Archive of Our Own ^beta

“You're being reckless.”

“No, I’m not,” Shinichi Kudou replied calmly, holding the phone with one hand. “I think you guys are overreacting.”

“A remnant of an international black organization has issued you a death threat, and you believe we’re the one who overreacting?” Akai Shuichi, an excellent FBI agent who has cooperated many times with the young detective, spoke with an uncharacteristic tone of irritation. “You should be hiding in our safe house.”

“Unfortunately, I disagree,” Kudou said, tapping his finger rhythmically on the table. “I have my own work and life. I have several cases to handle right now and can’t just run away because of a desperate, possibly empty threat from a small fry who I already took down two years ago.”

“I’ve been hiding for two weeks already,” he sighed, frowning. “I can’t keep running forever. If the purpose of destroying the organization wasn’t to allow us to live peacefully, then what was it all for, Mr. FBI?”

The other side of the line fell silent. Enjoying this brief moment of stillness, Kudou curled his lips slightly. When the agent finally spoke again, his tone carried a trace of resignation: “Kid, your mind is a valuable asset to us. And as someone inadvertently involved, we have an obligation to ensure your safety. At least let our security personnel follow you when you go out.”

“Having a bunch of big, intimidating guys in suits follow me everywhere?” Kudou shook his head. “That would frighten my clients and hinder my freedom of movement.”

“Then how about this — our main personnel will stay hidden, and you’ll have only five bodyguards with you.”

Kudou still disagreed: “If I’m accompanied by that many, I’ll lose my sense for detecting surveillance. Besides, five is overkill.”

Akai persisted, making a few more suggestions, all of which Kudou rejected. Finally, Akai sighed in defeat: “At the very least, we’ll assign one ‘specialist’ to follow you around. They’ll ensure your safety. Is that acceptable?”

Before Kudou could respond, Akai reverted to his firm, authoritative tone as an elite FBI agent: “If you still refuse, kid, I’ll have to force you into a safe house. The only reason I haven’t done so yet is out of respect for your previous contributions and accomplishments.”

“But remember,” Akai’s voice turned lighter, almost teasing, “as long as you don’t officially join our organization, to us, you’re still just a civilian. We have a duty to arrange protection for you, and it’s also for the FBI’s reputation.”

Kudou remained silent for a while, like a stubborn child reluctantly yielding to an adult. He could sense the persuasive undertone in Akai’s words, yet he knew that if he joined, he’d face even greater constraints. He was content with his current freedom, accepting the cases he wanted and investigating as he pleased. The implications behind Akai’s words made him momentarily want to rebel and join Mr. Amuro’s Public Security Bureau out of spite. But in the end, he sighed softly, rubbing his forehead: “Fine.”

“Good,” Akai replied. “I’ll arrange for an emergency personnel transfer. Please stay at home today. The ‘specialist’ will arrive at your door tomorrow morning. Remember to treat them nicely — being urgently reassigned isn’t easy.”

“Alright, alright,” Kudou replied with a sigh.

Early morning is the best time of the day. Kodou, who had just woken up, planned to make himself a cup of coffee to clear his head. However, he quickly realized that he had run out of coffee beans the day before. He was eager to go out and buy some but then remembered Akai’s instructions to stay put until his contact arrived. Sighing deeply, he sat on the steps, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

In fact, Kodou didn’t think the FBI’s “protection” measures were excessive at all — he had already been through this once. After the first takedown of the organization, the FBI provided him with comprehensive protection to prevent any possible retaliation. Although they didn’t severely restrict his movements, he couldn’t go about his day with a large entourage, especially not to school. It was understandable that Kodou resisted the intense protection. After all, he had fought tooth and nail to defeat the final boss, only to be deprived of the “reward” of a peaceful life because of the overreaction of his allies. The FBI’s round-the-clock protection left him feeling suffocated, to the point of developing a psychological shadow. Since then, he began opposing their interference in his personal life — imagine having a group of black-suited agents nervously guarding you, even during a date while setting off fireworks. That would definitely ruin the mood.

Though he had managed to reduce the requirement to one bodyguard, this person, who had been urgently reassigned and had Akai’s full confidence, would likely impose further restrictions on his life. Thinking about it, Kodou sighed again. Just then, the doorbell rang outside.

Reluctantly, Kodou walked to the door and opened it. Sunlight streamed in, and the greenery swayed in the light, casting shadows on the snow-covered pathway. For a moment, he didn’t see anyone, causing him to grow slightly wary. Was it a sniper? He was about to pull back inside when he noticed a vague figure in the shadows. The person wore a black zip-up hoodie, black pants, and a black baseball cap, blending perfectly into the darkness. Their presence was barely noticeable, like a perfect shadow.

“Good morning, Kodou Shinichi-kun,” the figure said in a flash, stepping into the sunlight. The brim of the cap seemed to briefly reflect a blue glow as the person extended a hand. Like magic, a pale fingertip flashed a badge — an FBI emblem, but with a design more obscure in black and silver rather than the usual blue and gold. A low, unfamiliar voice came from under the cap. “I’m the special agent assigned to protect you during this period. You can call me Mr. K. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s him,” Akai’s voice crackled through the earpiece, giving confirmation. “During this time, we’ll do our best to ensure your freedom as an ordinary citizen, but please cooperate with his instructions. He’ll ensure your safety, moving silently like a shadow. This means that when he starts working, you must follow his lead.”

Kodou looked at the person who would be with him day and night for the foreseeable future. He tried to glimpse the face beneath the black cap, but the figure evaded his gaze smoothly. Clearly, he was indeed a “shadow,” and that sparked a sense of competition in Kodou. He removed his earpiece, switched it off, and put it into his pocket. Since everything had been entrusted to this person, there was no need to keep listening to Akai’s orders.

“Don’t you have a name?” Kodou asked, raising his chin slightly. “K doesn’t sound like a proper codename. With only 26 letters, it’s not enough to distinguish, and there’s a high chance of duplication, which could easily lead to confusion.”

The person tilted their head and smiled faintly, their fingers slightly moving as if rolling a silver coin, though Kodou could only see the faint blur of its reflection in the sunlight — almost like moonlight. It wasn’t the bold, shining silver of a full moon, but a subtle, hidden crescent in the shadows.

“I’m what you’d call a ‘shadow agent’ in a special division,” the person replied with a smile. Though still hidden in the darkness, the smile under the cap showed no hint of gloom. “I don’t have an official codename, and my name is hidden, unspeakable. I only have a manageable combination of numbers and letters, with K as the initial. Isn’t it easier to just call me that?”

He tapped his neck, and Kodou noticed a black collar emitting a faint red glow. A tracker? Or perhaps… something even more dangerous?

Ah... Kodou thought to himself.

The FBI’s shadow agents... He’d heard of them before. They were often highly skilled individuals, or even former international criminals, whose exceptional abilities allowed them to negotiate with the FBI and avoid prison time by serving in secret missions. These people would be sent to the most dangerous situations, their pasts completely sealed, becoming nothing more than shadows.

But someone like that is assigned to protect me? Kodou felt a wave of suspicion. Even with a collar, this person was here to ensure his safety, yet there were many unknowns regarding their trustworthiness.

"Anyway..." Kodou cleared his throat and stepped aside, making room. "Come on in."

K nodded and swiftly entered Kodou’s home, carefully closing the door behind him. In the dim light of the interior, Kodou finally got a good look at the figure. Despite the person’s voice and aura giving the impression of someone older, the build was surprisingly slender, almost frail. Can someone with such a slight frame really protect me on their own? Kodou wondered.

Noticing his skeptical gaze, K looked up, and in his fingers, a black Joker card twirled. Kodou’s thoughts raced: Is he one of those people who enjoy sleight of hand?

“What’s wrong?” K asked, his voice soft but with a playful tone.

Sensitive to stares, huh? Kodou thought to himself, evaluating the man before him. “Nothing, I just... you’re not quite what I expected.”

“Ah, you were imagining someone big, burly, covered in scars, and wearing sunglasses, right?” K chuckled, sounding a bit mischievous.

I didn’t picture it that clearly... Kodou scratched his head but didn’t deny it. “I suppose it is a bit surprising. Are you the type of people who's very good with firearms or martial arts?”

“No, my physical condition and marksmanship are just passable, but as for unarmed combat, I’m completely useless.” K’s lighthearted response caught Kodou off guard.

Seeing the obvious doubt on Kodou’s face, K chuckled again, offering more explanation: “If we were talking about a group of bodyguards, then yes, you’d have the kind of people you imagined. But this time, since an arrogant young detective insisted on only having one person, we had to use unconventional means. When dealing with remnants of a dangerous organization, physical force alone, no matter how strong, is often ineffective. What’s required is adaptability.”

“And I,” K said, tilting his head slightly with a hint of self-praise, “am the most flexible and adaptive special agent — whether it’s sensing danger, responding to complex situations on the fly, or escaping from a crisis quickly while disrupting the enemy’s perception. That’s my specialty.”

“So what you’re saying is...” Kodou squinted slightly, extending a hand from his crossed arms, “you’re not the best at fighting but are an expert at running away... Is that it?”

Under the indoor light, Kodou could see K’s movements freeze for a split second. After a long pause, K bit his lip slightly, reluctantly admitting: “...You could refer it in that way.”

For some reason, Kodou felt a triumphant satisfaction swell in his chest. K cleared his throat, removing his cap in a graceful gesture, but quickly put it back on before Kodou could get a good look at his face. With a smile, K said: “I’ll be your shadow during this period. You don’t need to pay much attention to my presence; I’ll do my best to remain unnoticed. However, when I give instructions, you must follow them. Your safety is my responsibility, arrogant young detective.”

Kodou felt an odd sense of irritation at being treated like a younger person in need of care. He had considered shaking hands with K, but seeing that K had no intention of extending his hand, Kodou simply cleared his throat and replied: “Then I’ll be in your care, Mr. K.”

Once the protection detail was arranged, Kodou immediately resumed his casework. They arrived at the meeting location with the client at 10 AM, ahead of schedule, giving Kodou time to stop by a nearby Starbucks for a black coffee. K waited for him outside the café. When Kodou emerged, he felt a warm touch on his cheek.

“Here,” Kodou said, handing K a cup. “I wasn’t sure of your taste, so I got you a latte with no sugar.”

Kodou noticed K’s blue eyes widen slightly under the cap. He chuckled to himself, thinking, He looks younger than his demeanor suggests... He might even be around my age. “What’s the matter?”

“...Nothing.” K hesitated briefly before accepting the cup and sipping it slowly. “Thank you, but you don’t need to pay attention to my presence. I already told you, I’m just your shadow. It’s fine to pretend I don’t exist.”

“We’re going to be companions for a while, so how could I ignore you?” Kodou raised an eyebrow, his tone matter-of-fact. “Besides, I’ll still buy you coffee.”

“...I see,” K replied. Like a magician, he produced a few sugar cubes from his fingers, casually tossing them into his cup. That’s a lot of sugar... Kodou mentally noted.

“I just find it surprising,” K chuckled lightly. “I thought a detective like you would be annoyed by someone like me.”

“You mean someone who could restrict my freedom?” Kodou raised his brow. “You’re just doing your job; I wouldn’t hold anything against you personally.”

“No,” K raised his eyebrows, stirring his coffee with a small wooden stick. “I mean the fact that I could’ve been a former criminal.”

Ah, so he assumes detectives hate criminals, even those with a complex background... Kodou smiled wryly and lowered his head, rubbing his forehead gently. “If you’d asked me that three years ago, you’d probably be right. I used to think that all criminals were unreasonable and deserved whatever came to them. But ever since that incident three years ago...”

He paused, recalling the haunting memory of a piano playing amidst the flames. Kodou opened his hand, gazing at his palm as he quietly said, “...I started to understand that many people commit crimes because they have no other choice. They’re forced into it. As a detective, I can never forgive their actions... but as someone born with privilege, without a grudge or hatred to carry, I’m not in a position to judge their character.”

“...I see.”

After a long silence, K responded softly. He stood up slowly, chuckling as he handed the cup back to Kodou: “...But don’t forget, many criminals are ruthless. You can’t sympathize with them.”

“If they’re that ruthless, they wouldn’t be assigned to protect me, right?” Kodou shrugged nonchalantly.

“You’re going to get yourself hurt with that attitude, young detective.”

“I’ve been hurt before,” Kodou countered, growing slightly irritated by K’s patronizing tone. “But I haven’t changed.”

“Still such a kid,” K sighed.

“You don’t seem that much older than me,” Kodou retorted.

The cold air outside the café didn’t diminish the warmth of the coffee in their hands. Beneath the brim of K’s cap, his blue eyes blinked slowly, revealing a fleeting trace of warmth, like a hint of clear sky.

“So, Miss Kashi…” At this moment, Kodou Shinichi was seated on a plush sofa in a high-end dessert shop. Although K initially intended to stand aside, Kodou insisted that having him stand might scare the client, forcing him to sit beside him. Kodou introduced K as his assistant, and K cooperatively took out a small notebook and pen from who-knows-where, scribbling down notes or something else.

