Hello~ I'm back with new chapter as promised. Thanks for all the view, fav, follows, and review, especially last chappie reviewer:
Spade (Guest)
Thanks for reviewing last chapter, I'm so moved by the last chapter too, but, this chapter just gets to squeeze my heart nonstop X3
Hope you'll like this chapter as much as I do ^^
So, without further ado, here's the next chapter~
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Words count: 3,369
Rate: T
Warning: typo(s), grammar error(s), possibly OOC, alternate timeline, chara(s) death, possible BL/shonen-ai
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Disclaimer :
Detective Conan and Magic Kaito fully belong to Aoyama Gosho
This story belong to reiei
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Now, let the story begins…
o.O.O.o.o.O.O.o
Chapter 10
- 10th Fear –
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When everyone are busy running away from the explosion and tying to get in the elevator – or forced to use to emergency stairs – Shinichi runs toward the source of the explosion instead. His detective instinct won't allow him to ignore any possible case that he might run into.
"Oi, Shin! Where are you going?!" Kaito shouts as he follows behind the detective. He unconsciously runs toward him as he saw him walking away, even thought honestly he really doesn't want to go near anything to do with 'explosion' nor 'fire'.
"Shinichi!" he shouts again, this time loud enough to make the detective turns his head to him even though he still doesn't stop running.
"Get out from here, Kaito! I'll follow after you later!" he answers.
"Haa? And allow you to do something reckless by yourself again? Give me a break!" Kaito said annoyed. Now he's only a step behind Shinichi. He can see black smoke engulfing the entire area in front of them, the smells of burnt clothes can clearly be smelled from there while the fire alarm ringing and the sprinkles turned on, trying to calm down the raging fire. Few people can be seen still running around and surrounded by steadily growing fire. The firefighters are still trying to calm them down while directing them outside. And Kaito is starting to feel sick.
He stopped abruptly, stunned as he sees their surroundings. He doesn't even realize that Shinichi has run far ahead, trying to help directing the panicked people towards the emergency exit. His sight is blurring, his ears are deaf of people's panicked shouts as they passed him. It feels like he's thrown into his own nightmare that always haunting him every night. That nightmare where he can only stand still as he watches raging fire kills his entire family.
Then he felt his legs give away as he broke down, sobs and groans slide involuntarily out from his mouth. He clenched his fist so hard that his knuckles turn white and his nails embedded deep into his palms, clearly will left reddening crescent marks later. He's breathing so fast, but even then he doesn't feel like he has enough oxygen in his lungs. Run. He wanted to run, run away from his sickening nightmare, but his legs are numb. His brain refused to think straight, there's only fear, scared, I'm scared –
"Kaito! Hey, Kaito, do you hear me?!" Shinichi, who has find out about what state he is in, tries to call him awake, but it doesn't reaches the slumped ex-thief. He clucked his tongue in annoyance, try to decide between helping Kaito, or observing the suspicious man that he suspected as the culprit to this bombing accident.
He's about to open his mouth and call Kaito again when another explosion happened. But this time he can clearly hears the explosion and the crumbling down building that goes after it. The dust and smoke make him cough, and when he'd finally lower his hand which he use to shield his eyes from the scattering debris, he'd realize that the supporting pillar as well as the upper ground has fallen down, blocking his earlier used way to get where he's standing. And after his brain tells him that the new explosion source is near where Kaito is, it feels like his heart has stopped beating for a moment.
Among the intensified uproar, Shinichi's sweeping his eyes to his surrounding, trying to look for familiar figure as he prays for the ex-thief's safety.
"Kaito?" he tries slowly, chocking. Then he feels stupid because, well, there's no way Kaito can hear him if he's shouting that low, can't he? And so he tries again.
"Kaito, where are you?!"
He strains his ears while his eyes busy darting here and there, following every move caught by his sight. Then he finally hears it, not the shouting of panicked people or the sound of fire that engulf everything in its way. He hears the sound of moved rubble as it clashed with the floor and the sound of somebody coughing.
Without even wasting a second Shinichi rushed there, be it Kaito or not, there's somebody in need of help right there. But, of course, his assumption – or instinct? – is right, the young man who's crouching between big rubbles is indeed Kaito. He quickly helps him to get away from these piles of rubbles that can fall on anybody bellow it at any moment.
