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Chapter Eight
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"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAITOOO~!"
Said birthday boy stood gaping in shock as everyone showered him with confetti and balloons. His eyes darted from his parents who are grinning like mad among the crowd, and to his little sister who he is still carrying in his arms. She looked and acted innocent, but he understood now that her role for the past two hours had been to occupy him so they can set this up. A whole two hours of crying and playing and wailing and successfully distracting him with her very first word. Suffice to say, it really kept him occupied enough that he completely failed to notice that his parents are setting up a party right downstairs.
"Okay, you got me. This is actually pretty awesome." Kaito admitted. Everyone laughed and quickly ushered him to the front where his parents are waiting. He shot them both a mildly exasperated look as he handed Kagami off to their mother, but they just shooed him off to the direction of the stage with amused smiles.
Rolling his eyes good-naturedly, he proceeded to stand in front of the crowd which he now noticed consisted of the friends he made in school and his parents' friends who he only knew from brief meetings. Kinda weird that they'll take the time to attend his birthday party, but he isn't about to complain when there's a mountain load of presents just waiting for his eager fingers to unwrap and a delicious chocolate cake just waiting to be devoured by his watering mouth.
The guests quickly hushed as the cake is brought to him by a cutely dressed Aoko who is beaming as she offered it shyly, "Happy birthday Kaito!"
"Oh! Uh… a-arigatou Aoko…" He mumbled, completely forgetting his composure for a moment as he noticed how adorably cute Aoko looked in that blue dress and the huge bow on her messy brown hair. He usually only sees Aoko wearing a simple skirt and blouse, so it really caught him off-guard when he saw just what she wears on special occasions. He was about to start blushing like a complete idiot when he was quickly saved by the knowing look his father sent him out the corner of his eye, which made him instantly realize that this is absolutely not the time to think of such things.
Kaito immediately tried to wear a nonchalant face, but he still couldn't help but notice her pink cheeks and cute appearance. In a fit of panic, a party popper suddenly exploded from within his sleeve and went straight to Aoko's face, immediately making her stumble away from the confetti in surprise and for her face to instantly go red in embarrassment and anger. Now that he can look at without blushing like crazy.
"Bakaito…" Aoko hissed, her face getting steadily red from the pent-up frustration she can't release without a mop in sight, thank god. "I'll let this go just because it's your birthday… but don't worry! I won't forget this." Aoko proceeded to smile sweetly, though the effect is quickly ruined by her eyelid which is twitching like crazy and how she looked about ready to whack Kaito over the head with the platter containing the cake. Kaito just smiled sheepishly at her before turning his attention to his beloved cake, looking so absolutely divine with its chocolate icing and chocolate decorations with chocolate bars on top…
"Bakaito!" Aoko snapped, "Quit admiring the stupid cake and blow out the candles already!"
"Hai, hai…" Kaito rolled his eyes before finally taking notice of the lit candle shaped like a '9' (was it there a moment ago?) and finally blowing it. The smoke accidentally went straight to Aoko's face yet again, making her cough violently and glare daggers at him.
"Sooo now that that's done, I guess I should say a speech now." Everyone immediately laughed. "You know, I probably would have a speech right now if some people…" his parents and (oddly) his sister just smiled innocently, "…bothered to give me a heads up. But this probably wouldn't be a surprise if they did that sooo…" here, he suddenly spread his arms wide as a full-blown grin finally graced his excited face. "Thank you all for attending my birthday party that I absolutely know nothing about and I hope you enjoy yourselves. Happy birthday to me!"
"Happy birthday!" Everyone shouted and clapped enthusiastically, Kaito bowing and looking like he is in his natural element making them all clap even more.
"You know, you could have given me a warning or something." Kaito finally told them a few moments later as they watched the guests head to the table full of food.
"Well, that would sort of ruin the whole 'surprise' in a surprise birthday party." His father implied a bit sarcastically. "But we are all pretty confident that you'll do fine. You are comfortable in front of crowds, after all."
"Point." Kaito admitted grudgingly.
"Kagami-chan, do you want some cake?" Chikage asked the girl in her arms who was obviously eyeing the cake with a peculiar expression on her face. The sight of his sister jolted a memory out of Kaito's mind and he immediately pointed a trembling finger at her. "AH!"
"Ah?" His parents tilted their heads in confusion.