“You suspect your boyfriend's income is illegal?" "Yes." Across from them, the client, dressed in a simple yet elegant sweatshirt, still exuded an icy, noble air as she sipped her tea, replying softly. "He always claims to be running a business... but he seems quite idle during the day and frequently gives me expensive branded bags with unknown origins. He also disappears at crucial moments…”

"Since our relationship is heading toward marriage, I’ve been more cautious and want to verify his integrity." The client, Miss Kashi Kaori, spoke as she slid a gold-embossed business card to the center of the glass table. "This is the business card he gave me, with his company’s address. Please investigate it."

“I understand.” Kodou nodded as he accepted the card. “In that case, I’ll have an answer for you by the same time next week.”

As they left the high-end dessert shop, Kodou noticed K's unusual gaze and tilted his head slightly: "What's wrong?" "...Nothing. I just thought you'd be taking on murder cases or something, not a routine request like this," K muttered softly.

“Murder cases are actually rare,” Kodou chuckled. “Most of a detective's work is more mundane than people imagine. Sometimes it's just finding lost cats or dogs... Though, I do prefer cases involving crime. If we can prevent a crime this time, isn’t that also a good thing?”

“Why, did I shatter your image of a detective?” Kodou tilted his head slightly as he spoke.

“No, Kodou-kun, I just thought you’d only be interested in solving puzzles,” K replied with a shrug. Kodou realized this was the first time K had called him by name. “If you’re investigating that woman’s boyfriend — Mr. Iura — most of the work will just be boring surveillance. Are you sure this is your area of expertise?”

“Well, I’ll have to take a look. Who knows, I might find some clues quickly,” Kodou said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Surveillance wasn’t exactly his specialty, but when he had investigated the organization before, it had certainly gotten his heart racing. It wasn’t completely unfamiliar territory.

The next day, the two of them arrived at the company building where Mr. Iura worked. They managed to observe him entering the office. From the outside, the building looked like a regular office block. Kodou found a seat in a café across the street, dragging K along to sit down. However, K's all-black attire, which blended well in outdoor settings, seemed out of place in the warm café.

“Can’t you change into something less conspicuous?” Kodou couldn’t help but ask.

K silently left the table. Is he upset? Kodou thought, feeling a bit anxious, but K soon returned, now dressed in a dark blue hoodie and jeans, still wearing the black baseball cap. His appearance instantly became more casual and less intimidating.

He really can change... Where does he even keep those clothes? Kodou marveled. Compared to the other FBI agents he knew, K was surprisingly easygoing, almost accommodating in a way.

“What is it?” K smiled as he sat down, sipping his coffee. “Anything different?”

“No—” Kodou was about to say when he looked up and saw their target, Mr. Iura, exiting the building. Kodou quickly stood to follow him, but K placed a hand on his shoulder and pushed him back down. There was a hint of amusement in K's deep voice: “Wait, Kodou-kun. Going after him now would be too obvious. Let’s wait a little longer.”

“That makes sense, but... won’t we lose him?” Kodou asked, a bit anxious.

K chuckled softly from his throat, leaning back in his chair and tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. His gaze drifted toward the window and back. “Don’t worry, detective. You’re good at deduction, but tracking is my specialty.”

His eyes shifted slightly to the side before returning to Kodou’s. “How could I possibly let the target escape?”

Oh.. Kodou squinted slightly, unable to help the resignedly doubts that flickered across his face. Is this guy someone who ended up working for the FBI because of his own stalking tendencies?

Still, there was something about him… a dangerous, elusive yet bold aura, far more threatening than a mere stalker. Is it really safe to have someone like this protecting me, Akai-san? Kodou thought to himself, sipping his tea.

"But I must say, I’m surprised. I thought you wouldn’t interfere with my work, aside from ensuring my safety," Kodou shrugged. "That wasn’t part of the original deal."

Upon hearing this, for some reason, K seemed slightly startled, as if he hadn’t expected the question. Odd. But just as quickly, he recovered, almost seamlessly, and responded, “It’s just a small favor. After all, I am a professional, Kodou-kun.”

“Well then, I look forward to seeing your professional skills in action,” Kodou shrugged again.

Not long after, they both entered a department store, following Mr. Iura. Kodou couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure he’s headed this way?” How could he know when it was obvious that they stayed together all the time?

“Of course. Trust me with my professional judgment,” K replied smoothly, his deep voice tinged with confidence. “I have my own tracking methods — trade secrets.”

Noticing Kodou’s curious expression, K coughed lightly as if to cover his tracks. “Ahem, this skill helps me keep track of those I’m assigned to protect. You should feel honored.”

“Right…” Kodou sighed.

Just as they reached the second floor of the department store via the escalator, a loud scream echoed throughout the building. Kodou and K exchanged a quick glance before dashing toward the source of the sound. As expected, they found a man lying in the fitting room of a clothing store, a knife protruding from his chest. Blood soaked his shirt and had begun pooling on the floor.

Kodou rushed forward to check the pulse, but after a moment, he shook his head. “There’s no pulse. But judging by the body temperature, he likely died ten to twenty minutes ago.”

K sighed quietly and, like a well-trained assistant, began documenting the scene. “3:15 PM, male victim found dead in a department store fitting room. Estimated time of death is ten to twenty minutes ago.”

“What are you doing?” Kodou asked, turning around.

“Isn’t this what the detectives do?” K responded, scratching his head while casually glancing around the scene. Considering the time and place...

“—There are three suspects.”

The first suspect was the store employee, the victim’s girlfriend, Ayako Yasumura. She was trembling, her finger pointed accusingly at another female employee. “It was her... It had to be her who killed Keiji! They argued this morning, and she said she wished he was dead!”

The second suspect, the other female employee, Kaori Yukihara, was much calmer. She crossed her arms and sighed. “All I said was that he was clumsy and getting in my way while I was stocking shelves. I told him to go somewhere else. But would I really kill someone over something so trivial? Besides, aren’t you the one who was in the middle of a cold war with him today?”

Yukihara adjusted her black uniform skirt and added, “Think about it rationally — it can’t be us. The knife was thrust into his chest face-to-face, right? In that case, the killer’s clothes would be covered in blood. But our work uniforms are custom-made…” She pointed to the brand logo embroidered on her collar. “Each of us only has two sets. One is being dry-cleaned today. We’ve been wearing these the whole time and didn’t change before or after the crime. So, the only possible suspect is…” she glanced at the man beside her.

The third suspect, Iura Tadashi, had been a customer whom the victim was serving about ten minutes before his death. Iura had been trying on a jacket and had asked the victim to help him with the buttons. The two went into the fitting room together, and that was the last anyone saw of the victim alive.

Normally, when tailing someone, you wouldn’t show yourself near them, but… K sighed as he glanced at the frowning detective beside him — clearly, Kodou wasn’t concerned with that right now.

“I-I didn’t change my clothes either!” Iura stammered, lifting his shopping bag. “This is the jacket I just bought! You see? There’s no blood on it!”

“But you’re only wearing a shirt and slacks,” Yukihara pointed out. “How can we know that you didn’t hide the bloodied clothes somewhere or burn them?”

“We’ll let the police handle that search,” Kodou interjected, drawing everyone’s attention. Nodding toward Inspector Megure, who had just arrived, Kodou continued, “Now, can each of you tell me what you were doing around the time of the murder?”

Iura, still sweating, stammered, “I-I bought the jacket and was about to go to the third floor to get some bubble tea, but I saw a pair of shoes I liked and stopped to look…”

He gestured toward a shoe store on the same floor. Kodou noted that it was only a one-minute walk from the scene. If he used trying on shoes as an excuse, he could’ve easily walked over to the fitting room.

Yukihara pointed toward the cash register. “I’ve been over there balancing the books.”

Ayako, still shaken, finally managed to speak after a long pause. “I-I was in the bathroom... The restroom on this floor is pretty far, about a five-minute walk each way, so I was gone for a while. When I got back… Keiji was…”She broke into sobs once again.

Kodou directed the officers to question nearby witnesses and compare their statements to the suspects’ accounts. Shortly after, Inspector Megure returned with updates. “Witnesses confirm seeing Miss Yasumura leave the store to use the restroom, and she was gone for quite some time, possibly around the time of the murder. The high-end shoe store also confirmed that Mr. Iura visited, but he left their sight for a brief period. As for Miss Yukihara, nearby stores reported seeing her at the register most of the time, though she occasionally moved around to check inventory.”

So no one has an airtight alibi… Kodou thought. Based on the timing alone, Yukihara seems the most suspicious, but her explanation about the uniforms makes sense. They were indeed custom-made, and according to the store’s supervisor, each employee only has two sets, one of which is at the dry cleaner’s today.

One of the officers came back with a report, and Megure listened intently before relaying it to Kodou: “We’ve searched the department store but haven’t found any discarded, bloodstained clothing. However, there’s some evidence of detergent residue in the drains. The culprit likely washed the clothes.”

Even so, Kodou thought, it’s unlikely the murderer had enough time to wash and completely dry the clothes in just 10-20 minutes. As he turned his head, he noticed K sipping a cup of bubble tea.

"...Where did you get that?" Kodou asked in resignation.

Amidst the crime scene, with police officers all around, K somehow managed to conceal himself, blending into the background so well that even Kodou didn’t notice when he left to buy bubble tea. K blinked innocently, holding up the bag. “From the third floor. Don’t worry, I bought a cup for you as well.”

Kodou sighed in disbelief. "I’m not worried about that… But does the bubble tea store give everyone these plastic bags?”

“It seems so. There are lots of them in the trash cans.” K’s blue eyes twinkled mischievously as he took another sip. “Many people like to buy a drink while shopping, so there are plastic bags like this in all the recycling bins. By the way, these are eco-friendly materials, so they’re in the recyclable trash.”

Kodou narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and walked over to check a nearby trash bin. Sure enough, inside the recyclable waste bin, he found several of the same plastic bags, mixed in with paper scraps, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. After a moment of contemplation, he called over Inspector Megure and instructed him to investigate a specific detail.

“That strange mark on the floor… So it was this after all?” Kodou muttered to himself.

“You’re quite the eager bodyguard,” Kodou commented dryly, turning toward K. “After all, aren’t you supposed to just ensure my safety, Mr. K?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just wanted some bubble tea,” K responded, his deep voice laced with feigned innocence. Kodou had the odd feeling that this line would have sounded more fitting in a playful, carefree tone.

Fifteen minutes later, Kodou Shinichi gathered the suspects together, preparing to unveil the solution as he often did. He pointed to the bloodstain on the ground. “From the moment I saw that curved trail of blood, followed by the splatters, I knew something was odd. This perfectly curved arc looks like it was made by something like the hem of a raincoat, and the blood splatters followed when it was removed. Only a material that doesn’t absorb water could leave a mark like this.”

“But we didn’t find any raincoats during the search,” Kodou shook his head with a slight smile. “However, we did find plenty of these.”

He motioned for the officers to hold up the plastic bags from the bubble tea shop. “These plastic bags, used for carrying bubble tea, are sturdy, thick, and waterproof. If you tape several of them together, you can make a makeshift raincoat.”

Kodou demonstrated by assembling several of the bags into a crude human-shaped garment. “Like this, by taping the bags together and wrapping them around yourself, you can stab the victim without getting blood on your clothes. Just tape the seams on the inside, and the tape won’t get stained either.”

He smiled as he tore the makeshift raincoat apart. “Afterward, all you have to do is rinse off the blood and tear the bags apart. With so many people buying bubble tea, a few extra bags in the trash wouldn’t raise suspicion. And since it’s an eco-friendly material, the bags dry quickly, leaving no trace.”

Kodou lifted a shoulder and waved a hand, a satisfied grin on his face. “Moreover, the tape would be thrown in the non-recyclable bin, further reducing the connection. Additionally, the tape itself is a common material which could be seen everywhere.”

...Too dazzling. Hiding in the shadows of the darkness, K silently thought as he observed the scene.

“In other words, the culprit is you—” Kudou Shinichi declared, pointing decisively at one of the suspects, “Ms. Yasumura, the only one who had the opportunity to go to the restroom and wash up!”

Seeing this result, K let out another sigh. It seemed that this case wouldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation to the client. The game of stalking would have to continue.

Ms. Yasumura, still unwilling to give up, tried to ask for solid evidence. However, Kudou Shinichi quickly pointed out the store’s adhesive tape usage records, proving that she had tampered with them. At last, she broke down, collapsing to the floor, crying about the pain of being betrayed by her unfaithful partner and how he never understood her. Watching from the sidelines, K quietly exhaled.

The same old excuse… But no matter the reason, it’s all the same to a detective, isn’t it? Solving the mystery and catching the criminal, that’s all there is to it. However, K watched as Kudou walked forward and gently patted the culprit on the shoulder, whispering, “If you ever face this situation again, I’d say, please don’t waste your life on a man like that. But, once an arrow is shot, there’s no turning back. No matter what, you took a life—a living, breathing person. Please make up your mind and atone for that in prison, and then, you can start again from here.”

