"What's the meaning of this?!" Nakamori bellowed, storming into the room, slamming his hands on the desk of his direct superior, formalities momentarily forgotten. He pointed a practised finger at a newspaper he pressured a subordinate, standing a few safety metres away from him, to hold. Jirokichi Suzuki's face printed in large, and fingers that formed a peace sign, covering half his chin and half his cheek, grinned back at him. "Does he like to be robbed?!"

"Now, now, Nakamori-san," Chaki raised his hands, trying to calm him down, but was firmly ignored as the other turned and snatched the paper of his underling who immediately seized the opportunity to retreat, all shaky and sweating. But Nakamori chose to ignore that too. Instead fully concentrated on wrenching that damn face of Suzuki in between his hands, muttering strings of "old geezer," and "having too much free time," and Chaki was sure heard something like "going senile," But that couldn't be true. That would've been crude.

Nonetheless, Chaki mutely watched his junior wreck himself until he was winded- a panting mess- and only then proceeded to talk to him, motioning him to settle down before him.

"As the police, it doesn't concern us how he likes to handle his property." Chaki interlinked his hands, in front of his nose, sending a hard stare at Nakamori, who gulped but held a steady gaze.

"Matter is we need to protect it with our lives, if he have to."

Though it never came to that, and Chaki hoped it never will. There was a beat of sweat sliding down Nakamori's temple, and Chaki held a grin, knowing the next words will upset him. "Although that means, we have to protect him, too." He felt his mouth curve. "With our lives, that's it." And sure enough, Nakamori gurgled out a strangled "God forbid!" and Chaki laughed, melting away the tenseness that lurked its way in.

"Besides, this makes your work easier, no?" He smiled all wide but there was still a sharp edge that sat Nakamori on toes, his shoulders straighten the tiniest bit, Chaki could see. "He's luring KID out for you. It saves your pride a little."

Nakamori brows furrowed and his mouth twitched. From the corner of his eyes, Chaki could see his fists clenching. "All this time it was Kid selecting the pace." He continued anyway. "Coming and going as he pleases. Making us look like a laughing stock." His smile was now piercing, not at all friendly anymore. Nakamori shifted in his seat as Chaki pressed forward, "I wonder, whose fault it is?"

Nakamori froze, bruised pride and anger seemingly forgotten. And then, before Chaki could feel an ounce of sympathy for him, Nakamori sighed, energy seeming to leave him.

Chaki was indeed harsh to him, that he knew. After all Nakamori was doing his best- although at times it simply wasn't enough. He kneaded his forehead with his knuckles, already feeling a headache coming forth. Any day Kid run around free, meant for him hour-long lectures, and submitted documents as to why Kid wasn't convicted yet. He snorted. A if it was that easy, but-

If you don't catch him soon, Nakamori-san, I can't guarantee your position as a police officer anymore.

"My apologies, Chaki-Keishi," Nakamori sighed, ruffling his hair, speaking as though he heard the chief's fleeting thought. "But I don't seem to outwit him at all."

"That," Chaki said equally troubled, "I have noticed." And when Nakamori chose to stay quiet, Chaki rubbed his neck, already knowing he was going to regret the following words but steeled his voice as much as he put up the air of indifference around him and said, "Nakamori-san, you failed to imprison Kid several times, yes?"

Nakamori nodded, face straight but his fists clenched again. "That's true."

"And you're aware, you're treading on a thin line," he continued without a beat and regarded his junior hard. "That, I could fire you for incompetence in a heartbeat."

"Yes, I know."

"Then, don't disappoint me."

"I won't, Keishi." and this time Chaki saw that Nakamori's eyes were alight and blazing, and he breathed out, relieved. Glad that the news fuelled him instead of crushed him further. "Not this time."

He spoke of so much conviction, Chaki was sure he heard "Not with this much on stake" follow, but he was wrong. Nakamori was already up and storming down the hall with new found determination and- probably- cackling like a madman, as he was surely, by now, muttering a range of plans under his breath.

