Chapter 3: A Rendezvous with Destiny (2)

Elements draws from Vol. 92: 972-974

3rd person pov

A beach holiday soon turns into a disaster as a car went through the railguard and crash into the ocean, sending a large collumn of water around where it landed, scatter the seagulls all four directions.

Swimmers nearby frantically trying to get away as far as possible while tourists gather around the area to witness a horrific sigh.

"H-Hey! A car fell into the sea!" Murmured and loud voice among the bystanders further attract more people to gather into a bigger crowd.

Shuichi, together with all the kids saw the scene. Most of the kids were confused what has just transpired but Shuichi was ready to sprint into action until he heard the shouting voice of the Hattori kid.

"Airu!"

He saw the peculiar kid threw his jacket back and ran right into the scene. Shuichi knew that Airu has same thought as him but didn't expect a six year old kid to remain such calm in this situation.

Shuichi stopped thinking and followed Airu, both of them together made through the crowd and dived into the sea where the car slowly sunk the bottom of the ocean. Inside the car was a man with hair tied into the pony behind, his eyes were wide open and show no sigh of repsond to him and Airu.

Shuichi proceed to check the man's vital, noticing a massive crack on the front screen and blood steeping out of the man's forehead.

'No seatbell, seem like his head hit the glass quite hard…'

Shuichi also noticed a bruise behind the man neck. 'He's done for, neck must be broken when he crash his head.'. Shuichi realized Airu was poking him to gain his attention, the boy then motioned the rear seats where there's a duffle bag in it, he also pointed at the broken window on the seat next to driver, suggesting there was another passenger here.

Airu and Shuichi nodded at one another, the boy snaked into the back and scooped up the bag with him while Shuichi brought the man together with him.

'Wait, what's this?' Airu realized there're two strange article of clothes hidden beneath the bag so he took it with him. Meanwhile Shuichi observed around the vicinity, 'The side window was broken but only one body, why would the other one try to hide among the tourist?'

The crowd grasped at the sign of a man and a boy came back from dive near the car crash. Both Airu and Shuichi got out the water with a duffle bag sling over Airu body while Shuichi carried the man on to the shore.

Airu immediately settle the bag down and open it, inside were many of high-end watches still have expensive price tags on it alongside with famous brands like Rolex, Patek Phillippe, Blancpain, Audemars Piguet, etc…

'No sign of displaying cases, the watches brands don't follow an order, and glass shard? Wait why there are many glass shards in here? And that clothes too… Wait what's this?!'

Airu runmaged through the bag to look for something that can identify the man but nothing in could avail his question, yet the bag did answer another unexpected question.

"Can you save him? Pierrot-niisan?"

Shuichi look up and see Shinichi alongside with his friends come near to have a better look, he shakes his head and lays the body of the man down.

"Too late, he's already dead. Say, there's a shop here that sells swimsuit and stuff like that. Could you go there and ask them was there someone come in soaking wet to boy a sandal, a T-shirt or a swimsuit? It's seem likewe still have another one blending in with the tourits around here. Can you do it, Holmes's apprentice?" Shuichin winked at Shinchi, making him smiled "Of course!".

"Heiji, Kazuha! Go to the parking lot and seal the entrance! Tell them to stop anybody who's wet from leaving this place. Pronto!" came in the serious voice of Airu. Shuichi noticed Airu's gaze hardened when he find something in the bag.

"Hai!" both of the Kansai realized the urgency of the situation and promptly departed for the parking lot.

"What's the idea kid?" Inquired Shuichi.

"This is a robbery and we're having another robber playing impostor among the tourists." Airu said with grimaced as he countinue digging through the content of the bag.

"What suggested that idea?"

"This…" Airu throws Shuichi the clothes, it appeared to be somekind of black mask. "Balaclava, two of it, why would they need such thing in beach season? The only answer is to conceal their face. Not only that, these watches still have price tags on it, I doubt he's a wholesaler or a middleman because the watches brands don't follow order. And finally this…" Airu shows the content of the bag to Shuichi to see and hold up the weapon he mentioned "Compact P365, 9mm pistol. Armed robbery."

Shuichi frowned at the thought, it seem like the situation's more serious than he thought. Then Airu noticed the two of his friends left being Ran and Masumi are standing there in confusion.

"Mouri-san, can you go and find Kudo-san's mother? Tell her to call the police and report there's a car crashed into the sea and a dead person here. Sera-san, you go and aid Mouri-san." Ran and Masumi nodded at my request and immediately go to find Yukiko.

Airu looks back to Shuichi, "Anything on him that can help us prove that guy's identity and somehow figure out the other impostor?"

"No, no paper nor anything related" Shuichi grimaced.

A while later, the police arrived together with Yukiko and the rest of the gang lead them to the scene. The inspector knelt down the near body to exam the body.

"So, a car fell into the sea over there on that cliffside after crashing through the railguard? And you're the one who brought this man back to shore." Asked the Inspector.

"Yes, but I only to call the police. As for who extracted the body, it's that young man and little boy over there." Yukiko answered while pointed to Airu and Shuichi.

"And you are?"

