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

Part 30: What's meant to happen will happen.

Kudo's lips curved into a smirk as he ripped off Kuroba's disguise. Kuroba Kaito gritted his teeth. "Metantei, you're going to peel off my skin."

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't expect your wig to be so secure."

"Are you doubting my abilities,Metantei?" Kuroba retorted. "I helped you out big time, and this is the thanks I get?"

"Oh really?" Kudo smirked, taunting him. "But who told you to break the rules? Without higher-up approval, you're not allowed to be more than one kilometer away from me."

Kudo glanced again at "Aya Ueto," now revealed as a vibrant, handsome young man. Gone was the elegant, smart, shy, and feisty woman—replaced by that overconfident smile, the defiant smirk of an internationally wanted criminal.

"Strange, isn't that sapphire necklace around your neck the gift I gave you?"

Kuroba blushed. "What's a guy like me supposed to do with a necklace? You should give it back to Mouri Ran."

"What nonsense. I gave it to you, so it's yours. Besides, it's been yanked off by another man—what good would it do me to give her a broken one?"

"KID... No way... Hahahahaha! So that's how it is!" Hirano suddenly laughed. "No wonder. I kept wondering how there could be a woman who knew so much. Turns out... it was you, Kaito KID."

Hirano's gaze softened, almost eerily, and Kudo's mood darkened. Kuroba curled his lips into a smirk. "Of course. They say only men truly understand men. To completely bring you down, I put a lot of effort into studying Aya Ueto's personality."

In Aya Ueto's soft, alluring voice, Kuroba said, "Hirano-san, could it be that you've fallen for me?"

The mere thought of Kuroba Kaito being held sweetly in Hirano's arms made Kudo Shinichi's face darken.

"You..." Hirano hesitated. "Did you make a deal with the police? Overturn our family, and what did you get out of it?"

"Don't be ridiculous. With bombs like yours, I would've destroyed your family even without a deal." Kuroba Kaito retorted bluntly. Hirano, as if accepting his defeat, muttered, "Losing to you guys... I can accept that."

He stood up, and two police officers appeared beside him. Hirano glanced meaningfully at Kuroba and the intricate handcuffs on his wrists. He suddenly realized something. "Hey, KID, what I mentioned before, does it still stand?"

"Are you asking me to run away with you?" Kuroba sneered, ready to say more, but a blur of blue appeared before him. Kudo Shinichi stood in front of Kuroba, his words clear and resolute, allowing no room for refusal, "He's not going anywhere with you."

The tall, striking boy stood there, his proud smile claiming ownership, staring only at Kuroba, who was momentarily stunned.

"He's not going anywhere with you. He's mine"—those words hit Kuroba straight in the heart, each one hammering down. He instinctively turned his head away, thinking that if he were a woman, his heart would probably skip a beat. Fortunately, in this world, he was Kaito KID, and Kudo Shinichi was the detective standing opposite him.

"Kudo Shinichi, Gin will never let you and your people off the hook," Hirano yelled. Kudo coldly replied, "Good. I was afraid he wouldn't want to see us. We were about to have the FBI dig him out from wherever he's hiding."

Aoko silently watched everything unfold, her emotions a tangled mess.

"...He... he really has changed a lot. Still just as handsome, still just as... smart and quick, but... in other ways, I can barely recognize him. That confidence, that... recklessness and freedom... Or maybe, he was always this kind of person, and I just never realized it. Ran... I used to think that KID getting caught would be the best thing ever for me. He'd return Dad to me and Mom. Dad would get a promotion because of this, ready to fill the spot left by Chief Inspector Chaki. There'd be more overtime during the week, but on weekends, we'd finally be able to sit down and have a proper family meal together... He'd return Dad to me, just like he promised..." Aoko slowly tightened her grip on her skirt, overwhelmed by a newfound confusion.

"You need to confront and deal with these feelings. If you really can't let go, maybe you should talk to Kuroba-kun about it. What about your father? What... What was his reaction?" Ran asked.

"He... he's as driven as ever. But... Mom and I can tell he's just pretending. Deep down, he's even more shocked."

It's no surprise, considering the boy he watched grow up turned out to be someone he never knew at all.

"Aoko?!"

Inspector Nakamori, seeing a silhouette resembling his daughter's, called out tentatively, and sure enough, it was Aoko... Ran, and Hattori.

"Dad? What are you doing on this floor?" Behind him was a group of old and new subordinates.

Nakamori explained, "Well, someone who dares to skip work really needs a good scolding."

Aoko instinctively covered her chest, her heart racing with nerves and fear.

The door to the interrogation room opened.

"What are you thinking? Thinking of going with him?"

"Don't be ridiculous,Metantei. Even if I were planning to run away, I wouldn't bring along any dead weight, not that stupid. And besides, his bombs nearly sent me to meet the god last time. I wouldn't go near him if I am still not losing my mind." Kuroba and Kudo walked out of the interrogation room, one in front, the other holding the other's collar behind, with Hirano in tow.

Kuroba, for once, allowed himself a genuine smile.

"Oh, so you really believe in those words,Meitantei?"

The officers trailing Inspector Nakamori, who had spent months tirelessly pursuing Kaito KID, couldn't believe their eyes. Just moments ago, they had sneaked a peek at him while skipping work. Now, face-to-face with him, they were left dumbfounded.

The commotion caught the attention of everyone on the floor, and soon, heads turned. There was no need for an intense search; among the crowd, they easily spotted the boy—a striking figure in a lightweight white trench coat, paired with fitted black trousers. His extraordinary presence stood out, marked by his flawless silhouette and the silver titanium handcuffs that adorned his slender wrist.

"KID...you..." Kudo whispered, but Kuroba shook his head slightly.

What's meant to happen will happen.