A/N: Wow, this was one long chapter... At least it feels like it. Probably because I needed to research so many Magic Kaito 1412 episodes, additional background information from Detective Conan manga chapters, info from internet general plus take a quick look at my old one-shots I wrote for Takuya.
But enjoy!
The fourth file: Year of Magic
Sub-file four: More Kid shenanigans
It was a headache. With Kaitou Kid's reappearance and today's social culture, his fanbase had exploded. Mostly it was about teenage or early adulthood females but other spectrum was well-represented too.
And with fans and attention, came the copycats too. Some were caught easily and some were so bad that not even the taskforce bothered to go after them but the Division 3 that had Theft as their purview.
And then there were those copycats who simply wanted to pin the blame on Kid. Like when the Prime Minister Uemoto disappeared.
"Remind me why I started helping you again?" Shugo sighed as he scrolled through his newsfeed after class.
"Because you are my best friend?" Kaito guessed. The other boy snorted.
"I'm starting to doubt my stance in all this." He muttered but it was clear that he wasn't considering quitting. "Anyways, you better solve this somehow."
"Why me?"
"It's your alter ego's reputation on the line and the public is lapping it all up! In their eyes you have no clear motive for doing anything apart from the fact to see if you can. Just look at the amount of copycats you have! They try to pin their crimes on you because despite the Kaitou Kid Taskforce working overtime, they are still in the woods when it comes to your motives and thus they simply run after you instead of trying to predict your moves."
"Hmm… I'll see what I can do then. Aoko might want to play that game again at my place though."
"That retro one you've had since you were eight?" Shugo arched a skeptical eyebrow. "Is that even fun anymore?"
"Hey, I have a remastered version now! It's harder than before and very recommended!" Kaito argued.
"Whatever you say, Kai-chan, whatever you say…"
Thankfully next morning came the news that the Prime Minister had returned and returned peace to the conference hall he'd escaped from. And he did a magic trick too!
Shugo got to his hands all video material of the even he could and couldn't help but chuckle when he found Kaito in there. He looked exactly like Toichi in his mild disguise.
But the troubles didn't end there. Nope, Nakamori got more creative in catching Kid by getting help from some shady Professor. And so for the next twenty-four hours or so Kaito was on a run from an army of tiny tracking robots. Shugo stayed away and only delivered some energy drinks and protein bars for the thief so he could go on. Thankfully it was weekend so he didn't need to call in a sick leave for either of them.
When the debacle was over though, Shugo spent time in erasing all the video footage from any security camera's that could've even glimpse Kid. And also made sure that Kaito did not give the robot to Aoko afterwards. Gag-manga or not, there were some limits in real life. And robot following Aoko home and sending a feed of her in bath to all the cops of KKTF? That was one of those limits.
Instead, they packed the robot neatly into a box and sent it directly to the MPD headquarters, managing to set the robot onto Nakamori himself. That mess was fun to watch through cameras.
Then were problems with Akako again. It began with her staying at school to practice some spells and scaring Keiko who'd studied late in the library. As a result Aoko dragged Kaito with her to investigate and to 'avenge' her friend.
Then there was a spell to 'become and adult'. Usefulness of which Shugo really didn't get. Let people grow the pace they do and if they remain childish it's up to them afterwards.
On the other hand the murderous glares the red witch was shooting at the backs of both him and Kaito didn't really help in concentrating on the lessons. The bickering between Kaito and Aoko didn't help the situation much either.
When Akako left the school a bit earlier (with her admirers offering flowers and chocolate for her) Shugo stepped into her path. The witch stopped. They subtly glared at each other, their wills clashing in a world invisible to normal people.
"Kagemiya." Akako said.
"Koizumi." Shugo replied. "And I go by Midorikawa. You'd do good to use it in a public setting such as this… Not that your drones actually understand anything said around them when in your presence… Unless of course it's in direct relation to you."
"Did you actually have something to say? Other than blather about nonsensical things?" The witch's glare intensified while Shugo's relaxed. It seemed to infuriate her even more.
"If you manage to hurt Kaito today, I will put you down like the bitch you are." Shugo smiled glacially.
"You're bluffing. You wouldn't have the guts." The girl scoffed but there was a slight tremor in her voice.