"Just an oversea student from America University come back to Japan because of family problem."

"Alright, but you said there was another passanger right?" Inquired the Inspector.

"I believe so because when I dove in near the car, the window of passenger seat next to the driver was broken, it's also because of this." Shuichi handed out the two balaclavas to the inspector and continue his speculation. "The other one broke the window to escape before the car turned into the coffin filled with water and blended in the crowd."

"Hmm, weird then why didn't just open the door to flee, and why chose to remain anonymous, couldn't they come out and claim to be victim of accident of circumstance." Inspector said with confused tone. Of course under normal circumstance it's quite weird for one to do so, but this is special occasion, one need only hiding when committed illicit act.

"The normal physic theory suggest that the door of sunken car can only be opened when the pressure inside and outside the car are equalised. During the heat of the panic, the other must be frantically search for a way out when he or she realized that the door couldn't be opened. As for the reason why they played the game impostor, there's a watch stop nearby has just been robbed right?" Shuichi concluded his deduction with a question about the robbery.

The inspector looks up to surprised "A-Uh yes, we were reported an armed robbery at the watch store about a kilometer from here an hour ago. 2 robbers with armed with small caliber weapons busted into the store just as quickly as they got away. B-But how did you know it, the story isn't on the internet yet."

"Because of what's inside this bag, ." chimed in the third voice of a boy. Inspector turned his head to see Airu holding a duffle bagin his hand, he then proceed to throw it into the ground with the zip opened to show what he meant.

"The content inside bag match what Akai-niisan said, watches with different brands and price tags on it. Alongside with it is the pistol, P365 9mm still full mag." Airu said to the inspector and he's rather surprised with how Airu, a six year old kid able to the recognized the weapon name.

"He's the kid helped me extracted what was left of it inside the car after it's initial nose dive." The inspector nodded at what Shuichi said and examined the bag. Meanwhile, Shinichi came back with three other people with him, two man and a woman are believed to fit the criteria of what Shuichi wanted.

"Pierrot-niisan, I bought these 3 people like you said." Said Shinichi as he pointed to the three suspects. Shukichi also joined in the conversation, claiming to remember exactly what these three people bought. Shukichi then started his explaination.

"The fat oji-san bought a black T-shirt and a short, while this onee-san bought a sandal and finally this slender nii-san bought a Hawaiian shirt."

The inspector then faced the three confused suspects and explained the situation to them. "We believed this man who drove the car crashed into the sea is part of a robbery of a nearby watch store. We suspected one of you is his accomplice so from now on I'll be the one question all three of you."

The three suspects reacted rather surprised to the new revelation but the fat oji-san got back to his feet and introduced him first.

"M-My name's Fukumizu Shigenkatsu, I came here together with my girlfriend. We were on the raft boat when suddenly she started talking about marriage proposal, at that time I wasn't ready for it so I told her it's too soon. We started arguing until she pushed me off the boat and by the time I got back to the boat, I only saw my wallet. I took off the wet clothes brought this short and T-shirt." Fukumizu said, Airu suddenly walked slowly around him and innocently smiled.

"Hey Oji-san! Can I see your wallet?" he innocuously asked, Fukumizu was weird out nonetheless brought out his wallet.

"Woah! It's made of leather, it's very expensive right right!?" Airu's childish admiration brought a small smile to Fukumizu, he proudly present his wallet to Airu. "Of course, it's an imported good from Europe after all."

Airu gave a thumb up and ran back next to Shuichi, though his action seem strange to his friend, Shuichi was curious 'The kid up to something against, that was way out of a character for him'.

Then came next the onee-san "Kitamori Yasue is my name, I came here alone to… well hunt for good-looking men but up until now none fitted my taste. As if that wasn't enough, my sandal's strap tore, forced me to buy a new one." Both Shuichi and Airu raised their eye's brows with Shuichi took the initiative to ask the question.

"Where are the sandal with tore strap now?" Inquired Shuichi.

"Well, I threw it into the sea, no use for them anymore." Kitamori said exasperated to the face Shuichi then suddenly she stopped. "O-oh, a good-looking man."

Airu facepalmed at her sudden change of attitude faster than speed of sound. "Such fashionable clothes for someone so wasteful like you onee-san." He said with a small, unnoticable smile.

Kitamori turned her head to Airu with visible anger on her face. "Did you just insult my clothes BRAT?" She seem want to knock some sense to Airu, who put up the most disinterest face to her. "We're at crime scene, not a bar, if you want you can hit up with that dead guy over there, you're welcome." Literally everyone speechless of Airu said. The inspector coughed into his hand and then move on the final guy.

"My name's Ooami Raiya and I was robbed! I went to shower after done swimming and when I changed, I realized my bag had been stolen. I only had my trunk left so I was forced to buy this Hawaiian T-shirt for 500 yens in the beach hut store." At his explaination, the inspector asked "Your wallet wasn't stolen? And for what reason you come to this beach "

"Just for safety of course I put my wallet under the towels while I was showering. Same reason as every guy who's single here, to pickup lady!" Ooami said with giddy face, he then noticed Airu was holding his wrist, observing his watch carefully.

