Chapter 9 In reverse
He was stupefied, startled, surprised, whatever fit the bill. Fact was, Kaito was head over heels for this girl who had a few minutes ago bawled her eyes out on his shoulder and just now kissed him. It was a simple kiss on the cheek but it was a first. She'd never kissed him before and of course he'd never kissed her, either. Not on her forehead, not on her cheek and most likely not on those very kissable lips of hers.
He wondered if she knew what spell she put him under, he wondered if she deliberately liked torturing him – well, she did which was beyond the point but this went too far.
He felt warm, his cheeks were still flushed as far as he could tell and he was sure he must look like a creep having been standing on the same spot for a few minutes, not moving, just looking in the very same damn direction.
The thought got Kaito moving and he put on his helmet, threw a last look towards the still dark house and drove home. Since he lived barely a few streets away, it took him just a minute and he was there.
Lately, she'd been weird. He hadn't noticed at first because he was mostly too busy preparing for Kid heists and during school time he was too tired to take notice of anything important. It was Akako who told him to watch out for Aoko which worried him a lot because he was very sure that the witch hated Aoko. What reason did she have to warn him and tell him to take care of his best friend? It didn't make sense. But it got him thinking and she certainly wasn't wrong.
Aoko was hiding something, that one was blatantly obvious. What, though, he couldn't say.
It mostly baffled him how comfortable she felt around Kid. She'd never felt comfortable around him, she hated his guts and wished him death. Well, she once did – not anymore. He wondered what brought this change on. It wasn't like her. It was also the first thing that got the bells ringing inside his head.
That, just today, when he sent another heist note, he found her in Megure-keibu's office. The way she was clothed she must have broken in. Aoko never did anything illegal. Ever. She simply wasn't such a girl. She only saw in blacks and whites and Kaitou Kid was bad and her father the true hero. While she wasn't wrong, things didn't work like that in the real world.
Maybe she'd realized that, maybe something changed back when he had protected her as Kid when they both got kidnapped. She'd not been as hostile as he thought she'd be. And ever since things just got better.
And then she broke into Megure-keibu's office and the ringing didn't stop anymore. If Aoko did something illegal, there had to be a hell of a reason and he actually didn't like that one bit. What was she looking for? Though, he was glad that he'd been there when he had because she would have been found out without him and had to face whatever consequences. Maybe he should have let her get caught but she was his friend and he felt guilty for neglecting her like that so it was only natural to jump in and help her.
She'd been even surprisingly stealthy which he never would have thought. Not his Aoko. She was a klutz, she was good with a mop but that's it. Aoko was nowhere close to being a spy – not even something like a spy and yet there they were.
Kaito walked into his house and went to take a shower. Driving in this cold was deadly but a cab was too expensive and it was simply too far away to walk. Besides, he was honestly glad she had called him because he would have probably gone out to look for her if she hadn't. She was just Aoko, but she was his best friend and he couldn't have her get hurt. Never.
And then there was her breakdown. It still hurt him seeing her like that. He couldn't quite forget how painful her sobs sounded and wondered what could hurt her so much. The thing with her father was only half true, he could sense so much but why would she lie to him? And why would she cry like that?
The answer must be in the question what she had been looking for in Megure-keibu's office. Megure was inspector of the homicide division. What could she have been looking for? Some files? But concerning what? Why? He really couldn't wrap his head around it.
Well, the way things were, he had to find out what she had been looking for and why and then do whatever it took to help her. Or stop her. It highly depended on what was going on.
There was dread spreading inside him, though. Did she maybe find out about him being Kid? Was that the reason why she was less hostile towards him? Did she break in because she knew about the Black Organization who wanted to kill him? Did she have leads she needed to verify?
Kaito froze.
