Hello everyone. I hope you're all doing well and staying home.

I'm back with another chapter. Sorry, I've been busy lately and too down to write anything. Doubt any chapter will be posted anywhere this coming week… suppose you all know how depressing life is lately?

This chapter is just a little something cz I took way too long to post.

Hope you enjoy it either ways.

*.*.*

Ch: Diversions

Kaito stared at the ceiling of his last resort hideout for more than hours without turning his gaze away or blinking back to reality. He was going to leave that small place at some point, he knew, but confronting his father or seeing him the moment he stepped out was a hundred percent guaranteed to happen.

His phone hadn't buzzed since the last text his cousin had sent him when they left the company's doors. He wasn't sure Jake wasn't having any trouble, but the monitor in his pocket was calm all night.

He grunted and rose to his feet. "Keh, what's going on with them!" He slipped out of his lair and headed back to the street with only a hat concealing his identity, wearing a normal blue jumpsuit. The streets were buzzing, crowds of hundreds watching the stream of yesterday's heist.

"Why did KID-sama cut the feed!" Some complained, shoulders down.

"But he's alive, that's what matters!"

Kuroba chewed the inside of his lips. There was only a small group talking to each other. The screens displayed the heist again, Kaito was surprised it was longer than he thought.

The second KID, who everyone had fallen for and became fans, had been a strong mirror of him. The poker face, his playful tone, Kuroba Kaito grinned. "That's my partner all right." He stared more at the scene. "Boy, Nakamori-keibu could've lost his head… temper never changes~" He shoved his hands inside his pockets, turned back to reality, and turned to continue his way to the hideout from a very misleading road, but he noticed the people around him had backed away and were staring at him with wide eyes from around a meter. He lifted a brow. He only needed a chopper casting light at him to feel he IS the center of their attention. He cleared his throat, staring at a young lady. "What?"

"KID-SAMA!" Cheers followed on her cue.

He backed away, hands lifted in the air and shaking his head. "Oi, oi, you got the wron_"

"It's really KID-sama!" Girls started cheering louder. "KYAAAAA!"

Men cheered in their own fanboying ways, plus propping out their phones and taking pictures. Kuroba felt lucky to always be walking around with a hat and black clothes on after heists.

Some people had popped out books and photos for him to sign, but he crocked a brow at them instead and cleared his throat. "Sorry to burst your bubble. You got the wrong guy, people." He pocketed his hands, and started walking in the path they cleared for him slowly as if he was an instant reppeller. Some stopped filming and sighed in pure sadness.

Some, however, kept their stares at him. Faces blank, but they knew he was KID.

He none directly observed their faces as he passed the retreating people. Some remained planted to his sides, convinced but none had made any moves. Until one person ran to him from ahead, worry was carved in his green eyes.

He stopped in front of KID, breath shaking but far from panting. "KID-sama… Did anyone get hurt?"

"KID-sama, we're worried!" More rattled on.

The man facing him kept his eyes on him. "The guy, your partner… the police… Did anyone d_"

Kuroba raised a strong smirk. His KID smirk and cheers followed. "You fans really do worry for unnecessary reasons~" He said in his KID voice, but the crowd stared with confusion. "No one gets hurt on our heists, don't lose your trust in that. Next time my partner and I say don't attend, we're saying that for your own good." That said, exaggerated oh and sighs followed. He passed the guy, "Anyone who follows me is in for a maze of tricks and traps. I won't be merciful. Can't say you want to head home wearing weird outfits~" None moved an inch. Some stopped others from running to him. He lifted a grin. "Perfect~ Knew I can count on you, my loyal fans~"

"Stay alive, KID-sama!"

"Please!"

He kept walking, then lifted his hand for a small goodbye without turning and smoke quickly erupted. Cheers followed, dragging the attention of every other group across the streets. Word was going to reach the police, Kaito knew, he'd see patrol cars roaming the streets soon.