"I was going to tell you something before you sprung this whole 'surprise party' at my face!" Kaito smacked a hand at his forehead repeatedly, "Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
"What? What's going on?" Toichi seems to sense that something important happened, but was caught off-guard when his son suddenly ran to the stage in full speed and called the attention of the guests yet again. "Ladies and gentlemen! May I have your attention please!?"
The crowd instantly quieted and turned their attention to the birthday boy who is currently waving his arms frantically in obvious excitement. A long awkward silence which Kaito just spent visibly trembling in enthusiasm was broken by a voice in the crowd (who sounded suspiciously like Nakamori Aoko) who yelled, "spit it out already, baka!"
"Okay, okay, sheesh!" Kaito rolled his eyes at the messy haired young girl who pouted (thereby confirming the crowd's suspicion of the voice's identity) before visibly lighting up again as if the interruption never took place. "So other than my birthday, I was surprised by another wonderful thing, and I am so proud to announce it to all of you today." Here, the boy suddenly grinned so wide it actually threatened to split his face in half. "Mark this day as the day my adorable baby sister Kagami," He proudly gestured to the embarrassed looking baby still in their confused parents' arms, "finally said her Very. First. Word!"
Silence answered his announcement, which was promptly broken by Chikage squealing so loudly it shattered everyone's eardrums. She immediately crushed her daughter in a hug as her husband just blinked in shock beside her. "Did she really?! After months of being silent? She really-?!"
"Yep!" Kaito still couldn't wipe the smile off his face. "Loud and clear!"
"Well?" Toichi now broke into a grin as well. "What did she say?"
"Yeah, don't leave us hanging!" Aoko's voice yelled yet again from among the crowd, before being followed by all the guests' prompts and urges and shouts. Just as they thought Kaito's grin couldn't get any wider, it broke the laws of all things holy and did just that. "She said my name!"
The crowd politely burst in applause and congratulations and cheers as he got back down from the stage, all genuinely happy for the family. Chikage is still crushing her daughter into a hug, with the two males of the family now joining. The girl looked embarrassed, but smiled at the joy her accomplishment is causing.
It had been her first attempt to speak after months of being mute, and it's all because Kaito had been planning on going downstairs at the wrong time and she really needed him to stay upstairs for the surprise. She ran out of options then, and the only thing remaining is to do something that will shock him and keep him occupied a few minutes more. Speaking is the solution, and she's kind of glad she did that instead of the other option of pretending she's hurt and worrying Kaito needlessly.
Something in the crowd suddenly caught her eye, immediately breaking her away from her thoughts. There's a person carefully weaving and passing through the mob of guests, face hidden but looking somewhat familiar and suspicious. Unfortunately, with her low position from her mother's arms, she kept getting blocked by the crowd so she can't exactly see the figure clearly. But Kagami was still alerted, and that was enough to trigger her poker face.
She had been practicing on donning it when faced with an unexpected situation as a precaution, and she's very glad she did, because there's no telling just who this person really is until he/she is close enough, and that's something she doesn't want unless she actually recognized the person as safe. Knowing the future can do that to you, because who knows where Snake is this early in the timeline. Even Kagami can't know that, because it's not exactly mentioned in the series.
To her surprise, the person suddenly split in two, immediately revealing that there are two people looking determined to head on straight towards them. She still can't see them clearly though, which just made the situation worst. Thinking fast, Kagami wailed, trying to catch the attention of her family before those people reached them. Friend or not, it can't hurt to be prepared.
Thankfully, her noise immediately caught the trio's attention, who turned and regarded her in confusion. Seeing this, she continued to stare at the figures and sure enough, the three caught on and they stared as well. Good thing too, because they can see who it was more clearly and if Toichi and Chikage recognized that they are dangerous, they will surely flee.
To her slight puzzlement and relief, her parents didn't look alarmed. In fact, they even relaxed and went closer. A few seconds later, she finally saw and recognized the people who alerted her so much. And damn if they aren't familiar.
"Happy birthday, Kaito-chan!" A lady who was unmistakably Kudo Yukiko chirped happily. Kaito, who clearly recognized her, immediately thanked her and produced a red rose, which Yukiko instantly accepted. Kagami just stared though, recognizing the long, curly brown hair, the sexy body fit for a famous actress, and that cheerful and outgoing attitude every viewer of Detective Conan know and loved. And she knew this is definitely her, because that is undeniably Kudo Yuusaku who was approaching right behind her. "And how are you Chikage-chan, Toichi-sensei?" Yukiko asked.
