Hitting balls with a wooden stick on a flat surface looks easy at first glance, no? Well, I knew a game of billiards would be more challenging than the eye meets, but slowly I have started to think that the white ball has a will of its own. That, or I have lost my touch in controlling my own energy. … Screw the latter. Chances of losing control of my own energy are as good as non-existent. However, the thought of an object getting an own will is just as ridiculous, making the former just a bit more believable.

Visualising the path I need, I positioned myself once more behind the white ball.

"Gently, Sharon. Gently." I heard Dino say.

Humming in acknowledgement, I lowered my body to the table as I made a bridge of my non-dominant hand for the cue to rest on. Eyeing the object ball, I visualised once more the path as I gently moved the cue back and forth, finding the balanced shot.

"Gently…" I repeated as I ticked the cue ball softly. However, instead of a soft tick, a hard pock was heard and the white ball, along with a few others, flew once more over the rails and I groaned in exasperation. "Fuckers." I cursed under my breath.

Standing upright, I pinched the bridge of my nose while exhaling deeply. I had already lost count of the amount of failures, and it was really getting on my skin. However, I refusedto lose my cool over a damn game.

"I'm sorry, Dino." I sighed, as he picked up the fallen balls for the umpteenth time. "I guess it's time for me to face the fact that I have less control over my own strength than I've thought."

"Don't be sorry, Sharon." He grinned. "It's actually refreshing to see you like this. It's a side I haven't seen yet. It's cute."

Raising my brows, I snorted. "Cute?" I repeated. "Here I have trouble to keep my cool over a ball game and you find that cute? That's strange, Dino."

"Well, like I've said. It's a side I haven't seen before." He said casually as he placed the balls in the triangular rack. "Let's try again. Think of it of mental training to control your energy."

Groaning at the latter, I sighed softly after. "With that last sentence, you sound like Uncle. Are you trying to become my trainer too."

"Technically, I am your billiards' trainer now." He chuckled. Placing the cue ball on the imaginary line called 'head string', Dino lowered himself as he professionally hit the ball, breaking the rack. Using his hand, I waved me to come over. As I did, he said, "Let's hit the one-ball together. Maybe that helps you to figure out how much strength you need for the game."

"How much I have to hold back, you mean." I corrected him, only for him to snort silently. "But what do you mean by together? How does that work?" I added as I took in the positions of the six balls. We were playing Six-ball, a simplified variation of Nine-ball. As the title of the games says, instead of nine balls, we have only six. Which makes it easier for a beginner like me to learn the game. Seeing the path to the one-ball, I got behind the cue ball as I rubbed the tip with chalk. The moment I lowered myself for the hit, Dino got behind me, practically hugging me from behind. Feeling my cheeks heat up, I could only let out a small laugh. "I see. Together like this."

"How else?" Dino chuckled as I felt his breath on the nape of my neck. "Now, focus, Sharon."

"Easy for you to say." I countered before I emptied my mind. However, the warm air in my neck did really not help me focus.

"Concentrate."

Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes as I emptied my mind once more, blocking out everything but the game. Feeling myself relax, I slowly reopened my eyes as the path to the one-ball became clear as the sky.

"Do you see the path, Sharon?" I heard Dino's muffled voice. His voice sounded muddied because I was focussing on the game in front of me. Humming curtly to confirm, I felt my hand being led by his. "Do you follow these movements?"

Concentrating on my hand, it felt like the cue was barely moving. Sharpening my senses, I felt very small and delicate movements. "Tip of thumb and index… gentle thrust." I registered as I felt Dino's chin next to mine. "Correct. There we go."

As the tip hit the white ball's centre, it rolled casually in a straight line to the rails as it bounced off softly in the right angle towards the one-ball. As the cue ball ticked the one-ball, it casually rolled towards and into the pocket. Not believing that the ball actually went in, I could only stare at corner hole where the one-ball disappeared into.

"It went in." I muttered. Blinking several times, I finally got out of my daze. "It actually went in. That fuckin' cue ball connected and sent the one-ball into the damn pocket."

Hearing Dino snort, I noticed that he had removed himself and I straightened as I turned around. "You really never fail to surprise me, Sharon." He chuckled. "I certainly didn't expect a reaction like that. Do you always curse in a game?"

As I opened my mouth, I closed it again as I glanced away. "That's… It's a bad habit I have while I train or study something difficult…" I muttered, somewhat embarrassed.

"Hm… Guess I do learn something new about you every day."