He turned from the corner of the alley. The ruckus hadn't stopped but it was coming to an end. Ekoda was known, to the few, as KID's most favorite area from all the heists he performed in it. Often, they thought it was because he only wanted Inspector Nakamori involved, a routine or an old score to settle_ aside the fact Kaitou KID enjoyed the presence of his most loyal fans, the task force made only for him, who was always there for his performances as good fans were_ but always had enraged Ginzo more every time he heard it. But when the guy followed him to the ends of the world, KID expanded his stages and took his heist everywhere after he had settled in Japan (well, when Kuroba Toichi had). Ekoda was still the most to see them. They assumed, he must have been living there. Finding the right man wasn't going to be easy considering the large population in the city…

Kuroba grinned as the police car passed the street, maybe a small chase would lighten his mood, keep his mind off his father for a bit more. Then he remembered, yesterday hadn't been that long for his energy to be restored to its last tick. And Kuroba Toichi, would just be getting the exact location to his son and drop by to make his life miserable. Because that was how it felt every time Kaito eyed his father. The pain, the screams, rushing back in his mind and heart in seconds.

A hand set on his shoulder, "Yo~ Heard KID was in town~"

Kuroba Kaito turned with a grin, "Oh, what a shame, you just missed him~"

The boy laughed, "Didn't expect to hear your appearance in the middle of a crowd so soon." The grin grew wide from the boy. "Thought we were partners… Don't take all the fun!"

"Well it was accidental~" Kaito grinned, "You got rid of your stalkers?"

Jake nodded, a strong grin growing on his face. "Well, considering my uncle is in town, and we're both trying to escape from his phantomy hands... Was thinking maybe we could go grab a bite~"

A grin followed, "Sure. I'm starving anyway."

They calmly left the alley, each walking in his true face without throwing an eye at anyone from the by-passers. Jake eventually pulled him to another street, "Think I saw Hakuba-san." He muttered, Kaito turned from another street, and they came out with different faces and outfits.

"You could kinda hint me when you want to change my clothes…" Jake looked away. His cousin was staring at the opposite side of the street. "Look!" Kaito immediately turned and followed the pointing finger. "We used to come here, wanna eat there? They have good stuff. Tones of chocolaty stuff."

"Oh, really? Yeah, I would like to go try it." And Jake started walking but Kaito stopped him, arm on his shoulder and waited for the boy to turn. "With the real Jake."

The person in front of him blinked. "What are you talking abou_"

Kaito glared him. "Jake isn't that tall, baka. Plus, he never went to that store, quite the contrary, he avoids it. So, what do you have to say for yourself?"

A grin grew wide. "Well, I thought we could get to know each other," The grin then turned into a smile instead. "We haven't had the chance for that in a long time, Kaito-kun."

Kuroba grimaced, "But really, this isn't how you do this. I truly complement the effort, but I know my partner anywhere." The smiled dropped. Kaito sighed, "You really want to hang out that much?"

The smile grew, "If you insist~"

Kuroba sighed as his life depended on it. "Sure, whatever. But when we finish our small trip, which will end at that pole," eyes turned to it, then nodded, "you'll stop trying to bring back this family relation thing. I've been over for weeks, so get over it for another decade or hundreds."

The smile dropped. "But Kaito-kun, I really do miss having you over." The fake Jake approached and pinched his cheeks, "And I was dying to get to know the older you. Well, older than four-years-old you." A soft smile raised. "So, how about that store?"

Kuroba kept his eyes in moons. "You expect me to just walk into a trap?" A brow crocked. "What were the odds of Hakuba being in that corner and me passing there?"

The eyes became halves. "The police are around?"

Kuroba glared him. "Yukiko-san, I really would love to walk into a trap, but not so soon." The smile remained up. "If you betray me…"

"Don't worry, Kaito-kun." She locked her arms around his and turned the street.

Kuroba kept his eyes ahead. "You do know you're making us look like lover, right? Would hate to see what Kudo-san would think about this~"

She let go and laughed. "Oh, trust me, he has no idea where I am even~ But I did mention shopping… Doubt they won't track me all the way down to a different city… but I kept my tracks hidden. So no worries." She turned to him, "Besides, you're the one who made us both boys…"

Kaito grinned, "Well, little brother," Eyes blinked but she caught up to the act, "heard that store sells really good pancakes, you'll love it~"

"Let's go!" She dragged him forward, he followed with slower steps. "Urgh, come on, nii-san! I love pancakes! Don't torture me like this!" The expressions on her face nearly made him want to applaud. Actors. Kudo Yukiko had tones of skills. Thankfully, changing voices wasn't one of them.

They took their seats on a couch beside each other. Yukiko lifted her forks with enthusiasm as the dish was approaching them. Kuroba took his dish with a dulled expression, watched her pour an entire bottle of butter on it and turned his gaze away from the horrible act. He poured chocolate on his and stuffed a roll with chocolate and slices of bananas into his face. "You do know that's too much butter, right?" He shoved another piece in his mouth.

