- I'll only be gone for a little while Shin-chan! Until then, behave and don't get yourself into any trouble, ok?
A blue-eyed 7-year-old boy looked at his mother with a bored expression on his face that clearly said "Whatever!". Ha! It wasn't the first time he was all by himself anyway. He could go to school alone since he was 5 (kindergarten, to be exact, but that doesn't make any difference).
Seeing her son's "I don't care" expression, the beautiful blond woman sweatdropped. Well, that's her son alright. Lifting her son up, ignoring his protest like "Mom, put me down!", she squeezed him tightly and then kiss him on the cheek. Then she put him down:
- Have fun with the other kids Shin-chan! Mommy will be back in no time!
With that, she waved at her son and then disappeared into the crowded street.
Shinichi checked all over the playground, but found nothing interesting. Swing, see-saw and jungle gym are definitely not his things. So he decided to just sit down on a bench and read "The Sign of Four" (Seriously, where did he get it from?).
He was so engrossed in the book when he heard a voice right beside him:
- It's not normal for a kid like you to just sit here and read a book! Why don't you come and join the others?
Shinichi looked up and next to him stood a boy whose face resembled him a lot, except this boy had messier hair and violet eyes, not blue. He stared at the boy for a moment and continued with his book:
- I don't feel like it. There's nothing interesting.
The other boy protested:
- Oh come on! At least you can have some fun too! It can't be that boring!
Shinichi casted a bored glance at the boy. Apparently he wasn't paying any attention to what the other boy was talking about and just kept on reading. But that didn't last long. Shinichi yelped when the book was snapped out of his hands:
- Hey! What do you think you're doing? Give it back!
- Nuh - uh! If I give it back, you'll just keep on reading again! And believe me, it's not good for your eyes! My mom said so!
- I can take care of myself very well, thanks for your concern! Now are you going to give it back or not?
- Not in a million years!
A smirk appeared on Shinichi's face as he stood up:
- So you want to do it the hard way huh?
A grin also showed up on the other's:
- Yep! If you want it, come and get it!
And with that, the boy ran away. Shinichi followed. They continued their game of tag for about 3 rounds along the playground, and obviously they were having fun (Though Shinich would never admit this out loud). They were both laughing while running until the violet-eyed boy crashed into another boy, a big one and fell to the ground.
- Brat, where do you think you're going?
The violet-eyed boy looked up into the bully's face and an innocent smile appeared:
- Err...running around?
The bully didn't seem satisfied with his answer and that made him sweatdrop. Oh oh, he was in big trouble!
The bully raised his hand, ready to hit the messy-haired boy when a plastic can hit his hand, made him cry in pain. He looked up to see another boy with neater hair and blue eyes looking at him with a smirk. Right that moment, a snake appeared on his head! He screamed and ran away without a glance back.
Shinichi ran to his newly-made friend and helped him stand up:
- Hey, you ok?
The violet-eyed boy look at him with a grin:
- I'm totally fine, thanks! And by the way, you got me! So, here's your book!
With that he handed out the book, but Shinichi just snorted and looked away:
- You crashed into that boy so it doesn't count! I can catch you fair and square!
A smirk.
- Oh, is that so?
A grin.
- Why don't we find out for ourselves?
- You're on!
And they continued their game of cat and mouse, laughters echoed in the air.
Later that day, people who went pasted the playground could see two identical boys (with slight differences, but not much) sitting on the swings, each holding an ice-cream.
- My name is Kuroba Kaito! What's your name?
- Kudo Shinichi, nice to meet you!
- Say Shinichi, was it more fun than just sitting over there and reading a book?
Shinichi thought for a moment, then answered with a smile:
- Yeah, I guess you can put it that way!
Kaito smiled back. He didn't know why, but playing with Shinichi was definitely better than with Aoko, though she had been his friend since he was a little kid.
- I didn't know you were that good at soccer! I mean, from that distance and you hit him exactly at his hand! And thank you for that!
Looking at his friend, Shinichi grinned:
- No problem! You wouldn't get beaten anyway, I don't think he knew the snake was fake! Say, who taught you that trick?
- My dad! He is the most talented, the most awesome magician in the world! And one day I'm gonna be like him!
- A magician, eh? Interesting! Maybe I'll come and watch your dad perform someday!
- Really? That would be awesome! You'll have to agree with me that he's the greatest magician ever! Ah yes, tell me, what do you want to be?
- A detective! I'll help put those who do bad things into jail! Isn't it cool?
- Oh boy, I already feel sorry for those who have to face you! Imagine a soccer ball right in your face! I'll pass!
Loud laughters echoed into the afternoon air.
They weren't aware that not so far from the playground, two people were watching them. One was a tall, handsome man with quite messy hair, the other being a beautiful, blonde woman, each wearing a smile.
- Look Yukiko-chan, those two get along pretty well !
- So it seems Toichi-sensei ! And they look totally adorable together! If I didn't know them I would think they are twins!
- Everbody would. They do look alike, and they're not related at all.
Nodding in agreement, Yukiko Kudo continued to look at the two laughing children. Then suddenly realized something, Yukiko turned to her companion, Toichi Kuroba:
- Say Toichi-sensei, can I borrow Kai-chan sometimes? Walking along the streets with them would be cool, imagine having twins like that! Cute!
- That's so like you Yukiko-chan! Well, I don't see any problem with that! And I think Kai-chan would love to spend time with Shin-chan too, no doubt!
A bright smile appeared on Yukiko's face. Ho ho ho, this is going to be so much fun! Just imagine all the thing she will get those two adorable little boys into doing!
Poor Kaito, he didn't know what was waiting for him!