Chapter Text
Kaito 1412, as Shinichi had come to figure, was an interesting character. Usually he would not care about thieves, they were not important or exciting, but this one, this Kaito 1412 has apparently eluded the cops for many years as Inspector Nakamori seemed far too familiar with him, and the fact that he sends notices and riddles before his heists, which was peculiar to say the least, as he continued to try and decipher the riddle, he wondered what kind of thief would even do that and why?
Ran picked Conan up. “Did you figure it out yet?” Ran whispered in his ear.
Conan hummed, “I’m not sure yet Ran, but I have a hunch, can we move over to the building on that side of the window” he asked quietly, pointing at a long wall of large windows. After a moment he let out a little aha.
“I know where he’s going to appear, we can surprise him then. Can you get me some fireworks so we can signal the police?”
Ran raised her eyebrow in amusement. “Sure, where are we going though?”
Conan pointed at the top of a hotel across from the museum that they were in. “On April first right between 12:30 and 4:30, he’ll be there.”
Ran nodded “I’ll try to pin him when he appears while getting that dart gun of yours set up, remember not to prick me this time, ok?”
Conan pouted “I said I was sorry about that, you know.”
“I know you are, I know you are,” she said with a small giggle, hugging Conan to her a little tighter, making him blush. The sound of her giggles drew her fathers attention.
“Oi, what are you up too this time?” he said, squinting at them.
“Me and Conan were talking about lighting fireworks up on April fools,” she said to her dad, beaming. Conan shivered, he had to admit that his best friend was a good actress, his mother would be proud, even if it did scare him a little.
“As long as you two aren't planning to light those fireworks to break the lock on my alcohol shelf again and throw away the bottles, do whatever you want,” he said with a grumble turning back to inspector Nakamori.
“No promises” she called teasingly. Causing him to turn around and stick his tongue out at his daughter childishly, which she returned.
The two of them headed out to buy some fireworks. It had been a couple of weeks since Ran had found him in his library trying to hide from her, as she took a good look at him after saying that his name was Edugawa Conan, she had frowned and narrowed her eyes at him saying that there was something extremely familiar about him but noting that he looked like a mini Shinchi, a childhood friend of hers. He’d simply laughed and for a few weeks he lived as Conan, a secret detective trying to hide the truth from her and everyone around her until he could get his old body back.
This lie only lasted two weeks before she figured him out, locking him in the room with her and taking advantage of him not paying attention she made him slip up for a second time that day. Then she declared her discovery in the single most terrifying, yet amazing moment in his life. He honestly never considered Ran to be someone who would be so good with detective work! Or maybe it was the fact that she knew him too well and he was not a good actor at the best of times. Ran was sharp, beautiful, and powerful. If he was honest at the time he was just too scared of her breaking his bones with her Karate even in a young kid’s body. She's scary when the two were the same height!
He had tried to trick her by having Professor Agasa call her up and pretend to be him using the voice changing bow tie, and yet she had outsmarted the both of them by asking about a memory that the two of them had shared but the professor had no idea about… and all the lies fell down like a house of card.
It had taken all of the powers of adorableness his smaller form had to not die that night, though Professor Agasa was not so lucky coming out of the ordeal with a twisted arm and a tongue lashing for trying to help him gaslight her. He’d gotten a tongue lashing too, especially after he’d explained what had happened and about the dangerous men that could come after him.
“AND WHAT?!” She yelled. “DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK THAT THESE PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE US ALONE JUST BECAUSE WE DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT THEM? WE’D BE IN DANGER JUST BECAUSE WE WERE ASSOCIATED WITH YOU, YOU IDIOT DETECTIVE GEEK! ALL THIS TIME TRYING TO HIDE THE TRUTH FROM ME YOU COULD HAVE JUST TOLD ME THE TRUTH AND I’D HELP YOU HIDE WHO YOU ARE!”
…She had an extremely compelling argument.
After that Ran would let him roam around crime scenes and let him whisper in her ear about the evidence that he found out then have her repeat his deduction to the police and others, never once did he have to lead other people’s deduction and have them question him or get him away from the scene and evidence when Ran was there to help him.
“Why were you looking so thoroughly into the case, Ran-San?” a client once asked, looking puzzled as Ran laughed without even looking a bit nervous at being called out.