Start again... He thought, momentarily stunned. Not an end, but a beginning?

With Ms. Yasumura’s sobs, the case came to a close. The culprit was arrested, and life returned to normal. But for some, from this day onward, everything had changed.

“So, why are we having dinner here right now…?” Kudou Shinichi leaned his head on his hand with a bit of exasperation, sitting at a family restaurant on the third floor of the department store.

“Well, since Mr. Iura’s remaining appointments for the day are all police interviews, there’s nothing left for us to monitor, is there?” K replied, a spoon hanging lazily from his mouth. “If I were you, I’d take this time to check out at his company…”

“That was my plan too,” Kudou replied, digging into his omurice with a spoon. “But I have to say, as a shadow agent, you sure take the initiative.”

“Thanks for the compliment,” K said with a yawn.

After finishing their meal, the two walked out of the restaurant and were about to head toward the office building across from the department store when, suddenly and without warning, K grabbed Kudou Shinichi by the back and forcefully pressed him against the corner of the wall. At such a close distance, Kudou could clearly see a bead of sweat rolling down K’s forehead.

“What’s going on?” Kudou asked cautiously.

“We’re being watched... no, more accurately, we’re surrounded,” K gritted his teeth. “There’s someone watching the exit... not only that, it seems like all the exits have been sealed.” He suddenly lifted his head and looked upwards. “A sniper?”

Kudou was momentarily stunned, but K reacted quickly. He pressed a button on the side of his wristwatch — Kudou guessed it was a signal requesting reinforcements from the FBI. However, K’s pupils suddenly widened, and he instinctively clutched the watch face tightly before releasing it.

“What is it?” Kudou quickly asked again.

K quickly tugged at Shinichi’s arm, pulling him away from the open area, leading him towards a shadowed corner where they could take cover. "I made a mistake," K muttered under his breath, his tone laced with frustration. "It’s no wonder they were acting so blatantly… they’ve got a signal detector. They were waiting for us to send out a signal so they could confirm the target’s location — and now, they’re about to tighten the trap!"

Haah... Kudou hurriedly followed K's steps, thinking how bold it was to orchestrate an ambush and sniper attack right in the middle of a department store, especially so soon after the police had just left. Oddly enough, perhaps because K was holding his hand, he didn't feel any fear. K navigated through the building with such ease, turning left and right as if he already knew the layout by heart. When had he scouted the place?

Before Kudou could grasp the situation, they had already reached the clothing store they were in earlier, and K quickly pulled him into a fitting room. Just as Kudou thought they were going to hide there, K pushed open a section of the fitting room wall, revealing a hidden passage.

“An employee passage?” Kudou was genuinely surprised. “How did you know about this?”

“Shh—Ms. Yukihara just told me,” K whispered. Kudou, however, was filled with questions about when that had happened. The door in front of them seemed locked, but with a simple flick of K's hand—an action too quick to make out—the door swung open. K then pulled him in, and they began to navigate through twists, turns, and ups and downs in the darkness.

“Are we heading out through the employee exit?” Kudou couldn’t help but ask.

“No, that would still be too obvious,” K responded. Suddenly, the tension and self-doubt on his face vanished, replaced by a spark of slyness in his blue eyes. “We’ll have to take a more unconventional route.”

With that, K let go of Kudou’s hand. Kudou noticed that they had now arrived in the employee lounge, where there were some sofas, chairs, a bar counter, and a coffee machine. A large window let in ample light, but unfortunately, it faced not the street but an alley cluttered with junk—a bit of a disappointing view.

Before he could process the situation, Kudou watched as K pulled out a glass cutter from who knows where and swiftly installed it, cutting out a human-sized circular hole in the glass. Kudou was momentarily speechless. The scene felt eerily familiar.

Before Kudou could react further, K took out a pulley-equipped steel cable, securing one end to a stand and the other around both his and Kudou’s waists. He pointed outside and instructed, “We’ll rappel down the wall.”

He really is an expert in escaping… Kudou thought, responding, “Right, right.” Having used retractable belts for years, he was quite familiar with this sort of thing. However, as they exited the window, K covered them with a fabric similar in color to the outer wall, making them nearly invisible. It was a clever idea.

Upon landing in the cluttered alley, K still didn’t relax. He carefully scouted ahead, only motioning for Kudou to follow once he confirmed it was safe. Slowly, they navigated through several narrow alleys, and Kudou had no idea where they were until K finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Did we shake them off?” Kudou asked cautiously.

“We’ve reached the rendezvous point,” K replied, not answering the question directly. He subtly tipped his hat, and a red laser dot appeared on his forehead. Kudou tensed, instinctively wanting to push him down, but upon seeing the calm smile on K's face, Kudou realized it was from their allies at the FBI.

An agent with epaulets stepped forward from the shadows. K nodded slightly at him. “I’ll leave things over there to you.”

“Understood. Please follow me,” the agent nodded. “Our team will escort you both home.”

…So at the end of the day, it’s still turned out like this. Kudou sighed with resignation and followed along.

The next morning, as Kudou sat on the sofa reading a detective novel, and K lounged comfortably in a chair nearby, basking in the sunlight, they received a call from Shuichi Akai.

“We’ve apprehended a few people, but they all seem to be peripheral members who know very little about the actual plan,” Akai explained on the other end of the line. “In conclusion, this isn’t enough to halt their operations. At the same time, we’ve confirmed that the organization’s remnants are indeed plotting deliberate revenge. You’d better lay low and retreat to a safe house for now.”

“Is that so…” Kudou stroked his chin, lost in thought. “But something feels off about this attack, as well as the so-called ‘peripheral members’… Something doesn’t sit right with me.”

“What do you mean?”

After a moment of contemplation, Kudou Shinichi answered seriously, “There’s something fishy about this whole situation. I’d like to investigate it further on my own. Please trust me and give me some time and freedom.”

“…Are you crazy? You realize, don’t you, that those guys were serious this time? Next time, you might not be so lucky.”

“Yes.” Kudou nodded firmly and spoke methodically, “First, after this failure, those guys will likely lie low for a while. Second, while hiding in a safe house guarantees my safety, it also means losing our leads. The organization’s remnants are a huge threat to society, and now that they’re targeting me, this is the perfect chance to flush them out and catch them all at once.”

“…So, you want to use yourself as bait?” Akai sounded unsurprised, though there was a trace of exasperation in his tone.

“You can put it that way, but that wouldn’t be the most accurate description,” Kudou raised a finger. “If we set up an obvious trap, those guys, who are now extremely cautious, will notice. I have to truly expose myself to them, which is why I’m requesting the freedom to act alone. I’ll assess the situation on the fly and pick up their trail.”

“Third, if things really get dangerous…”

Kudou tilted his head back and glanced at the figure behind him. A slight smile played at his lips as he spoke, his voice tinged with humor, “Mr. K will protect me, won’t you?”

K, startled by the sudden mention of his name, quickly picked up a nearby book to block Kudou’s view, while Kudou merely chuckled softly.

“Mr. K…” Akai’s voice on the other end was filled with amusement as he repeated the name, “Is that how he introduced himself?”

“How do you call him, by his code name?” Kudou asked curiously, wondering what the full designation was, perhaps a combination of letters and numbers. Akai, not answering directly, instead gave Kudou the permission he was seeking: “Alright, I’ll trust you this time, boy. But this is the last time. If you encounter another life-threatening situation and haven’t yet uncovered a lead to drag them out by their ears, you’ll have to accept our full protection.”

After hanging up, Kudou glanced back. K, who was at Kudou’s home, seemed to have shed the usual vigilant and prickly demeanor he displayed outside. Instead, he looked somewhat relaxed and lazy, hugging one of Kudou’s cushions. His drawling tone was filled with an ambiguous meaning, “You’ve really piled too much responsibility on me, haven’t you, detective?”

“You’re unsatisfied?” Kudou raised an eyebrow. “If the FBI fully intervenes right now, wouldn’t that prove you’ve failed your mission?”

“You’re so sly…” Kudou thought he heard a faint murmur from K’s throat. Then, K tossed the cushion aside and sat up. He clasped his hands together between his knees, leaning slightly forward. From under the brim of his hat, his eyes once again gleamed with that sharp, piercing light. “Of course not, dear Kudou.”

“I accept the challenge and pledge to serve you with utmost loyalty,” he declared in a lofty, exaggerated tone.

...Seriously, where had he heard that annoyingly pompous tone before? Kudou smiled, stood up from the sofa with a clap, and said, “Well then, let’s get ready. We have a case to finish.”

As Kudou Shinichi had expected, the remnants of the organization did not resurface in the following days, and the surveillance and data collection on Mr. Iura proceeded smoothly. With the handoff date for the mission drawing nearer day by day, K observed Kudou’s work from the sidelines. His tailing skills, as always, remained quite clumsy, K silently rated in his mind. Still, it was hard to tell how far the investigation had progressed from Kudou’s expression alone.

That morning’s surveillance ended early, as Iura left his office much earlier than expected. Just as Ms. Kashii had mentioned, he hardly focused on his work during the day. After lunch, the two of them followed him to an art gallery, where he stopped at the entrance, frequently glancing at his watch. This puzzled K. “From what I’ve observed, he doesn’t seem like someone with refined tastes.”

“I agree,” Kudou replied with a lighthearted chuckle. “An unusual behavior, a perfectly pressed suit, immaculate hairstyle, checking the time repeatedly while waiting for someone... He even seems to be wearing cologne. So, isn’t the answer obvious?”

“Ohh…” K responded, drawing out the sound in understanding.

Sure enough, before long, their client, Ms. Kashii Kaori, appeared in view. She wore a striking red cocktail dress, her brown hair gently curled, with a few delicate strands falling beside her earrings, exuding a unique charm. She smiled as she greeted Iura.

“Whether or not he’s committed a crime is unclear, but at least he’s definitely not cheating,” K remarked with satisfaction. Kudou responded with a roll of his eyes.

Once Iura and Kashii entered the art gallery, K and Kudou also purchased tickets and followed them in, entering through the main door like any other visitor.

On the surface, Kashii and Iura appeared to be a perfectly normal couple, laughing together and holding hands while they admired the paintings. The scene was almost boring to K, who leaned against the wall, occasionally glancing at Kudou’s actions while pretending to appreciate the artwork. At one point, Kudou broke the silence. “You like it?”

“What?” K was momentarily taken aback.

“The paintings in this gallery.” Kudou glanced at him. “You’ve been turning your head more often.”

“Ah, ah, prying into the personal preferences of a shadow agent is a no-go, you know. All personal information is strictly off-limits.” K exaggeratedly crossed his arms in front of him in an “X” gesture, prompting Kudou to click his tongue and drop the matter. He muttered softly, “If that’s the case, you shouldn’t have shown any interest in the first place. A detective is driven by curiosity, after all.”

…He’s right. K scratched his head in frustration. Was I getting too relaxed? Making such a mistake... I should just be a shadow, hidden in the darkness, without unnecessary desires.

But… liking this? K raised his head again. The gallery exhibited a mix of abstract and romantic-style paintings, vibrant colors splashed across canvases. These vivid, lively strokes lacked fixed shapes but carried an undeniable passion. Something like this might not be appreciated by someone so strictly rational as a certain detective, K mused.

In the second-to-last gallery, a small room housed only one prominent painting—a depiction of a landscape seen from a window. The calm sea seemed to carry an undercurrent of turbulence, and doves soared above a tower. Iura had excused himself to the restroom, and not long after K and Kudou quietly entered the gallery, Ms. Kashii reappeared, quietly approaching Kudou with a soft chuckle. “Mr. Kudou, your tailing skills aren’t very good, are they?”

Kudou looked embarrassed, and K silently agreed. But Kashii smiled playfully, tilting her head. “Still, I trust your investigative skills. After all, your reputation precedes you. You’ll give me the answer I want at our meeting the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Of course, Ms. Kashii.” Kudou cleared his throat and straightened his tie, adopting the mature and reliable demeanor of an adult man. “My investigation is going smoothly, and I’m confident I’ll provide a satisfying answer.”

Kashii smiled slightly and scanned the small gallery, her eyes finally catching sight of a third figure hidden in the shadows. She covered her mouth in surprise. “Oh, the assistant is here too? You’re quite skilled, aren’t you?”

K responded with a slight nod. With a third party present, he reverted to his role as a shadow, hiding all his personality and preferences, keeping a watchful eye on the surroundings.

Just then, a man in a hooded sweatshirt entered the gallery. Kashii nodded slightly to Kudou, signaling her intent to leave and return to her boyfriend. However, suddenly, a sharp wind broke through the silence of the gallery, and a black shadow lunged toward Kudou.

—It was K. Kudou Shinichi realized in just 0.3 seconds from a reflexive response to the stimulus. He caught a glimpse of the man who had just entered, his hand suspiciously concealed in his pocket with something protruding—It’s a gun!