"We're fine. Elated actually, what with Kaito's birthday and Kagami's first word, all in one day…" Chikage sighed happily, looking so proud and with no traces of nervousness and unease in her face. In fact, her expression is not wavering at all at the sight of the famous and extremely perceptive detective right behind Yukiko. Toichi was also smiling happily at them with no traces of worry at the threat of being discovered for his nighttime activities, making Kagami feel extremely amazed at the audacity of these two. Here is an exceptionally intelligent and sharp detective who can probably expose them for who they really are with enough evidence and something as outrageous as a toothpick or two no sweat, and they have the nerve to invite him at their son's birthday party at their own house?!
"And how about you Yukiko-chan, Yuusaku-san?" Chikage continued, oblivious to her daughter's thoughts. "Everything alright with your son? I heard he's becoming quite the detective himself."
"Oh yes," Here, Yukiko giggled, unaware of how uncomfortable Kagami is feeling at the mention of her son Kudo Shinichi. "Shin-chan's really taking after his father. Poking around at those cases and puzzles… while I support his dream, I would still feel better if he decided to become an actor instead of getting involved with that highly dangerous activity!"
"Now, now Yukiko," Yuusaku finally spoke, shooting his wife an amused smile. "Let Shinichi do what he wants. You know he enjoys detective work and couldn't care less for acting." Catching Yukiko's sudden glare, Yuusaku quickly added, "Not that acting's a bad thing, per se."
Yukiko then sighed wearily, making it obvious that they already had this conversation a hundred times in the past. "Well, with an idol like Sherlock Holmes, his future's pretty obvious. But enough about Shin-chan!" The famous actress suddenly beamed, catching both Kaito and Kagami off-guard with the abrupt subject change. "After Kaito-chan's announcement earlier, I felt I just had to congratulate Kagami-chan and all of you personally for a job well done! A baby's firsts is always exciting!"
"Yes, definitely! After being silent for almost a year, I was beginning to think she was mute. Maybe it was just a side-effect for too early motor skills..." Chikage mused absently.
And the cheery girl talk continued on. Meanwhile, the males are also conversing, although more serious and more silent than their wives. Kagami strained to tune out the women's talk and focus on the men's, who undoubtedly has the interesting conversation.
"…advise you to be careful Toichi. There's no telling what might happen." Yuusaku was saying, voice so quiet even Kaito can't hear them.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I still don't know what you're talking about?" Toichi said in a mildly exasperated tone. "Why should I be careful?"
Yuusaku then smiled calmly, though Toichi still looks genuinely confused. If Kagami didn't know that her father is the KID, she would've been convinced that he honestly didn't know what Yuusaku was talking about. "Just be alert." He said simply, before turning to his wife, "Let's go Yukiko. Happy birthday Kaito-kun, and congratulations Chikage-kun, Toichi, Kagami-kun." Yuusaku's eyes slid from her brother, then her mother and father, before finally settling on Kagami. She tried desperately to not visibly sweat and look as baby-like as possible, poker face stretched to the extreme. To her horror, she saw Yuusaku's gaze sharpen momentarily, before finally acknowledging her mother and father's goodbyes and left, though Kagami could still feel that unnerving gaze until they finally disappeared from view.
God, that was positively terrifying!
The Kuroba family then proceeded to endure the various congratulations and greetings a few moments later, Kaito getting the most attention of them all. To Kagami's amusement, he just seemed to preen visibly and thanked all of them with a gentlemanly bow, with the exception of Aoko, who he just teased normally; obviously taking advantage of the fact that she won't take revenge because it's his birthday. All the while, Kagami was secretly glad Vermouth as Sharon Vineyard was not part of the guests like the Kudos, because her heart just can't take on anything as terrifying as her at the moment. Yuusaku's more than enough.
An hour later, after practically everyone went and spoke to them, they finally got a moment to themselves. Kaito slumped on a chair in exhaustion while Chikage set Kagami down on a high chair before flexing her tired arms. After a blissful silence, Toichi suddenly leaned in and sent a tired grin at Kaito's direction, "Well, with this surprise party and that unexpected surprise announcement about Kagami, I'm beginning to wonder if you'll even need my surprise anymore." Toichi teased.
At this, Kaito's head immediately swiveled around so fast it left an after-image. He knew his father's surprises are usually the best, so it's no wonder he's visibly vibrating in excitement right now. "What? Where? What is it?!"
