Aoko wasn't surprised when she received Jii-san's text later that night. He was a busy man after-all and he was no doubt occupied. What did surprise her was the invitation to join him at The Blue Parrot at 11:00 P.M. He was normally very considerate to her schedule so she figured it must have been important.
Aoko wasted no time in slipping on a comfortable outfit and leaving. She had to sneak out of the house for once due to her father being there, but it hardly made a difference to her. If Jii-san said to go somewhere, then there she will be. It took longer than she'd liked but she finally made it in front of The Blue Parrot. When she stepped in she was immediately greeted with the scent of strong coffee along with something sweet.
Jii-san stood behind the counter with a large collection of papers scattered in front of him. He shook his head frantically, and jotted something down on the clipboard in his hands.
"Jii-san?" Aoko called to him carefully. "What's all this?" She walked forward glancing over the papers.
"Jii-san sighed heavily and waved his hand over the pile. "A plan."
Aoko cocked her head curiously. "A plan for...?"
"Your admittance into The Helping Hand." Jii-san sat on the stool behind the bar. "You'll have a bit of breathing room since you'll be doing the basic course first." He looked at Aoko tiredly. "You have a little less than a year until you turn 18, correct?"
Aoko paused, wondering how her age would come into play. "Correct."
Jii-san nodded solemnly, "then you will just make the cut."
"What does that mean?"
Jii-san's shoulder tensed. "It means that the one year you have for basic training will buy you time for you to turn 18." Jii-san saw Aoko's confused expression and continued, "The House of Cards-and by extension- The Helping Hand follow certain guidelines for legal purposes. The main branch for the House and Hand is in America so we follow America's rules." Jii-san sighed in agitation. "There's no way Nakamori-keibu would allow you to take part in something like the Hand. Not to mention if he found out about Kid." Jii-san shivered.
"So the only way I'd be able to join is to sign for myself." Aoko finished.
"In America-and next year, Japan- the legal age is 18," Jii-san stated matter-of-factually.
"So because the main branch is in America. . ." Aoko began.
"The rules apply." Jii-san finished for her.
Aoko couldn't help but pout. She wanted to speed-run through basic training so she could hurry on to the advanced lessons, but it seems that it wouldn't be an option for her.
Jii-san picked up on her sour mood. "Well think of it this way, Nakamori-san if it had been by Japan's law you wouldn't have been able to until you were 20!"
Somehow that just made Aoko feel worse. A headache began to form at her temples and she pressed her hand against her head. She had a little less than a year to prove her worth to join The Hand/House. A little less than a year until she could dig up information about Kuroba-sensei and the men in black.
A sudden thought occurred to Aoko as she remembered Ohara-san's text. "Ohara-san wants me to sign both the basic training and the Hand."
Jii-san smiled in pride. "They saw your potential during the trial. They even threw some wrenches in your plan and you still had come through."
Aoko smiled, "I had a great teacher."
"Precisely why they want you to join immediately." Jii-san's smile turned wide and mischievous. "Since you can't join until you turn 18 we might as well have some fun with them."
Aoko saw the spark in his eyes and felt a cold sweat roll down her back. This expression should never be on Jii-san's normally patient face.
"We could tell them you want to see where the basics are at first. It'll be like you are testing them!" He sounded so excited to cause some chaos she felt bad for breaking it.
"Why would they think that? Isn't the House supposed to be an elite club?" Aoko couldn't figure out how she- a 17 year old nobody- could ever hold any weight over anything, least of all a secret elite society.
"It's precisely because they are elites that they will take your words as a challenge." Jii-san's smile was blinding. "That'll help everything!" He looked at her explaining, "when you meet with Katherine-san she will have a recorder with her. When she asks you why you didn't turn in the Hand application, tell her you want to see what the House can offer you."
Aoko's head began to spin in confusion. Wasn't Ohara-san a trusted friend of Jii-san's. Why would he want to say these things to her? Would she get in trouble? Aoko hoped not, as Ohara-san seemed to a very efficient person (minus the tardiness of course).
Jii-san continued on, rambling to himself. "They'll pull out all the stops for your basic training. If you excel they'll only want you on their side more which means they'll teach or offer you more!"
