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

Part 69: SNAKE

"Who are you?! A pervert?!"

The teen in front of her looked puzzled. With a dirty basketball under one arm, he extended his other hand to help her up, the palm still covered in leaves and dirt. Aoko frowned, blinking in confusion as she scrambled to her feet.

"You... you were hiding in the bushes just now, weren't you?! What did you see?!" Aoko's face flushed with embarrassment, and in her panic, she blurted out in rapid succession, "Pervert! Do you know who my dad is? He's a police officer! Don't come any closer... Stay right there! What are you planning?!"

Faced with her outburst, the teen chuckled helplessly. "What are you even talking about? My ball got stuck in the drain back there, and I had to pry it out with a stick. I'm a senior this year, and the last thing I want is to get held back for damaging school property on my final day. Could you help me out and keep this between us?"

"Huh?" Aoko's mind went blank. It slowly dawned on her that she might've misunderstood the situation. As she calmed down, she noticed the teen was indeed wearing a graduation gown, though the tassel and cap were nowhere to be seen. His muscular build and sun-tanned skin marked him as an athlete.

He flashed a grin. "By the way, I couldn't help but wonder, what were you talking about to yourself over there?"

"You..." Aoko blushed again. "I knew it! You were hiding there, eavesdropping! And you still have the nerve to deny it!"

"No, no... I was just curious." The teen showed no signs of leaving. "I see you're a graduate too. The kimono suits you—sakura red and earthy tones, right? Looks great on you."

"Thanks... but I'm not actually a student here. After my school's graduation, I came here to meet a friend, but he didn't come." Aoko's voice grew quieter as she spoke.

"Well, there's a big crowd because of graduation today. Maybe you guys just missed each other. Where'd you agree to meet? I'll go with you." The teen offered, but Aoko shook her head politely.

"Thanks, but I think he already left. Ugh... probably went off to mess around with Kudo again."

"Kudo? Kudo Shinichi?" The teenager raised his eyebrows, surprised.

"Ah... you know him?" Aoko asked.

"Of course... Well, not personally, but we're in the same year, so I've heard of him. Who hasn't? High school detective Kudo Shinichi. And then there's..."

"No, I'm looking for Kaito."

"Kuroba kun? Didn't he leave with Kudo?" the teen asked. "I wanted him to stay and play ball with us, but Kudo dragged him off."

"Yeah, which is why I called him a liar." Aoko dusted off her kimono and slowly stood up. Her foot wobbled, but the boy quickly caught her. "Your foot doesn't look so good. Want me to carry you to the front gate?"

"Uh..." Aoko hesitated, thinking of a way to decline. But him had already tossed the basketball aside, washed his hands in a first-floor window, and was ready to help. Aoko couldn't bring herself to refuse.

He didn't actually carry her on his back, considering the kimono wasn't exactly convenient for that. Instead, he put her arm over his shoulder and supported her as she limped along.

"Sorry for the trouble," Aoko said, feeling embarrassed.

"No trouble at all," the teenager replied with a grin. When they reached the gate, he gently set her down and turned to retrieve his ball.

"Wait—sorry!" Aoko called out. "I... I never asked your name. Thank you."

"Nakajima Kenta."

"I'm Nakamori Aoko."