[Feb 13] [Magic Kaitou] True Love's Kiss
Title: True Love's Kiss
Author: Fyliwion
Fandom: Magic Kaitou
Theme: Feb 13- “That time may cease and midnight never come”
Rating: Pg-13
Disclaimer: I own neither Magic Kaitou, nor the myraid of fairy tales (primarily Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon, that this had come from) True loves kiss title comes from the movie Enchanted
He knew something was wrong when the little old lady in front of him started glowing red, kinda like the gem he was holding in his hand. At first he’d thought maybe it was just the light of the stone in compassing them both, but by the time she got almost blidingly bright he knew he was completely and utterly doomed.
“I warned you boy! I do not take kindly to people stealing my gems!” He was suddenly aware the little old lady was no longer quite so old, and now was what he supposed was called ‘blindingly beautiful,’ of course for some reason all these lovely ladies seemed to have a fetish for killing him…
He was perfectly alright with Aoko thank you very much,
“If you think that’s suppose to be impressive or something-” he kept a very tight poker face while staring at the witch-lady and hoped he might be able to feign his way out of it.
Her eyes narrowed, “You’re more of an idiot than I thought. First you steal my jewel, and now you dare to mock me? I am well aware of your cheek KID, but I did not realize you were an idiot too.”
It was his turn to light up, “Now wait just one second-”
“I think not. I gave you a fair chance when I told you not to take the jewel. You know quite well it is no petty stone, and I shall not relinquish my hold of it any time soon. You underestimate me child and that is a dangerous thing-”
“So you’ll turn the other group into frogs if they try to get it?” He said with a grin, “Great! Then I’ll just set it here, and let you keep an eye on it. I was all ready to destroy it, but if you promise to just incinerate anyone who looks at it I think it’s in great hands and I’ll just be going…” Kaito knew when he was in trouble, and this woman was no petty witch like Akako. He could tell in the way she watched him like some sort of bird of prey, he’d probably be crushed like a bug if he didn’t get out of there soon. He did have a good sense of self preservation…
“You think I’ll let you off so easily?”
He swallowed hard.
“You have made light of me, snubbed me, and taken my gem. I have my pride and have no been so insulted in centuries. As is I have little like of magicians, you are quite mistaken if you are going anywhere.”
“But I-”
She tilted her head looking at him, “Now to figure out which would be the best of punishments…” She studied him for what Kaito felt like was an eternity. As she watched him he could almost feel her pickign through his thoughts a memories, and found he couldn’t even force him to look away. Time and again he attempted to build back up his poker face, but the barrier was crumbling faster than he knew was possible. In the back of his mind he wondered if this more than anything had been one reason his father has pushed so hard for him to keep it.
For that matter he wondered if his father was going to ever mention that ‘real magic’ actually existed, and that apparently it fueled more of his tricks than he realized. In some ways it was more surprising than the truth concerning KID.
Of course he was completely torn out of his thoughts as the strange witch-woman let out a long chilling laugh. She shook her head in disbelief, “The Inspector’s daughter? Oh my… you are something aren’t you boy? Well I have always been one to dabble in the love of others… so fine. I will give you until Midnight tomorrow. If you are able to win the love of his daughter by then, you will be free to do as you wish, if not? Than I shall see to it that you shall never be with her again, and even your own name will be ripped from you. Understood?”
He felt his blood run cold as the terrifying woman looked at him without so much as a trace of pity. He winced, “Don’t you usually… I dunno… Give up to three days or something? I always thought-”
“You’ve annoyed me more than usually, and it’s been a long while since I’ve had to place a curse on anyone. You also know the girl, so it would be an unfair advantage.” He saw her lips twist as he started thinking of ways around and she shook her head, “The deal is off if you were to tell her either your true identity, or about the curse- not that she would believe you anyway.”
“But how am I suppose to even get her alone! She hates me!!”
“Well that’s your problem isn’t thief boy? Until midnight tomorrow night- and you’d better hope to never see me again. If you come near my gem again I will not be so kind,” she added as an afterthought.
“But-”
“Good luck Kaitou KID!”
And Kaito found himself suddenly completely alone in the courtyard of building where his heist was. In someways he wished it were all just a dream- a terrible delusion that he had just witnessed- except that where the woman had been he saw a crimson rose in it’s place with a stray petal next to it.
He closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time, felt an air of despair fall over him.
After all? There was no way Aoko would ever love a thief.
He was jolted out of his daze when he suddenly heard voices from the other side. He looked down at his watch and nearly fell back over when he realized that no time had passed in the moments it had taken for her to place the curse on him. Perhaps it made sense, when dealing with magic after all-
He found enough energy to bring back his spirits as he darted towards the building to make his final bow, after all it would look too strange if he didn’t, especially if he couldn’t even remember if he’d managed to show that he’d reached the gem or not…
Well he’d just come up with some excuse…
Except that just as he poofed into place to wish them a good evening (and possibly a final farewell), he came amazingly close to a bullet going through his head.