She certainly told him that she knew about dangerous people targeting Kid. How much did she know though? Of course, she knew. She'd been targeted, too and he was the one saving her. Did she try to find those people? Because if she did he'd have to stop her right away. They were not people to mess with. Aoko was a simple girl, his best friend and the girl he loved, certainly, but she had grown up rather sheltered and beside his teasing and her beating him, she'd never encountered violence – true violence that is. She couldn't fight those people. He wouldn't let her – under no circumstances.
He'd have to start looking more carefully, he'd have to try and meet her more often. It wasn't like he liked cancelling their meetings, it was more like he needed to finally get rid of Kid and that only worked if he found Pandora. There was simply no more time to spend with Aoko and that wasn't because of her – he wished things would go back to the way they used to be, too. But that wasn't possible. He could only move forward and hope she'd still accept him once things were finished. Once he could bury Kid as deep as possible. But that was neither here nor there.
He never wanted Aoko to become anything like him. His father had been a magician, but her father was working for the police. Kaito himself was working against the police and he'd always viewed Aoko on the other side of the line – the same her father was operating on. To see her on his side of justice baffled him, it scared him because he never expected something like that to happen – he never wanted to see that happen.
But maybe, maybe if he stopped neglecting her like that, he could help her and bring her back on the right track. His way of life certainly was nothing for her – he didn't wish such a life for her. He wanted her to stay sheltered like before. And if he ever found the person who made her cry like that he'd not guarantee for anything.
Of course, Shinichi had not believed Ran. There was a case, alright. So, apparently some client came asking for him but since he wasn't there – obviously – Ran decided to take on the case herself. Well, fine. He believed that much because Ran was like that. But it wasn't much like herself to not tell anyone – she'd usually tell her father or Sonoko, Kazuha or maybe even Sera.
But her father and Sonoko never even heard a word of this case, Sera found Ran's behavior suspicious and Kazuha thought that he himself was behind it all. Well, he wasn't.
So, Shinichi had no choice but follow Ran and somehow find out what was going on. She told him about a case which could have been a joke. Things like that existed. But it usually wasn't up for girls to decide if it was serious or not and he'd rather some expert decided on that. So, he needed to do anything in his might to find out what was going on.
Because calling her was getting him nowhere and as Conan she was as unmovable as a wall, he needed to find a different approach. Haibara was weirdly enough easily convinced to give him one antidote and that's what he did. He took one because Ran said she'd tell him if he met her in person. Of course, he hadn't thought she'd fight back like that. It wasn't his Ran, it wasn't the girl he used to know and that scared him.
She'd been sneaking off quite often recently and even Hattori found it to be strange behavior and not normal, that's why he had decided to help and keep her under surveillance. But Ran, surprisingly, slipped through his fingers every day more easily and he hated every bit of it. She was hiding from him, lying to him and yeah – to be honest, he wasn't one single bit different. They were basically in the same boat, lying to each other. The only difference was that as far as he could tell she'd not deceived him yet. He hoped she wouldn't try.
Shinichi had the worst suspicion that Ran might have found out about the BO or that the case was about the BO, possibly both. He simply couldn't let her investigate those people if he was right. She was strong and smart, true, but she was not prepared for a full out war with this organization. That was his beer and he wouldn't let her do it. That was why he needed to find out what was going on with her. If that case of hers wasn't related to the BO he'd even let her do it on her own (probably not but he could still lie to himself). If it was anything not related to the BO he'd be able to solve it in a day straight, maybe two and then she'd no longer sneak of and be odd.
So, Shinichi would do anything in his might to find out what was going on with her and what this case was about. He'd not stop before he got his answers.
And then she kissed him and his brains combusted.
He definitely hadn't expected anything like that but her lips had felt so soft and warm even though it was freezing and the air around him had been freezing cold a second ago and suddenly it felt scorching hot and then her lips were gone and he felt cold and no, he couldn't possibly have that.
He threw all his plans out the window and who cared about that anyway? Kissing was much better than thinking about the BO and what was going on with his best friend slash love interest. She was here, right here with him, in his arms, her lips pressed against his and the world couldn't be more perfect. He couldn't be happier than in this moment because while he told her that he loved her (indirectly) she never gave him an answer and while she had told Conan those many months ago, it was still different. And this was all the answer he needed.