“Conan-Kun loves to look around crime scenes with dad and begs me to watch his detective shows with him after school, sometimes even dragging me into detective games while looking over dad's old case files. I guess I figured I’d use the opportunity to try to help when I see the chance too.” she said with a bright smile, getting a little blush on her cheeks as if she was embarrassed. Shinichi had often wondered if the girl had secretly taken lessons from his mother; she was terrifying , and extremely brilliant.
He had to admit having her act as the detective in cases was much less risky than tranquilizing her dad almost on a daily basis, more fun too. But it also came with certain….drawbacks. Like now at the fireworks shop.
“Conan-Kun, what kind of fireworks were you hoping to get again? You should be specific about what you want with the fireworks seller so you can be sure to get exactly what you want” Ran said cheerfully, a teasing grin on her face as shinshi internally sighed as he put on his best innocent kid act for the fireworks guy.
“I want a really really big one! One that's super colorful and cool! Ran nee- chan can we get a big one pleaaaase? I promise to wait for you to light it.” he asked, giving her and the seller the biggest puppy dog eyes he could manage without hurling at his own cutesy-ness. Why was he born to suffer?
The fireworks seller cooed and brought out one of the bigger fireworks available, handing it to ran-chan since Shinichi would struggle to run around with it. “Make sure to set this off somewhere high, nowhere near the streets alright? You don't want to cause an accident.”
“Of course!!” he had giggled and squealed like an actual child. Ran ruffled his hair while giving him a grin as she led him out of the store. He just sighed, His best friend was evil.
At almost midnight, after making sure that Ran’s dad was asleep the two of them ran to the hotel that they knew Kid would be there with Shinichi explaining the meaning of the riddle to Ran.
Shinichi had also called Agassa earlier to get him more information about Kaito 1412. He told Ran to hide as the two of them listened through an earpiece to what the professor had gotten out on this thief.
And just as the professor said the name “Kaitou Kid.” was when the white clad thief descended down on the rooftop
‘Without disturbing the stillness of the night he landed silently in front of my eyes along with that fearless smirk that said that he had foreseen everything. The thief gracefully jumped down
“Hey kid, what are you doing out this late at night without a caretaker?” kid called, walking casually closer to where he was standing, tone gentle. Shinichi just beamed at him before lighting the firework next to him, causing a huge explosion of light and noise to rock across the rooftop, making the Kid's cape swish in the shockwave. Though Shinchi couldn't help wincing at how loud the noise was next to his ear as he grinned. “Fireworks mister!”
The thief chuckled, his tone turning a darker, more serious tone. “You’re no ordinary kid are you?”
“Edogawa Conan, detective,” Shinichi replied.
“Hmm, detective, I see,” Then to Conan’s surprise he cocked his head back to look at Ran with a side smirk. “And the beautiful miss hiding in the shadows is your caretaker correct? The newest upcoming high school detective I presume? I must say, you're cuter than the other detectives I’ve had to deal with.”
Ran frowned, that voice sounded familiar somehow but she wasn’t sure in what way.
“I must say I am impressed with your deductions tonight My Lady, and it's an honor to have you looking into my work,” he said with a smirk, keeping just out of Ran’s reach as she stalked forward.
Ran readies herself in a fighting stance between the thief and Conan protectively readying herself to give the Phantom thief a kick. He tilted his hat at her.
“Sadly however, I don't have time to entertain you and your faithful assistant this evening. For tonight was only a stake out of the stage.”
“Do you think that we’ll easily let you go, Kid-san?” Shinichi asked with a smirk on his face. Whoever this thief was, he had no way of countering Ran if she attacked him. he wasn’t going to escape this time.
With a smirk Kid took out what seemed like a radio and cleared his throat before saying in the voice of Inspector Chakie perfectly. “This is Chakie, I spotted kid on the roof top of the Haido City Hotel.” Which made Ran and Shinichi freeze in amazement at how good the thief was. He replicated inspector Nakamori and a few other officers, directing all the cars and helicopters their way. Inspector Nakamori had kicked the door to the roof open and had a small panter with Kid for a bit before Kid declared that it was all a joke as it was “April’s Fools’ and that he wouldn’t be taking the Black Pearl tonight.
Then he threw a flash bomb to the ground, blinding everyone there. “Did you know kid,” the thief had said. “A thief is a creative artist who takes the party in style. But a detective is nothing more than a critic who follows in our footsteps.” And with that he disappeared in a puff of confetti and smoke.
A note fell gently to the ground with a rose taped to it, “On April 19th aboard the Queens Elizabeth, which embarks from Yokohama Harbor. I will arrive to steal the real Black Star. -Kaitou Kid.
