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

Part 39: Happy Birthday

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"Let go of me,Meitantei." Kuroba tossed the umbrella to Kudo. "You should head back first, I..."

"Is it appropriate for you to see Nakamori now, Kid?"

Appropriate? Kuroba froze. Right, if it were just Kuroba Kaito, he could go back without hesitation. But now? He wasn't just Kuroba Kaito; he was Kaito Kid. This identity had destined him to be the insurmountable barrier between him and Aoko.

Stalemated with Kudo, Kuroba finally made a call to Aoko. The phone rang for only a moment before it was answered, and a tearful voice, both surprised and scared, came through: "Kaito... Aoko thought... thought you were ignoring me..."

"How could I? Are you okay? Are you home alone?"

"It's so dark... I can't see anything. Ahhh!" A clap of thunder roared through the phone, followed by the same thunder outside Kuroba's ear.

"Don't be scared. Calm down. Aoko, take a deep breath... You remember where I keep the candles, right? Go to the kitchen now, walk slowly... keep one hand on the wall. You can hang up if you want to, but..."

"No! Don't leave me!" Aoko screamed. "Don't... please, Kaito, don't leave me alone, don't leave me..."

"Okay."

That comforting voice, reminiscent of better times, made Aoko wipe away her tears as she slowly stood up, carefully kicking off the slippers on the floor, and took one step after another off the bed and down the stairs. Kuroba on the other end of the line stayed silent.

"Kaito?"

"Yes?"

"Nothing... I just wanted to make sure you're still there." Aoko slowly made her way to the kitchen, standing before the counter.

"You're in the kitchen now, right?" Kuroba Kaito asked. Aoko curiously replied, "Kaito, how did you know I was in the kitchen?"

"The sound of the floor. Alright, first find the fridge, then walk back, count to the third drawer, and then reach down—it's the handle of the lower cabinet. Got it?"

"Got it, I found it." Aoko quickly pulled out a small bag, fished out a lighter and candle, and a spark illuminated the kitchen.

"I thought... you'd never..."

"I just didn't want to see you sad." Kuroba admitted, "In fact, I can hardly guess... how you actually feel about me."

Kudo slowly furrowed his brows. He had never considered that Kuroba Kaito might still care so deeply for Nakamori Aoko. He had never seen Kid speak in such a tone before, to comfort a girl not with charm or playful banter, but with patience and warmth. It was an act of companionship, of protection. Compared to how he treated other girls, Kuroba Kaito had a gentler, more tender way.

"Kaito... I..." Idiot, I like you. I forgave you a long time ago. I've long stopped caring about your identity, about the crimes you've committed, because you are Kuroba Kaito, my childhood friend. You are Kaitou Kid, my savior. But these words could never be spoken.

Aoko discreetly wiped away the tears that had slipped down her cheeks. "When... when will I see you again?"

Tomorrow is your birthday. Will you still let me celebrate it with you?

"Aoko, I've been a bit busy lately, maybe some other time." Kuroba glanced at the time; it was late, wet, and cold. He didn't want to make Meitantei stand out in the cold for too long on his account.

"Alright, Kaito, be careful on your way home..."

There was so much she wanted to say, to cry out to him, but the words were stifled, trapped inside her. Things have changed; even if they're still the same people, the timing and everything else are different now. The opportunities they once had are gone. Now, just seeing him or receiving a call feels like a gift from the heavens.