New Year came and went and now it was just the beginning of January. The weather was still cold, but it was bearable compared to the last two months and she never hated Kid so much for holding so many heist during the coldest point of the year. Most of the heists took place in mansions or building, which Aoko was never more grateful than ever, although there were times when it was held in bizarre place like in the middle of the plaza and she thought she was going to die from the cold.
As for today, Aoko was chasing after Kid on the biggest ship that she never thought she would be in, ever. She didn't know if she should feel excited or what, but for the past two hours when she was roaming around the cruise on her own, she wished Kaito was with her.
Today's prize was a huge diamond again and Aoko didn't bother to try remembering the long and confusing name of it. Kid had successfully stolen it, not like she was expecting for a different outcome. The annoying thing was that she had lost sight of Kid when he threw a flash bomb in the hall, almost blinding her with the light as he escaped. Everyone immediately split ways to find Kid, thundering footsteps against the blue carpet and their yelling echoed all over the cruise. Aoko began heading to the deck.
She wouldn't imagine Kid swimming in this weather so his glider would be the only choice of escape. Her father was definitely smart enough to know that too, so it was just like a race, to see who would reach the deck first. Either Kid would fly off first or the police force would stop him in time from doing so.
Aoko decided to head towards the right side of the ship, another bet she decided to take. She didn't have much confidence that it would be that particular spot, but it was worth a try since there were times when Lady Luck was really on her side and the cruise was just too big for her to do anything but make wild guesses for the exact location.
All of the sudden, her radio suddenly crackled and she swiftly picked it from her back pocket and put it near her ear. Maybe some of the squad members had spotted Kid somewhere and that could give her a chance to think of some plan to get to him before he took off with his damn glider. She stopped her running and listened attentively for a word to be spoken.
"This is Kid speaking."
Aoko widened her eyes. There were thousands of reasons why Kid was even using one of their walkie-talkie, but something about Kid's tone gave an uncanny feeling in her stomach that she felt the reason was going to be a bad one. She suddenly dreaded to continue to hear what Kid had to say. True enough, the next sentence that came by seemed like she just received a slap across her cheeks
"Inspector Nakamori is with me. He'd fell off the ship." There was a sound of static and Aoko almost cried out when she thought they had lost connection, but the radio came back to life again. "Eight o'clock from the ship, around 200m but we're getting further away."
A few seconds had passed and a moment of silence ensued but Aoko felt like it was years. Her mouth opened and closed, just like a goldfish.
"How is Inspector Nakamori's condition?" Someone spoke but Aoko's mind couldn't register who.
"He's partially unconscious."
Aoko could hear the wind was beating against the radio as it created an awful static sound and she knew the water must be colder than anything she could even imagine. Her father had fallen into the sea, freezing in that chilly dark water and with that thought, fear slowly and painfully creeped into her chest as tears started filling her eyes.
She didn't know what to say. Her hands were trembling in fright as she raised the radio to her mouth and blabbered out incoherent words. Finally letting out a steady breath, she pressed onto the button and let out the only word she could think of.
"Dad!"
"Team A will head out. Team B will stay on deck and call an ambulance to station at the shore. I repeat, Team A will head out. Team B will stay on deck and call an ambulance to station at the shore."
Aoko chucked the walkie-talkie into her pocket and rushed to the place where all the emergency boats were. She knew the ship well when she was checking it put before the heist started. Running as fast as her legs would carry her, she managed to reach the location just in time to witness the few members climbing onto a boat, preparing to head out to sea.
She sprinted over and tugged onto one her father's recognizable subordinate's sleeve. He spun around, anger flashed across his face but his expression fell lax when he realized it was her who stopped him.
"Aoko-kun, your father-"
"Hyuuga-san, please let me go too. I need to see my father, safe."
He gave a firm nod and let her get on the boat immediately without letting anymore time to be wasted. She was unquestionably grateful and she quickly settled herself on the boat, watching him and the rest of the squad members climbing up to the boat and they started the engine. The boat turned to the exact direction that Kid had stated.
