Accomplice__ Kudo Shinichi x Kaitou Kid, Kaito Kid x Kudo Shinichi

Part 2:The missing one

"So, you plan to conduct the search like this?" Haibara Ai remained silent, her cold expression conveying everything to Kudo Shinichi without words.

[Of course, I will search the entire world to find him.]

[Perhaps the result you find won't be what you want. Why not let the secret remain eternally hidden? At least, in your heart, there will always be a hope that he is alive, living well somewhere in the world.] It was the fourth day. Kudo Shinichi, wrapped in a blanket, sat hunched over the computer desk at the Kudo residence, typing away furiously. He turned his head: [I am a Meitante. I seek the truth, not wishful thinking.]

[Yes, Mr. Great Meitantei. But truth is merely an objective, rational outcome. What about you? What will you do?]

[I need you to tell me the results of the investigation.] Kudo turned back to continue watching the surveillance footage. Haibara sighed.

[No hospitals have admitted any critically injured patients, regardless of age or gender. If you need international data, I can get that too. After all, the possibility that Kaito Kid went abroad for treatment isn't zero... Kudo, it's not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself.]

[Haibara... I feel like I caused this. If... if I hadn't met him, maybe he...] Maybe he wouldn't have been so obsessed with getting the antidote. Maybe he would still be the white-clad thief soaring through the night sky.

[Is that so? I don't think so. Kudo, you seem to overestimate your influence on others. Have you considered that Kaito Kid's motivation might be something else entirely? Perhaps it's a personal vendetta or a simple pursuit of thrill, completely unrelated to you. My point is, that's just who he is. Whether you're in the picture or not, he belongs to the night. Do you get what I mean? He is the magician chasing the moon in the darkness. ]

Understand what?

Who truly understands Kaito Kid?

[You're overthinking it. I'm asking you to investigate him not for other reasons, but for the organization. He is a new breakthrough point.]

[Really? You suspect he's a member of the organization? Or that the organization took him?] Haibara didn't expose Kudo's flimsy excuse but followed his lead. Kudo Shinichi slowly opened his eyes, seeing the little girl standing imperiously in front of the screen, hands on hips, half-threatening: [Kudo, neither of us can change what has happened. Why not just accept it? Even if you save him, so what? Can that thief truly endure being surrounded by police?]

[That has never been something he could decide freely.] Kudo replied.

[Fine, have it your way. I'm not here just for this matter. Kudo Shinichi, I don't care what you're thinking, but since you've returned, you should be the Kudo Shinichi we know. For your parents, for Ran, for Hattori, for me, and for yourself.]

Bang—a piece of evidence bag landed on the table. Inside was a glove, dirt-stained yet glaringly white, belonging to that magician. Kudo was silent for a long time.

[Don't waste people's goodwill and concern. If it were me, I wouldn't care about your life or death. Just let someone handle the rest, give it to Inspector Nakamori.] Haibara dropped these words and slammed the door as she left. Kudo stared blankly at the evidence bag on the table.

He didn't know when he had left Dr. Agasa's house. At the corner, there was a familiar face. Ran looked at Kudo, clenched her fists, and without a word, launched a spinning kick. Kudo barely dodged it, but he couldn't avoid the subsequent attacks. Eventually, Ran slowed down, crying and pounding Kudo's chest.

[Shinichi! You... you're a big liar... You lied to me for so long, but I... I can't stay mad at you. Do you think I'm a fool?]

[Ran...] The warmth of her tears soaked through Kudo's shirt. Kudo, who was never good at comforting girls, especially after being Conan for so long, couldn't find the words.