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Chapter Text

Today’s heist has been really weird. Weird enough that Officer Nakamura of the Kaitou Kid taskforce wants to sit everyone down and reevaluate the advance notice they’ve received, just in case it was a fake. Except, Nakamura was part of the group authenticating the note, he knows without a shred of doubt that the note is the real deal.

That, and as part of this specialized taskforce, he has a little bit of pride to keep.

Because the way this heist is going is weird, yes. But weird in a sense that they’ve never been this successful before. They are incredibly lucky today, even 30 minutes before the announced time, sightings have been reported, suspicious movements and bound officers are found, loose ventilation covers are discovered, planted smoke bombs are disabled. 

All this luck compounded to the Kaitou Kid revealing himself around 5 minutes early, standing proudly on his target’s glass casing with a smirk as he assessed the group of officers surrounding him. And from here, he’s sure the heist is only going to get weirder.

From his position standing slightly to the right and behind Nakamori-Keibu, Officer Nakamura can’t help but notice how… odd Kaitou Kid looked.

Sure, the thief is a master of disguise. The taskforce has learned to take any witness statements regarding the thief’s appearance with a grain of salt, especially after that one heist with Kid wearing Nakamori-Keibu’s daughter’s face. But within the eye-catching white suit that he wears, Kid has a standard appearance that he likes to keep.

Soft rounded face, clean shaven, non-distinct average height, slender built, boyish charms, mischievous smirks, and dexterous magician hands beneath white silk gloves.

The man in front of them is none of that. Sure, he’s displaying the same show-stopping magic skills that placed the gem into his hands within a tap of his heels, but everything else is wrong. A sharp face, thin mustache, a tall and strong build, an old gentleman’s charm, and a condescending playful smirk as if one is playing with children.

“You’re early,” Nakamori-Keibu protests, “... Kaitou Kid!” That hesitance in his call, it seems Nakamura wasn’t the only one to take notice of this oddity, though there’s a hint of confused familiarity in Nakamori-Keibu’s expression. He doesn’t know what observation can stump the inspector like so, but he would chalk that up to Nakamori-keibu’s seniority and experiences.

In front of them, the false Kid started talking. “Forgive me, Nakamori-Keibu,” he engages in familiar banter, but even that sounded wrong. “It seems there was some interference during today’s heist.”

And if this Kid’s appearance is alarming, his voice is even more so.

Nakamura isn’t sure what is different but he knows.

It’s too deep, too gravely, too old. It’s too different.

For once Officer Nakamura really wished Hakuba was around to validate this feeling. He could probably pinpoint the different pitch and speech pattern that would prove this Kid is false.

For now, all he could conclude is that,

It’s wrong.

Subconsciously, most officers take a more defensive stance. Criminals tend to be violent after all, and just because their Kid is safe enough for them to focus on offense does not mean his imitators are the same.

Their open hostility definitely catches the false Kid’s attention though, especially when Nakamori-Keibu unconsciously reaches into his gun holster. The man in front of them laughs as he points it out, “Really Keibu?” he asks, “It hasn’t even been 10 years and you’ve forgotten me?”

And everyone pauses, because nearly 10 years ago was Kid’s first disappearance. Does that mean… the one they’ve been chasing this past year, the only one Officer Nakamura has ever chased, was the imitator all along?

No one got time to ponder over those words, not when familiar pink smoke covers the false, no, the old? Let’s stick with that for now. Pink smoke covers the old Kid, simmering to reveal the man empty handed and tied by a line of colorful scarves. The man only sighs, making the scarves go slack with a snap of his hands.

“It seems it is time for me to go. Junior does not appreciate me taking back my own name,” The old Kid bids farewell, though not before glaring at a specific officer to his right, standing opposite the case from where Nakamura stands. “I should go before he decides to run more interference.”

With that, the old Kid vanishes with a bang, leaving the taskforce to stare at the officer he has implicated. Junior?

A quick glance at his face is enough for Nakamura to remember that the officer was the first one who called the sighting, face strict as he delivered his report. That seriousness is no longer there though, instead, confronted with the full force of the taskforce, his expression shows a comfortingly familiar grin.

Gloved hands conjuring the gem out of nowhere. Shrugging as he talks in the voice Nakamura didn’t realize he had missed. “Well, if Senior wanted to keep the name, he shouldn’t have abandoned me with it for the last 9 years.”

With that closing statement, he tosses the gem to Nakamori-Keibu’s awaiting arms and disappears after this "Senior" in another bang.

What a weird heist.

—

As much as he wants to deny it, Nakamori Ginzo has been faced with the truth once before. Hakuba Saguru and his analysis from what he claimed was Kaitou Kid’s hair has said that the Kaitou Kid they were chasing was young. What was it? Estimated sixteen to eighteen. It’s just that the skills that Kaitou Kid displayed was on par with the one before his hiatus. It’s easy to dismiss that hair as a false evidence taken from the dirty public museum floor.

But now with a more recent comparison of two Kaitou Kids, Nakamori Ginzo and the rest of the taskforce can’t ignore it any longer. In this meeting room with his subordinates, the big board plastered with photos and CCTV clippings are covered with lines and speculative thoughts.