She turned to him, "You do know that's too much chocolate, right?"

He grinned, "Touché." He swallowed, "But chocolate is good for energy, and I happen to love it too much." He shrugged, but she glared him and turned to take a bite from her pancake. "So, how's that pint-sized brat being, quite sure he didn't miss his kiddy roommate?"

"Shin-chan?" She blinked, "Oh, he's the same as ever. It's hard to get him to do none detective stuff. But he does miss the mess and TV being on. Yusaku misses you the most. Did you have to grow up and leave so soon?" He shrugged. "Oops…" Kaito followed her gaze secretly and saw Saguru walk into the dinner.

"A trap, I presume?"

She shook her head with puppy eyes.

Kuroba turned his gaze away, "Act normal." He paused. "Less normal." He lifted his fork and knife, cut the pancake into pieces and slowly munched on it. Yukiko crocked a brow at him, "He knows I gulp chocolate in one large bite. Doesn't matter what kind it is." She giggled, still in her character and male voice. She scooped up the piece on her fork and eat it cheerfully.

"This is really good~"

"I told you~" He chewed on his food slowly. "But really… That's enough butter."

She pulled her hand away from the stacks and put the bottle on the table. "Okay. Maybe you're right. It's going to take loads of training and walking to have that dissolve."

"Good boy," He patted her on the head. "If you listen to your big brother, you wouldn't have to work out that much." The smaller brother looked away. "You know I'm right."

Saguru stared at the customers then turned back to the cashier. He walked away from their view and turned to sit at the far end of the dinner, everyone in his view and none could see him watching them. The waiter brought him the dish minutes afterward, and he ate at it slowly while observing every face.

Kuroba kept his eyes ahead and swallowed the last bite. "If you finish now, I'll take you to the game store. It's gonna close in two hours. Think that's enough time to play? They got that new game you've been nagging on and on about..." He went down detailing the game and its features. Talking in more enthusiasm as if he was dying to try it himself. "Heard it's a killer! Got tones of people in line!"

"Awesome!" she pushed the fork into her mouth, "I can't wait to beat you~"

Kuroba laughed, "Don't go crying to mom when you lose."

The boy laughed harder, dragging attention to them. Kuroba gently apologized and turn to his brother. "Gomen…" The boy bowed and waited for everyone to turn to their plates again. "So, nii-san, the game!"

"You didn't finish_" He blinked, the plate was licked clean. "… Even the extra butter…" He approached and put his hand on her forehead. "Nope, normal." He stacked their plates in a neat pile and lifted himself from the seat and the younger brother followed, wiping a tissue to his face and drying his lips clean.

Kuroba pushed the door open and waited for his brother to step out before he strode out too. Saguru remained in the store, still staring at people left and right. "I got to hand it to you, little brother." The boy smiled, "So, the game or we go separate ways?" The pole was behind him.

"… I'll wait for you tomorrow. The line's too long…" He sulked. "Thanks, nii-san. Had tones of fun~"

Kuroba grinned, "Just go back to dad before he flips a nerve or ten. And stop escaping just to hang out with me. I'll be back on the weekend. So be a good boy."

"Hai~"

Nakamori was trashing down on words, passed from behind them while glaring every by-passer. Most looked away and kept staring at him when he surpassed them. Kuroba moved and stared with confusion, still in character. "Straight to dad, okay?"

"Hai, Hai! I get it already! Bye, nii-san. See you tomorrow!"

Kuroba lifted his hand for a small wave and continued walking past the pole. He casually looked left and right, no one was tracking him. God, his life had been nothing but running from eyes and walking in the shadows long before he had become KID. At least Saguru hadn't followed him. His father was so far nowhere in sight. Next option was to find his cousin and return to the hideout.

*.*.*

Aoko grunted for the tenth thousand and forty five-hundredths time. "The left turn!" Jake pushed the car on the sidewalk and took the turn. The screen lit up: You Won. She sighed, "Finally!"

Jake smiled, "I was going to win soon."

"It's been four hours! How much longer was that soon in your head?"

He shrugged, "Two hours?" He smiled and turned to the old man sitting in front of the monitors. "Jii-chan," The old man turned, "Any news on Kaito?" He shook his head. "Humm… He leads down a chase and vanishes into thin air… So Kaito-like of him."

