Chapter 5: Transparency
Kaito stared at the microwave as the noodles warmed up. It was the highest effort meal she could be bothered to cook right now. She was getting rather hungry, and instant noodles were lacking in nutrients. She might need to order Chinese food or something...
The door rang.
She was pretty sure she could order online. Contactless delivery was a thing, right? Then she'd not have to interact with a person directly.
The door rang.
May she'd get sushi. She deserved a treat after all. Splurge a little and see what it did for her mood.
The door clicked, the sound of it unlocking.
That forced Kaito to respond, and she headed towards the front entrance. As she walked she pulled the hair clip she was wearing off and slipped it into her pocket. She kept her painted nails tucked away in her track pants' pockets as well, just in case.
"Ah, young master Kaito, you're alright," Jii said, a smile on his face. "You hadn't answered my calls about planning your next heist, so I worried something had happened to you."
"I'm in one piece, don't worry," Kaito replied, not really feeling playful enough to tease.
"Is everything okay? You sound a little tired?" Jii asked.
"Eh... I did something dumb, had a fight, and now I'd like a little alone time," Kaito replied, shrugging slightly. "Teen drama stuff."
Jii nodded. "Would planning a heist help distract you?"
"I just took a mask off... and that hurt. I don't feel like putting the mask of Kid back on, and... I worry I might end up fearing taking it off again," Kaito said, more or less muttering the last part. "Just give me a week or two, alright?"
Jii looked hesitant, but gave another nod. "Very well, young master. I'll leave you be, I suppose."
"Thanks," Kaito said, a genuine smile spreading on her mouth (even if it failed to reach her eyes).
Jii gave a quick and polite bow before departing.
Kaito locked the door behind him before returning to the kitchen. The noodles were at a pretty good temperature now. She grabbed them and wandered over to the living room, waking her laptop back up to binge watch more of the anime folks online had recommended.
Something about that Kousaku guy's voice made her nervous, but she couldn't figure out why.
It was afternoon when Kaito got out of bed again, hunger triumphing over apathy. She booted up her laptop and placed an order from a curry place. Then she headed off to the living room, aimlessly scrolling through the news for a bit before slipping back into anime binging.
She was a few episodes in, and felt she could safely say that this martial artist boy didn't appreciate what life had given him.
A noise at the door initially made her think the sushi had arrived early, and she was hungry enough to respond quickly. Then she realised it was the door opening again.
"Jii, I said I was alright," Kaito said, walking into the foyer.
Only, it wasn't Jii. It was Chikage.
Kaito felt confused for a moment, and even more confused when Chikage hurried over and hugged her.
"You're not due back in Japan for another two weeks," Kaito said, still being hugged tight. "And you almost never hug me..."
Chikage broke the hug, moving to look her in the eyes. Kaito realised Chikage's eyes were severely red from lack of sleep.
"Jii called me, said you were lethargic and despondent. So I phoned Ginzo, to see if he could check on you. He told me that you and Aoko had a fight, and that it was serious," Chikage said, hands on Kaito's upper arms still. "I know I'm a little distant, but I'm still your mother. I don't believe in leaving you totally alone. So I grabbed a flight back home. Now, tell your mother what happened. All I got from Ginzo was that it somehow involved Aoko-chan's new girlfriend?"
Kaito's eyes fell. "Of course it involved Aoko's girlfriend. It couldn't not involve Aoko's girlfriend."
"Do you not approve of her? Is she controlling?" Chikage asked.
"She's me... well, was me. We broke up when Aoko found out," Kaito muttered.
"Pardon?" Chikage asked, blinking once or twice.
"I... I messed up. I found out Aoko was a lesbian and I went to go spy on her in a disguise, since a guy would stick out at a lesbian cafe," Kaito explained. "Then someone saw how my eyes were drawn to Aoko, decided to 'help out' and set us up... and I liked it too much."
"Oh, sweety... you're young, but pretending to be a—"
Kaito lifted up a hand, getting Chikage to stop. "It wasn't just dating Aoko that I liked. I... Chi-mom, I'm pretty sure I want to... am a girl?"
Chikage stared for a moment, before something lit up in her tired eyes. "Oohhh! I guess I should phone your school then. I should have some paperwork ready in the... do you have a new name picked out?"
It was Kaito's turn to be confused. "Y-you're handling this suspiciously well. Are you too jetlagged to process it properly?"
Chikage's thoughtful face softened. "Sweetie... I can't count the number of times that you dressed as a princess and Aoko dressed as the knight saving you when you two were little."
"Th-that was because Aoko liked swinging around the toy sword to pretend she was slaying dragons and I liked climbing trees to pretend I was trapped in a tower?" Kaito replied.
