It was the next day and the couple from Tokyo were together in the young detective's agency. They were expecting the arrival of the clients that were their age. Ran and Shinichi already talked about what they were going to do from now on with the two from Osaka.Shinichi was thinking hard about yesterday.
He seemed troubled or even worried while Ran was putting her hands on his shoulders trying to lessen the weight of the burden on him.She knew she wasn't a big help to him. But, Shinichi always told her what was on his mind which sometimes actually helped him decide what to do. Ran was a great listener, maybe not the wisest but definitely tried her best to help those who needed an advice.On the other hand, Shinichi was the one who needed an advice as he was taking in consideration all the possibilities.''Just relax, Shinichi. I told you everything is going to be just fine. There's no need to worry this much. With Kazuha-chan and Hattori-kun we can work things out.'' She gave him her best supportive expression, lowering her head to be besides his. He tilted his head to see her charming brillant brown hazel eyes.''Easy for a sensor to say, don't you think?'' Ran pouted at the mockery from him. However, she wasn't truly offended.''Well worrying to death won't help, you know.'' He chuckled at her expression before she seriously continued. ''To be honest, I'm also worried about both of them. Kazuha-chan is a guardian. Yet, she seems like she doesn't realise about her own abilities. While, Hattori-kun is an Ackela. He's supposed to be one of the strongest beings, but he's still a beginner. It seems like they didn't know who they truly are until recently.''
The brunette made a thoughtful face as she declared before a smile curved on her lips.''However as long as we keep an eye on them, they'll be just fine.'' The boy wondered how his girlfriend could have such an unshakeable faith. He loved how kind and hopeful she was. Even after she didn't hear about him for a month when he went aboard for a case that almost annihilated a whole city with millions of lives.She had total faith in him that he was coming back safe and sound. He smiled back at her, knowing her better than that. She was hopeful even though she was a worrier herself. He knew she would sometimes overthink things like the workaholic detective he is. He knew perfectly well he needed her to keep him believing he could do it as much as she knew she needed him to prove her right and to keep on believing in him.It had always been like this for both of them for years now. He always thought she deserved someone better than him. But, he also was selfish and as much as he was a good person he didn't want to ever let go when it came to her.Both of them stopped as Ran suddenly said.
''They're here.'' It was more like a whisper from the brunette. A moment later, they heard knocking.
''You're still good at this.'' Whispered back Shinichi and she gave him a chessy grin and a wink before heading to open the door.
''Hattori-kun, Kazuha-chan, Good morning!'' She greeted the visitors with her usual warm welcoming gesture qnd received back a greeting from them in high spirits.
''Yo, is Kudo here?'' It was of course the only thing in the western detective's mind.
''He is--'' ''Hattori!'' Came to them Shinichi qs he already started getting along with him.
''But, shouldn't you be careful about your wrist, Hattori-kun?'' Warned him Ran as she saw the two boys high-fiving and he used his injured one. It was his right hand's wrist which was inconvenient for him in his daily activities.
''Don't worry about it, Neechan.'' She heard his reply but still not convinced. Kazuha chuckled. ''Heiji isn't the type to be sulking around because he just sprained his wrist or broke a bone.'' The green-eyed girl tried to assure her.
''But seriously Heiji! Don't overuse your hand, you could have make it even worse just this morning. I can't believe I had to feed you.'' She turned at her best friend scolding him. The boy blushed and tried to hide it from embarrassment.
He was embarrassed enough just by the action itself, let alone saying it loud like that in front of his rival who only made him more embarrassed as he smirked teasing him.
''Haaaaa, so that happened. Good for you Hattori.''
''I didn't want her to!'' He yelled at him redder than ever.
Kazuha also got annoyed when she fed him. But she didn't know that both of them enjoyed it. Ran wore he knowing smile, relieved at the lively scene. She felt it strongly, good vibes coming from their presences. And she had a hunche that the four of them would come a long way together, side by side through it all, no matter who is the one facing them.