It felt like back then, long before things went down the drain, during those days her best friend was just a deduction freak with a way too big ego and she wasn't sure if she liked him more right now, but those days have been so easy and she wished they could go back to that. Obviously, things changed him, Shinichi matured a lot but he still had a one-track mind. Ran knew that his only reason for coming back right now was to get information from her – he wouldn't have come back for her and it hurt.
Still, the girl enjoyed their silent walk to his house, his hand in hers. She still felt his lips on hers and couldn't help but want more. Would there be another chance to kiss him? Was this her only chance?
She looked up and watched his profile. He seemed to be as far away as her only he seemed to be in la-la-land making her smile contently. Knowing she had this much power over him emboldened her and she would have kissed him again but she had another purpose she needed to achieve.
They arrived rather quickly at his house and while Shinichi was preparing the guest room she hurriedly went through his mails. He had them all stacked up on the kitchen table and it was easy to find the invitation. So, he had gotten one, as well.
Why was he invited? Wasn't it supposed to be for police? He didn't belong to them. He was a detective but he was still a high schooler. He wasn't even a professional detective. He had great skills, sure, but that was it. Why would someone invite him, as well?
Ran felt cold inside, gripping her insides tightly.
Someone was trying to kill Shinichi.
Crumpling the letter, she quickly hid it under her shirt when she heard footsteps coming closer. Soon, Shinichi stuck his head in and she tried hard to get her neutral expression back. She felt anxious and hoped he wouldn't see right through her.
"What are you doing here?" Shinichi watched her with suspicious, his gaze falling on the stack of letters, then back to her. She was sure he knew what she'd been doing but he didn't comment on it and she was grateful for that. As far as she could tell, the letter hadn't been opened so he hadn't looked inside. Even if he knew what it was, he wouldn't get in without the invitation and maybe, just to be double sure, she'd have him leave Tokyo during that day and everything would be fine.
"Sorry, I'm so used going through the mail at home that I kind of did it with yours, too." She smiled apologizingly and turned to the sink to pour herself a glass of water. She needed to get away so she could burn the letter and he'd never know about it. She needed to prevent him from going, no matter what.
"Are you alright?"
Suddenly, he was so close that Ran jumped in fright. She was skittish because she didn't want to find out what he'd do if he found out that she was destroying evidence but she didn't care. It was for the best, she was just protecting him, it was all for his sake.
She nodded. "Of course. Why are you asking?"
Shinichi was so close that she had to incline her head and she'd be kissing him again and how she wished to do just that, or for him to lean in and kiss her but she couldn't. They were no longer walking on the same side. The second she burned the letter she was no better than a criminal. Shinichi would never approve of it.
He was so close she felt his body heat but instead of comforting her, it made her feel nervous and guilty, anxious.
"How long will you stay, Shinichi?"
Unfortunately, she sounded as anxious as she felt. She hoped he'd leave soon, go back to being Conan but at the same time she wished he'd never go back and stay here with her. If they could stay like this forever, she could tell him the truth. If they eloped, ran away together, she would tell him everything. But he'd never do that, now would he? And where would that leave Aoko? No, Ran couldn't be thinking such selfish thoughts. But it still felt nice. Being alone with Shinichi, without having any problems, just the two of them. She'd love that. She wished there was a future like that waiting for her but as soon as she burned the letter that future would burn with it.
"I'm sorry but I'll have to go back tomorrow."
Ran nodded. Her heart sank in disappointment and sadness and she hated herself for it. She felt like crying because she was losing him and right now he was here but only for this night and she hated it. He wouldn't go to school with her tomorrow and he wouldn't spend Christmas with her and maybe it was for the best, maybe she should cur him out of her life for good.
Smiling bravely, she looked up. "I'm tired, Shinichi. Let's go to sleep."