Because it was just what he needed, a bullet to go through his skull before the curse decided to take his life from him or something ambiguous like that. Well at least a bullet through the skull would probably be less painful, unless witch lady decided that was too nice and resurrected him to be her servant or the like…
He heard Nakamori yelling orders to find the gunner immediately, which was when Kaito spotted the sniper from afar. He was about to run after him, when he suddenly saw that this time the sniper was no longer firing at him, but rather the Inspector.
“Shit…” he managed just as he nearly flew to throw himself over Aoko’s father and push him to the ground as the bullet flew over them both.
Nakamori was cursing a flood and tried to get up, but Kaito shoved him down again as another bullet nearly hit them for a second time. “I’d stay down Keibu unless you want your daughter to be told she lost her father tonight.”
“Dammit… I need to…”
“I don’t think that sniper took you telling them to arrest him very well-” Kaito mentally tried to see if he could create some sort of bullet shell around them or the like. Well if Witch-san could curse him and emit light, who knew what he was capable of…
She had called him a Magician…
He gave up when a bullet whizzed by again, though he heard yells form officers and glanced over to see them playing dog-pile-the-assassin.
From this perspective of the technique it somehow seemed almost funnier than it was from the bottom, that was if the whole thing wasn’t so serious.
And he had more important things to think about…
“….Looks like I owe you…” muttered the Inspector.
Kaito glanced up surprised , and with his free hand tightened his hand on the flower the witch had given him… it was missing twice as many petals on this point and he laughed as a thought came to mind, “I’ll say- You crushed my last rose…”
The Inspector seemed confused for a moment and Kaito’s grin widened, “How’s this? Let me spend the day tomorrow with your daughter, just until midnight, and I’ll call it even?”
He could see the man’s vein starting to pop out of his forehead, and he had to admit that he’d never heard such an impressive list of curses come from someone’s mouth, even when talking about Nakamori.
He let the Inspector finish before saying, “Well?”
“Do you honestly think I’d leave my daughter alone with you? Bastard I’ll-”
Kaito cut him off with a sigh, “Now Keibu… You know I am quite respectful to anyone, and I promise I would return her in one piece… If I were really going to hurt her don’t you think I’d just leave a note and kidnap her? But I’d really rather not do that so-”
“….. She hates you….” muttered the Inspector.
“I’m well aware of that. I just…” KID froze for a moment and tried to think of how he could word it, “Think of it as an apology to her, before going into retirement.”
That caught the Inspector’s attention, “Retirement?”
The thief nodded, “Yes. I might have a few more after this, but… I believe Keibu I shall be laying down my heists soon and leave you to take up another hobby. I heard knitting can be enjoyable-”
Nakamori frowned, “Until Midnight?”
“Completely unharmed by my Father’s soul.”
“She may not be willing…” the Inspector told him carefully.
“If you tell her to she’ll agree…”
He couldn’t believe the man was actually going to let him, well at least it seemed like he was going to let him. He didn’t think anything would have moved the man to let him take his daughter on a date… He didn’t even think he’d get away this unscathed if Kaito wanted to take her out.
“I owe you my life…” said the Inspector with a nod. “If she agrees than you can have your damned date-”
“Then I shall arrive promptly eight tomorrow morning! Have a good night Inspector-”
“….fine until… wait… EIGHT?”
KID however had already lost himself in the crowd, smiling to himself as he heard further curses explode from the Inspector from whence he left him.
He was there a bit early but he just paced outside the house. It wasn’t like he was able to get much sleep, especially when you were quite aware that it appeared you were going to lose some form of your life by midnight if you didn’t get a girl who loathed you to fall in love with your alternate personality.
The thing that had honestly taken the longest was his disguise. He couldn’t very well go out in KID clothes, nor could he take on any part of his “Kaito” look. For a short while he almost considered going as a woman or say Hakuba, but he doubted that would help in his impossible task of doom. So instead he pulled out his kit, and decided to take a simpler route. A little make up to emphasize other areas of his face, glasses, a set of clothes that was a little more professional than anything “Kaito” would wear. He exchanged a hat for a wig when he looked in the mirror and decided he looked a bit too much like Kudo or a grown up “Conan.” The hair was just a shade lighter, and even after he decided he might keep the hat for good measure.
He wasn’t sure if he and Aoko both would be smited down by the evil lady if she happened to “guess” that KID and Kaito were the same… He wasn’t going to take any chances either way.
So he waited diligently on her steps for eight am, at which point he knocked hesitantly on the door and said a silent prayer he wouldn’t find himself dead on arrival.
Instead he was greeted by the angriest looking Aoko he’d ever laid eyes on, and wondered if this meant he really was going to die before midnight ever got there.
“….KID?” she growled out.
He bowed with the most dashing smile he could make, “At your service Nakamori-san. You look lovely, are you ready to go?”