"Woah, these watches look expensive, and they point at different time too!" exclaimed Airu. Ooami laughed then bent down, showing both of his watches on his two hand to Airu. "These are for pick up girl, gotta show them I'm rich right? One for Japan time and the other for New York, cool kid." Airu high five with Ooami then go back to his gang.

'He did it again…' Shuichi thought, but this time he also saw something's wrong with Airu. He was grinning, not a normal grin but a full-blow maniac grin.

1st person pov: Airu Akihiko

Kukuku

Sorry that was weird but it seem like playtime over, those acting were too cringe much for me but that should be enough to pinpoint who's the second robber, though I my memory was hazy, with enough questioning and a bit of acting, I finally found the impostor.

"Oi Airu, ya okay? Did ya figure out something?" Heiji suddenly asked. He must have seen my out of character behavior contrary to my normal sassy self.

"Why, of course tantei-kun. Tell me Heiji, what do you have in your mind?" We still have time for the inspector to ask those three some questions after all.

"Hmm, I suspect all 3 though. The onee-san bought the sandal not because she want to replace the old one but because blending in, same goes to that nii-san and oji-san, it's hard to pinpoint though. Expect…" Then suddenly Heiji realized something as his eyes widen "… the swimsuit."

"Yep yep, you hit the spot, just need a few more, but since you get to do many cases back with Heizo-san, I'll handle this one." I said with a devilish smile on my face.

Heiji looked at me a bit, he sighed then laughed a bit before letting out another small chuckle. "Well the stage's all your."

"Well now.." My smile grew wider as I walked toward the three suspect. 'Found you!'

Shuichi noticed me "What's the problem, Airu? You spotted something?"

I had to use my every damn face muscle not to smile like a maniac but damn this is hard to keep a poker face. "Just saying we shouldn't playing cat and mouse anymore because I've grown tired of looking a damn mouse running in my cage already." Damn I sounded badass.

Everyone immediately cranked their head to look at me in both disbelief and confusion. The silence permeated inside the scene while murmurs was heard among the crowd.

"Oh you know who's lying among those three." Shuichi was the first one to break out of his stupor, he motioned me to continute.

I walk slowly toward the three suspect but this time no longer with innocent face not apathetic one, it was blood inducing maniac smile. Screw my muscle in my face.

"Why of course! It's obviously you're the second robber, isn't that right? Kitamori Yasue-san." I emphasized more on her name to further irritate her and it worked perfectly.

"W-What are you saying brat?! DO you think everyone will believe in your nonsense sprouting?!" She frantically shouting. There it is, the 'I am guilty' expression of every damn criminal when you hit the nail on the head.

"Well let's start the elimination test then−" I first pointed Fukumizu. "−Fukumizu-san was eliminated out of suspicous because of his wallet, when I checked it, it was completely dry and so does the content inside, if he was the one inside the car, his wallet would need to be wet but the period time in between was short so drying wouldn't be an option−" I then pointed to Ooami "−The same logic can be applied to Ooami-san except you!"

"−The second reason is because of what you're wearing, don't you realized there's something in my earlier remark?" I said as the inspector got a closer look, he then realized something "Wait, that doesn't look like a swimsuit…"

"That's right, it's an improvised swimsuit, most likely when she recognized the surrounding her is a beach, she rips out her clothes and changed it into something similar to a tourist. The other two had a proper swimsuit but she didn't because honestly, would you really expect to go swimming after a heist? I don't think so." I said shaking my head, everyone still listening to my deduction attentively.

"The third reason is what you bought, the sandals." I then looked down into Kitamori-san sandal to make everyone looks to the same direction, some still confused the fact that she bought the sandal revealed her identity. "What do you mean Airu?" Heiji asked.

I smiled, with each reason I stepped closer to Kitamori while Ooami and Fukumizu stepped aside. "Ahem, let me rephrase that, What you could only bought. Compare to Fukumizu who bought a T-shirt and short and Ooami buying a Hawaiian T-shirt, you only buy the sandals. I was questioning why would you buy something like that when a swimsuit or other clothes could have served better as a disguise when I realized that, at best you could only buy sandal!"

Heiji stared at me for a moment when a light bulb lit up inside his head "The wallet! Since it was soaking wet so you can't pay with paper money, the coins were all that left enough for her to buy a sandal."

"That's right! And as a final nail to the coffin−" I forcefully took her watch wearing hand up. "−You shouldn't have wore a stolen good." Kitamori stared in horror "H-How is this related?"

"It's pointing at 10:10 and hasn't move from that position for awhile. Isn't that too much of a coincidence? AM I RIGHT? Meitainei-kun!" I shouted as I looked to Shinichi's general direction, he came up with a nodded.

"Yeah, father said all manufactured watches put on the display case in the store are set with fixed time 10:10 so that customers could get a good view of the entire watch as well as the manufacturer and the brand behind it." Shinichi claimed

"So any word of defending? Kitamori-san?" I released her hand with a satisfied smile painted. Kitamori looked empty abit before letting out a hollow laugh, she then looked back to her wristwatch.