He looked mildly disappointed and Ran wondered why but it didn't last because he didn't let her go. Placing both his arms on the kitchen counter next to her, he looked her straight in the eyes.
"I want you to tell me about the case first. I'm worried about you, Ran. I'd never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you, especially because of a case which was supposed to be for me to solve and I didn't."
He was so close to her again and her heart was beating wildly in her chest, but if it was because of his closeness or the question, she didn't know. He was honest, she saw it in his eyes, those blue eyes she lover above everything else. But she couldn't tell him – not anymore. And maybe he'd lose her. Maybe she wouldn't just get hurt. Maybe she wouldn't survive. Maybe.
But she couldn't tell him. She needed to burn the letter, get rid of the evidence, she couldn't involve him in this case.
Shaking her head, Ran sighed. "I'm worried about you, too and as far as I'm concerned, you are working on some dangerous case yourself, right? Keep working on it, Shinichi. I'll be fine."
"You do realize that I will find out about it one way or another."
Ran frowned. "Well, if you do then you truly deserve to know anyway. But I'd rather you focus on that case of yours. I'd never be able to forgive myself if something happened to you because you were distracted with another case."
Shinichi shook his head in frustration. "Look, Ran, this case of yours might have to do with mine. What if it is a new lead for me? You withholding information makes things harder for me. Maybe this will be the lead information and I can finally solve this whole thing."
"Then let's exchange information."
Ran was smarter then he gave her credit for and both of them knew it. "It's not as easy, Ran. It's a dangerous case. I can't tell you about it."
She accepted that, as much as she hated it. But he had to accept her decision, too.
With resolve in her voice she replied. "Well and I don't want to put you in any more danger. If we cannot share information, I won't tell you a thing."
It was petty, childish, stupid. But she knew all that, they had already established that. She watched him gaze at her in frustration but he seemed to come to a decision. They were at a standstill.
Sighing, he let go of her and stepped away. "This is getting us nowhere. Let's go to bed."
She watched him leave and her heart plummeted painfully. She felt like crying, like the world was coming to an end now but it wasn't. There would be a tomorrow again and the sun would be shining again maybe things would go back to the way they used to be.
(But she knew they weren't.)
Almost mechanically, she took out the letter and the lighter and set it alight over the sink. She'd wash down the remains and ashes and no evidence would ever be found that Shinichi ever received an invitation to a ball.
Just like the fire burned the letter, her hopes burned down just as brightly. This was it. This was changing everything. This separating her from Shinichi and she didn't know how to get back. She started walking a different path and it was taking her further away from him.
But then again, he'd changed, too. There was already a certain distance between them, him being occupied with those cases all the time, making them drift apart farther and farther. Only now she'd started walking in a different direction and she doubted their paths would ever cross again.
With only ashes left, Ran washed it down and made her way upstairs. She wondered if he was back being Conan again or if he was still himself but she didn't dare watch. Fear was keeping her away from his door, which was shut close. She wondered why her chest hurt so badly. Why was it alright for him to not tell her anything about a case but it wasn't if it was her? he was a detective, so what? She wasn't stupid. If he was in some kind of mess she really didn't need to put additional pressure on him, did she?
Of course, Ran didn't know if this case had anything to do with his. She'd never thought about it like that. There was a possibility that those two things were related in a way. But there was no way she'd know unless he told her.
Sitting down on the bed, she slumped. Maybe she should simply tell him. But then he'd insist on going to the ball and she couldn't, for the life of hers, go there and get killed. She would go in his stead and protect everyone but she couldn't risk his life and even if those cases were related she couldn't risk anything.
The next morning, as expected, Shinichi was nowhere to be found.
Sighing, Kudo closed the door behind him. Well, that got him nowhere and frustrated beyond belief. Since when was Ran so stubborn? She'd always had her own head but this was way beyond that. It must be the influence of that Nakamori girl and he'd have to do something about it.
He couldn't tell her about the BO as much as he'd love to. Things would be so much easier if he could just tell her but then he'd just endanger her and that was the last thing he wanted. Ran getting hurt was something he could never accept.