"Try me. As a magic user you can see auras too to a degree, can't you? You know how Kagemiya gifts are awakened. By extreme trauma. Look at me and tell me I wouldn't do exactly what I threaten you with." I've killed before and won't hesitate to kill you too if you hurt something I hold dear. And Shugo unfurled the part of his own aura that he kept tightly tucked in and hidden. During the years in Osaka he'd learnt that there were other people aside from him that could see the auras and things belonging to spiritual world, like strands of magic and ghosts. At one temple, he discussed with a priest and learnt how to hide the part of his own aura that was blackened and weighted down by guilt. The part relating to the death of Kai Kuroto.
After the previous encounter with Akako when Shugo had blurted out his mother's name and figured out his aura-seeing ability was genetical, the teenager had confronted Yamato about what he knew. He told some. Apparently during that New Year when the man had gone to Saitama, he'd met with Tsubasa and Tsukasa, Shugo's mother and uncle. And according to Yamato(and the twins) both seeing the auras and having a split-personality were Kagemiya gifts/curses. And both of them were awakened after a great trauma. Shugo had the same gift than Tsubasa while Tsukiko would have the same gift than Tsukasa.
Akako took a step back in shock. She'd seen the part of his aura stained by murder.
"You may have the strength of mind to do what you say… but who says you have the strength of spirit." The red witch said, composing herself and then walking past him. Shugo watched her go. The threat was good. And if the events went like in the manga, he wouldn't need to follow through with it.
"Kaito, there is something you must never forget if you wish to prevail as a magician. Your inner child. Find it, and you will truly have matured. Do you understand?" The recording from Kuroba Toichi spoke. Kaito seemed to disregard the advice but Shugo frowned.
"Be careful tonight, Kaito. I have a bad feeling about tonight." The hacker told his best friend. The magician blinked back.
"Alright. Don't worry about me Shuu-chan!" Kaito grinned before they drove out of the garage.
In the end Shugo didn't need to start planning on how to follow through with his threat. He watched with worry, through surveillance cameras as possessed Nakamori tried to kill the white-clad thief. Kaito made it safely out and then Shugo had no visual anymore. Thankfully he still had the earpiece but down at the ground, in the safety of the car, it didn't help his nerves much.
But thankfully it was resolved semi-peacefully and Kaito only scraped the back of his hand. At school Shugo didn't pay any attention to Akako though. Let her steam in peace until she'd find her inner peace in regards of Shugo too.
But in the meanwhile it was sort of funny to play into the rivalry/enmity between the Koizumi and the Kagemiya.
During the summer they had a case when a child called the police as Kaitou Kid and told he'd steal Nagashima's homerun ball.
"I thought they were getting better with weeding out the fakes…" Shugo grumbled as he made an advertisement for his technical and mechanical skills. Since he had the skills, why not make some money with them? There surely was people who were interested in his services.
There was. While Kaito was fooling around(and encouraging the little boy at the stadium) Shugo got his first job offer. It was a simple case, just some virus problems with a computer, but one case lead to another and to a third one… And eventually he had a solid customer base. Among the elderly who were not that tech-savvy in general but anyways it was a start.
School continued. In September Aoko's sixteenth birthday was celebrated. Shugo noticed the year was looping already. It meant that there was a year approximately until the Blue Birthday heist.
Instead, Kaito, Aoko and Shugo decided to get the Legendary Pool Cue back to Jii. After the heist they'd take a break though.
Thus the four of them made their way towards the bar called American. Shugo had faked the teens some IDs that said they were adults already.
"Don't tell your father, Nakamori-chan." The hacker winked and donned a black fedora hat with a band that matched his tie and handkerchief in his breast pocket.
"Don't worry, Shugo-kun. This will be for Jii-chan." Aoko smiled and took the arm Shugo offered. They had decided to come together while Kaito and Jii scouted the place. And Shugo had helped Aoko with her clothes and make-up. With things he'd mainly learnt from Kaito or when he'd watched Yukiko preparing to go out. The normally childish and 'cute' girl looked quite pretty and feminine now.
"Alright. Now you got two things to remember tonight." Shugo instructed her when they walked through the streets. "One: don't drink anything you aren't sure about or that you have not ordered yourself."
"Why?"
"Nakamori-chan, we are going to a bar. There is alcohol there. And because it's banned from underage people, there are no one to see inside the bar that people are not drinking stuff they shouldn't. ID check is at the door."
"Alright then…" Aoko nodded in understanding. It wouldn't do any good to be drunk. "What is the other thing?"
