A/N: Okay, so, my old computer crashed, but thankfully, I was able to save everything on it. Therefore, I give you this incredibly lucky-to-not-be-lost chapter. XD A building on the friendship of Erise (OC owned by Iriss-sama-san ((lol))) and Midori! Hope you enjoy! ^^ For anyone that reads Mage&Magician, that will be the next story updated and then non-edited chapters will be edited before I continue. 8D
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan or Magic Kaito in any way or form. Ryukaze Erise is owned by Iriss-sama.
Chapter Twenty Five
"Alice-kun, wake up." Someone was shaking my shoulder, quite annoyingly, and I had half a mind to ignore them, but I cracked open one eye to see Agasa-hakase peering down at me. I started back in surprise, accidently bumping my head against the window I had been leaning against. I winced, opening my other eye in annoyance. Well, now I was awake, wasn't I?
I rubbed my eye absently as I sat up, making sure to grab Patch before he fell completely off the seat. "What is it?" Somehow, I had managed to keep the irritation out of my tone. The professor offered me an apologetic smile, as if he already knew I was annoyed, and leaned back a bit to get out of the car. "We're back at my house. Can you give me the directions to your house?" I blinked before nodding, stretching my legs a bit. "It's just on the other side of the Teimuzu River. Ekoda's third block, Kuroba household." I answered shortly and I watched as he went back to the driver's seat.
It was already dark outside and it was just him and I in the car. He must have dropped everyone else of first, since he knew where they lived. "Kuroba?" He questioned as he started up the car again – how long had he been trying to wake me up?
I nodded, brushing fingers through my hair, "Yeah. I'm staying with the Kurobas for the time being since my parents are away for business." The back story Akako and I had come up with had been something like that, right? I couldn't remember at the moment. The professor glanced back at me through the rearview mirror. "For business?" Great, now he was curious. Great job, Lui. Your brain obviously doesn't work when you're half-asleep…
"Erm, yeah… They work….as salesmen for a multinational company… They travel around a lot and only come home on occasion..." Okay, that sounds viable, right?
His brows crinkled on his forehead. "Oh, I see. You must be lonely, then…," Internally, I smacked my head really hard and I sweat dropped. That's not the story I had been aiming for… "Haha, I…suppose so…,"
ooOOoo
We arrived at the Kuroba house fairly fast due to lack of traffic and the fact that it was just past the river. Truthfully, I could've walked home, but I don't think Agasa would've approved of me walking around this late at night by myself after what happened this afternoon. Can't blame him, but being driven to Kaito's house was weird. I felt like I was giving away a very personal secret, for some reason. All I could hope for was that Agasa wouldn't go around telling Shinichi I lived with someone named Kuroba; let alone if he ever actually met Kaito. That would be a disaster in the making.
The professor walked me to the door, which was then promptly opened by Kaito and he scooped me up into his arms before I could even get a good look at his face. My face was smothered in his chest as he rocked me back and forth. "Alice-chan, are you okay?!" I squirmed, trying to move back a bit so that I could answer properly.
I gave him a bright smile once I finally accomplished the task, "I'm okay, Kaito-niichan~! My neck just a hurts a little, is all." I answered honestly, a bead of sweat dripping down my cheek nervously as his expression darkened considerably as he took in the bandages wrapped around said neck. He patted my head gently before placing me down on the ground. "Why don't you go inside and get ready for bed, Alice-chan?" It'd been a while since someone asked me to do something for them to obviously do another, but I merely nodded and headed inside, waving a quick goodbye to the professor as Kaito turned to him, his face unexpectedly serious.
He was probably going to inquire about my injuries and the case.
I hurried up the stairs and went into my bedroom, closing the door softly behind me. Patch was placed onto my side table, to be fixed tomorrow. I was too tired to do it now. In fact, I was still dozing off as I lazily changed into my pajamas and then dropped carelessly onto the top of my best, nestling into the soft mattress. I didn't bother to put on the covers and my eyes flutter shut as my consciousness was claimed. Today had been a long day, it felt like.
