Konosuke Jii had a long day. First he had returned the jewel his young master had previously stolen, then he had to compile a list of potential new targets and all while keeping his business opened. Sometimes he wondered if he should give up the small bar/billiards parlor in favor of becoming Kaito-bocchama's accomplice full-time but he would always reconsider the thought. The Blue Parrot was all he had left after a long lifetime of various trades.

The bar was the only thing he felt was truly his and while he loved the Kuroba family more than most anyone he knew, he also appreciated this one thing that he never had to share. It was his business, and while it was modest in looks and operation Jii had found it to be a safe and relaxing place. An invitingly familiar environment that blessed him with memories of a much kinder time. He was going on 63 after all and despite what the young master may perceive, he wasn't getting any younger.

As much as it would pain him to admit, his movements had slowed in his age. While he could still perform advanced tricks-as the once proud assistant to Kuroba Toichi-sama- he has noticed the physical lag that has begun to slowly corrupt his movements. He could no longer run as quickly as he once had and could not keep even half the pace he once did. Breathing had become a bit more difficult and despite being in great shape (for his age), the years were clearly catching up to him.

He closed the front of the parlor down after following the last patrons out and making sure some of the drunker ones had gotten into taxis or other rides safely. He sat at the bar and opened his laptop to scope out some more targets. The leg braces he wore under his slacks had done nothing to ease the aches of his joints from the most recent heist. Normally Kaito-bocchama took extra care to keep Jii out of the lines of fire but after both Plan A and B were exhausted they were left on the last resort: place Jii as the decoy Kid while the real one finished the job.

Jii knew Kaito-bocchama would always come through in the end. He was like his father in that regard. They would never leave him in a tough spot and would do absolutely anything to keep him from danger. It was for this reason that Jii had felt guilt over. With Kaito-bocchama's young and flamboyant spirit it was only a matter of time before his age would become something of a deterrent.

It had served him right he supposed. If it had not been for him resurfacing the Kaitou Kid name Kaito-bocchama would have never discovered his father's secret. Oh how Toichi-sama had done everything to prevent his son from knowing- and it just goes to show how little Jii can really do that he messed all of it up 8 years after the fact.

He sighed dejectedly to himself and poured a drink. No matter how long the days or exhausting the nights, he will do all he can to end the organization that ended his best friend- and dearest master's- life. It was an absolute tragedy that the best plan happened to involve his son. After all, Jii may have knowledge of magic but there is a fine line between magician and assistant and it makes all the difference in the world.

He had begun to write down gems of interest when he heard a slight click coming from the front locked doors. Jii stiffened and shut his laptop down. Just as he stood up the front doors slowly opened with only the slightest of creaks. He adjusted his jacket and round spectacles and prepared to confront whatever hooligan that had decided to rob his parlor/bar. He waited a beat but when no one showed he cautiously approached the doors. He swiftly looked around for any perpetrators but found nothing. Locking the doors once again he quickly turned around to make his way back to his notes intent on taking everything home. What he saw nearly stopped his heart.

A young Nakamori Aoko had stood behind the bar's table with a kind and gentle smile on her face. She quirked her head at his suprised expression and raised the glass he had been drinking from in a mock toast over his open laptop.

"Come have a seat Jii-san you must be tired after today!"

Jii faltered and after collecting himself he asked, "Nakamori-san, what brings you here so late at night?" Did she break in? If so, how? Clearly Kaito-bocchama wasn't with her so why was she here?

"Aoko is so sorry to startle him but she has something really important to ask of Jii-san." She flashed another warm smile that had made Jii relax despite himself. He took her invitation and sat down before her.

"If I could help with anything I most certainly would young miss, but wouldn't Kaito-bocchama be a better outlet for you?" He gently dragged the laptop away from her but was stopped when she put her hand on top of his.

Jii tried to keep his composure. The laptop was programmed to lock when he flipped it shut- which he had- so unless she somehow figured out the password there was nothing to fear. Besides, it wasn't as if she even had time to type in the first place. The look she gave him went from conversationally receptive to something sharper. Suddenly Jii felt as if the room had gotten significantly stuffier.