Jii-san began to gather up the papers, highlighting some notes every now and then. "It's perfect!" His eyes shown with a fire that made him seem 20 times younger.
Aoko had seriously doubted this plan could ever work. No offense to Jii-san but it seemed he was placing too much faith in her abilities. Aoko sank further in her stool and channeled Jii-san's excitement out, feeling weighted.
Standing outside the White Rabbit diner watching as people with deep pockets queue up in line, Aoko wondered about Jii-san's plan again. Truth be told, she hadn't stopped wondering about it. She just didn't think it could possibly work. Aoko Nakamori isn't the kind of person anyone would try to impress. She wasn't even truly talented.
She shifted her weight from foot-to-foot, fiddling with the strap of her school-bag. Another group of well-dressed workers entered the building in front of her. She glanced down at her high school skirt and ruddy, sneakers. Why did her skin itch all of a sudden? She clenched and un-clenched her fists. She could understand what Jii-san was (sort-of) saying. Perhaps pushing them just a little may incite a competitive spirit that she could use to further her growth. On the other hand, Aoko refused to push too hard. Pushing the subject in the way Jii-san expected could result in the removal from the program entirely. They could call her "too much of a handful," and toss her out. Then how'd she get information on Kuroba-sensei's file? Dumb-luck? Not to mention her career as an assistant would take a huge detour.
Aoko felt her stomach seize up and she didn't feel like eating anymore.
"Nakamori-chan, there you are!" Ohara-san's voice called to her from the side of the street. She jogged to Aoko throwing her an apologetic wink. "Sorry for making you wait!" When she reached her, Ohara-san held out her hand. When Aoko reached to shake Ohara-san pulled her in close. "Jii-san advised you, I hope?"
Aoko blinked in confusion. Was she in on Jii-san's plan? Bewildered, Aoko nodded.
"Good. I really hyped you up, you know," Ohara-san said playfully. When she noticed Aoko's alarmed expression she added, "not that it was a lie!" For a moment her expression changed and her mouth dropped into a contemplative pout. Her eyes trailed over Aoko in deliberation-sizing her up. When the moment passed she smiled again as if she had found exactly what she was looking for. "I meant what I said."
Aoko crooked her head to the side in confusion. She couldn't figure out where this conversation had started nor where it was going. The uncertainty made another roll of nausea pass through her stomach and she wondered how she could be expected to eat.
"About you having potential." Ohara-san clarified with patience.
Aoko thanked her but didn't know how to take that. Once again it seemed as if everyone had high expectations for a high school girl with no experience.
"Now Nakamori-chan, I know you're nervous but you need to be strong. When we enter the White Rabbit there will be people who will be listening." She gave Aoko a serious look. "When we sit down to order I'll be recording you too. It's a part of the interview process."
"But I'm not even dressed for a proper interview!" Aoko shrieked in horror.
Ohara-san laughed and held up her index finger in front of Aoko's nose. "Poker face, Nakamori-chan. Poker face."
Aoko sighed in defeat and took several small breaths to collect herself. From the moment she would enter the White Rabbit she'd be on a stage. Every word she says has to be measured and calm.
When she felt ready she looked at Ohara-san and nodded. Together they entered the White Rabbit.
They were shown to a private area where a mini-bar stood at the corner. Once again, Aoko was blown away by how different the place seemed to be. She wondered if it would ever become consistent. Right when they sat down, Aoko couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It seemed the temperature and conversation had dropped upon entering.
'I guess the interview starts now.' Aoko thought bitterly, resisting a shudder.
"So Nakamori-san, have you reviewed the offer?" Ohara-san asked in professional politeness.
Aoko took notice how she dropped the cute-sy suffix, and answered as polished as she could. "Yes, I have."
Ohara-san smiled, "And how did you find it?" She took a drink from her glass and pressed further. "We are the best in the profession and offer a great many learning opportunities."
Aoko kept the pleasant smile on her face and thought about Jii-san's advise. "While I am sure that your statement is true, I can't help but wonder."
Ohara-san had the decency to look shocked. "Wonder about what, might I ask?"
Aoko drew out a sigh she hoped sounded mostly indifferent. "Well, you see. . . I've heard about your organization's status but nothing in these papers really specify what you offer that couldn't be learned elsewhere." Aoko took a drink to mask her nerves. "I guess you could say I'm interested but not fully convinced."