''So, first, we need to check the uncle of Takami's place.'' Planned Shinichi adding. ''Luckily, we know the address.'' The address was noted in the guy's personal informations. ''Then what are we waiting for? Let's go already!'' Stood up Heiji energetic.
Shinichi took his keys that were on his desk and the four of them got out of the agency.
''Well, I hope you find where Takami-san is.'' Said suddenly Ran and it sounded like a goodbye qs she intended to turn to the opposite side.
''You're not coming with us, Ran-chan?'' Stopped her the other girl. Ran gave her an apologetic smile. ''No, I'm busy. But, I'll stay in touch.'' Kazuha nodded and in that small second Ran and her boyfriend's eyes met with a message that she was able to decipher. Take care of yourself. his concerned silent voice audible only to her ears. Don't worry. I'll be fine.
Seconds passed like long minutes as the three of them watched her back fading away.
''Oooh, I didn't know the Great Kudo Shinichi has a girlfriend and in love.'' A female voice was heard by Shinichi that colored his cheeks 50 shades of dark red. Kazuha grinned as she teased the detective she hired qnd besides her Heiji who had the same expression making Shinichi more embarrassed.
''I don't want to hear this from you two lovebirds.'' He cleared his throat as he said that walking ahead of the two now dumbfounded osakans before they both caught up to him shouting at him that they weren't at the same time.
''See you even talk at the same time. Must be love for years, right?'' Now the smirk was on the Tokyoian detective's face.
''Oi, Aho, don't talk like me at the same time or people will start having ridiculous ideas.'' Turned Heiji to Kazuha who stood up to his insult. ''Ha?! I can say the same to you, Aho!''
Soon, the 'aho' routine happened and the annoyance on Shinichi's face started developing ah how loud they were. He regretted pushing the matter further and he mentally noted that if he would tease them again, let it be somewhere more private where the were no watching eyes.
Time passed and it was when the three of them stopped before some house. ''You sure, that's the place, Kudo-kun?'' Asked Kazuha serious all of a sudden. ''Yup, as sure as ever.''
Kazuha hesitated to ring the doorbell as she noticed by the corner of her eye how awfully silent was her childhood friend. She was stressed out already and felt as her heartbeat quickened. And in that small second, the demons of doubt in their minds resurfaced.
However, that second of hesitation was just a second and as short as how a second is supposed to last, even though it felt like a lifetime for both of them.
The doorbell was rung and they waited as someone opened the door. Yet, they didn't expect the one to open up to be a young man.
Kazuha and Heiji's eyes widened from shock.It couldn't be a coincidence, right? How could they call it luck to run into the same person twice in only two days in a row?
''Kazuha? Hattori? What are you two doing here?'' The person before them resembled to the image of the man that they were looking for.
No, not resembled. They were identicals.
Finally, Shinichi concluded that the man he was facing is Takami Robert who all this mystery was clouding on. Yet, not only did he deduct that but also his instincts told him something else. Something was very wrong with that encounter with him.
It was way too easy, for a person to be declared missing to be found in his uncle's place. Also, he couldn't miss Kazuha's reaction and frozen state.
'it's like she and Hattori are seeing a ghost.'
He thought.
''It's been awhile, Takami.''
'huh? What's wrong with this sad reaction? It's like a broken doll saying words she doesn't want to say.''
''It surely had. I missed you alot.'' Flashed them Takami a wide grin before embracing the girl in a tight hug. It alarmed Heiji that made him sent daggers as their eyes met and, unseen by Shinichi, Heiji's eyes flickered with a glow of dark red strongly for an instant as he dug his nails on Takami's arm to break off the hug.
Of course, why wouldn't he get enraged? Kazuha was being hugged by the same man that used her and hurt them. A man that represents a threat to all humanity.
''Then, I guess the case is over?'' Cut off Shinichi the reunion by his question that brought everyone back to reality that he was still standing besides them. ''Yes, thanks Kudo-kun.''
