The world seemed to brighten yet dim at the same time as those words echoed in Conan's ears. What to do in the meantime? That certainly is the golden question. Well first things first, they must decide on a name, then determine an address for her to live, file a background, enroll her in school, buy her some clothes, ectara, ectara. Well, where would she live? Conan glanced at Kazuha who was patiently waiting for an answer, Conan knew the stubborn girl would want to remain in Osaka but who would she with? Since they do not know anyone who knew of their situation in Osaka, save for Hattori of course, but he wanted to push off telling Hattori about this. If he knew anything about his dark-skinned friend is that he is hot-tempered and would completely blow over is he knew and he would never hear the end of it. Conan internally sighed, Hattori would no doubt blame for dragging Kazuha into this war. Hattori then would insist to have a larger role in this war but Conan will not have it. He already told Hattori enough information to get him killed but he did not want to increase those chances. With her parents, it will get the police involved knowing her father, and Conan is not about the risk that. Since Hattori and her parents are not an option, then Tokyo it is; he doubts the old man will allow another child to live with them at the agency. There is not much room there either and he doubts her parents will be willing to pay the amount of care given by his own parents. She could possibly live Hakase, there is plenty of room there and Haibara could keep a close eye on her. If not Hakase, then possibly with Subaru? Subaru probably wouldn't mind.
"Well, we have to pick an alias for you and determine where you should live." Conan finally answered. Kazuha nodded in understanding.
"Okay, how about I live here in Osaka?" She suggested. She mentioned earlier to Conan in her story that after she had been shrunken she lacked the courage to tell anyone, but with Conan's help, they probably can convince her parents and Heiji. Then they could possibly help her.
Conan shook his head, Kazuha gave him a questioning look. "Those are risks that I do not want to undertake." He said simply.
"What do you mean?" Conan sighed.
"These are dangerous people Kazuha, you have no idea how dangerous they are. They will not hesitate to kill your loved ones and the more people who know the more you are placing them at risk of being killed. It is one of the reasons why I didn't tell Ran and it is the reason why I do not want you telling your parents or Hattori. Also, it will be more difficult to keep track of you if you are here in Osaka." Conan briefly explained excluding the fact that Hattori is already aware of the organization's existence.
"I kind of understand but I kind of don't." Kazuha started as she squeezed her knees gently. "I mean my dad is a police officer so as Heiji's dad. They can help us in this situation. I also understand not wanting to tell them because of the chances of them getting killed but I trust them and they know they can help." Kazuha stared intently at Conan who stared back with sad and exhausted eyes. It startled her a bit, she had never seen such an expression in a pair of eyes before. She didn't like it.
Conan sighed again. "I know, however, few people are aware of this organization's existence, and this organization will kill anybody who is aware of their existence despite if they are involved or not. As well, I do not trust the police getting involved because I know as I saw it happen that they have no problem infiltrating the police. I almost got killed because of that…" Kazuha stared at him wide-eyed in horror, these people were willing to infiltrate the police, then how can they stop them? And Conan was almost killed too, then how would she not be put at risk either? Conan watched her reaction. "That is why I am investigating by myself though I do have some help…"
"Who is helping you…?" She questioned, curious if it was anyone Conan is personally attached to.
Conan leaned his chin on his palm, his elbow propped up by his knee. "Well, I went to the Mouri agency thinking that I could discreetly investigate, being as it is consistently bringing me to cases and police knowledge. I will admit, it has been strangely helpful although this organization or as I dubbed them, the B.O, is difficult to trace. Surprisingly it also helped me get in contact with both the CIA and the FBI who are also involved in solving this case. And just to let you know, they are here without government permission so please keep that a secret." Kazuha nodded, surprised at hearing of FBI and CIA involvement. She remembered Ran telling her once that one of her teachers was found to be an FBI agent but is supposedly here for vacation… "Also," Kazuha focused on Conan as he spoke again, "I have Hakase helping me. He was the first person to learn who I am, given that I ran into him first and I had just shrunk into a child. But he helps me by building all these gadgets to solve cases and defend myself."
Kazuha remembered Hakase, a jolly good man. She enjoyed his company the little time they shared, and she knew he is a good man too by Ran's accounts. If she remembered correctly, Hakase is Kudo's neighbor ever since he was a child and that Kudo had always spent a great deal of time with him.
"And I did say I have someone working on an antidote, so her as well. Out of all those people I have mentioned, only Hakase and the scientist know who I am." Conan added.
"Scientist?" Kazuha questioned as she tilted her head to the side. She didn't even bother trying to think of who he meant, she had little clue of the people Kudo knew.
Conan smirked. "Yeah. You might remember her, Haibara."
Kazuha blinked. "Eh?" She remembered the little girl with strawberry hair who was surprisingly mature for her age and a bit distant. She honestly never thought she was more than just a mature and kind of smart kid (though she didn't have a lot of interactions with her either), but to research an antidote? Just who is she? And she asked just that to Conan; this was all becoming a shock to her. Was it possible that Haibara was also shrunk? Then who else was shrunk?
