"Well? I'm waiting."
I felt a drop of sweat slid down from my forehead to my chin as I gulped down the saliva that built up in my mouth. I threw Kotei-san a glower when I heard him stifle a laughter behind his hands. I... can't really understand him. I glanced at Ouji-kun, who tapped his foot on the floor as he waited for my answer.
I had let Yūjin rummage my fridge while I knelt down. I didn't come home last night due to the fact that Kotei-san and I were held back to give our reports to the police. However, would Ouji-kun believe me when I say so?
"There were... a few complicaions—"
"— you got lost, I know—"
"— and I was caught up in a case—"
"— again? You really are a Murder Magnet—"
"— it's not a murder, though. As I was saying, I was held back with Kotei-san here to give our reports to the police. It took the entire night since there were a lot... of misunderstandings."
I blinked when I felt Kotei-san hug me from behind. "Do forgive this precious little girl, Noir."
"Please get away from her, Kotei. I do not appreciate the fact how you're too close for comfort." I warily thanked Ouji-kun. "Shino-chan—" I let out a breath I didn't I was holding when he called me by my nickname. "— tell me next time, okay? I was worried sick." Guilt drowned me whole. It was like our roles reversed.
I unconsciously shrugged off the foreign limb on my person as I gave Ouji-kun an apologetic smile. "I apologize, then. I was being a hypocrite myself." Ouji-kun's hand found itself on top of my head and ruffled my hair. "You are going to be the death of me someday, Shino-chan." I barely held back the urge to roll my eyes at his statement.
"The same could be said to you, Ouji-kun."
A groan startled me, making me glance back at our guest. "Stop being so lovey-dovey with each other. I feel so lonely." I rolled my eyes at Kotei-san, wondering just what he came here for. (Well, he did make sure that I didn't lose my way... for the third time.) "Then why don't you leave? Shouldn't you be at work?" Thick sarcasm laced Ouji-kun's voice.
Sometimes, I have this vague sense of feeling that I've met these brothers from somewhere and that was even before I met Ouji-kun and Yūjin. I've never really acknowledged it before but seeing them interact this much and seeing how they talk to each other just made me feel oh so nostalgic about something.
"Ah, yes, work. I have a day off."
I swore a nerve popped on Ouji-kun's forehead at the tone of his brother's voice. "C'mon, Shino-chan. We have school today." Kotei-san barely held in his laughter while I facepalmed. He completely forgot, didn't he? "Ouji-kun?" He stopped halfway up the staircase with quirked eyebrows.
"How old are you again?"
"I'm twenty—"
He abruptly stopped whatever he was saying and blanched in horror. "I'm a— I'm a—" He repeated that over and over again until I decided to approach him and flicked his forehead, snapping him out of his trance. "You're. A. Ten-year-old. Kid." For some reason, I heard a distinct crack in the distance.
What the—?
I startled when Kotei-san draped an arm around my shoulders again. "Aww~ is Noir heartbroken?" I threw the ginger-head a confused expression. "Why would Ouji-kun be heartbroken? It's not like a family member died." Kotei-san suddenly bursted into laughter while my best friend's shoulders sagged even further.
Holy cheesecakes! Was it something I said?!
My worry and panic must have been obvious because Kotei-san laughed harder than before if it was possible. "Shinobu-chan, you're so adorable~" He rubbed his cheeks against mine and— what the actual cheesecakes?! We're not even that close with each other! He finally pulled away, his lips set into a casual smile.
His creepiness gives me shivers.
"Anyways, I have to get going. I'll see you later, Shinobu-chan, Noir~" He winked at us as he left, giving me another bout of shivers.
What was his whole deal anyway?
oooOooo
Ever felt like time was going so slow when you just want the day to be over? That's what I feel like right now. Our lecturer's voice droned on and on and on and it felt like hours already when, in fact, thirty minutes had just gone by. This entire boredome was popped away when someone slammed the door open, huffing and puffing in exhaustion.
"E-Everyone! A letter— A letter for Kudo-san!"
Almost everyone turned to look at me while I gave him a confused look. "A letter for me?" I hesitantly approached him. What kind of letter was it? In all my life, this was the only letter written for me.
(Kobayashi Ouji actually ripped all the love letters sent to Shinobu.)
Once I saw the signature, I now understood why this guy rushed all the way to my class. Almost every one of my classmates peeked over my shoulder, pushing each other just to see a glimpse.
"EHHHHHH?! IT'S FROM KAITOU KID?!"
Heh, so Kaito-chan finally decided to confront me.
"No way!"
"Kaitou Kid is challenging Kudo-chan!"
"This is gonna be awesome!"
"I can't wait to see who'll win between them!"
"Open it!"
I chuckled at their enthusiasm. I gently ripped the envelope open, grabbing the letter inside.
A beautiful morning, my meitantei-san.
I rolled my eyes at his obvious flirting. My poor Kaito-chan... why did he have to become a pervert at such a young age? I pity Aoko-chan for putting up with him every single day.
A beautiful flowing blue and white silk
A ribbon of smooth flowing cloth
A step away from Beautiful and Enchancting
I'll be waiting for you, my meitantei-san.
If there was one thing I know about Kaito-chan, it was the fact that he could've come up with a better signature but who am I to correct him? A squeal from my right almost made me deaf and it made me wonder if me being inactive for most of my past life finally caught up to me.
"No way! Kaitou Kid called Kudo-chan his!!"
And suddenly, there was a wave of cheers and squeals that I swore made me deaf for a few seconds after their too much enthusiasm died down. I tried to wave them off but they were all too thrilled about this. Even more thrilled than me.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
At least everyone shut up now. Although, I never knew our history teacher could be so loud before.
Once everyone was settled in their seats, I read the tiny note written behind the letter.
I've figured it out, Shinobi-neechan.
A silent chuckle slipped through my lips, remembering my little prank from years ago. He must have finally known who the previous Kaitou Kid was.
Heh, this might be fun.
oooOooo
Author's Note
... ehehehe, I hope this makes up a little bit for my inactiveness.
Plys, thank you for reading this still even though a year had passed.
I'm lucky to have you guys!
( /•/ω/• /)
Then, um, is it too much to ask of how think of it so far?
(•ω•)