''Kazuha, Hattori, please come in qnd let's catch up, it's been already a long while since I last saw you.''
Kazuha forced a smile and she was mentally grateful he quickly let go of her or she knew Heiji would go into his Ackela form which would be quite a problem in front of Shinichi and in public at daylight.
''You're right, you flew a few weeks ago with not much of a reason why.'' Shinichi's mind froze. He looked at Kazuha who was still chatting and it made him repeat her last words inside his mind like it was some kind of a loop put on.
'Flew?! Didn't she say that he came to Tokyo by train? Then, Why?'
And his mind started working on its own, totally concentrating on everything that happened from the moment those two knocked on his agency.
''Kudo-kun, thanks for your good work. Can you, please, let us talk with Takami for an hour to catch up?''
Heiji gave Shinichi a look that told him to do as she said with no complains. The other young man got the message and did as they wanted, still with a feeling of doubt and insecurity that he shouldn't leave.
When he left out of their sights, Takami's soft voice turned to its evil tone. It sent shivers under the girl's spine as he spoke.
''Oh please come in.'' He opened the door wider and walked in, leaving it open, a sign for the other two to enter.
They both looked at each other, both in their eyes doubt hidden, unsure if they made the right choice.
However, they knew, even if it was the worst possible choice they could ever make, they knew they must take it, together they'll face the consequences.
They came to know how bitter defeat tasted like. Yet, they couldn't let the bad guy get away even if it meant they'd get more injuries than last time.
Heiji entered first, after holding firmly the girl's hand, making her her stay close behind him as she followed. He didn't want anything to harm her, he didn't want to fail in protecting her again.
They made it to the living room and it made Kazuha jump, letting a pitched-tone scream, covering her eyes at the scene she just witnessed.
The osakan bou pulled her in his arms, comforting her while eyeing, from her shoulders, the body that was laying on the carpet.
''Is he dead?'' Kazuha was trembling in his arms could only utter those words in fear. She didn't want him to let go of her because she didn't want to see that expression again. An innocent man in his 50's, with blood from his head and a face that could be compared to what really meant by 'facing the devil '.
''He must be.'' The detective was certain even from afar, he was able to deduct it.
''Not bad, from you Ackela.'' With a smug smile, proudly said Takami putting his elbows on the sofa resting his chin on his opened palms.
''You're sick, asshole.'' Cursed him, the other male, feeling the girl's tears on his chest.
''No, you're wrong. I'm a demon, Ackela. And, you're just half human, half Ackela.''
''Why did you kill him? You had absolutely no reason to kill him!'' Snapped at him Heiji, his blood boiling from anger.
''Do you really think demons need a reason to kill someone?''
Heiji wanted to throw himself at him and punch him till death. However, he couldn't move a muscle as a grip on his shirt tightened.
''Don't be reckless. He wants this.'' It was merely a whisper from the girl which made the grin vanish from Takami's face.
''You're right. We need to think.'' Heiji agreed and that surprised the other boy.
''Think?! That's absurd! What do you need to think about? Before you lies a corpse and the killer. All what you need to do is catch the killer. All what you have to do is to attack and fight me.''
Quickly, Heiji inspected the blood which turned out to be dry. ''The blood is dry. This man got killed a few hours ago at least.''
''But There's a big pool of blood. And liquid in so much quantity needs more time to dry completely.'' Joined Kazuha the conversation curious and Heiji looked at her in the eyes.
''The body still isn't making any smell which means he wasn't killed a few days ago. Besides, since the temperature is quite medium, We could narrow the time of death to less than 24 hours ago.'' The male detecive added.
Takami had an eyebrow going up from surprise and amusement, asking curious.
''And the conclusion is?''
''Between 6 to 8 hours ago, you killed him.'' Kazuha thoughtfully answered with a finger on her chin.
''Yet, you're still here. If you killed him that long, you should've been gone by now.'' Heiji stood up, going bac to Kazuha's side, facing or more like interrogating, the culprit.