Shinichi stoles a glance toward the ex-thief, aside from dust and concrete small debris he looks uninjured. What more concerning is his mental state, he seems still in shock – no, maybe in fear? His eyebrows are knitted, jaw clenched, his gaze focused on growing fire that spread around them. He tries to flee from Shinichi's supporting hand a few times, run away from there, and when he knows that he can't do that his grip on Shinichi will tighten.
Shinichi doesn't know about Kaito's past in detail – both of them avoids bringing up their past in each of their conversation – but Shinichi already have an assumption about Kaito's state for some time. Pyrophobia. His past most likely makes him afraid of fire. That can be seen from how Kaito winches every time Shinichi turns the stove on – there's this one time Kaito tried to use the stove to warm up some leftover kare that ended up with spilled kare and a broken chair, from then on he always choose to use the microwave – or when somebody use a lighter near him and when he hears fire truck siren.
Sometime Shinichi's tempted to make Kaito talk about his phobia, but the magician-slash-barista will slyly divert the topic without answering it even once. And Shinichi's tired of pretending that he doesn't know, that he doesn't care.
"When we get home, you must tell me about your phobia," he says in low but determined tone, "And no buts, I'll even drag you to a psychiatrist if needed."
Kaito stare at Shinichi with great difficulty, eyes still widen in fear, he just stare at the detective for a while as they continue walking, before gives a really small nod. His lips move in attempt to say something, before they tightened.
"Don't think about fire for now. It's okay, we'll get out of here for sure."
Kaito gives another small nod.
"Ok. Now you think of something else, talk to me, okay? Anything is fine."
Silence. Shinichi can vaguely hear laughter and scream from somewhere in front of them, but he still focusing himself on Kaito. He's still tightlipped. And when Shinichi starts to think that he has fails distracting Kaito from his trauma he hears the other young man talks.
"…It's a shame that we didn't get to buy that pink shirt," he says in hoarse voice. He's not as cheerful as usual but he starts to sound like Kaito again.
Shinichi snorts, either because finally Kaito seems better or because the magician still can't get over the pink shirt, "Sorry but I don't like to make myself as center of attention unlike certain someone."
"Maintaining appearance is important, Shin."
"My way to maintain my appearance is not by wearing catchy or too dignified clothes."
This time Kaito snorts, "Well, I'm sorry that I look dignified in anything I wear."
"Stop that, you make me sick imagining you saying that in a maid outfit." Shinichi knits his eyebrows, trying to clear his head of strange thoughts.
"Shinichi you pervert."
"Wha– I'm not! You're the one who used to choose that kind of disguise back then, aren't you?! You're the pervert!"
"Oh? Really? I'm flattered that you still remember our past."
"I have pink shirt, you know, but of course NOT that tacky."
"…really? You have to wear it sometime, Shin. I want to see it."
"Do you have an obsession with pink or what?"
"Hmm, maybe I'm gonna be obsessed with Shinichi in pink shirts if you don't prove your words."
Shinichi grumbles and Kaito gives a low chuckles hearing that. Ah, at least he's smiling again, Shinichi thought.
The two of them walk as fast as possible toward the elevator while avoiding fire while still chatting as if they're surrounded by fire. Sometime Shinichi will glances around, looking for any other peoples that might in need of help, but none so far.
Strange. Nobody is running around in confusion. And even though not even 10 minutes passed by, no screams or anything can be heard. This place is too quiet. Have everybody been evacuated? If that's true then the two of them should hurry and get out of there too. All this smoke begins getting into his lungs. The sprinkles don't give much help either, aside of getting them wet. When thinking of other possibilities, Shinichi can feels Kaito stops walking.
Instinctively, Shinichi jerks his head toward Kaito, worries whether Kaito goes into shock again or even fainted. But what he sees is Kaito with an arm lifted, pointing to the direction in front of them.
There can be seen some people crouched, facing the elevator, where a masked man standing with a gun and something that looks suspiciously like a bomb detonator.
Shinichi quickly pull Kaito behind nearby wrecked store wall, eyebrows knitted as he thinks hard.
"He's the culprit of this bombing incident?" Kaito asks as he pulls his arm from above Shinichi shoulders and lean his back which – fortunately – uninjured.
