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

Part 29:Mr. Ueto Aya

Damn it!

Kudo cursed silently, glancing back at Kuroba with a questioning look. Kuroba nodded.

No matter what happened, given that this could turn into the next bomb site, they had to complete the show.

[She...]

[Shinichi... stop lying to me...] Ran's voice was soft and slightly nasal as she spoke, [I've had enough of waiting... maybe... we should...]

Kudo fought the urge to take Ran into his arms, instead standing there, helpless, watching as she trembled and sobbed, [It's not like that... it's really not what you think.]

Taking advantage of the moment, Sonoko seized the opportunity, storming up to Kuroba, [I'm warning you, don't even think about messing with Kudo Shinichi. I don't know who you are, and I don't care, but Kudo's heart is already spoken for, and you...]

[Sonoko... enough!] Aoko pulled Sonoko back.

Sonoko pointed at Kuroba's nose, yelling words harsher than she had ever spoken before, [You homewrecking woman, go back to wherever you came from!]

The police officers watching through the surveillance cameras were at a loss as the drama took a sudden nosedive.

[Ran, I'll explain everything to you later...] Kudo let go! Kuroba worried for the detective, fearing that his emotional ineptitude had pushed Ran even further away. Well, in that case, they might as well go with the flow.

If Hirano was born to be an actor, then Kid was a king of actors.

With a tear-streaked face and a self-mocking laugh, Kuroba wiped away his tears in a pitiful manner. He kicked off his painful high heels and walked a few steps towards the exit, shoes in hand. Pausing, he looked back and smiled.

It was a smile that seemed washed clean, like a lotus blooming out of the water, shedding its elaborate makeup and pretentious demeanor. Kuroba turned to face Hirano, his slightly reddened nose and eyes glistening with tears.

[You're right... I did deceive you... To get close to you, to talk to you, I forced myself to dance in these unbearable heels, spent hours memorizing class names and professors' details, and gathered information on your likes and interests. But in the end, it was all a lie.]

Though he had only needed a couple of minutes to scan through all the names, he exaggerated the effort, letting his tears fall easily as he wept like a delicate flower.

[For power? Money? That's not it, right?] Kuroba whispered, [The truth is, I happened to see your interview. I don't know why, but I was deeply drawn to you. I remember it was nine years ago, your father was assassinated, and you were interviewed in a special segment. I... I felt like I'd found someone who shared a similar experience.]

[You...] Hirano was stunned. "Her" words were no longer just beautiful; they were real.

[My dad also passed away when I was young. Even though I went on living—going to school,hanging out, growing up—I knew that my life had completely changed since then. It could never go back to the way it was. Every time I saw classmates' parents picking them up after school, laughing and chatting, I just felt like the world was so far away from me. Later, I fell in love with someone, who treated me so well, as if I was part of the family, but... how could that ever be a real family? I thought you could understand me, but maybe... maybe I'm the only one who's truly broken.]

[You... who are you, really?] Hirano asked, dumbfounded.

[I don't even know who I am. I've spun too many stories, played too many roles. One day, I might forget who I really am. Which one of them is the real me?]