Chapter Text
It had been 3 years since Snake and his organization takedown. It had been 2 years since Kaito entered a university in Tokyo together with his childhood friend, Nakamori Aoko and his not-really-a-friend, Hakuba Saguru.
And all those years up until now, never once, Kaito fell out of love with Aoko.
Thus, when Aoko suddenly told him that she was dating someone from her psychology class, Kaito had been shocked and his heart had been broken into pieces. Gathering his strength, he had congratulated his childhood friend and had given a big smile to hide his pain. Kaito wondered if Aoko had been suspicious of him when he had been quick to excuse himself from her.
So, here he was, in his dorm with a blanket wrapped around himself, feeling depressed with Hakuba watching him. Because unfortunately, that bastard had ended up being his dorm mate and currently his mother hen.
"Can you stop being grumpy now? It's been 4 days, 30 minutes, 13 seconds and 2 milliseconds since you last got out of here. Nakamori-san and the others are worried, you know."
Kaito pulled the blanket tighter to himself. He couldn't help it. Two days after she had told him the news, he had seen Aoko with her new boyfriend and Kaito had known it was enough. He couldn't take it anymore and just wanted to hide himself from the world.
After all, Kaito had been hoping Aoko would finally agree to be his girlfriend once he had settled with KID, which he still had not, because he had not found Pandora yet. He had hoped too high for her after she had forgiven him, but he should have known better than that. He should have not been too selfish.
He heard Hakuba sigh suddenly.
"Okay, fine. If you don't want to get out to meet the others, how about you make a heist."
Kaito perked up at that and opened his blanket a little. He felt his lips quirk up.
"My, telling me to break the law? I thought you're a detective, Hakuba. Besides, don't we have a test next week?"
Hakuba gave him a glare and Kaito snickered at that.
During the takedown, Kaito had received help from many people including Hakuba and the cost had been his true identity. After listening to Kaito, he was relieved to know that Hakuba didn't want to catch him anymore, but still would continue to chase him whenever there was a heist.
Since then, they have a better friendship. Kaito also would tease Hakuba for not being a good detective sometimes. Like, right now. He was still a bastard after all.
"That's not it and you know it. Besides, all of us know you're smarter than you let on", Hakuba huffed at him and watching him in distress, made Kaito giggle and smirk at the compliment he had received before he stopped and looked out the window.
"Yeah, yeah. You just want me to show the others that I'm fine by making the heist, right?"
Hakuba hummed at him and Kaito groaned. He then laid down on the bed with a loud thump.
"Isn't it enough for them if you would tell them I'm okay."
"They are tired of that and want to meet you. They want to see you themselves. Besides, I know you're still in pain, but Aoko still needs you as her longest friend."
Hakuba stood up and went to pick up his things for his next class. Kaito watched him closely with a frown on his lips. Hakuba then opened the door and Kaito couldn't help but close his eyes at the sudden brightness.
"Think about it, okay?"
Kaito blinked at the softness of Hakuba's words right before he closed the door. Staring at the door, Kaito turned to stare at the ceiling after that. Trying to think logically and pushing his emotions aside, Kaito shook his head and sighed.
"Fine! I'll do it!"
He took out his phone and typed in a number.
"Jii-chan."
.
With his usual white suit, Kaito walked calmly towards his escape, which was the biggest balcony on the third floor of the building, because he knew no one was following him. After all, the task force was busy chasing his dummy.
"Well, I guess I need to thank Hakuba later", he whispered to himself while climbing the stairs.
After he had called Jii, the older man was shocked, because Kaito himself had told Jii that he wouldn't hold a heist during the test week. But, still searching for a gem that might be Pandora, Kaito had planned a heist. The heist had been fun, especially when he got to mess with Hakuba and Hattori with slime and glitter. Everything was fun, except the part Aoko had attended with her boyfriend. Kaito couldn't help but feel bitter at the memories.
Oh.
Right.
There was one more thing that had made the heist less fun.
The absence of Kudou Shinichi.
He wondered why the detective had not been there with his detective friends. Wasn't he worried about Kaito? After all, they were friends!
Kudou Shinichi had been one of few friends who had helped him during the fight with Snake. He had said that he had just wanted to return the favor for helping him during the BO takedown. Thus, the detective knew his real identity now and had become closer with him, especially after they had attended the same university.
That had gone the same with Hattori.
"Guess Kudou is busy with his cold case, huh?", Kaito mumbled with his eyes closed while opening the door of the room that had the largest balcony. Stepping into the room, Kaito startled when he heard an amused chuckle. Kaito opened his eyes and right in front of him stood Kudou with his bright smile, the moonlight surrounding him.
