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

Part 72: The end__Welcome to my world

Contrary to Kudo Shinichi's expectations, the illusion he found himself in wasn't fraught with danger or severe consequences.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a moonlit night, and before him stood a boy dressed in striking white, as if he intended to outshine the full moon hanging above. He leaned lightly against the railing, standing on tiptoe like a child wanting to grow up, gazing up at the stars.

KID.

It didn't take him any time at all. The person he wanted to find most was right in front of him.

"Kuroba Kaito."

"Yo, Tantei-san, you're up early..."

This wasn't a return to childhood memories, nor was it an uncontrollable psychological state. Kuroba Kaito, in both posture and presence, was very much the KID at his peak, fully in control of the situation.

"Why won't you come back?"

"Looks like no matter where I hide, you always find me, Meitantei."

Kuroba didn't turn around.

"I told you, no matter where you run, I will find you."

A soft laugh escaped Kuroba's lips as he lifted his head slightly.

"I'm doing just fine here." He turned towards Kudo, still leaning on the rooftop railing, head bowed as he recalled, "Today was a great day. I spent the morning messing around with Aoko at school—she's still as scatterbrained as ever. She forgot her college application forms halfway through the day, and in the end, Inspector Nakamori had to rush us to school just in time in a police car. Imagine that, the great KID getting driven around by a cop—what a joke, right? Then in the afternoon, I skipped class like I usually do and went to Ginza with my mom to watch one of my dad's performances. It was spectacular, dazzling beyond belief."

"KID... your father... he's already..." Kudo Shinichi couldn't help but interrupt.

"I know. He passed away a month ago."

"I know"... So Kuroba Kaito was aware that all of this was just an illusion?

Kuroba ignored the increasingly complex expression on Kudo's face and continued speaking as if nothing had happened. "Yesterday, my dad took me to meet some old friends he hadn't seen in years. He's now the curator of the Sunshine City aquarium, and he actually dragged me to that place. Really, dolphins' backs... are they supposed to feel like that? And they're not cute at all! I don't get what people see in them—why do so many like those things?"

"In the evening, I went to Nakamori's house for dinner as usual. That idiot cop, still as lively as ever, even went to the farmers' market and caught some live trout."

"Tonight, my dad took my mom and me on a long overdue family trip. Guess where we went? We toured a museum at midnight, checking out which gemstones were worthy and which were just cheap knock-offs. As it turns out, many so-called collectors are amateurs with no real eye for value."

"And tomorrow?" Kudo tried to keep his voice casual, as though asking about ordinary things, but in reality, he dreaded hearing the answer. Kuroba tilted his head, sounding genuinely puzzled.

"Tomorrow? I'll go to school, of course!"

"Mess around with Aoko again? You..."

You're not planning to come back, are you?

"What are you talking about? Of course, I'll go back with you,Meitantei," Kuroba said, sounding utterly confused. "Aren't we both heading to the University of Tokyo for Orientation? And besides, without you, the world would be so... boring."