Hopefully, they will work too, Chaki thought veering in his chair to gaze out of the window.

He couldn't afford to lose skillful men, no matter how maniacal they were.

A daredevil shadow dances in glory . . .

Aoko shot Keiko a disbelieving look. "You're out of your mind."

"It will work! I gave thought to it." Keiko reassured, laying on Aoko's bed on her stomach, folding her arms on the open paged magazine, she been flipping through. "This way you can figure everything out yourself without playing into Hakuba's hands. You'll get to see Kid yourself. You can judge him for yourself, if he's Kid or not. And besides," Keiko rose a brow at her. "The heist is in two days. You don't have much choice."

Aoko was already shaking her head vehemently, burying her nose deeper into her workbook as if trying to hide from Keiko's (alarming) sparkling eyes. "You're method is way too crazy. They always are."

"How's so?" She smiled, quick and wicked, and Aoko's warning bells were ringing louder than ever before. "The last time I had such a brilliant idea, it got me an awesome date and dessert for free."

"And I got convicted for theft. . ." She started to mutter under her breath and Keiko butted in again.

"I didn't know he didn't pay." She adjusted her glasses, closing the magazine. "Who told you to stay there anyway? You should have left when we did. They wouldn't have caught you on footage, then."

Aoko shot her a hateful glare. "You know I wanted that Strawberry Jumbo ice cream."

Keiko laughed, breathing out a "They let you go later, though!" followed by a wheezed "Why are you still mad?", but Aoko ignored her, and turned back to her homework. Not so much as mad as Keiko thought but more amused at Keiko's vile habit to choke herself to death with her own laughter. Keiko's words still echoed in her ears. Her idea was absurd and improbable, not to mention the consequences were unfathomable. She wondered why did she even bothered to listen and-

. . .Are we going to jail if we're caught?

"No, but your Dad might loath me for putting his precious angel in danger." Came Keiko's direct reply and Aoko blinked, somewhat confused, somewhat suspicious, and then, snorted.

"What? It's not my fault you're obvious. For someone hanging out with Kaito as much as you do, you sure aren't adapting his pokerface." Keiko wrinkled her nose, continuing. "Although you've been gaining some other stuff from him."

Aoko frowned, protest thick on her tongue, about to spring out too when-

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Keiko grabbed her phone from the nightstand, peering at the ID before tossing it Aoko, giggling, and Aoko noted with a thump that Keiko's eyes were glittery again. She took the call, waiting a few moments and then, sure enough, Kaito spoke first.

"I won't be able to come tomorrow."

Words spoken tentative and heavy. Low and hoarse. And Aoko could feel herself already resigning.

Could already identify the regret seeping in her. Her words, though, were slow and drawn out in full bloom. So contrasting him.

"Alright."

"Don't wait for me."

"Okay."

The call ended. Just like that. And Keiko was already on her feet. Eyes big and worried, and Aoko couldn't help wishing that they should sparkle again. That the atmosphere should be light and happy, not anxious and gloomy. It was only Kaito after all. He was always jumping to places, doing things on his own. Always leaving these gasps, she was bumping into. Especially, when she was trailing him, trying to catch up to him.

It's not like I expected anything else.

He's going to continue evolving, even if it means leaving her behind. He always had a mind of his own. A mind that stopped at nothing. Even if it ended up burning him. Or her. Or anyone for that matter. She gazed up at Keiko, resolve brimming in her eyes, blistering and scorching.

"You plan," she forced out, quenching the troubled feelings rousing in her stomach. "Tell me your plan again."

"Oh, alright." It was Keiko's turn to blink at the sudden mood change. "Why though? I thought you were against it."

Aoko's gaze lingered on the window for a moment, meeting swirls of dark blue and twists of purple along with the fading sun.

"Let's just say I can't fill his gaps anymore."

. . . But I don't want him to leave either.