On one end, is who they decidedly call Senior, and on the other end is Junior. Fitting names now that they can compare how one is a lot more juvenile than the other. Photos from 10 years ago, the past year, as well as the one last night scattered throughout.

“So we can agree that Senior dropped the cape 9 years ago, and Junior picked it up again a year ago,” Nakamura exclaims, “But then why would Junior start?”

That question is easy to answer. The Kid that first appeared a year ago was so undoubtedly wrong , from their performance down to his creepy plastic mask. Junior probably wanted to defend Senior’s reputation thus he stopped the masked imitator and took on the mantle himself.

“But why would he defend Senior if, according to Junior himself, Senior abandoned him?” Someone pointed out. That’s a fair point, from last night’s heist they know that Senior and Junior’s current relationship are somewhat hostile. Junior was actively helping the taskforce capture Senior and all. Thus, the only reason Junior would want to defend Senior was if he didn’t know he was abandoned. And for them to know that, they must first established,

“What is the relationship between them?” Ginzo prompts, drawing a line between the two with a big question mark in between.

He thinks a moment before drawing another line between Senior and Junior to the Phantom Lady. “Previously we assumed the Phantom Lady was a mentor to Kaitou Kid owing to her last appearance coinciding with Kid’s– Senior Kid– first appearance, backed by the fact that on a later date Junior returned Phantom Lady’s stolen items at her request. But we might need to reevaluate that.”

“Couldn’t it be as simple as Phantom Lady mentors Senior who mentors Junior?” One pipes up. Only for another to quickly make a rebuttal.

“But why would Junior keep Senior’s name? And if he lost contact with Senior, why would he keep one with the Phantom Lady?”

“Also, isn’t Junior young? Too young to be mentored by Senior by the time he was abandoned.”

Argument ensues within the meeting room. Everyone having their own theories and beliefs they want to spread across the board. 

Hmm, aren’t they all thinking too simply? If Ginzo remembers correctly the Phantom Lady wasn’t active for long, definitely not as long as Senior though still longer than Junior. And Kid Junior is familiar with Phantom Lady. So what if,

“The Phantom Lady was not Senior Kid’s mentor,” he concludes, “They were equals, maybe rivals or peers like Junior seems to be with Chat Noir.”

That’s when someone slams their hands on the table, hard. All attention went towards Yoichi with his gobsmacked expression.

“They’re… lovers.” Yoichi finally chokes out. Face red when he is met with gobsmacked disbelieving expressions, though he is quick to defend himself, “No, listen! It makes sense. Twenty years ago they got together, had a child, and then Senior left them behind when Junior was a child. Old enough to be fond of Senior but too young to look into why he disappeared.”

Everyone in the meeting pondered over it. It infuriatingly does make sense, doesn’t it? It explains the 8 year gap, of course as a child Junior wouldn’t be able to fill Senior’s shoes. That’s why Junior is skilled and such a Chaos Incarnate. Confident with his every heist because he has the guidance of the Phantom Lady behind him. 

“He’s right,” someone in the background chimes, “You do not say you were abandoned by your mentor. You were left behind by your mentor, you’re abandoned by your parents.”

“And both Kids refer to each other as Senior and Junior. That’s how most people refer to father and sons that share a name, isn’t it? We do the same with Superintendent Hakuba and his son.”

With that more and more testimonies seem to fall into place. One officer mentions how he overheard Conan say both his and Kid’s mothers are fans of Ryouma, another mention how they noticed Kid have a preferred height to his disguises that fits with a teenager’s profile, or that he always seems happier and more upbeat when teen detective Hakuba Saguru or the child Edogawa Conan appears, as if he’s with his peers, closer to their age rather than members of the police.

The more they delve into it, the more they realize that yes, the Kaitou Kid they’ve been chasing this past year, Kid Junior, is a teenager. And Kid Senior from years ago is his father. There’s no solid evidence admissible in court, but damn it, something in his stomach tells Ginzo that this theory is right.

“Does that mean we can charge Senior Kid with child neglect?” Officer Yoichi innocently asks. When faced with the scrutiny of the rest of the meeting room his face flushes as he tries to defend himself.

“Well, you know. Last night Kid– our Kid, Junior– if what Hakuba said is right, he was abandoned at 8, maybe 9 so…” a thoughtful look passed across his face, “Or does it count as child endangerment instead? Taught to be a thief and all.”

Well that's… Not the point of this meeting but,

Nakamori Ginzo hates to say it, that is something the task force should be looking into.

After all, no one hurts their Kid.

(A kid! Lowercase K, a child, a general child. The task force is not prioritizing nor taking bias for one Kid against the other. Definitely not.

Oh, who is Nakamori Ginzo kidding. Even if he– claims– he doesn’t, his squad definitely has a soft spot for Junior.

Junior can be a term of endearment too, doesn’t it?)