Her mother just smiled and ruffled her hair. "Then there were the sleep overs with Aoko and Keiko. And you wanting me to paint your nails too whenever I painted mine. And... well, I was still leaning towards you being gay, but that didn't involve any real paperwork, so I thought I'd use the saved energy to prepare in case you were transgender."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Kaito asked, still processing it all.
Chikage shrugged. "I've always believed in encouraging you to be independent. Especially since I might always end up in prison someday with my criminal record."
Kaito found herself wondering once again how anyone at school was envious of her mother's parenting style.
"Wait! Does this mean Aoko doesn't support your being trans? If she's being close minded, then... Ginzo deserves to know so he can have a talk with her," Chikage said, fire in her eyes.
"Woah! No! No! It wasn't the trans issue that was the problem," Kaito said, arms up to placate her mother. "It was the secret identities thing that ended up going on way too long."
"Ah... alright. That's on you," Chikage said.
"Thanks," Kaito muttered.
Any further conversation was interrupted by the doorbell wringing. The curry was here. Chikage took that as a chance to make something for herself in the kitchen, hungry after her trip. The pair sat at the dining room table a few minutes later, an awkward silence hovering over them.
"So... have you thought about a name?" Chikage asked, as Kaito finished up her curry bowl. "You didn't answer earlier."
"Uh... just a little?" Kaito admitted. She'd not really had her head in the game the last few days, but, she'd had some thoughts. "I like the kai kanji in my name. Both the meaning and how it looks in my signature... so, maybe Haya?"
"Kuroba Haya... it's cute," her mother said, smiling softly.
"Thanks."
Aoko looked at Kaito's empty chair during a break and felt a mixture of anger and sadness. Was Kaito just avoiding her out of fear? Or did he actually feel bad? Maybe he was just pouting about her having called him out for playing with her heart like that.
If it were the former or the latter, then he was dragging it out much too long. It had been nearly a week since their fight.
"Bakaito," she muttered under her breath, leaning back.
"I take it her confession didn't go well," Akako said, having sat nearby on the empty desk reserved for Hakuba (those rare occasions he was actually in Japan and chose to visit the class).
"Aoko doesn't really want to talk about it," she muttered, slumping a bit in her chair. "Kaito played with Aoko's heart and broke it."
"Mmm," Akako said, mysteriously.
The teacher shouted for the class to stop chatting. It was the start of the day, and no one quite wanted to calm down. Haya stood out in the hallway as her teacher shouted some more. Finally, the class calmed down.
"Alright, everyone. We have a student to... well, not really introduce, but to reintroduce," Konno-sensei announced. "You can come in now."
Haya nodded, fixing the skirt on her uniform a little before heading into the classroom. She gave a quick bow, because she had to.
"I am Kuroba Haya now. Please continue to take care of me," she said, hoping that was the right way to do this introduction.
Standing back up, she did like the dawning looks of realisation on her classmates, because each was clearly accompanied with a degree of amazement. It was a little like the response from a magic trick.
"Kuroba? That's... that's you?" one of the boys asked.
"I just said my name," Haya replied, smirking.
"But, that Kuroba?" another boy asked. "You look too cute!"
"You're really Kaito?" a girl added.
"No. I'm really Haya. I was going by Kaito though," she said, enjoying the confusion.
What was nicest was Aoko's face, though. There was no anger or sadness in her eyes right now. She was clearly too perplexed to manage any other emotions.
"Were you away because you were getting surgery?" a boy asked.
Haya stared at the lad, transfixed in her own confusion for a moment. "What? No! Those surgeries take weeks to recover from."
"You're planning to, then?" someone asked.
The teacher dropped a textbook on her desk, the slam drawing all eyes to her. "That's quite enough questions. Kuroba, please go take your seat again."
Haya nodded and headed off.
She gave Aoko a weak smile, though Aoko had shifted from confusion to a suspicious glare. It hurt.
Haya was sure her genuine personality would win Aoko over though.
After they got through History class.
Aoko had been avoiding her all day, slipping off to chat with Keiko during breaks. Not that it really mattered, Haya had found herself swarmed by classmates, all full of questions. A few classmates had seemed convinced it was all a big prank. Some of the girls had complimented her on her makeup (which was nice).
That the boys actually asked her the colour of her underwear confused her. Did they really care? She'd only ever checked Aoko's because how cute Aoko got when embarrassed. As a less private person herself, Haya saw no reason not inform them they were a blue scale camo pattern.
The girls seemed to judge her for sharing that.