"Just remember that while here, your name it Nakano Aiko, my friend and… fiancé of Kurayoshi Keiki. That's Kaito's alias, by the way."
"F-Fiancé?" The girl stuttered.
"Don't worry, no one here will care and it isn't even necessary asked. I'm just telling in the case Kaito mentions it so you are not surprised."
"What about you then?"
"Hibiki Boshi, visiting from Kyoto. Oh, and Jii and Kaito will be from Weekly Magic Sunday magazine who are trying to get an interview from Hasura Tsuujirou-san, the master hustler." Shugo informed her. "In any case, we are simply accompanying them on their job while enjoying ourselves. We can try and play cards while waiting for them but I'm not going to leave you alone while here."
"Promise?" Aoko asked shyly.
"I promise." Shugo smiled back warmly. They arrived to the door of the bar American where Kaito and Jii were waiting for them. "Everything alright at this end?" Shugo asked.
"Yup. You and Aoko good with your covers?" Kaito asked back.
"Everything is alright. You have the ID with you?"
"I do. Let's get this show on the road. And Aoko?"
"Yes?" The girl blushed.
"You look good." Kaito winked and began climbing the stairs, Aoko going after him with Shugo and Jii following then.
They made it safely and without incident inside the bar and the IDs had been checked. They'd worked perfectly and no one suspected anything. The quartet took seats by the bar with Aoko seated between Kaito and Shugo. Shugo laid his hat on the counter and eyed the list of drinks and cocktails.
"Keiki, you should try Hocus Pocus Fizz. It's perfect for you especially with your low tolerance." Shugo spoke up then, leaning against the counter and smirking at the magician. Kaito shot a scowl at him and smiled at the bartender then.
"Hmm, I could try it yes. I'll also take chocolate ice cream with it."
"Perfect order for someone being a clash of a magician and a clown." Shugo deadpanned.
"Come off now, Boshi. I can't help it if I like sweet things. And cool ice cream fits well with the heated atmosphere here."
It was true. It was quite warm in the bar. Aoko could feel no chill either even though her dress had no sleeves.
"I'll have a chocolate parfait and… Boshi-kun, what would you suggest?" Aoko turned to Shugo. The hacker hummed to himself before pointing at one of the drinks listed.
"Coconut Lavender Lemonade is quite good. But so is Mint Julep as non-alcoholic version. What would you recommend to Aiko-chan, Mister Bartender?" When in doubt, ask the staff.
"We have many non-alcoholic cocktails recently added to the list. I personally recommend Cranberry Rosemary Refresher. It isn't that sweet but balances the chocolate parfait perfectly."
"Aiko-chan takes one then." Aoko smiled after shooting a questioning glance at Shugo and receiving an encouraging nod from him.
"And what shall it be for you, mister?" The bartender asked Shugo.
"Just Thai Iced Tea. I'm driving tonight so I need to keep clear head as the lovebird most likely can't get their hands off each other on the backseat and Jii-san's eye sight isn't the best anymore." Shugo smiled and ignored the glares he received from the other three.
They got their orders and Kaito took the chance to take a look around.
"Hey, where is the Hasura guy?" He asked when he noticed the master hustler missing from the main room and its pool tables.
"I believe Hasura-sama is playing in the secret room." The bartender answered.
"The secret room?"
"I do apologize, but there's a fifty thousand yen charge just to watch."
"Extorsion…" Shugo muttered.
"San, Ni, Ichi!" Kaito revealed a dove a top of Jii's head. "We're here from Weekly Magic Sunday. We're doing a research for our article 'Like a Magician: The Deft Techniques of an Elite Hustler', to be featured in the next week's issue."
"Oh, you're here for an interview? Right this way, then."
"Are they techniques if he plays like a robot?" Shugo scoffed then and took another sip of his tea. Nice and spicy.
"And this is why you'll stay here, Boshi." Kaito remarked. "You don't understand the finesse of magic. Wait here with the sourpuss, okay? Aiko-chan?"
"Wait, you're leaving me here?!" Aoko asked.
"Boshi, I trust you to keep my fiancé safe."
"Hai hai, just go to do you very important research thing about some gamblers so we can drink properly." Shugo waived him off.
Time passed. An hour. An hour and half. Shugo glanced at his watch and nodded to Aoko.
"They're taking awfully long, aren't they?" Aoko mused following the script they'd devised while waiting when the bartender had been distracted by the other customers.