''And? I can do whatever I want. Needless to say, coming here was part of my plan to have another try in encountering you two.'' Takami had that charming calm demeanor.
''You're looking for something here in this house, aren't you, Takami?'' The voices of the two osakans combined with a firm determination, pierced the act of the demon, getting him surprised. He was shocked at the excellent deduction. But, even he, can't allow himself to give in to a couple of weaklings hybrids.
A wide, cold grin drew on his features. ''You should two focus on what you're looking for instead, shouldn't you?''
The atmosphere hardened between the two sides that were separated by only a dead corpse in the middle.
''Gove me the amulet, Takami.'' Kazuha's voice, even though it almost broke, kept an unbelievable icy tone. He laughed at her.
''You're still not giving up, even now. Just as foolish as everytime y--!''
A shot cut him off qs it passed by him, barely scratching his cheek. That certainly got him off guard. And it was magic from none other than the only guardian present in the room.
It was the first time she ever used magic to attack. Not only that, but also Takami knew just by one glance that that shot was not lucky for him that it missed. She deliberately missed.
Her hands weren't shaking when she fired meant one thing. It meant that she had been practising on how to controle the magic circling through her hands.
For beginners, it should have taken them by surprise, making them shoot more reckless shots, unbalancing them, uncapable to stop it at will.
''I'm impressed, guardian. Nice shot. However...'' A sly smile was visible to the other two, yet he disappeared in an instant so fast only to reappear in a flash behind them. ''...Even on purpose, missing a shot could lead to a loss.''
Kazuha wasn't fast enough to react, not as fast as an Ackela would be able to.
Heiji didn't hesitate to rush in to protect the girl's back which, thanks to him, made Takami take a couple of steps backwards.
''This is gonna be fun.'' Takami lucked his lips in excitement.
''Kazuha...'' Heiji called the girl in a whisper, making her look at him questioningly.
''...stay behind me.'' That alone left her open-mouthed. His words were still loading inside her mind to process, and after a moment it resulted in a taint pink blush on her cheeks. As she was going to say something back, he cut her off by going after Takami head on to attack.
It was only a second that made Kazuha lost in her place before she refocused her attention again on their target.
She wasn't going to fail this mission again, she swore.
As Takami threw Heiji at a wall, she made, by her magic, something that made him land safely.
''Thanks, Kazuha.'' He thanked her with a forced smile due to pain rising again from his sprained wrist. ''Don't even mention it.'' She replied with a relieved small smile, yet worried green eyes that were able to detect everytime her childhood friend faking a smile.
''Come on, Kazuha-chan, I don't really want to ruin your face by useless fighting, dear.'' Takami's voice broke in and it was like a wake up call to the girl.
''Dream on.'' She replied back not backing down either.
She fired again. But, this time with no intention to miss. However, he was fast too. She gave him credits for dodging.
Once, twice, thrice, and as she was going to shoot a fourth time, he disappeared again.
''Behind you!'' Heiji's warning saved her by making her alert to the sneak attack.
Kazuha, with her full strength, pushed her right elbow backwards hoping to hit his face. Yet, he had evaded it somehow and a following kick by her left leg that he blocked by his forearm.
Unfortunately for Kazuha, it left her side unprotected and open which gave the opportunity for Takami to throw her by kicking it. He succeeded in throwing her back a meter and a half away, resulting her to be slammed on the wall then falling on the floor.
Karma sure is a bitch and most certainly back in business as Takami also was grabbed and then thrown at another different wall that cracked.
Kazuha's eyes widened as she understood what she saw. Yet, she most definitely wasn't happy about it. ''Oh no.'' was all what she could say in her position.
~With Shinichi~
Shinichi was walking back to his agency, with thoughts and doubts clouding his mind. He was still sure about the mistake Kazuha made earlier. But, he didn't know for certain, if it was really just a mistake or some kind of a warning.
Even if it was a warning, Shinichi was trying to come up with possibilities on why it could have been a warning.