She slammed the door stepping out, “I’m only doing this because you saved my father’s life. I hate you after all, and I don’t know what you’re thinking about attaining doing this…”
He gave her a shrug, but decided he wasn’t quite ready to speak. It wasn’t until he was standing next to her that it started to sink in this was the last time he’d ever spend with her. After that she was gone, and whether the witch let him live or die he knew she hadn’t been lying when she swore he’d never be with Aoko again.
“….Really… Glasses?”
He was jolted out of his thoughts as he looked at the girl in surprise, and realized he hadn’t heard a word of her rant, “What?”
“…A monocle at night, and now you’re using glasses? You can’t tell me you need them…”
He grinned widely at her, “Well it seems to work for all the characters in books and anime who need to go incognito. Why not?”
She shook her head, “…just… glasses. I thought, I don’t know, you’d be too vain for them or something.”
His grin turned into a smirk, “Well… I considered going as Hakuba-kun there for a bit, but I thought that might be a little too odd… so…”
He watched amused as she deadpanned, and they both fell into a heavy silence. Somehow he suspected it was going to be a very, very long day.
He’d done his research well when he began looking for things for them to do. He figured if he had to woo the girl he might as well do it correctly. He started off by taking her to a small British bakery that he knew made excellent tea and scones for a light breakfast. He found gardens and parks to go through, a nice traditional lunch, the theatre afterwards, and inbetween through in whatever he could think of that he knew Aoko liked.
Not that it was working… true by mid-afternoon she was actually speaking to him instead of acting like she was a prisoner. Actually by the time he took her through a rose garden after the theatre- well he began thinking that she may have grudgingly warmed to him. Perhaps it was the way she was throwing surprising glances, or even how she’d talk to him about other things.
Like himself…
Now that was the oddest of all. The way she’d bring “Kaito” up, and how annoying he was but how he’d be so jealous when he discovered she got to spend an entire day with KID. He’d had to work his hardest to keep a true poker face.
Yet somehow the top seemed to warm her even more, and he found himself teasing her with the ease he would normally. At times he kept reminding himself that he was “KID” not “Kaito,” after all if he acted too much like himself than there was no way she’d not know it was him…
Except that he almost failed entirely at the fountain…
There was a large stone fountain in the middle of the garden, and as it was warming up in the day they decided to stop and relax by the water. She’d been going on again trying to figure out why he’d wanted to go out with her, when he’d flicked water on her.
To which she splashed him back.
Which turned into a full out name calling water war.
Until both of them nearly fell in, and collapsed in the grass partially soaked and having trouble breathing. He noticed that her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed genuinely happy. He felt his own cheeks grow even redder when he noticed her roll next to him and turn to look his way. Their faces had been mere centimeters apart, and both their mirth had stopped abruptly.
He expected her to run away immediately, or at least to pull away. What he didn’t expect was for her to study his face, and for her eyes to soften suddenly. He saw a burst of confusion run through her face and she whispered, “You’re my age.”
He found the ability to chuckle, “…Well yeah…”
“I didn’t…”
He grinned, “Told you the glasses worked.”
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say. The moment left and she pulled away from him to stand up. He saw her shiver slightly and pulled a towel out of midair to wrap around her. He felt her stiffen as he laid it on her shoulders, but she wrapped up in it anyway.
“I… I thought you’d be older-” he was suddenly aware she was quite unsteady, as though the thought completely through her off-balance.
“Mmm No… My-” he decided to risk it after all he had little to lose at that point. “My father was KID before me, I didn’t take it up until a year or so ago,” his lips pursed and he tried it, “He.. He died on the job. Well- he was killed- same guys that tried to kill your father.”
She turned and he realized her eyes were wide. Well he’d opened up the box and now it was time to finish it, “He was looking for a stone, and well I think I found it- so you probably won’t have to worry much about me after today.”
“You really are quitting?”
“Looks that way- Depending… Depending on how something goes I might try to lead the people off the trail, but we’ll see-”
He could tell she was working it all out in her head, and for the first time all day he felt hope fill his heart. He knew he didn’t have a chance in hell, but at the same time-
“Oh-”
And like that the silence returned.
Dinner was relatively calm compared to breakfast and lunch, but than it was also far nicer. Had he had more than one day left he believed that he might be daring enough to risk telling her the truth about KID, or at least pursue a date again- but even when he noticed her throwing him looks he doubted she could have been swayed yet.
Though he did risk during dessert to show her some of his more elaborate magic tricks when she asked, some that he’d kept away to work on for later and never showed her as Kaito, except that he did risk ending it with a shower of rose petals and even tucking a single red one behind her ear.
It threw him off his guard when her cheeks dusted pink, and she suddenly became very concerned with her piece of cake. He’d been so certain she’d yell-
Except that he wasn’t sure what to do afterwards. They were walking out, and he didn’t know where else to go, or what to try. On one hand he was ready to just risk it all, tell her everything, and then let himself be damned- except he wasn’t certain if the Witch would take it out on Aoko too, and that was the last thing he needed.
Thus they were taking the long route just wandering as Kaito wracked his brains on what to do when he heard the girl murmur, “You’re a lot like him.”
