Ginzo gritted his teeth and sent an annoyed look over to the nearest squad member he could see.
"Where's Sarutobi?"
"I'm not sure."
He sighed to himself and started walking in circles for the hundredth time that day. The carpet in the mansion were magnificent, but with the amount of times he paced up and down on it, it wouldn't be a surprise if it started to wear out.
"S-Sorry! I was on the phone with my wife."
Ginzo turned to the voice as he watched Sarutobi dashing towards his place. The former quickly wiped off that scowl on his face. There wasn't a need to show his anger at another worried father.
"Did they contact you?"
Sarutobi glanced down at his phone, the disappointed look was enough for him to know the answer.
Still, the question was answered. "No, they didn't."
"Then where they hell are they?" Ginzo growled. "The heist is about to start in ten minutes!"
"They'll call." Sarutobi clutched onto the phone. "They said they would. They wanted Kaitou Kid after all."
"I know." Ginzo sighed and regarded his only subordinate that was able to understand him more than anyone else. "I'm just... frustrated, you see."
"Nakamori-san will be fine."
"Same goes for Arima."
This was the comfort he could give and that was about it. They spent three sleepless night, screwing their brain out to find where and who the kidnappers could be, until they considered the deal was the only way out. It was a bet they were willing to offer, but he wasn't sure Kaitou Kid was willing to accept. The phantom thief was all about honor and glory and Ginzo admired him a little for that. He wondered if Aoko and Arima's safety would even be within the list of things he cared about.
They lingered at the main hall for a bit, roaming about the glass case and checking up on the equipment. The ten minutes to the heist was just about the same as waiting for hell to arrive. Ginzo couldn't stop fidgeting in annoyance.
When the main lights began to flicker and everyone were in their readied stance, he got himself on full alert and glimpsed at his watch. The ten minutes was up, and this was the only chance he would have to get in order to ever see Aoko again.
The lights continued flickering until everything turned dark. It was the most common trick, one that Ginzo was all too familiar with. That was why he got the lights equipment prepared, ones that were powered by solar energy and were ready to go. He ordered his members to shine them on the jewel case in the very next second when the lights went out, but much to his horror, the lights showed nothing but an empty glass case.
"Turn on the main lights!" Ginzo growled into his radio. "I want all of it switched on!"
It almost seemed like Kaitou Kid was in a rush too. Everything happened too quickly for Ginzo's taste and he knew it would result in a huge disappointment for not just him but every reporters that were filming in process. Now the phantom thief was gone, leaving behind an empty cushion and a card that stated his appreciation in having the jewel.
Did he even appear in the first place?
When the scene was all too clear for Ginzo to accept, his scowl grew even worse and he pointed at every single task force members before sending them out of the hall. "Find him!" He roared and all the members scurried on their feet.
That was also when he felt a huge vibration on his chest.
He scrambled and pulled out the phone from his jacket and answered it without a second to spare.
"Inspector Nakamori, I'm expecting Kaitou Kid."
"He's already gone!"
Sarutobi was by his side again, his face etched with worry and desperation.
"They called?"
Ginzo nodded and showed the phone to him before setting it in its speaker mode.
"Lure Kaitou Kid to the first floor lobby." The voice spoke. "We'll take him from there."
"Where's the kids?!"
The call was unceremoniously cut off. Ginzo growled and slapped is phone onto his thigh before running his fingers through his hair. He yearned for Aoko's voice so long. All he wanted was to know that she was safe, and that would be enough. He would trade the world for that.
"Lure Kaitou Kid to the first floor lobby." Sarutobi repeated.
Ginzo sent an irritated look. "We don't even know where the heck he is. This plan is getting out of hand."
It was then their walkie-talkie crackled to life. He pushed his phone back into his pocket and grudgingly pulled the radio to his face.
"If it's nothing good, don't bother reporting!"
"Kaitou Kid's sighted on the first floor!"
"What?!" He screamed right back at the device. Sarutobi seemed perked up as well.
This was like a test for his righteousness as a police officer. Negotiating with the kidnappers was understandable and could be compromised, but obeying the instructions of the kidnappers was another thing; it was basically a mockery to his rank and position. He shouldn't do it, using his post and instruct his men to do such a thing. But for Aoko and Arima's safety, along with the rarest chance of having Kaitou Kid appearing at the place where Ginzo needed him to be the most; it was too tempting to resist.