Lessons had been more annoying than the questions, though. She was a full week behind, thanks to how long the paperwork approval took, and was left flipping through the textbooks to check everything she'd missed.
It wasn't hard or anything. She was something of a genius afterall, if she did say so herself, but... it still took a while to read it all, keeping her from figuring out any pranks to pull.
At least gym class was going to burn off a lot of the energy she'd been building up.
She grabbed her stuff and followed the class down to the changing areas. She heard the girls whispering, but wasn't really paying attention, trying to run through the biology chapter she'd read to make sure she remembered everything.
"Oh! You're still coming in with us, are you, Kuroba-chan?" a boy asked.
She blinked and looked up. She'd walked into the boys' change room on muscle memory.
"S-sorry, force of habit," she said, taking a half step back, getting partially out of the door.
"Ah, hey, we wouldn't mind," one of the taller lads said (Haya was pretty sure he was on the rugby team).
Another guy slipped his arm around Haya's shoulder. "What about one last time, for memories' sake, eh Kuroba-chan?"
The guy was on the judo team. Haya remembered hearing how he'd accidentally dislocated someone's shoulder in a tournament.
"Mhm, you're got nothing to be nervous about. We've seen you change plenty of times, after all. You'd even be wearing more clothes now, with the bra and all," another lad added.
The way their eyes were all on her... she didn't really know what to do. It felt like her subconscious was telling her to activate some sort of instinct, but... it felt like that instinct wasn't there. There was a short circuit of some sort as she tried to come up with a valid response.
And then a bucket bounced off the judoka's forehead.
As the tall boy stumbled backwards a mop head shot past Haya's ear right ear and slammed him back further. Aoko then slipped in front of Kaito, the mop in her hand held up like it was a quarterstaff.
"Anyone else need a reminder to respect a girl's personal space!?" she shouted, managing to be intimidating despite her small frame and adorable face.
The boys all looked rather nervous. Then their eyes grew wider as someone approached from Kaito's left.
"I am very disappointed in you boys," Akako said. "I only associate with gentlemen, not with... swine."
The boys paled, several scurrying back into the showers to hide their shame, while others dropped to prostrate and give their apologies.
Haya found herself escorted out of the changing room by both Aoko and Akako. Aoko kept glaring back towards the boys' change room, keeping her mop at the ready.
"I understand more about how grandmother Circe treated men," Akako muttered, before turning to Haya. "The nurse's office, yes?"
Haya nodded. "Y-yeah. That's... that's where I'm supposed to change. I just... forgot."
Gym class had ended up more or less cancelled. Aoko and Akako had explained a bit of what happened to the nurse, and she'd been rather outraged. The gym teacher and vice principal had been called, everyone being asked for their side of the story. The boys had spent their gym class getting a lecture on how to properly treat Haya now.
Aoko had, in the end, been given a brief detention for having resorted to violence, but 15 minutes barely counted as a detention. It was clear that the faculty were largely on her side.
Haya had decided to stay, sitting in the hallway outside the detention room Aoko was stuck in.
"You're still here," Aoko said, as she stepped out.
"I figured we should talk," Haya replied.
"Well, before anything, if you're going to be wearing a skirt you need to sit more carefully, Bakaito."
"Oh... right," Haya said, hopping to her feet. "Th-thank you for earlier though."
"You could have shown a bit more initiative, you know," Aoko replied as the pair headed towards their shoe lockers. "Just going limp like that... what were you thinking?"
"I don't know how to handle guys hitting on me, okay?" Haya grumbled. "It's a reasonably new experience."
The pair walked in silence until they reached the lockers and changed their shoes.
"So... you really are living as a girl, then?" Aoko asked, giving Haya a once over.
"Yeah... I'm sorry I figured it out in about the worst way possible, though," Haya replied, running a nervous hand through her still short and messy hair.
Aoko nodded. "You should be."
"Can I do something to earn being your friend again?" Haya asked, as they headed outside.
"Hmm... Aoko thinks helping dad to catch Kaitou Kid would definitely help," Aoko said, nodding as she walked.
"C-catching Kid? I'm just a simple high school aged girl, I doubt I can succeed where the MPD has failed," Haya protested. "How about something easier, like buying you ice cream a few times?"
"A good start. Aoko also wants to talk to your mother about everything," the other girl said.
"That sounds reasonable," Haya conceded.
They walked a few more blocks in silence, until another question escaped Haya before she managed to stop it.
"What-what about 'girlfriend' status?"
Once she'd said it she regretted it. That was pushing too hard and too fast. Just getting a chance at being friends again was all she should have asked for.
"A date at the aquarium," Aoko replied simply. "That will tell Aoko you're serious."