He'd just have to find out through another way. Following her day and night would probably not work, so he'd have to bug her and listen in on her conversations. It wasn't the gentlemanly way and he didn't like it but if it got him somewhere it was worth it.
With that he went to bed and hoped that tomorrow would turn out better.
Kaito had not been able to sleep and he hated not being able to sleep, especially, if he had an exam the next day. He'd still ace it, he was sure but it still irked him that thoughts about Aoko kept him awake the whole damn night and judging by the way she carried herself she couldn't have gotten much more sleep herself. He wondered if she'd do alright on the exam but decided that he didn't care. If she had time breaking into the police station, she could very well live with the consequences if she failed the exam.
Of course, he didn't want her to fail and stress her but it served her right if she did. He totally wouldn't help her, nope. Absolutely not. (And he was sure she'd pass anyway.)
During the lunch break Akako took Aoko aside again and he'd be damned if he let them get off on their own again. He needed to know what they were talking about, especially since he still didn't trust that witch one bit. Aoko was a helpless girl, she wouldn't know what hit her if Akako decided to do something and he couldn't have that.
He had placed a bug on Aoko's lunch box earlier and put in his earphones. He patted himself on the back for being this smart and fast thinking or he'd have to follow them which was sometimes rather nerve wracking with the witch's powers and all. This was much better, indeed.
"Nakamori-san, you haven't heeded my warning."
What warning?
"I honestly don't know what you're talking about, Akako-chan."
"Stop playing that game and stop it. You might die, Nakamori-san. Not only you, many people will die if you continue."
There was silence for a while and Kaito wondered if they noticed the bug and destroyed it but then Aoko answered.
"I really don't know what you're talking about. People die all the time. I might drop dead and that's it."
"Fine, be like it! You and Kuroba-kun, you two really work well together, don't you? What you're doing is hopeless, dangerous and stupid. You're only endangering people, not helping them. You need to stop. I couldn't care less if you live or die but imagine what it would do to your friends if you died? Try thinking about that, Nakamori-san."
Well, from the sound of it, it didn't look like Aoko was investigating the BO. There was relief flooding him with the realization because there was no way he'd let her. Those people were too dangerous and having to take care of her on top of everything else was just too much. Now, that he was rather sure, that this thing she was doing had nothing to do with him, made him feel a little more at ease.
Though, Akako did say something about people getting killed which still worried him. What on earth was Aoko doing which would get people in danger? That wasn't like his best friend at all. But maybe Akako as exaggerating? That witch did other weird things so he wouldn't be surprised if she even spewed some lies. Maybe that was it.
Aoko was always declining things so maybe Akako was wrong or deliberately tried to lure him into some trap? Maybe it was all Akako's doing?
But then, what had Aoko been doing in Megure's office? Things were not adding up and Kaito hated it. He felt better, knowing that Aoko wouldn't get in his way but if she was doing something else dangerous then things weren't much better. He'd still have to find out what was going on and protect her. It was his job, right? As her best friend and all. He couldn't have her get hurt.
When the girls came back Akako was raging silently and Aoko innocently watching the witch. If he hadn't seen her with his two own eyes how she sneaked through the police station, he wouldn't have believed whoever told him about it. How could this girl have so many different sides he'd never seen before? But strangely enough, as much as he hated not having known this side about her, he couldn't say he disliked it. It was oddly appealing to him.
"Ne Aoko, are you not having a Christmas party this year?" It was Keiko talking to Aoko while they were walking out of the classroom. Kaito was following them because he had the same way and he shared the path home with Aoko and today he'd take the chance and try and talk to her. But Keiko had intercepted him and struck a conversation before he could. Now that he thought about it, those two didn't talk as much as before. It never really struck him as weird before and he wondered why.
Aoko was walking rather slow and sluggish and he was watching her movements, preparing himself for the case she might fall or something. She must be incredibly tired but there was something else. Watching her from behind, her shoulders were slumped and she looked like she was carrying something heavy, only she wasn't.
