CHAPTER 3

Kaito looked around at the next group of students in this class. Most of them looked like idiots, to be honest. Oh joy, another hour of being with people he didn't know. This would be so much fun.

By the end of the class, he had caught up with what they were working on and finished that day's homework. This school wouldn't be any better than his last one. But at there he had Aoko Nakamori there. She at least kept him entertained. All he had here was Kudo Shinichi. Even though he was good company, Kaito could easily slip up and be caught by him.

The bell rang and he went to his next two classes. Once again, they provided no amount of logical value to him. He really should be in a higher grade, considering how smart he was.

He glanced down at his schedule and noticed he had lunch next. His heart began to beat faster just from knowing he would see his favorite detective there.

Kaito grabbed his lunch out of his locker and made his way to the cafeteria. He stood there for a moment while his eyes searched for Shinichi. He still hadn't made any friends, so he planned to keep his promise to sit with him.

"Looking for someone?" a voice breathed down his neck.

He turned around to see a taller, scary looking, senior boy glaring at him.

"I-I uh-um, y-yeah," Kaito was flustered from how intimidating he looked.

"Well? Are you, or not?" he growled.

"Yes, but it's none of your business," Kaito said, going back to his usual arrogant tone.

"Who is it?"

"Kudo Shinichi," Kaito responded before thinking.

"Oh, that dork? HA, I didn't think he even had any friends!"

"Is he bothering you?" somebody said behind him, putting a hand on Kaito's shoulder.

"No, we were just talking," Kaito assured him.

"Beat it, loser!" the scary looking guy said to Shinichi.

"I don't think so. But I will be leaving with my friend," Kudo said in a calm manner.

The two of them walked away, taking a seat at a small table in the secluded corner of the room.

"So, what's that guy's problem?"

"Just another asshole. Honestly, the kid is a big idiot. He thinks it's funny to make fun of anyone with an IQ bigger than their age," Shinichi chuckled at his small joke.

"Yeah, he seems like that type of person."

"How's your day here been so far? I doubt it was as good as the school you used to go to."

"Not much better, by any means. But, I have to ask something."

"What's that?"

"If this school is mostly idiots, why do you go here? You're a world famous detective!"

"Oh, uh... glad you think so highly of me," Shinichi blushed, "Ummm, I just grew up here. The few friends I do have are here, and my parent's own a house in this area. I didn't really think it would be worth the trip to transfer."

"I haven't even known you for very long, but I can already tell you're the smartest person at this school."

"Thanks, you seem pretty intelligent yourself. Maybe I finally found my equal!" he let out a laugh.

'You have no idea' Kaito thought as he took a sip from his water bottle.

"Haha, maybe. Though I can't say that I'm good enough to beat the Great Detective of the East," he laughed.

"If you want, you could come with me next time I have a case. I like the company when I'm trying to figure something out. Ran is great, but she just badgers me to solve it the whole time," Shinichi explained.

"Oh, that sounds like fun. Perhaps I will get to see you in action," Kaito then blushed as he realized his words could be taken more than one way.

Shinichi just laughed and ignored any other other implication it might mean.

"So why aren't we sitting with anybody else?" Kaito asked.

"My friends are sitting somewhere else today. There wasn't enough room for you too, so I decided to move," Shinichi said happily.

Kaito was caught off guard by this act of kindness. "But, you barely know me. Why wouldn't you sit with your friends?"

Shinichi looked confused. "Did you not want me to sit with you?"

"N-no, I'm grateful you did. Just curious as to why you would do something like that for someone who is practically a complete stranger."

"Ummm, I'm not really sure. For some reason, it feels like we're old friends. Like I've known you for a long time."

Kaito gulped. So, Shinichi at least sensed that he was not just an ordinary 'new kid?' He would have to act carefully around Shinichi if they were ever to be friends, and keep his true identity a secret.