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

Part 54: Go and get her back

A loud boom resounded as a flash of blue lightning split the cloud-filled sky, branching into fine tendrils that struck the ground below. The rain poured as if from a bucket, fiercely battering everything in its path.

Tokyo in summer—it always seemed to rain.

Outside, another crash of thunder rumbled through the air. Kudo rested his chin on his hand, staring off into the distance. This was the final week of high school, yet he was spending it in rainy weather. He glanced to his side, where Kuroba Kaito was idly spinning a playing card between his fingers—of course, the guy had finally gotten his hands on some magic tools, just as he'd wanted.

Each clap of thunder dragged Kuroba and Kudo back to that stormy night. Kudo clenched his fist under the desk. Three days had passed, and still, they maintained this uneasy truce. Outwardly calm, but inwardly, a swirling storm. Both were haunted by something they couldn't ignore, yet they chose to act as if it had never happened.

Feeling the detective's gaze, Kuroba lowered his joker card and turned around. "If you keep staring, Meitantei, you're going to burn a hole right through my back."

Normally, Kuroba Kaito would have made some teasing comment in a playful, ambiguous tone—something like, "Keep looking, Meitantei, and you'll see right through my clothes" or "Are you sure you're not into me?"

But these past two days, no such words had slipped from his lips.

Annoying.

Restlessness gnawed at them both.

Finally, lunchtime came. The students, eager for the upcoming graduation break, endured the last of their literature teacher's overzealous lecture on university prep. The classroom was a hub of activity, chatter buzzing beneath the constant sound of rain and thunder. Among the lively crowd, no one drew more attention than the ever-popular Kuroba Kaito.

"Unbelievable," Kudo Shinichi thought, exasperated as he observed the classmates crowding around the door. After the weekend meeting, as soon as Suzuki Sonoko caught sight of Kuroba with his playing cards, she went wild.

Soon after, with her excited chatter and loud proclamations, an entire floor's worth of students had gathered to watch him perform tricks.

Just the sight of his card magic had them talking for nearly two hours. The classroom echoed with screams, cheers, and Sonoko's loud voice singing praises for Kaito's talents.

"I swear..." Kudo attempted to get closer to Kuroba, but before he could say anything, he was once again shoved aside by a fellow student squeezing into the crowded room. Kaito stood at the center of it all, like a distant king in another galaxy, coolly watching Kudo from afar.

"Kuroba... You're incredible! Do it again, do it again!"

"How on earth did you manage to hide my keys in this rose?!"

"I want a turn! Me first!"

"Back off! I was here first!"

"There's no 'first come, first served' here! Move!"

"Kuroba-sama! Please, just one more trick! I zoned out earlier and missed it!"

"Alright, alright—" And with just a few words, the chaos in the room came to a halt. Everyone froze, hanging on Kuroba's every word, as if he were some mysterious thief once again captivating the world's attention under the cover of night. His voice, though playful, held an undeniable command over the room.

"Sorry, but today's performance is over. After all, a magician never repeats the same trick twice. If you were to find out my deep secrets, what would I do about you then?"