"Idiot, do you think I'm a bad friend or something? After days he trapped himself in his sadness without letting anyone in and finally decided to become himself again, how can I miss the chance to see if he's okay or not."
Kaito raised his eyebrow at the sharpness of the detective's ear. Kudou really liked to amaze him sometimes. He let himself grin to counter the comment.
"Can't be helped. You're always the one who is the most excited when I organize a heist and to know you were not down there to watch my show, the only reason I can think of is due to those cases."
Kaito continued stepping towards the detective, knowing Kudou wouldn't move from his spot. Once his body was really near to Kudou's, Kaito wondered if the pink blush on the detective's face was an imagination or real. Kudou's cough interrupted his thought and he gave Kaito a judging look.
"So? Want to put off your poker face?"
"Why didn't you watch my brilliant show?", Kaito asked back. They looked at each other's eyes for a moment before Kudou sighed and looked away from Kaito.
"I didn't want to see your hurting face. I mean, Nakamori-san was also there with her boyfriend, wasn't she?"
Kaito blinked at that. He had not expected that and yet, Kaito let himself grin at the answer.
"Wow! I didn't know you had a soft spot for me", Kaito teased him and the detective growled at him. Kaito giggled at the reaction. Really, the detective really was too fun to tease most of the time.
"So?"
"Hm?"
"Want to tell me what you've been hiding inside of your broken heart?"
Kaito winced. The way Kudou glared at him also didn't make it easier to not be nervous. Kaito huffed and sat down because knowing the task force, they probably had another 5 minutes. Kudou followed suit.
"It's just... I've been in love with Aoko since we're teens. But then, KID came into my life and everything went downhill because she hated KID, you know. Whenever she cursed KID, it hurt me. I thought, I wouldn't have a chance. I thought of moving on, but couldn't. Thus, when she found out I was KID and she forgave me, I got my hopes up. Maybe, maybe she loves me too, was what I thought.
Then, when she told me that she has a boyfriend now, I couldn't help but feel betrayed. I know it was wrong of me. Aoko probably doesn't even know I'm in love with her, but still.... I just wish she would have picked me. We've been together since we were kids. I know her better than anyone else."
Kaito gripped his hand into a fist, filled with frustration. He turned to look at Kudou with surprise when the other put his hand on top of Kaito's grip with his face turned away from him.
Again, Kaito wondered if the blush on the detective's face was his imagination or not. Not wanting to think about it longer, Kaito shook himself and smiled at the little gesture of his friend.
"Well, maybe I was right", Kaito started slowly with a melancholy tone.
"I don't deserve anyone. I mean, I'm KID. A criminal, a thief! A stupid arrogant thief like how Aoko would call me back then. Really. I should have known that. A stupid thief who is searching for a stupid magical gem. I love to lie and am annoying too."
Kaito laughed darkly.
"Who would ever love someone like me? No one, I tell you. No one."
Kaito yelped when Kudou suddenly pinched his arm. He scolded the detective but Kudou ignored him. After that, he stood up right in front of Kaito with his arms crossed on his chest and a frown on his lips.
"Don't you dare say that! I'm sure there's someone out there who will love you or even is in love with you right now!"
Kaito startled and looked at the detective with emotionless eyes before pushing himself to stand right in front of the detective.
"How can you be so sure?", Kaito asked with a monotonous tone. The last thing he expected was Kudo to hug him suddenly. As he finally realized what had happened, Kaito got flustered.
"Eh! K-Kudou?!"
"Because", Kudou started and Kaito stopped struggling at how serious the other sounded.
"Because KID... no, you aren't a real criminal. You just want to find something important to avoid disaster from occurring. You used yourself as bait to take down the bad guys. You steal things and return them back to the owners that deserve them. And even if you lie, you do that for good reasons. You also like to annoy others because you want to make us smile."
Kudou pulled out from the hug and put his hands on Kaito's cheeks. He just continued while Kaito stared at him with wide eyes.
"Besides, you're charming and talented. Sometimes, despite your perverted attics, you can be a gentleman and kind too when you want. So, please, don't say that. Plus, if you love someone, you'll accept everything they are, right, Kuroba?"
Kaito couldn't help but nod at the words. He couldn't help but stare at how beautiful, soft and sparkling the other's eyes were right now. When he saw Kudou smile at him like he was the best thing he had seen in his life, Kaito blushed lightly. Kudou was still blushing brighter though.
At that, Kaito concluded the blushing Kudou he had seen just now had not been his imagination at all.
Suddenly, the rushed footsteps startled them both. Kudou quickly retreated his hands from Kaito's cheeks, which made Kaito sad inside to lose the warmth, and looked away with a redder face if that was even possible.
