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

Part 55: Homicide at her-Date

In the end, Kudo Shinichi did show up.

Kuroba Kaito wasn't surprised. The taxi stopped in front of the police headquarters, and he thanked the driver. Pressing the button on the vending machine near the emergency stairwell, he grabbed a canned coffee. Putting on his headphones and pulling up his black jacket's hood, he nodded at the security guard.

If you asked Kuroba Kaito, he had no regrets about the decision he made—or rather, he was relieved that he'd done the right thing.

"Maeda-san, still working late?" Kuroba leaned against the counter in the fourth-floor common area. Maeda, a veteran officer, recognized him immediately, his face lighting up with a smile.

"Oh, if it isn't Kid? Quite the surprise to see you here at night. Don't tell me you've snuck out for a joyride again. How many times is that this month? Not writing enough reports, eh?"

"Haha, what are you talking about?" Kuroba tossed a bag of chips to Maeda.

"Meitantei is on a date—where else could I go?"

"Kudo kun on a date? Ha! Must be with Mouri's daughter—what's her name again? Mouri Ran, right?"

Kuroba raised an eyebrow, smiling, but didn't reply.

Maeda glanced around the empty common area. Seeing no one else, he boldly ripped open the bag of chips and casually asked, "What about you? I bet there are plenty of girls in your class who'd want to go out with you, huh? Heck, not just your class—any girl on the street would probably jump at the chance..."

Despite having a different view on these things, Kuroba didn't particularly like the comment, though he didn't show it. He interrupted politely, "I'm not interested."

"Why not? You're young—this is the time for trying things out, for... well, you know..."

That sense of irritation crept back into Kuroba's mind.

He wasn't dumb. He knew the Meitantei seemed serious this time. But what about himself?

Kuroba Kaito himself wasn't sure.

Or rather, he was also afraid that it was all just a passing impulse for the detective. Better to give him the option of a normal life, rather than...

Maeda wasn't unfamiliar with the expression on Kuroba's face. Smirking, he chewed on the chips and teased, "Haha, Kuroba, why are you hesitating? A young guy like you should chase after what you want, whether it's dreams or people."

"Sounds like you've had quite the experience." Kuroba quipped. Maeda squinted and nodded, a bit smug.

"Back in the day, I had plenty of girls chasing after me."

"And now?" Kuroba asked curiously.

"Now? No one." Maeda didn't seem embarrassed, openly admitting it.

"Really? What happened?" Kuroba asked.

"Nothing much. It's just... you can't force fate, you know? The harder you try, the further people drift away from you. On the other hand, if you're meant to be with someone, you won't be able to shake them off even if you try."

Kuroba shrugged. "I've always believed that fate is something you control yourself."

Love was something Kuroba had always feared. He didn't dare get too close to anyone, afraid of the trouble it might bring. It wasn't physical danger he feared, but emotional attachment. His father had left him, his mother was far away, and his childhood friends had grown distant. Even his sworn rival—the Great Detective, who was supposed to always be on the opposite side—was now standing here, having crossed that invisible line on a stormy night.