OMG! People actually like my stories! This makes me so happy! Big thanks to Abe Lincoln Lover, Haibara Ai z, JuuRokuChan016, mamatria, all the guests that have reviewed, my editor, Haruna-chan (Eisuke-san), and, of course, my very own Kudo Shinichi-kun! (thank you so much for your reviews, I miss you~~) Thank you so much! Enjoy~ :)

Pandora

This was it, then?

This was really it?

This was, really, truly, the end to the troubles that pester him night and day? The moment where he's finally been rid of everything, where he can finally take off the hat and monocle, step away from it forever?

He can only look down at the scattered remains of the gem at his feet, nothing more than pieces the size of a cherry pit. Taunting him. Telling him that this was the end, the end to everything.

He couldn't just look at it.

His foot felt heavy as he raised his heeled boot and brought it down on the pieces, grinding them into the cement of the rooftop floor, listening to the cracking sounds as they became small as grains of sand.

This was it, then.

This was really it.

Unconsciously he fingers the soft fabric of the silken top hat, caressing it, stroking it, then watching it slip through his fingers and falling, tumbling end over end as it descends to the street below, so far away.

There was no need for it anymore.

No need for anything.

Yet shouldn't he be smiling? Shouldn't he be laughing as he stares defiantly at the pieces of the jewel on the ground, the one barrier between him and the world where he can be free? Shouldn't he be triumphant, shouldn't he be victorious, shouldn't he be flying under a borderless blue sky with his whole life in front of him, and everything he's known as Kid behind?

Shouldn't he?

But he can only watch the tears fall, knowing full well that they are not tears of joy. How can he just leave everything back and go on ahead? Life, to be simple, will never be the same for the once-thief, now.. What?

Bang. "Kid!"

Pandora's Box. Because once you break it open, there is no going back.

There is the shattering of glass as the monocle falls as well, cracking on the cement.

"I—I'm sorry—I'm sorry, Nakamori-keibu.."

"Kaito-kun?"

Pandora's Box.

"I'm so sorry.."

"What happened?"

Because once you break it open..

"I.."

There is no going back.

No going back..

"It's over."

And the moment when he uttered those words.. that is the moment when everything rushes at him, hurling themselves at him like spears. He cries out and the sky comes crashing down on him.

To be continued(possibly)

Thank you all for your continuous support, and I hope that you like this. Reviews would be much appreciated!

Until next time, forever and always, Mika-chan~