Shaking his head, Ginzo went back to focus on relying the needed instructions. "Gather all men and surround him until he reached the lobby! I'll head there straight! No matter what, just make sure he goes to the lobby!"
With a curt nod, Ginzo and Sarutobi rushed over to the said lobby together.
It was congested, like what Ginzo expected. He did order all of his men to surround Kaitou Kid after all. But one thing he never realize was the efficiency rate of the kidnappers. He managed to get Kaitou Kid to the needed venue, but he didn't expect the kidnappers to be already there, ready to take Kaitou Kid away like what they had claimed.
"Inspector Nakamori!" A squad member glanced back over his shoulder, his gun pointing at the bunch of men who were clearly not invited to participate in the involvement of Kaitou Kid's capture. "We have company."
Kaito Kid was in the middle of the lobby, with four men standing around him. It was a similar setting; Kid was the jewel and the four men were the guards. Just that clearly, the men had no intention in protecting their jewel. Each of them had a gun, two pointed at Kaitou Kid and two pointing at the direction of the police members.
Without any hesitation, Ginzo whipped out his gun and pointed at one of the men. He couldn't care which one was the leader or whatsoever. He just wanted the kids.
"Where are the hostages?!"
"We'll finish the exchange after we settle the score with Kaitou Kid." One of the men said.
Settle the score? Ginzo narrowed his eyes. "This isn't stated in the deal. We won't hand over Kaitou Kid over unless the-"
"I'm going." Kaito Kid interrupted.
Ginzo couldn't breathe. "What the heck are you saying?!" His gun turned to aim right at the phantom thief. His other squad members were carrying their guns, aiming at all sorts of direction but none at the thief, only Ginzo himself. He couldn't tell who or what he should shoot anymore. Everyone seemed like a foe to him, just because Aoko or Arima weren't here safe.
Kaitou Kid watched him carefully. "I'd got a debt to settle, do I not? It's my duty to do so."
"Kid, you are not allowed to-"
Before he, or anyone could fire a shot, Kid dropped a couple of smoke bombs and the Task Force began a chorus of choking and coughing fit. Ginzo stuffed his weapon into his gun holder and dashed forward, hoping to grab onto anyone. All he could feel in his hands were the smoke and dusts.
Ginzo slammed his fist against the nearest wall, but it wasn't enough to quieten down the bustling Task Force. He was already expecting a ruckus after all.
Kaitou Kid was gone. Taken away, willingly.
Not by the Task Force.
What had he done? What the heck had he done? Ginzo clenched his eyes shut tightly. He never intend to sacrifice Kid, and of course not the hostages. This wasn't the outcome he wanted. Now he just handed the thief over, yet Aoko and Arima wasn't back safely in their hands.
He was a failure. A failure of a leader, a father and a man. He didn't have the energy to deal with any more nonsense today. He might as well die right here, really.
What was he supposed to do? He gritted his teeth and was about to prepare his new orders when his name was being called out.
"Inspector Nakamori!"
Ginzo tilted his head over to one of the squad members who was rushing over to his side, still coughing from the smoke and gas.
He straightened his posture, showing that mighty pose he used every time to his subordinates after Kaitou Kid escaped. This was the best he could do.
"Sarutobi-! Sarutobi is found in the restroom! Unconscious and tied up!"
That certainly wasn't what he expected. He thought some reporter or the Superintendent was going to screw his job when he was already screwed enough, but the news he heard wasn't something that make him feel any better either.
"Sarutobi?" He blinked and began glancing around. He swore he last saw him standing beside him, confronting Kaitou Kid-
He widened his eyes. There was only one man he knew on this planet, who was bold enough to tackle his men and disguise as them.
"Where's he?"
"The others are trying to wake him up."
Without further ado, Ginzo instructed him to direct him to where Sarutobi was. And as they were stomping their way over, he began to put the pieces together.
If the Sarutobi standing beside him all the time was Kaitou Kid, then who the heck was that Kaitou Kid?
.o.
Kaito would have screwed up if he made the wrong choice, which he almost did.
He thought of disgusting the man with the huge mole beside his nose, since his height and size was almost the same as his own. But then he thought of choosing the one with a scar that run down the left eye.
And he was glad he did.
The man with the mole was actually the assigned driver for the gang, and if he had chosen him, he would be so bloody dead. How the hell would he know where to drive to?
He already registered the information of the man with the scar after he knocked him out when the gang were escaping towards the secret exit. Kinosuke Keiji, age 37, a married man with two boys. All Kaito needed to know about him was in his wallet, ID… photos… those were enough.