. . . Show me the world you're hiding.

Ginzō sat in his office, pen tapping against the doodled sheet that lay on his desk. For the life of him he couldn't conjure a plan impermeable enough. It seemed like all his ideas weren't as . . . secure. Kid definitely could come up with something to avert it, and then counterattack with his nonsensical hogwash magic. Ginzō tossed his pen down and stretched his aching muscles above his head, gazing at the frozen clock, lost in thought.

"Keibu!" The door swung open, revealing one of his many men saluting, just like Ginzō wanted.

Back straight, facing forward with a firm expression- unyielding and brave. Ginzō nodded to himself, that's how the police was supposed to be. "We received Kid's message. He accepted the challenge!"

"What else did you expect?" He murmured, taking the notice his subordinate reached out to him.

He read through it, mulled it over, and scribbled again on his sheet again, barely noticing the other still standing there, fidgeting. "Umm, Keibu?"

"Yes?" He asked mindlessly.

"Chaki-Keishi wants to know, if you have a plan set."

At that he looked up, brows creasing. "Did he tell you why?"

"Well, he said if you are having trouble," his subordinate began slowly, managing not to fumble over his words, and his tentativeness led Ginzō brows to sank further.

He isn't going to say what I think he is, is he?

Ginzō regarded him hard, a dangerous grin growing on his face, while the other practically now damped the floor with his dripping sweat.

"There is always Hakuba-kun to rely on. Chaki-Keishi said he'll be atte-"

The officer tried to finish but ended up squeaking at the flaring fire radiating behind his superior's back, all flashing and raging. He pressed the back of his hand against his mouth to supress another high pitched sound when Ginzō levelled an, glowing demonical, eye on him.

"Ah, is that so?" Ginzō rose from his seat, spouting the words with a dark edge that had the younger backing towards the door, cowering. Ginzō's eyes fell back on the notice, stashing it away in his pocket and headed to the door, opening it. A gust of air blew on his face and Ginzō gazed at the other, who somehow managed to end up at the other side of his office, near the window. He blinked and then gave the other an odd looked at which the officer choked on but Ginzō ignored that, waving his hands and mumbling a low, unimpressed, "You're dismissed."

Slightly wondering, why the majority of his subjects acted so strange around him.

Odd.

He decided scratching the back of his head, and left the room, strolled down the end of the hall, through the doors, into the lobby, out the double doors, aimlessly walking around until his feet met familiar gravel and sand along with the occasional mud he sidestepped. When he saw the first streak of red above the glowing yellow and twirls of orange, he decided to head home.

As his feet guided him through the various streets and turns, a distant glimpse of a bright yellow glow from Aoko's window finally met his wandering eyes. He smiled momentarily before frowning.

Someone ahead of him, presumably male, stood close to the walls, staring at the same direction he did seconds prior. A nerve twitched on Ginzō's temple, his hands closing into fists.

Who had the guts to peep at my daughter?!

The man crooked his head slightly, a mesh of brown hair, illuminated by the streetlights, came to his view along with shining sea blue eyes, and Ginzō's eyes squinted.

Is that Kaito-kun?

His eyes widened. Was he seeing things? Ginzō rubbed his eyes, blinked, and looked again. The sight hasn't changed. It was indeed Kaito.

He closed his eyes, mentally prepared himself, straightened his tie, and walked as professional as he could. Ginzō made extra sure that his eyes were sharper than usual. Hs voice more menacing than usual. He clasped Kaito on the shoulder, ignoring the way the boy flinched beneath his hand, and said with a strained measured voice, "I never took you for that type."

"Nakamori-Keibu!" Kaito jumped, not expecting him to be so close to him, and then raised a delicate brow as he let out a confused. "What do you mean?"

"You might be a family friend but such dirty acts don't go unpunished, especially when it happened to be my own daughter." My inner police just won't allow that.

"Nakamori-Keibu, what are you talking about?"