"HAHAHAHA. How humiliating, the same reason caused that crash was because of this watch and now being figured out by a kid, truly a cursed watch. We could have a successful one and all it took was one tiny problem and now that man's dead and I'm here a robber in front of everyone, we could have everything…" followed another harrow laugh. I turned back and walked toward until something unexpected happened.

I was suddenly held by Kitamori and felt a cold metal on my right side of my head, at the corner of my eyes I could see the weapon. A damn Revolver pointed directly to my head. 'Oh yeah, armed robbery. But what the hell! I don't remember this in the manga?'

"Damnn you, DAMN YOU ALL. Especiall you BRAT! You've ruined everything! I won't be beaten by a kid like you!" She shouted, damn woman you're that desperate huh. I could see the horror face painted on all of my friend while inspector face hardened. Shuichi almost look like he's ready to kill her with that gaze alone, if gaze can kill that is.

Everything was tensed until I too let out a laugh, a very big laugh earned everyone's confusion. I turned to see Masumi's worry face and smiled gently at her. "Sera-san! You remember what about to say to you earlier? On how to make Akai-niisan smile?" Masumi together everyone were perplexed by my such relaxing state in the situation. Well remain calm is, after all, one of the first skill father taught me to become an Agent.

"What nonsense are you saying BRAT!?" Kitamori said in hysterical voice, good good she will soon prone to make mistake.

"Well… watch and learn." I then use my left hand to quickly grab hold the revolver, more specificially, the hammer. "GO AHEAD! Pull the trigger! I dare you!" The action literally make everyone including Kitamori and just like I predicted, she pull the trigger but nothing come out.

"W-what?"

'Amateur!' I bited down the hand that she's holding me with force enough to feel blood gushed out into my mouth. Kitamori scream and releases me who instantly disarmed her revolver. Shuichi was about to sprint into action until a resounding *BANG* was heard thoughout the beach, making few bystanders screamed.

Everyone around the scene was flabbergasted at my action. On my hand is the revolver with smoked barrel to her face, the bullet went right near Kitamori's face as her eyes widen in horror.

"You hope to beat me. I tell you that you will never beat me. If you are clever enough to bring destruction upon me, rest assure that I shall do as much to you."

I said before turning back and slowly walk to Shuichi and handed him the weapon until I came to a halt, glancing at the still pertrified Kitamori.

"How unfortunate, perhaps for it was fated that both you to die on that cliff, but you lived, so you can be the only traitor left, Kitamori Yasue."


3rd person pov

The rest of the case was a quick cleanup, inspector with policemen quickly apprehended Kitamori, she will be charged with not only armed robbery but also threaten young adult with lethal weapon, courtesy to Airu for that.

Most of the kids in the gang were tired after the whole ordeal so they followed their parents back to the seaside hotel to get rest and so did the Akai family, everyone except Akai Shuichi.

He was contemplating about the earlier case, or more specifically what transpired near the end, about that peculiar boy.

'That boy… Who is he? There's definitely something hidden underneath that sarcastic persona, his straight forwardness masked his near peerless intelligence, especially when he deduced my nationality, mother's and even Kudo-san's mother's idenity, be able to figure out the second robber. His sudden change of attitude when I talk about father's enemy, and those word of quote James Moriarty's…' Shuichi recalled the word of Airu advise him about inevitable destruction and crows, his voice was full ice cold in seriousness about foreboding outcome making Shuichi uneased.

'… Those words aren't word of a child, not only that but the move he executed as well as his action and calmness even after being held at gunpoint, what was the name of it? Assassination Technique? As if saying he's a trained hitman… Who are you? Airu Akihiko…'

Shuichi absentmindedly kept on thinking, until he realized Shukichi has been calling him for awhile. He turned back to see his brother with worried face.

"What's gotten into you Shuichi-niisan? You haven't responded to my voice for like 5 minutes." Shuichi said with worriness latched to his voice, next to him is Masumi also looking troubled at her brother's wariness. They are currently at the rooftop bar of the resort they're staying at. The wind's mixed with many chatter among the tourists, sky has turned back dark orange dusk colour singalling the starless night to come, this bar right here is famous attraction spot for great view of the beach provided to many couple, photographer,…

"Nothing Shukichi. I'm just thinking about… stuff." Shuichi waved his hand dismissively, hiding the fact that he's troubled with not only the enemy but also the boy seemingly know a lot more than he let on.

"So Shuichi, have you changed your mind? About joining FBI?" Voiced came in from their mother, Mary walked near toward her sons and daughter, still showing sign of disapproval of Shuichi's decision.

"Eh, I say it would be the otherwise. I now even want to join them more, after all−" Shuichi looked at his mother with a small smile "−I'm affected by the desease called curiosity…"

Mary looked shaken, those words were the same as her husband said before disappearing, she was speechless for some seconds and then looking directly into Shuichi's eyes. "Go, Shuichi! Before that disease takes your life… purge the fog that covers the truth. But do not expect to hide any from your mother."

Shuichi chuckle at his mother, who finally has relented to his stubborness about uncovering the truth behind their father's disappearance. Shukichi's perplexed by his mother's change of heart.