Ran looked around herself wildly with the officers, looking for a trace of white in the crowd but finding nothing. An officer points out the thief escaping on his hangglider and the officers all leave the scene in a swarm, rushing after the thief as the detective pair are left reeling in the aftermath.
“We didn’t expect someone like that huh?” Ran asked. “For a thief he was amazing.”
Conan scratched his head. “I don't know, I’m not use to handling criminals who work in petty theft, but I’m almost positive he’s no ordinary thief. He called himself an artist and us detectives his critics”
“A critic?” Ran asked. “So he's a showman.”
“This Kaitou Kid… he feels almost familiar,” Shinichi said. “I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“Now that you mention it, his voice sounded familiar too,” Ran said.
“His voice?” Shinichi asked. “You’ve heard it before?”
“Yeah, it uh… it actually sounds like Shinichi's, maybe an octave or two lower.”
“Heh? Really?” Shinichi asked in disbelief.
“Well I can’t be completely sure, I haven’t heard Shinichi’s actual voice in weeks, but his voice really reminds me of Shinichi's. But just umm a bit different.”
“It could be another impression the thief is using.”
“That’s true,” Ran said. “But why would he be imitating a missing high school student to strangers.”
“Maybe he was trying to trick you,” Shinichi suggested. “Or confuse you by making you think that he’s me or Shinichi.”
Ran shook her head. “In that case he would have probably imitated Shinichi's voice perfectly. You heard his impression of the inspector.”
“Hmm,” Shinichi said, pondering the situation before sighing. “We should probably just head home for today. The old man will probably get worried if he wakes up and we're both gone.”
“You should be nicer to my dad, Conan-kun. He agreed to let you stay with us after all.” she scolded lightly. “Can I pick you up or do you want to walk home?”
Conan lifted his arms up. “It’s faster when Ran- neechan carries me.”
Ran giggled and picked Shinichi up. “You’re so cute you know.”
Shinichi fixed her with an embarrassed glare as she walked the two of them home. He was NEVER living this Conan thing down. He had to figure out a way to make her think of him as cool again when he got back to normal, stat!
—
Kuroba Kaito was confused… and maybe a little impressed. He hadn't been so close to being caught like that in a long while, at least not since the clock tower heist. Usually playing around with Nakamori or even Hakuba would go smoother. Seeing the kid there who had fired up the Fireworks to draw the police to him was an unexpected sight. He was a strange child, especially the look in his eyes. Familiar emerald eyes. There was no hint of childlike wonder and innocence. Only cold calculation and self satisfaction, like he was close to solving a particularly tricky puzzle. He stood like a detective, talked like one too, his oddities acting as almost the perfect distraction for his partner in crime as she tried to sneak up behind him. It was good he decided to check the roof tops before flying in, else she would have taken him completely off guard.
The girl, Maori Ran , seemed like a force not to be reckoned with, a face as pretty as Aoko’s, yet seemed far more focused and held a cold powerful fury. Some quick research told Kaito enough about her past to back up the claim. She was a Karate Champion, a martial artist with years of training under her belt. If she so much as got a hand on Kaito she could easily break him in half. He wasn't stupid, he knew his form of training and skills learned more to dexterity then it did to strength. He’s lucky no target so far required brute strength to acquire it.
And now she was showing skill in detective work as well according to the papers and reports, only a handful of months after Shinichi disappeared. Between the kid and her she was clearly the biggest threat to him on this heist, and he’d have to deal with her carefully.
But… because of her reputation and skill’s she was also trusted, trusted enough to get into that big boat trap the police had kindly set up for him to escape. A slightly sinister grin spread across his face as a plan began to form. Maybe she’d be his ticket to getting his hands on the Black Star…
And speaking of the devil, from the corner of his eyes he spotted someone… more specifically three very important people. Suzuki Sonoko, the daughter of the man who owned the Black Star, the woman of the hour herself Moari Ran, and the little Kid, the little critic. The two girls were probably here to shop around for dresses, this might prove useful for him.
It amused Kaito for a brief moment, looking at the little brat Edogawa Conan. Without the glasses, he was the spitting image of himself and Shinichi back when they were at that age.… more Shinichi really with that haircut.