"You see Jii-san, a couple of months ago I was involved in an incident to which I believe you know about-" (Jii had tried to cut in but she silenced him with a stern gaze) "-and I've come here tonight to get the truth not because I intend to side with the police and turn him in." She slid the laptop around revealing that it was indeed unlocked and all his findings glared back at him. Her eyes softened considerably while she continued. "I've known him for over 10 years Jii-san I think I can recognize his movements and smell out from just about anyone- no matter how skilled!" Her gaze darted to the monitor in silent contemplation and Jii ran through several ways to excuse this misstep- anyway for him to escape this situation.

"Young Miss I don't know what-"

A flush of outrage overtook her and she opened her mouth to yell but then seemed to think better of it and breathed deeply instead. She pushed the laptop towards him.

"I'm talking about my best friend- my 17 year old best friend-getting shot at, impaled, and run ragged for what amounts to pretty rocks!" Her voice was thick with emotion and while there was no accusation there Jii had still felt the pangs of one.

He lowered his eyes from hers. He couldn't take the desperate look. Something in her eyes were resonating with him and he knew if he didn't find a way out of this he would be responsible for yet another child getting dragged into this mess.

"If you're so sure then why not confront Kaito-bocchama about all this?"

It was a weak defense he knew but while he could keep secrets regarding tricks and tactics, matters of the heart were something else entirely.

Nakamori-san crossed her arms against her chest and sulked. "You don't think I've tried? If he knew I knew he'd just do something to try and throw me off the scent." she sighed again and rubbed the temples of her head. "Not that it'd work anyway and the worst case scenario is him pushing me even further away and quite frankly, I refuse!" She glanced up at Jii again. "I came to you because I know if anyone will hear me out it's you."

"Why me?" He breathed out and cursed himself when he found his voice had shaken.

"Because if anyone knew what I feel it'd be you. I've heard the way you speak of Kuroba-sen-" she corrected herself "-san." She breathed deeply and placed her hands in his. "I know you'd do just about anything for him and his family." Her eyes burned his. "That is exactly what I feel first and foremost for Kaito. I never want what happened then to happen again- not to him."

Whether she was referring to her fall and Kaito-bocchama's resulting impalement or to Toichi-sama's death (how much did she know?) was unclear. Jii stared at her and looked- truly looked- at this young lady for the first time since officially meeting her. She had the same wild mane of hair that she always had. She wore loose fitting and casual clothes- stylish and cute- but something was drastically changed. Jii had caught the change in her speaking pattern but above all it was her eyes. True to her name, her eyes were as deep a blue as sapphires but in this moment they were as wild as a storming sea.

"Why did it take you so long to contact me? Why now? How did you even manage to get in here and the laptop password?" He asked despite knowing the answer already. He had to confirm his suspicions.

"I had to wait to get enough info on you, this parlor, and on your routine. You and Kaito are not as careful as you should be. I suppose there are perks to being underestimated. After every Kaitou Kid heist either you or Kaito return the gem but it is almost always you who scouts for new targets."

Jii took a long sip of his drink and remained silent, contemplating this young lady who he seemed to have just met for the first time. He wondered where this persona came from. Had it been there all along? If so, what could have happened to cause her to put on such a harmless facade? And what did her previous slip up mean? She was about to call his master under a teacher's honorific (-sensei) he was sure. It felt as if someone handed him a puzzle board with all the pieces scattered.

Toichi-sama had wanted Jii to keep a distance from Kaito-bocchama if only to keep him from Kaitou Kid's truth. This was why Kaito-bocchama knew next to nothing about Jii whereas Jii knew everything about him. Toichi-sama would often speak about Kaito-bocchama to him and consistently update him on everything his son learned or whatever trick he pulled. He even remembers the first time hearing about the young Nakamori-san.