My last thought was, 'whoops, I never got to go see Akako…'
ooOOoo
I pulled my hat lower, walking to the café slowly, one hand in my pant pocket. I had finally managed to get out of the house and change into my original form to go meet Erise. Kaito had been persistent that I stay at home and rest all Sunday, but I had promised to meet her and I was going to keep that promise! Of course, I had lied to Kaito – saying that I was only going to Akako's house and was going to relax there with my 'cousin'. He'd still been worried, but after I had said that, he had relented somewhat. The probing stare that had come from him had made my smile strain a bit after the lie.
Kaito probably could tell that I was lying, but he'd let me go, anyways. My eyes were still on the lookout for any familiar shadows, even though I'm sure I would have been able to ditch him by changing into this form.
Hopefully.
I didn't exactly feel like explaining why I could change into a teen today; so many things would have to be dragged into that conversation.
Arriving at the café, I headed in, the bell chiming at my entrance and I immediately spotted my brunette friend sitting in a booth. Rushing over, I flashed her an apologetic smile as I raised a hand in greeting, "Yo! Sorry for being late. You didn't wait long, did you?" I slid into the seat in front of her, taking note that she was already halfway done with her water and I grimaced internally. Great, now I feel like a jerk…
"Ah, I'm sorry! My…brother wasn't complying when I told him that I had someone to meet." I blurted out, bowing my head a bit, before she could answer. I blinked, looking up curiously, as she giggled. "…What?" Erise gave another small laugh, "Don't worry about it so much; I don't mind. Besides, I like coming to this café a lot, so I don't mind staying inside. The air conditioner feels great~!" She murmured, stretching her arms forward with a content smile.
I stared for a moment before giving her one in return. A waitress came over to our table before our conversation could progress, asking for our orders. "I'll have a chocolate cake and a pink lemonade~!" Erise replied instantly, already planned, and I grinned nervously as the waitress turned to me. "And for you, sir?"
"Erm, I'll have–" I paused, freezing with my mouth opened. Had she just…? Now that I thought about it, my hair was short enough to be considered long guy hair and my hat was pulled low so that she couldn't see my face clearly and the jacket I'd been forced to wear – as it had a collar that could cover the bandages around my neck; good thing the paramedic dude had put on the stretchy kind, otherwise I would have been choked by it – was somewhat bulky, hiding my chest easily. "…the same, please…," My voice came out strangled as I realized what this must look like.
The waitress blinked once before nodding and heading to the kitchen. My cheeks flushed as Erise gave a loud laugh, realizing the waitress's mistake. "O-Oi…," I protested weakly, not really offended, but feeling incredibly embarrassed. Erise waved a hand in front of her as if to apologize. "Haha, sorry –it's just, haha, I had thought you were a guy when we–hahaha–first met, too!" My head shot up, surprised, "Huh, really?!" Did I really look so much like a guy?!
The brunette gave a soft laugh in response, nodding a bit. "Yeah. It was only for a moment, though, when we bumped into each other. You were taller than me and had short hair, plus you're clothes are somewhat boyish, so my mind immediately registered 'guy'. But, once I got a good look at your face, it was quite obvious you were a girl." She grinned and I deadpanned, blush still on my cheeks.
"Ah, is that so…," My hat was the problem then.
I shrugged after a moment, waving away the problem. Oh well, let people think what they will. My mood took a 180 as I brightened, "Erise-chan, is the chocolate cake here good?" The question was random, but it was a decent conversation starter. "Yeah! They put some sort of added sugar, so it's a bit sweeter than usual, but it's not at all tacky; actually, it's the best chocolate cake I've ever tasted. Don't tell my mom that, she'll get angry and say that I'm an ungrateful child, since I always ask for her to make cake after dinner for desert." She replied gleefully, "I'm sure you'll love it, Midori-chan! You told me you love sweet things before, right? The pink lemonade here is also great! They add a little umbrella too, so it's cute!"