Kaito’s eyes glazed over for a second, pain shooting through his chest at the thought of his old friend. It's been months since he had the chance to speak with the detective. Since his work as Kaito Kid had begun. He and Shinichi had never lived that close but their parents frequently met up, and the two had been fast friends. Kaito helped Shinichi sharpen his deductive skills with clever traps and tricks he learned and Shinichi’s deductions helping him become more crafty and cunning with his tricks, be bolder, harder to catch in the act. Shinichi had become engrossed in his work a little bit into high school however, and after he became Kaitou kid the two had lost touch. He couldn't help regretting that, now that the detective had gone missing. He wondered Where Shinichi was, and if he was safe. He hoped so, with all his heart he really did.
Going into the bathroom of the café that he was in he placed a mask on his face, becoming someone else completely. Casually watching the girls as they shopped around for the dresses that they wanted to wear to the Ship’s party.
He was glad Ran and the girl seemed to have good taste in fashion, he hated when he had to disguise himself as someone with no sense of style. The red dress Ran picked out was gorgeous and pretty easy to replicate or adjust if the one he bought ended up not being his size, or he had to make the dress or shoes himself. He was grateful for two more things, the fact that the dress covered her bust size, and that it was long enough to hide his bending knees from sight. He couldn't help giggling to himself when he was sure he wouldn't be caught doing so, this heist was going to be a breeze!
—
And it was… at first! He had sneaked up on the miss and put her to sleep with his sleeping gas before placing her in one of the lifeboats and then changed into his disguise. His tricks going perfectly with the card, the fake pearls full of gas and stealing the Black Star from the Lady Suzuki herself. It had all gone perfectly.
… until the little kid had dragged him to the lower decks, his back to him playing with a soccer ball… wait where did he get that soccer ball from? And had meticulously and and perfectly uncovered every last trick that he had used to steal the Black Star. And when Kaito was about to call Nakamori in order to blend in with the mob that was sure to come, the child had kicked the fucking soccer ball into the phone and broke it . He broke it! What kid of child was that?!
“C-conan- kun, you’re scaring me.”
As Kaito watched the boy, thinkin back that no one had helped him, that he had come into those conclusions on his own without the miss, he understood perfectly. This child was the true detective.
Eyes, eyes like his, that self satisfied smirk, the soccer ball, the explanation, that drive to uncover the mysteries to uncover him. All too perfectly familiar. ‘Shinchi’ The kid kept reminding him more and more of him.
“Ran would not be easily scared of me, Kaitou Kid-San.” And she was always very careful, even if they both believed that they were alone, unless they were at his house, or the professor or the safety of her own room, she’d always call him Conan. She was very careful to never slip up anywhere.
Kaito flinched, watching the kid carefully before letting out a deliberate chuckle.
“I suppose you’ve caught me, but do you really have the time to be playing with me little detective?” he said with a smirk. “After all, the whole ship is searching for me, searching eeeevery nook and cranny, including the lifeboats I left your favorite assistant at when I borrowed this little number from her.'' He gave a little twirl. “She’s got great taste in evening wear, I have to say” he said, sliding a hand down the front of his chest and pulling out the bra he was wearing to show Conan, winking. “Her outfits are very comfortable compared to some I've tried on!”
Conan gasped, eyes wide as Kaito smirked to himself before pulling out his sunglasses and his flashbomb and throwing it to the ground. Blinding the little detective. He quickly stripped himself of the dress and ran, leaving the clothes to fall to the ground and the little boy to run to his caretaker’s aid.
Kaito let out a small sigh of relief, but he wasn't out of the woods yet. If he was right the brat would figure out his life in twenty minutes, tops, and he needed to be long gone from the boat before then. With how things were going his hang glider was likely compromised already, leaving him with one…unfortunate option.
He gulped and looked over the edge of the boat wearily, thinking of the horrible scaly monstrosities waiting for him in that wretched water. He steeled himself and dived out of the boat, whimpering the whole way trying desperately not to imagine brushing up with a fish or some other foul ocean critter. Or how hard it was going to be to clean his Kaitou’s suit after this, damn that kid!
—
Shinichi was relieved that Ran was in fact still clothed. She yawned as she began to wake up seeing him standing beside her with another red dress identical to hers. “Conan-Kun?” she asked, still very groggy. “What happened?”
Conan walked over to Ran and gave her a big hug, letting him get close enough to whisper what happened during the encounter with Kaitou Kid into her ear and what the thief had been up to.
Ran couldn't help chuckling, pulling Conan up into her arms along with the dress. “Aw, sorry you couldn't catch him because of me.”