Conan stared at her and softened his gaze. "She's a scientist who, yes, also shrunk due to the same drug you took. She's actually about our age. I'll let her tell you her story when we reach Tokyo, but no worries, we are the only people, well who we know of, are shrunken."
Kazuha nodded slowly but suddenly looked up to Conan. "Wait, so I am going back to Tokyo with you?" She asked unsure about how she felt about doing so.
Conan simply nodded sensing her distress. "Yes, that would be the best course of action. Unfortunately, you will not be able to live with me at the agency, but you might be able to live with Hakase. If not, you'll live next door to Hakase, my house with Okiya Subaru." He explained.
Kazuha tilted her head to the other side now. "Okiya Subaru?" She questioned. She felt like she might have heard that name before, probably from Ran.
Conan smiled. "An ally." He answered. "But when you come back with me, you're going to need an alias. Have any names in mind?" He asked as he pulled out his phone and dialed Haibara's number.
Kazuha blinked at him before tapping her chin with her finger thinking. She never really thought about it, well she honestly thought she will end up revealing herself to her parents and Heiji and see what would happen. What name could she use? Based on the length of time she knew Conan, she might have to use the name for a long time. She heaved a quiet sigh at the thought of that but shook it off, no need to get depressed now. She started thinking of names. Possibly Watabe Amaterasu? No, she didn't like that, sounds too old. She thought of some famous local or some famous individuals; there were two famous bakers called Nishiwashi and Mariko. Maybe Nishiwashi Mariko? She rolled the name over her tongue and decided against it, disliking how it sounded. She continued to think, what else? She widened her eyes at the thought of a famous Aikido artist named Nakamoto Jin and of a famous actress Satou Kamiko. Sho could use the name Nakamoto Kamiko, she liked the ring of that. "Nakamoto Kamiko! I choose that name for my alias." She suddenly exclaimed not realizing Conan had his phone pressed up to his ear. Conan glanced at her and nodded in approval.
"She's gone with the alias of Nakamoto Kamiko," Conan said through the phone and Kazuha wondered who he is talking to, but then Conan placed it on speakerphone. "Yeah, do you think it's possible for you and Hakasa to take her in?"
Haibara mulled over it over the line. "Its possible we can do that, however, it might be suspicious if Hakase takes in another child."
Conan stared at a tree, deep in thought. "Alright, I'll contact Subaru-san and see if he's willing to take her in, and in that way, it will seem she will have just moved into the neighborhood. Tell Hakasa to start working on her paperwork. Though we need a story for her and the disappearance of Toyama. We can't use the same excuse as me. As well, I'm going to need an excuse to return to Tokyo as soon as possible." Kazuha listened in and wondered as well. If she had to keep this a secret from her family and Heiji, how would she explain her sudden disappearance and stop the search party? She honestly had no idea.
Haibara rested her chin on her palm as she thought. Having another teen turned kid was troublesome especially if they are as innocent as Kazuha. Kudo is a mystery fanatic, so it was easy to label him as off on some case, no one was close enough to her to care about her. Yet Kazuha was surrounded by people who truly cared about her and she had no dangerous habits to explain her mysterious disappearance. She glanced at a magazine sitting on the coffee table, it featured a sexy couple clinging to each other. She smirked, it may be a stretch considering Kazuha's character but with the right angle, enough stupidity and acting they might be able to it off. "Alright Kudo, I have your story for Toyama-chan's disappearance. Can you hear me Toyama-chan?"
Kazuha nodded. "Yes, I can hear you."
"Good. So, to explain your disappearance, simply say that it was a man's fault."
Kazuha narrowed her eyes in confusion. "A man's fault?" She questioned unsure what Haibara was hinting at.
"Yes, a man's fault. You fell in love with a slightly older man, however, it might be best to explain that you have been secretly dating this man for a while to deter some of the suspicions. You met him at the book signing and, on a whim, go away with him. Overseas might make a better cover story though."
Conan glanced at the phone with an annoyed expression. "Hey, hey, Haibara. Do you really think anyone is going to believe that?"
"People do stupid things for love Kudo-kun." Haibara shot back dully, and Conan stayed silent with an annoyed expression. "Does that work for you Toyama-chan?"
Kazuha blinked at the question trying to register at the back story. "I, I don't know if I can explain that or well if anybody would believe me. That honestly doesn't sound like anything I would do."
Haibara raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a better story?" Kazuha remained silent, and Haibara knew her story will be the one they will go with. "Alright, when you call your parents, go with that story although do not mention your boyfriend's name. Your dad is a cop and he would immediately conduct a search. We will postpone from calling your parents until you reach here which will give Hakasa and I some time to forge some documents and your exit out of the country, okay?"
No words could exit her mouth, her throat seemed twisted. She did not want to go through this, all she wanted to was to go back to her old teenaged self. It all seemed unreal.
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan.
Hoped y'all enjoyed.