Before Kudou could react further, in that chaotic and frenzied second, he instinctively grabbed K, who had thrown himself in front of him to shield him with his back, and pushed him outward, trying to move his own body in front of K instead.

…Bang!

Because of Kudou’s instinctive push, K’s body twisted away, and with the force of the motion, the two of them spun around like dancers in a waltz. The bullet slipped smoothly between them, passing just above their clasped hands and embedding itself harmlessly into a cushion in the corner of the gallery. Only then did Kashii’s delayed scream pierce the air. In the next moment, the black shadow leaped forward like a swallow in flight, too fast for Kudou or Kashii to register. The man in the hooded sweatshirt was swiftly kicked to the ground, his gun knocked far away into the corner, and his arms were twisted behind him, bound with rope that K seemingly pulled from nowhere.

“Go!” K ordered, grabbing Kudou’s hand after subduing the man, and darted toward a passageway with purpose. Kudou, flustered, grabbed Ms. Kashii’s hand as well. “Straight ahead!” Kashii, momentarily torn between running and checking on her boyfriend still in the gallery or restroom, hesitated. But quickly, biting her lip, she kicked off her high heels and followed Kudou, realizing the gravity of the situation.

While holding tightly to Kudou’s hand, K pressed a button on a small device. Suddenly, a loud explosion echoed throughout the museum, its intensity shaking even the farthest corners of the building.

“You…! When did you—?!” Kudou exclaimed in shock.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a sound effect. I made sure it wouldn’t harm the exhibits. At most, it’s a distraction.” K explained in a low voice as he led them forward. Kudou noticed the tension in his voice and realized K wasn’t in a particularly good mood. But why? Isn’t this the break we’ve been waiting for?

Unlike last time, K seemed even more cautious, possibly because the exact number of enemies or their whereabouts was unknown. He only allowed Kudou to pass after ensuring the path was safe. They eventually reached the gift shop, where K swiftly disguised both of them. He donned Kudou with a hippie-style jacket and sunglasses, adding a casual French-style shawl and glasses to Kashii, transforming their appearances in just a few moments. K himself, already dressed in his usual nondescript black, needed no further modification.

While the two marveled at K’s quick disguise work, he carefully peered through a reflective surface to check the situation outside. Crowds of tourists were nervously flooding out of the museum, but security was controlling the evacuation.

“While they’re distracted by the noise I made, you should leave through the main exit, Ms. Kashii,” K instructed their client. “You’re probably not their target. Just blend in with the crowd and act panicked. Don’t look back.”

After a brief pause, Kashii nodded, recognizing that it was the detective’s situation that had escalated things. She didn’t bother with farewells like “Be careful” and simply took a deep breath before hurrying out, disappearing into the throng of people without glancing back.

“Isn’t the coast clear now? Shouldn’t we leave with the crowd too?” Kudou suggested. K shook his head. “No, it’s too dangerous. Those guys probably have people stationed at the exit. We’ll take another route.”

“Employee passage again?” Kudou asked. K shook his head once more, a cold aura surrounding him, leaving Kudou puzzled. “Just follow me. I already confirmed the optimal and most discreet escape route.”

Following K’s lead, they climbed out a small window, stepping onto an air conditioning unit before scaling the second floor of the gallery. Once inside an empty exhibit hall, K suddenly leaped up, kicking against the wall, and before Kudou could fully process what was happening, K’s hands were gripping a ceiling lamp. He pried open a panel, swung inside, and lowered a rope.

“We’re taking the ventilation ducts.” K’s face appeared from the opening, his pale complexion giving him a youthful and mischievous appearance in the dim light. As Kudou stared in surprise, K smirked, “What’s wrong? Too proud to crawl through a vent, detective?”

A challenge? Ha, if only he knew how many times I crawled through ventilation ducts when I was physically smaller. Kudou grabbed the rope, and K quickly pulled him up. The panel was replaced almost seamlessly, leaving no visible trace of their entry. He really is a professional at escaping, Kudou thought to himself once again.

They navigated through the ventilation ducts and soon emerged onto a side alley outside the building. After K skillfully removed the screws from the vent cover, Kudou realized they were still on the fourth floor. K nimbly climbed out onto the building’s exterior, finding footholds where there seemed to be none, and motioned for Kudou to follow. Kudou cautiously maneuvered himself outside, where he noticed that below them was the rooftop of a run-down office building.

Resigned, Kudou crawled out, executing a controlled jump to the rooftop and shielding his head as he landed. When he turned back, he witnessed a scene that could rival an acrobatic performance. K, hanging by his fingertips on the building’s ledges and gripping brick crevices with his toes, effortlessly installed the vent cover back into place. His hands moved deftly as he twisted the screws back in, his body balanced precariously on the narrow ledge. In one smooth motion, he vaulted down from the wall, landing lightly on the rooftop like a raven descending from the sky.

What on earth was this guy before? Kudou mused. No, at this point, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was once a wanted criminal...

Afterward, they leaped across two or three more rooftops, finally sliding down the sloped roof of a residential house. Kudou’s movements were less graceful, and he knocked a few roof tiles loose in the process. Apologetically, he left a note with his contact information for the homeowner.

Who’s hunting whom here? Kudou thought with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. The terrorists staging a public ambush, or us, sneaking out through ventilation ducts and rooftops like spies?

But then again, rejecting the FBI’s full protection had been his choice. As Kudou pondered the situation, something else gnawed at him—Mr. K’s attitude. Despite the tension, K seemed unusually quiet. In more dangerous situations before, he would at least crack a few sarcastic comments to lighten the mood. What’s going on with him?

Finally, when they reached an open area, K abruptly let go of Kudou’s wrist and turned to face him. Kudou then noticed the flicker of anger in K’s deep blue eyes beneath the brim of his hat.

Before Kudou could even ask, K, frowning, snapped, “What the hell were you thinking earlier? Why did you push me? If that bullet hadn’t missed... you could’ve died!”

Kudou froze, unsure how to respond. He hadn’t expected K to be so upset, especially since that moment was already fading in his memory. But K gritted his teeth and continued, “Were you trying to save me? My job is to make sure you stay safe. If you die and I’m left alive, there’s no point! You’re obstructing my work.”

Kudou stared at him in confusion, unable to grasp why K was so angry. In the dim light, the face under K’s hat seemed younger than usual—far from the deep, mature voice he usually used. No... even now, K’s voice was more like that of a youth, perhaps even a teenager. Looking at his face, he might even be younger than me, Kudou thought, oddly detached from the tension of the moment.

“You should know better!” K grabbed Kudou’s collar, frustration evident in his voice. “People like us... our lives don’t matter.” He sighed deeply and stepped back, his voice softening with a hint of resigned calm. “Anyway, just don’t do it again, Kudou-kun.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll do it again next time.” Kudou’s flat response instantly shattered the fragile calm K had just regained. He spoke matter-of-factly, “First of all, with a shot fired at that close range, and based on the sound of the bullet, it was likely a large caliber—at least 9mm or above. There’s a good chance it could’ve pierced through one body. By acting as I did, I ensured both our safety. The outcome proves I made the right call.”

“You, consequentialist fool!” K exclaimed, pointing directly at Kudou in frustration. “I’m talking about principles! My job is to protect you, and according to our agreement, you’re not supposed to interfere with my work. Have you forgotten that?”

“I haven’t forgotten. I just made the more correct choice,” Kudou retorted without backing down. “Besides, it was a reflex! What’s so strange about saving someone? I should be the one telling you—there’s no such thing as a disposable life. Don’t act like you can just throw yours away!”

“Hah?! My job is to shield you—that’s the whole point of my existence! I can understand your instinct, but what I’m saying is, can’t you control it a little? If we keep trying to protect each other every time, it’ll be pointless. It’ll just turn into a game of shoving back and forth!” K’s voice rose sharply. Ah, there it was again—that bright, clear voice, so similar to Kudou’s that it was getting harder to distinguish between the two.

Thinking back on the chaotic scene earlier, Kudou did feel a bit guilty. Indeed, in the middle of a terror attack, playing a game of “push and pull” wasn’t exactly a great idea. If this happened every time, no bodyguard could handle it. He cleared his throat, admitting his mistake. “I understand. I’ll be more careful. But you also need to avoid making moves that’ll set off my nerves.”

He looked at K seriously, his blue eyes—normally sharp with keen intellect—now steady and sincere, like a rock-solid resolve. “The other reason I rejected full protection from the FBI is because I don’t want others risking their lives for mine. If it’s just the two of us, we should be able to protect each other, right? That’s what I thought when I first agreed to let you protect me.”

“That kind of thing…” K met Kudou’s earnest gaze, but instinctively looked away, as if avoiding the weight of those words. “I’ve never heard that from you, Kudou-kun.”

“You may not have heard it, but you know that if it were me, I would do so, right?” Kudou’s eyes, locked onto K as if he were cornering a suspect, didn’t allow him any room to escape.

"…I have no idea what you're talking about."

A silence fell between them. After a while, K finally scratched the back of his head and sighed. He took off the black cap from his head and placed it on Kudou’s, revealing for the first time the tousled curls hidden beneath the brim and a face that, up close, appeared around the same age as Kudou's. Kudou Shinichi stared at him, a bit dazed, watching as K pressed the cap down onto his head.

“…Anyway, just remember—your safety comes.”

“I understand,” Kudou replied, pausing briefly. He pressed his fingers against the brim of the cap, and at the same time, over K’s fingers resting on it. Feeling the faint tremble of the slightly cool fingertips, Kudou spoke softly, “If you want me to fully trust you… then promise me one thing: no matter what happens—don’t die.”

A clear look of shock crossed K’s face. Kudou couldn’t see his eyes or full expression beneath the cap, but he could sense a wave of emotion being transmitted through their entwined fingertips. K furrowed his brows. “That’s a rather… difficult request, Kudou-kun.”

Kudou remained silent, listening as K’s voice dropped back into the deep, enigmatic tone he often used. “After all, you're not my superior. Technically, I should be following my own orders. The FBI entrusted your life to me, and even if it costs mine, I have to make sure you stay safe. That’s the mission, isn’t it?”

“…Can you promise me?” Kudou quietly asked, his fingers still holding K’s, even though K could have easily pulled away at any moment.

A long silence followed. Finally, K let go of Kudou’s hand. When Kudou looked up, through the shadowed brim of the cap, he saw, for the first time, a smile on K’s face—a bright, youthful smile that matched his true age and the boyish features that were similar to Kudou’s own.

“…It’s a tough request, but fine… No, I should put it this way…”

In the dazzling sunlight, K curved his lips into a bold, mischievous grin. He extended a hand toward Kudou, curling his fingers in a gesture of challenge.

“—Challenge accepted!”

Seriously…

For a moment, Kudou Shinichi’s mind went blank, as if his vision had been blinded by staring directly into the sun. His thoughts then slowly began to turn again. He adjusted the brim of the cap, wondering, Why does he always have to act like this?

And yet, the same smile tugged at his own lips.

"So then..."

As the two of them strolled through the park, heading toward Kudou’s house, K broke the silence, “Should we notify Akai-san and the others?”

Kudou glanced at him from the corner of his eye, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. Despite being dispatched by the FBI, he’s still asking me questions like this? Not bad. It seems I’ve successfully won this raven over to my side, at least for now.

He shook his head, “No. Last time we involved them, things got more complicated, right? This time we resolved the issue ourselves, so there’s no need to bother them. At least, not until they find out on their own.”

There was no doubt the FBI would be the first to notice the commotion at the art gallery, but Kudou had a few tricks up his sleeve to pass it off as a mere accident before they got too involved—perhaps by asking for a favor from Amuro-san. After all, it wasn’t exactly cheating. This was Japan, after all.

“But,” K squinted at him, “didn’t you promise Akai that if you were attacked again, you’d submit to full FBI protection?”

“—Only if I had no leads,” Kudou wagged his finger, “And now, don’t you think the leads are pretty obvious? We just need to follow them to the conclusion.”

“...This is sophistry. What Akai meant was you should accept full protection first, then let them handle the investigation,” K said, exasperation seeping into his voice as he cast a sideways glance at Kudou. “Do you hate accepting protection from the FBI that much? Even when your life’s at risk, you still push back against them.”

“As a detective, you can’t even show your face outside if you don’t have a few life-threatening cases on your plate,” Kudou huffed. “But no, it’s not just about avoiding FBI help. It’s also that…”

He extended his index finger, pointing directly at K’s nose, a mischievous, boyish smile spreading across his face. “—As a detective, I just want to solve the case on my own, right?”

“...” K lowered his gaze, staring at the finger hovering just beneath his nose for half a second, then looked up again. The detective’s face was partly shadowed beneath the brim of the cap. K suddenly regretted giving him that cap—now he couldn’t see those sharp blue eyes when Kudou was throwing out such challenging words.

“So, it’s deduction time.” Kudou Shinichi said, eyeing K. “Looks like you’ve figured something out too?”

