Love Thy Neighbour II

"Speech" / Thoughts / "Past conversations"

Aoko often watched Kaitou Kid's heists on television, and when she didn't, it means she had a life somewhere else instead of staying at home. She couldn't understand why some people enjoy squeezing with other strangers, just to see Kaitou Kid flying around in his glider for two seconds and disappearing into the night.

But today was different. The jewel that was marked to be stolen tonight belonged to her boss's relative. And because she managed to solve the clue just in time to get them heightened their security before the police was on the move, she was allowed in to the exhibition as a VIP member, as a form of gratitude.

The exhibition was held in a grand hotel that Aoko only passed by when she took a cab to town. When she stepped into the grand hall where the jewel and other priceless artifacts were displayed, she knew this kind of event was totally out of her league. She was wearing a simple and most expensive pale blue dress she could afford to have, yet it still couldn't be compared to what the rest of the rich associates were wearing.

Her boss told her to use this chance to mix around influential people. She couldn't fit in no matter how hard she tried, so she just lingered around the buffet table and fine-arts that were less popular and crowded.

She couldn't wait till Kaitou Kid comes and get this over and done with.

Her prayers were soon answered when the lights suddenly flickered and went out. Everyone started panicking and only stopped when a bright light was specifically shone on the glass where the jewel was locked in. To Aoko not-so-surprise, Kaitou Kid was standing atop of the case with the treasure in his hand.

The policemen that were hiding in all corners began rushing over to attack. "Kaitou Kid!"

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Kaitou Kid bowed. "The Guardian of the Sea now belongs to me. Thank you for all your generous support." He gave himself a couple of claps before magically turning into a puff of smoke.

Aoko rolled her eyes.

The night was finally over and Aoko's boss kindly drove and dropped her at the pavement in front of her apartment building. Bidding goodbye and goodnight, Aoko heaved a sigh of relief when she watched the car disappeared down the road, feeling free from all those awkward and overly-polite conversations.

Her heels clacked against the stairs as she went up the second floor, deciding that she needed at least 12 hours of sleep to re-energize herself. Her weary eyes soon lit up when she noted Neko walking towards her and greeting her by rubbing its cheeks against her feet.

"Hello Neko. I don't have any fishy for you tonight." Aoko bent, unable to squat down due to her dress. She was about to pat the white cat when it jumped away and stood by Kaito's door. Its head then pushed the already ajar door and it went in.

Aoko straightened her back and inclined her head, confusion masking her appearance. This got to be the very first time she saw her neighbour to be so careless to not lock his door; He had always been particular about his privacy after all. She clutched onto her purse tightly and moved uncertainly towards Kaito's house.

"Kuroba Kaito?" She called out once she poked her head inside. "Hello?" It was too dark to see anything.

"Meow."

Frowning, Aoko pushed the door wide, letting some light from outside to enter. To her immense horror, Neko was sitting beside its owner, who was lying on the floor and obviously unconscious.

"Kuroba Kaito?! Kaito!" She fell to her knees, her delicate dress was the least of her worries now. "Kaito! Hey!"

Despite shaking his shoulder several time, there wasn't an answer.

Aoko hastily fumbled through her bag and whipped out her phone, her trembling fingers running across the number to call for an ambulance. Her voice was stuck in her throat several time that the receiver had to help to calm Aoko down before she could properly say the address.

It seemed a few other neighbours, including the landlady had overhead the commotion and came to see what happened. They tried to use their own ways to help Kaito, and all Aoko could do was to stare, her eyes turning prickling and hot.

A hand fell on her shoulder and her head shot up, to find the landlady looking at her comfortingly.

"N-Nothing bad will happen to him, right?" Aoko's lips quivered.

"He'll be fine, I'm sure of it."

When the ambulance finally arrived, a paramedic suggested if someone could follow the patient to the hospital for possible documentation purposes. Aoko quickly volunteered and jumped into the vehicle without a second wasted.

.o.

Aoko was sitting on a cheap plastic stool by Kuroba Kaito's bed, her fingers vigorously tapping on her phone to send messages to the landlady regarding Kaito's situation. All was well, and that the doctor mentioned he would be awake anytime soon. Though half an hour had passed and her presence was of no use at all, Aoko refused to go home. She needed to make sure what the doctor said was true.

Her pitiful effort didn't go to waste as Aoko witnessed Kaito stirring in his sleep after waiting for nearly an hour, his eyes fluttered open the next second.

"You're awake!" She animatedly sat up.