Kinosuke Keiji sat beside the handcuffed Kaitou Kid, and on the other side was another man he had yet to know. The driver was the one with the mole, and sitting beside the driver's seat was again, a person Kaito didn't know. Actually, he didn't recognize anyone in the car, saved for the thief of course.
There was something in his gut that told him they all had no relation with Snake. It was just his gut feeling, no concrete evidence to confirm his guess. But it would all be clear to him once they reached the place they were going, wherever it was.
He eyed over at the calm thief beside him.
"Where are we going?" Kaitou Kid, or rather, Shinichi said.
It was splendid that their Bluetooth wasn't the only thing they used to communicate. Kaito never realize they had such telepathic skills.
"To meet our boss."
"At least enlighten me on who your boss is."
Kaito smirked inwardly. This detective had done some homework in intimating his way of speaking.
It seemed like the driver was about to speak, but the one sitting beside the driver cut him off.
"Remember what the boss said, don't talk to him or say anything to him. He's a cunning person. Who knows what scheme he is going to plan if we reveal too much."
He could feel Shinichi sinking into his seat.
The whole drive was silent afterwards.
.o.
"Tie him up on the chair."
Shinichi recognized the voice. It was the same voice Kaito mimicked for him to hear, even reciting a line from his favorite Sherlock Holmes series for it. Indeed, it was these bunch of men that were involved in the kidnapping. He calmly observed the men that were evenly spread across the dark room, except for the man that Kaito disguised.
It wasn't like Shinichi had super eyes to see through Kaito's disguise. It was perfect to the point where he couldn't tell. The only hint that Kaito gave to him about his new identity was when Kaito tapped on his own ear in the car beside him, and Shinichi could hear that scratching noise coming from the Bluetooth. That was the only sign.
Two other men pushed him to the chair and he was forced to sit on it as the tying process began. He felt his chest being squeezed and his suit clinging tightly onto his body, making him a little hard to breathe.
Wonderful. Just ropes and strings. Shinichi did imagine a cell or some sort of place to imprison him and he was glad that wasn't the case. It would be easy to wiggle out of this later on.
"It's been 18 years." The mustache man towered over him. "And the debt can be settled."
There were two kind of debts Shinichi thought of. Money and life, it was either one of those. He wished for the case to be based on the former, but things usually wouldn't go according to everyone's way. All he could do was to pray that he was right. He didn't sign up for this to pay his own life for Kaitou Kid.
"Debt? No one owes me one." He flicked his gaze upwards. "Though I'm not sure about owing someone one."
There was a pause. "You don't remember me?"
Of course Shinichi had no idea who he was. He always thought the one involved in this kidnap was from the Black Organization, yet he recognized none of the people here. His eyes moved to Kaito. Although his expression was displayed though his typical poker face, there was that small and almost unnoticeable frown etched on his face. Just how many enemies did he make? Wait… he already started making them since he was born?!
Shinichi cleared his throat. "Like you said, it's been 18 years. I fear that-"
"You don't remember me!" He confirmed his words and grabbed onto his collar, his top hat toppled onto the ground. That was good, the hat had been ridiculous after all.
"Probably so." Shinichi mustered a smirk. That was the best he could do.
The leader pushed him down.
Kinosuke Keiji stepped forward. "How dare you forget our boss?" He growled. "He's the great Gouzen, the brother of Gouzu who landed in jail because of you."
"You've talked a lot today, Keiji."
"I thought it'll be the best to defend you, boss."
Shinichi set his gaze upon Kaito's disguise before looking up at Gouzen. Great, it seemed Kaito recognized who his enemy was, but Shinichi still had no idea who the hell Gouzu or Gouzen were. He tried remembering the news or some article he came across with something about landing in jail because of-
Right! Shinichi flashed a small grin. He recalled Ran telling him about an incident at the Touto Tower, where a car just crashed into Shiba Park for no reason and how a bunch of people from a fraud company got rounded up. He managed to remember such a case, simply because Ran mentioned she felt like eating Gyoza afterwards. It was the faint similarity between the names that caused her cravings.
"I remembered your brother." Shinichi never thought that car crash could have been linked to Kaitou Kid. Nonetheless, he would take note of the incident. It was something worth investigating in. "A rather pleasant encounter."