"You don't think Keiki challenged, Hasura-san?" Shugo frowned.
"In that case we should go and cheer him on! Keiki-kun is brilliant but I hear Hasura-san is elite."
"Shall we?" Shugo got up from his seat and with one hand picked up his fedora and with the other helped Aoko down.
"But how are we going to get in?" Aoko asked. This part wasn't planned beforehand. And bartender seemed to notice what was going on with the two as he attempted to stop them. Too late though. Shugo twirled around his heel and kicked open the door to the secret room. He might not belong to any martial arts club but Yamato's lessons he still kept in mind and occasionally sparred with the man.
"Oi, Kurayoshi! You are taking awfully long!" Shugo shouted into the room as he stepped in. His kick seemed to have had the desired effect as Hasura's concentration had faltered, making him blunder his shot.
"Ah, Hibiki, just in time to see me winning." Kaito smirked back.
"Winning? You were just losing! Do you really think you can win this game?" One of the gangsters asked.
"Aiko-chan, why don't you play something cheerier? It's time for us gatecrashers to bring the tension down and cheer through the roof!" Shugo grinned, pocketing his hands.
"Sure!" Aoko smiled and took a seat at the piano, effectively pushing the previous piano player off the seat. Neko Funjatta, or the Flea Waltz began to play. And Shugo wasn't sure if it was because of Aoko's skills or the poor tuning of the piano but it sounded quite awful. And though it should be impossible, the grand piano sounded almost like a cembalo!
"What the hell is that?" The owner of the bar and leader of the mob asked.
"Alright, I'm feelin' it now!" Kaito smiled and prepared for his next shot. He twirled the pool cue 'round-'n'-'round. "Looks like Lady Luck has come my way!"
"Keiki-kun is so cool!" Aoko cheered. Was she pretending to be drunk? Oh well… Shugo just leaned his hip against the piano and enjoyed the show.
Kaito continued twirling the pool cue as he walked around the table to get into the position.
"He looks so enthusiastic." Hasura mused. "I wonder if my love for the game has waned in comparison to his."
"Just cut the noise after this turn." The mob boss said. "I don't want him getting distracted."
"Billiards is a game you play for fun!" Kaito told the audience. "And besides… He won't have another turn."
"And who says I'm going to let any of you to interrupt Aiko-chan…" Shugo smirked coldly at the gangsters around and tilted his hat to shadow his eyes slightly. It wouldn't do any good for them to know how much fun he was having. Or how much he bluffed or didn't…
"You're full of it." The mob boss growled, oblivious to how his underlings took a step or two away from the piano. "You can't even handle the easiest of shots! What makes you think this layout will be any different?"
"He cheats of course… Puts the opponents at ease with his failures and then takes the whole pot when the stakes are highest." Shugo smirked. "Toichi-jisan taught Kaito well…"
And Kaito shot!
The cue ball went around the pool table, jumped twice and hit only the necessary balls. That was a master magician in the works.
"Impossible!" The mob boss gasped.
"Wow! Good job, Kaito! I mean, Keiki-kun!" Aoko had abandoned the piano now and was by her friend's side. Shugo followed her closely.
"Awe, Aiko-chan, you've got too much drink if you're mixing up your fiancé and your ex!" Shugo covered for her and steadied her by her arm. With his other hand he guided the girl slightly to stumble onto him and Aoko was in the role completely, giggling against Shugo's suit jacket.
"It was just pure luck!" Kaito grinned at them.
"Damn it!" The mob boss growled and pressed a button at the side of the pool table. The table opened, revealing an arsenal of handguns, extra clips and… were those smoke grenades? The audience gasped when seeing the weapons and began shuffling around when the mob boss pointed a gun at the three teenagers.
"I'm not handing over the cue!" The gangsters pointed the guns at all of them.
"What's this? I thought you said you'd give it to me." Kaito jeered. "Adults are always such liars."
"Being a liar is the first step towards becoming a thief!" Aoko declared from where she hid behind Kaito and Shugo.
"If you know the secret, then I can't let you live!" The mob boss declared.
"What secret?" Shugo scoffed. "The one where you threatened Hasura-san with a gun so he'd stay with you guys and rack up money for you? Or then one where you are backing out from a fair deal? Or the one where you have a stash of obviously illegal weapons?"
That distraction was all they needed for a next distraction. Jii flicked the light off, Kaito drew his card gun. Shugo pulled Aoko down on the floor with him.
