AN: Wow. I don't even know how to apologize for being this late. Stuff just kept happening. It was weird. Sorry. If anyone is still reading this, please forgive me. T.T

I don't know if Hakuba would have really shared his deduction, but admit it -it's way funner this way. :)

I fail at romantic moments. :'( Such shame. . .

Monday, April 15th 2013

"It's all about distracting people from what you're actually doing," Kaito said.

Kazuha watched the other students throw baskets. The gym smelled like dirty socks and it was giving her a headache, "Uh-huh."

"Are you listening, Watson girl?"

"Sure, Lupin wannabe."

Kaito shrugged, "Good enough. Try that card trick I showed you."

Kazuha frowned, "I don't think-"

"You'll never learn if you don't try."

Kazuha scanned for the gym teacher. No sign of her twisted up expression. "Fine. Give me your deck." It was given and Kazuha shuffled.

"So, did you decide on a dress?" Kaito asked, watching her mix up the deck, "I would use the underhand shuffle the entire time. That way, it won't look odd when you suddenly switch."

"Oh, right," Kazuha said, complying, "No, I haven't decided, yet. I liked the blue one."

Kaito nodded, "Yeah, it was cute -like you said – but Harley is kind of old fashioned. You have to go with a longer dress."

"I already told you -" she cut herself off with a sigh, "Never mind. Pick a card." She spread out the cards and held them out face down.

Kaito pulled out a card from the middle, "Maybe a pink one with ribbons?"

"Why are you so excited about this?"

"It's only natural to be interested when your frenemy is going on a date with the crush of her life," Kaito said, indignant, "Are you going to tell me to look at my card and replace it or what?"

"I don't like Harley. And you already know what to do; just do it, dingbat."

"Touchy," Kaito chanted, waving the card in her face, "I think I hit a bullseye."

Kazuha snatched the card from in front of her nose and slammed it back on the deck, "Yeah, right."

"Come on, 'Zu, wasn't he the detective you were crying about when we met?"

Kazuha took an angry breath that seemed to dissipate into calm as she released it. She started monotonously straightening the deck. "Fine, I like Harley," she said, "But it's just a stupid crush." She paused her motion and swallowed. "He'd never look at me twice. We're childhood friends."

"Childhood friends, huh?" Kaito said thoughtfully, the expression on his face softened, "I don't think that should stop you. Besides, I honestly believe Harley likes you; whether or not he'll admit it to himself or anyone else."

"Even if that was the case, it wouldn't really help anyone, would it?"

"That," Kaito said, in the tone of a professor reaching the point of his lecture, "Is why you must pursue him yourself. You can't sit around and wait for that detective to grow a brain."

A smile quirked at Kazuha's lips, but she shook her head, "Haven't you ever had a crush you knew you couldn't chase?"

"Well, that's. . ." Kaito bit his lip.

To this, Kazuha rose an eyebrow.

"I mean, I kind of do, but it's-" catching a glare from Kazuha, he ran his hand through his hair, "It's different. My job prevents me. You don't have that roadblock."

"As in being KID stops you?" Kazuha asked, still harsh, "How so?"

Sweating in the heat of the spot light, Kaito muttered something Kazuha couldn't hear, then said audibly, "You're changing the subject."

"No, I'm not," Kazuha said, "Who's your crush?"

"I'm not going to just tell you," he said, looking away.

Kazuha felt her still aching head throb, "I just told you who I like."

"No, I already knew who you liked," Kaito said, stubbornly, "You just admitted it."

"So, if I guess who it is, you'll tell me?"

"Sure. . ." Kaito said slowly.

"Is it Aoko?"

"No."

"Rachel?"

"No."

"Melody?"*

"Are you just guessing random girls?"

"Yep."

"That's so cheating."

"No it's not. Is it Jas-"

"Give me your cards. I see Ms. Limpboring."

Tuesday, April 16th 2013

"Kaito, aren't you going to have lunch?" Rachel asked.

"No way," Kaito said, pulling a face at Rachel's tray, "That's disgusting."

"Whattaya mean it's disgusting?" Kazuha asked, "You dyed our eggs green in cooking class this morning."

"You really don't get the whole Green Eggs and Ham thing?"

"It was slimy and green," Kazuha said, "What's to get?"

"The point is I would sooner eat worms."

"It's just a fish taco," Harley said, deadpan, "What's to get so hyped up about?"

"Just a fish taco?" Kaito glared across the table.

Jimmy was almost mirroring Harley's expression, "Why don't just take a salad?"

"How am I supposed to have an appetite when I'm surrounded by fish tacos?" Kaito said, crossing his arms with an expression that looked suspiciously like a pout.

Kazuha stuck her half eaten taco in Kaito's face, "It's not tha-"

Kaito let out a high-pitched screech, lost his balance, and thudded to the floor.

"Um, Kaito. . ?"

"I'm going to go to my locker. . ."

"Is it Sabrina?"

"Who?"

