, they just wanted to have a relaxing afternoon bath. Unfortunately for them…

"WHAAAAA—?"

"We're not going to the hot springs just yet?"

"But why not?"

"BECAUSE," the class adviser shouted in an attempt to silence the class, who's starting to fuss over their dismay. Upon realizing her sudden action, she took a deep breath, straightened up a little and said, "That is because we will be staying up the mountains throughout our stay in this lovely prefecture. You see, the principal's friend's sister's cousin's father's friend found a perfect place for us to unwind and have some quality time with each other. They have a camp site with cabins for four people, just enough for all of us—or maybe even more than that—a wide open space for team building activities, outdoor hot springs, and a campfire site for us to enjoy. The place is not very well known because of the lack of exposure and advertising. Even so, it wouldn't fail from giving us a fulfilling experience, what's with the wonderful view of the beach from a high, elevated place, and—"

The beach, huh? Aoko thought. Upon hearing the word, Aoko got lost in her own world. Before she knew it, she was detaching from the gathered group and strolling away to the other side of the bus, where an overlooking view of the ocean can be seen. The touch of scarlet brought about by the rising sun made the sight look like a painting was just brought to life.

He hasn't forgotten about it, has he? She asked herself, as the wind blew on her face, making her messy brown hair fly towards the opposite direction. She felt like crying, and at the same time, she doesn't. That is because she wanted to prove to herself that she's strong enough to not show any sign of weakness to anyone anymore. That is something she tried teaching herself ever since she decided not to go back to her house and reside with Hakuba and his servant.

But… Am I doing the right thing? Am I doing what my heart is telling me to do?

A hand landing on her shoulder got her back to her senses. This gave her a shock, but relief took over her instantly when she realized it was the blonde-haired detective.

"Aoko? Are you okay?" was Hakuba's question. He knew she isn't, but for some reasons, he was desperately expecting Aoko to give him a positive answer, just so he could feel like he was doing his part well.

"Uh, y-yeah… I guess so. I guess I just had a rough time with the trip," Aoko said, putting a hand over her forehead.

"In any case, let's get going. We all deserve a rest before the school trip officially starts. Before we get that well-deserved rest though, it seems we have to go up the mountains first."

Aoko gave him a smile and nodded before they rejoined the others up a steep hill going to one of the most remote places Aoko has gone to: a place called Izu-Shioka Camp.

"Geez. Usually, when people talk about Izu, beaches and hot springs will come to mind, but why do we have to stay up the mountains?" a girl with adorable sapphire eyes and long jet-black hair tied to a ponytail—whom she recognized as Mikazuki Reika—whispered to her as the class continued going up the hill.

Aoko giggled upon this, and whispered back, "Well, maybe because sensei secretly doesn't know how to swim…"

The girls laughed, trying their best to control it in case the adviser, who's leading the group, hears them.

From the back of the group walks Kaito Kuroba, who's inwardly enjoying himself watching her best friend laugh with Reika. Alongside him is, of course, Koizumi Akako, and right in front of them, just a few inches away from Aoko is Hakuba Saguru. Unconsciously, Kaito curled a smile on his face. It's been ages since he last saw her smile like this, carefree-looking and sweetly—and he isn't exaggerating when he thought so. This, however, never escaped Akako's observant red orbs.

"Ah-le! I see you're having fun just watching her from a distance."

With Akako's words, Kaito felt himself turn as red as a tomato, "Oi, what are you saying?"

Akako didn't say anything more. Instead, she constantly grinned at him like an entertained little toddler.

In desperation, Kaito spoke out, "I guess it can't be helped…"


For some time, the whole class just walked the rough, steep road going to their direction. It was quite a hassle for them at first, but as time passes by, it gradually felt as if their energy was back to full once again. Eventually, the wind will blow like a storm is just about to come, but it helped them overcome their tiredness.

At one point, though, the winds felt different, like there was something—or someone—watching their every move. Being the sharpest one in class, Kaito halted and hastily looked around for any sign of that "eerie presence" around them.

"Kuroba-kun?" Akako called out to him from a few steps above upon noticing that Kaito's attention was caught by whatever it is they cannot see. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," the magician lied, thinking that a slight change in the way he's acting might catch Hakuba, and the others' attention and might make them arrive at unrealistic conclusions. He then caught up with the group, still keeping in mind that if ever there's something that might happen Aoko's safety comes first.


~PT 4 Hawkeye~

Just a few more steps before they reach their destination, Kaito and the rest of the people at the back of the group heard their adviser shout out, "HEY! This is a private property, you two! Scram!"

Geez, Kaito thought. Their sensei's voice never failed to stress him out, even more in this situation. Why bother shouting at a bunch of troublemakers?

