The best friend- Part 2

So. Now what?

"This is the worst idea you've had, Kaito."

"Shut up! My ideas are always great and so is this one!"

Saguru Hakuba lifted a sceptical eyebrow at his friend, while both of them remained crouched behind a café wall and peeking through the large windows.

"Really? Spying on your boyfriend and your best friend is what you call a great idea?"

"No. Preventing my best friend doesn't murder my hypothetical boyfriend is a great idea." Kaito re-affirmed while watching through the window attentively.

"And I'm here for?"

"Insurance! If there is a murder, having a detective on hand can be useful."

"I feel honoured!" Hakuba rolled his eyes.

"Shush now! They're talking!"

So. Now what?

Shinichi had just managed to get back on good terms with Tsukiko and now, here comes Kaito's best friend seemingly about to break his neck for one reason or another. Damn, and he thought Nakamori-san looked sweet and harmless when he'd seen her as Conan. She's terrifying. Almost as much as Ran.

"Kudo-kun. You're not drinking?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice and Shinichi quickly brought his coffee cup to his lips.

Correction. She's scarier that Ran.

So. Now what?

What should she do with this oblivious fool of a detective to prevent he hurt Kaito? She could break his legs. Or his arms. Or some body part somewhere. Bodily harm sounds like it'd relieve her from her frustration but doesn't sound like it'd be productive as a warning. No. She needs to terrify him so that he'll remember to NEVER harm Kaito in any shape or form.

But bodily harm still isn't off the table just yet! She grinned to herself while toying with the handle of a mop behind her back, hidden from sight as if by magic. Hanging out her entire life with Kaito, she picked up on some tricks of her own.

"She's got the mop!"

"How do you know?" Hakuba squinted but still saw nothing on Aoko's person.

"Are you blind?! It's right there!"

"… Did you teach Aoko-san some of your magic tricks because that's the only way she could be holding a mop right now. That or Akako's magic."

"I didn't teach her! She's not even hiding it! … Ok wait, she is using that trick where you … My bad! Aoko did steal my trick! Wow! I'm impressed she self-taught herself like that!"

"Can we focus back on the rising risk that your boyfriend may die from beating-by-mop?"

"Right! Yes! Mop! What do we do?"

"Could you make the mop disappear?"

"Of course but then she'll know it's me!"

"Let's keep that as plan B then."

"What's plan A?"

"…"

"Well that's just great! My boyfriend is dead!"

Shinichi felt an odd sensation. From his time as Conan, he'd picked up on feeling when people's gazes are on him and right now, someone is definitely watching him. While he can feel their gaze, he can't feel any threatening intent. So … a friend? Oh god, he hopes it's not Kaito. No, scratch that! Knowing the thief, it's probably him. What's he doing here?! Is the situation that bad that he'd be worried? No. That's absurd. If Kaito would be worried about anyone here, it'd be about this girl. Didn't he have a crush on her?

Shinichi felt his guts churn and a growling beast hiss in him. Right. Nakamori-san was Kaito's sweetheart growing up. Right. She's important to Kaito. Right. She deserves Kaito's affection.

Right.

Right.

The beast snarled.

It doesn't feel right at all.

"Kudo-san, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Stop dating Tsukiko." Aoko declared boldly.

She was feeling brave when she came to confront the detective but after a while of both of them staring in each other's eyes, she realised Kudo's expression seemed to be growing colder by the minute, like a mask was falling into place.

She was used to masks and façade. Kaito always carries one on. But Kaito's masks are always cheerful and with a smile. Even when he's in pain, Kaito will never show a sad expression. His concern for people forbids him. That's why Aoko remembers the rare times Kaito cried in front of her, he'd always worn a smile, despite his tears. It really was a heart-breaking sight.

And this Kudo person could cause such a sight to occur again.

She won't let him!

Kudo put down his cup of coffee and levelled a cold gaze onto her. Aoko felt her breath hitch. Was Kudo-san this intimidating. He looks angry but keeps it bottled up behind an emotionless face. His eyes are biting cold and his face is tensed into something dark and distant.

"He's angry."

"How can you tell? He looks the same to me."

"No. See? His eyebrow just frowned a bit more and the corner if his lip twitched!"

"… Kaito, your observation skills are seriously disturbing. You should be a detective."

"Heh! No thanks! I'll leave that to you!"

He can't help it.

He's angry.

Nakamori-san is the person Kaito loved more than anything, probably still holds the thief's heart in her palm, and she's now telling him to back off and break all relations with Tsukiko. The fact that she's the one confronting him about it makes him both guilty and angry at the same time. She has every right to challenge him. She has every right to be concerned for her best friend. If she's anything like Ran is to Shinichi, then Shinichi can see why she's the person Kaito relies on the most.

And he hates it.

He can't help but feel the seething monster of jealousy curl in his guts and hiss at the girl.