"Akako?"

"Heh. She wishes."

"That girl in your science class – Hailey?"

"Ew, no," Kaito said, scrunching up his face, "Speaking of science class, I kind of have to go to it." Kaito jabbed his thumb at a door self-proclaimed "Mr. Harris's Biology Lab in the Wild" and normally referred to as "weird Mr. Harris's classroom."

"I will find out," Kazuha sighed as Kaito (Kazuha thought far too happily) slipped through the door that apparently lead to the wild.

Wednesday, April 17th 2013

Kaito had spend the morning and his PE class in the following fashion:

"Is it [insert generic girl name]?"

"No."

He wasn't feeling particularly charitable."Why are you sitting here, Hakuba?" he asked Saguru,** who had just taken a seat at his lunch table.

"Aoko asked me to sit with the two if you."

"Again?" Kaito snorted, "You two aren't getting married, are you?"

Saguru rose an eyebrow.

Kaito responded by throwing his arms up, "You detectives and your follower people! You're all curious and I'm pretty sure I'm the freaking cat."

Saguru made would was either a polite listening noise or an uninterested hmph. "You have been spending an odd amount of time around Harley and Jimmy," he said, "While I do see how Harley would be of no threat to you, you're ill-advised if you have no apprehensions about Jimmy's presence."***

"Are you assuming I'm KID, again?" Kaito asked, placing his chin in his hand and not bothering to make eye contact.

Saguru shrugged, ignoring Kaito, "Well, either way, it won't matter. I'll be the one to capture you."

"If any of you detectives want to catch me, you better figure what crime I committed first."

"Crime?" Aoko asked from behind the boys, then crossed her arms, "What did you do this time, Kaito?"

"Why do you assume it's me, Bimboko?"

"It usually is, isn't it?"

Saguru interjected, "By the way, you don't happen to know if Jimmy Kudo was mentioned out side of the newspaper?"

"Like on TV?" Aoko asked, "I don't really know."

"Why?" Kaito asked, smirking, "Can't remember where you heard his name?"

Saguru folded his arms, giving his attention to Kaito.

"You were on a case with Jimmy; it was in the news," Kaito said, "Don't tell me your superior brain can't remember even that."

"Kaito," Aoko admonished.

"No matter, Miss Aoko," Saguru said, nodding to her, "I don't feel that's quite the case, anyway." Saguru excused himself from the table, much to Aoko's dismay (which she made quite clear to a certain thief who was already having a bad day).

Thursday, April 18th 2013

"It is none of those girls!" Kaito said loudly enough for it to be directed at the entire cooking class or, perhaps, school.

"Excuse me for wanting to be even," Kazuha said, wiping flour from her pink blouse, "Besides, I've guessed every girl I know at this school. Did you lie about someone?"

"No," Kaito said, scanning over the recipe, then plopping what was most definitely less than 1 cup of sugar into a bowl.

"Can you at least do it right?" Kazuha said, snatching the measuring cup and sugar from Kaito and putting the appropriate amount into the bowl, "Geez. Will you decide if you're going to be Mr. Sunshine or The Grinch?"

Kaito considered her for a moment, then grinned, "Nope, never. Are you ready for your prom date?"

"That again?" Kazuha asked, jerking back to her baking. Secretly, she smiled.

Now that Kaito found himself in a good mood again, of course Saguru had to interrupt his lunch once more.

"Kudo, where were you the night of April 4th?" Saguru asked, slamming his hand on the table.

The detective stared at the other with half lidded eyes, "At the KID heist. You were there."

Saguru pressed a fist to his mouth. "Of course, you were there," he muttered, "Are you aware that you're a male Tokyo resident in between the age of 15 and 17 with an above average IQ and a B blood type?"****

"Yeah, I was kind of there when that happened. . ." Jimmy said slowly.

"What do ya want, ya creep?" Harley asked, standing up and looking Saguru in the eye.

"Do you know who you share these traits with?" Saguru pressed on, without taking his attention from Jimmy.

"What are you trying to say?" Rachel asked, standing as well.

"The name Jimmy Kudo was bothering me, so I looked it up in my notes," Saguru said, "His name is on my list of potential KIDs."

"Your accusing me of being Phantom Thief KID?" Jimmy said, incredulously.

"Are you kidding?!" Harley said, in the same - if angrier - tone.

Kaito muffled a giggled, "Don't be too offended. He thinks I'm KID, too. There can't be two, so I guess that's how he makes friends."

"That's exactly it," Saguru said.

"You're trying to make friends?"

Making a habit of ignoring Kaito, Saguru continued, "You wouldn't expect there to be two Phantom Thieves, but that's how you pulled it off. It explains how KID managed to appear when I had Kaito cuffed to my wrist."

"You cuffed Kaito to your wrist?" Rachel said, taken aback.

"It also explains how KID appeared when Aoko said she had Kaito cuffed down."

Kazuha looked at Kaito, "How often do you get handcuffed?"