The group started to gather around the trespassers, who continuously tried to ask for an apology.

"Ah, gomen, gomen. W-we really din't mean ta y'know."

"Eto, w-we were just… s-strolling around a-and got lost, th-that's all…"

It caught Kaito by surprise to hear the voices of the 'troublemakers', for they sound oddly familiar.

A Kansai-ben…? And… did that tiny voice just now sounded just like…

Kaito joined the circling group in a rush, trying his best to get in front as soon as possible. Upon seeing who they are, the magician was suddenly dumbfounded, he could've sworn, he felt his jaw drop impetuously to the floor. Right in front of them stood a dark-skinned Kansai-ben and a seven-year-old kid with glasses adorning his features and a matching bowtie.

Ta…ta…tantei-san?

The wide-eyed high schooler gulped at the sight of his, or rather Kaitou Kid's, worst enemies. He looked at Akako with much difficulty. S…so that hawk thingy was referring to… him? He thought.

"Hey, isn't that—" Hakuba suddenly said right after he got the spot he wanted in front of the crowd. "Conan-kun? Edogawa Conan-kun?"

"Eh? Saguru-niichan, is that you?" the innocent-looking little boy said in surprise.

"TANTEI-SAN?" Kaito instinctively called out. A sharp stab on his ribs from Akako's elbow was all it took to make him realize he was unconsciously revealing Kaitou Kid's identity. The pain made him literally roll over on the rocky floor. This never failed to get the attention of everyone, including Aoko. But instead of running towards his side and asking him if he's alright, she turned her attention back to the 'uninvited guests' and asked the blonde-haired detective, "You know them, Hakuba?"

Hearing Aoko say this, Kaito stood up (ignoring the pain caused by Akako's killer elbow) and interjected, "Who doesn't baka? He's Kaitou Kid's number one enemy after all…"

Aheheh, what's up with these people? The shrunken detective thought.

"Ya know him, Ku-ku-Conan?" the dark-skinned teen asked the younger one.

"You've met him once haven't you, Heiji-niichan, back in that Tantei Koushien case?" (A/N: See ep479 "Three Days With Hattori Heiji")

Heiji's eyes narrowed on Hakuba, "Ah, that arrogant international meitantei… Yeah, I r'member him, alright? I r'member him tellin' the whole wide world who the fake culprit is…" The Kansai-ben detective grinned at his own statement. This, however, caused the blonde to frown.

"Ah, now that you mention it, I remember you as well," Hakuba said in comeback, trying to grin back as well, "you're that hot-headed, dark-skinned moron who would rather do things his way without even thinking of the consequences of messing up the crime scene."

"Who're ya callin' a moron, ya good-for-nothin', Kaitou-Kid-capturer-wannabe?" Heiji shouted with the intention of charging an attack towards the other detective. It was Conan who tried his very best to stop him from doing so by grabbing his leg in an effort to keep him where he stands.

"Oi! Yamete, Heiji-niichan! It's embarrassing! We aren't supposed to be here at the first place," the little boy shouted amidst Heiji's constant babbling. (A/N: 'yamete' - stop)

"Ah, kawaii!" Aoko yelled when he noticed just what Conan was trying to do. She hastily went to where Conan is and pinched his cheek. The other girls from the class joined in the commotion. This made Conan squeal in surprise. "You look juuuust like what I wanted for a little brother…"

Ah, she looks just like Ran! Conan thought a blush gradually forming on his cheeks, so much so when Aoko gave him a tight hug, forcing him to come in contact with her breast.

"OI, OI, OI!" Kaito suddenly bellowed in annoyance, equally red as well. Knowing who Conan really is, it is of no surprise for him to react this way, especially since it was Aoko who was hugging him, of all people. "What are you doing, AHOKO?"

"What's up with you all of a sudden, Bakaito?" Aoko replied, equally irritated with the way Kaito was suddenly reacting. "I was just giving the little kid a friendly hug!"

"You don't even know where they came from! He might be carrying germs all over him, for all we know."

Everyone was looking at the magician in an enraged manner, "GERMS? Why does it sound like you're treating him like an unknown animal?"

"I absolutely am NOT! I'm just saying!"

"He's that genius little boy who always sees to it that The Phantom Thief goes away empty-handed, for goodness' sake! He's almost like that Detective of the East, Kudou Shinichi!"

Upon hearing Kudou Shinichi, Heiji, Conan and Kaito flinched.

Darn, she was this close to finding out who I really am, Conan thought. Yeah, she's really like Ran, no doubt about that…

It took a while for Kaito to withdraw his glance on his little rival and said to Aoko, "Why do I care? It doesn't give you the right to just suddenly pop out of nowhere and give that innocent-looking brat a hug! He might just be a little pervert or something…"

Oi, oi, oi! What is this o-bakayaro (big idiot) saying? And… where the hell have I seen this guy before?