"Is our status not example enough, Nakamori-san?" Ohara-san pressed in faint offense.
"Oh please try not to take it personally Ohara-san. I'm sure the program is strong enough, but. . ." Aoko hesitated a moment trying to find the words that wouldn't make her appear too high-maintenance. "I suppose I'd like to have a trial of what you can offer before I fully commit." Aoko finished delicately.
"So just to be clear, you will not accept the advanced position at this time?"
"That is correct. I will accept the basic program just to see if this is the place for me." Aoko waited a moment, letting her words float in the air.
"I suppose you would not make a good assistant had you not question things" Ohara-san grumbled.
"That's the spirit!" Aoko clapped her hands and had made her signed paperwork for the basic program appear out of thin air. She handed the clipboard to Ohara-san. "If your program is as great as you assure me it is, then there is nothing to worry about!"
The waitress showed up again to take their orders and Aoko ordered the first thing she could read and hoped it wasn't too expensive. "If that's okay with you, Ohara-san."
Ohara-san smiled in challenge, "For someone who had no previous stage experience you sure talk a big game."
Aoko squared her shoulders and folded her hands in her lap. "Ohara-san, I know what I'm about. I know what I can already handle, and what I can learn. What I don't know is how adept your instruction and opportunities will be for me." Aoko smiled and continued, "Of course, you are not too sure about me either. Really, this arrangement benefits both of us. I can see what makes your organization different and you can see what makes me different."
Ohara-san narrowed her eyes but Aoko refused to break. Finally, Ohara-san sighed in aggravation, "I'll have to see what the other members think." She grabbed the clipboard from Aoko's side of the table. "For now, I will accept this form. We'll get the other one when you decide to join."
"Don't you mean 'if'?" Aoko inquired innocently.
Ohara-san smiled sharply, "I know what I said."
Aoko chuckled and by the time their conversation had ended, their food had arrived.
They had spent the rest of their late lunch talking about all the different things the basic training course can offer her training. When they were about to leave, Aoko was approached by a man with deeply dark skin, a primly trimmed mustache and a kind face.
"Nakamori-san, right?" He bowed to Aoko in greeting. "My partner had wanted me to give this to you before you left." He quickly handed Aoko a key and with a final nod he went to the back area of the diner.
Aoko stood in the entryway completely dumbfounded. 'Who was that?' Who was this partner he spoke of? She turned back to Ohara-san only to notice the older woman was no longer with her. 'What the hell?'
Later into the night, Katherine Ohara had made it back to her hotel room on the 17th story. No sooner had she scanned her key-card in she was greeted by the sight of her much younger master- Robert J. Royce- or as she called him (when not in the presence of other assistants and company)-Rob-kun. Rob-kun hated when she used suffixes with his name, but she couldn't help the fact that she was married to the Japanese culture anymore than he could help being saturated in his American one. In all honesty he should be grateful for the -kun title she had barely managed to be comfortable with, as if she had it her way, he'd be known as 'Robert-sama' despite the many years they have been working together and their close friendship.
Rob-kun rushed forward and helped her with putting her bags down. There was no issue with the weight of the bags and she (like Jii-kun) was in top form for her age, but her master still fussed over her as if she didn't need to bother with such things. 'Who is the master, and who is the assistant, again?'
"How was she? How did it go?" He asked excitedly once everything had been put away. Katherine sighed and took her heels off, rolling her ankle to get the stiffness out.
She and Rob-kun were at a performance in San Diego, California when they had gotten the call from Jii-kun about a favor he wished to ask of them. Naturally they would agree to it regardless of what was being asked, but once Jii-kun had said he had a disciple that needed a trial and introduction to the House, Rob-kun had dropped everything to take the very next flight to Japan. It marveled her how invested he was in Nakamori-chan's growth given that she wasn't a Kuroba herself. Before Kuroba-sama's death Rob-kun had always made sure to stay in a state of consistent contact with the Kuroba family. He and Kuroba-sama were very close and both of them would always be the first person the other called when any major life-event happened. Kuroba-sama had told Rob-kun that despite Jii-kun, he was the first person to see and hold a baby Kuroba-bocchama. Her mood soured when she compared how happy her master was then to how he is now. Kuroba-sama's death had changed. . . a lot of things for her master and most all of them were for the worse.
