Kid wants answers. Anarchy is embarrassed.

Set a few days after "Miss Witch."

Kid leaned against the railing, staring out over the city as he waited for Reed to catch up. The heist had gone off without a snag, the police had given up the chase, and no one expected the Kaitou Kid to be hanging out on the roof of some random skyscraper.

In short, it was a perfect chance to have a little chat with his partner.

Kid shifted as a door opened. A second later, Reed's voice came from behind him.

"Sorry I'm late."

Kid shrugged, watching from the corner of his eye as Reed joined him at the railing. "You know, I was on the school roof the other day."

Reed gave him a thoroughly unimpressed look.

"When I heard Koizumi coming, I hid behind the stairwell - didn't want to deal with her, you know? I didn't expect to hear something so . . . unusual." He couldn't be sure in the dim light, but it looked like Reed paled.

"You- you heard us. That."

"Yes." Kid turned to face him. "At first I figured she was acting crazy again, but you didn't sound like you were just humoring her."

Reed sighed, lowering his hood so Kid could see his expression. "I wasn't."

Kid mirrored the gesture and took off his hat, although he left the monocle on and Poker Face up. "In that case, I think I'm entitled to a few questions."

"Ask away."

Kid took a deep breath. No turning back now. "What are you?"

"Archetype," Reed said. "We're- jeez, I hate explaining this - usually Havoc does it - we're like the personification of certain concepts. Truth. Order. Chaos. Things like that." He fumbled for words, seeming a bit uncertain. "We are what we personify, and we draw power from what we are."

Kid struggled to maintain his mask; somehow, he hadn't been expecting something so large-scale. "So you use magic?"

Reed shook his head. "It's not really magic. More like natural abilities. Any Archetype can make themselves invisible to humans. The rest is based on our concept." He smiled wryly. "My brother Bedlam can shatter glass."

Kid snorted, amused in spite of himself.

"To humans who have magic, we come across as high-level yokai, but we're really closer to spirits. I haven't been keeping the tightest reign on my energy signature." He shrugged. "Guess that's how Koizumi found me."

Kid nodded. Poker Face was the only thing keeping him from having a breakdown. Only a minor one, mind you - people who chased magic gems had best keep open minds. "You said I was 'one of yours.'"

"Ah. That." Reed flushed slightly. "It's nothing mystical. You know how in the old stories, the gods would pick someone to be their favored one? Someone who reflected themselves, like Athena and Odysseus. They would keep track of that person, give them advice, maybe help them out occasionally."

Kid's eyes widened.

"It's sort of like that, except I'm not a god and you're a friend." Reed looked away. "It's also a bit like family. My siblings . . . they're 'mine' too."

For a few memorable seconds, the Kaitou Kid was speechless. So Reed saw him . . . as family? "O-Oh," he said at last. "That's okay, then."

Reed shifted, still looking away. There might have been a hint of red splashed across his face. "Any other questions?"

Kid lifted a finger. "Just one."

"Really?"

"For now." Kid smiled. "What's your concept?"

Reed's gaze snapped to his, and the Archetype laughed. "I forgot to introduce myself. How embarrassing!"

Kid snickered, and just like that, the tension was all but gone. This was still Reed, after all - it was far too late in the game for doubts. Besides, he, of all people, had no right to hold grudges for secrets.

Reed flared his short cape, bowing slightly. "Well then, Kaitou Kid-san - it's nice to finally meet you properly. My name is Anarchy."