"Oi, Kudou, I guess it'll be best for us to get outta here, what d'ya think?" Heiji whispered to his companion.

"What do I think?" Conan repeated the question with a smirk. "Well, why don't we ask them if we could stay with them for the next couple of days?"

"Eh? Nande (why)?"

"I feel like something interesting's coming our way…"

Meanwhile…

"Da-ka-ra, why don't you just stay away from that megane no gakincho (boy with glasses)?" Kaito asked Aoko.

"Why would you care? And why are you even fussing over something this little?"

And so began the epic word battle between the two… after a loooong period of not talking to each other. Well, if it wasn't for our little tantei-san, it wouldn't have happened. Although, seeing Aoko and Kaito fight, it kinda reminds the shrunken meitantei of him and Ran…


~PT 5 First Kiss?~

Dang! I've got to keep an eye on this kid. Who knows what he's thinking? Kaito thought.

The clock just stroke 7 not too long ago, and the class found themselves sitting around rectangular-shaped tables getting ready for breakfast, together with their once uninvited guests who managed to be given permission to join the class in their three-day stay—for a reason, of course. The two managed to reason out that they were in pursuit of some bad guy who disappeared out of their sights and who might still be in the forest. And after almost half an hour of introductions, they finally settled down to eat.

In Kaito's thoughts, their reason is somewhat coinciding with the fact that he felt an unknown presence around them just before they got there.

But, really, just when I was this close to getting Aoko beside me again… He looked at the bespectacled Conan beside him, who merely smiled back at him in a child-like manner.

He just couldn't stand him! Every now and then, he would call out to him like an attention seeker and tell him nonsensical nonsense, he swore he sounded even worse than Suzuki Jirokichi and his dear Ginzo-occhan combined! Heck, he's even worse than the overgrown swordfish before them. One more nonsensical talk from this kid and he might just pound his head over and over again on the fish-laden table.

"Ne, Kaito-niichan,"

"WHAT? WHAT DO YOU WANT BRAT?" Kaito shouted in irritation, with which, he felt death glares on him from all directions. It was pitiful, after all, to see a harmless little kid being shouted at by someone who's almost out of his wits.

"Mou, Kaito!" Aoko scolded him, standing up from her seat in the process. From across Conan, Heiji couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing his friend acting like a total idiotic seven-year-old. This earned him a painful kick on his right leg.

"Why's Kaito-ojiisan so mean to me, Aoko-neeeeechan?" Conan wailed, "I no want people angwy at mee…" (A/N: ojiisan - grandpa)

"Oi, who're you calling ojiisan, pipsqueak? DO I LOOK LIKE AN OLD MAN TO YOU?" Kaito leaned closer at him, with a look that suggests he's almost ready to kill. Conan gave a screech and buried his face on Aoko who, in turn, scolded the high school magician.

"Kaito, you're scaring him!" Aoko said, as she gave Kaito the head-splitting punch he deserves. He also fell off his seat as a bonus.

"I just wanted to see your magic tricks, Kaito-ojiisan. You're Kuroba Toichi's son, ne?"

"Oi, bozu (kid), stop saying nonsense. I'm not a magician," Kaito told him, his head momentarily popping out from under the bench.

"But Heiji-niichan said so… Ne, Heiji-niichan?" Conan turned to look at Heiji, whose busy filling his mouth with the tasty meal. The confused young man merely nodded his head in agreement, barely understanding what Conan was saying. Conan mentally face palmed on this. Thanks a lot, you worthless glutton!

"Don't be selfish, Kaito, show him!"

"Hmph! I'm not in the mood to play games with you." Kaito folded his arms in front of him before he stood up the table and went towards the nearby tree to rest. That talkative woman…

"Maa, ika (well, it can't be helped). Let's just leave the snob alone." Hakuba, who's seated on the other side of Aoko, thought aloud.

Just then, the little boy's cellphone rang.

"Moshi moshi?" greeted Conan.

"Mou, where are you, Conan-kun?" A voice of a teenage woman said on the other line.

"Ah, Ran-neechan!"

Heiji looked up to find Conan in a state of panic, like someone just revealed to everyone his deepest, darkest secret.

"It's almost time for breakfast and both you and Hattori-kun are still not around, so Kazuha-chan and I thought you're off together somewhere."

"Ano, Ran-neechan—"

To the rescue, Heiji hastily grabbed the phone from Conan, nearly choking from the meal he forced down his throat. Conan protested with a "HOI HATTO—I mean, Heiji-niichan!" but was pushed back to his seat by a cunning Hattori who said over the phone, "Uhm, we won't be back for a while, Ran-chan. We're in this little camp site called Izu-Shioka."