Chapter Text

Things, honestly, did not change much after that revealing heist. Heists run as per usual, just with extra interference from a petty thief and double the amount of heists. Whether heists were run by Senior or Junior, the fact of the matter is that both are still thieves, and the Kaito Kid task force have a duty to capture and arrest them. They are the police, the specialized Kaito Kid task force, their job is to capture Kaito Kid, no matter what bad blood lies between the two thieves.

That doesn’t mean they do not care which Kid ran which heist. After all, for professional reasons they needed to pay attention to properly categorize which crime would be charged to which Kid. And for personal reasons…

Look, the majority of Kaito Kid task force are young by police standards. By that, what it means is that while they’re old enough to remember Kid Senior and his escapades on the news, the only Kid they’ve ever chased after is Kid Junior. It doesn’t help that Kid Junior is fussy and possessive over them, every copycat that wasted their time is proof of that, Lupin III being the standout example with an apology notice he sent after every single one of his consequent heists in Japan gets botched by Junior.

And the task force, as much as they hate to admit it, reciprocate that possessiveness. 

(Junior probably knows about it, considering how fired up they were after the whole Singapore debacle. The whole thing wasn’t fair. Kid was baited there, the heist was not of his own free will. They, the task force, should chase Kid, not some random Singapore police.)

It probably doesn’t help that in their professional endeavor to differentiate both Kids, they discover that Junior is objectively so much better. Okay, maybe it’s not objective— they’re biased! Very biased— it’s a manner of opinion. But Junior is simply a lot more endearing.

His pranks are infinitely more annoying, sure. The task force has had enough glitter in their lifetime and his riddles are sometimes very needlessly annoying to decode with slangs a majority of them are too old to understand. But at least his magic tricks are fun to watch unfold.

Watching Junior do his magic is like watching a child approach you, excitedly exclaiming, “Look at me! Look at what I can do! Isn’t it awesome?” It’s adorable, it’s mesmerizing, and it makes one proud. Attention seeking? Definitely, especially when combined with his crimes. But this is the thief that teleported right before their eyes, they got front row tickets to witness him walk on thin air. All this talent in what they’ve speculated to be someone not even in their 20s yet, he deserves all the attention. Now, if only he can stop the crime part of his shows.

Meanwhile, watching Senior makes you want to bash a man’s head against a brick wall. It’s not that his tricks aren’t impressive– they can clearly see where Junior’s own affinity to magic comes from. Oh god, they really are father and son— it’s just that where you can’t help but feel awed by Junior’s magic, Senior’s makes you angry. It’s how he performs, you can feel how arrogant he is, declaring to his audience, “Look at what I did. Am I not amazing?” 

Well he can fuck off, he wasn’t the one they got lost in the woods with during that Kirin’s horn heist and he wasn’t the one panicking on a blimp over some virus with either. Senior might be the more experienced thief and magician, but that experience makes his magic seem dull and less inspired than Junior’s more experimental and riskier ones. No heist the Senior pulls can ever top Junior, that’s for sure.

—

Compared to Inspector Nakamori, his second in command Detective Ito is much calmer. He’s quieter too, compared to how Inspector Nakamori almost always shouts into his radio, Detective Ito’s commands and reports are spoken in an even tone. A very strict and no nonsense tone that makes everybody listen, sure, but it’s never an angry shout, never causes someone’s ears to ring.

It’s kind of funny how different Inspector Nakamori is compared to Detective Ito, especially knowing that they’re good friends, having been colleagues for years being remnants of the old Kaito Kid task force. Their temperament, their speaking tone, their volume, their build– Detective Ito is bulkier, though shorter than Inspector Nakamori– even their children are stark contrasts.

Whilst Inspector Nakamori’s daughter, Aoko, is a sweetheart in her first year of high school, regularly taking care of her father and delivering packed lunches. Detective Ito’s son, Ryu, is a brash high schooler in his final year, forgetting his own lunch every other day due to academic stress and future expectations.

What’s even funnier though, is the way both Inspector and second-in-command adapts to the whole… Senior-Junior double Kid situation.

At the beginning they both, and the whole task force, would address both Kid as “Kid”, or more specifically the one in the white suit as “Kid” and the interference as the “other.” But Kid– Junior, that is– does not take well to seeing Senior being called as Kid. Nor does the task force enjoy the increasingly smug look Senior had every time they called him “Kid.” So now the moment the task force determines which Kid is performing, they would call out “Senior” or “Junior.”

And that means the entire task force can clearly hear how in each subsequent heist, Inspector Nakamori’s shouts of “Junioooor!” gets increasingly exasperated as if he’s scolding an unruly child. And his shouts of “Seniooor!” gets increasingly angry, his growl increasing until it's no longer surprising to find him nursing a sore throat the next day. The anger in his scream towards Senior is truly shounen anime protagonist worthy.

For Inspector Nakamori, both changes are gradual, but undeniably there.

Meanwhile, to the hilarity of the entire task force, Detective Ito’s change hits like a bullet train in a heist they’ve taken to calling “The Exam Incident.”