Aoko's eyes scanned across the sea. The colour was nearly pitch-black and if it wasn't for the few flashlights that the squad members were using now, she couldn't even see anything. The light were randomly moving in all directions on the water and finally stopped when it shone at a white blob moving up and down along the current just a hundred metre away. Aoko squinted her eyes to see better and it was none other than Kid waving in the air. But she couldn't see her father. Aoko didn't have to say anything since the rest of them noticed as well and the boat was already increasing the speed towards that very direction.
"Dad!" She scrambled to the side of the boat and wailed out although the sound of the engine drowned her voice. As they got nearer, she could see her father floating on the water beside Kid, his eyelids half closed. Kid silently pushed him towards them and two squad members pulled him out of the water and set him safely on the boat. Aoko swiftly rushed to his side, ignoring everything else in the way.
Hyuuga held up the radio and pressed the button. "Inspector Nakamori is now safe. We'll head to the shore to send him to the hospital."
"Dad, are you alright? Stay awake for me, please." Aoko wailed, her arms wrapping around her cold and freezing father, hoping to send every bit of her body heat to him. One of the subordinates took off his own coat and wrapped it around her father's body, another small effort to keep him warm
"I'm fine." He managed to force a reply and he tried to sit up but Aoko stopped him.
"Don't move!"
Her father sighed and laid back down like what she told him to. "Where's that damn Kid." He whispered.
"It's too dark," There was a short pause and Aoko knew what Hyuuga was trying to mean before the next sentence was even said. "We've lost him."
"Damn it." Her father winced.
Guilty or not, Aoko wasn't sure, but some of the squad members volunteered to go and look for Kid in the sea. Aoko didn't understand. Was catching Kid so important than a life? True, these policemen had dedicated most of their time trying to stop Kid, but if there was a need to sacrifice one's health, one's life, Aoko would rather Kid to be free and thieving for all eternity and she wouldn't give a shit and just hate him forever.
Her fist clenched. "There's still other chances to catch him!" Aoko spat, without thinking much about her words. It wasn't meant to be harsh, but the most important thing right here was to make sure her father would be sent to the hospital without any further delay. Everyone on board turned to look at her after her sudden outburst, but Aoko didn't care what type of expression they were using on her.
The people who volunteered made no move and her father didn't say anything either.
There was nothing else but silence on the boat as she could feel the icy wind brushing against her cheeks, the boat moving at full speed towards the shore.
.o.
Other than a bandage over his head, her father was pretty much well and fit. From the very beginning when Aoko entered the ward, he had been grumbling all about his wasted chance to catch Kid if he hadn't hit his head and was partially unconscious when the thief was right by his side. Aoko remained quiet all the way, hearing his gruff voice filling the room instead. It was a comfort to her, that her father was well and fine like how he was supposed to be.
Only when he finally stopped his small rants, Aoko looked up slowly, her shoulder slouched as if a heavy weight was settling on her. She bit her lips, her hand trembled and she clutched tightly onto the hem of her coat. "I'm worried sick." A soft whimper escaped her lips.
"I'm here, aren't I?" He stared down at her quietly before bringing his arm and setting his hand on her head, ruffling Aoko's already messy hair. When the tears unwillingly gathered in her eyes, she skillfully blinked them away and forced her lips to form a straight line so that it wouldn't quiver.
She could see, she could hear, she could feel his rough hand on her head. Her senses were telling her that her father was safely right by her side, but it wasn't comforting enough to make Aoko forget the thought of losing her only kin she had left in the world. The fear was still clinging tightly to her heart and she couldn't feel anything else.
"If I lose you, what am I going to do?" Aoko gave a hoarse whisper.
"Don't say stupid stuff," He retreated his hand and continued in his softer tone that he only used when he was alone with Aoko, the only tone that Aoko recognized when her father wasn't yelling and commanding at his squad, wasn't shouting and cursing at Kid. When there's nothing that involved Kid, he was always different and that was what Aoko wished it would stay the same.
"Go back home, it's a school day tomorrow too." He continued.
She shook her head. "It's alright to skip a day. I want to stay." Aoko said, without a moment of hesitation.
He closed his eyes and sighed. "I'll be releasing tomorrow afternoon, there's no need for you to stay here. I can't rest well with you here either."
