Detectives and Thieves do not mix ... at mixers?-

And that is why you never agree to owe Aoko favours! She can make you feel guilty for missing out on a planned date and the consequence will be ten times more awkward than any date. Kaito didn't exactly choose to miss out their sort-of-date, but is it his fault some jeweller sent a challenge to KID and as the diligent gentleman he is, Kaito had to uphold his reputation and somehow Nakamori-keibu was in really good shape that day and it took longer to get rid of him!

So Kaito missed their meet up time by half an hour! Sue him!
Actually no! Please don't sue him, KID can't afford to be locked up!

Though right now it does feel like he is. Locked up, that is.

Maybe Prison isn't such a bad idea compared to this.

"So! Kuroba-san! I heard you're a magician!"

Kaito internally groaned even as he smiled at the last women he ever wanted to meet today. At a mixer. With two of his friends. On orders of Aoko as a punishment because she knows that the mixer is in … a Sushi bar. Evil! That woman is evil! Why is he in love with her again?

"That's right! Kuroba Kaito, Amateur Magician, at your service!" Kaito bloomed three yellow roses from his palm and handed them to the three girls.

Sonoko Suzumi squealed and excitedly accepted the rose. Typical Magician fan.

Sera Masumi frowned at her rose even as she accepted it, as if glaring the trick to reveal itself to her. Typical Detective.

And the last girl Kaito didn't want to meet under any circumstances … Ran Mouri blushed while also taking her rose. Her expression turned thoughtful for a moment and her eyes have been riveted on Kaito since they first walked into the restaurant. Typical girlfriend of a shrunken detective.

What did Kaito do to deserve Lady Luck's fury today?

Did he paint Hakuba's hair pink too often?

Did he dissed Akako too much and she cursed him?

No. This is definitely Aoko's fault! She's the one who dared him to go to this mixer. Her little revenge and missing their date. She knew Kaito hated attending mixers and especially … the Sushi!

Evil, evil Aoko!

"Ran~! You've been staring at Kuroba-san since he first walked in! You're not cheating on your husband now, are you?" Sonoko crooned with a wicked smirk and Ran blushed profusely, glaring at her friend, while Kaito was never more thankful for his poker face.

"Sonoko! That's not …! Shinichi is not my husband! You know that!"

Ok, wait, that's what got you upset?! What about the implication that she was checking Kaito out? Seriously, Tantei-kun's girlfriend is just as oblivious as him!

"Did I say Shinichi? I don't think I ever did? Sera-chan?"

"Nope! I don't remember you mentioning Shinichi either!"

The two girls smirked in complicity while Ran huffed angrily under her blush, turning away from her teasing friends and … back to staring at Kaito from across the table. Oh joy!

"I'm sorry for staring like that! It's just … well, at first, when I saw you, you reminded me of a friend of mine." Ran explained, apologetic in her demeanour.

Tantei-kun's girlfriend is pretty sweet and polite. Kaito can see why Kudo would fall for her. In a way … she reminded him of Aoko sometimes. Especially the inhuman strength to break walls and bones alike! Yep, women are terrifying!

"No worries! It's fine! I must look a lot like your friend for you to get confused like that!" Kaito reassured her with his most charming gentlemanly smile.

She blushed again and looked down at the table, frowning at whatever thought crossed her mind. Probably concerns Tantei-kun.

"You don't really."

"Uh?"

"Look like him, I mean. From far away, yes, I could easily confuse you but …" Ran shook her head and looked back at Kaito, scrutinizing his face.

"I don't know why I got you confused. You don't look alike but … You give off the same feeling …?"

… Ok. Tantei-kun's girlfriend is official as weird as Aoko! Congrats!

Speaking of Aoko …

Kaito jumped when his phone buzzed and nearly sighed in relief that he had an excuse to interrupt this growingly awkward and weird conversation with Ran Mouri. As expected, it was Aoko checking up on him.

"Ah! I'm sorry! Do you mind if I take this?" Kaito quickly apologised and Ran realised how much she had rambled on, blushed again, and nodded quickly while glaring back at the table.