“The clues are pretty clear,” K shrugged and spread his hands. “The attack may have seemed random, but there’s one key takeaway—they knew where we’d be.”

“I can guarantee, based on my expertise, that there are no trackers, bugs, or anything of the sort on us,” K said with complete confidence. “So, they must’ve predicted our movements.”

“Exactly,” Kudou nodded, “Our actions may seem random, but they’re predictable to someone who has the right clues.”

“—Based on Iura’s schedule. Which means, if Mr. Iura's itinerary was planned ahead of time, they could track us by knowing where he’d be,” K looked up thoughtfully at the sky. “But from what I’ve observed, Iura’s as clean as a blank sheet of paper. He genuinely doesn’t know he’s being followed. So, there’s only one possible answer left, right? If it’s that person, it wouldn’t be strange for them to suggest places for Iura to go. That way, they could control our movements. And besides, it was her who planned today’s outing.”

Kudou remained silent, his expression unreadable, so K continued, “—The client.”

But Kudou simply crossed his arms, his finger tapping thoughtfully against his arm. “So, you’ve been suspicious of Ms. Kashii all along? That’s why you had her leave early today, isn’t it?”

“Isn’t it natural to suspect her?” K shrugged, spreading his hands. “She issued the request, meaning all our actions have been under her control. If she’s collaborating with the remnants of the organization, it would make perfect sense.”

K glanced at Kudou, expecting some sort of objection, but Kudou simply smiled. “—No, it’s not her. But she may have been used by someone behind the scenes.”

Seeing the confusion in K’s eyes, Kudou explained, “At first, I was a bit suspicious as well. But at the art gallery, in that second-to-last narrow exhibit room, if the bullet hadn’t hit the cushion, it could’ve ricocheted and hit her. That’s too dangerous to risk if she were truly involved.”

“Maybe it was a suicide attack to lower our guard and lure us into a deeper trap?” K suggested.

“Other people might do that, but Ms. Kashii wouldn’t,” Kudou answered simply.

K looked at him, still unsure, so Kudou pulled up a Wikipedia page on his phone and showed it to him. “Kashii Kaori. She’s a member of Kashi Group, a multinational corporation specializing in cosmetics and fashion, and the sixth child of the company’s chairman. There’s a good chance she’ll be the next in line to inherit the company. She’s been managing multiple companies under her name and is considered a key figure in the future of the group. Although her older brother, Kashii Seiji, is also very capable, he hasn’t achieved quite as much as she has. Their father, Kashii Minami, apparently favors her as his successor.”

K looked at the Wikipedia page, forming an “O” with his mouth in a long, drawn-out sound of surprise. Kudou waved a hand dismissively. “She’s a client introduced to me through Sonoko. Apparently, before Mr. Tomizawa, Sonoko’s older sister had even discussed a marriage arrangement with her eldest brother. She has a wide personal network, and the reason she came to me, a private detective, is probably because she didn’t want the group’s internal resources uncovering something that could become a scandal. That’s why I’m saying it’s not her. Partly because I trust her character… but also because someone with her bright future and clear standing wouldn’t risk her life and reputation just to work with the remnants of an organization to frame a detective like me.”

K internally marveled at Kudou’s insight, feeling both surprised and unsurprised. I should’ve known—he’s Japan’s most famous high school detective, the modern Holmes of the Heisei era. Even his ‘ordinary’ cases involve extraordinary people. He nodded. “I see. So then…”

Just as Kudou was about to continue his explanation, something unexpected happened.

From across the park’s lawn, a figure suddenly rushed toward Kudou, a flash of silver glinting in their hand. Before Kudou could fully react, K had already sprung into action. Kudou heard the sound of the wind whistling by, and the attacker let out a cry of pain as they were forced back, their wrist grotesquely twisted in the wrong direction, dislocated. The sharp sound of a knife falling to the ground followed. In a matter of seconds, K had disarmed the attacker with a precise kick to the weapon, then quickly closed the distance, locking one of the attacker’s arms behind their back. With a swift knee strike to the spine, K effortlessly subdued the man.

The entire sequence of movements was so fluid and fast that Kudou couldn’t help but be impressed. He always claimed he was no good at fighting, but this… His moves were as polished as a professional bodyguard’s. He could probably even take on that karate champion I once met.

K’s next move was to reach into his jacket, seemingly about to pull out a gun and press it against the back of the attacker’s head. Kudou quickly intervened, “...Wait. I know him... He’s not with the organization.”

K’s arm froze in place, and though he didn’t draw his gun, he remained alert, scanning the area around them. With a flick of his wrist, he pulled out a set of flexible restraints and bound the attacker’s arms and legs tightly in just a few seconds. Only then did K back away and stand next to Kudou, his hand resting inside his jacket, still on guard.

Kudou knelt beside the man, calling him by name. “Mr. Kaneshiro… Is that you? Have you finished serving your sentence?”

“An ex-con out for revenge?” K relaxed slightly and took a few steps forward, picking up the knife—a folding blade. He twirled it deftly between his long fingers, creating a complicated and dazzling display of knife tricks. “With this junk? Seriously?”

That air of nonchalance... Kudou couldn’t help but feel a chill. K’s casual attitude towards the situation was unsettling. Kudou cleared his throat, and the man on the ground, struggling against his bonds, finally looked up, his face partially obscured by dark hair, but his eyes burning with defiant hatred.

“You still remember me, don’t you, Kudou-detective? The nobody whose life you destroyed so easily…” His voice was low, a sinister curse rolling from his throat.

Kudou Shinichi didn’t respond immediately, but K frowned. “Mr. Kaneshiro… right? In the locked-room murder case at the mansion, you set up a deadly trap to protect yourself. If it hadn’t been for your later actions—destroying the body and covering up the scene—you probably would’ve received a much lighter sentence. But once you challenge the law, you’re bound to face consequences. I’m sorry, but that’s the reality,” Kudou said softly, recalling the details.

“What I did…” Kaneshiro struggled on the ground, his gaze sharp and defiant, like a proud wolf. “It was right! It made perfect sense. That man got what was coming to him. If it weren’t for you... The ‘order’ I created would have been flawless. It was just him getting his just deserts!”

“But someone still died,” Kudou replied gently. “Even if that wasn’t your intention, why didn’t you report it to the authorities?”

“You privileged brat, what do you know…” Kaneshiro growled as he lifted his head, his voice filled with bitterness. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to live with a criminal record? How difficult it is to get a job, to maintain the life you’ve painstakingly built? We ordinary people fight with an incredible weight on our shoulders…”

“Yes…” Kaneshiro’s eyes, like a curse, were filled with venom as he looked up, his voice calm but malicious. “I didn’t want to kill you. I wanted to force you into a situation where you had no choice but to kill. To make you become the very criminal he despised. I wanted to destroy your life...”

Bang!

Before Kudou could react, K suddenly stepped forward, crouched down, and flipped the knife handle in his hand, giving a sharp rap to Kaneshiro’s head while mimicking the sound of a gunshot with his mouth. Both Kudou and Kaneshiro paused in surprise, while K’s expression was serious, not at all playful. His blue eyes, usually sharp, now carried a darkness deeper than night, sending a chill through the air.

“Mr. Kaneshiro, are you really taking this seriously?” K’s voice was smooth, but the menace behind it was palpable. “Do you truly understand the meaning of the law?”

While the other person was momentarily stunned, K twirled the knife, stood up lightly, bit his lower lip slightly, and said in a low voice, "The social contract that protects the interests of the majority—this is the law, a boundary we cannot cross. Once we crossed, someone will inevitably be harmed... a human being with flesh and blood just like you. From the moment you chose to break the law... shouldn't you have been mentally prepared for the consequences? If you don’t even have this much of self-awareness, and can only despicably blame on the 'justice' who bring you to the fate you deserve to encounter, who do you think you are?"

Kaneshiro was initially stunned, then raised his head in disbelief, shouting even more furiously: "Huh?! What do you know about it?! Have you ever been in a life-threatening situation?! Have you ever faced uncertainty about your own safety, doubted your suspicions, told the police but they didn’t believe you, and acted alone, carrying immense fear, to confront an enemy you couldn’t even locate?! What right do you have—"

"I did."

"...Huh?" Kaneshiro frowned, seemingly not understanding what K meant.

"I said, I did," K responded coldly, his voice drifting as lightly as ever.

"Precisely because I've been through it, I understand. And that's why I can't understand you." As K faced Kaneshiro's confused and shocked gaze, he spoke softly, his eyes like ice, but within that ice burned a hot, solitary, and yet fervent flame. "When you set those traps by yourself, you should've anticipated it, right? If you had thought someone might die, you should've considered the future where you'd enter prison and atone for the crimes you committed, shouldn't you? If you lacked even this resolve and yet still recklessly broke the law, did the thrill of surpassing law enforcement take root in your heart without restraint? You're like a kitten that stumbled into a minefield, recklessly charging ahead without knowing anything. You stepped on your own trap and yet blame the laws of physics?"

"No wonder why you can't get it."

Under Kaneshiro's astonished gaze, he looked at the man who had appeared out of nowhere, blocking his attack and his all-out plan for revenge. With a near-mocking gesture, K ran his fingers across the sharp blade without getting hurt in the slightest. He exuded a strange, even more dangerous aura than when his life was once threatened, and spoke as if his words were some kind of spell: "There truly are people like the sun, whose glory will never be dimmed no matter what happens. Just because you would cross that forbidden line in such a situation, you think others would too? Ha, how ridiculous—Kudou Shinichi would never be as weak as you. No matter how dire the situation, he would always find a way out. Your despicable, childish revenge could never tarnish 'justice.' You are nothing but... Ouch!"

K’s tirade was abruptly cut short by a well-placed karate chop to his forehead. Kudou, having finally had enough, stepped in, frowning. “Hi, you have gone beyond too much as solely a shadow agent. You’re mixing this with your personal feelings. If you are going to keep doing this, I’ll file a formal complaint to your supervisor.”

“...I’m sorry,” K muttered, recognizing he had overstepped. He quickly withdrew, his threatening aura fading as he backed off sheepishly.

Kaneshiro, still processing what had just happened, glanced up at K. The dangerous figure who had loomed over him mere moments ago now seemed like a shadow returning to the background, as if the beast had been caged once more.

Kudou knelt down beside Kaneshiro, clearing his throat. “Ahem... Mr. Kaneshiro, I apologize for this guy’s behavior. Please don’t take what he said to heart.”

Kudou offered a faint, apologetic smile, shrugging. “I’m not some embodiment of justice, nor the law itself… I’m just an ordinary, greedy person, driven by curiosity. I’ll pursue the truth, even if it means hurting others. In that way, I’m no different from you—or him. We’re all just people, driven by our own selfish desires.”

"Especially," Kudou's sky-blue eyes, filled with a quiet smile, gazed directly at K beneath the brim of his hat. K, however, instinctively averted his eyes just a bit, as Kudou continued, "…recently I’ve come to realize that those I once thought were far different from me aren’t actually so distant. In fact, they’re almost like reflections, mirroring each other. In a different situation, maybe I too would’ve made the same reckless, dangerous decisions."

Meeting K’s disapproving look, Kudou stepped forward decisively, taking the small knife back from K’s hand. He then crouched down and cut through the magic rope binding Kaneshiro. "I understand the difficult position you were in, Mr. Kaneshiro. If it were me… I wouldn’t have done the same, but if other factors were involved, like the life of someone important to me, I might have been driven to extreme actions. So, I can understand your hatred towards me."

“I won’t apologize because this is my principle—my sense of self. But at the very least, I won’t look down on you. Perhaps I was too naïve and arrogant at the time, which may have caused you to misunderstand. But aside from my actions, the law…”

Kaneshiro looked up in bewilderment, unsure how to react to the words of the person he had once hated and despised. Kudou Shinichi, whom he had viewed as unbearably bright and radiant—like staring directly into the sun, painful and blinding—was now smiling gently, as if a softer light, like the moon, had started to reflect in his expression. Kudou offered his hand and helped Kaneshiro up.

"The law isn’t meant to punish people; it’s meant to protect them," Kudou smiled warmly. "And that includes you, Mr. Kaneshiro. I hope you can understand that. If you do, the world might appear a little kinder."

The warmth in Kudou’s hand was genuine, without a trace of deceit. He closed the folding knife and released his grip. "And the life you took can never be returned… but your life isn’t over yet." The gentle voice that had just been offering kind words suddenly sharpened, revealing a cutting edge. "I refuse to believe that a person’s life is over just because they’ve committed a crime. That’s the lie of the weak. If anyone tells me otherwise, I’ll make sure to wake them up!"

K sighed quietly in the background, unable to help himself. Kudou, noticing this, glanced back slightly before continuing, "Life holds the same weight for everyone. Don’t throw away your own just to get revenge on me. Go back to prison, complete your atonement, and start your life anew."

In the bright, almost blinding sunlight, Kaneshiro slowly, almost deliberately, knelt down. He remained there, head bowed, receiving the light of the sun until the police car they had called arrived to take him away.