Kaito frowned. Something was awfully off, taking into account how she cried just the night before and watching her now, this was nothing like the Aoko he used to know. This girl sure looked like her but she acted like someone else altogether. It was highly worrisome.
"No, I kind of totally forgot about it this year. Besides, just today a new heist was announced so Otou-san won't be at home and I decided to tag along to the heist, you know?"
The bells were ringing shriller every second. Tagging along to the heist? Well, not if he could stop her. Didn't the run in with the BO scare her enough to stay away? What did she want at the heist? That was no place for her.
"Oh, since when do you voluntarily attend Kaitou Kid heists?" Keiko sounded teasing, pinching Aoko and grinning from ear to ear. "Have you found a liking to the thief, after all?"
He expected an outburst of denials but she instead only shrugged and didn't answer. He felt as speechless ad Keiko was and was glad he decided to listen in.
"What, you really like him now? Why?!"
"I don't like him." She sounded strangely apathetic.
"But you don't hate him anymore, either? Why? I don't understand. Unless you secretly always liked him and only now came to the realization?" Keiko was grinning again and punching Aoko softly on the arm. "You tease."
Aoko shook her head. "That's not it. I just can't bring myself to hate him anymore."
"Why?" Keiko was as baffled as him and he was glad she asked all the questions because he was sure Aoko wouldn't answer him.
She shrugged again. "I don't know. I guess I just realized he's human, too. He's a thief and I condemn that but if he weren't a thief I might like him, I think. Well, but since he is a thief I don't like him but I also don't hate him." She shrugged again. "I'm only going to the heist so I can help Otou-san catch him. Sometimes, Otou-san is rather narrowminded and oversees the great picture. But it's actually quite easy to pinpoint Kid in the masses."
With that she turned around and looked directly at Kaito who hurriedly put on his Poker Face so as not to reveal any of his thoughts and the fact that he was listening to their conversation.
"Oh, is that so? And what distinguishes him from the masses?" Keiko was rather straightforward, wasn't she? But it was good for him. He needed the answers to these questions, too. And the way Aoko was shutting him out, he needed someone else to find them out for him.
She turned around and faced forward again. "Well, if you look closely you simply know."
"Mou, Aoko, that isn't helpful at all."
But Aoko only shrugged, changed her shoes when they were at the entrance and said her goodbyes to Keiko since the girl still wanted to go shopping. Kaito would have expected Aoko to go, as well, because she loved shopping, especially Christmas shopping but maybe she'd already done. Or maybe she didn't feel like it. She probably really hadn't slept so maybe she wanted to go home and sleep instead.
He caught up to her and watched her out the corner of his eye.
"So, how did the exam go?"
Aoko shrugged again. He actually couldn't remember the last time he saw her as apathetic.
"I guess I passed. How did you fare? I'm still sorry I kept you up so late today."
She looked honestly sorry and he smiled because making her feel guilty was the last thing he wanted. If he did she'd never call him again if she was in trouble and that was contra productive. She needed to know that he was still there for her, no matter what. He'd always pick her up in the middle of the night, no matter where she was. She could always call him, no matter what was going on. He'd always come and help her. Well, unless he was on a heist, then things were a little bit more complicated but well, it was the thought that counted, wasn't it?
"Ah, it was nothing. I bet it'll be 100 percent. But, uhm, you're not feeling very well, are you?"
She sighed and slumped more. "I'm just really tired, Kaito. I didn't sleep at all and it's all catching up to me now."
Well, he anticipated as much but hearing her say it like that made him worry more.
"About earlier." He started, unsure if it was the right time but if not now, when? "What's going on, Aoko? Where have you been in the middle of the night and why? If I'm supposed to pick you up at night I'd like to know why."
She turned slightly his way and bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I won't bother you with something like that again, promise."
Shit. That wasn't what he intended. Idiot! This was exactly what he didn't want to happen.
