Chapter 21

A few nights after his not-date with Kaito, Shinichi and Hakuba were invited to a KID heist at the Suzuki estate. According to Hakuba, Old Man Suzuki often sent out challenge letters to KID, daring him to steal whatever new gemstone Suzuki had acquired. Such a request was just asking for Shinichi to intervene; having a newbie thief rob the man instead of Kaitou KID sounded hilarious. Unfortunately, that was unlikely to happen. In addition to the KID taskforce and Hakuba, Interpol agents sat outside the location. Even that Conan kid was there, proving himself to be a competent detective.

How did the kid prove himself a detective?

Well, by solving the murder that happened at the heist pretty much single-handedly.

Shinichi glanced down at Conan, who's eyes were glued to the murderer—the current wife of the deceased who'd poisoned him once she learned that he had written her out of the will in favor of his ex-wife. She was in custody, with the orange police detective talking to Hakuba. "That was terrifying. I have no idea how you did that," Shinichi told the boy.

He shrugged. "It wasn't that hard to figure out. I just followed the clues."

"Doesn't make it any less impressive. Especially since that's your dad," Shinichi gestured over at Mouri-tantei, who was mucking it up in front of the cameras.

Conan stuck his tongue out. "Don't be gross; he's not my dad! I'm just staying with his family while mine are out of the country."

"Do they leave you alone a lot?"

"Not really; they prefer to take me with them, but there are a lot of times where they can't, like now." Conan side-eyed him. "Why are you asking?"

"Just making conversation." Shinichi's eyes drifted back to Hakuba. "So, how long until KID figures out that we know he's not actually Hakuba?"

"Probably until we tell him," Conan snorted. "Anyway, I'm going to get some orange juice. Come get me when he decides to grab the jewel."

"Later." He watched Conan leave and, when he turned back to Hakuba, he found the fake-detective's eyes on him. Raising an eyebrow, Shinichi sighed as KID took it as a request for him to come over. Seriously, how has this guy not been caught yet? You can clearly see that KID is two centimeters shorter than Hakuba is! Still, he didn't want to spoil the fun too early. "What is it, Hakuba?"

"Were you talking with Conan-kun?"

"Clearly. I think we get along, but it's difficult for me to tell; I've never spoken at length with a child before."

"You two did well on solving the case, though."

"He did most of the work. All I did was—"

"Identify the poison and stop the murderer before she washed her hands." KID cut him off. "If you weren't a thief's kid, I would swear you were born to be a detective."

Shinichi scoffed. "What are you trying to insinuate, Hakuba?"

"Kuroba told me that you were planning on leaving even if you find your parents."

His eyes narrowed at the non-sequitur. How did KID know about that? Did Kaito really tell Hakuba and KID interrupted them somehow? Was Hakuba's personal phone tapped? How much did KID know? "I never made any effort to hide that," he said slowly, eyes peeled for any hint something malevolent. "Why are you bringing it up? I thought you'd be glad for me to be out of your hair."

"I'm trying to ensure that I don't end up releasing a menace on the populace." Fake-Hakuba shrugged. "Besides, leaving would be difficult for you. After all, you're still under Interpol surveillance. If you escape them, you'd probably be officially considered a criminal, for aiding and abetting Lupin. Seems like too much of a hassle."

Shinichi smirked. "Perhaps for a thief like you, but I'm used to hassles like that."

Hakuba's eyes widened before he disappeared in a puff of pink smoke that burned Shinichi's lungs. "Figuring me out so quickly, Lupin-kun!" KID called out from above them, lounging midair with his back resting on a window leading outside. "Seriously, are you sure you're not a detective? I think you missed your calling."

"Kaitou KID!"

"Nakamori-keibu! Suzuki-ojiisan! Thank you for sponsoring this beautiful event for me. And thank you, tanteis Kudo and Lupin, for making sure the night was not completely ruined for my loyal guests!" KID bowed and from his coat pocket, revealed the gem he was challenged to steal that night. "Now, I'm afraid that while the night is still young, I am no longer welcome in this reality. Feel free to stick around afterwards!"

Eyes widening, Shinichi threw himself to the side, barely missing the attack. The ballroom was now covered in sticky string, tying up everyone inside other than Shinichi and KID. "And now I must bid you all goodbye! Farewell!" KID leaned back against the window glass and phased through it, as though it wasn't even there.

Damn it! Scooting carefully around the string, Shinichi made it towards the back exit, which would lead to stairs that went to the roof. At least it should. And KID should be at the roof, he was last time after all. Damn, this would be so much easier if Hakuba was with him, he was the one who memorized the floor plan!

Somehow, Shinichi made it too the roof, where KID was holding the gem up to the moonlight. "I'm pretty sure that's not how you tell if a jewel is real or not," Shinichi said. "Have you tried investing in a microscope lens?"

"No; that's not really my style." With a smirk, KID tossed the gemstone to him. Shinichi caught it one handed. "Alas, it's not what I'm looking for. Such a pity."

He cocked an eyebrow. Who the hell said 'alas' anymore? "Are you alright, KID? You've been acting… weird."

"Ah, is it that obvious?"

"Very."

"Then I guess the gib is up, then." KID's monocle flashed in the moonlight. "I've found myself… discombobulated, Lupin-kun. I've trapped myself in quite the dilemma."

"Oh?"

"You see, things are much more entertaining while you are here. I've heard rumor's of your father; I believe that, as a rival thief, the games would become so much more enjoyable for everyone. Even if you became a detective, I would be content with that sort of rivalhood. But if you were to leave… things would return to being so boring. So what should I do if you leave?" Another flash, but this time, from behind KID. "Do I stay here and rot in boredom? Or should I follow instead?"

Before Shinichi could answer, a gunshot rang through the night.