"Hmph, making the world a little kinder, huh?" K drawled as they walked back toward Kudou's house, crossing his arms behind his head. "That doesn’t sound like something you’d say, detective-kun."

"Really? Maybe I’ve been influenced by someone," Kudou hummed a tune, clearly in a good mood.

"A stubborn guy like you, influenced by someone else?" K quipped in his usual mocking tone. "I wonder who the lucky person is."

"A fool who is unbelievable idealistic, who acts too confident like they can do anything—yet somehow manages to capture everyone’s attention and make it impossible to look away," Kudou glanced at K, who had seamlessly merged back into the shadows. "Who’s obviously very different from you."

"That’s quite unfortunate then," K rolled his eyes, shrugging. "So, what’s next, detective?"

"Next? Well, obviously..."

Kudou Shinichi’s lips curled into a sharp, confident smile. Folding his arms, he answered with absolute certainty, "It’s time to initiate the boss battle—before the adults try to mess up my game by stepping in."

From his spot hidden in the shadows, K looked up at Kudou, standing brightly in the light, and let out a soft, amused chuckle. "As expected… like you said, you’re not what anyone expects."

"You’re just a savage beast, driven purely by curiosity… detective."

The next day, famed detective Kudou Shinichi and his "assistant" met with their client, Kashii Kaori, at a high-end apartment. As soon as Kudou walked through the door, he strode directly to the negotiation table without acknowledging her polite greetings. Instead, he dropped a stack of A4 documents onto the table, getting straight to the point.

"Let’s start with the conclusion from these past few days of investigation: Ms. Kashii, while your boyfriend Mr. Iura may not be involved in any illegal industries, his company has engaged in tax evasion schemes so elaborate they practically invented new ways to cheat the system… I’ve already submitted a backup copy of this evidence to the tax authorities. However, I doubt you’d break up with him over just that. After all, your own group isn’t entirely squeaky clean either… but that’s none of my business."

As their client stared back in shock and confusion, the wild, driven animal—detective, along with his obedient assistant, casually pulled out chairs and sat down. Kudou crossed his legs, tapping lightly on the table.

“—Now, let’s get to the real topic, shall we?”

"So... you're saying that by hiring you to investigate this, I might have unknowingly played into someone else's hands?" Kashii Kaori murmured, her flawless makeup showing a slight sheen of sweat as she rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. "I started suspecting all of this on my own, so I can’t think of any scenario where I was misled… unless…"

"Do you have any clues?" K pressed.

"…Actually, yes," Kashii swallowed hard, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Though I came to you after hearing about your reputation, the decisive reason I decided to hire you was because my second brother, Kashii Uchu, the second son of the chairman, recommended it to me."

Kudou and K exchanged a glance. Kashii Kaori quickly continued, "But I can’t imagine why my brother would want to harm me… We've always been on good terms. If I had to say, it’s just..."

"It might not be that he intended harm," Kudou interrupted, "perhaps he just didn’t make the necessary arrangements to ensure your safety. Or maybe he himself was unknowingly used."

"And if you had to say?" K asked, lifting the brim of his hat slightly.

Kashii hesitated, clearly debating whether to reveal what she considered a family scandal. After a long pause, her eyes flickered between Kudou and K before she finally spoke, "Once, my brother asked to use my company’s influence to show off to some girls—get them exclusive, unreleased products or something like that… Of course, I refused. But something that trivial shouldn’t have been enough for him to hold a grudge against me."

"It’s too soon to make any definitive conclusions," Kudou shrugged. "One thing’s certain, though—whoever is behind this won’t give up easily. If my hunch is right..."

Just as he finished speaking, Kashii's phone buzzed. She glanced at it, and her expression immediately grew serious. She hesitated for a moment, then slid the phone across the table toward them.

The screen displayed a three-minute video: a group of children, looking as if they were on a school trip, clutching identical flags. They were huddled fearfully in a corner of a closed-off room, the Tokyo skyline visible through the large windows behind them, with armed figures pointing guns at them. Beneath the video was a single message:
Kudou Shinichi, we’re waiting for you. Come alone.

Kudou’s face hardened instantly. His right hand rose to cover his mouth, his lips pressed into a thin line. "It seems this was a very deliberate and well-planned move—targeting me specifically."

From K’s angle, though, he could catch a glimpse of something sharp and electric beneath Kudou’s composed expression—a spark of excitement, barely hidden, that even danger couldn’t dim.

“They sent this to my phone…” Kashii’s face mirrored her growing alarm. "So I really am being monitored..." She bit her lip anxiously, and just as she said this, another message appeared on the screen:

Ms. Kashii should come as well.

Kashii gasped, instinctively stepping back. Kudou, however, showed a thoughtful expression, his sharp blue eyes revealing the fierce determination of someone facing an enemy head-on, ready for the challenge.

K let out a deep sigh and picked up his cap from the table, “Alright, then. Let’s get ready to move. But we’re not going in unprepared—no matter how sudden this trap might be, we need to be ready for anything.”

“Are we really going?” Kashii’s voice trembled slightly, her phone slipping from her hand onto the table.

“Mhm, and the sooner the better,” Kudou replied, glancing at his watch. “In any case, we’ll have to notify the police… and the FBI, of course. But we’ll move before those old guys can get in our way and stop us. Better to jump straight into the heart of the battlefield.”

He cast a brief glance at K, almost as if challenging him to object, though he already knew the answer. K remained silent, not stopping him in the slightest, which both frustrated Kudou and confirmed what he had come to expect from his ally.

“Even if this is a brazen and obvious trap, since hostages are involved, we don’t have a choice but to go.” Kudou stood up without hesitation. He then turned toward Kashii. “However, Ms. Kashii, you should stay here. There’s no need for you to put yourself in danger. If my guess is correct…”

“No.”

Kashii took a deep breath, clenching her right hand into a fist. Slowly, she rose from the table. When she looked up again, the steely determination in her gaze had returned—just like when they had first met. She was poised, cold, and dignified, with a sense of responsibility that brooked no argument. She rotated her phone on the table and pointed to the screen. “This is the top floor of the Kashi Department Store… I could tell at a glance.”

Kudou blinked in surprise as Kashii stepped out from behind the table, her expression firm. “This is happening within a property owned by Kashi Group. As a member of the company, it’s my responsibility to handle it. I have to go—whether or not they requested it. This is my duty, and I need to speak with them.”

Kudou Shinichi hesitated for a moment, then let a wry smile tug at the corner of his mouth. "Alright, let’s go," he said.

And with that, the three of them—Kudou, K, and Kashii—set off toward danger, resolutely heading straight into the unknown. No matter what traps or challenges awaited ahead, Kudou glanced at K and said, “As long as you’re here, I’ll be fine. I can count on you, right?”

“…I’d advise against trusting an ex-criminal too much,” K replied, tipping his hat slightly lower over his eyes.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” Kudou responded with a shrug, hands casually stuffed in his pockets, as though dealing with criminals had always been this simple. After all, suspects never really had the power to say ‘no’ to him.

"You really are a troublesome, reckless detective," K sighed.

When they arrived at the base of the Kashi Department Store, the area was already surrounded by police cars, and a few reporters—always eager for drama—had started arriving as well. As soon as they stepped out of the taxi, K noticed Kashii Kaori subtly frown. Being a member of such a prestigious group, she likely had a natural aversion to anything that drew unnecessary media attention, but she remained silent, fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

Kudou quickly approached Inspector Megure, who had clearly been briefed on the situation. His face was serious as he asked, “Kudou-kun… are you really going in there?”

“There are hostages. This is the only way,” Kudou replied firmly as he slipped on the bulletproof vest handed to him by Officer Takagi, fastening it under his suit jacket. He cast a brief glance at K, thinking, He's probably more than capable of handling himself, so I shouldn’t worry. It made his earlier precautions feel rather redundant.

“But they’re targeting you specifically. Be careful,” Megure warned, concern lacing his voice. “This is clearly about one of your past cases, and now you’re the one bearing the weight of it. We won’t forget that.”

“Let’s save the speeches for after we’ve solved the case,” Kudou remarked, checking his watch. Glancing behind him, he gave K a signal, and K quietly followed.

“Kudou-kun, who is this?” Megure asked curiously.

“He’s… let’s say, my bodyguard,” Kudou lifted his arm slightly in introduction, while K, ever discreet, simply nodded, keeping his hat low over his face.

“But the hostage-takers requested that you go in alone...” Megure began, only for Kudou to cut him off with a wry smile.

“Exactly. So, of course, he won’t be going up with me.”

K nodded subtly in agreement, leaving Megure looking puzzled.

“Well then, let’s go, Ms. Kashii,” Kudou called, gesturing toward her.

Once inside the building, Kashii Kaori used her personal access card to lead them through private passageways straight to the top floor. These routes were known only to internal staff, so the public had no way of knowing how to access them. When they reached the top floor, they saw the terrified children huddled around a pillar near the elevators, just as in the video. Opposite them stood the armed kidnappers by the windows, now with the curtains drawn to prevent snipers from targeting them. However, what caught Kudou’s attention was the man tied up at the feet of the kidnappers, bound and gagged. It didn’t take long for him to recognize the man from his background checks on Kashii’s associates.

“Brother…” Kashii Kaori’s face briefly showed a flicker of complicated emotions, but she quickly composed herself, her expression turning serious. Without hesitation, she bowed formally to the children, who were cowering in fear, her voice soft but steady.

“This situation arose due to our internal failings. On behalf of Kashi Group, I sincerely apologize for the distress this has caused you. We take full responsibility for this, and we will do everything in our power to ensure your safety. I’m deeply sorry.”

Her calm and respectful apology, even to the children, caught their attention, and a hint of curiosity flickered in their eyes, easing some of the tension in the room. Meanwhile, the masked man standing at the center of the room, clearly the leader, let out a scoff. “Even in a situation like this, you still have the nerve to keep up appearances… whatever. Kudou Shinichi, it’s about time you showed up. Barely made it in the final minute, didn’t you? Pretty confident of yourself.”

Without hesitation, the man raised his gun, aiming it directly at Kudou. Kudou lifted his hands in mock surrender and sighed. “Do you really have to chase me this relentlessly? Your organization is nothing more than remnants at this point. Surely you wouldn’t go to such lengths just for revenge?”

His tone turned serious. “Or is it because I know your organization’s biggest secret—your true objective? And you can’t afford to let me live, because you know that if you don’t kill me now, I’ll eventually destroy everything you’ve worked for.”

“Enough talk!” the leader barked, holding the gun firmly. “Tell me where the APTX4869 files are!”

So they want something from me, not just to kill me outright this time, Kudou thought, furrowing his brow. The previous attacks had all been aimed at wiping him out completely. This time they’re confident—probably because they think they’ve got everything under control and want more.

“Why do you ask me? Wouldn’t it be better to ask our friends at the FBI?” Kudou tilted his head with a sarcastic shrug. “Even if I told you, you wouldn’t have the means to retrieve those files at this point, right?”

“Is that so?” The leader sneered and raised his gun higher, his gaze cold. “Then I suppose it’s time for you to die!”

So killing me is still the priority. Kudou thought quickly. At least I’ve managed to confirm their real goal. He feigned panic, throwing his hands up once again. “Wait, wait! Let’s talk! I’ll tell you what I know…”

The leader narrowed his eyes but paused, signaling for his men to hold back. “Go on then. Talk.”

“Alright, listen… You know, there’s a hidden FBI base on a nearby island,” Kudou began, stalling for time as he subtly shifted his stance. Ten seconds… nine… eight… "It’s located somewhere in the Pacific, if I recall correctly. It’s where they’ve moved a lot of the important documents relating to your organization…"

Meanwhile, Kashii Kaori, staying quiet, had already maneuvered herself closer to the pillar where the children were hiding, discreetly positioning herself just a step away from them.

“Five… four…” Kudou continued his rambling, keeping an eye on the leader’s growing impatience. He tapped his head theatrically, pretending to recall difficult details. “I don’t know the exact address, but their shipping route… I think it goes…”

The leader, growing irritated, placed his finger on the trigger, clearly eager to end the conversation and Kudou’s life. Kudou kept his voice calm as he tried to buy just a little more time. “If I give you this information, can you guarantee the hostages’ safety?”

“Depends on how things turn out for you,” the leader growled, raising his gun threateningly once more. “If you don’t start talking soon, their lives might not be so safe after all.”

“Three… two…” Almost there…

“Alright, alright! Fine! I’ll tell you!” Kudou said with exaggerated panic, discreetly moving one hand closer to his ear.

One.

“Bang—!!!”

In an instant, the sound of shattering glass exploded through the top floor, like thunder crashing from a clear sky. The sheer force of the sound wave and physical impact threw everyone off balance, causing chaos to erupt. The leader of the kidnappers instinctively pulled the trigger, but his stance had shifted due to the unexpected disturbance, sending him tumbling to the floor as Kudou, fully prepared, rolled swiftly out of harm's way.