"I honestly expected more from you," he said clutching Kaito's forearm, getting out his handcuffs. "But even the good ones seem to turn out to be scams."

"He- hey! Wait a moment!" Kaito flailed, twisted and pulled his arm away from Ginzō's appearing hawk-like clutch, but soon enough -a click!- resounded and Kaito screeched as manly as he could- which actually wasn't that much. "What's this for?!"

"As if you didn't know already." The Inspector snorted, throwing him a heated gaze over his shoulder, "I will fill a Case File on this. But I must say you're devious, a real trickster." At Kaito's puzzled expression he elaborated. "If I haven't seen you on action today myself, I would've never believed you're a peep."

After a few more thoughts on the matter and the resurfacing memory of who actually the victim was, Ginzō gurgled and whirled his head from left to right. Remembering, all those days he left those two on their own devices alone at home.

How many times had Kaito peeked at her like that? What kind of Dad had he bee- no- that was in the past now. It was, what kind of Dad will he be, if Ginzō leaves matters as they stood. Nodding to himself, he pulled the chains, dragging Kaito along with him who still resisted with his feet.

"I haven't done anything!"

"Tell that your solicitor, in fact, tell them you peeped at my daughter too."

Kaito's jaw hit the floor, pokerface momentarily forgotten. "Whaaat?!"

"No need to deny, kid. I have already seen your real face."

"You're misunderstanding! Keibu I-!" Another not so many squeak fell from his lips as Ginzō pointed his gun at his face, his face awfully close to Kaito's as he spit out, "Save it." And pulled the chain again but ended up pulling the air.

What?

Ginzō turned, seeing Kaito standing steps behind him, rubbing and twisting his wrists and his eyes widened. He strode forward, grabbed Kaito's hands and examined them from all sides.

"How'd you do that?"

"Huh?" Ginzō's eyes roamed his face. Kaito must've noticed how serious he looked, for he answered again, more serious too. "That is something I cannot tell you."

The Inspector scrubbed his chin, mumbling before him and Kaito took the opportunity to drag his hands back. "Work with me."

"Huh?"

"Work with me." Ginzō repeated. His eyes looked so earnest, as he stepped in front of the younger. "Maybe with you we can finally capture Kid. You're from the same coin as him, after all."

But, of course. How could he overlook such an important detail? Kid would never expect to compete with his somebody of his own kind. Especially not somebody as advanced as Kaito in magic. Aoko said he was the best, after all.

"Weren't you about to arrest me?"

"I will if you don't accept." Ginzō's grinned and Kaito blanched. "Be thankful. If it had been anyone else I wouldn't mind reporting it. See it as your chance to redeem yourself." There was a short silence which Ginzō quickly filled. "I won't tell Aoko either."

Kaito's brows furrowed. "I never peeped."

But, Ginzō already clasped his hands together, excitement lingering in his eyes and muttering something were suspicious like "magic against magic!" but nobody could be sure.

"Suzuki's holding an exhibition in two days, I expect you to be there to check it out tomorrow."

"Alright," Kaito breathed out, surrendering to his fate when his eyes suddenly snapped open. "Wait- tomorrow?!"

"What, you got something else planned?" Ginzō threw him a glance over his shoulder, halting his footsteps.

"Well, yeah I have."

Ginzō sighed, racked a hand through his hair, and then turned, facing Kaito again. "My job is on the line, you know. They will fire me if I fail." He didn't know what compelled him to confine into a teenager, but it felt strangely good to let his troubled thoughts out. Or maybe it was only because he was speaking to Kaito. "I can't fail this. I hope you know that."

Ginzō left after that, crossed the final metres separating him from his house. When he opened his front door, Ginzō risked a glance over his shoulder and sure enough, Kaito was still rooted to the same spot he left him earlier in. He felt sort of bad, but Kaito could always ignore his words.

They weren't his troubles after all. He only hope Kaito knew that, too.