Kaito looking extremely disgruntled. He looked no different from a kid who just got woken up from a two minute nap. "Where am I?"

"In the hospital." Aoko sighed so deeply she wondered if there was still any air in her body.

"Oh."

His expression was blank but slowly, his blue eyes moved away from hers and down. Aoko followed his gaze, her eyes travelling from his face, arm and then to his hand.

It wasn't just his hand. Her hand was there too.

She was holding his hand.

"So-Sorry!" Aoko moved her hand away, hiding it under her purse. She had no freaking idea how her hand even ended up there. Her ears were burning like fire and she quickly cleared her throat, hoping to dispel the awkwardness.

"What happened to me anyway?" Kaito broke the short silence.

"You fainted. You have low blood pressure."

He squinted his eyes, trying to recollect but failed. "So you're the one who found me?"

"Neko did. It signaled me into your home and- yeah."

"I've never bear any high hopes to gain anything from that fat and lazy cat. Never knew today would be the day." Kaito smiled and glanced over to Aoko. "And you too. Thanks."

"It's nothing." She lowered her head. "I only did what I should do, that's all."

He watched her silently. "I must have scared you. Sorry. Work has been a little hectic recently."

"I'm worried." Aoko bit her lips. "And yeah. Scared too. I don't know. I thought I-"

I thought I've... lost you.

"I'm alive and fine now. There's nothing to worry about."

Aoko remained unimpressed. "You're pretty positive for a sick patient."

"Nothing's going to get better when you're negative."

"At least show that you're concerned or something."

All of the sudden, Kaito clenched his chest and gave a wheezing sound that shot Aoko up from her seat. She yelped and towered over Kaito, her hands frantically grabbed his shoulder, inwardly hoping that her touch or whatever she was trying to do would magically help to ease his possible pain.

"K-Kaito!" Aoko yelled. "I'll go call a doctor!"

His rasping immediately turned into a loud snicker.

She clenched her teeth, a vein popping out from her temple. She aimed and landed a tough punch straight into his right shoulder.

"Ow! That really hurts though."

"You deserve it." Aoko growled and slumped back on her seat. "You're a jerk."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I thought of, well, lightening up your mood." Kaito rubbed his sore shoulder. "Honestly, this isn't the first time that happened anyway, if this bit of information will help to lessen your worry."

"It does not lessen my worry. This shows that you're not taking care of your body at all!"

Kaito sighed.

"You really need someone to keep an eye on you and your stupid onigiri. Don't you have any other food to eat other than that?" Aoko scowled and she continued when Kaito was about to interrupt. "No point in lying because I saw all the wrappers from the supermarket during trash collection day. You lacked nutrients!"

"Since when did you became a trash digger? Is your journalism job taking a toll on you?"

Aoko glared, cracking her knuckles.

"Just kidding." Kaito raised a hand in defeat. "Then why don't you take care of me?"

He said it like he was talking about the weather.

"You can try waiting for that to happen, in the next hundred years." Aoko huffed. How dare he even suggested that, what was he thinking?! "A-Anyway, do you want me to contact anyone? Your parents? They ought to give you a scolding for not taking care of your own body, even at this age."

"Maybe that's the problem. They hadn't for a long time." He scratched the side of his cheeks. "More like they couldn't, I guess."

Aoko blinked.

Don't tell me...

The door of the ward slid open and a nurse walked in. She bowed before regarding Aoko. "Excuse me, the visiting hours is ending soon."

"O-Oh right." Aoko stood up from her seat, catching a glimpse on her phone. "It's quite late now too."

"There's something I've forgotten to mention."

Aoko stopped in her tracks and looked at Kaito. The nurse was nonchalantly twiddling with the machine and made no comment so Aoko guessed it was alright to stay for a minute longer.

"What is it?"

He smiled from ear to ear and for some unknown reason, it instantly drowned the entire gloomy hospital background to bright sun and calming sea. Aoko frowned to herself in disbelief.

What on earth am I-

"You look dazzling tonight."

For a moment, Aoko thought she desperately needed an oxygen tank.

"I'm going home!"

.o.

Sitting on a bench and facing the city lights, Aoko picked out a can from the plastic bag and gave it to Keiko, who rejected her offer. Aoko shrugged and set the plastic bag aside, feeling even better since everything would be all hers to finish anyway.

"Aoko, are you worried about your job?" Keiko suddenly said.

"Why would I be?" Aoko cracked open her beer.

"There wouldn't be a point in writing anything about Kaitou Kid when he's going to retire!" Keiko exclaimed. "Don't tell me as a journalist who writes about Kaitou Kid, you don't even know this news!"