"Tell me about it." Aoko, Vermouth, and Jii said at once.

"Think he'd tell us where he's going next?" Heads shook. "I hate it when he shuts down the trackers. He's a hard person to track…"

Aoko shrugged, "Surprised you're not used to him, Jake."

"I'm always learning new things. It's not my fault he changes his tactics every week." The boy said and shrugged. "Hopefully, uncle isn't following and forcing him to turn all of Ekoda's streets." Shoulders lifted and went down.

Vermouth hummed. "I've got to put a tracker on him."

The speakers chimed over their heads. 1314, access approved.

The doors parted and he walked in with his hands stuffed in his pockets. They were all staring at him, "What, not happy to see me? I'll just lea_"

Aoko ran the small distance and hugged him, "Bakaito. Where were you!"

"Downtown." He grinned. "Running from a few eyes, here and there."

Jake lifted his head, "Took you forever nii-san, it's twelve now… You missed breakfast. Jii-chan made rice omelet. None left, too bad~"

He lifted a grin, "Sorry, had company~" He lowered his grin. "And had pancakes for breakfast~ Good energy boost~ Met someone who's more of a danger on their health than I am. God, it was a blast." He started laughing, Aoko glared him. "So, what'd you lazy worms do to stay alive and kicking?"

"Aoko watched the cams!" She said with her hand up. "Jake went to the TV station in the early morning. He came back an hour ago." She lifted the game in her hand. "Took him forever to win the race and catch up to Aoko's unbeatable score~"

The boy shrugged. "She crashed every car in her way and expected me to do the same." Kaito laughed, "I don't destroy public property, she knows that…" The glare in her eyes was strong. "What? Just because it's a game doesn't mean I'll crash my rules…"

Kuroba Kaito grinned, "Yeah, give up, Aoko. Kid's a saint." She shrugged and turned to their oldest partner.

"And I kept Jii-chan alive and awake here. Then we watched the heist's footage, a few twenty times, and I got bored and hacked the system." Vermouth said, a strong side grin on her face. "It's getting awfully lonely with no activities going on. Think we'd be busy any day soon?"

Kuroba Kaito lifted one brow, "You want people to die?"

She laughed, "Goodness, no!" He continued to glare here for a good ten seconds until he turned and walked to the monitors where Konosuke was searching through police files and other Data he found interesting to his missions.

"Bochama," The old man began, "Any word from Toichi-sama?"

Kuroba's eye twitched. "No. No. And No. Want news, go talk to him." He rolled his eyes in the opposite direction. "I am avoiding him, you know…" Jii sighed like a balloon slowly inflating. "So, everything's calm, despite the ruckus yesterday?"

Shoulders shrugged. "Suppose the boss is trying to stay low."

Kaito huffed, "Expected him to do the opposite now that he's been out in the sunlight."

Vermouth laughed, "Oh, son, a person like him never runs away from a challenge. We'll have more than trouble around the corner soon." Her eyes then became serious. "I'm sure he's going to block all means for us to hack. Doubt he'll trust anyone but those three." Hums followed from the entire KID team. "Aoko, don't you think that's enough games for today?" The girl put her controller on the table. "Son," she turned to Jake, "Do you mind talking to your brother? I'm sure he has something to tell you."

Kaito turned, "Eh? I do?" He blinked but she glared him. "Oh, no. I'm good. But he should return to the station before they start calling him." Jake lopsided a grin. "Well if you want to go back, you have to go every day. Do you want them to hire someone else?"

Jake grinned, "well I would be awfully bored if I'm here all the time… But I have school tomorrow. Work after that, so, try not to miss me too much."

Aoko laughed, "Oh, don't worry~ Aoko will try her best~" She laughed. "Ne, Jake, is Amuro-san still tracking you everywhere?" Kaito immediately turned to that. Aoko kept her eyes in Jake's. "So?"

Jake shrugged, "He's waiting for the right moment to catch me. An arrest warrant and all." Kaito glared him. "Don't worry, nii-san. I'll happily take his challenge. Prove how hard it is to catch me. But he's getting bored and I really hate to be someone's prisoner any time soon."

