Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Detective Conan and Kaitou Kid are the property of Gosho Aoyama. I do not profit in any way from writing this fanfiction. This story contains spoilers for Detective Conan and Kaitou Kid, and includes quotations from the manga, anime, official wikis, and other sources.
Winterreise
Chapter I
Since the incident with the Stradivarius violin case, Kudou Shinichi — better known these days as Edogawa Conan — had crossed paths with Kaito Kid twice during the latter’s heists. Both times, the ever-boastful Suzuki Jirokichi had been involved, determined to capture the elusive thief and see his name splashed across the front pages of Japan’s newspapers. That was what happened, Shinichi thought wryly, when people had too much money and far too much time on their hands.
The first encounter had been during the Blush Mermaid heist. Kid had chosen to disguise himself as Masumi Sera — a choice that turned out to be more troublesome than expected. That girl was unbelievable. She’d even walked straight into the men’s restroom, only to be stunned by Kid when the ladies’ had been too crowded. The worst part? Kid had actually mistaken her for a boy. In the end, Sera got her revenge with a well-placed kick that sent Kid reeling before he made his dramatic escape with his hang-glider.
AL: She really can kick.
After the heist, Kid had messaged him, grumbling about how much that kick had hurt. Shinichi couldn’t muster much sympathy — in his opinion, Kid had absolutely deserved it. How on earth had he not realised that Sera was a girl?
SH: Serves you right.
AL: Aren’t you supposed to protect me?
Shinichi almost rolled his eyes.
SH: Considering who you are, I’m fairly certain you can take care of yourself.
AL: Touché.
The second meeting occurred when Kid attempted to steal the Alexandrite Green Emperor — once again from Jirokichi Suzuki. This time, however, things took an unexpected turn: Kyougoku Makoto had arrived to protect the jewel.
Sonoko had decided it was finally time to introduce Kyougoku to her parents. Her father, being an enthusiastic fan of martial arts himself, had immediately approved of the young man. Her mother, on the other hand, was firmly opposed to their relationship. Determined to prove his worth, Kyougoku accepted Jirokichi’s invitation to guard the gem, hoping to demonstrate both his skill and character.
During the heist, Kid had gone so far as to disguise himself as Sonoko — with her full cooperation, of course. It was a bold plan, but in the end, Kyougoku wasn’t fooled for long. He managed to expose Kid’s impersonation after noticing one tiny but telling detail.
SH: Kyogoku saw through your disguise because your ring finger is longer than your index finger — unlike Sonoko’s.
AL: You do know what they say about the ratio between a man’s index and ring fingers, don’t you?
Shinichi stared at his phone, momentarily speechless at Kid’s audacity.
SH: You’re unbelievable.
AL: I live to serve.
For a moment, Shinichi simply sighed, rubbing his temples. Typical Kid — incorrigible to the end.
A few quiet weeks had passed since the Alexandrite Green Emperor heist. The winter chill had crept into Tokyo, frosting the classroom windows and leaving faint clouds of condensation with every breath. Today was the last day of school before the winter holidays, and the class buzzed with a low, lazy energy.
At his desk, Shinichi sat idly scrolling through his phone, eyes half-focused on the familiar chat screen.
AL: How are you today?
SH: I was better before you texted.
He smirked slightly as he hit send, only for a soft voice to cut through the hum of the classroom.
“Flirting in the morning?” Haibara’s tone was light, teasing — just loud enough for him to hear, but quiet enough that no one else would.
“Haibara!” he hissed under his breath, shooting her a warning look.
“I didn’t know you had it in you,” she said, smirking, her tone dripping with amusement.
Shinichi sighed inwardly. Sometimes he regretted ever telling her about Kaito Kid — she’d developed a habit of teasing him at every opportunity. Still, she was the only one he could talk to about it, and for that, he couldn’t really complain.
His phone chimed again, the soft vibration muffled against the desk.
AL: How cold.
SH: How are you, then? Planning something dastardly?
AL: That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.
Shinichi couldn’t help it — a tiny, reluctant smile tugged at his lips.
Haibara caught it instantly. “You’re smiling,” she observed. “So it is flirting.”
He shot her a flat look. “It’s not flirting.”
“Right,” she said, leaning back in her chair with that infuriatingly calm smile. “You’re just emotionally invested in the international criminal who keeps texting you during class.”
Before he could come up with a retort, their teacher entered the room, calling the class to order. Haibara returned her attention to her notebook, though the small smirk never quite left her face.