What else were they supposed to call it, when the very mindful and very demure detective aggressively storms up to Kid. Not to arrest him, no, but to point a finger straight to Kid’s– Junior, this time– face and scold him to kingdom come. “My son is more stressed than usual so I know for a fact that it’s exam season,” he starts, tone raising into order, “So go home, study! And I better not hear from you in the next two weeks! Understand?”

Watching Junior straighten up and stiffen under Detective Ito’s gaze, very clearly taken off guard by the threat as he stammers a “Y-yessir,” would’ve been funny if not for the reminder that Junior is probably lacking in responsible male authority figures. Though, they are glad to see Junior following the order, immediately popping a smoke bomb and disappearing along with today’s target.

But the heist is not yet over, because after Junior is gone Detective Ito turns his scrutinizing gaze into the crowd of officers. It’s a small heist today, taking place in a small time collector’s modest exhibition hall, not publicized either which means the only people present are of the Kaito Kid task force and the owner. That’s why Detective Ito knows, “I know you’re here, Senior,” he calls out.

Slowly, he moves around the room, eyes never stopping to examine each and every one of them. The anger in his gaze makes most of them nervous, but based on his call they hoped it made Senior drop cold sweat, maybe even piss his pants a little but that’s pushing it.

Finally though, Detective Ito speaks again, this time without looking at any of them. Tone calm but nonetheless intimidating as he slowly threatens, “If I hear anything from you, Senior. Distracting him from his studies. Then trust me,” his hands clenched, teeth gritting against each other in barely restrained rage, “I will personally come for you.”

Well if he hadn’t during the slow examination walk, then the task force really hoped Senior pissed his pants then.

—

Theorising and accepting a very probable theory feels very different to having that theory confirmed. Case in point, today’s heist.

Which is just an ordinary heist to be honest, but that’s exactly the problem, it’s too normal. If anything it feels like Junior’s old heists, no interference, no passive aggressive comments about Senior, no nothing. He simply waltzes in, greets the task force, grabs the diamond, is now perched on the windowsill, surrounded by a group of officers, and preparing to head out.

If anything, this heist feels rushed. Something that Officer Nakamura questions the thief, not exactly expecting an answer.

But Junior did answer, with a pout and a dejected tone, “I would have loved to perform some more but alas today is mother’s day, Keiji-san,” he says. That statement explains nothing, but what follows after does. “The Lady demands Senior and I play civil today, and to arrive home in time for a horror movie marathon. And a gentleman does not keep a lady waiting.”

And if that sentence did not raise alarms in Officer Nakamura’s head, then the sudden radio transmission he received and Junior’s reaction to it, does.

“Keibu! We found a black hang glider stashed in an empty office, two floors above the heist.”

“Secure it! We’ll cut off their exit and catch those bastards today!”

“Hmm, it seems like they’ve found Senior’s means of escape,” Junior mused, his previous sad demeanor flipping like a switch and making him giddy. “Senior better hurry home less he angers his promised lady. Who knows what will happen if he’s late? Maybe she’ll whip out her lovely axe again, I know she’s been feeling nostalgic.” With that the young thief leans back and flips out of the window, flying away to safety.

Meanwhile, the officer next to him– one that on closer examination, he does not recognize– proclaims a loud, “Shit!” before a flash of light comes and he disappears with it.

That whole interaction, it makes Yoichi’s theory during that meeting replayed in Nakamura’s head. The mother, a seemingly horror lover, referred to as The Lady, with authority over both Junior and Senior, and a penchant for axes. Oh god, Nakamura can’t help but place his hands against his erratically beating heart. He’s not sure whether he’s amazed, astonished, or frightened. What he knows is that he has confirmed something. 

It’s true. The Phantom Lady is Senior’s wife, and Junior is their child.

—

Detective Ito wonders what the task force thinks about his current position. Sitting on his desk, sprawled over the desk as he despairs over the new discovery he found while dating the last few heists.

He’s eternally grateful for Officer Yoichi after he comes over with a fresh cup of coffee. Enough for him to get his brain into gear again, forget this revelation and continue on with his task. But then Yoichi has to ask and he can’t help but groan and fall over in despair once again. Mouth gaping open to start ranting

“Do you know Junior doesn’t have a preferred heist day? Weekends or weekdays don't matter. When does he have time to study! Does he not get tired at school performing a heist the night before! How does this kid keep up with his study! He’s young he should be focusing on school but nooo, he decided he’s borrowing gems for the night! He’s a brilliant kid but what if his grades suffer because of this? You don’t have kids yet Yoichi but when you do you’ll understand. This is a parents’ worst nightmare. Not to mention…”

Too engrossed in his many thoughts, Detective Ito does not even notice Yoichi stalking away from him in fear.

—

Hakuba Saguru was not aware of what he had missed after spending nearly the last two months in England. He still wasn’t aware of what he had missed during his first ever heist back, but despite the Inspector’s request that he arrive early to be briefed on some new development, his plane got delayed.

Thus here he is, standing in front of the museum’s exhibition door, catching the tail end silhouette of a man in white running away chased by the task force. Stunned in his tracks because that man in white, the man with tonight’s target in hand, is not the thief he came to chase. Or more accurately, that man is not Kuroba, he’s bigger, more developed, his moves are sure and efficient, elegantly swaying very unlike the way Kuroba jumps around like a rubber ball.