His father laughed in amusement, ruffling Kaito's hair so hard it was beginning to look worse than its usual bird's nest. "It's. A. Surprise!"
Kaito immediately grumbled in disappointment and batted Toichi's hand away. He quickly took his sister from the high chair and stuck his tongue at the two playfully. "Let's just go eat cake Mi-chan, else I won't be able to contain my curiosity any longer."
"Keep your brother occupied Kagami!" Their parents laughed and waved as they trudged away at the direction of the table. Kaito muttered something unintelligible under his breath as he placed his sister down on a high chair and proceeded to stare at the chocolatey cake with its chocolatey goodness and chocolatey bits...
"Kai~to." That voice! Kaito stared at his sister who was silently gazing at the cake which he'd been holding for about two minutes now.
Oh.
"Gomen, gomen!" Kaito scratched his head sheepishly, "I forgot you're waiting for this. It's just that… I really really like chocolate!" He finally admitted.
"Like? You're obsessed with chocolate!" Aoko grinned evilly as she walked by. Kaito just stuck his tongue out behind her retreating back and winked at Kagami, "Ignore Ahoko, she's crazy."
"I heard that!"
"You're meant to!"
"By the way…" Aoko backtracked, still smiling wickedly. "You remember your father's surprise? Turns out I know what it is."
"Naniiii?!" Kaito gaped in disbelief as Aoko skipped merrily away again. "How did you know?! Why did he tell you!?"
"Figure it out yourself!"
"Tch!" Kaito grumbled as he set a plate with a slice of cake down in front of his sister, before collapsing beside her with an even bigger slice. "Just watch her face when I find out what that surprise is…"
Kaito glanced at his sister's silent form. "Don't suppose you know what it is, huh?"
No reply.
"Figures." He sighed heavily and just munched on his lovely cake. He failed to notice as Kagami just continued to stare at his cake with unreadable eyes, the number '9' signifying his age slowly filling her with alarm and unease.
.
~oOo~
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"Here we are!" Toichi finally announced after a long car ride, instantly receiving sighs of relief from everyone inside the car. Toichi had taken them all to his surprise, with Kaito blindfolded the whole way. The result was an extremely noisy Kaito trying to wheedle out information endlessly from his parents about the surprise, with Aoko adding a few choice words that made the car even noisier than before.
"Thank god for that!" Chikage groaned dramatically as she got out of the car in relief. "I'll go crazy if I have to listen to those two for one more second!"
Said two are still glaring daggers (in Aoko's case) and sticking tongues out (Kaito's case) at each other, with baby Kagami (who's looking completely exasperated) in the middle of it all.
"Well," Toichi raised an eyebrow at the children. "If you're not in the mood for the surprise, then I guess we'll just head back home…"
"NO!" Both Kaito and Aoko suddenly screamed, effectively startling the baby between them.
"Can I take the blindfold off now?" Kaito whined. Toichi amusedly agreed and they all watched in anticipation as Kaito scrambled to take off the offending cloth. Eyes free at last, the birthday boy blinked before finally taking in the sight of the amusement park before him, the huge and noisy crowd pushing at the gates demanding to be let in, the TV cameras and the gigantic screen showing just how many people are already inside LIVE, and many more. But what caught his eye the most is the huge banner hanging right above the crowd's heads.
"'Kuroba Toichi's Escape Plan'?" Kaito read, his eyes immediately widening in realization. That's the moment he finally noticed his father's attire: the black suit and bowtie he typically uses for performing. He gaped comically.
Meanwhile, Kagami frowned in thought as she also read the banner. There's something odd about that. It's like she already heard it somewhere before…
"Y-You mean…" Kaito was still gaping, "You mean you're going to let me watch this trick? The trick you've been planning for months? The trick you've been practicing day and night because you told me it was so hard and dangerous? The trick I've been begging you to let me watch because it's going to be the coolest thing ever? That trick?"
Come to think of it, maybe that's where she heard it.
Toichi just looked amused. "Yes, that trick. And it just so happens that I'm ready for it now, on the day of your birthday." Toichi then offered his hand, "Well then, shall we?"
Kaito looked positively glowing in excitement as his trembling hand held his father's in a death grip. "This is gonna be so cool…!"
On the other hand, Kagami is still staring in trepidation at the huge banner fluttering in the wind above their heads from her mother's arms, knowing that there's something important that she should know but couldn't for the life of her remember…