"Of course I know that." She chugged her drink and winced at the after bitter taste. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Then what are you going to do?" Keiko furrowed her eyebrows worriedly. "Are you going to be... fired?"

"My boss decided that I'll be in charge of the new sports column. I'm once part of the track and field team so I've got several connections with my college to get that section running for a while."

"That's a relief." Keiko beamed before she sighed. "I'll miss that charming prince though."

"Don't you already have a boyfriend?" Aoko hiccupped.

"It's a different." Her best friend waved her off. "What about you? Won't you miss him too, or at least his riddles? You're always hyped about these kind of things."

Aoko lowered her gaze. If his retirement happened way before she moved into her new apartment, she would definitely say a yes. But now, there were other more important things she cared in mind...

"I'm sorry that this happened so suddenly. It was sort of a last minute decision."

"Oh Kaito-kun, we'll definitely miss you."

"You've been a great tenant to us."

"I've always appreciate to be under your care. This place is the-'

"Aoko? Earth to Aoko!"

She blinked and looked at Keiko.

"What?"

"Are you alright? You looked totally zoned out for a second there."

"I'm fine." She returned to her drinking.

"Anyway, the reason I came over was because you sounded depressed on the phone."

"I'm not depressed." Aoko was already cracking open her second can.

Keiko gave a pointed look. "You just randomly called me to accompany you for a drink. The Nakamori Aoko I know wouldn't drink unless there's a reason. And now that you said it wasn't about your job..."

"People can change."

"So you're depressed about that neighbour of yours."

"How do you even come up with that conclusion?" Aoko frowned.

Keiko snatched the can from Aoko's hand and she clicked her tongue. "Hey-"

"Aoko, are you in love?"

She almost choked onto nothing. "Don't make me laugh."

"Do you remember those times when I'm the one who keeps asking about you and your neighbour's progress and stories?"

Aoko raised her eyebrows, not really getting Keiko's point. "Well yeah, and what about it?"

"Now you're the one who voluntarily tells me about him everytime!"

"That doesn't make a difference." Aoko scowled. "Rather than you asking me, I'll talk about it first."

"Oh Aoko, you're certainly underestimating our years of friendship together, aren't you?" Keiko wagged her finger.

"This is an entirely different matter."

"Come on, something must have happened!"

"Nothing happened!"

"Did you two kiss?"

"Oh God. No."

"Went for a date?"

"If gazing at the sunset from our corridor counts as one, then perhaps."

"Hold hands, at least?"

"Ho-Hold hands?" The two words struck Aoko in an unusual way. There were times, but it wasn't on purpose and it didn't mean anything...

"You're blushing! You're so in love Aoko!"

"I-I'M NOT IN LOVE!" Aoko screamed.

Everyone that were passing by the same streets turned to look over at the two. Keiko gave a sheepish look to everyone she made eye contact with and took Aoko by her sleeve.

"Alright fine! You're not in love." Keiko hushed and shook her head. "But you're definitely drunk."

"I haven't finished my second can."

"You're never good with alcohol to begin with."

"Whatever." Aoko rubbed her tired eyes. "I'm going home."

Keiko stood up and hooked around her best friend's arm. "We better."

"I can go and take a cab myself."

"Are you even sober enough to say your address?"

"Of course." Aoko scoffed. "I've been staying there for more than a year after all."

.o.

In the midst of hanging his clean clothes by an opened window, Kaito heard a loud knock on his door. He frowned, wondering who it could be at such a timing.

"Coming." He shouted from the kitchen.

The knocks became louder and much more impatient.

"I said I'm coming! Geez."

Kaito opened the door and there stood right outside his house was Aoko, her face was beyond red.

"Ahouko?"

Aoko peered at his face carefully before sending another knock straight into his nose. He yowled and bent forward, with both of his hands covering his face. Aoko stared at him and then looked blankly at her fist.

"Oh." She hiccupped. "The door is already opened."

"Are you kidding me?!" Kaito gave a muffled shout, wincing in pain again.

She pushed him further into his home and Kaito stumbled back while Aoko stepped inside, clearly without permission. He managed to regain his composure soon enough and sent a scowl at Aoko.

"You're certainly living up to your name, crazy woman."

"Close your eyes."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it."

"Are you going to hit me again?"

"I say close your eyes and you better close your freaking eyes or I'll make sure your eyes will be closed forever and you'll never get to open them again!"

"Okay okay!" Kaito closed his eyes and opened them again, giving a hesitant look. Taking in a deep breath, he finally closed his eyes. "Don't hit my face."