“It’s ok Ran-neechan. I’m just glad he didn't hurt you.” he said in a quiet tone, not quite letting go of his hug, he liked being able to hug her so openly like this. Helped him relax. He didn’t get to hold hands with someone or get hugs in a long while when he was Shinichi, it’s one of the few perks of being Conan.
“I’m glad I got an adorable little knight in shining armor looking out for me” she said teasingly, making him pout. “I’m glad you care about me more than catching the culprit.”
“O-of course I do Ran- neechan,” he said. “You’re more important to me than anything.”
“So are you,” Ran said. “And don’t worry Conan-Kun,” she had a saccharine sweet smile that sent shivers of fear down Shinichi's spine as her eyes were murderous when she opened them. “Cause next time I see that thief I’m going to break something.”
Conan, despite his own anger at the thief, couldn't help but hope that day didn’t come anytime soon. He didn't want to have to help Ran hide a body.
“Let’s see if we can enjoy what’s left of the party okay?” she asked, and Conan gave a nod and a soft smile.
–
The next day Ran had told Sonoko what had happened on the boat when someone passed them grabbing Ran’s attention as she saw that familiar face from the corner of her eye. She stared in bewilderment, and Conan couldn’t help but to follow her gaze to the boy making Conan’s eyes widen and a pang to go through his chest.
“K-Kai-Chan,” he whispered to himself in shock. That was… that was Kaito. His Kaito, the boy he’d once considered one of his best friends…how did he forget about him? Not even think of contacting him in so long? When was the last time they even talked now that Shinichi was thinking about it. At least not since the accident.
Ran turned to him with wide eyes. “Wait, that’s Kai- Chan?”
“Who’s Kai-Chan?” Sonoko asked.
“H-he’s Shinchi- Niichan’s friend,” Conan replied quickly.
“That detective geek has more friends than us?” Sonoko asked skeptically.
“It’s true,” Ran said. “Shinchi has told me about him before. His name is Kuroba Kaito, right?” She asked looking down at Conan for confirmation.
Shinchi nodded. He hadn’t noticed until now but he had really missed the other boy. Dearly… should he contact him? Or would that be too risky?
“Shinchi told me Kai-Chan is a magician, and they used to be really close but they had lost touch recently. I’ve never met him before, and I had no idea he looks so much like Shinchi.” she said, humming to herself before putting Conan down and running up to the boy in question. “Kuroba-san, please wait up!”
Kaito turned to look and looked at Ran with a blank expression, eyes widening a little bit before a bored expression was plastered on his face. “Ha? Ahoko, when did you get a twin sister?”
The girl beside him… who did have a weird resemblance to Ran blinked a few times looking at her. “I don’t have a sister Bakaito,” she replied to the boy before turning back to Ran. “Where do you know Kaito from, miss?” she had asked politely, a contrast to her tone with Kaito.
“I’m sorry, I just felt like we should be introduced by now. I’m Mouri Ran, a mutual friend of Shinichi.” she said, holding out her hand to shake. “Shinichi told me a lot about you, and I’m glad that I have the chance to meet you.” She gave him a soft sweet smile.
Kaito visibly relaxed, catching Conan’s attention as he ran up to Ran’s side, looking at Kaito as he took her hand and gave it a shake. “Nice to finally meet you too, Ran- san.” Kaito looked around her. “Is Shinichi with you right now? Haven't seen the Holmes wannabe in what feels like forever.”
Ran easily shook her head as Conan took her hand looking up at Kaito shyly. “I haven’t seen him in a while. I’m getting a little worried.”
“Ah,” Kaito said softly, a pained look coming across his face. “Well, knowing that guy he probably is just too focused on a particularly tough case and is just ghosting us until he pops his head outta the paperwork long enough to realize how long it's been.” he grumbled before holding up his hand and giving Ran a little grin. “Knowing him he’ll show up as spontaneously as he left,” with a flick of his hand a blue rose appeared in his hand, making Ran gasp in shock. “Hopefully he appears faster than this flower did, I've been looking for it all week!”
It made Ran giggle and a soft smile appeared on Shinichi’s face. “Oh this is my friend Sozuki Sonoko,” she said gesturing at Sonoko who had came closer to the group. Sonoko gave a polite smile and greeted the two of them.
“Ah! Pardon my manners, I shouldn't treat one pretty stranger any better then another.” he said, making another flower appear and handing it to Sonako who’s face brightened at the magic trick.