"Most likely," Shinichi clucked his tongue in annoyance, "I should've kept my eyes on him."
"…sorry, because of me–"
"Stop blaming yourself," the detective interrupts, "I've done everything on my choices, and I won't regret it. It won't change anything."
Two blue orbs meet, one trying to convey what cannot be conveyed trough mere words. Kaito stares back, guilt and despair seems fading from his eyes. He pushes himself from the supporting wall, trying to stand straight even though his legs can't fully support himself then nods.
"So, do you have anything in mind? If you don't want me to drown in guilt then you'd better let me help you."
Shinichi, who doesn't seems like has expected the help offer, throw a small smile to Kaito before going back observing their situation.
"Ok," Shinichi finally says something after standing in silence for some moments, "I'll make you the bait."
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The second time they pass the area, Kaito is fainted on Shinichi's back – or so they'd like others to think. The detective staggers – 70% exaggerating as even though he's carrying someone nearly his weight, he's not that weak – while carrying Kaito, and when they see the culprit they'll feigning surprise, that's the plan. And sure enough, the suspect who doesn't expect more people left there starts to panic. He points his gun at Shinichi right away.
"Hey! Get over here then place your hands above your head!"
Honestly, Shinichi wants to roll his eyes – is the culprit blind or what so that he can't see that he's carrying somebody on his back? – but because he knows that by doing so won't give him any good, he continues his scared acting.
"I can't– "
"WANT ME TO SHOOT YOU, HUH?!"
Shinichi winched, "I-I'm carrying my fainted friend, so I can't use my hands. Look," he turns slightly to show that he's indeed carrying someone.
The culprit clucked his tongue, face is turning red – either because of anger or shame.
"We have to get out of here before the building collapse," Shinichi tries again.
"Shut up! Nobody allows you to talk, and I don't care about the safety of you people if you don't obey me!" he shouts. "Now get your ass over here before I shoot you!"
The culprit move his gun muzzle as a gesture for Shinichi to move closer, and Shinichi comply. He choose to hang his head low, knowing that stares to the culprit eyes will only anger him further, and choose to sweep his gaze toward the other hostages who's eyeing him with varying expression. And Shinichi just realized that there's a man laying right in front of the elevator. Fortunately he's seems like still breathing, even though he's badly beaten up. His temporary deduction is that the man is beaten up because he was trying to flee, as an example for the other not to try to run, or maybe because of personal grudge.
"Hurry up and set down your friend then join the other! Don't try to do something stupid, understand?!
"Yes," Shinichi slowly bending his knee until he's crouching down. And after making sure that Kaito get his footing, he remove his arm that was supporting Kaito and gives a hard kick to the culprit shinbone. In pain, the culprit releases his gun. Kaito who's already standing behind Shinichi swiftly kick the gun out of the culprit reaches, mean while, without wasting time, Shinichi lay another kick and tackle the culprit so that he fall back down. Next second, Shinichi is already above the culprit and locking his movements.
"Hey, hey, you should've told me the plan changes. Didn't we suppose to walk closer to him so that I can shoot him with this tranquilizer watch?" Kaito protests as he pointing Shinichi's watch that now circling his wrist.
"Sorry, I've just realized that his mask covering all the way to his neck, so I thought that plan won't work," Shinichi answers nonchalantly.
"Oh, damn you," Kaito snorts.
The culprit struggles, trying to slip away from Shinichi's grasps. His hand is trying to reach for the detonator as he curses to blown the place up with all the hostages inside, but Kaito secured the detonator. The rest goes just like another typical case, the culprit – who's stripped off of his weapons – reluctantly surrenders, especially after knowing that Shinichi is a police detective.
The firefighters come shortly after, evacuating the visitor that was held hostages right away. The police are already waiting outside, and somehow seem not surprised to see Shinichi's face among them.
"You're still followed by cases everywhere you go, huh, Kudo-kun," his supervisor greets him when he's leading the culprit towards him. Shinichi just gives him a bitter smile, "I guess so."