"Eh, you've just almost talked like father…"

"Don't worry about it Shukichi, from now on I'll take care both of you and Masumi. On a side note,… Shuichi you said you were thinking about… stuff ealier… is it about that Sassy brat?" Mary said with hint of curiousity, everyone in the Akai family suddenly perked up at their interest in the crimson eyes boy, Masumi for his mature nature and capability to make her older brother smile, Shuichi for his philosophical mind and his true face behind that sarcastic persona, Shukichi for his intelligence in deduction and finally Mary for the mysterious boy who's hiding a lot of his talent inside a sassy façade.

"Yeah, Airu seem to know… a lot of thing… that even adult couldn't, and if you remember his word, it almost like he know something about the one who's after father." Shuichi has to admit, those words hold more weight than it seem. The James Moriarty's quotes Airu gave chapter and verse wasn't a coincidence, he knew Shuichi was going after someone who's supported by a large underground organization. And finally the crows symbol, once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.

"I can't say much about about that sassy brat, annoying but that personality is only to fool normal people…" Mary said, true at first he felt like a rude toddler to her but over the course of this evening event transpired, she can't say the same to him again.

Then Shukichi noticed Masumi's attention was elsewhere until she almost ready to run off. "Masumi, where are you going?"

Masumi turned back with happy expression on her face, she then pointed her hand to the far distant glass balcony of the bar, where a small figure with black hair carries itself free in the night breeze of sea having a drink in his hand, all the while looking out into the endless ocean relfecting the dark void of starless night.

"It's Airu-kun! I want to play with him."

Once again, Akai family, all except Masumi was really curious about the child name Airu Akihiko, who managed to leave such deep impression on them in only the first meeting between them.


Earlier

Airu is tired, that show off wasn't in his plan but he somehow pulled it through.

'This is worrisome, sooner or later, these slight deviations will have big impact on the long run of the plot.'

Airu sighed, he was in need of a drink. Thanks god this hotel has not only a bar but it happened to be on the rooftop as well, he could relax there while enjoying tonight sea breeze and clear his head to think straight for once. Not because of what has transpired unexpectedly today but also of what his parents said when he returned back to his room.

Flashback

1st person pov: Airu Aikihiko

I was on my way back to my room together with Kazuha and Heiji after solving the case. My two Kansai friends showed worried face about how scared it was when I was held hostage. Well they also didn't expect be pull the reversed card move on that lady.

We rented two room for the beach holiday, one for my parents while the other for me and my friends so it's a surprise when I saw mother waiting for us in front of our room.

"A-chan! Can we talk a bit, I promise it won't be long."

I raised my eye's brows at my mother but agreed nonetheless. Together with her, we walked until we arrived at their room. Inside was neatly cleanned, unlike my room…

"Well well well, look who it is. Our hero is back!" Father said while he was busy typing something on his laptop, probably another ready to do another contract or so.

Now that I think about it, father was here and mother was with us when we came to the beach, then where was she… oh…

"Wait the second Mother. Where was you when me and Heiji were solving case?" I exasperatedly asked. I was too engrossed in dealing with that problem that I forgot where Mother was!?

Mother was smiling sheepishly but so did father? Oh boy I don't have a good feeling about this, why do I feel like they were colluded behind my back why I was busy chasing the suspect.

"Well A-chan, it's because I actually blended in with the crowd to watch how you deal with the problem…ehe." What does the hell is that 'ehe'?! Take that back!

My mouth was hanging open, the entire room enveloped in an awkward silence. "So you're telling that when your son was being held at gunpoint, you still decided to play the role of spectator?"

"Hey you're still alive!"

"That's not problem! I almost got killed and you literally watching without a sign of intervention."

"It was my idea." Father said in the word seriousness that frozed my entire body, 'What does he mean his idea? Did he try to dissuade me from being an Agent? No that would be counterproductive…'

Father signed and then looked right into my eyes, those are the eyes of veteran hitman who could easily see through your every move. "When Suzuha reported the situation to me, an idea was popped inside my head, a test for you. You managed to pass it, but there are still many errors in your doing." Father said with stern gaze, I unconsciouly gulped then nodded.

"You let your guard down at the last minute. Think about it, what if that woman decided to outright shoot you instead of taking you as a hostage, it was quick thinking of you to turn it around but the fact that your lack of awareness in a crucial moment could be fatal to you."

Father was right, it also because I relied too much on my plot knowledge, today event has showed one big problem, my existence only cause a slight deviation that will present itself in future plot, even the tiniest problem, if you don't take good care of it will wreck your entire plan just as bad as the big one.

"Anyway, enough of that, since you past the basic stuff of an Agent already, we want to announce something. We will move to Britain." Father said

My body was stiffened 'Britain? Why?'

"Wait why are we moving so suddenly? You're just gonna to annouce this on whim to me?" I desperately reason with them.

"For your next course of training, we'll move to America's branch so you can join into ICA as a novice hitman and start taking on the small job while I'll be the one tutor you exclusively. And beside you can soon begin your high school and university education over there with the current speed of learning."