"18 years ago, our company suffered. 18 years later, my brother sought revenge but things crumbled." Gouzen cracked his knuckles. "But now, I'll take revenge in my own way."
"What are you going to do?" Shinichi sounded more curious than scared. Really, what exactly was he supposed to portray himself in such situation?
"Are you excited for it?"
He caught a glimpse of movement from Kaito before focusing back on the leader. He almost, almost forgotten about their main objective here. He was expecting to come across a couple of Black Organization members, or even Vermouth. He had a lot of things to settle with her. Yet, this was just...
There was no reason to dawdle about that. "It'll be interesting, but where are the hostages?"
"Ah." Gouzen smirked. "That, you don't have to worry. They'll have fun too."
"What do you mean?"
"Matsuda."
"Yes boss."
"Bring the hostages over."
"I'll go." Kaito volunteered.
Gouzen watched Kaito immensely and Shinichi pursed his lips. To him, Kuroba Kaito sounded almost too eager in his request. He tentatively moved his attention back at the boss, not sure if this entire disguise would end up a flop. The leader did mention Keiji was acting a little different from before.
"You're rather attach to that boy, Keiji. He's not your son."
"I know."
"Fine, you'll take them here."
Shinichi almost sighed out in relief. He tried to send some signals to warn the stupid thief to put his own safety in consideration. Of course he couldn't do so when Kaito was already heading towards the door, not even sparing one glance back. Shinichi knew the importance of saving the hostages, but as the perfectionist, Shinichi thought Kaito would at least keep his own role in check.
As he watched Kaito disappeared, Shinichi pondered if he had known he was safe with this bunch of absurd kidnappers, which was the result of him leaving him here so willingly and going off to save the hostages.
He hoped that was the case.
"Prepare the car." Gouzen instructed another underling before glaring back at Shinichi. "Let's see how you'll like the taste of being strapped onto a pillar."
Shinichi chuckled dryly to himself.
Is this guy serious?
The humidity in the room wasn't helping, same goes for the thickness of the suit. He could feel the sweat accumulating on his back and the heat rising within him. He was sure at least an hour had passed and the feverish feeling wasn't a good sign. It was exactly the feeling he felt whenever the pill's effect was coming to an end. All that could be done was to hope it was just his imagination or an unnecessary fear.
He flicked his gaze over at the door one last time.
It wasn't just a hunch. Shinichi was pretty sure he was left all on his own now.
.o.
Aoko quietly scrutinized the dark room.
There were originally five people who kept watch over them in the beginning, and it had been constant until today. Only one was left behind here, which was a rather drastic decrease.
And the best thing was, this bodyguard loved to sleep the most.
She analysed all of them while she was being captured, based on the way they communicated with each other and the way they treated her and Arima. Most of them meant no harm and clearly stated it too, but they were easily agitated and impatient and Aoko couldn't hide that fact. Sometimes when Arima cried or hated the food they gave to him, most of them almost resort to violence until Aoko volunteered to coax Arima in eating. He was just a child, why wouldn't they get it?
Aoko took in a deep breath, smelling in the stale air and she regretted instantly. She needed to calm herself down from the excited and bubbling hope that was bursting in her chest from her new discovery about this best chance to escape. Not just for her own sake but for Arima's, she needed to make sure her eagerness wouldn't ruin the plan she had in stored for them.
"Arima." She whispered softly in his ears and bumped her legs a little. He was lying on her lap, fast asleep a long while ago. Aoko had no idea what the time was anymore.
He moved in his sleep and groaned a little before she quickly hushed him down. Arima peeled opened his sleepy eyes and struggled to sit himself up. Aoko would have helped, but both of them had their hands tied behind after all.
"Aoko-neechan?" He mumbled.
She glanced at the sleeping kidnapper before looking back at Arima. "Listen, we are going to escape."
This time, he was clearly awake. "How?"
"First, I will untie you." She signalled him to turn around and he did obediently. Arima had been listening to her since the day they were captured and she was entirely grateful for that. It was an advantage to her when she was the only one able to make Arima stop crying and such. Those kidnappers couldn't stand it.
Their ropes had always been an easy knot to untie. The problem was there were always too many people in the same room. Even if Aoko could untie herself, she couldn't escape at all.
Arima was finally freed and without any instructions given, he began to untie hers too. After doing so, they abandoned their ropes and scrambled on their feet as fast and quiet as they could before directing their gaze at the door on the other side of the room.