My chin rested in the palm of my hand as I leaned a bit closer, listening fondly. Erise could go on and on about a subject she liked and it was a contagious vibe she let out whenever she did, even if it was through text. She just had a way of drawing people in with her bubbly personality and presence and I was not at all immune to it. It was also good that she was so talkative, given that I wasn't much of conversationalist. She paused only a moment as our food and drink arrived and she took a small sip of her lemonade before continuing the conversation as I stuck my fork into the cake.
It looked devastatingly sweet and I popped it into my mouth eagerly, smiling happily as the extra sugar sprinkled across the top assaulted my taste buds. Goodness, she wasn't lying when she said it was really good! "See, told you~!" Erise added into her long rant, before restarting, "Oh, there was also a purse snatcher yesterday that had taken the bag of an old lady, but I had gotten it back after getting him with an axe kick! The horrible guy was so rude, taking a purse from the lady. She's a neighbor of mine, and she's so sweet. She always compliments my mom's garden and I assure you, it's not the best garden ever. Some flowers are already wilting and stuff, but she still does. Either way, the man was caught by an officer that had been walking by, so all ended well."
"Ryukaze Erise-san, the purse snatchers' enemy!" I announced – not too loudly since we were in a café, but loud enough to seem dramatic as I spread my arms outward. She blushed a bit before smiling sheepishly, "Well, I wouldn't say that…," She mumbled, taking a bite out of her cake. There was a short moment of silence as she took more bites and a long drink of the pink lemonade, which I had found to be just as fantastic as she had said it was. Erise was obviously talent with finding awesome foods. Perhaps I'd ask for some suggestions from her later.
"There was a big commotion in school last Friday; apparently a student from class 2-B had played a huge prank! I heard he used magic and everything! Though, I've heard about him doing things like that before; he's known as quite the prankster around school, but I can't remember his name…," She trailed, a finger going to her lip in thought as I sweat dropped. That sounded awfully like…
"Ah! I remember now! Kuroba Kaito." She nodded, taking another drink from her cup. My eyebrow twitched as I felt the need to laugh a lot, but I held it inside – she wouldn't know what I would be laughing about. No need to look crazy. Of course it had been Kaito. This was Ekoda high school we were talking about, after all. I was snapped out of my thoughts as a questioned was directed towards me. "By the way, Midori-chan, which school do you go to? I haven't seen you around." That's because I'm always pint-sized, I answered internally before offering a small smile.
"I go to…Ekoda's middle school." I lied and she gave a small 'oh, that's why'. The subject suddenly jumped to a different topic as she let it go after scrutinizing me for a moment. "Speaking of magic," She started, even though magic had been tossed away for a little while at the subject of my school, "Kaitou KID hasn't held a heist lately. I wonder if he's going to disappear again." She mused and I stiffened once again, my straw still in my mouth. She seemed to notice my change in stance.
"Oh, that's right! How long have you lived here again?" She asked and I found my mouth automatically replying, "48 ½ days.", even though it sounded too precise. Erise ignored the exactness, continuing on, "Ah, so you haven't been to a KID heist before. You have to go to one! They're awesome! He uses magic so good that I suspect that he's a wizard, or maybe he has help from a witch or something. That'd be so cool! Anyways, Kaitou KID is a phantom thief that steals gems, but the awesome thing is: he always returns the things he steals!" She chirped and I grinned. Good, a fellow KID fan.
"He's a complete gentleman, and I've heard that he's quite handsome." She gained a somewhat dreamy quality in her eyes, but maintained her composure. "Kaitou KID is just amazing~! He disappeared eight years ago, but he suddenly came back. Since he hasn't held another heist in a while, maybe he's retiring again. He must be some type of magical creature, since, to me, he still looks to be in his teens…," Erise pondered curiously and I had to hand it to her, she was very good at reading people, it seemed. I bet she realized my lie earlier, too. Damn.