Kaito took his salvation and walked bristly out of the Sushi bar, away from the annoying jealous stares of his friends, the sparkling eyes of Sonoko, Sera's determination to figure out his tricks, Ran's weird observing of him, but most of all, he got to escape the evil finny creatures spawns of Satan!

Kaito nearly breathed out in relief outside but instead plastered a cheery expression, adjusted his voice to hide any inflection of unease, and answered Aoko. She's insistent. Still calling even now.

"Ahoko! I hate you!" Kaito chimed and heard Aoko chuckle.

"It's your punishment!"

"I said I was sorry! I was only 30 minutes late! Why are you torturing me like this?"

"Aoko is only making Kaito understand how frustrating it is for Aoko to always have to wait up on you! It's not just that one time, Kaito! You're always late, always busy, and always cancelling! It's like you're leading a secret double life!" Aoko's voice grew more and more concerned as she spoke.

You have no idea …

"Yeah, yeah, I'm Batman!" Kaito joked and was glad to hear Aoko's laughter. He couldn't have her worry about him.

"At least Batman is cool! You're just a Baka, BaKaito!"

"I take all compliments, Ahoko!"

The both chuckled and Kaito felt much more at ease now. For about three seconds. Until he felt the familiar sensation of eyes watching him. Kaito glanced discreetly back towards the Sushi bar (shudder) and through the window saw that neither of the girls of the mixer were watching him. Ran Mouri looked lost in her thoughts while Sera and Sonoko were conversing with his friends. Ok, so if it's not Tantei-kun's girlfriend … Kaito shivered as the eyes turned into a glare. He could feel the angry pressure on his person. Good thing Sera Masumi is a detective. He might need one if whoever is watching him decides to act on their impulse and kill him!

"Kaito? What's wrong? You've gone weirdly quiet!" Aoko worried over the phone.

"It's fine! Just … my imagination, I guess!" Kaito dismissed her concerns quickly but kept himself aware so as to pinpoint the source of his discomfort.

"So? How's your mixer going? Meet any cute girls?" Aoko cheerfully asked but Kaito still heard the underlying worry and anxiousness in her voice. He smiled.

"Actually, funny you asked! One of the girls bizarrely reminded me of you. I bet you'd get along great!"

"Uh? Reminded you of Aoko? How so?"

"Well …" Kaito paused.

Uh.

He couldn't actually explain it. It's not really a physical resemblance. Not really. But more of a … a feeling?

Oh!

That's what Mouri-san meant!

Weird how that turned out!

Kaito couldn't help but laugh, causing Aoko's confusion.

"BaKaito? Why are you laughing now?"

"Sorry! It's just … well, she doesn't look like you but … You both give off the same feeling, you know?" Kaito tried to explain and realised he was borrowing Mouri-san's words.

Aoko stayed perplex and quiet before pouting.

"BaKaito! That makes no sense!"

"I guess not, uh?"

"… So … do you like this girl?"

Kaito rolled his eyes, smiling indulgently.

"I only said she reminded me of you! But she isn't and never will be you, Aoko!"

This seemed to make his best friend sigh in relief.

"I mean, it'd be hard to find someone as weird and violent as you, Ahoko!" Kaito couldn't help but tease and laughed at Aoko's offended shouts.

"BaKaito! You are so eating fish tonight!"

"WHAT?! But you already made me go to that mixer!"

"And I bet you took this phone call as your chance to escape!"

Busted …

He could hear Aoko's satisfied smirk in her voice when she spoke.

"So, Aoko is going to feed you fish as punishment for running away from your punishment!"

"Aoko, you're evil!"

"Kaito ditched Aoko on three dates, was late for 5 and forgot one completely, making Aoko wait for him all day!"

"You keep count?! What are you, Hakuba?"

"Aoko will forgive you by tomorrow! Tonight, Fish! Now go back to your mixer and don't be rude!"

"Yes, mum!" Kaito rolled his eyes, chuckling even as he dreaded the prospect of dinner tonight.

