There was a knock at the door. Heiji winced and immediately got up out of his chair. Probably Kazuha, demanding an apology after their most recent argument. So what if he had insulted her? She was definitely gaining weight. Wasn't he just being honest? Thou Shalt Not Lie, Kazuha. Besides, he was a detective. Revealing the truth was what he lived for. It wasn't his fault if she was eating too much takoyaki. With his face set and a series of insults and comebacks poised on his tongue, the Osakan teen opened the door. But it wasn't Kazuha standing there.
His detective instincts kicked in as he automatically began scanning the man on his doorstep. Neat hair with long bangs that fell in his face and a cowlick in the back. He was dressed in a blue suit with a bow tie, and had sharp facial features with piercing cerulean eyes. Ugh, he was probably one of those formal, stuffy teens that came from rich families. His fingers seemed long, but no noticeable scars or calluses. In contrast, he clearly had a runner's build. Probably was on the track team, or played football. (1)
"Hattori Heiji?" The teen asked. His voice had a bit of a higher pitch and a Tokyo accent. He bowed politely. "My apologies for intruding, but would you mind if I came in for a bit?"
Heiji blinked, taken aback. Okaay. Random guy he just met, asking to go inside his house. And that wasn't suspicious at all. Though he did have his katana, just in case something happened... But he was being paranoid. It was possible that this person was a client. Even if he didn't have an official agency, some people paid him anyway. So the detective nodded and said, "Ah, sure." He waved the stranger in.
The teen followed Heiji into the living room. They both sat in silence for a few moments. Then, awkwardly, Heiji spoke. "Um... Sorry, but why are ya here?"
The teen hesitated. Then his shoulders slumped and he asked in a quiet voice, "Do you recognize me? At all?"
Heiji frowned, eyes raking over the impromptu visitor once more. He did seem a bit familiar... Like a picture he had seen on the news or something. "Not really. Should I?"
Something in the young man's eyes darkened. His fingers clenched around his knees, entire posture stiffening. "Ah, well, I was just curious. We are supposed to be rivals, after all." His voice had grown cocky, but there was something strange in it. Like it was forced... The thought was cut off as a smirk spread across the teen's face. He stood and gave a polite bow, saying, "My name is Kudo Shinichi. Also known as the Great Detective of the East."
Ah! That was it! "So yer that Tokyo detective!" A familiar gleam entered Heiji's eyes. The one he always got when faced with a new rival, another opponent to beat. "It's nice ta finally meet ya... Kudo-san."
Shinichi tensed again. As though he were bothered by the name. "Ah, there's no need for honorifics. Just call me Kudo, alright, Hattori?" There was no stiffness in his tone as the name rolled off his tongue. But that was odd. People were normally tentative when reaching another level of familiarity. Yet Kudo was acting as though he had been calling Heiji that for years. "Anyway, I've overstayed my welcome. I hope to see you again, Hattori."
And with that, the Tokyo detective was gone, leaving with an oddly hurried gait. Heiji hesitated... then followed.
He found Kudo in a park, sitting on a bench. The teen's knees were drawn up to his chest, arms folded across them and face ducked out of view. As Heiji got closer, he noticed a tremble in the detective's frame. Curiosity swept through Heiji and he edged a bit closer. With every step, the Tokyo teen's mumblings grew clearer.
"Idiot... What the hell were you thinking? Not even Ran knows who I am, why would he?"
O...kay. It appeared his Tokyo counterpart was a bit... strange, for lack of a better word. Crazy would suit him better, but he was being too quick to judge. Heiji turned, ready to walk away. None of his business, after all. Yet he found himself hesitating, wanting to walk back and make sure the guy was alright. But what was he thinking? He barely knew Kudo.
Heiji quickly disappeared, deciding to forget about this strange and unexplained meeting.
But later... he would receive a letter. It would have no return address, and only the initials K.S.
Be sure to wear your omamori at the Naniwa Serial Murder case. Don't let him commit suicide, but try not to get killed either.
And sure enough, two months later, a murderer desperate to end his own life shoots at Heiji... and misses.
1) In case you didn't know, soccer is called football in Japan. And most other places, too. xD
Anyway, I don't really know where this came from. What happened, you ask? ...I don't really know. My muses are still trying to figure that out. However, I'm considering doing a continuation... maybe. What do you think?