"What the…"
"What happened?" The gangsters asked. Then the window on the ceiling opened and…
"K-Kaitou Kid!"
"I hope you enjoy the taste of paralyzing powder." The white-clad thief declared. The mob took support from the pool table as the drug took effect. The audience had fled to the sidelines by now. Shugo and Aoko held their breaths and stayed quiet. It was too dangerous to speak still. It was possible that someone from the mob was still fully functional.
"I'll be taking the Legendary Cue with me, as promised." The thief continued then, holding the pool cue in question in his hand. The diamonds and emeralds twinkled in the moonlight streaming down to the room.
"Wait!" Hasura stood up. "Your notice is void. You claimed you'd steal the cue from me. But it belongs to my fair opponent now! That cue is something only a true champion can hold. It's been in my care for over 20 years. I wish to entrust it to him, from the bottom of my heart!"
Kaito remained quiet for a moment but flipped down then. "I see. I apologize for my disgraceful act. To act outside of the bounds of my notice would tarnish the name of Kaitou Kid." He laid the cue down next to the drinks. "I suppose I'll take my leave for now…"
"…Farewell!" That was Jii, in his thief guise. Shugo had volunteered to do the last act if necessary but it had been shot down by the fact that Aoko would be paying more attention to him and to Jii.
The door to the secret room opened.
"This is the Organized Crime Control Bureau! Nobody move a muscle! You're all under arrest for smuggling firearms!" The leader of the police officers behind the door declared. Aoko shot a worried look up at Shugo and then at Kaito who'd magically appeared by their side.
"Don't worry. The IDs will hold even under police scrutiny." Shugo whispered to the two.
The mob was put in cuffs while Hasura was to be escorted out. The hustler stopped though and addressed Kaito.
"You've got quite the skills then?"
"It was just luck." Kaito replied
"Hmh… So you can manipulate luck with magic, can you?" He pulled at one of the strings strung to the pool table. "Still, a match is a match. It's my loss. However, I'd like a rematch someday, if you'll accept."
"Sure. It'd be my pleasure." Kaito smiled.
"We can be found at the Blue Parrot." Shugo added.
Shugo was sitting by the counter of Blue Parrot and doing some homework when someone sat a couple of seats away from him.
"The usual, Jii-san." A youngish male voice said. Shugo looked up from his math problems and took stock of the man. Apparently one of the regulars since Jii knew and remembered what his 'usual' was. Apparently it was a glass of Scotch. The man was wearing a simple suit with white shirt and black tie. His chestnut brown locks were pulled on a short low ponytail with only a few stray strands hanging in front of his face. His eyes were of the same color even though they seemed a bit red though. Something had happened.
Glancing up at Jii, Shugo spoke up: "Do you want me to go?"
"Backroom. I think Kaito-bocchan is coming here soon." Jii nodded to the door on his left. Shugo gathered his books and went through the door. He didn't completely close it though. While eavesdropping was rude, especially in the young man obvious grief, something about him struck a familiar chord in Shugo. But what was it…
"So… You got the Legendary Pool Cue back." The brunet spoke after a moment of silence during which Jii had sat next to him. The young man gazed at the diamond and emerald decorated cue hung on the wall. He was definitely a regular and a friend of Jii's if he knew about the pool cue even during its absence. What was it? Two decades ago when Jii lost it?
"Yes, thanks to Kaito-bocchan's help." The old man agreed with a nod. "But that's not why you came here, is it?"
"No… Wataru is dead. And so it Natalie-san."
Shugo opened his mouth in shock. Wataru and Natalie! The guy was talking about Date Wataru and his girlfriend Kuruma Natalie. They'd died… And this man knew about it…
"I'm sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed listening to his tales about his cases… He used to come here even when you and Furuya-kun weren't around." Jii gave his condolences. And mentioned Date and… Amuro in a manner that suggested the two had also been regulars for a while and known the other man quite well.
"…I can imagine that."
"Here." Jii slid a photograph along the counter. "I took it on the day you three were here celebrating your graduation. The last time when all three of you were here together."
Graduation? From where? High school? Police Academy? The man seemed quite young but maybe he'd known the other two at Police Academy then.
"I always liked the way you toasted here…" Jii continued while the other man held the photo up, observing whatever moment was recorded upon the piece paper. "'For the future. For the family. For the friends… For the safety and security of our Japan…' It always had something in it."