Letting out a shy laugh, I walked around the billiard table looking for a way to clear the two-ball. "But really, it's not something I'm proud of though. It does, however, release some of the pent up frustration I have." Seeing the angles, I positioned myself behind the cue ball once more. Eyeing my targets, I visualised my desired path. As I held the cue with the tips of my thumbs and index finger, I recalled the feathery feeling from before. Since the two-ball cannot be hit directly, I had to hit the four-ball first to hit the two-ball. For that to make it happen I guess I have to use a tiny bit of extra force. Barely moving the cue I stabilised the tip and I gave the white ball a feathery thrust. As it rolled towards the four-ball, my heart jumped at the fact that it would not roll out off the table. However, I also realised that I still hit too hard. The four-ball would roll off course, and I was proven right when the cue ball kissed the four-ball, making it roll in a direction going nowhere near the two-ball.

"Fuckers."

Hearing Dino snort again, I glanced up with an impassionate frown. "My bad." He grinned. "At least they didn't fly out this time. It is an improvement."

"Some improvement." I replied dryly, but smiled anyway. "Anyway, it's your turn."

Dino looked bemused, and I leant casually on my cue while watching him. "Don't you want to practice anymore?" He asked.

"Well, practice is one thing, but we've finally got a game going. So why don't you join me?" I replied. "Though, go easy against your… honey bun, will you?"

As my ears grew warm at the nickname I gave myself, Dino's eyes grew larger before he broke out in a charming grin. "Can't say no then, can I, honey bun?"

"I'm already regretting naming myself that." I muttered as my neck grew warm, only for Dino to laugh affectionately as he patted my head softly before going around the pool table.

Thanks to my failed move, there were no obstacles between the cue ball and the two-ball and Dino positioned himself casually in line of these two balls. With ease he pocketed his target and moved around the table, looking for a way to pocket the three-ball. After he lowered himself behind the cue ball, he glanced at me before grinning. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you." He winked before he hit the white ball.

"Why do I not believe you?" I snorted as I watched the cue ball kiss the five-ball as it casually rolled towards the three-ball. Seeing it touch the target, the three-ball slowly rolled towards the centre pocket, disappearing into the hole.

Dino had already moved to the other side of the table, readying himself to hit the four-ball and as expected, it rolled in the corner pocket in a breeze.

"What will you do now?" I asked as I registered the positions of the remaining the balls. In order for Dino to hit the five-ball, the cue ball needs to hit the rail at a rather sharp angle or it would hit the six-ball and pocketing it. However, even if Dino made the shot to the five-ball, it would go nowhere to a pocket.

"Just watch." Dino grinned as he sat on the edge of the table. Quirking a brow at his actions, I tilted my head as I watched with curiosity. His cue was at a 45 degree upright angle, and his hand was moving the cue slightly up and down, finding the balanced shot. Not much later he hit the white ball, and to my surprise it jumped up and over the six-ball, landing and rolling perfectly towards the five-ball, kissing it as it rolled in another corner pocket.

"The hell was that!?" I called out, almost swinging the cue up, astounded by the skill I have just seen.

"It's called a jump shot. Fairly difficult to master." Dino said proudly.

"Hm…" I hummed in acknowledgement, but snorted soon after when I realised that the last ball was in a straight line between the cue ball and the centre pocket. "I'll go easy on you, my ass. You show-off."

Dino feigned a hurt expression, but smirked proudly nonetheless. "At least I've managed to impress you. That's a reward on its own."

As I chuckled at his corny comment, he lowered himself for the last time to pocket the six-ball. However, when he hit the cue ball, I saw that it was off course and it would not hit the last target. My thoughts were proven as the white ball rolled just passed the six-ball, bouncing the rail, and right into a corner pocket.

"Ah. Oops." I heard Dino say as I just stared at the corner pocket, not comprehending what just had happened.

"The hell was that…?" I muttered as I watched the sheepish grin of the blonde.

"Well, I accidently pocketed the cue ball." Dino stated, still grinning sheepishly. "Resulting in my loss and your win."

Quirking a brow, I stared indifferently at the cheerful man and let out a defeated sigh when I realised what he had done. "Well, losing on purpose is one thing, but at least do a better job at it." I said, smiling wryly. "Missing an easy target like that after showing me that jump shot is a bit… suspicious, don't you think?"

"I should have known better." The blonde laughed, albeit a bit embarrassed. "Guess I'm busted. Should have planned it out better."

Letting out a small laugh, I walked over, patting his arm encouragingly. "It's alright. Thanks for the win, though."

"So…, my honey bun is not angry or disappointed with me?"

Widening my eyes, I snorted again. I had already forgotten the nickname I gave myself earlier. "Yes, your honey bun is neither angry nor disappointed with you. Let's play another round, shall we?"