Turning off his phone, Kaito lingered outside for a moment. The glare from earlier seemed to have subsidised to a more curious stare. It lost its earlier animosity. Kaito had been able throughout his phone call to locate the origin of the stare but he couldn't tell who exactly. It came from a coffee shop across the street and there were quite a few people in there. Maybe he should do as Aoko said and ignore it, return to the mixer and quietly wrap up this gathering so he can forget all about Ran Mouri and sushi!

He should.

Yeah but … Between sushi and a potential murderer after his life …

Take the lesser of two evils!

Kaito nodded to himself and marched into the coffee shop.


Ok.

So, that was awkward.

Shinichi decided he made a really big mistake following Ran here. But what else can he do? When he overheard her conversation with Sonoko who had decided that all three girls should go out and have fun meeting guys at a mixer, Ran had blushed and her eyes even looked slightly excited at the prospect. Sure, he knew Ran was lonely and suffering from Shinichi's absence. He also knew that mixers don't always lead to romantic relationships. But how could she go?! Even as he saw the guilt in her, he also saw the desire to indulge, her desire to maybe allow herself to have fun regardless of her commitment to Shinichi. She probably just wanted to spend some innocent time feeling good about flirting and meeting people, even if she truly did not wish to go any further and was still faithful and loyal to Shinichi.

Damn it all … This is all because of the Apotoxin and Gin!

When Conan had placed himself in the coffee shop to spy on Ran, he'd been shocked to see someone familiar … was that himself? No. No way! Because he's right here! Switching on the listening device he'd slipped in Ran's purse, he got to hear the conversation between Ran and this Shinichi-look-alike.

And he's a magician! Of course!
And of course he'll hand them flowers!

And flirt!

And he'll be charming and gentlemanly!

Are all magicians so frustratingly charming and enchanting?!

… Not to say that Conan finds magicians charming and enchanting! He doesn't even know many of them! Just the one, actually. The annoying, frustrating, talented, dashing, gentleman under the moonlight. …Those were not praises, right? It's not his fault Kaitou KID is a stunning and mind-blowing individual! But he's still a thief, still a criminal, and still Conan's target!

Right.

Moving back onto the other irritating magician flirting with his Ran!

Oh … He left.

Uh.

Phone call it seems.

Conan frowned as he watched the magician more closely now that he was outside. He doesn't look like Shinichi once you see his face. His posture does show off confidence and he too tends to shove his hands in his pockets the way Shinichi does. Ok, so he can see why Ran mistook him from afar. But that guy doesn't look like him remotely! He's much too cute … Ok! No! Stop! Stop that train of thought RIGHT NOW!

Conan's glare turned murderous at the magician. It's completely this guy's fault for seducing Ran and making him feel angry because damn, the guy actually is really good-looking! Conan had to remind himself that murder is wrong. Very wrong. You don't murder cute magicians because their smiles are like fucking sunshine! That did surprise him a little. The man's genuine laughter as he spoke over the phone and his beaming smile that made even Conan's rage fade a little, were unexpected and caught the detective off-guard. It made Conan wonder who was the person over the phone that could make the young man feel so at ease. It also made Conan glare murderously for an entirely new and different reason … nope, he is not being jealous over some guy he doesn't know just because the guy has an adorable smile! He loves Ran, for goodness sake! Yes, he can appreciate the appealing charm of this young man but that's it! Stop mooning over the guy you're jealous of! It's absurd! And why is he still smiling and laughing?! When he'd been with Ran, Conan hadn't realised the teen was acting and keeping up a façade. But now, seeing him as he is now, it's obvious he didn't want to be at this mixer anymore than Conan wanted to follow Ran to it.

His anger flurried as he berated himself for his own jealous streak. The memory of Haibara's warning flashed in his mind, telling him that he wasn't being an idiot. And he'd never admit she was right, nope, never! While he couldn't hear the magician's conversation, Conan watched the absurd shifts of emotions on the teen's face. In the mixer he'd kept up such a straight and charming façade but now … It's like every second the man wore a different face, a different emotion, like an ever-changing canvas. It's quite fascinating really. Not many people are so expressive, especially in Japan.