Aoko didn't understand anything about love. In all her life, she had never once dated anyone. Keiko often chided her for missing out so much during high school, and kept on reminding her that college was her last chance to strike gold. Still, Aoko wasn't much in luck while Keiko sure enjoyed hers a lot.

"How do you even know you're in love?" Aoko asked Keiko one the day when the latter announced that she just made things official with a male classmate of hers.

"Through your heart." Keiko dramatically placed her hand over her chest. "Moments like standing close to him or preparing to lean over for a kiss, your heart would act like it's going explode! If you get that feeling, it definitely meant something."

Aoko stared at the uncomfortable looking Kaito who still had his eyes shut like instructed. Nervously, she moved in nearer and nearer towards him, shutting her eye firmly after moving for a certain distance and deciding it was the right time to do so.

Her heart didn't explode like what Keiko said.

Instead, it wasn't beating anymore.

She let out a large breath she had been holding on for eternity and flung open her eyes. Noting something was amiss, Kaito opened his eyes at that same moment too.

Their face was an inch away from each other.

Aoko roughly pushed Kaito away, earning herself yet another confused look from her neighbour. She dug her face deep into both palm of her hands and mumbled an apology before running out of his home. Instead of going back to her own house, she rushed down the stairs and into the dark street.

She had no idea where she was going but she just knew she had to run away from that scene forever. It was until she no longer had the energy to run then she stopped and began walking into a park, which was a few meters away from where she was at the moment.

The park was mostly deserted but well-lit and Aoko decided to use this place to find solace on a bench under a tree.

But she couldn't.

Her mind was constantly replaying that embarrassing moment in Kaito's house. She couldn't find any words to forgive or even comfort herself.

What the hell am I doing?! What have I done? What is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this?

Finally, Aoko decided that today marked the last day she would ever drink again. That was the only thing she could think of for her redemption.

Aoko sprung up onto her feet and grabbed hold of the tree beside her and attempted to bang her head against the bark.

"There's no way I'm in love." She grunted before perking up at the tree. "You think so too right? How can I be in love? That's impossible."

"I'm so glad you think the same. I have better taste than that." She gave a soft tap on the bark. "He's totally out of my league. W-Wait I-I mean I am out of his league! He's just a weird guy with nice eyes and a bright smile, a normal guy who make me realize the beauty of the rain. Okay Aoko, what the hell are you blabbering about?"

Clearing her throat, she wrathfully continued. "He clearly has no interest in anything except for his cat. Every time he sees Neko, he would light up and get so excited like a child. He always look so happy to see it more than me, and that's so unfair." She then pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh my God, am I seriously jealous of a cat?"

Aoko slapped her cheeks, trying to get herself to be awake. "Okay, okay. The thing is that I am not in love with him. I am not in love with Kuroba Kaito. There's no way because nothing is going to happen between us. All we did was occasionally touching each other's hand, and wow, what a failure I am." She groaned at her mistake again and grabbed her hair. "Nakamori Aoko! Wake up already! Stop talking shit!"

After a few seconds of silence, Aoko deemed herself calm again and looked up at the tree. "I appreciate your presence, you're such a great pal." She gave a few thankful pats.

As her hand left the bark, she whirled around, feeling she should be sane and ready enough to head home. Once her head turned, her eyes saw nothing but a pair of blue eyes gazing at her and the sight instantly sent her flying back and leaning against the tree. Her eyes became so wide she was pretty sure it could pop out any second.

"K-K-K-Kuroba Kaito!" Aoko exclaimed. "Wh-What are you doing here?! How long have you been standing here? Did you hear anything that I've said?"

Kaito showed a conflicted look, measuring between puzzlement and concern. "Is there something that I should hear?"

"No!" Aoko closed her eyes, trying to get her heart beating normally again. "Nothing at all."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine. Hundred percent." Aoko shook her hand roughly to get it to stop trembling before producing a thumbs up.

Kaito stared warily at the tree. "If I'm not mistaken, were you talking to this tree just now?"

Aoko laughed. "What? You must be hallucinating."

He looked utterly unconvinced. Hoping the conversation could go into a direction that would benefit her, Aoko prompted a question that she was honestly curious about too. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I came to find you. In case something happened."

"And sad to disappoint you; nothing happened. I'll be going first." She pointed to the exit of the park. "Talk to you soon."

"Hey."