As Dino collected the balls, my eyes travelled to the polished, shut door next to the bar. About an hour ago, the girl named Aoko left the bar to have lunch with her friends and Jii and Kaito went into the room after that. While it was not my business, I was wondering why they haven't emerged yet after an hour. Leaving guests unattended was, one, irresponsible, and two, rude. Jii did say that we could make ourselves at home and take whatever food and drinks from the bar, but that did not make it less acceptable. Nonetheless, it made me incredibly curious of what was behind that door. Even more because the pair were even several metres underground, making me wonder whether this bar might be Kaitou Kid's base. That would also mean that the owner is associated with the phantom thief in one or another way.

"What are you thinking of?" Dino asked as I felt his presence besides me.

"I wonder what he's up to…" I muttered as I broke off my view of the door. "That guy, Kaito, I mean. I wonder whether he's going to pull something off to get that Legendary Cue back. He was serious about it."

Hearing Dino sigh, I turned my head to look at him. He was frowning and addressed me with a seriousness I haven't seen before. "He shouldn't. I texted Romario about the place and he said that the bar deals with illegal firearms." He said in a lower tone. "It's noble of him that he wants to get the Cue back for his subject, but he really shouldn't. He could get hurt in the process."

"Illegal firearms, huh?" I repeated as I leaned on my cue. "Well, I'd agree with you if he was just your average teenager, but… he's not really your usual boy next door."

"What… What do you mean?"

Glancing over to the blonde, he had a visible confused expression and I smiled slightly. "Actually, the reason why I was grinning earlier is because we met this young man before. To be more precise, yesterday evening at Suzuki's museum. Although, he was not exactly like who he is today."

Watching Dino's confused expression turn into even more confusion, my smile broadened a bit. However, before I could resume, his eyes widened as if he had a certain revelation and he gaped at me as he heard the most ridiculous story ever.

"A-Are you saying…" He stammered as he quickly glanced at the polished door before his brown orbs returned to me. "That guy is… Kaitou Kid?"

As I nodded in confirmation, he blinked a few more times. "Are you sure?"

Raising both my brows at the question, I looked in his eyes to see if he was not pulling my leg. Seeing that he was dead serious, I frowned. "Am I sure?" I repeated. "Who do you think I am?"

Dino blinked again and his cheeks were slowly turning red as he realised how frivolous his question was. "Sorry." He muttered, averting his eyes.

Seeing him look away like that made my heart sank and immediately I regretted my response. "It's okay. I should be sorry. My reaction was uncalled for." I whispered as I leaned against his arm.

"No… You don't have to apologise, Sharon." Dino said softly as I feel him leaning on me too. "I was not clear before, creating this small misunderstanding."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I looked him up. Kaitou Kid, I mean." Dino said as he took out his smartphone from his back pocket. As he showed me a screen of a Japanese newspaper he continued. "I found several articles on him, claiming that he vanished for eight years before he became active again. If that guy is truly Kaitou Kid, then he should be around ten years old in this piece. But as you can see in this picture…"

"He's a full grown adult." I finished as I frowned at the night shot of the majestic phantom thief, dated nine years ago. "If I knew this beforehand, then I would have doubted my own find too. But you know, Dino, I have no doubt that Kaito is Kaitou Kid. Or at least, the thief we met yesterday. If necessary I'll forcefully pull up his shirt to prove it. I punched him quite hard, so I'm quite sure there's a bruise on his stomach."

The blonde chuckled lightly at the latter. "No need to go that far, Sharon. I believe you, but there has to be a logical reason for this. Father and son, maybe?"

"Plausible. Jii did call him young master, so it's not unimaginable Kaito's father is Jii's actual master."

"But if the father was the original Kaitou Kid, why did he disappear for eight years, only for his son to resume the role?"

"No clue. Perhaps something happened to him? I mean, Kaito doesn't really look like the kind who chooses crime voluntarily. Though, I may be biased on that."

"Do you think it has to do with the gem he's looking for?"

Shaking my head, I could only look in front of me. "I honestly don't know."

By now we were leaning against each other's backs as we were brainstorming on theories regarding the mysterious phantom thief or thieves. We had too little information and it was not long before we both let out a small sigh.

"I'm starting to understand why you're always lost in thoughts." Dino said as I frowned at his words. "Coming up with theories and even strategies requires some serious brainwork. Even more than propositions for business deals. I'm surprised you haven't complained about headaches."

For a second I was perplex at his words, but laughed soon. "Pffft. If only you knew what's going in my head." I responded, still chortling as I put my head against his neck. "Just because I don't complain about headaches doesn't mean that I don't have them."

"So you do have them occasionally?"