I was about to protest against it but I shut my mouth. My brain was running it cognitive capabilty at maximum speed, true to father's word, right now I'm only somewhat better than your average people but an encounter with a member of Black Organization would be the death of me, considering Japan is the main HQ of them, the chance meeting them is even higher. Moving to England helped my training but I don't have to worry so much about the plot since there're no actual coverage between the time of Shuichi met Shinichi and the start of manga story.

I sighed, perhaps those solving case drained a lot more energy than I expected, I need to cool down my head to recollect my thought or I will prone to make more mistakes that I can afford.

"Alright, I concur with that decision, just when do we leave overboard?"

"Ah don't worry about it, you still have this year education so we'll wait until you finish it, we just want to announce this soon so you have time prepare for it."

So I still have plenty of time to fool around, and here I thought they just gonna to make an impromptu decision moving like that. Still I'm rather wasted after receiving the new and desperately need something to refresh my mind.

"I'm tired so can you tell Kazuha and Heiji to play on their own? If anything you can find me on the bar up at the rooftop." I said, too tired to hear their answer so I closed door and make my way to the top.

End of Flashback

3rd person pov

The sound classic music mixed in with chatter among the bar attendees, everyone is either here to have a good time with their friend and family or drink away in sorrowful. Sometimes the answer we're looking for is at the bottom of your drinking glass, and bartender is just doctor solving your problem with drink and talk.

Most people here has forgotten about the case earlier, the easy sign was no one react to Airu, who solved the case and almost got shot in head by the culprit. The image of a six year old kid walking alone in a bar was peculiar though, considering most children of his age here come with their parents.

Airu sit at the bar stool, waiting until his turn. Most people would question what would a toddler like him doing here but they are simply stuck up in their conversation to notice him.

"One Bellini please, no alcohol." Ordered from Airu.

The bartender nodded at him, opting not to say anything, they think Airu is just another child try to play adult, though he's surprised such kid like him knew the name of a non-alchoholic drink.

"Make it three please" Came a masculine voice of someone Airu didn't expect to see here. He turned his head around and saw a bespectacled man in his late twenties who looked awfully familiar until he looks next to that man that Airu really wanted facepalm.

It was Yukiko smiling at him, by that nature the man next to her should be the famous novelist Yusaku Kudo. 'What are they doing here? Scrap it, this part isn't in the plot…' Airu mentally slapped himself, though he find it strange to find Shinichi not around them, then again he did remember Shinichi Kudo at the start of the manga is quite arrogant and distant to his parents. 'Must be fooling around somewhere with his detective game.'

"Why hello there Airu-kun, I didn't expect you to be here." Said Yukiko with her ever so radiant smile.

'Neither did I.' Airu thought but shook his head. "I was tiring so I think it best to seek something to refresh my mind, this hotel is famous for it rooftop bar after all."

"Nice to meet you Airu-kun, I heard you found out my wife's identity so I guess I don't need to introduce, do I?" Yusaku said with chuckle. Airu rolled his eyes, though to him it's quite weird to see Yusaku in such young age compare to the canon timeline.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Yusaku Kudo-san. Your Night Baron series earned quite a reputation so of course I would know about it, not even counting the fact that you help the police crack down numerous hard cases."

"Haha, of course of course, but I can say the same to you, young man, come sit here together with us." Yusaku offered the seat to Airu. Though he was skeptical when Yusaku mentioned about him, he knew the man in front of him is basically an even scarier Shinichi Kudo since his accumilated experience.

'And they said beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young. Yusaku seem still young right now but I can't underestimate his capability.'

"Weird, I expect Shinichi-san to be here. Where is he?" Asked Airu in an attempt to change the subject of the conversation.

"Don't worry about him, he's playing with Ran-chan and his two new friend from Osaka." Yukiko said with giddy expression, of course in the canon time Shinichi has maybe only Ran and Sonoko as his friend at the start of the manga.

'They're still bickering about who's better detective? Talking about being hard headed…'

"So what are you guys want to talk about with me? I doubt consulting a six year old boy would solve your marriage problem." Added in Airu to lighten up the mood. Yusaku and Yukiko looked at each other and chuckle.

"What are you saying Airu-kun, I think we're doing pretty fine."

'Oh you have no idea, do you?'

"Anyway, I just simply want to have a chat with the person who solved the robbery case." Said Yusaku with a smile while picking up his drink.

Airu furrowed his brows but nonetheless take his order of drink to avoid Yukiko and Yusaku notice. The drink taste like peach, a bit sugary but provided Airu more than enough energy to deal what comes next.

"I overheard the entire deduction thanks to Yukiko and for someone of your age, it's an impressive feast." Yusaku crossed his hand while Airu tried his best to remain calm.

'Dammit I forgot that Yukiko called her husband to solve the case in the manga. My plan did work, but it worked a bit too well.'

"Tell me Airu-kun, what do you think of Night Baron?" Asked Yusaku, now that's an unexpected question to Airu. He didn't anticipate what Yusaku would place such a idealistic question.