He jumped. It was odd in many ways that a whole detective body couldn’t surprise him, yet all Aoko seemed able to do was shock him, “What?”
Her lips curved up into a smile, “You know… for someone who asked me out you sure seem distracted…”
“…I was thinking. Believe it or not Nakamori-chan I am able to do that you know…”
He saw something flicker in her eyes, “You can call me Aoko-chan-”
He nearly stopped in his tracks, but even beyond that he felt his lips curve up in an incredulous smile, “What not Aoko?”
He saw her give him quite a pointed look and he beamed, “I was just surprised… Aoko-chan it is then… and I would say you could call me… well… KID… except you already do.” He stuck his tongue out at her and she rolled her eyes.
“Such a child…”
“…So…what’d ya say while I was thinking? I think I would have caught it if you had told me to drop the Nakamori part…”
He saw her grow nervous again and she shifted, “It doesn’t really matter…”
“I’m curious. I’m curious anyway, but now that you’ve left off like that you’ve made me really curious… come on!!”
She sighed, “You just remind me a lot of Kaito- that’s all…”
They’d both stopped by this point, and he frowned, “I do?”
“Yeah…” he saw her blush again and he almost had an impulse to reach for her cheek, to maybe even make her look up at him. She was so lovely at that moment, and for that second he could almost believe she didn’t hate him.
He had inspiration.
“Hey can I take you somewhere? I promise I’ll get you back but…”
It made her laugh, “What I have a choice?”
He grinned back, “Well… so long as you’re not frightened of heights-”
With the girl holding on tightly around his neck, he couldn’t help but feel that the adrenaline of flying was increased tenfold. The laughter bubbling from her lips did far more for that matter as well… He let them both soar over the lights of the city, keeping a good distance from where anyone could actually see them… He thought to himself whether her father would kill him if he ever found out, but the way she’d open up to the flight after the initial fall was worth it.
He wondered why he hadn’t taken her flying before.
When they finally landed, both wind blown and out breath, he found a high spot far from the hustle and bustle of the city with the best view he knew- after all he’d spent hours before simply scouting for good points where he could just be alone.
He thought it was a much better experience being there with someone.
He wondered if she noticed they had a perfect view of the clock tower, perhaps too obvious but he did need to know when midnight was about to come. Maybe he’d have a moment to tell the truth before then, though they still had roughly a half an hour…
He was about to say something, anything, when he heard the faint sound of music drifting up to him. He looked down and smiled pointing below, “Hey look-” he said with a grin, “There’s a street festival below…” They could see the firework in the crowd, as well as the colors and dancers. He heard Aoko laugh next to him, and after several minutes decided to risk it.
“Will the lady be willing to share a dance with a thief?”
She looked taken aback as he stood and bowed to her, but he was just as surprised when she actually placed her hand in his, “Yes.”
The music wasn’t precisely right for a dance, but somehow he managed to lead her in a basic waltz. He started off counting “1-2-3-4... 1-2-3-4...” and it didn’t take long before they were spinning around the roof top above the city, and laughing to one another as he spin her about.
They ended with a song, both speechless, and neither quite sure what to do.
Kaito looked at the clock and realized just how much time had passed.
He wished more than anything that time would cease and midnight would never come.
“It’s almost midnight,” she whispered as if reading his mind.
“Yeah…”
He was surprised to feel fingers surround his, “I’m never going to see you again am I? After tonight?”
He looked down and was surprised to see two blue orbs glowing up at him with worry. Well that was something… she didn’t seem to hate him anymore at least.
He laughed, “It’s what you wanted wasn’t it?”
“…I… I don’t know…”
The silence from hours before was back and hanging between him, and for the life of him Kaito couldn’t figure out what to do. The minutes were counting down, and he wondered if any moment now he was going to turn into moonbeams, or starlight or perhaps just a true phantom.
He only really had one regret.
His fingers found their way to her cheek, and he was surprised as she leaned into his hand still looking up at him, “It’s for the better really…”
He could feel the final seconds ticking and he felt his heart twinge…
When he suddenly found two arms wrapped around his neck and kissing him, just as his own went around her waist.
“Ao-” he managed as they broke away.
“I think I’m in love with you…” she suddenly managed her eyes holding what he thought might be tears. “I don’t know when… or how… maybe that’s why I’ve always hated you.. But somehow I’m in love…”
This time he kissed her…
And in the distance he heard the stroke of midnight clash, and he waited for the last stroke…
But as the minutes passed he looked back down grinning wildly-
"With you."
And as he waited to turn into starlight, or dust, or what ever magical thing the witch decided upon he realized that somehow... he'd won...
Not that Aoko wasn't going to kill him for it all later, after he explained things and told her the truth...
Not to mention... he had to wonder if perhaps she didn't know... especially as she reached for his glasses and kissed him again-
Of course now he just had to figure out how to keep the Inspector from shooting him when he dropped her off, but he'd deal with that later.
For the moment he just wrapped his arms around her, and accepted his true love's kiss.
