The Magician under the Sunlight-
I almost didn't recognise him. His demeanour is completely different from the times I'd previously met him.
And yet, he did feel familiar.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!"
The familiar introduction suddenly sparked a recollection of the many, many times I had been greeted with those words. Under the blessing of the moon. With crowds cheering his name. And his boastful and beautiful self granting the world with another show of inexplicable wonders.
The children sqealed and cheered. He smiled and it wasn't the same shark-like grin he uses to taunt the police. No. But it had the same genuine happiness that he gets whenever he pleases his crowd.
I stay by the back, even as Ayumi and the others rushed to the front row of the show. It's not even anything grand or official. He's just standing there, in the corner of a park, improvising a show because one little girl had been crying. And as usual, he just can't bear to see people cry. He's far too kind. Far far too … too good.
Ribbons fly.
Doves flutter.
Rabbits disappear.
Sparkles rain down.
Even I cannot help but feel giddy. A warm bubbling feeling grows in me and I remember well the many times I felt the same thing on those fateful nights. Now, without the cover of the night, without the artifices and the grandeur, without the publicity and the chase, without it all, it was still the same glorious thrilling show he was given witness to.
He tips his hat forward and bows to conclude his show. The children make disappointed sounds while the parents clap, also having enjoyed the show. The crowd slowly disperses. Ayumi and the others rush off to look for him, not realising that he had just been standing meters away from them further back. It doesn't matter. He'd rather they not be around.
Kuroba-san notices him. For a moment, he looks surprised then he smiles and waves. I was reminded of that same smile and wave in the police car, and the irrational dread I had felt to see him getting driven away by the police. Now, it makes sense.
I want to speak.
I want to say something.
I want to call out.
But the words die in my throat.
He notices. He realises. He knows. I can't explain why but he knows. It's as if he can read me like an open book. Always. I can never hide secrets from him.
He walks up to me, a few doves still fluttering about and giving the impression that an actual angel is approaching me. He kneels down and we are once more at eye level, but now there isn't a dead woman between us.
He looks at me curiously, those vibrant indigo eyes watching and observing me, seeing through every defence I may raise. And he smiles.
God why do his smiles always look so beautiful?
"Hello, Tantei-kun! You took your time finding me." He whispers and vanishes in a rain of white feathers.
I finally let out a breath and let the bright red heat rush my face.
"… How did I not see it?!" I mumbled angrily.