Maybe it’s the jetlag, or maybe Saguru is just gobsmacked. Because the skill and showmanship that man showed is definitely one of Kaito Kid, but that man is not Kuroba. Yes Kuroba– Kid– is a master of disguise, but never has Kuroba changed his stature or his gait that much whilst within his white suit.

He stood there for four minutes and 27 seconds, mind churning on who that person is, what is going on, what has happened within the last two months. Before finally, his thoughts were broken by an approaching task force officer.

“Oh, Hakuba-kun,” the officer greets. The common black hair in a short choppy cut that somehow fits his character. His name is Yoichi, Saguru remembers him as one of the youngest and least experienced officers in the specialized force and because of that is a lot more open and welcoming to Saguru’s questions and suggestions. 

And for that, he’s glad, because Saguru definitely needs some answers. Starting with,

“Who is that man?”

“Kid?” The officer replies, “Well this time it’s Senior, but we’ve already guessed that from the outdated references in the notice.”

“I’m sorry, what?” That answer means nothing to Saguru. How much insight has he missed? “Senior?”

“Aaah, that’s right. There’s a lot of things that you’ve missed the last few heists, Hakuba-kun. Let me fill you in.”

With that, Saguru receives a crash course on the happenings of Kaito Kid. The heist starring Senior that started it all, the pre-heist and chase interferences, and lastly; the speculation and theories they’ve gathered.

Saguru walked out of the museum dazed and overwhelmed. The amount of information he just received is not one to be processed on an exhausted mind. He’ll reevaluate after some sleep, maybe even ask Nakamori-Keibu for the heist reports then. But for now, he knows what he needs to do.

He sent a single text towards a person he begrudgingly respects and cares for in Japan.

Would you care to stay over in my house tonight?

It took a while for the person to respond, enough time for Saguru to be sat in the passenger seat of his car and was halfway home. But when he did, Saguru was ready with the answer.

is thisa nother plot

?

why would i want to sleep at your place idiot

I would appreciate the company.

why me? ask someone else

I’ve just learned something new tonight.

Father is absent, and his house is way too quiet for my liking.

I’m sure you understand.

…

you better have a spare bed 

im not sleepng on the same bed as u

I’ll have Baaya prepare the guestroom.

And leave space in the driveway for your bike.

See you there, Kuroba.

yea whtever hakuba

For all his harsh attitude, Saguru is sure Kuroba is thankful for the refugee offer. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have answered at all, just like all the other times Saguru texted him.

—

Kuroba Kaito is possessive.

That is something he becomes undeniably aware of the day Hakuba Saguru walks into one of Kid Senior’s heists. He wasn’t happy with his father running a heist but the fact that he planned it on the day of Hakuba’s return? Infuriating, at least he can take comfort in the fact Hakuba arrived too late to actually participate in the heist.

Honestly, were it not for that fact, Kaito would have trussed his father like a chicken on the roof. Too bad if his father gets caught, his identity would be compromised. That’s why all the disturbances he caused were only meant to annoy, not to actually impede his father’s escape.

(Unfortunately, Senior do not hold the same reservation. He supposed that’s the upside of being legally dead.)

Still, anger simmers within Kaito’s heart long after the heist has ended, even with Hakuba’s invitation to spend the night, the thought of Hakuba properly attending a heist by Senior is rage inducing. His short break away from home did help calm him down– he didn’t realize how draining living under his father’s roof was until he’s away– but his stay in Hakuba’s huge house was spent restlessly.

The bed was comfy though, and the breakfast baayaa prepared was a godsend.

That said, Kaito realizes a lot in that sleepless night in Hakuba’s guest room: 

One, he needs to plan, disturbances are not enough, he needs to properly dethrone and properly take Kaito Kid’s name. 

Two, he can compromise on the police, but Hakuba and Conan are strictly his critics. The police and the Kaitou Kid task force long predates him, he has no claim over them. But Hakuba and Conan are his tantei-san and tantei-kun, they’ve only been chasing Junior Kid, and they have a personal rivalry with Junior. His father can have that novelist of his, Kudo Yusaku, but Kaito will riot if he tries to take his critics.

Three, his possessiveness extends beyond his chasers. Because dammit he’s the one with Chat Noir’s phone number, and he’s the one Suzuki Jirokichi challenges every few months. That’s his friend in thievery and his rival in extravagance. Suzuki Jirokichi respects Junior as an adversary so much that he’s able to give him the best stages to work with. 

He is not letting Senior answer a single challenge, not when Junior is the one the Suzuki advisor trusted to free his dog from the iron tanuki.

Hmm, maybe he has some planning to do, some people to contact, some effort to stop this conflict . That’s for a later thought.

For now, he can keep what is his from attending Senior’s heist by what can only be described as hijacking Senior’s heist. That is, if Senior can prove it. Senior’s Kid suit is pretty old after all, it’s not his fault that somehow all of the seams seemed to have torn shortly after Kaito confirmed Hakuba’s attendance in this particular heist.