He started feeling a headache coming from just thinking about it already.
''Ugh, these two are really going to bring me trouble.'' He said to no one in particular, before a voice stopped him in his tracks.
''Shinichi...may I ask where you are?'' It was Ran's. He wasn't surprised nor startled at the little bit because the voice he heard was actually in his head.
''On my way back to the agency, why?'' He replied back, yet strange enough, his lips didn't move as he spoke and his eyes were looking at the pavement he was walking on, not to anyone un front of him.
''What about Hattori-kun and Kazuha-chan? I don't feel their presences besides yours.''
''That's because they stayed behind. They found their classmate, Takami Robert, and it seems like the case is closed.''
''Oh, no! That's bad! Shinichi you have to go back! Kazuha-chan and Hattori-kun are in danger. This Takami guy is bad news!''
Ran's warning was serious qnd when she is almost obliging Shinichi to do something, most likely, she would be right.
Thanks to her last words, something clicked inside his brain, like he found the answer to some mystery, like a piece fit in the puzzle.
The detective changed his direction back to where he just came from, running towards it, still trying to uncover other mysteries. His mind was running faster than his legs, and questions rose more than answers.
If Takami Robert is bad news, that would explain the slip up from Toyama-san, which is actually a warning. But, if it's true, why would they be looking for someone like that?
Is he really just their classmate? Is there something else Hattori and Toyama-san didn't tell us about this guy? Could he be behind yesterday's attack too?
''Ran, what's the situation?'' The girl replied after a moment of silence. He knew that she was focusing on the others' presences in that moment.
''Kazuha-chan must be using her magic. Another presence is giving me an awful feeling, but it most unlikely to be Hattori-kun's.''
''What about Hattori?''
''...It's bad...Shinichi, be careful, Hattori-kun...is in his Ackela form. I'm sensing an Ackela.''
Kazuha's eyes widened as she came face to face with her childhood friend, just in his Ackela mode, which made her slightly tremble. His eyes, his bloody red eyes, demanded nothing but to destroy the man before his eyes as his aura reeked with nothing but vengeance mixed with pure loathe.
Kazuha wanted to stop this. She surely wanted to get up and stop the madness that her friend is going pull.
But, she was afraid. Everytime, she tried to pull herself up together and stand up, her knees would soon betray her only to put her back in her place. It reminded her again. She was helpless. Again. She didn't dare to call him. She didn't even have the courage to breathe loudly, let alone speak up.
''You finally show your true nature, Ackela. Well too bad for you, there doesn't seem to be any humanity left in you.'' Takami got up and cleaned dirt from his clothes with a sly smirk. And as he observed the Ackela before him. He noticed that he didn't seem to understand a word from what he had just said.
''I see, you're already devoured by the stronger half in you. That's to be expected, but still...'' The smirk was dropped and cruelty were dancing in Takami's eyes as he glared back at Heiji. ''...You're just a disappointment.''
''No humanity left?!'' A voice raged within the room. Takami glanced at the girl and replied nonchalantly.
''Well, of course, darling, you didn't think a half human can stand the changing to an Ackela.''
''I'm not talking about that.'' She shut him off by that phrase. Kazuha forgot all about her fear.
It was more like pressed by anger. It was what fueled her to speak up with confidence.
'' I know about all the Ackela stuff and half-half risks and all. I know about the enormous pain Heiji is having right now. I know that he's not really himself.''
With small unsteady steps, she walked towards them adding.
''I don't know how much pain he's going through. I don't know if he even remembers me right now. It's true, he doesn't look human like this. And I always end up hurt of I try calling him by his name in this form.''
The girl's legs really wanted to stop her. Yet, her mouth and temper would always be one of two things : either her savior or her very own downfall.
''But! You! Disguising as a human yet a full-blooded demon. You don't have the right to be talking about humanity! Humanity that you are trying to destroy with my mother's amulet.'' She stopped to be standing just besides Heiji, who oddly didn't move a muscle.