"A fatalistic person who lost his identity. Hidden beneath that smiling mask, he's enslaved to his idea, he sacrified his identiy, his family in exchange for something can't grasp by normal mean, to the point downright murder. Such complex character you created, you 'inhabit' the character, to intricate their entire story inside your head and define their fate. An artist capture a still moment, a detective uncover the truth and the writer plays god in their story."

His answer blown away Yukiko, she sure didn't see that coming from a person like him, even though after witnessing him solving the case and saved himself from hostage situation, it's still baffles to her to hear thing like that. On the other hand, Yusaku's smile grows wider, he thought the kid was slightly above average normal people but to think he has such philosophical mind, it's intrigued him. Yusaku continues asking another question.

"Why would you say that I wonder? The idea behind Night Baron I have for wasn't anything related to prison, so I'm curious why you think the one behind the mask would loose 'him'."

"The only truth in this world is there is no truth at all, for as long people believe in it, they can be god or devil. It's not just a mask, it's an idea, a prison, when you put on the mask, you become the Night Baron, no other way around. The wielder may die but the idea lives on, other people will take up the mantle of Night Baron. It's just a tragic beauty of endless cycle of yearning for freedom, for someone understanding the one behind the mask and the final destination is one bubbling mess of uncertainty." Airu sipped his drink, signalling the end of his answer.

"I see, I see, very interesting hypothesis you have there Airu-kun." Yusaku said wile stroke his chin, pondering over Airu's answer. Yukiko, on the other hand, was shifting uncomfortably, she thought the talk with Airu could be kept simple but didn't expect to turn it into something so mind boggling.

"Based on what you said, it would be no way out of that loop, never a chance to attain a happy ending for the Night Baron?"

"Not entirely, depend on your definition of happy ending."

"Oh?"

"There is a big difference between a happy ending and a good ending."

Yusaku's face was inscrutable to Airu, his last answer was meant something cryptic hidden behind it. The three sit in an awkward and tense atmosphere after the conversation between Airu and Yusaku, until the novelist detective broke the ice with a tender smile.

"It's certainly a good time to chat with you Airu-kun, thanks for conversating with us tonight."

Yusaku bring out his hand to shake with Airu. The crimson eyes boy breath a sigh of relief and take Yusaku's hand as a gratitude, inside he was screaming the sound of freedom as he finally free from the brainstorming tête-à-tête with a more intelligent, scarier, less dunce Shinichi version.

'That's one seriously exhausted my brain's neurons from having to second guess the meaning behind his question…'

Airu grabbed his drink and excused himself to Kudo family to head for the balcony for fresh air, he came here with the intention of relaxing his brain, not to engaged in a philosophical talk with a detective.

The sea breeze brush through his skin coolly, dusk set in after an apricot afternoon leaving the void night in place with no star. The black color constantly reminded Airu of his enemy in near future, the Black Organization was no mere joke, one wrong step and you'll pay a steep price for it.

His original plan was to step in and solve the case all the while left a deep impression of him to Akai family, more specifically Akai Shuichi to warn of him of whom he's dealing with, Airu hopes that help saving Akemi in the future from her demise at the hand of Gin. Though his plan worked a bit too well to caught the attention of Yusaku Kudo, another elements he was neglected to consider.

Airu was about to sip his drink until he felt someone poking his shoulder, he turned around to only meet with a emerald eyes staring at him of Sera Masumi, another person he didn't expect to meet here. Though inside him felt relieved, knowing if it Masumi, he don't need to put up his serious mode to work.

"Sera-san, what are you doing here? And where's your family?"

A part of himself was also curious, in the main canon, the Akai family departed right after Shuichi solved the case, but right now they are staying at the same hotel as him, evident by the presence of this soon-to-be tomboy girl in front of him.

"You haven't told me yet."

"Heh?"

"You haven't told me how to Shu-nii smile yet."

Airu took a few second to cognizant of what Masumi said until he broke into a small smile at her persistent childish mind, though he also admired for someone care so much for their brother.

"Well, simple! You just need to pull a wild card!" Said Airu with big smile, Masumi titled her head cutely at Airu's strange choice of word.

"What do you mean wild card?"

Airu mentally cursed his idiotic word, he forgot they're still in a child stage and Masumi in front of him isn't a tomboy girl yet.

"It's mean you do something unexpectedly, like did you expect me to the one who's together with Akai-niisan dove in the sea earlier? Did you expect me to succesfully solve the case? That's a thing, who would think me did it? No one! Conventional way of making normal smile won't work with Akai-niisan so you have to be unexpected, well of course within your capability that is."

Masumi nodded vigourly at Airu and remember of what he said, though there's something bugging her mind.

"How are you so… brave when that woman threaten…?"

Airu was ready to answer Masumi's question until he mentally slapped himself in the head. He almost blurted out that he was trained to use gun and had been at the end of gun barrel by none other than his assassin parents. 'Yeah, no one gonna like that answer.'

He decided to give a vague answer and in hope try to change the subject.

"Probably because of my survival instinct. Anyway if you want to make Akai-niisan smile, there's another way, and that is trying to be as sarcastic as I am." Airu puffed out his chest in pride .