"Yeah…" The man chuckled, reminiscing. "It took a week for us to come up with that one… But now I'm the Last Musketeer, the last man standing…"
Wow, drama much… But if he had truly known Date Wataru who'd died and Furuya Rei who was now in the bowels of the Black Organization, it was understandable. And maybe the Musketeers was a sort of inside joke between them.
Yet, none of this revealed anything about who the man was. And it nagged Shugo.
"A lot has happened in this bar during the years…" The man spoke again. "We celebrated milestones here no matter how silly they were. My date with Satou-chan that was a result of a bet… Wataru and Natalie-san getting finally together… Our first mock-case solved successfully… Our graduation. But we also came here to mourn. Two years ago I lost a friend I'd gotten to know at Haido station. Matsuda was his name…"
Name drop much… Shugo couldn't help but thinking. Just who was this guy who knew these… prominent names yet didn't seem named in the manga. Shugo'd remember if he was. While it was true that there was a lot of background characters that weren't necessarily named, this one… He had a lot of background and connections already and in the small world of a manga, such character had to be named and introduced properly.
Jii was quiet for a moment, like contemplating whether or not to speak but decided then to tell the distraught man what he knew.
"Furuya-kun was here a couple of days after you and Date-kun." The old man said. "It seemed like he'd lost someone too. Two someones if we count your friend Matsuda."
"Matsuda…"
"It seemed like Furuya-kun knew him too. And losing two people within such a short time frame… It must be hard. I know I took it hard when Toichi-sama died but I think I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd lost someone else so soon after."
"…I think I saw someone resembling him here a bit after Wataru and I had visited." The other man frowned. "But I didn't think Rei would come back here after his disappearance."
"Yes, it was the first time since your graduation. Maybe he hoped to find solace from familiar places. I promised him not to tell either of you but… He hasn't been here since and I think you deserve to know he is still alive, Miyoshi-kun."
Miyoshi?! That was… Miyoshi Takuya? He knew Amuro and Date and apparently Matsuda too. (And had gone on a date with Satou Miwako during their academy days.) It was confusing and surprising as hell but also made so much sense. Shugo hadn't seen him in the original manga files, he was on the Moon Files! Exclusive character so to say just like Yamato, Mai, Namida and… well, Shugo and Tsukiko themselves. Much to Shugo's chagrin, there were some versions of the manga with him in them too. They were called Green River. Thus far he'd been careful to avoid files that hadn't happened to himself just yet. He didn't want to spoil his own story to himself. He'd rather have his decision to be his own and no predetermined by a stable time loop, thank you very much. Just watch Angels Take Manhattan. It was a Doctor Who episode where the crew went to past and had a book with them, written about the events in the past. And if they read what was written in the book, then it became fixed event without a chance to alter it. So in order to get the clues as to where to go, they read the chapter names on the first pages…
"Good to know then…" Takuya mused. "We sent a message to his phone just a few days ago. Of course he didn't answer but…"
"Knowing he is alive is better than floundering in the dark." Jii nodded.
"Yes… Say, did he mention at all who is other friend was?" Takuya frowned them.
"…Didn't mention much. Just that they worked together and apparently he'd asked that friend to deliver a message for you and Date-kun once. Message which was delivered here if I understood correctly."
"That guy?" The young police officer realized. "He was so cryptic and mysterious that it just made us worry more."
Shugo frowned once more. He could imagine only once person that Amuro would ask help to deliver a message to two police officers. A person than worked with him and was apparently killed soon after. The vague timeframe given by manga fit too.
"To think that Matsuda and Scotch died mere days from each other…"
Shugo was on the phone with Kazuha.
"Oh? The match was last weekend? Why didn't you call me? I could've come and cheer on Hei-chan!" The boy complained half-heartedly. In reality he had had a bit too much work to do but it was always good to express interest.
"Sorry, but it was a though match, let me tell you!" Kazuha laughed. "Heiji went all the way to the finals but in the end the doctor was the one to put stop on the match."
"A doctor? What happened?" Was Heiji injured but still continued fighting? That'd actually fit his personality. Never giving up that is.
"It was a scratch really… But it wouldn't stop bleeding and was somewhere behind his ear so the doctor called quits. I think the match went to Okita Souji-kun from Kyoto High." The girl at the other end of the line explained.
Kyoto…? It was a long shot but…
"Do you happen to have a recording of the match? Or was Shizuka-san with you in… Oyodo, was it?" Shugo asked, leaning back in his desk chair.
