Disclaimer: Detective Conan and Magic Kaito are owned by Aoyama Gosho. I don't make money from writing this fanfiction. The story contains spoiler for Detective Conan and Magic Kaito. Also there are quotes from manga, anime, wiki and other sources.

Clair de Lune

Chapter XIV: Waldszenen Part IV

Hattori Heiji was surprised to see Kuroba Kaito for the first time. That guy could pass as Kudo Shinichi's twin brother for sure. But no, Kuroba was just a normal teen even though he looked like Kudo. Kuroba also turned out to be a magician. But the trick with coffee and coins was a basic trick that it almost made him laugh.

Of course, nothing stayed simple around Kudo. Heiji got the shock of his life when Kudo re-introduced Kuroba as his boyfriend. What? Kudo got a boyfriend? How the hell had this happened? Had Kudo gone insane? Heiji's head hurt from thinking. And then, Kudo dropped the next bomb. Kaitou Kid. That thief was Kudo's boyfriend? The so called Heisei Holmes dated a wanted thief? How? Why? Didn't Kudo always go to help Advisor Suzuki against Kid in those heists of his?

But as he said before, he wasn't interested in thievery. Homicide was a more challenging. His objection came from the fact that Kuroba was Kaitou Kid, the thief that Kudo had foiled several times before. What if this was a ploy from Kuroba? Oh. Heiji would watch Kuroba like a hawk.

His Kuroba's watching went well because Kuroba tagged along with them during the case. Kuroba was even helpful. They solved the case quickly and Heiji was elated because of it. And so far, Kuroba didn't do anything suspicious.

When he and Kudo returned to the living room, Kuroba and the girls were busy talking about what they were going to do the next day. Kuroba was truly a smooth talker. In two days, he and Kazuha acted as if they were childhood friends and called each other by first name. Heiji always knew about Kaitou Kid's suave and charming personality but to witness it by his own eyes was a different matter.

"Does he always behave like this?" he asked.

"Yeah," Kudo replied dryly. "If there's a file he wants to see in a filing cabinet guarded by a pretty secretary, all he has to do is switch on his charmer persona, and he has not only the file he wants, but also the secretary's phone number."

"That really explain everything," he muttered. Kudo wasn't exaggerating. Heiji truly believe Kaitou Kid was able to do that. It was no wonder why Kid had so many female admirers. And what about Kudo? Was he alright with this?

"Let's go swimming tomorrow," Kazuha suggested.

"Swimming?"

Heiji however didn't miss the look both Kudo and Aoko gave to Kuroba. What? Couldn't Kuroba swim?

"Ran-neechan." Kudo began in his childish voice. "I don't want to swim."

"Eh?"

"But-"

"I want to see Hikone Castle." Kudo said.

The girls stared at each other. "Well, we already went swimming yesterday." Ran said.

"I guess Hikone Castle isn't a bad idea."

Aoko nodded.

"Fine. We'll go to Hikone Castle tomorrow."

"Thanks, Ran-neechan." Kudo replied, smiling brightly.

"You should visit Nagahama too," Sayaka-san suggested. "The town is famous for its glass art."

So it was decided that they would visit Hikone and Nagahama the next day.

Kogoro however declined, saying that he wanted to go to beach by himself. Ran snorted at that. It was no doubt that he wanted to ogle the girls there.

Kazuha yawned.

"You should go to sleep," he muttered.

"I know," Kazuha replied.

One by one, they left the living room.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm sleepy," Kuroba muttered.

"Then go to sleep," Kudo retorted.

They had reached the door of their own respective rooms.

"Are you sure you guys aren't related?" he blurted out. The first time Heiji saw Kuroba, he thought that he was Kudo. Didn't it feel weird for Kudo to look at his own face? Even their voices were similar.

Kudo and Kuroba exchanged look.

"No," Kudo was the one who replied.

"He could pass as your twin," Heiji muttered.

"That's part of the charm," Kuroba added with a smirk. "It makes thing interesting."

What? Urgh. Heiji regretted he ever brought the matter forward. He didn't want to know.

"Kaito!" Kudo scowled at his boyfriend.

"But that's true," Kuroba retorted. His smirk widened.