"Not as much. I learnt how to let go of the matter before I actually get a headache."

"But… knowing you, it's probably still somewhere in the back of your mind even after letting go of it, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

As we continued chatting idly, I balanced the cue between my fingers. It was a nice change of pace and I felt we were more open and comfortable with each other than usual. Soon enough we were sitting on the dark wooden floor with our backs against each other, after serving ourselves some pre-made food and drinks. It was already well past lunch time.

"Say, what do you think Uncle did to gain so much respect from Jii?" I asked my companion, remembering how the bar owner reacted when Ivan was mentioned. "Even to say that they are indebted to him. I wonder…"

"If it's mafia related?" Dino finished my sentence as he chewed his sandwich.

"Well, yeah. Obviously." I joked before I took a bite of my own sandwich. "I can't really imagine otherwise."

"But you know, I don't get a sense that they belong to an organisation. I feel Kaitou Kid is acting independently."

"Hm… It kinda surprises me that you can sense something like that." I teased. Feeling a push in my back, I laughed. "Just kiddin'."

"Could Ivan have helped or assisted them in a situation where Kaitou Kid was involved? Assuming Jii is involved too."

Staring at the beige coloured ceiling, I wondered. Uncle had plenty 'business trips' when I was younger, and when he returned he had always new injuries. If something happened that involved the Magician under the Moonlight during one of those trips, then I was definitely not able to tell when.

"If Uncle was involved with them, then it was at least eight years ago." I thought out loud. "I mean, remember Kaito's reaction? Or rather, lack of one. He didn't show any kind of recollection unlike Jii."

"Mhm… Jii also said it was a 'story for later', so perhaps we can assume the previous Kid was involved." Dino hummed. "They couldn't have stolen something from Vongola or her associates, could they?"

"I doubt that. Uncle would have slaughtered them instead of assisting." I replied wryly. "If we only knew Kaito's family name… Perhaps we could find something about him or his father."

"Hm. What does your intuition say?"

"Nothing probative. Though, I still have a bad feeling about that 'gem glowing red in the moonlight'." I muttered before I took a sip of my lemon tonic. "Ugh. That description's too long, don't you think?" Hearing Dino snort, I smiled. "Let's call it 'Gem X' for now. I mean, we still don't know anything about it, so I think it fits."

"No objections here." Dino laughed softly. "Let me check if Romario has an update on it."

Feeling him move to get his phone, my arm went backwards to stop him. "You don't have to." I said, looking over my shoulder, facing the blonde sideways. "I mean, yes, I'm curious about it, but it's not like it's top priority or anything. Besides, Romario has already enough on his plate for the moment. Don't add more when he has already so much to do."

Looking in his cognac brown eyes, I saw a flash of surprise before they softened. "Yes, you're right." He whispered after a small pause.

Whether it was his whispering voice or the few seconds of silence, something about the situation made my heart skip a beat, and I could only watch him like I was enchanted. Watching him smile warmly, he turned around and sat on his hands and knees. As we just gazed in each other eyes, I felt myself being pulled towards him as if an invisible hand was guiding me towards him. Feeling his hand on my cheek, I held it dearly as we inched closer. Feeling his soft breath on my lips, I slowly closed my eyes, allowing him to lead me.

"Kaito! Jii-san! Aoko has returned!"

Freezing in place at the sudden shout, Dino and I stared at each other as we both had shock ridden expressions plastered on our faces. We were both thinking the same thing; the bar was not closed.

"Ah? They aren't here?" We heard Aoko question, before we both burst out in a small laughter at the tough luck we had. "O-Oh?"

Dino and I moved away from each other as we stole several knowing glances. Not much later I turned around, greeting the seemly flustered girl. "Welcome back, Aoko-san. Have you had a nice lunch?"

"Y-Yes, I had…" She stammered as her cheeks became a shade darker. "H-Have you seen K-Kaito-kun?"

"He and Konosuke-san went through the door near the bar, but have yet to emerge." Dino answered as he stood up, taking his plate with half eaten sandwiches.

Following his example, I jumped on my two feet and picked up my own plate and our drinks before I went after Dino to one of the small tables against the wall.

"We took the liberty to make ourselves comfortable when you were away. Sorry if we've made a weird impression, Aoko-san." I apologised, before adding a small apological grin.

"A-Ah, no! It's fine." The girl stammered shyly. "Aoko was just a bit surprised."

"It's okay, don't worry. Say, do you want to join us?" I smiled welcoming. "If you don't mind, we can chat while waiting for Kaito-san and Konosuke-san."

The girl was taken aback for split second before she smiled broadly. "Sure, we can."