Amid the confusion, a shadowy figure swung swiftly past the massive windows outside, moving with the grace of wind. As the figure danced along the glass, the curtains, seemingly attached to some mechanism, were yanked open with a loud whoosh, flaring out like sails in the wind. The cold, sharp air of the high-rise whipped through the room, carrying shards of broken glass that cut into the legs of the kidnappers nearest to the window, sending blood and glass spinning into the air.

The sudden flood of light blinded everyone momentarily, their eyes instinctively turning away from the brightness toward the safety of the shadows. And in that brief moment, the dark figure swung into the room, using a single leg to kick off from the window frame, moving with an almost magical, impossible agility. Before anyone could react, the figure's legs lashed out, striking the guns out of the hands of each kidnapper near the windows, following a precise and powerful trajectory fueled by the momentum of the swing.

Then, in one fluid motion, the figure released the rope and tumbled gracefully to the ground, rolling several times before rising smoothly on one knee. A shallow cut from the glass marked his back, a thin streak of blood visible, but the figure stood as though unaffected, brushing off the debris from his clothes. He tilted his chin toward Kudou Shinichi, who had also just gotten to his feet.

"Yo," the figure greeted casually.

"Yo," Kudou replied with a slight nod, squinting as his eyes adjusted to the light. The shadowy figure was still difficult to make out against the blinding backdrop, but Kudou remained calm and composed, as if unfazed by the situation. “Took your time getting here.”

"Scaling the outside of the building and setting up a device to break the glass isn’t exactly easy, you know," K replied, folding his arms behind his head and sticking out his tongue playfully. "There aren’t many who could pull off my kind of speed, y'know?"

Meanwhile, the kidnappers, who had been slow to recover from the shock, were finally getting to their feet. Just as they reached for their guns, red laser dots from sniper scopes danced across their bodies, eventually fixing on their foreheads. The FBI’s top snipers had already set up across the adjacent building, waiting for the curtains to open. In mere seconds, all the kidnappers had been locked into their sights.

“Next time you’re working in a high-rise, you should be more careful around the windows,” K said with a smirk. “Just a tip from an old hand~”

“Checkmate,” K added with a playful smile, mimicking a gun with his fingers and pretending to shoot one of the kidnappers. As he did, the red dot on the sniper’s scope aligned perfectly with the man's forehead, leaving him frozen in place, his expression one of shock and disbelief.

In that moment, K—an enigmatic figure from the shadows, likely a former criminal but now an ally—had shifted the entire mood of the room. His presence commanded control and effortlessly disarmed the tension.

But there was one person who remained unfazed.

The leader, despite having been thrown off balance by the initial blast, had regained his composure almost immediately. With practiced precision, he readjusted his stance and aimed his gun directly at Kudou Shinichi once more. Even with a red laser dot now trained on his own forehead, his aim was steady, his posture flawless. He stared coldly at Kudou, a disdainful sneer on his face.

"Do you want to test whether my reaction time is faster than that of the snipers a few hundred meters away?" he said, his voice icy, daring Kudou to challenge him.

“I’m not quite that bold,” Kudou said with a smile, though his eyes remained sharp. “But now that I’m the only hostage left, and your comrades have essentially become our hostages, how about we negotiate?”

K gracefully made his way to the center of the room, carefully helping Kashii Kaori to her feet. During the explosion of glass earlier, she had instinctively shielded the children. Kudou glanced at them briefly, his voice steady. “Let’s start by letting the other hostages go, along with your remaining comrades. I’ll stay as your hostage, and then we can have a proper conversation.”

The leader, still calm and composed despite the situation, scoffed slightly. “You’re too tied up with official organizations. As a hostage, you don’t quite hold enough value. If necessary, you’d sacrifice yourself without hesitation.”

He opened his coat, revealing a vest packed with explosives and wired to a detonator, the sight making Kudou’s expression grow more serious. “Even though you’ve got us in a corner now, I can still use everyone here to threaten you.”

Kudou’s face remained grim as the leader paused for three seconds before speaking again. “Let my people leave—beyond the range of your sight—and then I’ll agree to release the hostages.”

The man lifted his gun slightly, a cold smile creeping onto his face. “Let’s have a one-on-one negotiation. You and me.”

As the negotiations for the hostages' release were being finalized, K leaned close to Kashii Kaori's ear and whispered, "Ms. Kashii, you should leave with the others."

"But..." Kashii hesitated, still harboring doubts, but beneath the brim of his hat, K’s youthful face blinked reassuringly. "It's fine. If mine... if the detective’s reasoning is correct, all you need to do is leave."

Kashii didn’t argue further, only nodding slightly. With a trembling hand, she gripped one of the children's hands and led them away through the central staircase. Soon enough, Kashii Kaori and the children had left, but Kashii Uchuu, her brother, was forcefully taken along by the kidnappers, who declared him "one of their own."

K silently concealed himself in the corner, blending into the shadows, his presence so muted that the leader failed to notice him. The towering glass windows of the top floor reflected the approaching evening, with the sunset casting a sharp orange hue across the horizon. The neon lights of bustling Tokyo flickered on as the city remained unaware of the crisis unfolding in its midst. In the dimly lit room, it seemed that only two figures remained: the detective and the remnants of a criminal organization.

Kudou crossed his arms, tapping his elbow lightly as he looked down at the crouching criminal before him. Breaking the silence, he remarked, “Isn’t it suffocating to wear that mask all the time, Moscato?”

At the sound of his name, the man scoffed and removed the mask with one hand, revealing damp auburn hair and a rough face, glistening with sweat. He sneered, his lips curling slightly. “So, you figured out it was me, huh?”

“Of course,” Kudou sighed, watching as Moscato pressed a finger to his earpiece, confirming that his comrades had safely retreated. “So obsessed with me that, even though your group is barely hanging on, you decided to launch a reckless, suicidal attack... It could only be you, after how much hatred you showed me when the organization was destroyed.”

Moscato’s lips twisted into a grin as Kudou raised an eyebrow. "I must say, I’m surprised. You were never one for following orders. And now, you’re willing to stay behind to cover for your comrades? When did you become so... self-sacrificing? Weren’t you the one known for defying the organization’s authority?"

“Sherry said that, didn’t she? Ah, that talkative woman,” Moscato’s eyes glinted with cold malice. Kudou tensed, watching him closely as Moscato suddenly burst into a strange, maniacal laugh.

“Haha! Hahahahaha! HAHAHA…”

In Kudou’s wary gaze, Moscato finally lowered his head, a twisted smile tugging at his lips. “You’re right—I’m still a lone wolf. This whole operation? It was my doing, I forced it through! And I didn’t stay behind out of loyalty or some noble cause. No, I’m here... just in case.”

“Just in case?” Kudou frowned, sensing danger.

“In case I didn’t manage to kill you the first time. I’ve prepared a backup plan,” Moscato cackled wildly, raising his gun without hesitation and pulling the trigger.

Bang!

Negotiations had collapsed. Or perhaps, Moscato never had any intention of negotiating in the first place. The location of the APTX4869 files and allowing his comrades to escape were nothing more than secondary concerns. From the very beginning, his only goal had been one thing:

—to eliminate Kudou Shinichi.

Bang!

The first shot rang out as a playing card struck Moscato’s gun, sending the barrel slightly off course. The second shot whizzed past Kudou Shinichi’s face, the bullet embedding itself in the wall behind him, missing him by just a foot.

Kudou wasted no time, lunging forward to try and wrestle the gun from Moscato’s grasp. But Moscato, still laughing maniacally, screamed, "Then let's die together!" He swung the gun toward himself, aiming it at his own head as Kudou, in a panic, reached out to stop him.

Bang!

Bang!

Two more shots echoed through the room.

The first shot came as another card flew from K, striking Moscato’s gun. Though it diverted the aim slightly, it wasn’t enough. The gunshot tore through Moscato’s skull, shattering part of the back of his head. K was there in an instant, catching Moscato’s falling body before it hit the floor. He frantically checked the wound, his hands trembling, but after a brief pause, he let them fall to his sides.

Sweat beaded on K’s forehead as he slowly lifted his head to meet Kudou’s gaze, his lips pressed into a thin line. “… He’s gone.”

Blood continued to trickle from the gaping hole in Moscato’s head, yet even as his life ebbed away, a low, dark chuckle escaped his lips. That eerie laughter persisted until his consciousness finally faded into nothing.

Kudou crouched beside the body, pulling back Moscato’s coat to inspect the explosive device. Sure enough, the device was connected to Moscato’s vital signs. Once those signs flatlined, the countdown to detonation would begin—perhaps only a few minutes, or even less than one.

This entire operation, the hostage situation, the attack on the building—it had all been a facade. Moscato’s plan, from the very start, had been a suicide attack. He had known he wouldn’t survive, and his only goal was to take Kudou Shinichi down with him.

Even though it was a doomed and reckless plan, one easily foiled by the FBI snipers, Moscato had only needed this one moment.

Kudou Shinichi had come alone, as Moscato had wanted. Even with the FBI snipers in position, there was nothing they could do about the bomb wired to Moscato’s body.

It was a trap without an escape.

—At least, if Kudou had truly come alone.

"In just a few minutes... disarming a bomb like this isn’t really feasible," Kudou Shinichi remarked calmly as he examined the structure of the explosives attached to Moscato's body. His tone was eerily composed, far more so than K, the seasoned agent by his side. "Judging by its power and the fact that he went through with a suicide mission, it’s unlikely we could escape the blast radius in one or two minutes."

"...You're disturbingly calm, you know that?" K muttered, adjusting the brim of his hat as he raised his head, letting out a bitter chuckle. "You do realize you’re about to die, right? Ever-confident detective-kun."

Under the shadow of his hat, K’s eyes stared intently at Kudou Shinichi. Finally, with the obscuring shade giving him cover, K allowed himself to openly and greedily observe the young detective in a way he had denied himself these past days. This boy, who fancied himself a hero, always diving headfirst into danger, was barely older than K himself—just one month. And beneath the veil of logic and reason lay a heart that burned hotter and beat more fiercely than anyone’s. Kudou was strong, unshakable, and dazzling—just like the fading sunlight reflecting across the city skyline. The final dying rays of the day illuminated Kudou’s face, painting him in the golden glow of twilight, the wind cutting through the shattered window and whipping around him. He stood tall, unafraid, with a slight smirk tugging at his lips: “Is that so? I’m afraid I won’t be dying just yet.”

"Looks like our detective already had a plan," K sighed, still holding onto Moscato’s wrist, feeling the pulse weakening as he silently counted down the moments until it would stop completely.

“Why else would I have dared to come?” Kudou countered, extending his hand toward K, then flipping it over midair, turning it into an inviting gesture. “You said 'yes', didn’t you?”

“…”

“Don’t just stand there,” Kudou chuckled softly. “In a high-rise building like this... isn’t this ‘someone’s’ favorite kind of stage? Or have you forgotten how to do it? Do I need to teach you again?”

The top floor of the building fell into an eerie silence. Kudou sighed inwardly, amused at the situation. This guy… why does he always have to act like this?

He had established a persona, hadn’t he? The mature, professional older agent; the silent, reliable shadow; the dangerous and mysterious ex-criminal? His deep, low voice, his posturing, his cryptic words—all calculated.

And yet... why couldn’t he help but break character? That mischievous, sharp-witted, bold, and free spirit kept slipping through. The intense gaze that made Kudou’s heart race, the atmosphere that made his blood run hot, the puzzles that he couldn’t help but get wrapped up in...

Was it habit or defiance? A slip of control, or out of control? Was he being careless, or utterly fearless? Despite he could hide better, he was still so audacious, that determined to stare at Kudou with those eyes, with that direct, unguarded gaze.

In the space where the two people stood staring at each other, the criminal's beating heart gradually stopped, and his breathing became weak, and then the countdown screen on the bomb lit up. The last 20 seconds of the countdown were coming to an end, and if no vital signs returned, the bomb would destroy everything on this floor. However, as if indifferent to all of this, he was just focused, serious and quiet, looking at the person in front of him, the figure that was burrowing out of his shadow. The blue-eyed eyes that he hid under the shadows were eyes like the sky.

And then, Kudou Shinichi smiled.

Those lips are slightly upturned, wanton, flamboyant, hesitant, heartfelt, as they were at every night's rendezvous. The detective whose heart is simply driven by the excitement of the subtle puzzle and the case, the thrilling game of the crime, would he also admit that, at some point, perhaps independently of the showdowns, the riddles, the crises, he  was also simply revelled in the magic of the performance itself, gazed up at the glint of the –

“Spread your wings!"

Kudou raised his chin, his voice high and commanding.

A black cap was tossed into the air.

Kudou Shinichi lifted his head, gazing at the vast nightscape beyond the window. He laughed, his voice ringing out into the night, clear and jubilant. Turning his eyes toward K, he shouted the name of the one code he had always known, the one alias he could never forget:

"KID 1412."

— the touch of silver towards the full moon.

A white figure spread its wings, taking flight into the night.

One moment later, a burst of fireworks illuminated the Tokyo sky.