Conan watched the teen hang up and stand still for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Oh great. Now, he's going to go back and flirt with Ran again! Conan grimaced at the thought and wondered if he could barge in and steal Ran away like the good little brother he is meant to be.

Surprisingly, the magician looked up and stared straight at Conan. That nearly caused the chibi-detective to fall off his chair. Had he been caught? But how? No wait … Doesn't seem like the teen had spotted him specifically. So what …? He's looking at the coffee place? Why?

Uh?
Why's he coming closer?
Wait, wait, wait …! What is he doing?! He's on a date! At a mixer! With Ran! What is he doing ditching her to get a cup of coffee?!

Oh shit … He's busted, isn't he? The guy must have seen him spying and has come to confront him!

… Or he really did just come to get coffee?

Conan watched from his booth, well hidden from sight but perfectly able to see the teen magician order a large cup of … coffee? Tea? Who knows. Why is Conan even caring what the guy ordered? He doesn't need to pretend to enjoy hot chocolate because kids can't order coffee! Oh, how much Conan misses his strong black coffee!

Well, nothing he can do about it!

Conan glared at his cup before sighing and turning back to look at the magician. Somehow, he was already gone back out and heading back to the Sushi bar, carrying not just his order but enough cups for everyone at the mixer. Great. He's charming and brings back coffee. Conan can't help the slithering snake in his stomach from hissing in hatred and jealousy.

He grumbled to himself, watching Ran light up at the offered cup and she blushed again. She never blushes this much with him. Why is she suddenly blushing so much just because some amateur magician brought her coffee?! Sonoko is throwing off even more sparkles from her eyes. Even Sera smiles at the kind gesture! Is that guy a womanizer?!

Again.

Conan ducked and hid, receiving odd looks from the surrounding tables. He didn't care. His primary concern was the quick way in which Ran's date had turned towards him once again. His indigo eyes had stared straight at him this time, as if he knew exactly where Conan was glaring at him from. How?! Did he have a sixth sense or something?

Conan grudgingly sat back in his booth seat when he was certain the Esper magician was too busy chatting with Ran and the girls to pay him attention. He sat, nursing his hot chocolate cup, mourning his loss of Ran, his loss of coffee, and the loss of not being able to go and meet this guy.

… Why on earth did he want to meet him?!

Conan frowned, staring at the lid of his cup, lost in thought.

The magician was good-looking and seemed nice enough. It's fair to say that Shinichi did find him attractive and if he didn't already love Ran, he might even have been interested. Now, the problem is the familiarity he gets from this man. His posture, his appearance … it's not just that it reminds him of perhaps himself … no, Shinichi is certain he's seen this person somewhere before. When and where, he couldn't for the life of him remember. Surely he would recall meeting someone as memorable as a womanizing magician that hands out flowers for fun and smiles like sunshine …

Why does that sound familiar?

"Kuroba-san? What's wrong?" Ran's voice rose from Conan's earphones as he'd been listening in to the conversation on the other side of the street.

Immediately Conan looked up towards the group. He shouldn't have. His eyes met with the magician and Conan was now certain that he'd been seen. Even from this distance, Conan could see the unusual indigo shade of those eyes and he wondered where he'd seen them before. Kuroba blinked once before waving discreetly with a cheeky smile and turned back to Ran.

"Nothing. Ran-san, you mentioned you had a little brother, correct?"

"Conan? Yes, why? We're not related by blood but I do consider him like my brother."

"Ah! No, just curiosity, I guess! I don't have siblings you see. I wonder what it's like!" Kuroba glanced briefly back at Conan and smirked knowingly.

Busted.

Now Conan was certain. This magician flirt definitely saw him and knows his relation to Ran! Well, at least, he probably assumes that "Conan" is spying on his big sister out of concern for her.

And he'd be right.

With the exception that "Conan" is in fact "Shinichi" looking out for his girlfriend!

The child growled angrily at having been found out and brought he cup of hot chocolate to his lips. He was surprised and nearly dropped the cup altogether.

It wasn't hot chocolate anymore … but his favourite black coffee.

How on earth did that happen?