Kazuha stole a few side glances at her dear friend, obviously worried sick about him, and quite curious on why so silent he was just now. Normally, the second she tried to do anything, he'd instinctively attack. It was something Hattori Heiji couldn't controle.
It was something his instincts, his Ackela side, could only controle.
She wondered. Was he calmer this time? Could this be one of the first and only times she could approach him without attacking her, and attempting to kill her.
''Debateable, Kazuha-chan. Yet, you're supposed to be smarter than him, right? You know, why the Ackela appeared, right? It's because he wanted it to appear.''
''Ackela or no Ackela, with every breath he breathes, Heiji is Heiji. He's still that idiot addicted detective to mysteries and rivaling with Kudo-kun. He's stubborn and strong-headed, a jerk for always ditching me for another case. He got a strong sense of justice that sometimes get him in trouble and yet he still smiles brighter everytime. Each time, he gets thrown into another impossible situation, he makes a way out, without hurting anyone. He's caring in his own way. He's loud. But, sometimes could be understanding when it's needed.
It feels ridiculously stupid saying those things and still being alive besides him as an Ackela. But, I just don't like it, as you just assumed that he has no humanity left in him.''
Takami crossed his arms, and it seemed like he was enjoying some kind of a show.
''Kazuha-chan, what is this? Is this your way of confessing to Hattori-kun, like how everyone back in school was waiting for?''
A tear quickly escaped Kazuha's left eye.
''Don't try to act like we're friends, Takami.''
''Apologies, I just wanted to ease the tension. But, it seems you're as serious as ever.'' Kazuha slowly put her hand on Heiji's shoulder with ultimate carefulness.
''You want to tell me, that the Ackela still has some humanity left. Kazuha-chan, aren't you dreaming a little bit too much?''
''I'm not, Takami. Heiji had never lost his humanity from the very beginning. That's what I know. And I can say it again, as a half human, me and him, Hattori Heiji doesn't and will never lose his humanity even if he becomes an Ackela!''
Kazuha's voice was getting louder and sure by the second.
''Kazuha?'' A warm hand was on hers that rested above the boy's shoulder made her tilt her head to see none other than a pair of blue eyes.
Heiji was looking at her. Heiji's hand was touching hers, and it was a result she never thought she could make.
Her Heiji was back.
''Impressive. So, he wasn't completely devoured yet.'' Takami's voice interrupted them. ''You're truly such an odd pairing.''
He added looking at them two with empty eyes, deprived of any emotion.
''I didn't hurt you, did I?'' Heiji asked cupping with his free hand Kazuha's cheek. The girl smiled sincerely, and shook her head as an answer. She was too happy to hear his voice, that she forgot that they were in the middle of a dead man's living room facing his killer.
''We're back to square 1, you two.'' From boredom, cut them off Takami, obviously annoyed by the atmosphere as he could make out hear-shaped eyes from Kazuha to Heiji.
''Hattori!...'' They all heard loud and brutal knocking and the three of them recognized the voice of the Eastern detective of Japan.
''Well, it doesn't seem to be really square 1.''
Kazuha kneeled as she put both her hands on the floor casting a spell.
''Let's give our visitor a good hello.''
''You think that was a stupid call back then, Kazuha?'' Heiji looked upon her as she was focused on her spell. She chuckled.
''It's not gonna be more stupid than this idea, alright.''
As Takami was going to open the door, it seemed like his hand could never grab the doorknob. He tried then teleporting. He did disappear only to reappear after a second empty-handed.
''I see the spell is claustration, right?''
''Yes, a perfect isolation for you from going outside. You'll be stuck in the inside for as long as I want you to.''
Takami stopped from trying to go outside, as he got interested by the little trick that he just had been shown.
''Or as long as I need till I finish you two up. And then the spell would be broken.'' Kazuha gulped knowing that could work.
''Let's get this over with. I'm starting to get hungry.'' Heiji stepped with a pile in his hands. He's his kendo's team captain in the end. So, no wonder why he sounds so confident.
