Blue Shadow
Chapter 3
ooo
The final bell rang, and school was officially over for the day. Aoko was happy that she could finally go home. (She had an early morning start with Kaito flipping her skirt; thus, resulting in a mop chase.)
And today she's walking home with aforementioned friend. They haven't been spending as much time together like they used too ever since she started volunteering at the pet shop. The last time they walked together was when he dropped her off at work two weeks ago.
Aoko had a free day from manning the pet store and she decided it was nice to take a break. Plus, she got to be with Kaito.
Speaking of Kaito, he's been awfully quiet...
"Hey," she said while turning to her best friend. He had a distant look in his eyes and this worried Aoko. The prankster beside her was hardly ever thoughtful. "Is anything wrong?"
Kaito tilted his head toward her and grinned. "Just thinking about how pink actually suits you," he said, clearly referring to her underwear.
An indignant look crossed Aoko's face before she burst, "You're such a pervert!" And she stomped off ahead.
Ooooooh, that Kaito! Always making fun of her! How has she retained her sanity all these years?
And instead of hearing the usual snicker or cry of "It was a complement, Aoko! Geez!", she heard another voice speak from behind her.
"Aoko," the velvety voice said.
Aoko stopped in her tracks. It was impossible to hear that voice.
Because that was Blue Shadow's voice.
From her frozen state, she slowly turned around. It was Kaito. Holding Blue Shadow's mask.
"You dropped this when you chased me this morning," he said casually, moving the mask away from his face. "I didn't know they were already selling Blue Shadow merchandise. Or that they had built-in voice changers. "
And then she just panicked.
Aoko grabbed her childhood friend by the arm and ran to her house faster than any gold-medal marathoner. Streets and houses were all a blur and she barely heard Kaito's yells to slow down.
She hauled him into her house and rushed Kaito to her room, closing the door behind them.
"Aoko! I'm not ready yet!" Kaito exclaimed but she didn't pay any attention to the dirty joke.
"Where did you get that mask?" she demanded. She had been so careful. How could Kaito get his hands on it?
"You dropped it this morning," the boy shrugged. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
Maybe it was just her imagination but he actually sounded...hurt.
Well why wouldn't he be hurt? She's been hiding something from him all this time! They were supposed to be best friends. Aoko felt a stab of guilt in her heart.
"Kaito, I-" she hesitated. How would he handle this? Kaito KID is his idol! He would surely hate her now...
Then there was a poof and a rose was in front of her. The messy-haired boy gave an encouraging smile.
"It's okay, Aoko. Go on."
She gave a small smile of her own and took a deep breath. She told him the truth.
"I-I'm Blue Shadow."
ooo
Kaito and Aoko were having one of their monthly movie nights at the Nakamori residence. They were watching some detective film that Aoko insisted on seeing. Kaito had no choice but to give in (and no it wasn't cause she gave him those cute puppy dog eyes).
No siree.
Things have been relatively peaceful. There had been no heists for nearly 2 months, which meant KID and Blue Shadow haven't made an appearance.
Kaito remembered the day Aoko came clean.
"I-I'm Blue Shadow."
"Aoko...why?"
"I'm sorry, Kaito. I just..I couldn't stand it anymore. My dad was always gone, KID made a fool out of the task force, I've been so lonely and so worried and I don't know I wasn't thinking about the consequences and-"
Aoko stopped rambling when Kaito suddenly gave her a hug. A tight one and she returned it, clinging on and he could almost hear her silent plea: I'm sorry, forgive me
Kaito moved back to look at her. "It's okay Aoko."
"You're not mad?" She asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I'm worried," was his reply. "It's dangerous out there! You've heard that there were shootings involved in some heists before! If you were caught in the middle of it... I-I don't," Kaito stopped and swallowed.
Aoko looked at him. "You don't...?" They were still wrapped in each other's arms. Kaito let out a sigh and pressed his forehead against hers.
"I don't know..." Was his reply. "I don't know what I would do..."
This was as much of a confession as she was gonna get.
"Kaito..."
"Promise me."
"Promise you what?"
"That you won't be Blue Shadow anymore."
Aoko leaned back, evidently conflicted.
"Aoko...please..." Kaito was begging. This was the first time he's let his Poker Face down. He knew he was a hypocrite. A big fat liar. Such a selfish asshole and part of him wanted to come clean too.
But he couldn't.
Not yet.
"Kaito... I can't. I'm sorry. Someone has to stop KID from getting away with everything. I can handle it! I'm not helpless anymore. I've learned karate, I stopped 2 heists...well sort of..."
"Aoko. If anyone starts shooting at you during a heist, you should know damn well I will go in to get you."
"No!"
"Yes."
"Kaito..."
"Aoko...please. I trust you, but there's no guarantee you'll always come out unscathed. What will your dad do then?"
Aoko exhaled. "Okay."
"Promise me," Kaito repeated.
"I promise I'll stop being Blue Shadow."
Kaito was so lost in thought that he didn't notice he was staring at Aoko.
He snapped out of it when she gasped, still absorbed in the movie. She was so adorable. Eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Kaito was starting to think this was a pretty good movie and that he should actually watch it instead of watching his childhood best friend. She was so innocent, yet so head strong and driven. Just looking at her made his heart clench.
"I love you."
Aoko looked at him, forgetting the film for a little while. "What was that Kaito?"
Crap. He didn't know where that came from, nor did he want it to be voiced out in the open.
Goodness, what was happening to him.
"Ah- It's nothing. Just saying the movie is cool," Kaito recovered from the slip up.
Aoko smiled, "Told ya so!" Before getting back into the film.
Their movie night ended and Kaito had no idea what they just saw, Aoko on the other hand was very pleased.
I swear that smile will be the death of me. "Yo Aoko, I'd better get going."
"Okay." She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to move.
I should tell her, the thought crossed Kaito's mind not the first time within the past months. "Aoko..."
He shook his head to clear his mind. It's not the right time.
"I'll see you in school."
ooo
Kaito flopped on his bed. Things seemed to be going well, but will it last through his oncoming heist?
Kaito got up to his desk and looked at his plans. The millennium diamond was his next target. He had an odd feeling in his gut, whether good or bad he didn't know.
Either way, in a few days it'll be showtime.