"Ok, Arima. I need to see if there's anyone outside before we can escape." She whispered in his ears and he nodded. "You'll follow behind me, closely."
They tiptoed their way over to the door and Aoko prayed for the miracle that the kidnapper wouldn't wake up at this moment. In the dark room, they skipped past a few debris and packets of half-finished food that were littered on the floor and other than that, their trip towards the door was a successful one.
Outside was a long corridor that extended to the stairs on the other side. It was already dark at night and she still couldn't tell the exact time. But that wasn't important. She gestured Arima over and they advanced out of the door and finally were out in the corridor.
She heaved a silent sigh and watched Arima's positive and bubbly appearance back. He looked almost deadly these past few days and she was worried sick for his health and mental well-being. Seeing him back at this state told Aoko that she must not fail this time, no matter what it would take her to make sure Arima would be safe.
Aoko nudged Arima close to the wall of the corridor, hoping to hide themselves better. Running would induce sound and she warned him not to do so unless instructed by her. They slowly crept along the corridor and finally reached the stairs after an eternity of tip-toeing their way over. She gave one look back at the door they came out from and almost smiled. It seemed the kidnapper still hadn't noticed their disappearance.
Down the flight of stairs, Aoko could see the outside from the huge but damaged windows on the side of the wall. The building was around five stories high and appeared very old. The interior reminded her of an old abandoned school, a perfect place for the kidnappers to hold their hostages. She always thought these plot points in books or movies were so cliché, she never once realize such cliché thing could happen to her.
"My legs are wobbly, Aoko-neechan."
"You've sat down for too long after all." Aoko whispered back. "Can you still walk?"
"It feels like ants crawling all over my leg." He cringed.
Aoko glanced back at the room again and then down the stairs. Each seconds mattered right now and she was giving no chance in wasting it at all. She stepped down a few steps and showed her back to Arima.
"I'll piggy back you. Hop on me."
"B-But… you've sat down for very long too. Don't your legs feel like there's ants crawling on it?"
She smiled. "A little. But it's okay. Hop onto me." It was the truth. The food they forced them to eat were nothing nutrition too. Her body was feeling rather weak, but the hope of seeing the sky above them again littered with stars was too tempting for her. Even if she was on the verge of death, she would find the strength within her to escape.
In the end, Arima obeyed, though with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. Aoko steadied him on her back before carefully descended down the stairs. There was still a long way to go, but Aoko swallowed down the slight familiar pain that was throbbing on her arm, along with her aching back and legs.
The pain didn't matter at first when she forced herself to continue for the sake of their safety. But when she heard the thunderous steps that followed behind her when she was reached the second floor, she realized the pain could end up being a huge burden to her.
"Shit!" Aoko breathed out, casting a glance behind her back and quickly skipped down the stairs as quickly and carefully her legs would allow her. She felt Arima's arm tightened around her shoulders and neck and it managed to feed her some strength in ignoring the vast pain that began to spread across her body.
"Stop!" The kidnappers yelled.
Why, oh why was she running again? She gritted her teeth and tried to focus her mind in her escape. It must have been karma for the times she always chased Kaito all over the school. She had always do the chasing and he do the running after all. But it was over the shot, she thought. She never feel like she deserved such a running spree from anyone at all.
Kaito.
That was when Aoko stopped on her track and she felt her heart squeezed tightly in her chest.
She recognized the kidnapper before her, the one with the long, terrible scar that cut right through his left eye. He was a terrifying man, Aoko labelled him that since the day she met him. For some reason, he treated Arima with certain level of kindness, but to her, she felt like she was just some rotten bug in his eyes.
A really, terrifying man.
She could hear Arima's sob beside her ears and she knew it was bound to be her turn soon. She was trapped. They were trapped. And she didn't know what to do anymore.
The terrifying man stalked up the stairs at ease and she took a step back, unstable. She was cornered, with nowhere to run. Up or down, it was a dead zone. Aoko considered running around the man and continue down the stairs, but her weak form reminded her that it would be pointless. It was like her mind had decided to accept this fate, to be captured again and tortured again.
Really?
No. Aoko couldn't let that happen, at least not for Arima. When the man took her wrist, she pulled back, feeling a shock running down her right arm and she cried out in pain. Like what she thought, her strength really wasn't enough. When she was doomed and stuck in his grip, she expected a blow from the man, or at least some threatening words. But there were none.
"L-Let go of me!"
Clearly ignoring her, he continued to drag them until they were shoved in between two out-of-place yet convenient walls by the windows.