…

The next day, Kashi Group held an emergency meeting with senior members to address the severe kidnapping, extortion, and terror attack that had occurred at Kashi Department Store the previous day. The meeting was initiated directly by the current head of the family and chairman, Kashii Minami, and took place in a stately, traditional Japanese mansion owned by the family. Kashii Kaori, dressed in a formal black suit, attended, exuding a somber air that reflected her stance on the matter.

"Yo, Kaori~" A voice called out to her before she could enter the meeting hall.

She turned to see her fourth brother, Kashii Seiji. He leaned against the wall with one arm, raising his other hand in a dismissive wave. "Your department store was at the center of such a big mess, yet you still have the guts to show up, huh?"

"…Doesn't Seiji also own shares in the store?" Kaori calmly replied. "I'm more surprised to see you here."

"Huh? I never got involved in management. Only you and our good-for-nothing brother, who's still missing, ever dealt with that," Seiji raised his eyebrows, his tone full of disdain. "Looks like your chances of becoming the next head of the family are slim, Kaori. How pitiful."

"…No, that’s not what I meant." Kaori paused for half a second before continuing, "What I find surprising is that after what you've done, you really think none of us would notice, and that you'd get away clean. I thought you would have already boarded a ship to Southeast Asia by now, fleeing for your life. But here you are, leisurely attending this 'trap' of a meeting."

"Isn't that just a little too naive?"

As she finished speaking, the sound of synchronized, heavy footsteps echoed through the halls. From the corner of the traditional mansion, armed FBI agents in black tactical gear, who had been lying in wait, marched into the scene, surrounding the now-panicked Kashii Seiji. Leading the charge was none other than Kudou Shinichi, who stepped forward. He, too, seemed a bit surprised by Seiji’s decision to walk into a trap so easily, but his professional demeanor remained intact as he politely explained:

"Did you know, Seiji-san? Your dear partner Moscato… didn't seem to have any clue why Kaori-san was at the department store. He probably thought she was just a staff member who opened the elevator for me."

"You really need to communicate better," came another voice from behind Seiji. He turned in a panic, seeing a boy casually sitting on a nearby cabinet with his arms behind his head, wearing a cap that couldn't quite conceal the wide, mischievous grin spread across his face. It was as if a long-hidden gem had finally been revealed, shining brightly. “This is some advice from a ‘veteran,’ though I usually work alone.”

Seiji turned back around, sweat trickling down his brow. Kudou Shinichi stood calmly before him, continuing his deduction. "The sense of something being off was always there, wasn’t it? First, the biggest question was Kaori-san’s connection to all these events. But the real confirmation came with that text message."

"The first message asked for me to come alone. And then, based on Moscato's actions, I confirmed that the only target was me," Kudou paused, then continued, "But the second message—asking for Kaori-san to be present—was strange, wasn’t it? It clearly revealed two different wills at play."

"The explanation is simple: there’s someone within Kashi Group working with the remnants of the organization. That’s the only answer."

"And it couldn’t be someone like Kashii Uchuu, who was simply being used. It had to be someone who could offer concrete benefits—someone who had enough influence to negotiate with the organization directly."

"Who else could it be but someone who’s in a competitive position for the family headship, someone who feels threatened by Kaori-san’s success and has been driven to make underhanded deals with criminal organizations, betting everything on a desperate gamble..." K added leisurely, hopping down from the cabinet with a soft landing. "Most importantly, it would have to be someone who managed to fulfill Uchuu’s unreasonable personal requests—someone who used him to carry out their plans."

K walked toward Seiji, his expression growing darker. "You must have tried to persuade Moscato to take out Kaori-san while working together, but he refused, didn’t he? After all, even though you were partners, you weren’t that important to them."

"So you decided to act on your own, using Uchuu’s suggestion to make Kaori-san your client. You leaked information about Mr. Iura’s whereabouts, hoping that during the attack, Kaori-san might just be caught in the crossfire," Kudou explained. "You didn’t even need to involve the organization. You just privately hoped that things would work out in your favor."

"That’s why that illogical message came to be," Kudou chuckled lightly. "Two wills… Kaori-san’s phone number, I assume, was provided by you. So, despite the instructions for me to come alone, you added your own directive, dragging Kaori-san into the dangerous game you played with the organization. That’s the source of the contradiction."

"Your company’s accounts have always been suspicious," K chimed in, flipping through the files in his hand, stretching out his words. "At first, we thought it was just tax evasion, but now it looks like you’ve been laundering money for the organization. I’ve heard Minami-san runs things fairly, so this must be a little side business you developed on your own?"

"And the discrepancies began exactly two years ago," Kudou added, spreading his hands. "Right around the time when the core of the organization was wiped out. That’s when they must have been forced into collaborating with someone like you. Judging by the scale, it seems like your cooperation was quite deep."

Seiji’s face was now drenched in sweat, his expression giving away the truth of the detective’s deductions. He took a nervous step back, knocking over a vase on the cabinet behind him. But Kudou remained unyielding, pressing forward until Seiji’s back was against the cold wall. The detective’s smile was as icy as the arctic freeze, unrelenting and filled with the force of inevitability.

"And now," Kudou’s voice dropped to a cold, unshakable tone, "tell us the location of the organization’s remnants, Kashii Seiji."

Thus, following Kashii Seiji's confession and the confirmation of the whereabouts of the remaining members of the organization, the FBI swiftly took charge of tracking, locating, and eradicating them. The events surrounding the kidnapping, extortion, and terror attack inflicted significant damage on the Kashi Group. Kashii Seiji was arrested, and Kashii Kaori, who had been at the heart of the situation, ultimately resigned, bearing much of the public's criticism. It seemed the position of the next family head would likely go to someone outside the family. However, Kaori took it in stride, smiling as she said, "It’s about time Japan’s corporate world changed its outdated family inheritance system. This could be a good thing for Kashi Group. Besides, I’ve always had doubts about taking over the family business. This is my chance to start something new and build my own career."

As for Kudou Shinichi, it wasn’t long before he received news that the remnants of the organization had been completely wiped out. With the threat eliminated, he was finally able to return to his normal life.

Naturally, Agent K's mission had also come to an end. It was time for him to bid Kudou farewell and return to FBI headquarters to await new orders. During their parting, dressed in his usual black attire, K spoke lightly, as if he had never been weighed down by the gravity of the mission: "Well then, this is goodbye. I wish you all the best, detective."

Kudou opened his mouth, as if to say something, but hesitated. He slowly scratched the back of his head, pausing for a long moment before finally looking up, furrowing his brows slightly. For once, without avoiding the issue, he asked directly, "Will I... see you again?"

There was no immediate answer. K quietly turned his head away, remaining silent for a long while. He appeared somewhat melancholic, but it seemed more like an act, as though he was trying to maintain composure. Eventually, a familiar smile crept across his face—a courteous, perfected smile. With one hand over his chest and the other stretched behind him, he gave an exaggerated bow, like an actor at the beginning of a performance, and said, "Dear guest, life is long—should fate allow, even the sea and sky, though never meant to meet, might cross paths at a thin horizon."

It’s been a while, Kudou thought, feeling a twinge of annoyance at the theatrics. He pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes slightly, and asked, "…How long will you continue your service for the FBI?"

A single finger lifted to hover in front of Kudou’s lips—half an inch from touching them. Underneath his cap, K smirked. “Ah, that’s classified information. Just like my identity. If you’re that curious… why not join them yourself?”

This guy, Kudou thought with mild exasperation. Has he even been tasked with recruiting me by Akai-san? He's carrying quite the load, huh... Kudou sighed, swatting K’s hand away. Then, furrowing his brow slightly, he stubbornly leaned in, forcing himself under the brim of K’s cap, where he could see the faint, obscured light shining through the fabric. He was determined to catch a glimpse of K's expression—especially those dimly glowing blue eyes.

Cold sweat seemed to bead on K’s forehead as he instinctively stepped back, only to halt, barely holding his ground. He stood at a curious angle, slightly off-balance yet maintaining a delicate equilibrium. The two pairs of blue eyes, just inches apart, gazed into one another, reflecting each other's depths. Their breaths tangled briefly, as if some unspoken boundary had been crossed.

And then, Kudou pulled back. K let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, clearly still unwilling to cross a certain line.

"‘If we get the chance,’ huh…" Kudou muttered softly.

“Mm…” K adjusted his posture, smoothing out his collar as he gave a businesslike smile. “Yes, if we get the chance.”

“But don’t go deliberately getting yourself into trouble just because you miss me,” K added with a sigh. “Though I suppose… knowing you, you’ll keep running into it anyway.”

With that, K turned away and began walking off, casually waving a hand over his shoulder. “Well then, goodbye. Take care.”

“Mm…” Kudou barely opened his mouth, as though wanting to call out something else, but in the end, he merely replied softly, “Goodbye, K.”

It was a simple, familiar parting—reminiscent of their first encounter—yet it carried a certain finality, as if this truly might be the last time.

“If we can meet again…” Kudou Shinichi watched the black-clad figure fade from view, smiling with anticipation rather than sorrow, “Let’s meet again freely, if fate allows.”

K pursed his lips, unable to resist a glance back over his shoulder. Then, in a voice too soft for the detective to hear, he murmured: “Farewell, Meitantei.”

With a faint smile on his face, Kudou Shinichi stood in the brilliant midday sun. The black shadow of K melted into the deeper, familiar darkness, disappearing as if it had never been part of the light.

In the dazzling midday sunlight, light and shadow parted ways, sending K back into the familiar depths of darkness. Like a fleeting dream, this was the short, brief story of Mr. K and a certain detective—a tale of crossed paths that unfolded over the course of one week.

And with that, the story comes to an end.

Or perhaps, it’s simply the beginning of something new?

Four years later.

The now 24-year-old detective, Kudou Shinichi, was at the pinnacle of his career. Solving a series of major cases had kept him consistently on the front pages of newspapers, and his office was overflowing with clients, including royalty and nobility from overseas. Amidst the constant flow of cases, Kudou couldn’t help but feel the need for a break—a brief moment of relaxation. So, when he opened the mailbox to find a beautifully packaged invitation, sent on behalf of his mother, who was far away overseas, he felt an unusual sense of delight.

Impressive... he thought, glancing down at the flyer in his hand. On it was the image of a figure dressed in a tailcoat, standing confidently under the spotlight and falling confetti. He elegantly raised his arms, releasing a flurry of doves from his hat. Though it was only a side profile, Kudou could almost sense the person’s enjoyment—the carefree, radiant expression of someone reveling in the crowd's applause.

Even someone as focused on solving crimes as Kudou had heard of this rising magician. Over the past year, this performer had quickly become a top-tier star, known for his exceptional skills, stage design, and captivating performances. It was rare for him to perform in Japan, and his shows had sold out almost immediately. In fact, he had taken the spotlight away from Kudou in the headlines several times. It was said that getting a ticket was nearly impossible, and yet Kudou Yukiko, his mother, had managed to get front-row seats with a personal invitation. Perhaps it was thanks to her connections from her own time in show business.

The performance itself was every bit as spectacular as expected. While part of Kudou’s mind was busy analyzing tricks and pondering the methods behind the illusions, he also allowed himself to enjoy the show. After the performance, he followed the staff’s directions to the backstage area. When the magician saw him, there was a brief flash of surprise and understanding in those sea-blue eyes.

"Hello, I’m here on behalf of my mother, Kudou Yukiko," Kudou greeted politely. "She’s currently in Los Angeles and wanted me to tell you she’s delighted to see you become a magician. She believes your performance truly lives up to Kuroba-sensei’s legacy."

The magician nimbly jumped up from the couch, resting his arms behind his head as he replied, "Is that so? What a pity. I haven’t seen Yukiko-neesan in ages. I was hoping to ask her about the new Night Baron novel—I’m a huge fan."

He paused for half a second, then a mischievous smile flitted across his lips, his blue eyes twinkling like fluttering butterflies. Stepping forward, he extended a hand toward Kudou and said, "But, since this is a rare chance, it’s nice to meet you too..."

Not bad at all, Kudou thought. As a magician, it’s essential to skillfully manipulate the environment, setting the stage even when the trap has already been laid and the deck stacked. The audience should still believe the choice was theirs. However, there's one slip-up. If he’s such a fan of the Night Baron series, he should’ve seen Kudou Yuusaku’s recent TV interview and known that they’ve been living in the U.S. Besides, this magician had made his debut in America, and his last tour had been in Los Angeles.

Was it a momentary slip, or was there a calculated confidence behind it? Either way, it didn’t matter. Kudou Shinichi’s smile was subtle but unshakeable, as calm and assured as always. He extended his hand in return, clasping the magician’s long, elegant fingers in his own.

Meeting the magician’s carefree, audaciously grinning blue eyes, Kudou began this new encounter with a customary, yet slightly altered, introduction to open a fresh chapter in their story.

"—Kuroba Kaito. As you can see, I’m a magician."

"Kudou Shinichi. I’m a detective. —It’s a pleasure to meet you."