Clueless

Disclaimer: Magic Kaito is not mine. I'm simply making the characters miserable….is that a bad thing…?–grins-

motzKID: Happy Holidays, everyone! I hope everyone's doing fine. I also want to apologize for not updating for months now. School's been hectic and I didn't want my teacher to think that I'm failing because of ff-dot-net. Anyway, let this story be a make-up. Peace?

(Nakamori Aoko's Point of View)

"One ticket to Ohkawa City," I leveled my mouth towards the small hole by the counter. The man behind the glass window lowered his eyeglass to have a good look at me, "I'm with my parents," I smiled, just in case he's wondering why a high school student wants to go to that city.

He look down on my ticket and up at me again, "for Saga Perfecture. Train number 52," hee said monotonously as he slides the ticket at the small opening of the glass window, "next!" he shouted. I took a good glance at the guy behind the counter. Something tells me that he looks oddly familiar. Suddenly, a huge man bumped me aside to have his turn.

Talk about rude.

I looked down to my ticket and remembered my dad telling me about my grandparents just last night.

"Visiting Grandpa and Grandma is a bit risky. You have to ride trains to get there. But not to worry, I told them to wait for you right at the corner of the 14th street by the 12th house."

He had that 'I-trust-you' dad-look on his face that says he's a bit worried. But I just had to leave Tokyo for a while just to take my mind off crazy things. There were crappy homework for Christmas break but since my dad would be busy the whole break; I'll spend my Christmas over my grandparents' house.

Of course, there's another good reason to leave Tokyo. Concerning about my best-est friend , Kuroba Kaito, and his 'other' identity, Kaitou Kid. Did you know that Kaitou Kid is Kaito?! Yeah, I figured you know that one already. My best friend is actually the guy that my dad spent his life catching.
-o-
I extended my head forward along the train-tracks to see if train 52 is already there. I spotted a man in blue, a train conductor, over by the benches in front of some parked-train. But before I could even call his attention, a young man tapped me by the shoulder. He was about my age, working student...?

"Excuse me, are you looking for Train 52?" he asked as he smiled. His hat covered his eyes but I guess he could still see me with those bangs covering his sight.
I nodded, "uh-huh."

He chuckled a little, sounding a little familiar, "well, 52's coming its way so you ought to wait. Why don't you sit by the benches there?" he suggesting. I raise a brow, not because of his accent, but because of his voice. Before I could say anything, he turned around and walked away, whistling.
-o-
I didn't wait long. Before I knew it, Train 52 was already on its way and parked right in front of me. Men with briefcases and women with their children boarded immediately. Some of them were kissing and waving goodbye to their loved ones. I, on the other hand, boarded the train without saying goodbye to anyone except my dignity.

I took a seat right next to the window as a young man wearing a long coat sat beside me. He looked like my age except, he seemed to be a businessman or something. I sighed and rested my elbow by the window. I knew it's going to be a long train ride but I think it will all be worth it.

"Excuse me...,"
I turned to the man beside me. His hat covered his eyes, but his smile was visible. He looked really familiar, "are you going home to Ohkawa as well?" he asked. He's a teenager, definitely.

"Nah. I'm going to visit my grandparents," I smiled, "you?"
He chuckled, "let's just say I'm here with a reason," he smiled, "I was suppose to follow a friend."
"Oh," I smiled.

Not much to say.
-o-
I opened my eyes as I felt the train slowing down. I don't know how long I've been sleeping but then guy sitting next to me, apparently, already left his seat. Finally, the train went to a stop as everyone gathered up their things and headed towards the exit. I waited for a while, just to get everyone off first before I follow.

Ohkawa City, located in Saga Perfecture, is just a small province. The life is simple, I guess. I took a cab to my grandparents' house.

"So, you're new in this province, huh?" the driver asked.
I nodded with a smile, "oh yeah, it's in the corner of the 14th street by the 12th house," I reminded. The driver was young, probably at my age. Working student...?

He smiled by the rear-view mirror, "had a safe trip from the train, huh? You're lucky because there are rumors that the 52nd Train was getting bomb threats lately," he smiled (looking familiar), his cap covering his eyes. I couldn't help but sigh. I've been meeting familiar faces but I still have no clue what's so strange about the guy over the counter, the train conductor, the young man beside me in the train and this taxi driver.

-o-
"Thanks," I bowed as the taxi driver saluted before leaving me by the corner of the street. My grandparents weren't there yet. I looked up at the sign that said 14th street.

14th street by the 12th house...

OF COURSE! That's what has been bothering me. When you connect it, it says, "1412"...Kaitou Kid's code name. But what a coincidence!

"Looking for the Nakamori residence?" a young man asked. A mailman that looks familiar, this time.
I nodded.
"You're in luck, I was just heading towards that residence. Apparently, they're out buying some leeks," he chuckled, "here," he handed me some letters, "your grandpa and grandma, right?"

He started walking, probably heading towards my grandparents' house. I followed him but he didn't mind.

-o-
As soon as I was standing in front of the house ,the mailman smiled, "here you are. You just have to wait for them to arrive."
"Thanks," I bowed.
"Anytime, miss," he smiled and left.

After a while, I spotted grandma waving at me, "oh, Aoko-chan! You're here, thank goodness!"
"Well, a nice mailman showed me the way over here," I smiled and handed her the letters that the mailman gave to me, "here you go. These are letters for you and grandpa."

"Odd," she smiled but not sure whether to smile or not, "there hasn't been a mailman lately. I wonder if the mayor hired a new one...?" she mumbled as she led me the way inside the house.

"Maybe they did hire a new one," I smiled, trying not to think of that man being a stalker or something.
"Anyway, Aoko-chan. Dinner will be a little later. Do you want to relax a bit?" my grandma asked, placing the letters on the table.
"Sure. I'll go by the park then," I smiled, referring to the playground a few blocks away.

-o-

I sat on a swing and started swing bit by bit. It was already dark.

"I see you got here safely."
I looked beside me and a man in white suit stood there almost soundless except for his fluttering cape.
"I don't need your presence," I said coldly, "I hate liars."
He looked at me, "you should have said that earlier before I followed you around," Kaitou Kid smiled.

"Followed?" I asked.
"The Guy behind the counter... the train conductor, the man beside you on the train, the taxi driver, the mailman...," he looked away, blushing a bit, "just wanted to make sure you get here safely."

"Even though I hate you, you still followed me? What's wrong with you, Kaito?" I finally called his name while he's in his 'other-identity' form.

He turned towards me and knelt in front of me (since I was sitting on a swing), "has it occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, I like more than just a friend?"

I sat there speechless. No, I haven't thought of that, as a matter of fact. Did he really...?

Suddenly, I heard my grandmother calling my name. I could hear the tapping of her shoes, "Aoko, dinner's ready," she smiled as she got by the swing. I looked at her horrified that she would see Kid but then, I realized that he vanished into thin air right in front of me.

"Come on. Dinner's going to get cold," she held me by the wrist and started leading me towards her house. I looked up at the sky.

"Why have I been so clueless all along? He's always that mysterious."

motzKID: Well, I know it's not as good as what I've had in mind but I hope this would make up for my long-not-updating thing. Oh yeah, I was inspired a Korean series that I've been hooked up and the train scene just spoke to me...literally! So, anyway, thanks for reading and I hope I do get reviews for my post-Christmas gift.