Definitely not his fault, none at all.

And he definitely did not preened when most of the task force faces lights up the moment he showed up instead of Senior. Surely they were expecting Senior, with that stupid 80s children’s magazine reference in the notice.

—

Kudo Shinichi, under the guise of Edogawa Conan, enjoys Kaitou Kid heists. It’s the only active crime scene where he was treated with respect and as an equal, by both the perpetrator and the culprit. Sure, through hard work and an absurd number of dead bodies, he has gained the same respect out of division one but no adult– or Ran– would ever be at ease letting a 7 year old wander around potential murderers' knees.

And that discomfort is not completely gone during Kid heists, but taser incident aside participants of the heist seems to have caught on that whatever goes on between them is to be treated as some sort of game only an insanely flashy international thief and a shinigami child– otherwise known as stressed out teenager in an impossible situation– can participate in.

So yes, Kudo Shinichi enjoys Kid heist in the same way one would enjoy rollercoasters. Stressed out by the sheer speed and impossible turns the cart is taking, yet exhilarated and wanting for more by the end of it.

Edogawa Conan has free reign over heist venues– location. Just because Kid is a magician doesn’t mean he can freely call heists his shows– except for today. Today the Kaitou Kid task force is restless, but only around him. In fact, Inspector Nakamori has been orbiting Conan a few times already, acting as if there’s something important he is unsure whether to tell to the young sleuth or not.

He couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief the moment Hakuba entered the exhibition room. Because from the few scant interactions he had with the brit, at least he wouldn’t hesitate to inform Conan of whatever information the task force has been holding over him. He’s great like that, Hakuba might not know the secret behind Edogawa Conan but he prioritizes the capture of the criminal over the oddities of a prodigal child.

He never got the chance to ask though, since the clock counts down to 11 pm, the time of the heist and the Kid he knows appears on the case with a puff of smoke. Grin familiar and fit for a showman as he announces the beginning of today’s heist.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to tod–” Kid’s greeting was cut short. Not that Conan notices, preoccupied with pain as his ears were deafened by the unbearably high pitched whine. It’s too loud! His ears are going to burst! Make it stop! There are voices speaking and concerned hands on his back as if that would numb the pain. At the sound of Nakamori’s angry scream, Conan forces himself to look.

Kid is still in the middle of the room, bent in pain as another man in an identical suit stood over him. Cocky smile and arrogant voice coyly answering Nakamori. “ –nly sound, Inspector. A few hidden speakers transmit a frequency too high for us adults to hear,” with a very mocking hand removing Kid’s top hat and petting his hair, the man continues, “After all, it’s way past children’s bedtime, is it not?”

With a snarl, Kid suddenly moves. Snatching his top hat back from the man before disappearing in a flash. Conan follows suit, there’s no point in him staying when those speakers are still active, even walking– when did he fall onto his knees– was a struggle. Standing in the hallway, desperately trying to get his heartbeat to regulate and his ears to stop ringing, Hakuba approaches.

“Edogawa-kun?” he greets, wincing slightly as his own voice grates on ringing ears. “You should go home. I don’t think there’s anything else we can do here.

That’s true enough. He can probably ask Hakase for some earplugs, but that’s for the future, it won’t help him right now. Besides, there were too many odd things with this heist that he needs to gather information on. Starting with, “Who was that man?”

The task force were too familiar with the man for him to be a random run-off-the-mill Kid copycat. Kid too was very antagonistic towards the unknown man. If Shinichi were to guess, the man is what the task force has been hush-hush about in the beginning of the heist.

With a sigh– and brief mutterings about Nakamori-Keibu not informing Conan against Hakuba’s better judgement– Hakuba begins to tell a tale starting from a heist near 3 months back. One full of speculation and zero evidence beyond the words of two thieves, but one that Kudo Shinichi can see the truth in.

A brief information dump that barely lasted 3 minutes before the two detectives parted on their own ways, but an insightful one nonetheless. One that reminded him of a riddle he was given 10 years ago within his first life, and the man that delivered it.

This heist was not a nice reintroduction to his ‘younger brother’, Shinichi can only hope Kid– Junior– has somewhere safe to stay tonight. He doesn’t like the thought of his– Shinichi can’t help but snicker to himself– ‘nephew’ somewhere Senior is familiar with.

Unbeknown to Shinichi, he didn’t have to worry at all. For Kuroba Kaito receives a series of text messages from one blond detective who decided he had enough of today’s heist.

Kuroba, you’re coming home with me. 

I’ll give you 5 minutes to get to the front of the building.

huh? why should i?

and what builidng

You know which. And I’m sure you can guess why.

Frankly, I don’t understand why you would refuse.

4 minutes 52 seconds. Baaya won’t wait forever.

alright geez

omw

(In the midst of what’s left over from the heist, an officer stands with his fist clenched and nostrils flared. Taking heavy breaths as he tries to regulate his anger. The events of this night, watching not only Junior but poor Edogawa and Hakuba too snarling with tears in their eyes, truly frustrates him. But he takes solace in one thought.