Kaito took hold of her wrist, successfully stopping her from moving away from him, which was what she was desperately trying to do. She would have shrugged his touch off if she wasn't too frozen to move as well. He sensed her discomfort and he let go, tucking both of his hands inside his pocket.

"I was wondering if you want to have supper. There's a fast-food joint a minute walk from here."

Aoko looked away.

"Please?"

She unwillingly snuck a glance and accidentally meet his gaze, which was a wrong move as her stomach fluttered in response. It wasn't a feeling she was familiar or comfortable with. Maybe she'll pretend it was because she was hungry. Yeah, most probably that.

Ugh.

"Alright."

.o.

The fast food restaurant wasn't crowded, so it didn't take too long for Kaito to return to their table with a mountain of nuggets and fries on the tray. Aoko scrutinized the food in bewilderment. "How are we going to finish all these?"

He indifferently sat across her. "We'll stay until we do."

"Say adios to my dieting plan." Aoko muttered under her breath.

"There's no hope for that anyway.

Aoko narrowed her eyes threateningly.

"Chili?"

"I'm more of a tomato person."

Kaito gave a judging look and handed her some packets of her choice.

"Anyway," Aoko munched onto a fry. She had been practicing her lines ever since Kaito went to order their food so she was pretty sure she wouldn't screw up her words this time. "I'm sorry for just now. I wasn't exactly in the right mind. If you can, please forget whatever that happened."

"I doubt I can forget it."

Aoko's head shot up, about to retaliate but Kaito was faster.

"Anyway, I think I'm actually happier than anything else when you came and punched me."

"W-What are you even talking about?" Her brain stalled.

Kaito placed his half eaten nugget aside. "You've been avoiding me these days. It's nice to see the crazy woman back in action."

"I'm not a crazy woman. Although what I did was crazy, it didn't mean I am a crazy woman." She said solemnly.

"So you're really avoiding me."

"That's not the point-"

"That's the main point."

Defeated and exhausted, Aoko slouched, her fry in her hand was forgotten within the pile of food.

"Did I do something wrong to make you angry?" He contemplated over his words for a moment. "Sorry about calling you a crazy woman."

For the first time, his apology was tainted with sincerity, not his usual sarcastic ones like he always used. She almost said that she had decided to forgive him, if that was even the reason she was really upset about. Those insults didn't matter to her anymore, she was so used to it. If he apologized just for that, she thought she should do the same too since she didn't hold back her words during their arguments either.

But that wasn't it.

"Las Vegas." Aoko breathed. "I overheard your conversation with the landlady a few days ago that you're moving out soon to go there."

"Oh."

This wasn't the reaction she was hoping for. Must she press on to find out more answers? She fumed silently and deliberately picked a fry up just to squash it between her fingers.

"Are you visiting your girlfriend? Or planning to marry there?"

Kaito let out a sharp sound and finally a strong, heartfelt laugh; one that was bigger than him. Aoko wriggled in her seat, uncomfortable that she found herself intrigued by something as silly as his laughter. It wasn't even a joke; she was being serious!

"Why's so funny?" Aoko sulked.

"You're definitely the first to think of that. Have you ever wondered that it's about my magic skills?" He wiped a tear from his eyes. "It's funny, though I'm honestly offended."

"I..." She felt the back of her neck heating up, feeling like a fool to even consider the possibility of her own assumptions. It was all Keiko's fault for drilling that thought in her mind, with her constant rambling about wanting to hold her wedding in Las Vegas. It just naturally came to her that Kaito must be doing the same too.

My God, I'm really stupid.

"If you're wondering." Kaito coughed. "I don't have a girlfriend."

Aoko scoffed. "That's not my business."

"Like I said, if you're wondering."

She looked away. "When are you moving out?"

"Next week."

"I... see."

"Sorry," Kaito admitted regretfully. "About not telling you beforehand. But well, it's not like you cared anyway, right?"

Aoko couldn't breathe. She nervously looked down at her fry, the awkward silence began filling in the words she couldn't say. She couldn't remember how her life was before meeting Kuroba Kaito. Though certainly, once this idiot left, her blood pressure would remain normal for as long as she lived.

There were moments that she would miss too, like those days when she came back home from a long and tiring day, to see him playing happily with Neko at the corridor. They would spend their time outside their home, sharing events and talking about Neko and everything else under the sun. Depending on the direction of the conversation, it may leave a bitter end, or a good memory for Aoko to remember. She smiled inwardly at the thought of it.

For him to put it so bluntly, saying that she didn't care for him, or at least about his absence... He sure gave himself too little credit for the impact he had in her life ever since she moved in.