Kudo rolled his eyes in exasperation.

There was one thing that Heiji noticed too. Kuroba acted in a different way when he was around Kudo. Kuroba must be a genius to come with all those heists plans. He was also able to evade police for this long. And yet, from his observation when Kuroba was around people the other teen never gave hint of being incredibly smart.

"Goodnight, Hattori." Kudo said.

"Goodnight," he replied automatically. Kudo and Kuroba…Two people who had hidden identity. Was that how everything started?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The next day, they went to Hikone Castle. It was a Japanese Edo-period castle in the city of Hikone, in Shiga Prefecture. It was considered the most significant historical building in Shiga. Hikone was one of only 12 Japanese castles with the original keep, and one of only four castles listed as a national treasure. The next was Genkyu-en Garden, a garden at the foot of the castle. The garden contained a sprawling villa built in the Chinese Tang dynasty style in 1677 for the fourth lord of Hikone.

On their way out the castle complex, they passed souvenirs shop. The shop sold many white cat dolls with samurai helmet.

"What is that?" Aoko asked curiously.

"This is Hikonyan," the shopkeeper replied, "Hikone's castle official mascot."

"Oh."

"Hikonyan is created in 2007 to mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Hikone Castle," the shopkeeper continued. "The character design is derived from a legend concerning Ii Naotaka, the 3rd Lord of Hikone. The Daimyo was beckoned by a white cat to seek shelter from a storm in a temple, and thus saved from a lightning strike."

"They're really cute." Aoko muttered, looking at the arrays of the cat dolls.

"Do you want it?" Kuroba asked suddenly.

"Eh?" Aoko turned to look at her best friend.

"It's my treat," Kuroba replied and turned to Ran and Kazuha. "What about both of you?" he asked, smiling.

"Really?" Ran asked.

"Sure!" Kuroba said.

"You're being nice suddenly," Aoko muttered. "It's kind of suspicious."

"Hey!" Kuroba protested. "I'm always nice!"

The girls laughed at him but they chose the doll they wanted anyway.

"Thanks, Kaito-kun." Kazuha said.

"Thank you, Kaito-kun." Ran said.

Heiji's brow furrowed. What was Kuroba playing at?

"I want that one," Kuroba said suddenly, pointing at the biggest Hikonyan doll in the shop.

Heiji blinked at him, unsure if he'd heard right.

"For this kid," Kuroba continued.

"EH?" Kudo was surprised. He wasn't the only one. That move was totally unexpected. "I don't want a doll!" Kudo protested. It was very understandable.

But Kuroba ignored him and trusted the doll at him. "Here!"

Ran, Kazuha and Aoko giggled at them. If only they knew the real nature of Kudo and Kuroba's relationship, they wouldn't be giggling like that.

"Conan-kun," Ran said, "say thanks to Kaito nii-chan."

"But I don't-"

"Yes," Kuroba said, "say thanks to me."

Kudo glared at his boyfriend. The effect his deathly stare was somewhat lessened by the fact that he was holding a giant Hikonyan doll. Kudo only ended up looking like adorable eleven year old boy.

"Conan-kun?" Ran prodded.

"Thanks, Kaito-niichan," Kudo muttered in a droll tone.

Kuroba grinned at him in satisfaction.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

They must take train to their next destination, Nagahama. Kudo sulked during the journey because he had to bring the doll with him. Adults and parents stopped to coo at him which only increased his bad mood.

Heiji was relieved when they arrived at Nagahama. The town was famous for its glass art. There were many places in Kurokabe Square to see, buy and even learn to make glass art. The more well-known were Kurokabe Glass Shop and Studio Kurokabe.

They decided to go Kurokabe Glass Shop. It was two storeys of glass art, jewellery, stemware, glass accessories and sundries.

"Whoa!"

"This place is amazing!"

"Look at this!" Kazuha gestured at the colourful glass flowers.

"Wow!"

"It's really pretty," Ran said.

"That one is pretty too," Kazuha said again.

"Yeah," Aoko said in agreement.

Heiji turned his attention away. Huh? Where were Kudo and Kuroba? He looked around. Oh. They were looking at elegant glass chess set with alternating frosted and clear squares.