"With all due respect, Nakamori-san, I don't think my relationship with Tsukiko is any of your business."

She frowns. Her hand twitches, as if she's itching to hold something. Shinichi can see the way her eyes harden on him, open animosity shining in her blue eyes.

"Aoko will not repeat herself. Cease this farce of a relationship. You're going to hurt Tsukiko and Aoko will not forgive that!"

Shinichi's fingers curled and tightened into a fist as he held back his own irritation.

"And if I don't?"

"Aoko will take certain measures."

A threat. He knew she meant it.

"I don't wish to hurt Tsukiko, Nakamori-san. Please understand that I would never wish any harm onto your friend."

"Then why did you ask Tsukiko to be your fake girlfriend?"

"I … I needed help …" Shinichi felt his voice drown in his throat at the accusing glare of the girl.

He knew she was right but he … he couldn't ask anyone else!

Aoko watched with exasperation the detective expression change from dark fury to uncertainty and guilt. She grew up to be quite observant. That's what happens when you grow up with a trickster magician. While Kaito can be hard to read, she had no problem reading this Kudo Shinichi. He was obviously concerned for Kaito too. That's no excuse! He shouldn't have dragged Kaito into this! And what is his relation to Kaito anyway?! Last she checked, Kaito never even mention the detective's name until suddenly they were fake-dating! This is far too suspicious and Aoko will have none of it!

"Did Tsukiko complain about our arrangement?" He suddenly asked, fearful panic in his eyes.

Aoko watched him contemplatively. Is he not aware of how open his emotions are? Of how obvious his feelings show? Is he being honest or tricking her with an act? No. Kaito could trick her but this guy doesn't seem like a good actor. So he's actually ... genuine?

Oh dear … BaKaito, you chose an oblivious one!

"She hasn't." Aoko sighs.

Kudo's shoulders slumped down in relief.

"But Aoko knows better than to let her friend get caught up in a role! You must know how harmful relationships can be when they break down. I assume you've had many cases of murder involving couples."

Shinichi nods, looking very sober and serious.

"Then you must understand that Aoko is concerned for how your relationship will impact Tsukiko when this agreement comes to an end."

She watched as the sleuth tensed up on her last word.

"I … understand."

"No. I really don't think you do, Kudo-san." Aoko sighs, tiredly and lifts a hand up.

"Mop attack! Do something!"

"What do you want me to do?!"

"Anything!"

Shinichi was faced with the end of a mop threateningly. Never before had he been threatened with a mop. And this girl just made such a large object appear out of nowhere! Yep, she's Kaito's friend alright!

The girl's expression was dark in threat but also fearful. She was worried for her friend. He knew that. He could see her genuine concern. He could see how much she loved Kaito.

And he still hated it. The beast in him roared possessively.

"Do not give me reason to hurt you, Kudo-san. Aoko will only warn you once. I expect you to treat my best friend with care and respect."

She paused and gritted her teeth, hissing the last words out.

"And I hope you won't make this game last too long. For both your sakes."

Shinichi could only nod.

She lowered her mop and with a quick snap of her wrist, made it disappear again. She sat back down and sipped her tea. Still shaken by the threat, Shinichi felt his knotted stomach unable to finish his coffee. While he tried not to mull over Nakamori-san's words (he really didn't want to think about when his deal with Tsukiko would come to an end) he watched the girl finish her tea and stand from her seat. She paid at the counter and then smiled ever-so-sweetly at him and walked away. Shinichi shuddered.

Yep. Best friends are terrifying.

"She didn't kill him."

"I was sure she'd kill him."

"Me too."

"How about Aoko kills both of you for spying on her~!"

"Aaaaand we're dead!"

Preview:

"You've got to invite Tsukiko-chan, Holmes Geek!"

"Why? I'm not planning on going to the beach." Shinichi stepped back as Sonoko trapped him against the booth, herself leaning over the table between them in a threatening manner.

He's starting to get a feeling that cafés have become convenient place for him to be accosted and threatened by overpowering women with a grudge against him! When did that become a rule?!

[...]

-So that's why.-

-Don't make it sound like it's an ordeal! The beach is fun!-

-You do realise you'll be required to be in a swimsuit, right?-

-And your point is? Don't tell me you actually are jealous like Sonoko thought!-

-Of course not!-

-Are you sure you're ok with this? I can still find an excuse for us to cancel.-

-Shinichi, the point of this trip is for us to have fun. You've been working routinely without break for too long! You need FUN-

-But what about your disguise!-

-That's for me to worry about. I'm a professional. When I engaged myself to be your girlfriend, I knew what it implied and I had considered such a scenario.-

-Seriously?!-

-I'm very forseeing.-

-But how …?-

Shinichi didn't know how to ask the thief but Kaito understood anyway.

-You'll just have to wait and find out, won't you~!-