It wasn't even a space fitted for two, much less three people. But the terrifying man managed to do it. He pushed Aoko to his chest, with Arima still hanging on her back and they stood like that the entire time.
"Shit! Shit!" She could hear the continuous curse coming closer and closer before it began to fade and fade, along with the steps as well. And until there was no longer any angry curses or echoes of footsteps, Aoko was able hear the sound of a soft heartbeat thumping against her ears.
Ba-thump. Ba-thump
Aoko slowly raised her head to stare at the terrifying man who was looking down at her since who-knows-when. There was something off about the man before him. She thought he often smelt of beer and cigarette, yet there was none. But that wasn't the main point.
The place around them was dark, dimly-lit. The only source of light was the full moon, casting its gentle glow inside the building. The nasty scar was something that always caught her attention whenever this terrifying man appeared before her. This time, she didn't take notice of it.
There was an emotion that lingered in his eyes for quite a while, allowing Aoko to have the time to register what the feeling could be. Until a moment passed, she decided it was relief.
Relief?
Yes. Relief. Was it possible for such a man to show this kind of expression? Aoko blinked, not sure if she was hallucinating, but it was still there.
What is going on?! Did this man… this terrifying man just… saved us…?
She understood nothing. Why did she suddenly feel so, peaceful at calm with this person? He was part of the people who kidnapped them, wasn't he? Yet...
It was when Arima's sob was becoming louder and more uncontrollable than her mind was focused back on the child. She stepped out from behind the wall and out of the small space to set Arima down and pulled him to a hug.
"Everything's alright now." Aoko looked up at the terrifying man again. She wasn't sure how fine this was, but currently as of now, maybe it was.
The terrifying man squatted beside Arima and the latter flinched. Aoko pulled the child closer to her chest, shielding him away from the man's touch. His hand hovered over the empty air before settling it back to his own side.
"It's me." Was all he said.
Aoko froze. She once swore that she would recognize the voice even if she died, but at the moment, she almost thought she couldn't anymore. It had been so long since they met after all.
"K-Kaitou Kid?"
He gave a small smile before looking over at Arima. "First thing first, we need to get out of here. But you have to stop crying though, Arima-kun."
Arima rubbed her sore eyes and shook his head repeatedly.
"He had a scare. You can't blame him for that." Aoko snapped. Even she had a scare too when she thought it was the end for them.
"I understand."
He understands? He understands?! Aoko screamed in her head. What did he understands? The terror and pain they both suffered at the hands of the kidnappers for the past three days? Her lips quivered but she bit them to stop herself from tearing up.
How could he have understood that pain? She was so scared, so fearful of what could happen to both of them. More torture? Some pain worse than death? She was afraid to face those things, and more afraid to know that a four year old child, supposedly to be innocent and naive at this age, had to go through such a thing too.
Aoko wanted to lash out right at the moment at him, but she held back. Arima was beside her after all. He didn't need another scare anymore. Biting back her own tears, she began patting Arima's back, but her effort to calm him down was fruitless. He was still in the midst of sobbing.
"Arima-kun. Look over here. The bear wants to say hi."
Kaitou Kid then waved his hand, and what displayed between his fingers was a small chocolate shaped like a bear.
The child stared at Kaitou Kid before his gaze fell onto the chocolate. Once he did, Kaitou kid waved his hand again and the chocolate disappeared.
"Oh? Where's the little bear? On my left? Or on my right?"
Aoko widened her eyes.
During her capture, she thought about a lot of things she had yet to do; Cafe-hopping around Japan, travel around the world, eat lots of food... Those that she wanted to do on her bucket list, things she wanted to try and experience. If she couldn't do it before she die, there wouldn't be much regret, just a little bit pitiful.
Then Aoko thought about a lot of other thing she had yet to do; those that would end her up in huge regrets if she never get to do before she dies. There were a couple of things, all of it revolved solely around the people she cared about more often than herself. And all these while, she kept on wishing that she had done them sooner, or even before she ended up in this mess.
She wanted to tell her father to rest, to stop chasing Kaitou Kid, to stay with her, to accompany her. She didn't know how to say her feelings through words because it just couldn't get out. She wanted to tell her father she loved him, and he was the most important person that no one would ever replace in her heart. She never told him that, not by words. But she hoped the dinners, lunch and visits to Kaitou Kid's heist could showed that she cared a lot about his well-being. Though, was that enough?