"Geez, Ahoko, that's not what I mean. You better call me whenever you're in a pinch. Got it? But I still want to know what's going on. Sneaking around at night is not like you."
She shrugged again in indifference and Kaito felt frustration built inside of him. "I met a friend. She needed someone to talk to and I already told you. I have been plagued by nightmares lately. It's all simply adding up and earlier it was too much. Besides, it's not like you to care so much about me. Maybe that was another reason."
"Excuse you. How do I not care about you?"
Aoko looked up with that look on her face. That one asking him if he was serious, if he just lost his mind and he honestly wondered what happened to them. He'd always cared about her. What changed? Well, obviously, Kaitou Kid happened but had their dynamic really changed that much? Granted, lately, he'd spent more time with her as Kid than as himself but she couldn't mean that, could she?
"You've been cancelling all our outings for some months now, you've not been talking to me for how long and you honestly try to tell me that you care about me? Really, Kaito? If you did, wouldn't you show it?"
Well, it shut him up because she was right. He was busy with Kid heists and Aoko had the worst luck to always find dates on heist days. Since he wasn't able yet to clone or be at two different places at once, he could only ever choose one and so far his choice had always been Kid. But as soon as he found Pandora, he would stop, so it was a win win for everyone.
Obviously though, Aoko didn't seem to think like that. Of course, how could she? She didn't know about his night job and to her he was simply always rejecting her. Thinking about it now, looking through her eyes, it seemed kind of obvious now. If she always chose something over him and always canceled their dates, he'd think she didn't care anymore, too.
"Well, I do care. You know I don't have much time."
There was disappointment in her eyes but it disappeared as fast as it appeared and he was glad because he wouldn't be able to take that. It was hard enough, having to lie to her all the time, having to reject her and und hurt her in the process.
"How about we to watch a movie next week?" He had heist planned for the day after Christmas but he could take a break for the week after that and he could take her out. It sounded like a good plan, if he was honest with himself. Maybe she'd tell him what was troubling her then.
"No, I'm sorry, but I don't have time."
Well, he didn't expect that. "And what are you doing?" He was really curious now.
"I'll be meeting a friend. Besides, you have so little time. Don't waste it on me."
He felt offended. "What friend? The same one you're meeting in the middle of the night? And I think I know best if I'm wasting my time on something. Do you really think I'd do that?"
She looked him straight in the eyes and nodded. "That's the thing with you, Kaito. You say that now but I know that I'll be at the theatre and you'll be nowhere to be seen. I'm so tired of waiting for you, Kaito. I never know if you actually come or not. Lately, always something intervened and I ended up alone somewhere meant for two people. I'm so sick and tired of it, Kaito. Get your life together and ask me again but not before that. If you need help with something, I'll be the last person to reject you but I'm done playing this game. Maybe you simply like hurting me, I don't know anymore. Just don't ask me out, anymore. I won't, either."
With that she turned around and continued walking.
Kaito didn't follow her because her words struck something deep inside of him. Was he really that bad? He knew that he couldn't meet her a few times because of certain activities but he never imagined it hurt her so much.
Well, now he knew. He wanted to follow her, to stop her and tell her it wasn't true. He obviously didn't want to hurt her and why would she think that? What made her think that but wasn't his absence answer enough? Kid was running everything and he couldn't even blame him. It was his very own decision to prioritize Kid over his best friend.
OMG guys thank you so much for all the reviews! You're the best!
I had really trouble writing this chapter because Shinichi's and Kaito's pov are really hard for me but here it is and I hope you'll enjoy it. I'm much more comfortable with the girl's pov haha so I'll stick to them but let's see what the boys decide to do about this thing :D
I don't think I'll be able to upload before the end September now, though (I know, I said that before haha XD But this time for real) and this is unedited since it's nearly 3 am and I am super tired and want to go to bed now. But I wanted to have this out before then so here it is.
Reviews make the author infinitely happy.