“That’s amazing Kuroba-san!” Sonoko squealed. “I’d love to watch you do more magic, you seem really talented.”
Kaito chuckled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
Aoko shook her head in amusement before elbowing Kaito. “Ah right, right,” Kaito said. “This is Nakamori Aoko, my best friend. And my most frequent attacker.”
“Nice to meet you,” she replied politely before turning back to Kaito. “Someone needs to keep you in line Bakaito.”
“Nakamori?” Conan asked. “As in Inspector Nakamori? From the Kaitou Kid task force?”
Aoko’s eyes light up and she nods proudly, crouching down to be at eye level with Conan. “And who is this smart little guy?”
“Edugawa Conan,” Conan replied with a higher pitch, using his ‘child voice’ “It’s nice to meet you Aoko-neechan.”
“It’s nice to meet you too Conan-kun- kun!” she says brightly. “You’re right, my dad is the one who’s in charge of hunting down that villain, so don't you worry Conan-Kun, my dad will have that creep behind bars in no time!”
Kaito scoffed.
“You have an objection to that Bakaito?”
“Not really,” Kaito replied, looking away. “Just seems like the inspector’s always one step behind Kid-Sama since he returned. Unless your dad suddenly becomes a master of misdirection I’m not seeing how he’ll be able to catch the guy.”
“So you’re a fan of Kaitou Kid?” Ran asked.
“I admire his tricks, what can I say? He’s good at his gimmick. Really excites a crowd. I learned a thing or two about magic learning about his heists. Besides, it's hard to fault him when he returns everything he steals.”
“Right?” Sonoko said excitedly. “He’s so cool! Ah Kaitou Kid, come steal me already.!”
Ran, Conan and Aoko sweatdrop. Kaito’s face heated up for a second before he got control of his embarrassment in that instant they were distracted.
“She’s fantasizing out loud again,” Conan deadpanned.
“Let her have her fun,” Ran replied with an awkward smile.
“And what about you kid?” Kaito said, looking down at Conan. “What do you think of Kaitou Kid?”
Conan shrugged. “He’s interesting, like a fun puzzle waiting to be solved. But a thief is a thief.”
“We should probably head out,” Ran said. “It was a pleasure meeting the both of you, I hope we can see each other again.”
—
“Neh, Ran, I had a thought,” Shinchi said, once they were back home.
“Hmm? What is it?” Ran questioned as she came to sit next to Shinchi.
“Kaitou Kid is awfully younger than he should be.”
“Heh?” She blinked
“From what the professor told us, Kaitou Kid should be at least in his thirties, if he had started his career 18 years ago.”
“But?” Ran asked.
“I might not have gotten a good look at his face, but what I saw was enough, he seemed young, early twenties. Maybe even younger.”
“So… that means that this Kaitou Kid might not be the Original one from 18 years ago?”
Shinchi nodded. “He might be a copycat, using Kaito Kid’s name to get fame, or he might be someone who had taken the Kid mantle.”
“Mantle?” Ran asked. “Like a passing of the torch?”
Shinchi nodded. “He’s either the Original Kaitou Kid’s student or his actual kid.”
Something in Ran’s head clicked as she glanced over at the rose Kaito had given her, in a vase by the window as soon as they got home.
“Oh.”
“Ran?” Conan asked, tilting his head. “What did you figure out?” Conan followed Ran’s line of sight, seeing the rose and his eyes widened.
“You don’t think…” Shinchi said.
“Wouldn’t it be a perfect fit?” Ran asked.
Shinchi frowned. “... it would be,” Shinchi reluctantly replied. “He was a magician, the same as his dad Koruba Touchi.who was world famous for his work as a magician, a field that let him fly all over the world stealing things easily with his tricks. He died at the same time Kid went missing 8 years ago. Kai-chan admires his dad greatly and became a magician hoping to one day surpass his old man, and in honor of him once he died. Kai-chan never quite recovered from his dad's death either….”
“So what do we do?” Ran asked.
“W-well… we have no evidence, and we can’t just ask him if he was Kaitou Kid like that. Maybe… maybe at his next heist, maybe then we’ll confirm it.” Shinichi sighed, looking like a kicked puppy. “I just….I can't think of why Kaito would take up theft, even if his dad used to steal in the past. Kai-chan’s smarter than he look’s. He wouldn't get into crime over legacy.”
“Next time,” Ran said, hugging Shinichi to her. And the boy accepted the hug gratefully.