Aoko kept her brow lifted, "And add Kaito's ouyaji and kudo-san…"

Vermouth continued "And Metantei-kun and Tantei-san…"

Jii sighed. "And Nakamori-keibu and the Japanese police…"

"Alright! I get it!" Kaito pipped up. "I'll shake oyaji off our backs and Keibu. But the brat and Hakuba, those are on you to ditch." Grins followed. "Good."

*.*.*

Toichi stared at Yusaku then back at the small boy walking in the middle. "So, did you two have to tag on my mission?" The streets were calm and people kept popping up every ten minutes. There were no more patrol cars buzzing anywhere and Ginzo's voice didn't echo either.

"It's my wife I'm chasing."

"And she happens to be my mother."

Toichi brought his hand to his face. "How about we split up? Go do your own search. What are the chances of my son being with her anyway?"

Conan turned with a glare carved in his eyes. "You tell me?"

Yusaku grinned, "I'm sure she was worried about your son."

A small sigh hung in the air. "Not everything is centered on my troublemaker son."

Yusaku turned to him, "And what are the odds of her disappearing minutes after the TV reported your son spotted in public?"

Toichi lifted a grin and tucked his hands in his pockets. "I know she gets worried, but why not leave finding him to me? I'm his father."

Conan cleared his throat, "Cause you're taking your dear sweet time and respecting his decision to be on the moon than coming near you." He noticed how the glint in Toichi's eyes faded. "Look, I know you're worried about him sinking in despair and feeling betrayed… but if you don't try to approach him, it's going to be as if you don't really care."

Toichi stared ahead of him. "If you've been around, you'd notice I've been stalking him everywhere. Kaito knows I won't give up on him. He knows I didn't leave him."

Conan barely glanced up to see the expression Toichi might have been showing on his iron poker face. But the magician he was, nothing was displayed there. "I got a text from Hakuba-kun, he was sure Kuroba-kun was in town. Not sure if the one who was in the group wasn't his partner… But there's a chance we'd run into them here." He stared at the street the partner often went in. "Too bad he moved…"

Yusaku stopped on the traffic light and turned to his partner. "But I'm sure he's still attending school. We can always find him there." His eyes added the job and the man hummed.

"Well, I'm going to help Hakuba-kun." Conan lifted his phone. "We got a case, better leave you Kaitous do your job." Grins raised. "Don't be snails, okay? Meet you back here before the last bus leaves. That enough time?" Nods followed. Conan walked the moment the light turned green and headed left while his father and Toichi went straight.

Toichi lifted his wrist and hummed, "He should be on the way now." He continued walking casually and stopped by the fifth alley. The boy came into view, walked with his eyes to the ground and a shadow securing his face. Yusaku noticed the bag wasn't present. That was the first by far.

The boy continued walking and passed them, not noticing their masks or lifting a single glance at them. Yusaku and Toichi continued random conversations and walked on the opposite side of the street. Jake lifted his phone and said he was There. Then he shoved it in his pocket and entered Nichiuri Building. Jake kept going to his comrades without turning a single glance behind him. Toichi froze and lead Yusaku to a corner. Jake and his team lifted their tools and exited the building after an hour had passed.

The staff strode to the street KID had been seen in, checking for evidence until they shook their heads.

"Would've been cool if he left a notice…"

Jake grinned, "Doubt anything valuable is on display this week."

The older man sighed, "He cut our feed off last time... and this time, we were too late. There's nothing but amateur recordings, barely few minutes."

Jake patted him on the shoulder, "Don't worry. We'll find something interesting. Doubt The Task force isn't less depressed~" The men laughed. "So, how about we turn the street and hope to get a good scoop?" The youngest nodded, camera lifted to his shoulder. "If we don't find anything, we'll just rot in the station with the rest of the reporters."

"I've been rotting there for months, thank you."

Jake grinned, "Alright, let's hope for the best then."

Yusaku hummed to his partner, observing the reporters turn the streets, eyes around for trouble. "Didn't think they'd be that bored."

Toichi grinned, "I'm sure my nephew is dying to be indoors~"

Yusaku grinned, "Doubt anything is going to happen soo_"

"HELP!" someone came running to them from the streets. "Someone's hurt!"

"Looks like we got our scoop..." The reporters approached, Yusaku went running with the woman to the scene. Toichi followed after calling the police, hoping an ambulance would be there soon.

Jake also approached the victim, he noticed how the stranger had quickly tied a piece of cloth around the young boy's leg, then turned to focus on his consciousness. Jake's eyes widen when the face turned to him before he passed out. The stranger looked up at him.