"Eh? When are you guys planning to come back then?"

"We'll let you know. Right now, we're kinda busy with a case and stuff. It seems a huge sea monster made its way to the mountains. Make sure you stay right there, safe and sound in Shizuoka Seaside Hotel, okay?"

Geez,Hattori. You and your lame, questionable excuses… Conan thought.

"Ha haa, Hattori-kun, very funny," the person in the other line said in sarcasm. "Well, anyway, hope you guys return soon… Ja ne."

Kaito watched as the Osakan bid the person on the other line 'goodbye' and gave the phone back to its owner, who grabbed it away from him—still trying to keep a child-like smirk on his face.

Tsk. In a blink, everything around me changed when that shrimp came, it's almost as if he's stealing my fame— MY fame—away from me… Kaito mentally noted. He hated to admit that the shrunken unlucky detective gets to steal his spotlight… HIM, of all people! He hated him more than he hated Hakuba, but then, again, they're both detectives, so saying that would be a cliché.

To Conan, though, this minute of fame was a pain in the neck, for people were constantly congratulating him for failing to put Kaitou Kid behind bars. If it wasn't for his adorable charm, they would surely not be flocking around him like how Kudou Shinichi's fans would do.

Before he knew it, Akako approached Kaito, "Here, breakfast," she said, as she handed him a platter of the fish's head.

"GYOOO!" Kaito squealed, as he literally jumped upon seeing the poor animals head. "GET THAT AWAY FROM ME!" (A/N: gyo - fish)

Once again, everyone's attention were on Kaito as, for the first time ever, he exhibited his greatest (and not to mention embarrassing) weakness. They all watched as Kaito scrambled his way backwards, tripping on a nearby root, causing Akako to panic and the fish's head to fly off the platter, only to land on his mouth, with the fish's lips right on his.

Everyone stood in bewilderment upon what just happened. It's almost as if Kaito has just lost his first kiss to the creature he couldn't stand more than anything. After a while, a burst of laughter filled the air. Some were surprised and still had their hands over their mouths, but most people were laughing like they never laughed before. In a matter of seconds, people were flocking around him to tease him of his clumsiness. But amongst the people who began to gather around him, it was his best friend's reaction that stood out the most: those calm features, tears of laughter coming out of her eyes and that uncontrollable snicker. That, of course, is something he would keep for himself. Half annoyed, Kaito stood up and threw the poor creature away from him with all the strength he's got, that it flew right across the tables and into the pot, where it came from.

"HAHAHA, Oi Kuroba, ya' wouldn' happen ta be puttin' up a comedy show are ya'?" Heiji commented. Before Kaito can protest, however, Conan interrupted, "Heiji-niichan, that's not true! Kaito-niichan was merely trying to show us a magic trick."

He turned to look at the humiliated 'magician' and said, "Ne, Kaito-niichan?"

In reaction to what the little boy told everybody, there was a wail of ka-wa-ii~ heard from the girls in class. That, of course, includes Aoko, who once again gave Conan a bone-breaking hug.

"It was amazing, ne? That flying fish…" Conan shouted, acting as if he was delighted with his "Kaito-niichan's" magic trick

With that, Kaito let out a heavy sigh and thought, haa, This is going to be a looooooong day…

Well, in the end, he still got the attention he deserved, didn't he?

"OI! ARE YOU KIDDING ME, NEONQUINCY?"

O.o


And so, that fated meeting of high school magician, Kuroba Kaito and the 'shrunken' detective of the East, Kudou Shinichi, finally came. Little do these people know, however, that sooner or later, they're both in on an unexpected dilemma.

Well, at least, Aoko and Kaito finally decided to finish their "silent war" and go on with their lives... with a bit of a difference from how it used to be, though.

Watch out for the next chapter for further developments on their koimonogatari and shiz...


A/N: Kyaa! Omit the last part, aheheh. I can't control myself. I imagined Kaito shouting that right in front of my face... aheheh. Not gonna happen again... I promise :))

Conan's absolutely CUUUUUUTE! Flying fish! Well whatd'ya know? Kaito + Conan = trouble! XD BWAHAHAH!

But, for information purposes, he was never really amused with magic... Well, maybe except during his childhood when he and Ran would go to the circus... LOL

Oh, and Izu-Shioka is nonexistent in realy life, so is Mikazuki Reika... I made all that up in desperation to finish this chapter...

I decided cutting this chapter in parts would be the best way to achieve continuity... :D lol what?

As usual COMMENTS AND REVIEWS ARE ABSOLUTELY LOOOOOOOVED! :3

Just go easy on me, onegai! ^_^v

Let me know what you think :D

Love lots,

-neonquincy1217-

:3