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

Part 37: Back to High School

On that day, Kudo Shinichi would never forget the sight—an arrogant, brazen face, young and handsome, wearing that all-too-familiar white suit of Kaitou Kid. Behind him, a swarm of highly alert police officers, armed to the teeth, but still unable to stop the Phantom Thief from walking step by step into the building.

There was none of Kuroba Kaito's youthful sunshine or innocence, none of that pretense of maturity from a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. Instead, his peacock blue eyes, deep and mysterious, seemed to see through everything, entrancing and intoxicating. It was no longer the carefree youth, but more like a battle-hardened general returning triumphant.

[What? Surprised to see me again?]

The voice was full of longing—the tone, the enunciation, the timbre, all filled with yearning.

[Long time no see. Missed me, Meitantei?]

Kaitou Kid flashed his brightest smile, his eyes glinting with mischief and nonchalance, utterly fearless.

[Isn't it a little late for you to show up now?] Kudo's voice, cold yet trembling slightly, struggled to conceal the uncontrollable joy beneath. The Kaitou Kid in front of him had shed his nighttime mystery, and gone was the usual grandeur.

The white suit was torn, stained with visible blood and bullet holes, with slashes from knives. Beneath the fresh and dried blood, faint scars could be seen. There was no monocle, no top hat—just Kuroba Kaito's face, bloodied but still smirking, filled with pride and resignation.

Kudo Shinichi silently clenched his fists.

[Don't blame me—blame Tequila and Rum, those two sly old foxes. It was a real challenge to lure them into the trap. Besides, I'm not late.]

He had fought tooth and nail, rushing back within the time Kudo Shinichi had given him, injured, in pain, yet determined to return.

He pushed through, holding on to the last bit of strength, the last breath, climbed onto his bike, fighting sleep and dizziness. Well, at least he hadn't broken his promise.

Everything went black, and the detective's frantic shouts gradually faded away.

When Kuroba opened his eyes again, it was no surprise to find himself back in that hospital room, the same heavily guarded ward, the same lack of freedom with his hands, the same splitting headache. The only difference was the familiar voice beside him: [Stop pretending you're still asleep. It's just me here.]

[I don't want to be questioned.] Kuroba spoke with his eyes still closed, using his stomach muscles to project his voice.

[Then you shouldn't have left with the Organization members in the first place, would've saved us all the trouble.]

Though Kudo Shinichi knew Kuroba had to leave—there was no other choice—he couldn't shake the knot in his chest, still bothered by his abrupt departure. Now, he even wondered, if he hadn't flown to Paris himself, would Kaitou Kid really have never come back?

[Were the commissioner general and those guys furious?]

[Funny question. It's like you stole a candy and are now afraid of the teacher's reaction.] Kudo continued: [But I forgot, you didn't just steal a candy—the combined value of all the world's candy wouldn't come close to the treasures you've set your sights on.]

[Metnatei, what exactly are you so angry about?] Kuroba Kaito opened his eyes, puzzled: [You've been quite displeased with me lately.]

[I've always been displeased with you.] Kudo replied: [Don't worry, they understand why you had to bolt, and besides, you did a good job this week, and...well, most of the Organization members are now behind bars. Akai Shuichi and the others are handling the rest of the clean-up.]