Author: Fyliwion
Fandom: Magic Kaitou
Theme: Feb 13- “That time may cease and midnight never come”
Rating: Pg-13
Disclaimer: I own neither Magic Kaitou, nor the myraid of fairy tales (primarily Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon, that this had come from) True loves kiss title comes from the movie Enchanted
He knew something was wrong when the little old lady in front of him started glowing red, kinda like the gem he was holding in his hand. At first he’d thought maybe it was just the light of the stone in compassing them both, but by the time she got almost blidingly bright he knew he was completely and utterly doomed.
“I warned you boy! I do not take kindly to people stealing my gems!” He was suddenly aware the little old lady was no longer quite so old, and now was what he supposed was called ‘blindingly beautiful,’ of course for some reason all these lovely ladies seemed to have a fetish for killing him…
He was perfectly alright with Aoko thank you very much,
“If you think that’s suppose to be impressive or something-” he kept a very tight poker face while staring at the witch-lady and hoped he might be able to feign his way out of it.
Her eyes narrowed, “You’re more of an idiot than I thought. First you steal my jewel, and now you dare to mock me? I am well aware of your cheek KID, but I did not realize you were an idiot too.”
It was his turn to light up, “Now wait just one second-”
“I think not. I gave you a fair chance when I told you not to take the jewel. You know quite well it is no petty stone, and I shall not relinquish my hold of it any time soon. You underestimate me child and that is a dangerous thing-”
“So you’ll turn the other group into frogs if they try to get it?” He said with a grin, “Great! Then I’ll just set it here, and let you keep an eye on it. I was all ready to destroy it, but if you promise to just incinerate anyone who looks at it I think it’s in great hands and I’ll just be going…” Kaito knew when he was in trouble, and this woman was no petty witch like Akako. He could tell in the way she watched him like some sort of bird of prey, he’d probably be crushed like a bug if he didn’t get out of there soon. He did have a good sense of self preservation…
“You think I’ll let you off so easily?”
He swallowed hard.
“You have made light of me, snubbed me, and taken my gem. I have my pride and have no been so insulted in centuries. As is I have little like of magicians, you are quite mistaken if you are going anywhere.”
“But I-”
She tilted her head looking at him, “Now to figure out which would be the best of punishments…” She studied him for what Kaito felt like was an eternity. As she watched him he could almost feel her pickign through his thoughts a memories, and found he couldn’t even force him to look away. Time and again he attempted to build back up his poker face, but the barrier was crumbling faster than he knew was possible. In the back of his mind he wondered if this more than anything had been one reason his father has pushed so hard for him to keep it.
For that matter he wondered if his father was going to ever mention that ‘real magic’ actually existed, and that apparently it fueled more of his tricks than he realized. In some ways it was more surprising than the truth concerning KID.
Of course he was completely torn out of his thoughts as the strange witch-woman let out a long chilling laugh. She shook her head in disbelief, “The Inspector’s daughter? Oh my… you are something aren’t you boy? Well I have always been one to dabble in the love of others… so fine. I will give you until Midnight tomorrow. If you are able to win the love of his daughter by then, you will be free to do as you wish, if not? Than I shall see to it that you shall never be with her again, and even your own name will be ripped from you. Understood?”
He felt his blood run cold as the terrifying woman looked at him without so much as a trace of pity. He winced, “Don’t you usually… I dunno… Give up to three days or something? I always thought-”
“You’ve annoyed me more than usually, and it’s been a long while since I’ve had to place a curse on anyone. You also know the girl, so it would be an unfair advantage.” He saw her lips twist as he started thinking of ways around and she shook her head, “The deal is off if you were to tell her either your true identity, or about the curse- not that she would believe you anyway.”
“But how am I suppose to even get her alone! She hates me!!”
“Well that’s your problem isn’t thief boy? Until midnight tomorrow night- and you’d better hope to never see me again. If you come near my gem again I will not be so kind,” she added as an afterthought.
“But-”
“Good luck Kaitou KID!”
And Kaito found himself suddenly completely alone in the courtyard of building where his heist was. In someways he wished it were all just a dream- a terrible delusion that he had just witnessed- except that where the woman had been he saw a crimson rose in it’s place with a stray petal next to it.
He closed his eyes and for the first time in a long time, felt an air of despair fall over him.
After all? There was no way Aoko would ever love a thief.
He was jolted out of his daze when he suddenly heard voices from the other side. He looked down at his watch and nearly fell back over when he realized that no time had passed in the moments it had taken for her to place the curse on him. Perhaps it made sense, when dealing with magic after all-
He found enough energy to bring back his spirits as he darted towards the building to make his final bow, after all it would look too strange if he didn’t, especially if he couldn’t even remember if he’d managed to show that he’d reached the gem or not…
Well he’d just come up with some excuse…
Except that just as he poofed into place to wish them a good evening (and possibly a final farewell), he came amazingly close to a bullet going through his head.
