Sanctuary Night (Kaitou Kid X OC)

Chapter 8

-- A Few Days After, Tropical Land --

"For the umpteenth time, I got lost in the crowd and I couldn't find you two so I went home. My phone died, by the way. I wasn't exactly enjoying the theatrics either, Kuro-kun." Rie was being questioned by none other than Kaito. She suddenly disappeared that night and they looked for her in and around the museum before giving up and going home themselves. "I'm sorry, I should've charged and immediately told you that I was at home. I'm sorry. I really am." She waved a weak, apologetic hand along with a small smile.

"Come on Kaito, you've been bugging her about that night for days." Aoko stuck out her tongue at the boy, slightly irritated at his persistence about the topic.

"I don't think she even saw Kid-sama! What a waste!" It's true, Kaito didn't see Rie in the crowd when he appeared as Kaitou Kid.

"I only came for the Gem of Ages. From what you told me, it would be really pretty. I wasn't disappointed." Rie wanted to check if it was Pandora, but Kid did that for her. "If you really want to know, I did see that thief. It was nice of him to return the gem, I never would've seen it if he didn't. That makes me wonder though. Why steal a gem only to return it? Probably isn't of sound mind.."

"He has a sound mind, excuse you! You didn't see him at all, did you!" Kaito grabbed the collar of Rie's jacket and pulled her closer. People were starting to look over at the sudden show of a commotion. Though between the three of them, this kind of physical contact was normal. Rie only stared at him in annoyance.

"Kuro-kun, I wouldn't have gotten lost if a certain idiot didn't leave me alone without even saying where he was going to go." She narrowed her eyes at Kaito, recalling him pushing her and ditching her in the middle of the crowd.

"I... I went to the restroom, Kuro-chan. Geez, can't I have a moment for myself without being reprimanded?" He sneered back, initiating one of their staring contests.

"You two bicker like a married couple." Aoko snickered. Without breaking contact, they responded in denial.

"Over my dead body!"

"Absolutely not." Rie crossed her arms over her torso and looked up at Kaito, glaring daggers at him. He still had her by the collar and looking down at her - for a split second, he wanted to close the gap between them. This caused him to push her away and turn his back on her as he hid his reddening cheeks. Rie took that as victory and tiny-smiled at Kaito's back, not knowing how he was really feeling.

Aoko giggled at them and noticed a familiar detective strolling around the theme park just as they were.

"Ah! Hakuba-kun!!!" Aoko waved with her hand high above her head, like she usually does when calling someone's attention. A brownish blond-haired boy turned to look at Aoko and waved back.

'Yay, Hakuba-kun is here! Maybe he can take me around Tropical Land and actually ride some rides unlike these lovebirds.' Aoko thought before skipping off towards Hakuba Saguru, the famous detective from England.

"Ah, Aoko-kun, what brings you to Tropical Land? Are you alone?" Hakuba bowed in respect as Aoko blushed.

"Me and a couple of friends just went out to have some fun." Aoko replied, still flustered about Hakuba's presence. Hakuba softly smiled at her as he looked around her.

"But I don't see them around you. Did they leave you alone?"

"That's them over there, the two lovebirds barking at each other." Aoko turned around and stared at Rie who seemed to be gloating at Kaito who was trying his hardest to deny his tomato cheeks. Hakuba looked past Aoko and saw an unfamiliar face.