Hello everyone! My deepest apologies that I haven't updated in a while. I had my finals over the past few weeks and things have been pretty hectic. But thank you all for sticking with me!

To my reviewers, followers and favoriters:

10th Squad 3rd Seat: Yep! Chikage really does love giving out hugs and cuddles!

Anilover: Akira-chan always says the truth doesn't he?

Angel-LauraR: Thank you! I'm glad you found it funny!

CruciPuzzle: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

File 8: Magic and Music Don't Mix!

The Kuroba household was quiet, the peace of the early morning just beginning to settle in. The sun soon started to leak through the silk curtains, the birds outside chirped and sang a harmonious melody. It was all so soothing- exactly what a morning was expected to be, until-

Screech!

The magician felt his brows furrow.

Screech!

Kaito forcefully peeled his eyes open. He lazily blinked and adjusted his eyes to the sunlit room. Across the house, he once again heard the terrible screech echoing through the walls. Groaning, Kaito turned to his side,

"Aoko, your son is practicing that horrendous instrument again," He mumbled

The weight on the bed shifted, "Before seven in the morning, he's your son."

Kaito stared at his wife, "But Aoko-"

"You can take care of it, dear husband," she replied before snuggling deeper into bed, "I'm going back to sleep."

The screeches from the adjacent room gradually became louder. Kaito rolled over and groaned to himself. It was already the fifth time this week he woke up to the sound of that screeching violin.

~Phantom Files~

"Seriously Aoko," her husband sighed from the dining table, "My ears are going to bleed if this continues."

Aoko looked up from the stove, "It can't be helped, Kaito," she answered, "The school requires all first grade students to have a go at an instrument."

"And Akira just had to choose that screechy violin!" he protested

"Well it was either the violin or the drums," Aoko turned around, "And you said the drums were too noisy and scared your pigeons."

Kaito snorted as his son appeared from the hallway. Akira, happy and pleased with how the morning practice went- was all smiles as he climbed onto chair and wished his parents good morning.

"The violin is such a cool instrument, mommy!" he exclaimed as Aoko served him his breakfast, "Did you hear me practice this morning?"

Aoko managed a small smile, "You sounded good, Akira," she insisted, giving the boy a fond pat on the head.

Looking delighted, Akira turned his attention to the plate of food sitting before him, "There's going to be a concert soon as well!" he announced, "All the students in my class are going to perform!"

Kaito felt his breath hitch at the mention of a concert. He couldn't stand his own son playing that instrument at home, yet alone a whole class. The magician turned to his wife for some helpful suggestions, but Aoko was already back at her stove.

"Daddy," Kaito blinked and looked at his son, "Will you come to hear me play?"

The magician felt his muscles tense at the question, "Ah well-," he stopped and peered at the younger boy.

A pair of adorable puppy dog eyes stared back. Kaito sighed, he couldn't avoid those eyes, "Well, you see Akira-"

"How about I play something for you?" Akira's decided, suddenly jumping out of his seat with excitement.

"Ah, Akira-" his father choked on is coffee, "There's no need-"

"Kaito?" Aoko glanced between her husband and her son, "What's going on?"

Akira beamed, "I was just going to play something for daddy," he replied

Kaito immediately stood up, "D-daddy is actually running late for a meeting," he sheepishly insisted, grabbing his jacket from the chair, "Maybe next time, Akira."

"Meeting?" Aoko blinked, "But you never have meetings, Kaito!"

The magician gave a small laugh, "Well today is a bit different."

His wife raised a questioning eyebrow, "Are you saying that just to avoid-"

"N-No," Kaito answered, giving Aoko a small kiss on the cheek before seizing the car keys and making a run to the door, "I'll see you later tonight."

With one final ruffle of the Akira's hair, the magician disappeared through the front door. The young boy blinked after his father, but soon averted his eyes back to Aoko.

"Does daddy really have a meeting today?"

~Phantom Files~

"Kaito come on!" Aoko ushered, literally dragging her husband towards the concert hall, "You promised Akira that you'd be there!"

The magician groaned, "I was half asleep when I agreed!"

His wife ignored the protests, "A promise is a promise Kaito," she replied, "See? Even dad said he'd come."

At the mention of Aoko's father, Kaito popped his eyes open and sighed at the sight of the retired Inspector Nakamori standing just a few feet away from them. Looking like a proud grandpa, Inspector Nakamori was all smiles and waved happily at his daughter and son-in-law.

"You really called your dad?"

Aoko smiled, "He insisted on hearing Akira play," she answered, "Unlike someone."

Upon joining with proud Inspector Nakamori, the trio soon headed into the concert hall. Despite it only a being a junior concert with a handful of students, the hall was nonetheless filled with loving parents and supporting teachers. After finding a suitable seat with an excellent view of the stage, the three settled down.

"Eh? Akira doesn't seem to be performing until the end," Aoko sighed, scanning her eyes across the program, "I was hoping he'd be up first."

Oh great, that means more screechy violins, thought the magician before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small plastic bag.

"Maybe we should've brought your tablet to record this Kaito," Aoko insisted, eyes still glued to the program.

A few seconds later and Kaito was deaf as a doorpost. Soon, the lights around the hall dimmed and the first few students appeared on stage. Now he can simply enjoy the night without the sound of screechy violins invading his ears.

The magician grinned to himself, Who would've thought earplugs would come in so handy?