"Do you know him?"

Jake approached, checking for a pulse. "Yes. He's my classmate." He stared at the boy. He had a wound in his leg and bruising on his head. A rock stared at them from far. The woman who brought them to the student was asking if there was anything she could do. The man shook his head, said he had everything under control and moved aside when Toichi approached to help.

"It's not deep." He said in a different voice. "He's probably in shock, but he'll live."

Jake lifted his classmate. "Good, I'll get him to the hospital." His team brought their car and lifted him to the back seat. The cameraman drove and rushed off. Jake stayed behind, eyes went back to the crime scene. The school bag was on the ground, still closed. Ryu's clothes were neat, unsearched. So what did they want from him?

Jake's mind turned on the possible reason.

The boss.

He was nipping off his friends. Throwing a threat, maybe. But why students? He could've went after his friends, the kaitous. Not the civilians. Unless if he wanted to lure him out, make him succumb, this is the way to corner and break him.

The stranger checked the scene too. Eyes went to the drops of blood. The bag. The lack of the weapon anywhere. Jake noticed the man knew what to look for. The weapon must have been a small knife. Maybe a dagger. But there was nothing hidden in the alley. Jake strode to the end of the alley, eyes going to the street camera that could've caught that angle of the street. The criminal could've blended out with anyone, if there was a crowd. His eyes turned back to the stranger, staring at him. Jake walked back to them, "What?"

The man cleared his throat, "This is a crime scene, you know. You can't walk around."

"I'm not walking around," Jake said. "Looking for something useful." He barely glanced behind him.

"Oh, the cameras? Doubt that one caught anything. Doubt we'd be able to find anyone who did end up on tape." He locked his eyes in the boy. "Looks to me like you have a good idea who did it." Jake lifted a brow. "Doubt it's the case." He said and waited. "It looks like a normal crime. No theft. But the culprit clearly has an issue with your friend. It's not those guys."

Jake paid him no attention.

"It's not the crows." The boy turned, the other was looking at him. Nothing was shown on his face. "As my friend said, it's a petty revenge." He pocketed his hands. "The police should be here soon. You should leave before you're spotted, junior."

Jake's expressions remained blank. "Sorry, that witness already saw me here." He shrugged. "And he's my friend_ classmate, don't want the guy to get away with it."

The stranger who remained staring at the object nodded. "I'm sure your TV friends will be needed too. Can you call them in?"

Jake lifted his hand, fished his phone and turned. "Guys, got a small issue. You're standing as witnesses. Can you come back?" he waited. "Okay." That said, he pocketed the phone back. "They'll be here in ten mins tops." They were staring at him. "Now what…"

The first cleared his throat, resuming his actual voice. "Didn't think a small crime would get you involved, Jake-kun." The boy glared him. "Right, Jeff-kun. My bad."

"What got you people on this side of the world?" He lifted a grin, "Still trying to track that troublemaker?" The other kept his expressions low. "Well, don't be too frustrated about not finding him. He'd dispose of all of his trackers, which he does with us too. But," He turned to the original. "He's at the hideout. Doubt he still is now, but he was there two hours ago." He waited, "That enough to set your worries low?"

Toichi hummed. "Good for now." He paused, "Did you happen to see his wife?"

Jake blinked, "N-No. She missing?"

"Tracked her here." Yusaku said. "I was sure it was connected to KID-kun's presence hours earlier."

Jake sank in his thoughts. "Kaito did mention dining with a friend… but I'm not sure it's her." Eyes remained still. "I can check with him?" Heads shook. The sirens started buzzing, "I'm often the reporter…"

Toichi grinned, observing the police car approaching from the highway and the TV van about to get there before him. The officers stared at them, about to push them away but the staff cut to the point and mentioned they were at the scene earlier.

The officers approached, "The victims?"

"Ekoda hospital." The cameraman said, "We just took him. Doctors said he'll live."

The officer's eyes turned to the men at the scene, one boy, a young woman, and two men. "Who found the victim?" The woman raised her hand, explaining how she brought the others for help.

The officers kept the people on the side of the alley, while they planted their yellow tape and cards on what was left at the scene. Jake heard them mutter between themselves, words along the line of 'we'll have to wait till he wakes', but he was sure the culprit would still come after the boy and finish him.

