Two persons sat across the small coffee table in a dim lit living room both in dark clothes and smiling without any kind intention.
" For the last time, I don't want to hold a party." Said the young man, resting his hands on the chair's arm.
" You have to." The beautiful woman with the deep red hair and mesmerizing look smiled deadly at him. After a long silent battle between the two she sighed. " Look, Kaito. If you don't hold this party now, people will start rumors again and eventually search out your house. You know how difficult is to deal with that two annoying man, I'm sure you don't want any more."
" You don't have to remind me…" Kaito rubbed his forehead in pain." Akako, you have to understand that a party at this time of the month would mean more problem than those two."
" Had you had it a week earlier as I said, we wouldn't argue about it now. " the woman smiled again. Her clothes made from black and crimson lace only covered the air between the two with tense unsaid intentions.
" I know. You don't need to rub it in my face every damn time. "
" I can always help… Inviting you over for my grand party…" the woman got to her feet and walked closer to the man entering his personal space with a poisonous smile, caressing his cheeks.
" You know I won't take it." Kaito remained still, showing no interest in Akako, only closing his eyes, so he won't have to look at her. (More like her breasts. )
" It always worth a try. " she circled around his chair hugging his torso like a snake.
" Akako, I will only tell one time. Get your hands off me." Kaito opened his eyes, his stare cold as winter.
" Or else?" came the obviously playful daring response.
" I'll never contact you, again. "
This seemed to have an affect as the woman released the man with a displeased frown sitting back into her own chair.
" You realize I'm the only one who knows your little secret and still wants to help you, right?"
" And I'm always grateful for that."
" Sometimes it's hard to believe, though. "
" In my way I show my gratitude. That's all I'm willing to do."
" What a pity… So? How will you solve this… little problem?" Akako was clearly enjoying the suffering look on the young noble's face.
" How should I? There will be a party next week, of course every important person is invited excluding you." Kaito got to his feet showing with the intention to leave this dark room.
" As usual…" Akako remained in her seat.
" Exactly."
" So you'll invite over the Kudos as well? Both of them?"
" They are married now?"
" I guess… Didn't really paid attention, but I'm sure they pointed out the ceremony in these days."
" Maybe they won't interrupt their honeymoon just for this."
" You know what kind of people they are." Finally the woman was kind enough to stand up as well and open the door for her guest, allowing him to leave.
" Hope dies last." The young noble tipped his hat to the host then disappeared into the dark corridor without lights.
Kaito was cornered. He had absolutely no desire to hold a grand party, inviting every wealthy family around his age and interest, dealing with annoying ladies who were desperate to know him, and curious uninvited attention from the likes of that Hattori and Hakuba, not to mention Kudo, the mastermind behind the two. On the other hand, he not wanted to drag attention to himself by remaining un-social for longer.
Society was a cruel, calculated game. If you don't show up for a certain time others get suspicious and when you finally rejoin the groups or social layer they turn to you with hostile attitude and mean questions. And he must avoid that.
He was 'inactive' for almost two and a half year, reasoning with his parents' death. That was acceptable in this game, but not any longer. Eventually he had to show some 'activity' as he was no more than a rich young bachelor in the eyes of society waiting for the perfect match to marry and prosper in wealth.
Although it didn't seem as a huge burden, inviting and entertaining people dancing and having fun, Kaito was already sick from the thought of it only. A party would mean planning and preparing with everything, therefore less time to spend with Aoko, thus she will be sad and lonely, making a face he can't bare to look at, or even worse, crying, and after the party cleaning up the whole mansion and…
Too much. Not to mention the time he has to held this party will be full moon which means 120% possibility for Aoko's nightmares to come back. He wasn't cruel, he had no intention to hurt her, all he wanted in his life to protect her, and right now life forced him to hurt her, if only a little.
He wanted to hit something. No. Destroy it. Break it to tiny little pieces beyond recoverable. Wanted something to hurt him physically so he won't have to deal with the pain in his head and his heart.
He called for Jii, telling him to start the preparations, then left for a late walk in the forest so he can cool his head down a little. However, fate and other transcendent powers had other plans to him.
As he was about to enter the hall something caught his eyes in the corner. One of his maids, Ayumi was her name, had claimed before to see an unknown woman in the mansion, from the description Kaito recognized Aoko, and right now she was just about to find the corridor leading to the lady's room.
Kaito not having his best day shouted at her, and because that the young maid froze in her movement.
" Y-yes, Master?"
" I'm pretty sure there's nothing you would have task with there."
" Yes, Master." She looked disappointed and frightened a little. Kaito sighed, changing his tone a little friendlier.
" And I'm pretty sure you should be at the kitchen right now, listening for the instructions Jii will give you."
" Yes, Master, sorry for the problem." And with that she was off to the kitchen.
Kaito changed his mind about that walk. Instead he went to Aoko's room.
She sitting on her bed, knees up to her chest, eyes shadowed by her hair, already in her nightdress. Hearing the door open, she immediately looked at him with a smile brighter than the sun, yet sadder as the lonely space it is placed in.
" Aoko, thought you couldn't come today to visit her." She sifted herself on the bed inviting him to sit down on it as well. Kaito popped down his legs crossed smiling weakly matching her mood.
" Then I guess… Surprise. How was your day?"
" Lovely and nice. Aoko had peace, no one bothering her today." Kaito felt his chest tighten. She sounded broken, lonely. She hadn't met anyone in weeks, not even her father, although he promised to stop by soon. The young noble with the messy hair felt himself miserable. " And your?"
" Horrible. Too much needless boring meeting."
" Could Aoko help by any chance?" she looked at him curiously blinking once-twice just as a little kitten would.
" I'm afraid it would bore you even more." Kaito chuckled dryly.
" Still, Aoko wants to help."
" Maybe you can, but in a different way."
" Aoko is full ears." She sat closer to him and Kaito had to avert his eyes from hers, too clear and innocent for his current state of mind.
" Could you…" he sighed. " I could really use a hug right now…"
There. Out. He cannot take it back now. He closed his eyes, afraid from the next moments, feeling them as eternity, mentally cursing himself, why couldn't he just shut up for once…
He was debating what to do if she actually hugs him. Give in to his desire, or remain the gentleman? Start his frightening journey to the unknown with this tiny move? Destroy every well-maintained connection between the two of them?
As he finished his meditation he could feel those small hands close around him, pulling him towards her fragile chest, filling him with comfort and peace.
He would have to be utterly upset, mad and out of his mind to actually do anything to her.
" Thank you…" He whispered to her as she gently embraced him. After a long but peaceful silence she let him sit up again, just to give him one last comforting little kiss on his forehead.
Those tiny presents made him feel so much better, he wondered if between the two lady he knows better, Akako and Aoko, who has actual magical power.
A.N.
Hello again, and thank you for the lovely reviews, they always make my day :) You are wonderful people :)
Tiny note: Akako reserved her 'red magic' in some form, so people like to refer to her as a witch, or a person with magical power. And before you get the wrong impression I like her just as every other female character from the original series. They deserve more love.
fun fact: I did not invent Aoko's talking style. The detective conan wiki page said it and I could hear it in the anime as well... sometimes.
Hope you liked it and I did not steal your time, so have a nice day :)