"Do you like this?" Kuroba asked.

Kudo nodded.

Kuroba ended up buying it for Kudo. With the glass chess set in his possession, Kudo stopped his sulking. Although it probably came with the fact that Kuroba was now carrying both of the doll and the glass chess for him.

"Glass chess set?" Ran asked once she saw it.

"Err...Shinichi-niichan always wants it so I bought it for him," Kudo lied.

"I didn't know about that," she said.

"He once mentioned it to me," Kudo said and then he brightened. "I'm going to give this doll to Shinichi-niichan too."

"But Conan-kun, Kaito-kun bought it for you," Ran replied.

"It's alright," Kuroba said and then started new topic that Ran totally forgot about the doll matter.

Heiji had never seen anyone who was that exceptionally good with words before. He waited until Kuroba finished talking with Ran and went away to do whatever Kuroba wanted to do with Kudo before he made his move.

"Hey, Neechan," he started.

"Yes?"

"Did something ever happen at Kid's heist you attended with Ku-Conan?" he asked. Oops. He almost called out Kudo name again. It was a really bad habit of him that was hard to shake. Kudo had complained many times about it.

Ran's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"

Heiji faltered. "Err…never mind," he said. He couldn't just ask, 'Did something happen with Kid and Kudo during those heists that they're dating now?" That was impossible to do.

"It's hot here," Kazuha joined them. Aoko followed her.

"Yeah," he said and decided to let the matter go.

"Let's see if they sell cold drinks here," Ran suggested.

They found kakigori stall not far from the museum. And Kuroba and Kudo had beaten them there.

"Your order," said the girl working behind the counter. "Coffee flavoured ice."

"Thank you," Kudo replied.

Hmm…The shaved ice dessert looked really tempting in the hot weather.

"Kaito!" Aoko yelled. "Why didn't you tell us that you're going to buy kakigori?"

Kuroba grinned at her. "Aw, come on, Aoko," he replied easily. "It's really hot here."

"And your order," the girl said. "The total is 700 yen."

"Thanks," Kuroba said and paid for the dessert.

"I want one too," Aoko said, "with green tea flavour."

"I want chocolate one," Kazuha ordered and then turned to look at him. "Heiji! What about you?"

"Chocolate flavour," he replied. Heiji was still looking at the price list. As expected, Kuroba paid for him and Kudo.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Even though Sayaka-san asked them to say at her villa for a few days, they declined and chose to return to Osaka since Aoko still wanted to visit tourist's attractions in Osaka.

"We can go to Osaka Castle or Kaiyukan," Kazuha offered.

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan was an aquarium located in the ward of Minato ward in Osaka, near Osaka Bay. It was one of the largest public aquariums in the world.

"Kaiyukan is well known for its whale shark." Kazuha informed them.

"You know," Ran said suddenly. "Shinichi once said that detective is like a shark."

"What?" That got everyone's attention.

"We visited Beika Aquarium at that time," Ran said fondly. "And there was a murder case."

Shinichi groaned inwardly. Why did Ran remember about their visit to Beika Aquarium now?

"Do tell about that, Neechan!" Hattori demanded.

Ran proceeded to do so.

Kaito would never let him live it down. He was certain of that. Yes. That mischievous look Kaito had on his face told him everything he needed to know. And to think that a few seconds ago, Kaito had gone pale at the thought of the fish. The annoying grin on Hattori's face was disturbing as well. Urgh.

"And Shinichi solved the case," Ran ended her story.

"Did that often happen?" Aoko asked.

"Twice," Ran answered. "That and the case at Tropical Land. He's doing some undercover job now."

Back at that time, he followed Gin and Vodka was because of his curiosity and carelessness and as the result he was forced to live a lie. But at least, it was better than death, his other option if the poison worked as intended. He didn't like to discuss about that time because he was reminded of his own fault and his fear that he would live the rest of his life as Edogawa Conan, a made up character whose name he picked up randomly because Ran demanded to know who he was.

"Where are we going now?" Kaito asked suddenly, probably sensing that Shinichi's mood had gone sour.

"Ah, what about Osaka Castle?" Kazuha suggested.