Heiji charged in, attacking like he was in a kendo match. Takami dodged, but seemed a bit slower. He was waiting for an open spot to strike back.
However, everytime he found one, Kazuha would interfere by protecting the dark-skinned detective with her magic.
Takami seemed at a disadvantage. Yet, he wasn't the only one.
Casting a spell and using magic to protect her friend also takes quite a big effort making her getting closer and closer to her limits. Kazuha was sweating and was trying her best to hold on for as much as she could. This was her first real fight using so much magic in the end.
-With Shinichi-
Shinichi was knocking and shouting his clients' names for a while now. ''I just hope they're both okay.'' He prayed before deciding to check out around the house.
He soon found a window and was able to see through it a dead body on the floor and not far away from it Kazuha that seemed quite tired. He made his mind to break the window and to get in, and it was when he found an empty cola can on the ground, which made a good idea coming to his mind.
Heiji and Takami were still clashing, and it was by coincidence that they went near a window. As Heiji was going to attack again, Everyone heard some glass crashing before Takami fell on the ground passing out.
''What the...?!'' Heiji couldn't even finish his sentence as he got freaked out a little before noticing a cola can besides Takami's head that came from nowhere.
''Yo, Hattori, Toayama-san, You okay?'' It was Shinichi, waving at them, as he was sitting on the window to get in.
''Kudo!'' / ''Kudo-kun!'' Both of them were surprised yet happy to see him.
Kazuha uncasted her spell and it was when all the fatigue consumed her body and mind that made her unable to move.
''Oh! What have I done?'' Startled was Shinichi qs he saw Takami on the floor with the same cola can he just threw, not a minute ago, besides his head.
''I just hope he's not dead by that.'' He soon got relieved as he found that he still got a pulse.
The two guys heard a fall and they turned to the sound of it. It was Kazuha who seemed to also have passed out from exhaustion.
They yelled her name running towards her.
''Hey, Zuha, you alright? Please open your eyes.'' The blue ocean-eyed boy put his hand on her cheek, trying gently to wake her up. But, it seemed fruitless.
''Let's just carry her to a hospital or back to my agency.'' Heiji nodded, agreeing that it was the right thing to do. He picked her up, while Shinichi was calling the police to arrive for the dead owner of the house.
They both left quickly. Heiji told Shinichi that he preferred that they'd go to his agency better than a hospital as he knew that Kazuha only fainted due to overusing her magic and that she only needed rest to wake up.
Shinichi as curious as he was, wanted to ask him for an explanation. Yet, he knew it may not be the perfect time for it.
The Tokyoian opened the door of his agency and let Heiji in, who put Kazuha on the couch.
''I'm going to the bathroom. Can you watch over Kazuha for me, Kudo?'' The dark-skinned boy asked politely, for some reason thinking that he can trust Kudo on something like this. However, the other detective noticed as Heiji's left hand was touching his right wrist.
''Of course, second door to your right.'' Shinichi smiled and then went to sit on the other coach facing the sleeping Kazuha.
Minutes later, Heiji returned and seemed doing better before he went in.
''How's your wrist doing, Hattori?'' Asked the eastern detective. It surprised Heiji at first before he replied.
''It's alright, don't worry about it.'' He smiled widely.
''Take good care of it. It may actually get broken by being reckless, you know.'' Heiji chuckled at the comment made by Shinichi, as he understood that he found out why he wanted to go to the bathroom.
''Well, do you have any painkillers, Kudo?'' Shinichi smiled and stood up to bring some to him.
As he returned, his phone rang. He picked up the call and when he ended it, he shared the news.
''The police went to that house. They found the dead body and it turned out he's the owner of the house. However, the police didn't find any sign of Takami Robert there.''
''He must have regained consciousness, before the police arrived at the scene.'' Concluded Heiji.
''Why do you think he ran away, without helping his uncle, Hattori?'' Shinichi, in the end lost to his patience and couldn't hold himself back from asking.
