Chapter Three

"Real laughter is spontaneous. Like water from the spring it bubbles forth a creation of mingled action and spontaneity - two magic potions in themselves - the very essence of laughter - the unrestrained emotion within us!"

-Douglas Fairbanks

"Hello everyone, I'm Yukihisa Ruri," Ruri gave a curt bow as she introduced herself.

Everyone had been rather stunned by her entrance earlier (Kaito had made a firecracker go off and it had startled her so badly she fell backwards and embarrassed herself). She was trying to keep the urge to turn red and run out of the classroom down, but was kind of failing miserably.

"Your seat will be behind Nakamori Aoko-san," the teacher motioned to where the girl was sitting.

Aoko (Ruri had instantly recognized her, among others such as Kaito himself and Hakuba Saguru) stood up and gave Ruri a kind smile.

When Ruri smiled back and began making her way to her, she almost fell again when she saw just how startling a blue her eyes really were. They really didn't do her justice in the show. Janet had always been jealous of the bright, colorful eyes she always saw.

Kaito had been very shocked to see the transfer student. Brown hair and bright blue eyes, just like the girls namesake: lapis lazuli. He had originally thought Aoko had been playing a prank but a quick scan of the classroom had dismissed that thought. Looking back at the girl confirmed it wasn't Aoko. Ruri was shorter and had shorter hair, shoulder-length that curled up a bit at the ends.

"And this is Kuroba Kaito, the jerk who pranked you earlier," Aoko's voice broke Kaito's train of thought and he looked up to see two familiar pairs of blue eyes.

Dipping into a deep bow, he poofed a blue rose into existence and handed it to the transfer student.

"I apologize for that little incident from earlier. I'm Kuroba Kaito, magician-in-training!" he introduced himself.

Ruri gasped as she viewed his little trick and gingerly took the proffered rose. "That's amazing!"

Kaito grinned. At least someone knew how to appreciate his magic.

"Aoko-san was telling me how you were into magic, Kuroba-san," the girl told him, a warm smile gracing her lips.

She's really cute when she smiles, Kaito thought, feeling almost like he wanted to protect her. An odd feeling, for sure, since even Aoko never elicited such a strong protective instinct. She's like one of my doves, or even like a hamster.

"Kaito?" Aoko's voice derailed his train of thought once more and he looked up at her worried face.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I was just wondering why you were so silent," she pouted. "If something's bothering you, tell me."

"Nothing, nothing," Kaito grinned and waved her off. "Has she met Hakuba, yet?"

"Not yet," the person in question called from behind the girls.

Ruri turned in mild surprise to find the blond behind her.

"Hello," she smiled, giving a slight curtsy.

"I see you know a bit of English etiquette?" the detective asked after a very gentlemanly bow.

"Just a bit. I heard you were from England, so I'm sorry for showing off a bit" Ruri replied, turning red ever so slightly. "Is it true you're a detective?"

Kaito could see Hakuba puff out his chest when the girl asked him that.

"Yes, I am. Hakuba Saguru, one of the best detectives you'll ever meet, and very pleased to make your acquaintance," the detective offered his hand and Ruri shook it.

Ruri smiled again, giving a small and embarrassed giggle. "Gosh, all this bowing makes me feel a little awkward. It's like I'm a princess or something."

Hakuba smiled as he stood straight once more but his smile began to disappear. "You feel quite familiar, Yukihisa-san."

"Ruri is fine," the girl frowned. "And I wouldn't understand why, seeing as we've never met before."

Hakuba looked even more confused at that comment but he let it drop.

As the bell rang signaling the end of the lunch period, Ruri turned to Kaito.

"Thank you for the rose, mister magician," she told him before heading back to her seat, leaving Kaito with a giddy and proud feeling in his chest.

Ruri was internally screaming by the time school had ended because she had NOT handled the situation well. She hadn't expected Aoko to approach her and introduce her to Kaito and Hakuba. She was currently berating herself for saying mister magician to Kaito in flippin' ENGLISH no less. It wasn't a secret to her that he was KID but did she really have to go and do that?!

"Haaah..." she let out a deep sigh as she tucked her textbooks into her bag.

"Hey, Ruri-chan?"

Ruri looked up at Aoko who seemed to be fidgeting.

"Yes, Aoko-san?" the girl asked.

"I was wondering if you would like me to show you around this Sunday? Since you said you had just moved to Ekoda and all," Aoko looked at Ruri with hopeful eyes.

"Um, is that alright?" Ruri decided to take the girl up on her offer, after all, this WAS something she had been dreaming about ever since she (Janet) had gotten into anime.

"Of course!" Aoko gave a wonderful impression of a sunbeam as she positively glowed.

"Then is 2 ok?"

Ruri nodded.

"Do you want to meet at your house?" Aoko asked.

"Whatever works best for you," Ruri told her, politely.

"Your house it is then! Let's exchange mail addresses, ok?"

And that was how Ruri obtained her first friend.