Yusaku and Toichi remained close to him, along with his comrades and the woman. Their eyes showed disapproval, he ignored them. The moment the officers came to them, he spoke up first. Much to Toichi's hopes, the boy mentioned his relation to the victim and said the school probably knew how to contact his family. He turned to them, "I doubt he'll be able to identify the culprit," Eyes turned to him, "My classmate is blind… But if he recognized the voice, he might link someone."

The inspector sank in his thoughts, "Blind?" a nod followed. "Where is that school?"

The boy. "Ekoda, Mute academy." The boy got a card out of his pocket, the inspector took it with a lifted brow. "It's their number. You should let them know if you're going to the school. It's a school for people with special needs, would trouble the students if you dropped by suddenly."

The officers hummed. "He's blind but you're not. How are you classmates? I'm sure your department is different from his. Unless you all share the same class?"

"No, there are many departments in the school, each for the appropriate lessons. I'm mute." He paused. "Speaking aids. But Ryu and I have been classmates for two years. He had been able to finish his lessons and they transferred him to us." The inspector stared at him for a moment. "… Anyway, his parents might give a few names of people who resented Ryu. If there are any." He paused. "He's a good person. There's the chance Ryu witnessed something, or the culprit thought so."

Eyes considered his words and turned to check the scene and cameras again. Toichi stared at his nephew, he didn't even glance a look at him. Yusaku had his eyes on the scene too, probably thinking about what Jake had said. Eventually, they returned to the boy. "You, and your comrades, don't let this go on TV." Nods followed; none had their equipment with him. "We're going to the school, mind if you go with us?"

Before anyone was about to protest, the boy nodded. "Then I'll let the school in on our way."

The officers went to their cars and Jake strode with them. Toichi palmed his face, mumbled idiot on his way. "Suppose he's more on your side of the family… wants to find the culprit…" Yusaku only grinned, "Suppose we'll have to wait until they finish their investigation."

The staff sighed, "Well, suppose we're done here… Hope we don't become suspects…" His comrade nodded, they rode into their van and left.

Toichi stared at the van for a while. "Think he's going to lure them out?"

"Not sure. Doubt he considers it to be a settlement."

*.*.*

"Thank you for your time, director." They shook hands. "If you learn anything, let us know."

Jake moved from their way and turned back to the owner of the school. "Head home, Jeff-kun. If you overhear anything from your classmates, come to me." That said, the boy left.

Once he returned to the station, his comrades asked what happened. Jake only said they spoke and got nowhere. They'd have to wait for Ryu to wake.

Toichi met him outside the building when he was heading home. "Alive?"

Jake barely glanced at him, "Can you stop following me everywhere?" Toichi grinned, "Can I know why?"

A soft smile grew, "Just worried about you, nephew."

"Alright, I will say this once." The boy barely looked up, "I'm avoiding you. Stop following me."

"I know you're avoiding me, and that kinda hurts, nephew."

"Sorry, not my fault you're a ringer for my dead father." He didn't look up. "And I haven't had that much time to surprise his death, so please, stay away." He started walking into the left crossroad, "I'll make sure your son is safe, you make sure to only bug him and him alone. Bye."

"Boy, that was harsh!"

Toichi glanced and saw Kaito beside him, "And you're here for?"

"Bugging you. Just keep my coz outta this." Kaito pinched his nose. "I'm going to make sure he heads home and doesn't investigate." He started walking, "The brat's waiting for you at the bus station. Ride's gonna leave soon, better make haste."

*.*.*

"What took you so long…" Conan grunted, shifting his feet in the direction of the last bus. "Come on, slowpokes. I want to sleep in my house."

"Still no trace of your mother." Yusaku unlocked the door and strode inside. The smell of food welcomed them in. They strode to the source, Yukiko was humming to herself, setting the table and turned to cross her arms and glare them.

"What took you so long?"

"That's my line!" Conan glared her. "Where the heck were you, kasan?"

She grinned, "What a woman does in her private is none of your business, Shin-chan~"

"Were you in Ekoda or not!"

She grinned, "I did pay the boy a visit, left afterword." She shrugged. "You people missed dinner. There's a lot of food in the fridge to finish." Conan shrugged, "I am going to my room." She put the plates down, "Clean after you're done, not a single plate in the dryer. Got it?" she walked to the stairs.

"She makes us look for her and when we get back… she's angry we weren't here?"

Yusaku grinned, "You've seen nothing, son."