Because it was just what he needed, a bullet to go through his skull before the curse decided to take his life from him or something ambiguous like that. Well at least a bullet through the skull would probably be less painful, unless witch lady decided that was too nice and resurrected him to be her servant or the like…
He heard Nakamori yelling orders to find the gunner immediately, which was when Kaito spotted the sniper from afar. He was about to run after him, when he suddenly saw that this time the sniper was no longer firing at him, but rather the Inspector.
“Shit…” he managed just as he nearly flew to throw himself over Aoko’s father and push him to the ground as the bullet flew over them both.
Nakamori was cursing a flood and tried to get up, but Kaito shoved him down again as another bullet nearly hit them for a second time. “I’d stay down Keibu unless you want your daughter to be told she lost her father tonight.”
“Dammit… I need to…”
“I don’t think that sniper took you telling them to arrest him very well-” Kaito mentally tried to see if he could create some sort of bullet shell around them or the like. Well if Witch-san could curse him and emit light, who knew what he was capable of…
She had called him a Magician…
He gave up when a bullet whizzed by again, though he heard yells form officers and glanced over to see them playing dog-pile-the-assassin.
From this perspective of the technique it somehow seemed almost funnier than it was from the bottom, that was if the whole thing wasn’t so serious.
And he had more important things to think about…
“….Looks like I owe you…” muttered the Inspector.
Kaito glanced up surprised , and with his free hand tightened his hand on the flower the witch had given him… it was missing twice as many petals on this point and he laughed as a thought came to mind, “I’ll say- You crushed my last rose…”
The Inspector seemed confused for a moment and Kaito’s grin widened, “How’s this? Let me spend the day tomorrow with your daughter, just until midnight, and I’ll call it even?”
He could see the man’s vein starting to pop out of his forehead, and he had to admit that he’d never heard such an impressive list of curses come from someone’s mouth, even when talking about Nakamori.
He let the Inspector finish before saying, “Well?”
“Do you honestly think I’d leave my daughter alone with you? Bastard I’ll-”
Kaito cut him off with a sigh, “Now Keibu… You know I am quite respectful to anyone, and I promise I would return her in one piece… If I were really going to hurt her don’t you think I’d just leave a note and kidnap her? But I’d really rather not do that so-”
“….. She hates you….” muttered the Inspector.
“I’m well aware of that. I just…” KID froze for a moment and tried to think of how he could word it, “Think of it as an apology to her, before going into retirement.”
That caught the Inspector’s attention, “Retirement?”
The thief nodded, “Yes. I might have a few more after this, but… I believe Keibu I shall be laying down my heists soon and leave you to take up another hobby. I heard knitting can be enjoyable-”
Nakamori frowned, “Until Midnight?”
“Completely unharmed by my Father’s soul.”
“She may not be willing…” the Inspector told him carefully.
“If you tell her to she’ll agree…”
He couldn’t believe the man was actually going to let him, well at least it seemed like he was going to let him. He didn’t think anything would have moved the man to let him take his daughter on a date… He didn’t even think he’d get away this unscathed if Kaito wanted to take her out.
“I owe you my life…” said the Inspector with a nod. “If she agrees than you can have your damned date-”
“Then I shall arrive promptly eight tomorrow morning! Have a good night Inspector-”
“….fine until… wait… EIGHT?”
KID however had already lost himself in the crowd, smiling to himself as he heard further curses explode from the Inspector from whence he left him.
He was there a bit early but he just paced outside the house. It wasn’t like he was able to get much sleep, especially when you were quite aware that it appeared you were going to lose some form of your life by midnight if you didn’t get a girl who loathed you to fall in love with your alternate personality.
The thing that had honestly taken the longest was his disguise. He couldn’t very well go out in KID clothes, nor could he take on any part of his “Kaito” look. For a short while he almost considered going as a woman or say Hakuba, but he doubted that would help in his impossible task of doom. So instead he pulled out his kit, and decided to take a simpler route. A little make up to emphasize other areas of his face, glasses, a set of clothes that was a little more professional than anything “Kaito” would wear. He exchanged a hat for a wig when he looked in the mirror and decided he looked a bit too much like Kudo or a grown up “Conan.” The hair was just a shade lighter, and even after he decided he might keep the hat for good measure.
He wasn’t sure if he and Aoko both would be smited down by the evil lady if she happened to “guess” that KID and Kaito were the same… He wasn’t going to take any chances either way.
So he waited diligently on her steps for eight am, at which point he knocked hesitantly on the door and said a silent prayer he wouldn’t find himself dead on arrival.
Instead he was greeted by the angriest looking Aoko he’d ever laid eyes on, and wondered if this meant he really was going to die before midnight ever got there.
“….KID?” she growled out.
He bowed with the most dashing smile he could make, “At your service Nakamori-san. You look lovely, are you ready to go?”