Shinichi stopped replying to messages once the lesson began — even he knew better than to text during class — but as soon as the lunch bell rang, his phone was back in his hand.
Haibara gave him another one of her knowing looks from across the table, sipping her drink as if she had all the time in the world. Shinichi pretended not to notice, eyes fixed on the tiny glowing screen.
SH: You really have too much free time.
A reply came almost instantly.
AL: Maybe. But it’s much more fun when I spend it bothering you.
The rest of the Detective Boys were far too distracted to care. Genta and Mitsuhiko were already arguing over which ski slope they’d conquer first, while Ayumi chattered happily about building snowmen and having hot cocoa by the fire.
Winter holidays also meant the annual trip — this year, to a ski resort in Niigata.
Sonoko, ever the enthusiastic organiser, had arranged the whole thing. With Kyougoku Makoto away overseas for a competition, she had decided a ski trip was the perfect way to “cope with the loneliness,” as she dramatically put it. Naturally, she’d invited Ran, which meant Kogorou and Shinichi would be tagging along as well.
When the Detective Boys heard about it, there was no stopping them. Soon enough, the group had expanded to include Haibara, Professor Agasa, Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta. The more, the merrier — or at least, that was the idea.
The lunch break soon came to an end, and the class reluctantly returned to their lessons. Still, it was clear that very few were actually paying attention — the thought of the upcoming winter holidays had everyone too distracted to focus. Pencils moved lazily across notebooks, and even Kobayashi-sensei’s normally firm voice failed to hold their full attention.
By the time the final bell rang, the classroom was already buzzing with energy.
“See you all after the winter holidays!” Kobayashi-sensei announced cheerfully, clapping her hands together. “And don’t forget to do your homework!”
“Yes, sensei!” the students chorused in unison, their voices bright with excitement — far more spirited than during any lesson that day. The anticipation of a week away from schoolwork had clearly put everyone in a cheerful mood.
As the classroom emptied, chairs scraped, laughter filled the air, and students hurried to pack their bags. Shinichi gathered his things and joined Haibara, Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi at the door.
The five of them walked home together, chatting idly as the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky. Their breath came out in small white puffs, the chill in the air carrying the faint, crisp scent of snow.
“So, Conan-kun, do you think there’ll be a mystery at the ski resort?” Ayumi asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Shinichi gave a small, amused smile. “Let’s hope not.”
Haibara shot him a sidelong glance, her tone perfectly dry. “You saying that almost guarantees trouble.”
He sighed, shoulders slumping. “Yeah… I know.”
“I’m going to eat so much food at the resort!” Genta declared enthusiastically.
Mitsuhiko rolled his eyes. “You’re supposed to ski, not just eat, Genta.”
Shinichi smiled faintly at their banter, the sound of their laughter blending with the crisp winter air. The sky had deepened to a soft amber, clouds tinged with violet as they reached the intersection where they would part ways.
“See you tomorrow!” Ayumi called, waving as she turned down her street.
“Don’t forget your gloves,” Mitsuhiko reminded her, ever the responsible one.
Genta was already halfway across the road, shouting something about curry for dinner.
Haibara lingered beside Shinichi for a moment longer. “You really think the holiday will be peaceful?” she asked quietly, her eyes glinting with faint amusement.
He sighed, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. “I can hope.”
Haibara smirked. “Then I’ll pack extra medicine — just in case.”
With that, she turned and walked off down her own street, her figure soon swallowed by the soft veil of falling snow.
Shinichi adjusted his scarf and looked up at the sky. The first snowflakes drifted lazily past his glasses, melting on his skin as the cold deepened. The air smelled faintly of snow — clean, sharp, and quiet. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to believe that this time, it really would be a peaceful holiday.
He should have known better.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, Shinichi, Ran, and Kogorou were having breakfast when Sonoko burst into the detective agency, suitcase in tow.
“Morning, everyone!” she greeted brightly, stepping inside as though the place were her own home. Then again, she spent so much time there with Ran that it practically was her second home.
“Morning,” Ran replied with a smile. “Do you want some breakfast?”
Sonoko waved a hand dismissively. “Nah, I’ve already eaten.” She flopped down onto the sofa and immediately pulled out her phone, her thumbs tapping away.
“You know,” she began after a moment, eyes glued to the screen, “there are loads of tourists going to Yuzawa this year! I heard one of the big idol agencies is holding their winter party there. So there’ll be plenty of cute and handsome idols around!”