"I'll have to go to one of his heists, then." I'd been planning to, anyways. "Would you want to come with me? Truthfully, I don't think he'll disappear again." She looked up at me curiously, clear blue eyes glittering faintly. "Sure~!"
I nodded, decided, "Okay. So it's settled."
"Yup~!" She said, taking the last bite of her cake and then raising her hand for the waitress. She ordered a main dish this time, and having being done with mine, too, I did the same thing. I'm not exactly sure how long we had spent together – as we had gone from the café to a movie to another place for dinner – but it was about six, nearing seven, as we finally started to part ways at the exit of the restaurant. We had paid for everything together, so it was actually easy to do this much.
"Well, I should head home." I gave her a half-smile, kind bummed to leave the high-spirited girl. She nodded, but before I could leave she called out. "Oh, wait! Midori-chan, I want to ask you something." I swallowed thickly, nervous – what if this was about the lie?! – and turned to look at her again. "Y-Yes…?" Wow, way to look suspicious, Ms. Stutter.
"My dad has a game convention coming up for the company he works with. He said I could bring a friend. It's free, so you can enter and play all the games they have with the pass we'll be getting! Do you want to come?" She offered, looking a tad nervous about the invite, as if I was about to reject it.
Once again, I found myself blinking in surprise before I gave her a warm smile, "I'd love to. When is it?"
She had gone from nervous to glowing with happiness and it filled my chest with happiness, too; her emotions contagious. "It's in three weeks, on Saturday." She answered and I nodded, embedding the date into my head so that I could check the calendar later and possibly tell Kaito I'd be somewhere that day. "Alright, I'll be seeing you next weekend, then. Ja ne." Flashing a quick smirk, I headed off around the corner and out of sight.
Today had been a good day, I thought, tugging at the collar of my jacket. It was hot outside and wearing the thing only to hide the bandages really took a toll on my body. It was too warm to comfortable with it on, but I couldn't take it off. My smile melted into a curious frown as I headed to my destination, wondering about the text I had received the other day.
Next stop, Akako's house.
Review Replies:
To: MagicMilkbone – (Laughs) That's okay. XD Thank you for reading it, even though you weren't supposed to be. o^^o I find myself doing that a lot with other fanfictions, too. XD And yup! He's catching on, alright! (Slightly evil cackle) And yup, new bear~! Thanks, I will! 8D
To: Guest – Ah, I see. –sheepish laugh– I don't know the Japanese language or much about the culture than what I research – resulting in much mistakes – so I'm sorry that that happened to be one of them. I was just copying off of the subtitles from the episode dialogue, so, yeah… XD I'll fix that later when I edit this chapter. Thanks for the helpful insight. ^^
To: Lia Alcona – Yes, it does~! 8DDD *enter more dramatic music and a deadpanned Alice* XD
To: kittyfinatic515 – (Laughs) Yup, it is. XD
To: Kudo Shinichi Tanteisan – Really? Yay, I'm glad~! 8DD And no problem! And awesome! I'll still be stuck in school for a loooongg time, and by the time I do finish, I'll have to start my next grade already, due to some…complications. XD;; (Laughs) Yeah, anything that needs to be tied is troublesome! (Nods) Though, I never bother untying my shoes, so they usually stay tied for a while, before they finally come undone. XDD (Grins as snowflakes fall and eats cyber cookie) Thank you, E-chan~!
To: Iriss-sama – It's okay~! ^^ I'm forgetful when it comes to reviewing things and I usually don't, so it's okay. 8DD And thank you so much! You have no idea how much those words mean to me, since I put my heart and soul and sleeping time into this story and try to make it the best I can for my faithful and awesome readers, even though I have glitches from time to time;…okay, a lot. XD And yeah. Being taken hostage is never a good situation, but I found it a nice little quirk to put into the story, so I did. XD And thank you once again! 8D (Eats good luck cookies)
-Thank you to everyone who reviewed, as I had been having a hard time with this story, but I continued to preserve because of all my lovely readers and reviewers and favorites and follows. Thank you, everyone. –bows–