"Yes! I think Shizuka-san recorded the match. I can ask if she could sent you a copy."
"Great! I can't wait to see how much Hei-chan has improved this past year."
"It has been just a few months, Shugo-kun!" Kazuha laughed.
"Really? It feels longer…" Shugo mused. "How about you then? Anything new on the Aikido scene?"
"Not much. The next competitions are in the spring."
"I see. Same with Kyuudo."
"You still the best of your school?"
"You bet! I can't wait for the competition because then I'll find out if I'm best of Kanto region like I was of Kansai."
It was nice. To chat with old friends. Maybe he should call Ran or Shinichi soon too.
The video arrived on a CD a couple days later. Shugo watched it eagerly. But more than the match itself, he was interested in the audience. It was just a faint chance but a chance nevertheless.
"There…" Shugo breathed out. Was it in relief or disbelief, he wasn't sure. He zoomed the frozen frame.
Among the audience of high schoolers cheering on Okita were one girl in different uniform. A middle-schooler with short-cut black hair. It might've been once a pixie cut but now seemed to almost reach her shoulders. But Shugo knew that spark in her eyes, that bright smile…
"Hello, little sister." Shugo smiled at the image of fifteen year old Kagemiya Hoshi. It was ironic though that her powder blue summer uniform looked like the one used in Azumanga Daioh, one of… Jade's favourite mangas.
It was good to see her alright. But seeing her location in Oyodo which was in Nara prefecture brought up a question… Why? Was she there to cheer on someone specific? Like Okita Souji whose match against Heiji was running on once again on Shugo's laptop screen. Or did she have otherwise interest in Kendo? Questions, questions…
"Three months of quiet time and this happens? Seriously?" Shugo frowned at the television screen. Kaito was at Aoko's in order to help with the Christmas party held there later on the evening while Shugo was going through different newsfeeds. While it was great that there had been no other copycats as of late, this was still ridiculous. Stupid greedy warehouse owners. Shugo took his phone and tried to call Kaito. Tried being the operative word.
"Aoko is blocking him again… Geez that girl…"
And hour later he called again. It was getting closer to both the start of the party and the announced time.
"Moshi, moshi?" Kaito answered. Shugo let out a sigh of relief.
"Have you seen the news today?" The hacker asked while using his other hand to search information about the large Christmas Star the fake notice announced to be stolen. Height, weight, value, et cetera, et cetera…
"No. I've been busy helping Aoko. We're almost done though."
Shugo glanced at the clock at the corner of his screen. It was almost 6pm. The announced time was 6:54pm.
"There was a Kid notice given out. Tofu department store's giant Christmas Star. You know the one on top of the giant Christmas tree in front of it?" Shugo got an affirmative hum. "Anyways, there are already tons of Kaitou Kid fan merchandise and the sales at the department store are getting boosted by this."
"A fake notice, huh?" Kaito sighed in resignation. "It seems like, we need to right the wrong then…"
"The announced time is in less than an hour. It should give us enough time to prepare… Or do you want to stay at the party? I could take care of it myself and tell Nakamori-chan that I got a bad fever…"
"No, this is… This is on me. You can help as always but this is my responsibility." Kaito told Shugo firmly. "If you can get some supplies, we can manage the appearance there and come back to the party quickly afterwards."
"I can see what I can get." Shugo agreed and listened to the list given to him by the young magician. Hmm… He probably needed Yamato's help for some of those.
Shugo was sitting on the rooftop of the building opposite the Tofu department store. Next to him was a bag of Kaitou Kid merchandise, some of which he planned to send to Hoshi as a Christmas present. Yamato had gotten him the address of Kagemiya Tsubaki. (And when looking at the records, he found that Okita Souji lived as a next door neighbor. That certainly explained why Hoshi had been cheering him on at his matches months ago.) Anyways, he'd needed to get close to the tree so he could do the preparations of Kaitou Kid's trick/revenge. And then enact the trick when Kaito gave him the signal.
Meanwhile
"Aoko, we're running out of pastries!" Kaito called from the kitchen.
"We are?" Aoko stuck her head in. The party was already in full swing and food was going fast. Of course Kaito had helped a bit by eating several of the pastries (Who knew how long it would take him to come back? All the food might be gone!) so he'd have a reason to leave the party.
"Yeah, should I go and by some more?"
"The store is quite far…"
"It's alright. I get a bit of fresh air!"