She looked up, her face practically glowing with excitement.
Shinichi glanced at her from across the table, lips twitching in faint amusement. Honestly, he thought, she hasn’t changed a bit. At this point, he was fairly sure Sonoko wanted to go to Yuzawa less for the skiing and more for the potential celebrity sightings.
Ran, used to her friend’s outbursts, only chuckled. “Just remember we’re there for the holiday, not for chasing idols, okay?”
Sonoko pouted dramatically. “Oh, come on! There’s no harm in keeping my eyes open, right?”
“Beach holidays would be much more fun,” Kogorou muttered, lowering his newspaper.
Shinichi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Probably because of the swimsuits, he thought dryly.
After breakfast, they began their road trip to Yuzawa town. The winter sun shone weakly through a pale blue sky as they loaded their luggage into the cars, their breath misting in the cold air.
Yuzawa was a popular resort town all year round, famous for its excellent skiing and snowboarding, as well as its relaxing onsen hot springs. Nestled in the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, it was one of the most convenient winter resort area from central Tokyo. By car, the 200-kilometre journey along the Kanetsu Expressway took just over two hours.
They travelled in two cars: Kogorou drove one, with Ran, Sonoko, and Shinichi as passengers, while Professor Agasa took the other with Haibara and the three Detective Boys — Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi.
They arrived at the one of the resorts around noon.
Check-in wasn’t until later, so they left their luggage in the hotel lobby and headed straight for lunch. The resort boasted a huge food court with a wide variety of options, warm and bustling with fellow tourists. It seemed like the perfect place to grab a quick meal.
“What to eat?” Ran muttered, scanning the endless choices with a slightly overwhelmed expression.
Sonoko glanced around, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Let’s find a table first,” she said, already striding towards an empty spot.
Kogorou had already spotted a free table. “I’ll sit first,” he said, waving them over.
Ran nodded, a small smile on her face. “I’ll order for you, Dad.”
Shinichi, after surveying the various stalls, declared, “I’m going to have curry rice.”
Perhaps unsure what to choose, everyone else eventually settled on the same dish. Professor Agasa, naturally, followed suit. For once, Haibara remained silent about the lack of vegetables or the calorie count — perhaps she had decided that the holiday spirit outweighed healthy eating for now.
The group settled at their table, trays clattering as they loaded them with steaming curry rice. The rich aroma of the sauce and crispy cutlets made everyone’s stomachs rumble.
“This smells amazing!” Genta said, practically leaning over his plate. “I can’t wait to dig in.”
“Try not to eat it all at once,” Mitsuhiko teased, nudging him gently. “We still have skiing ahead of us.”
Ayumi giggled. “Yeah, pace yourself, Genta!”
The Detective Boys were fully absorbed in the joys of a holiday, and even Haibara had a faintly amused expression as she quietly ate her own portion.
After finishing their meal, they gathered their trays and headed back to the hotel. The crisp winter air greeted them, carrying the faint scent of snow from the nearby slopes. The sunlight glinted off the white-capped trees and the rooftops of the resort, creating a sparkling winter wonderland.
Check-in time had arrived, so they carried their luggage to their rooms. The children practically skipped up the corridors, chattering excitedly about skiing, snowboarding, and who would beat whom on the slopes. Shinichi and Haibara shared a glance, silently acknowledging the chaos, while Kogorou and Professor Agasa followed behind with a resigned sigh, already anticipating the inevitable tumbling and shouting.
Soon, they were fully suited up and made their way to the skiing area. Shinichi moved gracefully across the snow, gliding effortlessly like a seasoned skier. Ran and Sonoko followed close behind, their skis carving smooth tracks in the fresh powder.
The Detective Boys alternated between skiing and snowboarding, occasionally racing down the smaller slopes and occasionally wobbling dangerously before regaining balance. Haibara trailed at a slower pace, keeping a watchful eye on the group, while Professor Agasa ambled behind, muttering about “the physics of snow friction” in between chuckles at the children’s antics.
Hours passed almost unnoticed, the sky gradually darkening. Even though it was only mid-afternoon, winter’s short days meant evening was settling in, and the slopes were bathed in a soft, silvery twilight. Streetlights and lamps around the resort flickered to life, their glow reflecting off the snow, giving the entire area a magical, almost otherworldly feel.
Despite the chill, the group’s cheeks were flushed with warmth and excitement, the perfect beginning to a winter holiday full of promise.