After discussion, they decided to go to Osaka Castle and Tsutenkaku Tower. They ended the day with tour in Dotonbori. Dōtonbori was one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, running along the Dōtonbori canal from Dōtonboribashi Bridge to Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba district of the city's Chuo ward. Historically a theatre district, it was now a popular nightlife and entertainment area characterized by its eccentric atmosphere and large illuminated signboards.

One of the area's most prominent features, a billboard for confectionery company Glico displaying the image of a runner crossing a finishing line, was seen as an icon of Osaka within Japan. While Osaka had traditionally served as both a domestic and international tourist destination for food lovers, Dōtonbori was often considered the mecca of the city's penchant for cheap and good food.

Examples of Osaka regional cuisine that one may find in abundance around Dōtonbori include okonomiyaki, takoyaki , udon, as well as local variations of sushi, ramen, and other Japanese cuisine.

"So, shark eh?" Kaito started with a grin. They walked behind the girls, Hattori and Kogoro so Kaito apparently deemed it safe to start conversation with him.

"Shut up," he muttered. He was glad Kaito talk to him normally.

"That's rather morbid, you know." Kaito continued.

He glared at Kaito.

Aoko suddenly turned around and asked. "What to eat first?"

"Anything is fine," Kaito replied, never losing momentum.

"Except fish," he muttered in a low voice.

"So much to choose," Ran muttered.

They even got word for it. Kuidaore was a Japanese word meaning roughly "to ruin oneself by extravagance in food" and literally meaning "to eat oneself bankrupt". It was a part of a larger proverb: "Dress till you drop in Kyoto, eat till you drop in Osaka".

"Ramen?" Hattori suggested, pointing at Kinryu Ramen restaurant.

"Crab?" Kazuha asked, pointing at Kani Doraku, a crab restaurant, easily identified by its giant moving crab billboard.

"Let's eat takoyaki first!" Aoko decided.

"Sure!"

They bought takoyaki at Otakoya, a popular takoyaki stand.

"Hmmm...it's really good." Aoko said.

"Of course!" Hattori replied. "Osaka's food is the best! You can't compare Osaka food to that bland Tokyo's food."

"Hey, we're Tokyoites here." Kogoro Mouri grumbled.

Hattori merely grinned at him.

"Do you want to try fugu?" Kazuha asked.

Not far from them was Zubora-ya, a fugu restaurant with a huge blowfish lantern hanging out front.

"You must not eat that!" Kaito said frantically. "It's poisonous!"

"Yes, yes." He said in a dry tone.

They spent a few hours there. It was with full stomach they returned to Tokyo.

"So soon?" Kazuha asked.

"Kaito insists that we're back to Tokyo today," Aoko replied with a roll of her eyes. "He said that he has something important to do tomorrow. He probably forgets to do his homework."

"Oh." Kazuha was crestfallen. "Well, we're going to accompany you to the station then."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Heiji and Kazuha were in Shin-Osaka Station now to bid farewell to their guests. They had bought tickets for Nozomi. Nozomi was the fastest train service running on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen lines in Japan. The trip between Tokyo and Osaka, a distance of 515 kilometres, took 2 hours 25 minutes on the fastest Nozomi.

So far, Kuroba didn't do anything suspicious. In fact, he pampered Kudo very much, which was totally weird. It was even weirder that Kudo let it happen.

"You have to see us when you came to Tokyo," Aoko said.

"We'll visit you soon," Kazuha replied, smiling.

"We can go shopping together." Aoko said.

"We'll have so much fun," Ran added.

"Yeah." The girls smiled at each other.

Kogoro Mouri looked bored of his surroundings.

Heiji was content to let the girls' gossip and chose to focus his attention to Kudo and Kuroba.

"I want ice coffee," Kudo said suddenly.

"You and your coffee obsession," Kuroba grumbled but he went to the vending machine to buy the drink.

"So?" Kudo asked once Kuroba was far enough that the other teen couldn't hear their conversation.

"I never once thought that you would end up dating him," Heiji admitted," but, that's your business. As long as you trust him, then I'm fine with it."

Kudo smiled slightly. "Thanks, Hattori," he said.

Kuroba chose the moment to return with Kudo's request. "Here, Shin-chan."