She slammed the door stepping out, “I’m only doing this because you saved my father’s life. I hate you after all, and I don’t know what you’re thinking about attaining doing this…”
He gave her a shrug, but decided he wasn’t quite ready to speak. It wasn’t until he was standing next to her that it started to sink in this was the last time he’d ever spend with her. After that she was gone, and whether the witch let him live or die he knew she hadn’t been lying when she swore he’d never be with Aoko again.
“….Really… Glasses?”
He was jolted out of his thoughts as he looked at the girl in surprise, and realized he hadn’t heard a word of her rant, “What?”
“…A monocle at night, and now you’re using glasses? You can’t tell me you need them…”
He grinned widely at her, “Well it seems to work for all the characters in books and anime who need to go incognito. Why not?”
She shook her head, “…just… glasses. I thought, I don’t know, you’d be too vain for them or something.”
His grin turned into a smirk, “Well… I considered going as Hakuba-kun there for a bit, but I thought that might be a little too odd… so…”
He watched amused as she deadpanned, and they both fell into a heavy silence. Somehow he suspected it was going to be a very, very long day.
He’d done his research well when he began looking for things for them to do. He figured if he had to woo the girl he might as well do it correctly. He started off by taking her to a small British bakery that he knew made excellent tea and scones for a light breakfast. He found gardens and parks to go through, a nice traditional lunch, the theatre afterwards, and inbetween through in whatever he could think of that he knew Aoko liked.
Not that it was working… true by mid-afternoon she was actually speaking to him instead of acting like she was a prisoner. Actually by the time he took her through a rose garden after the theatre- well he began thinking that she may have grudgingly warmed to him. Perhaps it was the way she was throwing surprising glances, or even how she’d talk to him about other things.
Like himself…
Now that was the oddest of all. The way she’d bring “Kaito” up, and how annoying he was but how he’d be so jealous when he discovered she got to spend an entire day with KID. He’d had to work his hardest to keep a true poker face.
Yet somehow the top seemed to warm her even more, and he found himself teasing her with the ease he would normally. At times he kept reminding himself that he was “KID” not “Kaito,” after all if he acted too much like himself than there was no way she’d not know it was him…
Except that he almost failed entirely at the fountain…
There was a large stone fountain in the middle of the garden, and as it was warming up in the day they decided to stop and relax by the water. She’d been going on again trying to figure out why he’d wanted to go out with her, when he’d flicked water on her.
To which she splashed him back.
Which turned into a full out name calling water war.
Until both of them nearly fell in, and collapsed in the grass partially soaked and having trouble breathing. He noticed that her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed genuinely happy. He felt his own cheeks grow even redder when he noticed her roll next to him and turn to look his way. Their faces had been mere centimeters apart, and both their mirth had stopped abruptly.
He expected her to run away immediately, or at least to pull away. What he didn’t expect was for her to study his face, and for her eyes to soften suddenly. He saw a burst of confusion run through her face and she whispered, “You’re my age.”
He found the ability to chuckle, “…Well yeah…”
“I didn’t…”
He grinned, “Told you the glasses worked.”
Apparently it was the wrong thing to say. The moment left and she pulled away from him to stand up. He saw her shiver slightly and pulled a towel out of midair to wrap around her. He felt her stiffen as he laid it on her shoulders, but she wrapped up in it anyway.
“I… I thought you’d be older-” he was suddenly aware she was quite unsteady, as though the thought completely through her off-balance.
“Mmm No… My-” he decided to risk it after all he had little to lose at that point. “My father was KID before me, I didn’t take it up until a year or so ago,” his lips pursed and he tried it, “He.. He died on the job. Well- he was killed- same guys that tried to kill your father.”
She turned and he realized her eyes were wide. Well he’d opened up the box and now it was time to finish it, “He was looking for a stone, and well I think I found it- so you probably won’t have to worry much about me after today.”
“You really are quitting?”
“Looks that way- Depending… Depending on how something goes I might try to lead the people off the trail, but we’ll see-”
He could tell she was working it all out in her head, and for the first time all day he felt hope fill his heart. He knew he didn’t have a chance in hell, but at the same time-
“Oh-”
And like that the silence returned.
Dinner was relatively calm compared to breakfast and lunch, but than it was also far nicer. Had he had more than one day left he believed that he might be daring enough to risk telling her the truth about KID, or at least pursue a date again- but even when he noticed her throwing him looks he doubted she could have been swayed yet.
Though he did risk during dessert to show her some of his more elaborate magic tricks when she asked, some that he’d kept away to work on for later and never showed her as Kaito, except that he did risk ending it with a shower of rose petals and even tucking a single red one behind her ear.
It threw him off his guard when her cheeks dusted pink, and she suddenly became very concerned with her piece of cake. He’d been so certain she’d yell-
Except that he wasn’t sure what to do afterwards. They were walking out, and he didn’t know where else to go, or what to try. On one hand he was ready to just risk it all, tell her everything, and then let himself be damned- except he wasn’t certain if the Witch would take it out on Aoko too, and that was the last thing he needed.
Thus they were taking the long route just wandering as Kaito wracked his brains on what to do when he heard the girl murmur, “You’re a lot like him.”