Surely this is enough cause to add child abuse to the list of Senior’s crime, right?)

—

In France, a former insurance investigator and retired phantom thief straightens in surprise as her secondary phone rings. She can count the number of people who’s aware of that phone in one hand, and as she cycles through them, she can only wonder what the other person wants.

“Bonjour?” she tentatively greets. Though she immediately brightens once she hears the voice from the other end.

“Moshi moshi, Neko-san. I hope I am not disturbing you.” Japanese rings out.

“Aah, Le Garçon ,” she fondly exclaims, “I can make time for you. Though I can’t imagine you reaching out unless you’re in some kind of trouble.”

The boy on the other laughs, vehemently denying trouble even though they both know it ain’t true. He is an eternal troublemaker, there’s never a dull moment with him.

“I’m not in more trouble than usual, Neko-san. Though that is what I wanted to ask about.”

“Hmm, go on.”

She can hear the grin in his voice, and though retired, she can feel the beginning of a thrilling heist in his tone.

“Please tell me of all the problems i can possibly run into during my career. The more embarrassing, the better.”

Well that’s an interesting inquiry, maybe the trouble in his veins is contagious because she can’t help but grin too.

“Alright, where do we start?”

—

The first thing Nakamori Ginzo does the moment he hears the voice on the other end of the line, is to grab the tv remote and start cycling through the news channel for one specific item. The caller, after all, is one fame-obsessed Suzuki Jirokichi, who annoyingly tends to run to the media first before contacting the police.

Surprisingly, there’s nothing on the media, but that’s because Suzuki Jirokichi is not calling to inform him of a heist notice or a planned challenge. No, Suzuki Jirokichi is calling because an anonymous source tells him to ask Ginzo about the Kaitou Kid. 

Ginzo has two guesses on who that anonymous source is, both can be symbolized by a set of numbers that goes 1412. Though he doesn’t know why either Kid would need Suzuki Jirokichi to be aware of their existence. And yes, it’s definitely a need not a want . Whatever is about to go down though, Nakamori is not looking forward to it.

Still, he shares the information Suzuki asks for. It’s probably a good idea to do it too. While the police can hide the knowledge of two quarreling thieves out of the public, it would be wildly different for Suzuki and his sporadic extravagant challenges. He has too many close interactions with Junior to not notice the difference if he ever comes across Senior. Thus he ends his explanation with a request that Suzuki keeps this knowledge to himself, which the advisor easily agrees to.

But not without a pointed question from the rich man. “Then is Junior the one I’ve been challenging?”

“That would be Junior.”

“Hohoho, I see. That’s all I need to know. Thank you Nakamori-keibu.” The old man bids farewell with a knowing mischievous laugh before hanging up.

Ginzo can only dread whatever this bored old man is planning as his last laughter echoes in his head. Rich people scares him.

—

Ran was reluctant to let him attend this heist after the incident during the last one but thanks to old man Suzuki insistence– as well as Sonoko’s nudging– Edogawa Conan was able to attend the latest Kaito Kid challenge issued by the Suzuki advisor. Besides, Ran doesn’t have anything to worry about on this heist, he’s only here to watch things go down.

After all, based on how the challenge was issued on a random Wednesday morning, replied and accepted within an hour, the weirdly enthusiastic and scheming grin on old man Suzuki, and the mysterious character he was introduced to the moment he arrived, he knows that this challenge is a trap. Well, more of a trap than it usually is anyway. A trap intended for one Senior Kid.

And there’s no better proof of that than the engineering student the Suzuki advisor decided to sponsor, Shiratori Kou. A bright engineering student from Tokyo University, who messages Suzuki Jirokichi on a Kaitou Kid challenge idea on a whim. A dark haired young man with navy slacks and a cream shirt, the perfect picture of a student stepping out into the real world for the first time. Nervous to talk about himself but enthusiastic about his idea, who’s unsure how he actually gained the attention of a Suzuki now how he got here.

Yea right, stupid thief.

The guy is currently buttering up to Ran and Sonoko, or more accurately Sonoko is trying to rub the guy onto Ran, who wouldn’t want a cool older university student boyfriend. Though he’s acting meekly explaining that he is a fan of Kid’s heists and that, his friends, “- mailed Suzuki-san the rough plans I drew up for fun. I was never planning to use them, I’m a student, I don’t have that kind of money,” the memory makes him laugh nervously, “It was a joke. A Suzuki would have that money, but I wasn’t expecting Suzuki-san to listen to some random kid’s ramblings.”

What a great act by Kid Junior.

Shiratori Kou , a small white bird. A little bit too on the nose for a disguised thief, but that just cemented the fact in Shinichi’s head that this heist is indeed a trap for Kid Senior. He guesses it’s retaliation for the high frequency hijacked heist, which is exactly why Conan is content to simply watch. He has no interest in getting in the crossfire of two mischievous magicians in an inheritance struggle.