"Thank you," Kudo said.

Now, it was Heiji's turn to speak with Kuroba. "Can we have a moment?" he asked.

"Sure." Kuroba replied easily.

Kudo looked at them questioningly. Kuroba shook his head slightly. The interaction between Kudo and Kuroba was almost comical to watch.

They went to secluded corner.

"Do I pass your judgement?" Kuroba asked suddenly.

Heiji spluttered.

"You're his best friend," Kuroba continued. "He values your opinion even though he will never admit it."

Heiji was rather flattered to hear that actually. "You don't need to reveal yourself," he said.

Kuroba raised his eyebrow.

Heiji snorted. "Do you think I won't notice it? You purposely led your friend around so you could join Kudo on this trip."

Kuroba smirked.

The change in the personality didn't surprise Heiji anymore. He had seen the flash of that brilliance whenever Kuroba was with Kudo.

"Surely you know about Shin-chan's current condition?"

He nodded.

"Two heads are better than one," Kuroba said. "You not knowing would hinder Shinichi when the need arose."

Ah. Heiji had wondered about that too. If Kuroba stayed in Tokyo, Heiji would never find out about this. His father was Superintendent of Osaka Police Department. He could put Kuroba in jail if he got enough evidence. And Kuroba still took the risk for Kudo's sake.

"I suppose that you're alright," he admitted grudgingly.

"Of course I am," Kuroba replied arrogantly.

"Kudo needs all the help he can get," he continued. "But if you hurt him," he said in a low voice, "I will hunt you down."

"I expect nothing less from you." Kuroba replied. He sounded very amused by the threat.

"What are you guys doing there?" Kazuha called them.

"The train is almost here," Ran added.

"We're coming!" Heiji replied.

They walked to join the girls, Kudo and Kogoro. They walked past magazine stand and Heiji saw something very interesting. He smirked. Well, he might have accepted Kudo's relationship with Kuroba. But that didn't mean he would stop teasing them. In fact, this was only a beginning. With that thought, he hurriedly went to but the magazine.

"Oy, Kuroba!" He called. "Since you're Kid's number one fan, I thought you would like this."

Both Kudo and Kuroba looked at him suspiciously. Heiji didn't blame them. He knew he had evil grin on his face.

"This is girl magazine," Kuroba said slowly, as if questioning Heiji's sanity.

"Hurry up!" Ran called.

"Kaito! What are you doing?" Aoko demanded. Her gaze fell to the magazine. "How could her?" she said indignantly.

"What?" Kuroba asked in confusion. "Aoko, what is wrong with you?"

"That!" Aoko pointed at the magazine's headline.

The cover girl of the magazine was Furuhata Megumi, a new rising star actress who began her career because Kid singled her out during Green Dream heist. 'Kaitou Kid is my ideal man!' the bold headline of the magazine stated. It seemed that the girl had developed crush on Kid because Kid helped her at that time.

"What?" Kuroba exclaimed.

Aoko snatched the magazine and flipped the pages. "'Megumi-chan said in the interview that Kid is such a gentleman and she has crush on him. What is good about that thief anyway?" she kept grumbling about the injustice about Kid.

Heiji stared at her. She really hated Kid while in fact her childhood friend was the man behind the mask. In fact, it seemed like she had crush on Kuroba. It was that Heiji didn't know how to bring this to Kudo.

Kudo looked at the magazine and then looked at Heiji. "You'll pay for this," Kudo mouthed at him.

He smirked back at Kudo. Kudo was welcomed to try. Heiji could handle him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I trust thing is going well?" Shinichi asked once they boarded the train. He pretty could guess what Hattori and Kaito were talking about. It was fortunate that he and Kaito sat on the different row than the others so they could talk freely.

"Your friend is quite protective," Kaito commented.

"Hattori is a good friend," he replied. He eyed the magazine. "You're going to keep that? You and your ego," he muttered.

"Don't you want to know?" Kaito asked suddenly.

"Know about what?"

"Kid's ideal person," Kaito replied, smirking mischievously at him.

"I'm going to say no," he said dryly. "However you're going to continue no matter what I say."