Right on cue, the door opened and both father and daughter turned to the door. Two men came in and Aoko recognized one of them as her father's subordinate but there was something about the other particular unknown man that made Aoko respected him in some way. Aoko stood up from her seat, uncertain of what to do.
"Superintendent Chaki." Her father straightened his posture and Aoko immediately gave a bow.
"Aoko-chan, isn't it? You sure have grown up." Chaki smiled and scrutinized his injured subordinate. "I've heard of the accident and came over to visit."
Her father glanced at Aoko before directing his gaze at the other policeman. "Sakata, send Aoko home for me."
"Sure."
Aoko wanted to back down, but knowing the circumstances, she knew she shouldn't stay any longer and reluctantly obeyed as the officer gestured her out of the ward. She tried to muster the courage to tell her dad that she would come and pick him up once he was discharged, but the moment was too late when the door slid shut behind her. She looked back, glanced away and sighed before staring back at the door again.
"Is there anything you need?" Sakata gave a questioning look.
"No- It's nothing." Aoko waved quickly and smiled. "Sorry, we can go now."
They left the hospital.
.o.
The car ride was silent, not like Aoko minded it at all.
She was beyond tired and it was not like an officer from Kid's Task Force and a mere high school student had anything in common to talk about, except for the thief, but that topic was the last thing Aoko ever wanted to think about. When the car reached its destination, she thanked him for the ride and bid goodbye before heading back into her house after watching the car driving away.
The house was dark and empty as usual and Aoko switched on the lights and heater before heading to her bedroom. She threw her coat aside and jumped onto her bed, crawling to the corner and sat with her knees to her chest.
Aoko wrapped her thin arms around her legs and leaned tiredly against the wall. She hadn't been able to think about anything else but her father and the cost of losing him ever since she was on the way to the hospital. Now that she was alone in her room, she tried her hardest not to think of anything else so she could calm herself down and have a small rest, but her mind started wandering by itself and it unknowingly lead to Kid.
She was doing really fine at hating Kid that she could have gotten a gold medal for it. But of all things, this had to happen. Kid, even at the risk of getting caught, saved the most precious person in her whole world although he was the one that stole him away from her first. But even so, Aoko couldn't deny the fact that Kid had prevented her from all the pain and suffering she would have to go through if she really lost her father. She suddenly realized that Kaito was remarkably strong, for him go through all these years when she almost felt like dying, even just by thinking about her father on the hospital bed.
Aoko wondered how Kid was. Swimming out alone in that freezing water, would he be alright? Phantom thief or whatever, he was still a human afterall. She closed her eyes and thought of how he was going to face Kid in the future. All she wanted was to see Kid repaying for all the crimes he had done, but why did it start to feel like she was going to suffer the longest ride of her life?
This debt she owed to Kid was worth more than her life and she had no idea how to repay it at all.
Aoko looked out of her balcony window and gazed at the dark sky.
The colour suddenly reminded her of the black water when they pulled her father out of the sea, with him lying in her arms, weak from the freezing water along with the blow to his head. Aoko slowly lowered her head and tiredly rested her forehead against her knee. Before she knew it, tears already formed in her eyes and her vision turned blurry. She purposely blinked, watching it fall and feeling her hot tears staining her jeans as she let out the first hiccup she had been holding in all these while.
Aoko never knew a night could last so long.
.o.
"What did you talk about?"
Aoko pulled out her seat, slumping on it heavily and looked over at her table-partner whose head was comfortably resting on the desk with his arms acting as a cushion. Math class was already over and Kaito had been sleeping for the entire time, but he actually paid attention when she was speaking to their teacher? Sometimes Aoko didn't understand how Kaito took notice of certain things when it wasn't important at all.
Tired, she drawled. "I'm not going to do the cleaning duty today."
Kaito sat up straight and made a face. "Hey that's unfair. Doesn't it mean that I'm going to clean the whole classroom alone?"
"You don't have to worry about that. I've asked Kasumi-chan to take over today so I'll be doing her shift next week," Aoko waved at him. "Besides, it might be the first time you'll be serious with the duties when I'm not your cleaning partner."
"That's basically the point. I don't want to be serious at this," Kaito gestured his arms animatedly. "I'm changing my shift too."