"Alright! Don't stay too long though!"
And thus Kaito had the perfect opportunity to leave. He got on to Jii's car that was waiting for him. Shugo had called the old man as soon as he'd gotten the news through at Kaito's end. Multiple assistants were a wonderful thing.
It was the time. The fake Kid arrived with a helicopter. Shugo was tempted to blow up the tree already. After the pathetic attempt to steal the star and being apprehended by Nakamori and his officers, Kaito finally arrived. Oh and let's not forget the way the owner of the Tofu department store leaped out of the window to catch the star before it fell to the ground in the scuffle.
Kaito shot a card with which he made Zaizen, the owner, to fall to lower branches and thus drew attention to himself.
"Kaitou Kid?!"
"Merry Christmas, Nakamori-keibu!" Kaito greeted. And the audience cheered loudly after the apparent disappointment from earlier.
"W-Which is the real one?!" The inspector frowned in confusion, glancing between the real and the fake. Was he sleep deprived or something if he couldn't tell the difference between them? Just look at the outfits!
"I-It can't be!" Zaizen protested.
"I came, just as the advance notice stated, Zaizen-san." Kaito spoke. "And it's Christmas Eve. A night when miracles can happen.
"With a suave line like that, this must be the real Kid!" Nakamori decided. Well, that was one way to identify him… "Get him!"
"Uh-oh. But first, how about I give you a Christmas present?" That was Shugo's mark. Through his earpiece he heard the snap of Kid's gloved fingers, signaling him to activate the preparations he made earlier. Lights streamed down the Christmas tree, ending in fireworks at the root of it. And the tree began tilting towards the department store. It hit the building, crushing completely part of the upper floors… Not completely the whole thing like it had done in the original manga.
"Well, I'm off…" Kaito spoke.
"W-Wait, Kid!" Nakamori yelled when the thief was about to leave. "Do you intend to vanish again?! Kid, back then… you suddenly disappeared without any warning and eight years passed like that. If you're going to do it again…"
"Hmh…" Kaito chuckled, turning to address the inspector. "I'm not going to run or hide, Nakamori-keibu. Let's meet again!" And he disappeared in a puff of smoke with the Christmas Star leaving only a white rose behind.
Shugo smiled and backed his equipment. He needed to get away while the police were distracted.
With pastries on a paper bag and the star at his other arm, Kaito made it back to the party. Shugo came with him. It was a nice party. And New Years he'd spend with Yamato then.
"I wonder what next year will bring to us…" Shugo mused while watching in amusement as inspector Nakamori stared at the new Christmas star at the top of the tree.
A/N: Alright... Shugo has new info. My one-shots Last man standing, He was our Zero and Forgotten Time were tied to this time-frame too and... timeline is being established in general. As Shugo grumbles a couple of times, the year is looping at least twice before the DC timeline starts. And yes, I've planned Hoshi to go the same school than Okita Souji and Ooka Momiji. I have not decided yet if she practices kendo too...
And as you can see here, I altered the events of the episodes too. Like keeping Aoko sober. It's one thing to play it for laughs but there is still a limit. At least the anime removed Nakamori from the case since in the manga he flirted with Aoko, made Aoko to get him drunk, bought Aoko a martini which in turn made her drunk... In the anime it's Jii who orders Aoko a martini but requests it without alcohol. Aoko thinks it's with alcohol and a moment later gets a new martini from the bartender, this time presumably with the alcohol and... Oh well, maybe I should quit ranting/rambling.
Replies to Reviews:
-gotenxbulla:
I try. :) Thank you.
Eventually maybe but romance isn't the main thing in this fic.
I'll do my best. With Dream or Not concluded more or less, I try to catch up with this one as much as I can.
-Mystery0028:
You're welcome.
-Zeladious:
Yeah, maybe something little subtext or something. They'd be a cute pair though...
Oh, that's a typo. I tend to mess up with c-z-s sector. That's why I have autocorrect. But when the word is correct but is a wrong one... *sigh*
-Tsuki:
Uh... Well, yes... Mostly I'm just hinting that Tsukasa might be someone else too... If you read carefully his scenes and interractions with Yamato and later with Hoshi... And what Shugo concluded about a completely unrelated topic(or so he thinks) in this chapter, you might dig out more hints... I don't want to say too much and save the reveal to the sequel fic where Tsukiko figures it out...
You're welcome. :)