"You're correct," Kaito said, looking straight at him. "Let's see...Kid's ideal person is smart, witty, sarcastic and arrogant. That person is also a very noble guy."

"I'm not sure about the last part," he mumbled out.

But Kaito merely smiled fondly at him and didn't offer any further explanation.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Golden Week was almost over and he enjoyed it to the fullest this year. He got a case at Lake Biwa. He also visited Osaka. And today, Kaito said that he was going to take him to watch movie at Beika Mall and then football match at Tokyo Stadium. They decided to meet at Professor Agasa's house as usual.

Haibara smirked when she saw him.

That smirk never bode well for him. "What is it now?" he asked.

She left and returned later with the cursed magazine. The one with Furuhata Megumi on its cover.

"Not that again," he groaned.

Haibara raised her eyebrow.

"Hattori saw it and bought it as a joke," he said.

"Oh, yes. How could I forget?" Haibara said. "You went to introduce your husband to your best friend."

"I went there for a case," he corrected.

"Whatever you say, Kudo," Haibara said with a smirk.

It was best not mention that he actually read the article since Kaito told him the truth about the actress.

"Here," Haibara said suddenly.

"What is that?" he eyed the pill on her palm warily.

"A new antidote," she replied. "The effect should be more stable than before. I need you to test it for me."

"Eh?" He gaped at her.

"Take it," she ordered.

"But I-"

She looked at him.

He sighed. "Fine, fine."

"Good." She nodded in satisfaction and went away, saying. "Don't expect additional gift from me."

"Hey, Haibara!" he called after her. "What do you mean by that?"

She ignored him.

He stared at the pill. Should he take it? Of course! He would never miss the chance to return to his original body.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shinichi had just finished getting dressed when Kaito came. Haibara must have told Kaito about his whereabouts.

"Shin-chan!" Kaito called him loudly.

"Come in," he replied.

Kaito entered the room and stared at him in astonishment. Well, apparently Haibara didn't tell Kaito about the pill.

"It's Haibara-" he began to explain but Kaito stopped him with a very thorough and enthusiastic kiss.

"Hello dearest, this is a very pleasant surprise," Kaito said with a cheeky grin on his face. "You're back."

"Temporarily," he replied. "Haibara gave me the pill. She also told me not to expect additional gift from her. I don't know what she means by that."

"Ah."

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Kaito replied quickly.

He narrowed his eyes. "That doesn't seem like nothing for me." In fact, Kaito had that knowing look on his face.

Kaito kissed him again. "You're always suspicious of me," Kaito muttered once the kiss ended.

"It's your own fault," he grumbled. Despite Kaito's claim that Shinichi knew him the best, as a matter fact, he didn't know much about Kaito. He also couldn't read Kaito like Kaito could read him.

Kaito clapped his hand together. "As much as I want to keep you in bed with me all day," the teen said.

He spluttered.

"Unfortunately, we're on schedule here," Kaito continued.

"Schedule? What schedule?" he asked, alarmed.

"Let's go, Shin-chan!" Kaito said gleefully.

"Wait, wait," he protested. "I'm supposed to be on case somewhere. I can't show my face in public like this."

Kaito sighed. "Just wear baseball hat and sunglasses."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Their first destination was Beika Mall to watch the new superheroes movie that was Shinichi's guilty pleasure. The movie was filled with action, great special effects and not much plot but that was alright. Shinichi liked it.

After watching movie, Kaito treated him lunch. They ended up spending more than two hours just talking at the restaurant after the meal was eaten. Luckily, the waiter didn't throw them out. The next was Tokyo Stadium. Kaito had bought tickets with the best view. The football match ended with Tokyo Spirit's winning.

"It's good they won, huh?"

"What do you mean by that?" he demanded.

"Shin-chan," Kaito said, "you sulk for days whenever your favourite team loses."

"I do not!" he denied hotly.

Kaito gave him a look.

He crossed his arms in annoyance. It was true actually. In fact, he could sulk for weeks if his favourite team lose but there was no need for Kaito to say that.

"Where are we going now?" he asked.

"You'll see," Kaito replied cheerily.

"You're pleased with yourself." He had observed Kaito all day and came with the conclusion.

"Because I've got a surprise for you." Kaito admitted.