"Well!?" Rob-kun looked down at Katherine expectantly and she gave him the tape recorder. His grin was almost devious as he snatched it up and dashed to his conjoined suite to listen to the interview.
When Kuroba-sama died, his wife, Kuroba-san had banned them from ever having anything to do with the youngest Kuroba much to Rob-kun's dismay. Every time they would even send so much as a birthday card it was intercepted and who knew what happened to whatever money, magician's tool, or care package that the card came with. The only reason they still knew anything at all about Kaito Kuroba was thanks to Jii-san informing them of his situation. They had know about Kaitou Kid because they were there when that persona was created and had helped to register the name. They were there alongside Kuroba-sama through everything in fact. They had given him a standing ovation each time he won a ring in the Magic Circle- a place only competing magicians were allowed to participate. They had encouraged and supported him when he decided to throw his hat in the ring for the title "Masters of the Arts," in the magic field. Rob-kun was his best man at his wedding and Kuroba-sama was the same for him two years later. They were basically brothers- both born into a world without a family. Both finding families with each other through their shared passion for magic. Rob-kun always said that the biggest blow to his magic wasn't when Kuroba-sama won a competition he didn't, it was when Kuroba-sama had died and had left him without a friend, colleague, rival and supporter. 'Brother," Ohara-san thought definitively. She looked at the door that lead to his suite and felt her eyes droop in sadness. It was difficult for Rob-kun to continue with magic but he felt he had to. He owed it to Kuroba-sama and all that he was, to carry on with it. To bring some light into a dark world. Some laughter to someone who may need it most.
Rob-kun blew back into the room with new energy. "She had done so well!" He swept Katherine up into his arms and began to twirl her around in a dance. Katherine smiled in amusement. Rob-kun always was a high-energy and playful sort often weaving grand stories and humorous situations into his acts. He and Kuroba-sama had made quite a pair of opposites. Where Kuroba-sama was reserved and formal, Rob-kun was talkative, and playful. The only thing they had in common was how traditionally eloquent they were with their acts. Despite how outlandish some of their moves would be, they always had a classic competence about them that was both cool and nonchalant. As if the magic they had conjured was no big deal. "Was she really as nervous as you said? I couldn't tell from the tape!"
Katherine recounted the conversation she and Aoko had before they walked in the diner and how it looked as if the young girl would pass out from sheer nerves. "When she entered the building it was like I was seeing a completely different person altogether. She hid her fears very well." Ohara-san walked towards the kitchen area with an eager Rob-kun hot-on-her-heels. "I actually doubt the basic program would teach her anything besides stage set-up and maintenance."
"Well yeah, but that's why when she turns 18 she'll be enrolling in the advanced program and then we can take over her studies from there!" He noticed Ohara-san take out a kettle and he took it from her, filling it with water. "You have to admit Kate, she was amazing back at the Kid heist, even when we sabotaged everything. The fact that she can handle herself in a interview is nothing to scoff at either! Jii-san had sent me the footage of her aerial dance and she's got potential!" He locked eyes with Katherine and continued. "Jii-kun never had a disciple before her, isn't that enough reason to go through all the hoops?"
"I'm not saying it isn't worth it. I would be fine going through the motions if there was chance that the Hand would get another assistant even half as adept as Jii-kun, but I'm worried about you." Katherine said honestly. She fixed him with another glare and when she was sure she had his attention, she continued. "I feel you are trying to make up for all your regrets and all of your wishes to be in Kuroba-bocchama's life by taking Nakamori-chan under your wing." Katherine's glare softened when she noticed his shoulders slump. "I know you always wanted to be there for the young master, but it wasn't your fault-"
"Chikage-san has every right to hate me, Kate. I know you don't see it but she does. I helped her husband maintain this-this-" Rob-kun interrupted and struggled to find the right words, "work." He finished lamely. His shoulders slouched further and he cradled his head in one hand. "He's her son too, Kate and now he's involved and I'm the start of it."