Aoko tried not to roll her eyes at Kaito's reaction. It sounded like he couldn't be with anyone else other than her and the thought sounded ridiculous that it made her shiver inwardly because she knew it was impossible for him to be like that. She then threw all of her irrelevant thoughts to the back of her head. "Come on, It's just an hour of cleaning." She stated before picking up her bag and taking out the books she needed for the next class.
"Then why aren't you able to make it since it's just one hour?"
Aoko slowly set the necessary books on the table and glanced at Kaito, her eyes widened slightly but she looked away immediately. She didn't know what to say because she really didn't want to think about this matter that would instantly bring tears to her eyes. Aoko bit her trembling lips, but her mouth moved against her will and she let out the answer.
"Dad's in the hospital. I'm going to pick him up after school."
Kaito blinked and leaned closer to Aoko, which caused her to lean back uncomfortably. "What the hell happened?" He asked, his tone sounded curious.
"He hit his head and fell into the sea while he's chasing Kid." Aoko's voice cracked, her grip on her winter uniform tightened and she sniffed, hoping that the tears in her eyes would dry up quickly so it wouldn't fall.
"Damn." Kaito retreated back to his position and looked out of the window. Aoko used the chance and quickly wiped the tears away, hoping he wouldn't notice her doing so. But who was she kidding? Maybe he had seen her on the verge of crying and looked away purposely so she wouldn't show this vulnerable side of hers. Or maybe she was just thinking to much about it. Why would Kaito even care about some stupid vulnerable side of hers?
"Well, do you want me to come along?"
Aoko looked up and he was peering at her. For a moment, she wasn't sure what to say.
Their Physics teacher finally came into the class and everyone started settling down. When he was busy calling names to mark the attendance, Kaito gave a nudge on her elbow and she abruptly turned to stare at him again.
"So?" He raised an eyebrow.
Her mind said no because it was pointless for him to come with her. It wasn't like she needed his company during the entire lonely bus ride to the hospital. It wasn't like it's some party or event, the more the merrier or whatsoever. It wasn't like she needed his help to carry her father or anything. But her heart screamed yes because she needed him there, for no fixed reason but his presence was enough for her to make her feel better and a little comfort would be good for now.
"Yes." She replied.
.o.
"What?!"
Aoko's shout earned her a few annoyed looks from the nurses and a few patients along the quiet corridor. She glanced around, giving an embarrassed smile before looking back at the nurse behind the counter.
"My father's already discharged?" Aoko hushed.
"Yes. He passed the quick check up so he's healthy enough to be discharged by then."
Aoko would have flipped the counter if it wasn't nailed to to the ground. After giving a quick thank you, she stormed towards Kaito who was sitting on one of the metal seats along the passageway.
"So I guess your dad really left when the bed was so neat and tidied up." Kaito stood up. "It means he's definitely fine now, so you don't have to worry about him too much."
"He's suppose to take a rest! Where could he be?"
"Do you need to think to know the answer?"
Aoko took in a deep breath and exhaled heavily. A vein appeared on her temple and she thrust her hand into her bag and fished out her hand phone. While she was waiting for her phone to be switched on, she could feel a tap on her shoulder.
"Excuse me, you're not suppose to use your hand phone in the hospital." The nurse gave a disapprovingly look.
Aoko's frown disappeared and she turned her head so fast that she thought her neck might snap. Sheepishly, she hid her phone behind her back, apologizing hastily before running towards the lift, along with Kaito following closely behind her.
She began walking around in circles, hitting her phone against her palm while Kaito went over to press the down button on the wall.
"What are you even doing?" He watched her.
"Trying to let off some steam before I really explode." Aoko narrowed her eyes. "Dad-Dad's just... arghhh!" She suppressed a scream and just let out a sound of an unidentified animal.
"For now, you gotta chill like the weather." Kaito playfully started making some sort of Tai-chi moves. Right at the moment, the door opened and two nurses stepped out of the lift. They gave a glance over at Kaito before walking away and Aoko could see a judging look in their eyes.
The anger went away like it was nothing and Aoko couldn't help but snicker. "You look ridiculous. The nurses are still looking at you."
"At least this method works better at calming you down rather than walking around like you're chasing your own tail." Kaito said, looking uninterested at how the two women were staring at his back as he continued making those Tai-chi moves.