Heiji's expression darkened and he turned around trying to hide the truth under the name of checking up on Kauzha.
''I don't really know.''
''But, when we first went there, Takami definitely was there. And by the looks of it, the victim was killed sometime ago. So, there was long enough time for him to discover the body. Yet, he did nothing and looked so fine.'' Shinichi was persistant while Heiji remained silent not knowing what to say. This time there was no convenient lie for him to use like always.
Luckily for him, the door was opened to reveal Ran entering in a hurry.
''You're back already, guys!'' Ran acted surprised, but in reality, she came qs fast as she could after Shinichi called her and told her that they returned back to the agency.
''Hi, Neechan.'' Politely greeted her Heiji, quite thankful that he escaped the interrogation from her boyfriend thanks to her.
''Is Kazuha-chan fast asleep?'' She asked at the sight of the girl.
''She needs a nap.'' Answered her Heiji trying to keep it short.
''In that case, you should have better covered her up with a blanket, she might get a cold.'' The female went to bring a blanket and put it on the sleeping girl.
''Well, what about lunch, you two? I'm starving!'' Heiji announced.
''I ate not long ago. So, I'll pass.'' Ran turned down the offer.
''I know a good ramen restaurant. What do you say about trying it, Hattori?''
''Sure thing. Why not?''
The two guys both left after Heiji had requested for Ran to watch over Kazuha and to call him if she wakes up.
-TIME SKIP-
It was already 4pm when Kazuha had slowly opened her eyes tiredly. She felt something on top of her covering her and it turned out to be a blanket. She inspected her surroundings and recognised the place to be Shinichi's detective agency.
''Why am I back here?'' Kazuha self-questioned sitting properly.
The room had such a warm atmosphere with the color of an orange sunset that was dominating the sky at that moment.
'''Zuha, you're finally awake. You certainly took your time to sleep.''
That voice, she could recognise it anywhere and at any time. And she didn't need to turn around, to see Heiji behind her standing from behind the sofa with a satisfied smirk on his face, to know that it was really him.
''Heiji!'' She half-jumped on the sofa, excited, with her arms that found their way around his neck.
''I'm glad you're okay.'' She honestly admitted before taking breaking the hugas she remembered his injury that she was still blaming herself for.
''How's your wrist doing?''
''It's fine. I just came back with Kudo from a Ramen restaurant after solving a case there.''
''Oh my god! I can't believe even in Tokyo you're such a homicide magnet, Heiji.''
Kazuha, gently with her fist, bumped it at his left shoulder while he pouted.
''It's not like I go everywhere yelling for someone to kill someone else.'' She giggled at his answer before Shinichi and Ran entered the room.
''Kazuha-chan! You woke up.'' The voice of the girl made a smile on Kazuha's lips.
''Yup, Thanks for letting me sleep.'' She was facing Ran before turning to Shinichi adding
''Sorry, you got involved in a case because of Heiji's streak of bad luck.''
It was Shinichi's turn to laugh this time, amused by what she said. He waved off her unnecessary apology. ''It's no bother at all. Actually, I don't think my luck is better than his.'' The girl with a ponytail smiled at him with closed eyes, nodding happy it was fine by him.
Passing by dozens of citizens, he took a left turn towards a dark alley. Strangely enough, there was no one there.
''Don't worry, I still have the key.'' By his hand, he pulled his hair back smoothing it.
''Good. Careful. It gets tricky when you loose it. Remember that.'' It was a female voice for sure.
From under the hoodie, you could be able to only see a dark red matt lip gloss, with a small mole just above her lips. It only made her prettier and more mysterious at the same time.
''Aren't you really pessimistic.'' The guy joked with some honesty mixed in his words. However, he got no reply. And when he looked ahead of him to see his companion, he was only able to catch her disappearing from his sight.
A few other seconds passed before he sighed as he added, to no one in particular anymore. ''And rude too.''