"I care, you know." She admitted. Something in her gut told her that he should at least know.

It was his turn to remain silent.

After two seconds passed, he reached out for his pocket and pulled out a blank paper and then from another pocket, he took out a pen.

"Do you always bring these things out with you?"

"You really ought to get your brain checked." He caressed the edge of the paper, straightening it out. "You keep on forgetting that I'm a magician. Things appear as and when I want."

"Yada yada. Then make Neko appear here right now." She challenged.

"No pets are allowed here, but..." Kaito flipped the paper to the other side, revealing a coloured photo of Neko who was eating from its bowl. "Hope this is enough to satisfy you."

Aoko was completely baffled. No wonder he's heading to Las Vegas. Japan is too small for a talent like him.

"Coincidentally, I want to talk about Neko too." He flipped back to the blank side of the paper and prepared the pen in his hand. "I don't think it'll be easy for it to get used to the new environment when it's so comfortable here. So I thought about it a long time and decided to give Neko to you."

She widened her eyes. "Neko- Neko is important to you."

"Of course it is. But I thought it'll be selfish of me to bring it there when it may want to stay here. Besides, I'm not sure if I have the time to take care of it, or dared to put any trust in other people there to do it for me." Kaito tapped the tip of his pen anxiously on the paper. "That's why I've decided my choice."

"Then you trust me to do it for you?" She asked genuinely.

"Of course." Kaito didn't even stop a second to answer.

Aoko's cheeks began to burn. Kaito surely didn't know what his words could mean and do to her. That innocent compliment had given her an overwhelming sense of satisfaction that was about to drive her insane. She gobbled a nugget, hoping to swallow down that heavy feeling in her chest.

"Don't worry, there's plenty for a village. I'm not going to steal your food."

"I-I'm h-hungry." She mumbled with her mouth full.

He regarded her with an understanding look. "Eat more so you can grow some meat on your chest."

"You-" Aoko stopped herself from saying anymore or she would definitely choked. She would be on the losing end.

"I was wondering if you've anything to ask about Neko. Its habits or whatsoever. Since there's the time, I thought we should do it now."

Aoko finally managed to swallow her food and cleared her throat. It was time to get serious. She seriously pondered on several topics that her colleague once shared about her cat and began her rant.

"Does it have any medical history? Possible allergy to any kind of food? Is there a need to look out for other stray cats? Has Neko been bullied by any before? Where is its favourite sleeping place? Is it afraid of the cold? I hope it doesn't bring back any lizards or cockroaches in the house, does it?"

Kaito looked at her with deep and obvious intensity, clearly drinking in every word. She was slightly torn between feeling flattered and wondering if she had ketchup on her face all along. She picked a napkin and wiped her mouth to check. There wasn't anything.

When she was about to ask what was wrong, he spoke. "I think that you'll be a great owner."

Trying terribly not to act like one flustered kid who got praised by her favourite teacher, she cleared her throat professionally. She really needed to get her shit together before Kaito leaves, or she would just be referred as a crazy and weird woman.

"Since you trust me to be one, I'll do it well."

He nodded his head slowly and began to pen down all the answers to her questions. She gave several inputs along the way while he silently acknowledged to every word she said and continued writing as she went on and on.

After who-knows-how-long, they were eventually chased out, having no idea that they had spent so much time till the fast-food restaurant was about to close.

And certainly, they had no idea it had been raining all the while.

Standing by the entrance like two homeless people and having nothing on them, they stared at the black sky and the water droplets falling onto the ground. The rain wasn't heavy, though the distance back home would be long enough to get them thoroughly drench.

"Shit!"

"What is it?" Aoko gasped. Kaito sounded extremely worried. Was there something important or terrible that happened?

"My laundry." He closed his eyes, looking as if he decided to give up on life.

That was worse than any scenario Aoko could think of. She honestly began to feel guilty for running so far, to the point when she wondered why she even joined the track and field team in the first place.

"What are you waiting for? Let's hurry back."

Kaito pointed at the sky and glanced at her incredulously. "You don't mind?"

"Why don't you magically whip out two umbrellas?"

"There's a limit for certain things, you know."

"Fine." Aoko rolled her eyes. "Since we've dance in the rain before, this little shower is nothing."

"What I actually meant was about the chance that your possible fears might happen."

She stared up at the vast and empty sky, almost forgetting something so important in her life. When she came to realize Kaito had been putting up practice to overcome his fear for fish, she wasn't going to be left behind. Though she had to listen to songs and tip her umbrella downwards to almost cover her entire sight, it was an improvement she was proud off. And recently, she didn't have to listen to those hard rocks songs anymore. Jazz was enough.