It was a chilly autumn night when Jii and Toichi were staking out a particular exhibition hall. The errand had gone smoothly and with the blueprints in hand they were good to retire for the night.

"Jii-kun," Toichi had called out casually and when he noticed the other's attention began again "You'd never guess what my son had done now." Toichi entered the car and when he sat behind the wheel he gestured for Jii to sit next to him.

No sooner had Jii buckled up in the passenger's side that Toichi took off and continued his story. "He's made a new friend at his elementary school this week."

Jii wasn't suprised by this news. From what he's heard from Toichi, Kaito was incredibly popular in his class. He most certainly didn't understand why this particular friend would be any different.

"That's wonderful." He responded nonetheless.

"She's the daughter of an officer," Toichi continued with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Well that is rather ironic I suppose, sir." While it was a rather funny thought- a daughter of a police officer friends with Kaitou Kid's son- Jii had not thought it all that spectacular.

"Not just any officer dear Jii-kun…" He paused and when he noticed Jii turn in his seat to look at him he finished "She's the only child of one Nakamori Ginzo the soon-to-be head of my own task force." Toichi was full on grinning and if Jii hadn't known better he would have thought this a joke.

The car grew silent as Jii gaped in the audacity of it all. Of all the children of officers in the Ekoda jurisdiction why that one. Jii had already felt his ears ringing with the colorful curses and obnoxiously loud bellows that particular officer is known to throw.

"W-Well," Jii tried to recover, "Kaito-bocchama has many friends I'm sure. There's no need to worry about running into him anytime soon-"

"I've already met with him."

Once again silence overtook the car.

"Master, I beg of you please keep your distance from-"

"If my son wants to spend time with his friend, he will" Toichi said easily. Jii had noticed how his previous grin faded and his grip on the steering wheel seemed to tighten just a small bit. Toichi glanced sideways at Jii and continued, "Kaito's life will not be changed because of this-" He gestured to the back seat where the blueprints and equipment lay. "If he wants her around then she'll be around. As a father he deserves to know the parents of whom his daughter hangs out with."

"What did you do?" Jii asked with no small amount of anxiety.

"I've invited her and her father to lunch with Chikage, Kaito and myself."

If Jii wasn't as fit as he was-or if he hadn't known his master so well- he might have been suprised enough for a heart attack. As it stood, he knew Toichi would never let his son go without-least of all if Kaitou Kid was the cause.

Jii sighed and rested his head in his hand. "I still don't think Kaito-bocchama would be around her all that much. Boys his age rarely pay attention to young ladies."

Toichi knowing better, had just smirked in reply.

"Jii-san please," Nakamori-san begged, gently breaking Jii out of his revelry.

He made the mistake of meeting her stormy eyes again and his heart ached for her. It was clear she was in great pain over this and her eyes had a talent for conveying what words could not. What once was a stormy, violent sea now had tampered down into a misty, foggy desperation and uncertainty.

"I'm just asking for the reason. I need to know why, Jii-san." Her hands shook as she clung onto his sleeve. It was as if he was her only anchor and he felt his heart constrict again, knowing he was the one who put her best friend in this position to begin with.

"Why?" He asked her in turn. "Why is it so vital for you to know? What will you do if not throw him in jail or try to catch him?"

If he didn't like her answer he would turn her away. He could throw her out and pretend this conversation never happened. If her response threatened him in any way he would feel no guilt over denying her anything. He was an assistant after all, and even though Kaito-bocchama isn't his original master it didn't mean he was any less loyal or protective.

Despite his seeming hostility he knew her answer would blow every one of his doubts out of the water and true enough, Nakamori-san did not disappoint.

"I need to know whether to help him. . ." she clenched her fists and breathed out, ". . . or stop him." She focused on a point just above Jii's shoulder- effectively spacing out. "If I know Kaito- like I know I do- it'll probably be the first." She mumbled to herself.

She caught Jii's questioning stare and explained "Kaito isn't the type of person to get into something like this without a damn good reason." Her eyes softened fondly, "Would you believe that he's usually the one getting me out of trouble? The voice of reason trying to talk me out of breaking laws?"