“Let’s head back,” Professor Agasa said, brushing snow off his gloves.
Haibara simply nodded, already feeling the chill creeping in as the afternoon wore on.
However, the Detective Boys weren’t ready to call it a day. Their eyes were sparkling with curiosity as they pointed off in the direction of a smaller slope nearby.
“Where are you lot going?” Shinichi called after them, tilting his head.
“We saw something on the ski slope on our way here,” Ayumi explained, bouncing slightly on her skis.
“Yes,” Mitsuhiko added, adjusting his scarf. “And we want to check it out.”
“We saw people wearing costumes,” Ayumi said eagerly, her eyes wide.
“What?” Sonoko exclaimed, spinning around to face them.
“Costumes?” Ran echoed, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Ayumi nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! They were all dressed up. Really colourful ones, too.”
Sonoko and Ran exchanged a glance. This wasn’t Halloween, so what could possibly explain people in costumes at a ski resort of all places?
“Well,” Sonoko said after a pause, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “let’s go have a look, shall we?”
The children cheered, their voices rising above the hum of the slope.
“Come on!” Genta shouted impatiently, stamping his boots on the snow. “Hurry up!”
The three of them led the way, weaving through the scattered groups of spectators, followed closely by Ran and Sonoko. Shinichi sighed, resigned to the fate of being dragged along, while Haibara and Professor Agasa trailed behind, keeping an eye on the children. Kogorou, as usual, was nowhere to be seen.
When they reached the mini slope, Shinichi’s eyes swept over the scene. The area was crowded, mostly with high school students, all laughing and jostling with each other in the crisp winter air. Above the slope hung a huge banner:
“‘Holy Night Masquerade Pair Skiing Contest’,” Sonoko read aloud, her voice echoing slightly.
“They’re students from Ekoda High School,” Ran muttered as she took in the unusual sight.
Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi were already oohing and aahing over the various costumes the students were wearing. Shinichi couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. Who on earth thought of combining costumes with skiing?
Looking closer, he noticed that even students who weren’t participating in the contest had donned costumes. There were sparkling fairy wings, oversized hats, colourful wigs, and masks of every shape and size. Some outfits were clearly elaborate, with careful attention to detail, while others seemed hastily thrown together, as if the wearer had only just decided to join the fun.
The children cheered enthusiastically for each participant as they skied down the slope in pairs, laughing and occasionally tumbling into the snow, much to the delight of the crowd.
“The last pair is Nakamori Aoko and Kuroba Kaito, right?” a student near Shinichi asked her friend.
“Yeah,” her friend replied, eyes glued to the slope.
“Look!” someone else shouted, pointing excitedly.
From the top of the slope, a pair of white lights descended, tracing a sparkling runway in the snow.
“It’s Kuroba’s doing!” another voice cried.
Shinichi groaned almost audibly. There they were: a boy dressed as Kaitou Kid and a girl in a full bridal gown. Seriously? These fans took things far too literally. And a wedding dress? Skiing in something so long and cumbersome was practically an accident waiting to happen.
“He’s wearing a Kid costume!” Ayumi squealed with delight, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Nakamori, the girl in the bridal dress, was clearly not a skilled skier. The heavy fabric hindered her movements, and she teetered dangerously backward several times. Each time, her partner in the Kaitou Kid costume caught her effortlessly, carrying her bridal-style as they continued down the slope.
They glided with precision, weaving between other participants and spectators. Then, just as they neared the bottom, the Kid-costumed skier launched them both into the air in a perfectly timed ski salto, spinning gracefully against the fading afternoon light. The landing was flawless. They skidded to a halt in front of their cheering classmates, who clapped and hollered with wild enthusiasm.
“Way to go, Kuroba!” someone cheered from the sidelines.
“That was awesome!” another student added, clapping enthusiastically.
Genta, Mitsuhiko, and Ayumi joined in, their faces alight with excitement.
The pair received a perfect score, and the announcement confirmed them as the winners of the contest.
Shinichi’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed them. Who would have thought he’d run into Kaitou Kid here? The acrobatic precision, the confident posture, the unmistakable gleam in his eyes… there was no doubt in Shinichi’s mind: that was Kid. He let out a quiet exasperated sigh. What nerve the guy had. Then again… knowing Kid, Shinichi mused, a bit of audacious recklessness was part of the package.
Author’s Note:
Hello, everyone! First and foremost, thank you so much for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a review.