"W-well, you're still an idiot, though. Like, the biggest idiot I know", he mumbled and Kaito blinked at the sight in front of him before cracking into a laugh. A real laugh after so long. He laughed and laughed and Kudou clicked his tongue. That made Kaito laugh louder.
"Stop it!", Kudou snarked at him and Kaito wiped his tears away. Finally calming himself down, he gave Kudou a genuine appreciative smile. The blush that had eased down, came back to his cheeks.
Kaito began to like how cute the other was right now.
"Thank you, though. Really. You always know what to say when I'm in a bad mood. Sometimes, I wonder why."
"Maybe it's because I understand how you feel."
Kudou looked at him with a sad smile. Kaito's heart ached at that and his brain kept saying how wrong it was. Thus, he bowed and took Kudou's hand before kissing the back of his hand.
"Well, take it as my gratitude, alright."
He looked at the detective and yes, Kudou was blushing again. Good. That expression suited him better.
"KID!!!"
"Well, that's my calling. See you later?"
Kaito winked and Kudou quickly took his hand away and placed it on his chest as soon as the task force entered the room and screamed KID's name. Kaito grinned like a maniac and threw his smokescreen before running towards the balcony and jumped off. A soccer ball suddenly hit his monocle after that.
.
"So?"
Shinichi looked at Hakuba and Hattori, who were walking in front of him, in annoyance. The two other detectives just turned to him and blinked like innocent kids. Shinichi stopped and he could feel how his eyebrow was twitching hard.
"I know both of you are not dumb enough to not dodge Kuroba's trap just now. Thus, both of you must have planned that ahead and decided to leave me alone with him when I told you I was going to wait for him at his escape. Now, the real question is, why?"
Both of them looked at each other for a moment before they laughed, Shinichi really wanted to hit both of them with his precious soccer ball.
"Isn't it obvious, Kudou?", Hattori asked while trying to catch his breath. Shinichi was satisfied when the Osakan detective suddenly stopped as he sent death glares at him.
"What is?"
Hakuba's cough made Shinichi turn to him. He raised his eyebrow at the British detective before Hakuba started talking.
"Well... when someone you love is sad, you will spill out and even do embarrassing things to cheer them up. So, we left you two alone, to ensure we didn't hear and see any of those."
"Or who knows, we would vomit in front of both of you, if we hadn't left you alone", Hattori added.
Shinichi could only blink twice at them before his eyes widened and blushed bright red.
"I'm not in love with him, you idiots!"
He scowled at them and started to walk again, leaving his friends. He could hear fast footsteps before Hakuba and Hattori were now walking side by side with him, with Shinichi in the middle.
"Oh, come on, Kudou! Stop denying your feelings. Everyone knows you love Kuroba", Hattori said and tried to walk a little bit ahead of him after that.
"I need to agree with Hattori-kun for once. Only Kuroba-kun doesn't know about your feelings, Kudou-kun."
Hakuba sighed and also took a bit gap from Shinichi after that.
"Can both of you stop it. It's annoying!", he shouted and apologized when everyone around them looked disturbed with their presence. They continued to walk together in silence.
Shinichi couldn't help but be thankful for that and felt amused because his two friends kept their gap between them. After silence echoed between them for a while, Hattori decided to talk again.
"So, when are you going to confess to him? You know I don't want to see you with another broken heart just because you are late", Hattori stated softly and Shinichi stopped before turning to look at Hattori now, who had stopped first, with surprised eyes.
His best friend's eyes were filled with warmth and he looked so protective. Shinichi could feel his breath hitch. A hand suddenly was put on his left shoulder and Shinichi turned to look at Hakuba after that. His eyes had the same look as Hattori's.
"I don't know what happened in the past, but one thing I know is, that idiot wouldn't know until you say your feelings out loud to him", Hakuba told him with the same softness in his voice.
Because he couldn't take it anymore, Shinichi moved his eyes away from both of their eyes.
He gritted his teeth and gripped his hand into a fist before whispering out; "It's fine. Really."
Shinichi was quiet for a moment before he finally released a sigh. He let his tense body relax a bit.
"I'm okay if I just stay as someone who can support him and not more than that, you know."
Shinichi turned to both his friends with a smile.
"Besides, being with me would be bad for him because I have bad luck and all that. That's why I'm okay with what he and I have now. So, please, can we not talk about this anymore?", Shinichi pleaded to them and they looked surprised, probably because Shinichi rarely asked for something like that.
Once they nodded, Shinichi started to continue his walk. He was thankful when both Hattori and Hakuba didn't follow him.