"Stop it, you're embarrassing me too." Aoko pushed him into the empty lift and it shut right behind them. She pressed the button for the first floor and the lift began to descend.
Kaito put his hands back to his side. "You can't blame your dad for working too hard to catch Kid even though he fails every single time. It's just his passion, I suppose."
"I know he loves to catch Kid rather than spending time with me," Aoko mumbled, her lips curled down. "But I just can't help but to worry about him, especially yesterday..."
"Your dad is well now, it's alright."
"It not alright," Aoko gritted through her teeth. "Why can't he just understand that his body needs the rest?" She tightened the grip around her phone till her knuckles turned white. "I'm going to give him an earful, no matter what."
The lift door opened and they headed out of the building together in silence. Out in the open area, Aoko began punching the numbers onto her phone before bringing it to her ear. She glanced over at Kaito who was silently shuffling his feet beside her, one hand in his pocket.
After a few rings, the call got through.
"Dad, where are you?" She spoke in the calmest tone she could give, without bothering to wait for her father to acknowledge himself when he picked up the call.
There was a hesitant pause. "At the office."
"Office?" Aoko hollered and Kaito slowly backed away, seeming to know the need to give her some space to throw her free hand around. "Why are you at the office? You just discharged!"
"I'm just back to have a meeting, I'll be home for dinner. They didn't want me to stay too long either."
Aoko instantly calmed down and she straightened her posture. "You sure you will come back for dinner? It's not just an empty promise right?"
"It's not," There was a sound of movement and her father's voice came back again. "I'll talk to you later."
Aoko hung up and absently kept her phone in her bag. She could tell Kaito was watching her from the corner of her eyes and it gave her a sort of weird feeling creeping in her chest. Clearing her throat, she scratched her head and tried to think of something to say.
"My dad's going to be home for dinner." She claimed, although she knew Kaito could easily infer from what she had said during the conversation.
Kaito scoffed. "I thought you're going to give an earful to your dad? Seems like he knows how to get around you easily too."
"I-It's because d-dad said he'll be back for dinner and we'll talk later," Aoko stammered and she really hated herself for that. "Besides, it's rare for him to be back home so early so I don't want him to change his mind if I make a fuss about everything right then." She gave a pout.
"True, that's pretty rare. But maybe it's because he couldn't go and celebrate like he usually does since Kid gets away again, along with the diamond."
Aoko clicked her tongue. "He could have stopped Kid if he didn't hurt himself."
"He barely stopped Kid when he's perfectly fine during all the other times."
Aoko growled and stomped on his foot as Kaito yelped out in pain, muttering all the fanciful nicknames he made up for her and she screamed back at him too. In a huff, she twirled around and strolled off, slowly making her way to the streets so that Kaito would catch up with her and he did.
They quarreled all the way back, even on the bus. Only when an old lady suddenly commented on how the two of them reminded her of the times when she and her husband were teenagers, they finally decided to keep heir mouth shut the entire way home.
.o.
Aoko opened the door and stepped in, leaving it open and turned to Kaito who was still standing outside of her house. "Thanks for accompanying me all the way to the hospital and even back home." Aoko glanced into her house before looking back at Kaito, a little anticipation flashed across her face but she hoped her question wouldn't sound like she wanted him to agree to it. "You want to come in?"
"Nah." Kaito shook his head. "My heater's already fixed. If I have to wait till you invite me to your house, I'd probably freeze to death."
Aoko crossed her arms and leaned against the door. "Is the heater in my house the only thing you care about?"
"You too, you know."
She blinked and gape at her childhood friend. She was so used to his teasing and how he always pranked her that it shocked her to hear such a rare statement coming from him. Aoko could feel her cheeks turning red as she quickly wrapped the scarf around her neck tightly. "Well, that's very nice of you." She laughed dryly, hoping to get rid of the sudden sensation she felt.
If Kaito actually noticed the small blush on her cheeks, he sure didn't show it. "If there's anything, just give me a call. I'll fly over."
"Who do you think you are? Kaitou Kid?" Aoko said, miffed. She could have used a bird as an example but by the time she realized what she said, she didn't bother to correct herself.