He jumped. It was odd in many ways that a whole detective body couldn’t surprise him, yet all Aoko seemed able to do was shock him, “What?”
Her lips curved up into a smile, “You know… for someone who asked me out you sure seem distracted…”
“…I was thinking. Believe it or not Nakamori-chan I am able to do that you know…”
He saw something flicker in her eyes, “You can call me Aoko-chan-”
He nearly stopped in his tracks, but even beyond that he felt his lips curve up in an incredulous smile, “What not Aoko?”
He saw her give him quite a pointed look and he beamed, “I was just surprised… Aoko-chan it is then… and I would say you could call me… well… KID… except you already do.” He stuck his tongue out at her and she rolled her eyes.
“Such a child…”
“…So…what’d ya say while I was thinking? I think I would have caught it if you had told me to drop the Nakamori part…”
He saw her grow nervous again and she shifted, “It doesn’t really matter…”
“I’m curious. I’m curious anyway, but now that you’ve left off like that you’ve made me really curious… come on!!”
She sighed, “You just remind me a lot of Kaito- that’s all…”
They’d both stopped by this point, and he frowned, “I do?”
“Yeah…” he saw her blush again and he almost had an impulse to reach for her cheek, to maybe even make her look up at him. She was so lovely at that moment, and for that second he could almost believe she didn’t hate him.
He had inspiration.
“Hey can I take you somewhere? I promise I’ll get you back but…”
It made her laugh, “What I have a choice?”
He grinned back, “Well… so long as you’re not frightened of heights-”
With the girl holding on tightly around his neck, he couldn’t help but feel that the adrenaline of flying was increased tenfold. The laughter bubbling from her lips did far more for that matter as well… He let them both soar over the lights of the city, keeping a good distance from where anyone could actually see them… He thought to himself whether her father would kill him if he ever found out, but the way she’d open up to the flight after the initial fall was worth it.
He wondered why he hadn’t taken her flying before.
When they finally landed, both wind blown and out breath, he found a high spot far from the hustle and bustle of the city with the best view he knew- after all he’d spent hours before simply scouting for good points where he could just be alone.
He thought it was a much better experience being there with someone.
He wondered if she noticed they had a perfect view of the clock tower, perhaps too obvious but he did need to know when midnight was about to come. Maybe he’d have a moment to tell the truth before then, though they still had roughly a half an hour…
He was about to say something, anything, when he heard the faint sound of music drifting up to him. He looked down and smiled pointing below, “Hey look-” he said with a grin, “There’s a street festival below…” They could see the firework in the crowd, as well as the colors and dancers. He heard Aoko laugh next to him, and after several minutes decided to risk it.
“Will the lady be willing to share a dance with a thief?”
She looked taken aback as he stood and bowed to her, but he was just as surprised when she actually placed her hand in his, “Yes.”
The music wasn’t precisely right for a dance, but somehow he managed to lead her in a basic waltz. He started off counting “1-2-3-4... 1-2-3-4...” and it didn’t take long before they were spinning around the roof top above the city, and laughing to one another as he spin her about.
They ended with a song, both speechless, and neither quite sure what to do.
Kaito looked at the clock and realized just how much time had passed.
He wished more than anything that time would cease and midnight would never come.
“It’s almost midnight,” she whispered as if reading his mind.
“Yeah…”
He was surprised to feel fingers surround his, “I’m never going to see you again am I? After tonight?”
He looked down and was surprised to see two blue orbs glowing up at him with worry. Well that was something… she didn’t seem to hate him anymore at least.
He laughed, “It’s what you wanted wasn’t it?”
“…I… I don’t know…”
The silence from hours before was back and hanging between him, and for the life of him Kaito couldn’t figure out what to do. The minutes were counting down, and he wondered if any moment now he was going to turn into moonbeams, or starlight or perhaps just a true phantom.
He only really had one regret.
His fingers found their way to her cheek, and he was surprised as she leaned into his hand still looking up at him, “It’s for the better really…”
He could feel the final seconds ticking and he felt his heart twinge…
When he suddenly found two arms wrapped around his neck and kissing him, just as his own went around her waist.
“Ao-” he managed as they broke away.
“I think I’m in love with you…” she suddenly managed her eyes holding what he thought might be tears. “I don’t know when… or how… maybe that’s why I’ve always hated you.. But somehow I’m in love…”
This time he kissed her…
And in the distance he heard the stroke of midnight clash, and he waited for the last stroke…
But as the minutes passed he looked back down grinning wildly-
"With you."
And as he waited to turn into starlight, or dust, or what ever magical thing the witch decided upon he realized that somehow... he'd won...
Not that Aoko wasn't going to kill him for it all later, after he explained things and told her the truth...
Not to mention... he had to wonder if perhaps she didn't know... especially as she reached for his glasses and kissed him again-
Of course now he just had to figure out how to keep the Inspector from shooting him when he dropped her off, but he'd deal with that later.
For the moment he just wrapped his arms around her, and accepted his true love's kiss.