And she remembered the day they ran in the rain. It was an important point that helped her to move on from her fears.

"I think I'll be okay." Aoko's blue eyes drifted back to Kaito. "I supposed you, the most amazing magician in the world, will cover for me if anything happens, right?"

He looked at her earnestly.

Three, two...

Like what she thought, Kaito showed his trademark grin. Despite his self-proclaimed poker face skills, and how he was usually casual and apathetic towards most of the things (except for Neko), she grew accustomed to the tiny glint that would spark in his eyes before he showed a smile every time.

"Then... Shall we run?" He suggested.

"Race you back."

Once those words left her mouth, Aoko slipped. She yelped helplessly, waiting for her face to hit the floor but nothing came in contact. She peeled open her eyes and blinked for a few times, realizing she was still safely standing on the ground.

She looked up to see Kaito shaking his head in disdain. "We haven't even start and I have to save you already."

If she was listening to what he said, Aoko would be more than ready to give a retort back. But her focus wasn't there. Instead, her eyes moved down to his hand around her wrist.

"..."

"Let's go!" Kaito declared and rushed out of the shelter, with Aoko following closely behind. In mere seconds, Aoko could feel the water soaking her entire hair.

There was nothing between them, no progress, no possible chances of developing anything when there was nothing at all. It was just exchanging frequent smiles, jokes and insults, and sometimes when Aoko was lucky, he would briefly touch her hand, or hold it like this moment.

Something so simple.

She stared at his back before looking down at his hand, still warmly wrapping around her wrist.

Oh no Keiko... I think I'm really in love.

.o.

Being stuck in an important meeting, Aoko couldn't see Kaito off that day.

She purposely took her time to get Neko's food supplies, finding no reason to rush back home. Knowing the place by heart, Aoko automatically find her way to the pet's section and picked Neko's favourite tuna off the shelves. With that most important thing done, she headed to the rest of the stores to get what she needed for herself and then over to the checkout counter.

"Good evening!"

Aoko blinked, her eyes shifted from the ground to the cashier and realized she was one of the few people she often met in this supermarket. She quickly smiled and apologized for not acknowledging her earlier. She was distracted with several things but there was no need to tell that.

"Didn't come with you boyfriend today?"

"Boyfriend?"

"That handsome man that often accompanied you here."

Kaito was the only man that ever accompanied her here so she knew who the cashier was referring. But handsome? Aoko pursed her lips. She had never wonder about that. In her eyes, he had always been a jerk with black tousled hair. Guess that first impression was very important after all.

"He's not my boyfriend. Just a neighbour."

"You two are pretty cute together." The cashier winked.

Aoko feigned a laugh. She didn't know what to say.

After her payment, she carried the bags in both hands and trudged towards the automatic sliding doors, ready to head home and cook herself a well-deserved meal. But once she stepped out of the supermarket, her eyes moved to the grey sky, accompanied by the drizzle and the sound of pitter patter on the ground.

What luck.

It wasn't long for her to realize a figure was sitting on the stairs, his back was facing her. A familiar image flashed across her mind and her lips parted at the thought of who the person could be.

Kaito...?

The man suddenly turned, his green eyes staring at her with a perplexed look. He turned away disinterestedly and continued his smoking.

Her grip slipped and the bags in her hand dropped onto the ground with a thud. She guessed her carefully picked salmon and vegetables would be ruined, but she couldn't give a care.

She raised two hands to her face, her sobs muffled by the soft rain.

I'm so damned. Aoko wiped her tears furiously. I didn't realize his stupid blue eyes are so important to me after all.

.o.

After the rain stopped, Aoko headed home, to be welcomed by a note pasted on her door.

'Thank you for everything. It's nice to have you around. By any chance, I hope to see you again some day.'

-Kaito

.

.

.

Aoko almost thought Neko was lost.

For the whole Sunday afternoon, Aoko had been searching for the crafty cat high and low in her house and around the neighbourhood. True, Neko was a cat, and there were times when they were playful and would just disappear on you for a while before coming back for food. That was the problem. Two hours had passed since Neko's lunchtime and it was still nowhere to be found.

It was till she finally saw Neko lying on the pavement in a park that was five minutes away from her home, showing off its belly to a man that was squatting and playfully poking its tummy.

She wanted to call out for Neko, but a sudden realization dawned upon her that the cat was never this friendly to anyone, not even the landlady despite interacting with her for so long. She frowned, and that one reason she could only think of appeared in her mind.

