"And you got Nakamori," added Michael.
"I did?" Kaito acted forgetful. "I don't remember..."
"Well, I certainly didn't," Michael said. "He'd never have approved of Conan's stunt."
"You have a point there," Kaito agreed. "So then he must have been the one tracing my family history back through Adam."
"That sounds like him," Michael smirked. "So we split the cost."
"Tomorrow at 6," Kaito said, grinning. "Meet me here and we'll go somewhere good."
"All right," Michael agreed. He yawned and glanced at his watch. "It's almost 11. We better hit the sack now before it's too late." He looked over at where Kaito had been standing.
Kaito was lying on the couch, eyes closed, apparently sleeping. Michael stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. "How does he do that?"
--
The next day, Teitan Elementary was abuzz, for two reasons. One, of course,
was that school was back in session; the second reason was the Kaitou heists over the past two weeks.
Conan wasn't particularly in a mood to talk to anyone, which, Michael supposed, was understandable, as he'd been unable to prevent a single one of the ten robberies, let alone catch the Kid.
On the other hand, Michael's 'Kaitou Carmen' autograph drew quite a bit of attention, as did the fact that he'd been knocked out and impersonated by the same. However, this time, Michael didn't try to hide but instead showed off some of his magic tricks. He was getting the hang of being the center of attention.
After school let out, Michael and the rest of the Detective Boys went over to Agasa's house. The Professor had come up with a new game and a new, but still lame, pun-based quiz, all since the last time Michael had seen him.
Michael decided that the game was a bit too easy. The others--excepting Conan of course, who refused to try--agreed with his conclusion.
"It should be harder, Professor," Mitsuhiko said. "Right now it's so easy that it's boring."
Agasa smiled. "We can fix that," he said, taking the controller. He popped up a diagnostics console and changed a few settings. "Try it now."
It was a bit more challenging this time, but it was still too easy. Michael took matters into his own hands.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Mitsuhiko asked in a mixture of concern and amazement as Michael clicked through the menus at lightning speed.
"Nope," said Michael cheerfully. "I'm guessing."
He was done quickly. Now the cars exhibited substantially more lifelike maneuvers, making it realistic and difficult at the same time. Haibara shot daggers at his back with her eyes; he could tell she was upset at his exhibition.
Which, he supposed, was understandable, since they weren't supposed to know the truth about the apotoxin. But they seemed to accept his explanation of "lucky guessing".
"Oh!" Agasa exclaimed, slapping his forehead. "I almost forgot. Do you kids want to go camping this weekend?"
"Yes!" they chorused in unison--they being everyone except Haibara and Conan.
"Great!" the Professor said, smiling. "I found a good campground online.
It's within walking distance of an ancient ruin called /Himitsu Nejiro/."
"Himitsu Nejiro?" Michael mused.
"Yes," Agasa nodded. "It was a hidden fortress belonging to some warlord several hundred years ago."
Michael pondered that for a moment. The name was nagging at him... there was something about it, something he couldn't quite place. And that was odd because he had a photographic memory. He didn't forget things easily.
"Michael-kun, look out!" Ayumi cried. Michael jolted out of his daydream to realize that he was still in the middle of a game. He quickly recovered,
but he still lost the round.
"Hey, Michael, are you feeling OK?" Genta asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Michael said absently. He handed the controller to someone else and moved over.
--
"MICHAEL!" Haibara waved her hand in front of his face.
Michael started and looked around. Everyone else had left already. "Oh, sorry. I think I phased out there."
"Yeah," Haibara said, looking amused. "I've been trying to ask whether you intended to stay for supper."
Michael glanced at his watch, horrified. "It's that late? I'm supposed to meet Kaito at the house at 6! I've got to get going!" He waved as he ran towards the door and grabbed his things. "See you tomorrow, Haibara-san!"
--
Kaito was standing on the porch, punching a number into his cell phone when Michael skated up. He snapped it closed when he looked up and saw Michael.
"It's nearly quarter after," Kaito said, frowning. "I was beginning to think you'd been kidnapped."
"Not FUNNY," Michael said, tossing his schoolbag in the front door. "Hey, Kaito. Want to go camping this weekend?"
Kaito blinked. "Why the sudden change of subject?"
Michael grinned. "I'll tell you at the restaurant."