The beaten up victim is driven right away to nearby hospital by ambulance while the other who has minor injuries get first aid treatment. Two officers handcuffed the culprit, get him inside the police car, and drive him back to the HQ. Inspector Megure follows after them after Shinichi's done giving him short explanation about what he knows about the case. While the other officers are still standing by near the shopping center, securing the place as well as questioning some witnesses that had become the culprit hostages.
"Don't you need to go with them?" asks Kaito as he sees the detective walking toward him.
"I'll take you home first."
"So you do plan to go to the HQ, huh. Even though this is your day-off," Kaito remarks.
"Can't do anything about it," Shinichi shrugs it off nonchalantly, "Let's go home. Can you walk? Or do you need me to carry you?"
Kaito gives him a punch in his shoulder and step ahead of him to the parking area with a huff. Shinichi just smirks as he follows his housemate. But truthfully, he's grateful that he choose to ride the car earlier. He's not sure that Kaito will be comfortable riding buses or trains in his state, even thought he seems better.
Their way back home is in silence. In the beginning Kaito doesn't even take his eyes off the black smokes that come from the burnt building. Shinichi lets him, giving him space to rearrange his thoughts and compose himself. Maybe their little talk can wait until tomorrow.
"Don't have to wait for me to have dinner, I think I'll be late tonight," he says when they arrives in front of the mansion.
"Aa."
"Get some rest, Kaito…"
Kaito gives him a small nod and slip out of the car. For a moment he's just standing outside with the car door still wide open. He looks like hesitating. Shinichi raise an eyebrow, confused. What's wrong?
"…sankyu, Shin," Kaito finally says as he smile slightly before he closes the door and get inside the house.
Shinichi doesn't know what's there to thanks for, but at least he's glad because Kaito no longer force his smiles. Then he drives away to the police HQ. He's still curious about the culprit's motive, so for now he'll keep Kaito's problem into one of his brain locker and focusing his brain cells to the case.
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As expected, Shinichi come home late at night to get his report finished, and he only meets Kaito again the next day. When he's going downstairs to have his black coffee intake, Kaito's already in the kitchen, preparing waffles – really, sometime Shincihi can't stand all the sweet thing that Kaito likes, but he still choose to eat it rather than die of starvation anyway – as their breakfast.
"Kaito, coffee…," he mumbles as he flopped to one of the dinning chair. After Kaito officially works as a barista, Shinichi always make the other young man make some coffee for him.
He hears Kaito is mumbling something, but the sleepiness make it incoherent to his ears. And when Kaito place a cup in front of him, he just stares at it with knitted expression. It's not black, and clearly doesn't emit that heavenly smells he get so fond of.
"What's this?"
"Milk tea."
Frowns in Shinichi's face gets deeper.
"Too much caffeine is not good for your health, Shin. Drink some tea once in a while," Kaito answers casually, but Shinichi can hear him smirking even though he can't see his face.
"I don't believe that there's a barista that forbid others from drinking coffee," Shinichi blurted out venomously. He folds his hand in front of his chest as he leans his back in his chair, stare at the offending tea sharply from afar – or as far as the chair let him.
"Hey, I'm talking as your friend, Shinichi. And even though I'm working in a coffee shop, it doesn't mean I'll drink coffee everyday anyway."
Kaito pulls the chair across Shinichi with his leg then place 2 plates of waffles and a mug filled with same tea atop the dining table. "Just try it."
Shinichi makes a long face then reluctantly pick the cup up. Kaito stares at him intensely, making the pressure in drinking the suspicious tea grows twofold. The detective slowly move the cup closer to his lips then sips the milk tea inside.
"How's it? Tasty, isn't it?" Kaito asks in a more cheerful tone than usual.
"I prefer my black coffee," Shinichi replies shortly as he put back the cup of milk tea on the table. He pull his share of waffles and start to eat his breakfast.
"But it's not bad, isn't it?" Shinichi doesn't need to see his face to know that the magician is grinning madly.
"So, ready to tell me about your phobia now?"
This time Kaito's the one who puts a long face, his smirk gone without a trace. "Can we just skip this part?"
"No. I've told you I'll make you talk, haven't I?"
Kaito grumbles. Shinichi is still staring at him intensely. The magician gives out a long sigh, he knows how stubborn Shinichi can be and seems like it'll be useless to avoid it.
"Okay, okay! I'll try to explain it to you…"
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To Be Continued
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