She wanted to tell Kaito she loved him. She loved him. She loved him all these time. She wanted to hug him, kiss him and make his legs wobble just by seeing her. She wanted to lie on his stomach and watch fish documentary and see him cringe in disgust. She wanted to have lots of fun with him, more in the future. She never tell him all these, but unlike her father, she didn't show her feelings to Kaito, or maybe she didn't know how. Or maybe she did and he never notice. He would never have noticed. Because she was just his childhood best friend.
And it sucked, because she always wanted to shout at his charming yet idiotic face of his.
"Stupid Bakaito! I love you!"
With a snap that brought her thoughts to an end, Aoko blinked, letting the tears to fall and roll down her cheeks. Kaitou Kid finished his trick and pulled out the chocolate bear behind Arima's ears and handed it over to the already quieten child. He pat Arima's head, ruffling his hair before looking over at Aoko.
He frowned.
"What's wrong? Are you in pain? Are you hurt?"
She wanted to tell Kaitou Kid to stop. To stop endangering himself. To stop being so idiotic. To stop acting like he wasn't a human. He was as human as she was, but he always, always made himself seemed like an unfeeling robot who only steals jewel and flirt with people. She hated how he thought he was invincible. He was not. He was just a jerk. A jerk who also showed resemblance in Kaito's famous poker face, in Kaito's famous nonchalant acts... She wanted to tell Kaitou Kid to stop acting like her Kuroba Kaito.
"Kaito…" She began and the rest of her words were caught up in her tongue. The trick. Even the chocolate bear. Why was everything about Kaito?
Kaitou Kid.
Kuroba Kaito.
Why did Kaitou Kid just had to remind her so much of Kuroba Kaito? The familiarity, the comfort. She hated Kaitou Kid. This shouldn't be happening. She loved Kuroba Kaito.
That was then sudden yells and shouts broke their moment of silence. Kaitou Kid stood up and pulled Aoko to her feet before pushing Arima and her back into the space they were hiding before.
"You two stay here. Don't come out, not even when you think it's safe. Safety will come to you."
Aoko didn't have the chance to say anything more before he ran off. The sudden shouts and yells were all incoherent to Aoko and she had no idea who or what they were shouting at or for. She squatted again beside Arima in the small confined space and enveloped him tightly as he returned the comfort.
Running steps. Shouts. Yells. Running steps. Shouts. Yell. But thankfully, there wasn't a sound of gunfire. Aoko hated that, she never ever want to hear that sound. As she wiped away the dried tears lines on her cheeks, she continued to pray and hold onto the belief about what Kaitou Kid had said.
"Aoko-neechan, th-there's something in your pocket that is making my stomach uncomfortable." Arima spoke in a soft whisper.
She wanted to tell him to be hush for a few more minutes until safety really came, but she couldn't ignore what he said. How could there be something in her pocket? Aoko released the hug and touched her side pocket of her clothes and realized it was true. Hastily, she fished out the item.
It was a glorious gem.
"Aoko is here!"
She blinked and spun her head and towards the stairs of thundering footsteps. It was the voice of a man she heard since she was born.
Aoko stood up, her legs were shaky and sweaty.
"Arima too?!"
Aoko clutched onto the gem, and with another hand, held it against Arima's mouth before he shouted back. This was too good to be true. Was it a dream? Or a bait to lure them out? But those voices…
She carefully peeked from behind the wall to check on who or what could be imitating their fathers' voice, but tears already filled her eyes before she could say anything. After releasing her hand from Arima's mouth, they sprang out of their hiding spot and cried out.
"Dad!"
"Daddy!"
Both father spun around.
"They are here!"
She landed right into her father's embrace. It was another round of long hugging, one that Aoko wished for in her whole life.
"You're safe. Aoko. I'm so sorry. Thank God you're safe. Thank you." He whispered into her shoulder and pulled her further into his chest. She squeezed him tighter.
"I love you, dad." She exclaimed in between tears and nearly choked in the process. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Still clutching onto the jewel, she gazed at what supposed to be the lucky item in her hand. It was only when Aoko blinked away her tears then she realized the only shiny thing about the gem wasn't just because of its crystal surface, but also the transmitter that had been constantly blinking at the edge of the gem too.
PHEW.
This seemed really rushed, and I won't blame anyone who thought so too. But still, I'm really glad I'm finally done with this chapter. The first part took almost forever.
Thanks for reading and reviews are really appreciated!