Jii gave her a scandalized look and she quickly added, "Misdemeanors at best, I swear!" When he didn't respond Nakamori-san came around the bar table and took a seat next to him, slumping in the stool.

"Can I please just tell you?" Her voice small and low. Hands in her lap restlessly turning.

"Tell me what?" He raised his eyebrow while crossing his arms over his chest. As if it would stop her from getting the information that the instinct in his body and soul wanted to divulge.

"Everything." She responded flatly.

Jii turned to her and knew his answer before it even left his mouth. He once considered himself to be the person who loved the Kuroba family the most but as he listened to Nakamori-san recount her entire story- he knew he wasn't alone anymore. She had clearly loved them just as much as he did and- considering she had known them for less than half the time he had- it was quite the achievement.

When she spoke of the magic tricks she learned he had decided he had found what he hadn't realized he was looking for. A suitable replacement for himself. Someone who was young, smart and as loyal as he was. Someone who could easily keep up with Kaito-bocchama.

Part of him hesitated on telling her. Assuring her he had much to thinks about, he had sent her home after promising he wouldn't breathe a word of this to Kaito-bocchama.

"If you decide not to tell me then I'll just find my own way. Just don't tell Kaito! That's all I can really ask for." Nakamori-san may have left the parlor feeling hopeless and unheard but Jii left in a torn mess.

On the one hand, he had already failed Toichi-sama by letting his secret slip to his son did he really want to fail Kaito-bocchama the same way? Getting a loved one involved in this ever-growing danger?

On the other hand, from what Nakamori-san had described of her childhood she was already well on her way of becoming a decent assistant- what with her insatiable curiosity about tricks- and some limited knowledge Kaito-bocchama divulged. She was an eager, spirited and most important of all- loyal companion to Kaito-bocchama and would make a wonderful addition to the Kaitou Kid team.

Jii had returned to his small home and thought long and hard what to do. He kept replaying the conversation in his head. More specifically, the part where she shared of her experiences growing up. He related them to his own experience of the fateful encounter with Toichi-sama. How it grew into a long-lasting partnership and how that became a friendship. How the friendship had only grown stronger over the years with the addition of Chikage-san- the only woman Toichi-sama had ever loved so completely- and Kaito- his pride, joy and legacy- Jii had loved this family as if it were his own.

Knowing Nakamori-san felt the same way- only for Kaito-bocchama instead- and seeing it in action he knew he couldn't live with himself to ignore her concerns. He saw far too much of his own feelings in her along with something else that Jii would never associate with his own master. There were many forms of love that existed and while Jii had undoubtedly loved Toichi-sama it was very clear that it was not the same love Nakamori-san had felt for Kaito. Not exactly. Call him a romantic but Jii couldn't bring himself to ignore that either. The two youngsters had just understood each other in a way not many could. A way he only felt once, a long time ago- before he even met Toichi-sama in fact.

He went into his living area and sat with his legs folded in front of a picture of Toichi-sama and prayed to be forgiven for what he had decided to do. He thought back to that knowing smirk Toichi-sama had sent him when Jii brushed Kaito-bocchama's attachment to a young Nakamori-san off. He remembered the clock tower heist years later and how adamant Kaito-bocchama was about succeeding in its preservation.

"You'll forgive me won't you, master?" He asked to the desolate room. "You knew all along what they could be."

Before he turned in that night he had made a call to a certain ex-phantom thief. He figured she'd want to know who her son will be- unknowingly- working with.

A/N: One of the biggest inspirations for this story and Aoko's character is the very real life of Adelaide Herrmann- Queen of Magic. Another inspiration was this short video on YouTube about Women in Magic and how assistants would often be proficient in magic tricks as well. I'm sharing a link to anyone who has 3 minutes and 35 seconds to spare.

/Dge0hw_ceMw

On another note, thank you to the people who have commented on this story. It truly means a lot to me.