Haya swallowed nervously. That was cruel, harsh, and... pretty well exactly what she deserved.
"Fair," she said.
Another week had passed, and things were back to something vaguely resembling normal. Sure, Haya was still a bit clumsy about certain feminine things, but most of the girls in her class thought she was doing a pretty good job. The boys were treating her more respectfully now as well, in no small part due to Akako's glare. The red witch had insisted helping her had something to do with appeasing Aphrodite. Kaito didn't really follow, but didn't really know much about Greek Mythology.
Today was going to be something a bit different, though. She and Aoko were heading back over to Beika to hang out with the Teitan girls. It would be fun to actually hang out properly, now that she was caught up on her homework. She pulled her outdoor shoes on, only to wobble a little bit when Aoko caught up. Mainly because Aoko was dragging Akako with her, the witch looking a bit confused.
"Aoko has invited Akako, as thanks for her helping us both figure ourselves out."
Haya nodded slowly, surprised Akako had agreed to it.
"I had nothing better to do," Akako declared, clearly having picked up on Haya's questioning glance.
"Well, let's hope you'll have fun," Haya said, pulling out a grin.
Akako gave a slight nod.
A few moments later they'd all changed their shoes and set off towards the nearest train station. It turned out Akako lacked a transit pass, and it took a few minutes to get her a card loaded up. Haya tried not to giggle at how the witch was so nervous about modern technology. She maintained a look akin to a confused country girl the whole train ride, having apparently not realised how large the trains got.
Once they arrived in Beika, Aoko began skipping along excitedly towards the restaurant they were meeting at. Haya couldn't help smiling at that, with her cheeks going hot at the way Aoko smiled back.
They found the Teitan girls at the burger joint, and Sonoko stared a bit at Haya as the Ekoda girls entered the restaurant.
"Dang, Kaiko, you're really cute with your real face," Sonoko said.
"Thanks, but, um, it's Haya now."
"Oh. Sorry!" Sonoko replied. "I... I do have to ask, though... if you're named Kuroba, and you know a bit about disguises and such... are you related to Kuroba Touichi?"
"He was my dad," Haya replied.
"Really? You've got to know all sorts of cool magic tricks then!" Sonoko said, eyes lighting up as the group walked over to the counter waiting to place their orders. "I'd love to know some better magic tricks, for next time I meet up with Kid-sama. It would be so nice to do something to impress him..."
Haya struggled not to react in any telling way to the dreamy look on Sonoko's face. Luckily they reached the cashier and she was able to save her composure by placing her order.
It took a bit for the six of them to each order, and Haya offered some vague chatter about her own 'theories' about Kid to Sonoko to fill the time. Aoko made sure to complain about both of them being Kid fans, though her tone was teasing. Ran admitted she liked that Kid heists usually didn't involve murders, so made a nice change of pace for her and her family. Sera was the second last to join the waiting section, but seemed to be paying a little bit too much attention to Haya's views on Kid.
"Be a dear and carry my order for me," Akako said, turning to Sera as her food at last arrived.
"Pardon?" the fanged detective replied.
The pair stared at one another, both looking perplexed.
Haya slipped over, and gestured for Akako to look down. The witch's eyes followed, and widened.
"Oh... I..." Akako muttered. "You're so handsome though..."
Sera glanced to Haya, before looking back at Akako. "Thanks? I suppose, if you say 'please' I'd be willing to help you out. Since you are cute."
"P-please?" Akako offered, blushing a little as Haya had noticed her do sometimes with Aoko's compliments.
Sera lifted the second tray of food, and Haya flashed her a thumbs up as they headed towards the table where Ran, Sonoko, and Aoko were waiting. Sera was wearing a smirk, while Akako was still blushing a little behind her. Haya drifted back a bit, and leaned in towards her magical friend.
"Thinking of joining the gay side?" Haya whispered, grinning away.
"I... I suppose I did have a crush on you, so... perhaps I should try exploring this," Akako muttered.
Haya was all smiles as she grabbed the seat beside Aoko, ensuring Sera and Akako would be seated next to each other.
And also ensuring she could steal one of Aoko's onion rings, which led to some amusing friendly arguing. That escalated to Aoko yoinking Haya's milkshake to steal a sip of it's chocolatey goodness.
"I already used that straw," Haya said, sticking her tongue out as Aoko took her drink.
"Bakaya. Do you think Aoko is afraid of getting cooties? Aoko is perfectly ready to kiss you when you finally ask me on a date," Aoko replied.
Haya was pretty sure her cheeks were glowing, they felt so hot.
Sonoko cheering on Aoko's boldness only made Haya more flustered.