While it was true that Rob-kun was the person who initially suggested to Kuroba-sensei how he had an opportunity to compete against other shadowy organizations over one of the biggest trades- jewel and art theft- he hardly convinced him as he claims to have. He just drunkenly ran his mouth listing an idea he thought was good, it was Kuroba-sama who took that idea and ran with it. Katherine chose to keep her mouth shut though. She had already tried to reason with him about all of this many, many times before but he refuses to listen. No, he would much rather bear all of the blame, and the hate from Kuroba-san. Nevermind how she had been blaming him far longer than Kuroba-sensei's death resulting in the young master not even remembering his uncle's name. Nevermind how Kuroba-sensei had admitted to Rob-kun that it was the only cause for contention in his and his wife's relationship. Nevermind how he had offered countless times to introduce him to the bocchama in secret, (an offer Rob-kun never accepted because he didn't want Kuroba-sama to argue with his wife about it later should she find out. She always found out.) Kuroba-san was fine with her husband being Kid because she loved him, she was not fine with Rob-kun or his ideas (no matter how he has regretted ever since). As far as Kuroba-san was concerned it was all their fault and while Rob-kun wasn't entirely blame-less, it wasn't as if he was the sole reason either.
"Nakamori-chan isn't Kuroba-bocchama and I think it'd be pretty remiss of you if you forgot that." Katherine took a mug and pored herself a glass of boiling water for her tea. "When I look at her I see a young lady who has the passion and drive to become a wonderful assistant regardless if her master is to be the bocchama or some other lucky magician." She fixed him with a look that conveyed all the words she isn't saying. "I wonder when you meet her, what will you see?"
Rob-kun didn't answer, his face taking on a blank look giving away nothing, not even to his own assistant. She knew she pushed him but it wasn't fair to an otherwise skilled young lady who is not only doing this for her best-friend, but for herself. Nakamori-chan was her own person, separate from the young master and while it is true she is the closest they have ever gotten to interacting with him, she deserved to be acknowledged from her own merits and not his. Katherine looked into her cup of tea at the reflection it caught of her. While she may not be sure where this road would lead one thing had been very clear to her after meeting Nakamori Aoko, and that was while she was not a Kuroba, she was an exceptional Hand in the making. She glanced at her master silently making his coffee.
'What will you see when you look at her?'
A/N: Hey guys I hope everyone is still safe and sound! In case you haven't realized it, I'm still alive and I haven't forgotten this story. Despite 2020 being over the year still seems to be in full hazardous swing for me so I appreciate the patience everyone has had. I enjoy any comment you guys leave as it reassures me that even if I do take time away from this story for my personal life, there might still be people who would read an update. I'm trying to get you guys a couple of new chapters instead of putting it all in one long one because it just fits the pacing of the story much better this way.
I know that while reading this chapter it may have put Chikage-san in a poor light but rest assured she is still one of my favorite characters. I just think she suffers from a bad habit of displacing her anger vs. internalizing it (like Royce does). After her husband's death she seems to be desperately trying to distract herself with new and exciting things instead of facing her sorrow and loss head-on. I also think that may be the reason why she stays a bit away from Kaito too as the more he grows in his magic career, the closer he get to his father and after he found out about his dad being Kid it seemed to make her situation worse somehow. I think Chikage-san is a very complex character as I do believe she didn't want to quit thieving but had loved Toichi-san enough to give it up for something that was equally as entertaining but less dangerous. I honestly see her as both a selfish and self-less character in that regard. A woman of her fancies. I believe she has a hard lesson that (after the Midnight Crow chapters) she has begun to learn and that is: Kaito is NOT Toichi 2.0 nor is he like her in wants. He is his own person with his own goals and motivations. I truly believe Kaito does NOT want to be a thief and only enjoys the performance aspect of it unlike Chikage-san. Unlike his dad, I don't see Kaito continuing with being a thief, even if it were to further a just cause. I think if it really came down to it he would join a team of investigators as a temporary consultant rather than keep up with the pretense of being a thief. I believe he likes the competition but not the execution.
Also, Royce is the outlandish uncle that Kaito needed in his life! I wasn't suppose to introduce Royce until after Aoko made it through Basics but I couldn't put off his introduction anymore because he is one of my favorite characters I had created for this fic.
Thank you for your time, next chapter Aoko starts her job at the White Rabbit at night!