Kaito gave a triumphant smile. "He may be better at flying than me but I'm way more cooler than the real thing."
She scoffed, not knowing what to reply to her best friend's unbelievable sentence.
"And also-" Kaito paused and licked his lips, sighing silently before continuing his sentence. "Also... Don't cry in your sleep anymore. It doesn't help but only to make yourself feel worse when you're alone."
Aoko gasped unintentionally, but quickly covered it with a cough and set both of her hands on her waist, trying to defend herself against his statement. "What do you mean? Which eyes of yours see me cry?" She challenged him.
"I see it through your eyes," Kaito stated matter of factly. "They were as puffy as your fat cheeks since you came to school, how can that be not obvious?"
She reacted by touching her face and scowled. Her cheeks were definitely not fat because she had been keeping her weight in check recently. Aoko didn't answer him and decided not to because there wasn't a need to deny it either. It would just end up with an endless arguments.
It was unexpected that Kaito could see through her smiles and masks that she put on in school so desperately since she didn't want any of her friends to pry on too much and to worry for her. Maybe it was really just her puffy eyes that gave her away, not because Kaito noticed her fake smiles and laughters. Why would he bother noticing her anyway when he was always busy peeping in the girls' locker room.
Aoko actually promised herself to not tell anyone about her burden, but she still ended up telling everything to Kaito. Maybe it was because he had always there for her so many times and been a part of her for so many years that she couldn't just hide this matter from him; She just rely on him too much for comfort.
Except for Kaitou Kid. Yes. Because she couldn't bear herself to even talk about it. Her meeting with Kid, her first betrayal, her debt that she currently owed. It was a secret between Kid and her alone and she couldn't let Kaito to be involved.
When the short silence finally came to an end, Kaito cleared his throat and stuffed his hands into his pocket. "Well, see you in school tomorrow." He stepped back and turned away, heading out and probably on his way home.
Aoko put out her hand and only let it relaxed to her side once Kaito disappeared behind a wall. It's been a very long time since he came to her house, be it to study together or just to hang out. Something was always keeping him busy, or maybe, someone was keeping him busy but Aoko never felt that she had the rights to ask.
Or am I just afraid of the answer? Aoko lowered her gaze, shaking her head and glanced up.
"See you." She mumbled, hoping the wind could bring the words to him when he never stopped to wait for her reply.
She slowly closed the door behind her and kicked out her shoes before going over to switch on the heater. As she stared at the warm machine, their conversation that ended just a minute ago came back to her mind and she brought a hand to her chest, affording a smile to herself.
Even if Aoko didn't want to admit, Kaito did it again, this time without his usual gimmicks and silly actions or pranks. Only just a comforting sentence from him and Aoko felt much more better than anything. He always helped to bring a smile on her face in whatever situation they were in, although there were times when he would do many things to piss her off, but Aoko knew it was all to get her mind off the things that were frustrating her or making her sad.
How ridiculous. This same, exact person could make her smile like there was no tomorrow, but he was also the one who made her mad and also...
Kuroba Kaito, the boy who was witty, smart, athletic and sometimes-sweet-yet-irritatingly-childish at times. The boy who was the first person to give her a rose in front of the clock tower, the boy that gave her so much memories to remember, the boy that brought her joy and happiness in her life, the boy Aoko knew she shouldn't love because everything would be so freaking complicated.
She should have known. It was a taboo topic to think about. It wasn't like she never thought about it before because she remembered how her heart would ached a little and that sad smile would appear on her lips, not for anyone to see but for herself to taste because it was so damn sour to be considered as a reminder for her although she never learn her lessons.
The hope she felt in her heart immediately crumbled into nothing as she combed her hair through her fingers and sighed.
Best friend. Nothing more, nothing less. She reminded herself for who-knows-how-many-times for the year and her smile faltered before she headed to her room. I really shouldn't be thinking about this right now
For the rest of the afternoon, she began to prepare dinner, in hope to keep that thought off her mind for a while.
Hope this turns out well. Terribly sorry for the late update! Life's rather busy nowadays hehe. Thank you for all your support and kind and constructive reviews, I'm really grateful!
Then again, reviews are much appreciated!