Kuroba Kaito.

But she also feared for that disappointing day when she thought the man at the supermarket was him, to have him turned around and the eyes that were not the colour of blue staring at her. There was no open wound, no blood, but Aoko had no idea her chest would ache so badly that she truly cried. She didn't want to remember that terrible feeling ever again, and it was a lesson learnt to never jump to conclusion if she didn't want to break her own heart.

Tentatively, Aoko approached towards the man and her eyes instantly turned blurred on its own.

That jerk with black tousled hair.

Neko turned and laid on its tummy, creating a brief distraction to stop the man from being focused on the cat and glanced back.

Blue eyes. Aoko confirmed.

"Kuroba Kaito." She sniffed, still not able to believe her eyes. The said man who she yearned to see for so long, even desperately in her dreams, was right in front of her right now and the first thing she did was to curtly say his name.

"Yo."

Aoko tried to find her voice. "Y-You're back."

His eyes twinkled.

Three, two...

His lip curled up into a smile. "Yeah. It's been long."

"A year." Aoko inputted

Nothing have changed.

She stood there, watching him playing and caressing Neko's fur with a grin plastered on his face. He commented how Neko grew fatter and continuously gave those weird cooing noises that Aoko couldn't help but roll her eyes to suppress a laugh. It was just like a year ago, seeing these two troublemakers playing around on the corridor...

Her smile faded.

"Are you having a break? When are you leaving?"

"Why?" He didn't turn to face her. "Jealous that I'm getting Neko's attention and couldn't wait for me to go?"

"That's five percent of the reason."

He peered at her over his shoulder with a smug look. "Should I be happy or sad that it's only five percent?"

"Up to you to decide."

Kaito returned to play with Neko's paw. "I'm not going back."

"Wait, what?" Aoko couldn't contain her shock. This was not what she expected to hear. "Why?"

"It wasn't what I wanted."

"And what do you want?"

"I want to be a cat."

Aoko had no idea what kind of medicine Kaito ate that day. She considered whacking his head for a moment to get him to think about what he was even saying but ended up crossing her arms and refusing the temptation to do so. Maybe she should just humor him and see how this conversation would go. It had always been like this after all.

"And eats fish everyday?"

Kaito grimaced. "Besides that."

She hid a snicker and nodded in agreement. "Well, it'll be nice to be a cat, if the owner is nice too."

"Self-complimentary, huh?"

"I have to give myself some credit."

"If I have a choice to choose, I'll definitely want to live my life as Neko's"

She scorned, shaking her head at the typical answer. "So you can be fat and lazy?"

"And spend all my 9 life with you too." Kaito didn't even let a second pass before saying his response out loud.

Aoko gaped at him unbelieving, her arms fell back to her side. "Did you just-"

"Did I what?" Kaito interjected innocently.

"A pick up line, really? Is that all you've learnt from Las Vegas?"

"I've learnt more than that."

She rolled her eyes. "How to dance with bikini babes?"

"Something even better."

Kaito stood up and turned to face her, his blue eyes leveled with Aoko's. When he was squatting down, she wasn't afraid of letting her feelings show. But now that his face was so close to hers, she had lost all her senses. Even breathing.

"I came to realize that I'm missing a certain person in my life after I left, and I have to admit that it was a rather annoying feeling that I can't get rid of no matter what I do."

Aoko's brain was no longer working. With his sharp gaze piercing right through hers, she really couldn't get her mind thinking straight. She parted her lips and the only word she could hoarsely say was "Neko?"

He looked utterly disappointed. "I didn't know Neko is a person."

"You've always treated Neko much more humanly than any human you came across." That was a fact.

"Fine. Let me rephrase my sentence clear enough." Kaito straightened his back and Aoko used this opportunity to breathe. "I think I'm in love with you, Nakamori Aoko."

Great, now all her breathing for the past twenty five years of her life was useless because all the air that Aoko stored in her body just left her mouth, maybe her soul included. If this was a dream, the part when Aoko wakes up might actually be her worst nightmare. But maybe it would be better to end this fast. The higher the hope, the greater the disappointment. As her hand reached out for the other arm, preparing to give a pinch, she was being pulled into Kaito's firm chest, her lips pressing against his.

Gradually, her hands slowly moved its way to his back.

Aoko could finally breathe.

Maybe this was truly the air she needed to get her heart beating all along.

end

A pretty rushed ending ugh, but still, thank you for reading. If you like it, do drop a review! Much appreciated :)
Hope to see you guys around again.