"You mean being rude and annoying to everyone you meet like my mother said?" Masumi asked innocently with hint of mischievous but she managed not to show it, to which Airu's chest deflated immediately at her bluntness. 'You literally just done it.'

"Well, it's not rude as long as you can keep it in check." Airu balked defeatedly. Seeing her word affected Airu, Masumi grinned and she tried to put her hand to hide it, the action didn't go unnoticed by Airu.

"You…" Airu growled lowly but relented and sipped his drink.

"See, now I'm an apprentice Wizard!" Masumi said with happiness visible in her voice which confused Airu of what she meant.

"A what now?" Airu asked.

Masumi pouts at Airu's obliviousness "An apprentice Wizard, you make Shu-nii smile and solve that case so you're the wizard, you can do anything! I'm learning from you so I'm an apprentice!" Airu deadpanned at Masumi's answer but nonetheless sighed with a small wistful smile.

"Anyway, want a drink?" Airu handed out his stemware to Masumi, who inspected the drink carefully by looking it in every corner. 'She looked like a dog sniffing… Wait wait! What's kind of metaphor is that Airu?'

"Don't worry, it's just fruit juice, I make it clear no alcohol in it."

Masumi put her trust in his words, she took the glass and drank it. The taste was similar to that peaches, abit sugary but overall tasty.

"It's taste peachy." Exclaimed Masumi.

"Hey Airu… can we talk again anytime soon…" Masumi sheepishly asked the crimson eye boy, he raised his eyes brows at the sudden change of her attitude but he shrugged it off nonchalantly.

"Sure, you have a phone or anything?" Masumi shook her head and once again Airu wanted to punch himself for his obliviousness 'She's a kid and you expect her to have a mobilephone? Not everyone is an assassin Airu…'

"Well writing letter it is then." Airu said as he gave the address to Masumi. For the rest of their staying there enjoying the night sea breeze while conversing pleasantly with each other. To Masumi surprised, Airu didn't seem to try to be cheeky with her like back at the beach when he talked to Masumi's mother. Though their chat seem cordinal to be friend, some didn't think so as prying eyes from not only Akai family but also from four person from a far with two of them have a want-to-be detective dream.


Airu was on his way back to his room, since it's 11 .P.M so both of his Kansai friend must be fast asleep right now. However, on his way back, Airu met another annoying person. 'What the hell's wrong with today? Do I always get to meet the wrong person at the wrong time?'

It was Shinichi Kudo and it's seem like he won't be moving anytime soon to let Airu pass through.

"James Moriarty's student!"

"How uncouth! I have a name dumbass! Just because we're our mentor's students you get to call me like that!"

It's get seriously awkward from there with two child bickering with each other. Airu deeply regret roleplaying along Shinichi's Holmes addiction now.

"Today you may solve this case but I'll prove that I'm a true successor of Sherlock Holmes and beat you!" Shinichi exclaimed which further serves no purpose but annoying Airu.

"Beat me…?" Airu said in low tone but still heard it by Shinichi.

"Yeah, I'll eventually beat you, just so you wait!"

"Naïve, you can never beat me…" Said Airu with dangerous eyes toward Shinichi, this time he don't plan to fool around anymore, especially with Shinichi's egotistic nature.

"Because, I am you Sherlock Holmes, we exist in polar opposite way, one can't sustain without the other, without night there is no night, without Joker there's no Batmann, without murderer there's no detective and without James Moriarty there's no Sherlock Holmes. Why did James could fare so good against Holmes? Had it not for Mycroft's assistance I doubt it. After all only a monster can understand another monster, beware of the shadow that follows the light, Kudo Shinichi."

"No, it's detective's job to uncover that uncertainty of truth, James was a schemer and set those puzzle to corner Holmes but in the end, he prevailed. You can't deny that truth because there's only one!" Shinichi said with full confidence in his voice, to which Airu despise it. He doesn't hate Shinichi Kudo, he hate the 'Shinichi Kudo' inside the boy, mere belief and self-confidence in Airu's eyes are just as superficial as chasing a pipedream. He scoffed

"You're right meitantei-kun, you're absolute right about the truth, there will always one and only one truth… But−".

Airu walked away while glancing back at the the figure of Shinichi grows smaller as the distance increase.

"−There's only one truth, but a hundred different ways to reach it and thousand ways to perceive that truth… and remember−"

His voice was cold as metal, piercing crimson eyes challenged against cerulean oceanic eyes of Shinichi Kudo.

"−such arrogance has led to many a mortal's downfall… and many a god's."

Airu continue his walking, not bothering waiting for Shinichi's replies. From the corner of far distant in the hallway, Yusaku, who's witnessed the entire conversation, turned around back to his room.

Airu quickly climbed up to his bed, wanting nothing more a proper from today stress of constantly conversating, he thought he could have a pleasant night until Shinichi Kudo appeared. He sighed, his mind wandering to a short hair emerald eyes girl, talking to Masumi was the only pleasant thing occurred to him this night, though when he was thinking back about their conversation, something clicked in his mind.

'Wait! She called me a Wizard… if I remember correctly… I DID NOT JUST!...'

Safe to say that sleep wasn't so good anymore.

The End.