"A surprise for me?" he asked.

"Yes! You're going to like it."

Kaito took him to dinner cruise on yakatabune the next. Yakatabune were small ships equipped for dinner service and parties where guests lounge on tatami mats. Yakatabune have been around since the Edo Period. Back then, ornate yakatabune were a fixture of the upper echelons of Japanese society, with the likes of feudal lords and wealthy merchants using them for sophisticated activities like viewing cherry blossoms or reciting haiku poems while gently floating down a river.

Nowadays, yakatabune were used primarily for dinner and drinking parties, but they retained the sense of elegance and refinement they gained in the Edo Period. Their range of uses had expanded significantly to include everything from cherry blossom-viewing parties in spring and fireworks-viewing parties in summer, to business dinners, wedding parties, and other special occasions.

In Tokyo, yakatabune excursions typically consisted mainly of cruising around Tokyo Bay and the Sumida and Arakawa Rivers, from which passengers could enjoy a unique method of sightseeing. Cruises visited areas like Odaiba, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Disneyland and other popular spots that afforded good views from Tokyo's waterways.

The crew met them and the other guests at the fore deck of the ship to collect the shoes and usher them aboard.

The cabin, floored in traditional, easy-on-the-feet tatami mats, was quite spacious. Tables were arranged lengthwise along both sides of the boat with four guests at each but somehow their table only consisted two of them. The low seating combined with the already low-riding design of the boat put them at just the right level to gaze out the windows.

The crews started to bring in food.

"The best Kobe beef," the crew told them about the main course.

He was right. The beef melted in Shinichi's mouth. It was truly delicious.

As the flow of the food slowed, the yakatabune also slowed and came to rest in the bay, at which point they were told to go topside to the ship's spacious viewing desk.

Kaito looked at his watch. "3...2...1!"

DUAR!

Fireworks exploded in the sky. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge, this was the most picturesque fireworks he had ever seen.

The other guests were busy taking pictures and talking about the fireworks.

"Fireworks?"

"But this isn't summer yet!"

"Who lit this?"

Shinichi was speechless. Watching movie and football match, cruise dinner and now this? What were all of these about?

"Your mother warned me about this," Kaito said seeing the look on his face. "But you really exceed her expectation."

"What?" he asked in confusion.

Kaito's expression softened and he leaned forward to kiss him. "Happy birthday, Shinichi." Kaito whispered.

Oh! Today was 4th May. His birthday.

"So you remember now," Kaito said.

He nodded. For a while, he couldn't respond. He didn't know what to say to Kaito who had gone all out to celebrate his birthday. "Thank you. For everything," it was all he could say.

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Haibara Ai was just finished with her experiment when she heard voices from the living room. It seemed that Kudo and Kuroba just returned from Kudo's birthday celebration. That's why she gave the pill to Kudo.

She went to see them and stopped dead on her track. Kudo and Kuroba were busy kissing. It seemed like Kuroba was trying to eat Kudo's face. My, my. It went for a while. As much as she enjoyed this, she must stop them if they went too far. She still wanted to sit on that couch. Thankfully, Kuroba then stood up, taking Kudo with him. Their destination was obvious.

She stared at their disappearing figures. What they did inside Kudo's bedroom wasn't her business. And then her gaze fell on the gifts on the coffee table. There were gifts from Professor Agasa, Ran, Kudo's parents and gifts from Kuroba. Gifts from Kuroba stood out because Kudo had opened them. She took a peek. Hmm...leather satchel bag, iPod, newest MacBook Air and...what was inside the envelope? Ah. Two tickets to Sherlock Holmes convention next month, which for Kudo, was probably the best present. Well, as long as they were happy.

Author's Note:

Hi, everyone!

Sorry for the delay. I rewrote the last part so Shinichi could have his birthday celebration as Shinichi instead of Conan. Kaito lit fireworks for Aoko's birthday in Blue Birthday heist so his present for Shinichi must be bigger than that.

The next arc 'Rhapsody in Blue' will feature Nightmare heist, Hakuba Saguru and Kaito and Shinichi's first disagreement.

Anyway, countdown to my Japan trip. I'm really, really excited. Can't wait for it.

Thank you for reading and please review.