If Shinichi were to speculate, this whole challenge is planned by Junior. Old man Suzuki and Junior– sorry, Shiratori Kou– probably weren't lying about exchanging emails, but the contents were not of a university student’s plans. It might seem like some random pitch of engineering but within it are coded messages containing who the sender is as well as his intentions, just like the fake Kid notice Suzuki Jirokichi uses to ask Kid to free Lupin. 

For Kid to share his intentions though, Suzuki would need to be informed of the whole Senior Junior situation, which considering Nakamori looks annoyed but unsurprised by this whole event clears how that part is done. Actually, based on how carefree the task force seems to be this evening, it seems that they’re aware that they’re here as part of a scheme.

In fact, Shiratori Kou is currently chatting with a group of task force officers, laughing along at whatever topic is coming up. The actual nerve of this guy. Only he would cozy up with his own specialized task force, it honestly won’t surprise Shinichi much if he one day learns this guy ate dinner with Inspector Nakamori himself.

Hmm, maybe he should move closer and eavesdrop. Who knows what he will learn.

Conan comes close just in time to see the officers snickering as one of them shove something deep into his pockets. Whatever it was, it’s cylindrical, a thin can that makes small clanging sounds with every jostle. From the way the officer’s hand rests atop the bulge of his pocket, whatever that item is seems important and vital to Junior’s plan.

Whatever it is, makes the officers very amused and lose focus. Sporting wide grins and snickering to themselves. It’s something uncommon too, because why else would they be asking Kid, Shiratori Kou , “How did you even think of this?”

“Oh you know,” the young thief reasons, “Here and there. I’m not sure how well it will work but it will definitely be a surprise.”

“Oh definitely,” an officer assures, “We never thought about tracking his disguise this way, I know stains by this are hard to remove.”

“I know. I’ve heard the police have used codenames before and a special stamp, but those are things he can learn and copy.” the small white bird explains, “Meanwhile with this, we know the only people with stains will be the four of you and Kid, so all we have to check are five people instead of an entire force!”

The officers laughed once again, patting Shiratori Kou– stupid thief, stupid name– on the back proudly. “And this is just one part of your plan, you’ve got unique countermeasures for everything!”

“Exactly! I should probably get going and brief everyone on their roles again.” With that, the engineer student excuses himself, moving on to another group of officers. Leaving the officers to chatter amongst themselves.

“Today, we are turning the white thief orange!”

Oh. Oh no. Shinichi knows what this is, and Conan can’t help but facepalm, ignoring the nearby officer’s concern as the realization washes over him. Those cans the officers are carrying,

They’re spray tans, aren’t they?

Honestly, what a chaotic plan from a chaotic thief. As expected of Kaitou Kid.

And if that’s just one part of Kid’s plan, Shinichi can’t help but wonder what else there is. Good thing he’s only here to watch, Conan does not want to get caught in the crossfire of spray tans and god knows what else. Would he stop Kid from flying away by placing water sprinklers on the roof and adding drag or would he rig every windowsill with glue? Would he stop infiltration via air vents by welding it shut or would he fill the vents with slime? With this guy, who knows.

Speaking of Shiratori Kou– Okay, now that he thinks about it the name is probably more of a taunt than a stupid choice by the thief– is heading their way, running excitedly as he calls for Sonoko.

“Sonoko-san, I heard you’re a big fan of Kid,” he starts, “Do you want me to place you where I expected Kid will escape from?”

Sonoko’s eyes widens, hand clasping and leg raising in excitement, “A chance meeting with the great Kid-sama! Yes pleasee Kou-san.”

Oh great, he’s also siccing rabid fangirl Sonoko on to Senior.

Honestly, deserved. Conan’s ear keeps ringing for hours after that last heist!

And if Kid’s plan is to annoy Senior into proper retirement, then this will definitely do its job.

—

The Kaitou Kid task force was not looking forward to this heist, especially after the disaster that was Suzuki’s challenge two weeks ago. It was a good and amusing heist for them, but definitely a bad one for Senior and they are not looking forward to whatever he might cook up to compensate.

Which is why they collectively breathe a sigh of relief when the thief that shows up is Junior. Even if it means most of the tricks they’ve learned from Suzuki’s last challenge– yes, of course they know who Shiratori Kou is– won’t work. Perching on the chandelier above them as he plays toss with tonight’s target. Truly, a child who cannot stand still. He greets them happily, showing off the red gem as he muses, “Do you know, Nakamori-keibu? A spinel gem is said to bring joy in life, a cause for celebration.”

And just like every other heist, the moment the thief shows up, Inspector Nakamori is quick to reply in confidence, “Yes! We will celebrate your capture.”

Yet instead of the thief's usual taunts, Junior simply tuts. Grin spreads across his face as he shares amazing news. “Junior? Whatever do you mean, Keibu?” he jokingly scolds, moving from his perched position to stand proudly on the chandelier. Voice victorious as he announces. 

“Call me by my name, my proper name. Kaitou Kid!”

Everyone pauses as they process the implication behind it, before a feeling of pride blooms for the thief.

That’s right, this is their thief. This is their Kid.

A cause for celebration indeed.

“We’ll catch you this time Kaitou Kid!”