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

Part 6:Metropolitan Police Department meeting

[So they decided to hold a meeting at the Metropolitan Police Department tomorrow?] Hattori asked. Kudo nodded, [This time to understand the clues from the Second Division, to do handovers and sharing, it's going to be a messy scene with a bunch of territorial officers probing each other, making it so that your father and Toyama's father have to step in to resolve things.]

[... It's going to be ugly going there tomorrow.] Hattori shook his head at the thought of returning to the MPD tomorrow.

[So, what's the conclusion from the officers?]

[They've roughly sorted out some clues, but it's still a mess. The formal discussion is tomorrow, and my father seems to be going too. I saw a nameplate for my dad's name__Kudo Yusaku at the meeting.]

Hattori gasped, [Wow, looks like The MPD is really taking this seriously this time.]

[Probably.] Kudo said solemnly, [But it might not just be because of that guy, a big part of it is also the robbery organization. Anyway, let's wait for tomorrow.]

[Shinichi! Come in and put your luggage!] Ran Mouri turned on the light, swiped the room card, revealing an enormous twenty-tatami mat room. [Aoko, Kuroba-kun, Inspector Nakamori asked if you want stay here with us? This room can allow about ten people to stay. The rest of the rooms at Tsukikage Mountain Lodge are occupied by police and clerks.]

[Sure, sure, sorry to intrude! I hope we are not causing any trouble.] Nakamori Aoko took off her shoes, placed them next to Kuroba's sneakers, clasped her hands,[Ojama shimasu]( for greetings) , and walked into the room with her suitcase. Sonoko pulled open the curtains, letting in the bright moonlight and starry sky. She plopped down, [So comfortable! We walked so much today, my legs are killing me. ]

Kuroba happened to overhear this and, despite not wanting to provoke Makoto Kyogoku, opened his suitcase and tossed over a pain relief patch,

[Suzuki, I happen to have a pain relief patch, use this for now. If you still feel unwell tomorrow, I suggest going to the emergency room.]

Looking at Kuroba Kaito's handsome face, Sonoko couldn't help but blushed , [Thank you, Kuroba-kun.]

Aoko teased from the side, [Kaito is like an old man, always carrying strange things. Last time it was a surgery bag filled with bandages, this time it's patches, are you...]

[Wasn't it because you tricked me into ice skating last time, and I learned my lesson to always carry a first aid kit.] Kuroba retorted, grabbing a towel and a change of clothes as he walked into the bathroom. Sonoko, while opening the pain relief patch, said, [You two get along so well.]

Ran nodded, [I really envy you two, it seems like you spend every day together.]

Kudo quietly listened to the girls' conversation while flipping through a book. Hattori sat down, drying his hair.

[Actually... Kaito really spent many nights with me. Sometimes Dad would work around the clock because of Kaitou Kid, and my Mom, being a prosecutor on night shifts or working overtime, would leave early and come home late. When no one was around, Kaito and I would visit each other's houses. And... he... his father passed away early, so... my parents treat Kaito like... like their own son.]

Recalling the past, Aoko smiled, [Come to think of it, I first met him under the Egota Clock Tower.]

[Egota Clock Tower?] Kudo Shinichi walked over and asked, [You mean a place that looks like Big Ben?]

[Yeah... you know that place, right? That's where I first met Kaito about ten years ago. We were just kids then, and my dad forgot me there because of Kid. I was crying, and Kaito walked over. I'll never forget that smile, full of sunshine and energy, saying, 'My name is Kuroba Kaito, nice to meet you.']