"More than is preferable."

"In addition," Saguru said, "It fits in with Jimmy's pattern. I originally ruled him out because he was missing, but he's known to reside in a different district than KID so it makes sense he vanished. He really just went to the Ekoda area to team up with Kaito. He reappeared once KID's activities started taking place here; around Teitan High School."

"I know for a fact Jimmy was on a case during that time," Harley said.

Rachel nodded in agreement, "That's right. He was wrapped up in a really difficult one for a long time."

"Do you really know that?" Saguru asked, "Were you with him? Or are you letting your personal emotions get in the way of your reasoning, Detective Hartwell?"

Kaito took a bite of his sandwich (he was the only one still eating). This was actually kind of amusing. Hakuba now seemed like he was (or perhaps was showing he was) insane. Good times. "Why does it have to be both of us?" Kaito asked, "Couldn't it just be Jimmy?"

"No," Saguru said, briskly, "I doubt Jimmy is talented enough in magic to pull it off by himself."

"But he's a detective," Kazuha said, "Why would he want to break the law?"

"Even Sherlock Holmes got bored."

"Despite what people thought, Holmes never did drop to murder - or theft, for that matter,"***** Jimmy said, somehow only interested in his apparent KIDness if it involved characters created by Sir Conan Doyle.

"That doesn't mean he wasn't above it," Saguru said.

Kazuha glanced at the remaining detective, thief, and karate champion, "They do realize Sherlock Holmes is fictional, right?"

"Doubtful," the three chorused.

Friday, April 19th 2013

"Heh. If detectives aren't just the most hilarious creatures to walk the earth."

"It's not that funny," Kazuha said to Kaito,who was running in step with her, "How many laps left?"

"I think Ms. Limpboring wants us to do five more," Kaito said, "This is why she is called boring."

Kazuha nodded in agreement. She had plenty of laps in her, but doing this many was just tedious. "You know, you can't laugh too much about it. I've spent today and yesterday listening to every imaginable insult for Saguru from Harley."

Kaito flashed a signature grin, "See? Isn't that wonderful?"

"You really don't like Saguru?" Kazuha said, trying to flip dark strands of hair from her face without slowing.

"He cuffed me to his arm."

"I thought Aoko did, too."

"She cuffed me to a theater chair," Kaito corrected, "It was different. She wanted me to have an alibi. Hakuba wanted to prove I was KID."

"Which you are."

"Which isn't the point."

Finally giving up, Kazuha's run turned to a quick walk while she retied the ribbon of her ponytail, "I just mean, it's his job."

"Give me a break," Kaito said, walking backwards while waiting, "He's a cocky bastard."

The gym teacher called, "Quick goofing around, Kuroba! Walk straight and take this seriously!" Being Turoba, Kaito opted to ignore her.

"He does seem pretty arrogant," Kazuha said.

"Hopefully he'll be busy trying to incriminate Jimmy instead of me for a while."

Kazuha broke back into a run. It took Kaito a moment to catch up.

"You shouldn't be so pleased to push your problems onto others," Kazuha said, over her shoulder.

"Jimmy never helped me," Kaito said, "Hakuba's not going to find any evidence."

"It would still be annoying."

"Really?" Kaito said, glancing around to find Jimmy, "He didn't seem to mind."

"Are you worried?" Kazuha asked, sounding amused, "I was teasing you. Jimmy seemed more concerned about the morals and standards of Sherlock Holmes."

"You're right," Kaito said, but he still stole another searching glance, "He's a funny guy like that, huh?"

"I was thinking 'weird,' but, sure, 'funny' works."

At least it wasn't Hakuba this time. . .

Rachel approached Kaito from her table, dragging Jimmy behind her.

"What's going on, Rachel?"

"My dad won free tickets to a Yoko concert," Rachel said, "I have to go keep an eye on him, so I'll miss the prom."

"Oh, uh, sorry," Kaito said.

"No, it's fine," Rachel said, waving her hand dismissively, "When I bought my ticket, they accidentally gave me a couple's ticket, anyway."

"Oh?" Kaito said, clearly confused.

"You and Jimmy are the only ones I know who don't have tickets, so I thought you two should go together."

Kaito choked.

"What!?" Jimmy spluttered.

Rachel crossed her arms, "If you sit inside all day reading, you'll turn into Dracula."

"I think he means, we're both guys," Kaito said in a strained voice. Color was creeping up his cheeks.

Rachel tilted her head, "It's the 21st century. I'm sure they'll let you in."

"Th-that's not really the point, Rach," Jimmy said, rubbing his neck and staring at the ground with wide eyes.

"It doesn't have to be an actual date," Rachel said, "Just go hang out."

"Still."

"I'm sure you two will have fun," Rachel handed a baffled Jimmy her ticket and returned to her table.

The boys looked at each other and both started laughing nervously.

"This shouldn't be awkward."

"Nope."

Saturday, April 20th 2013

"You went with the pink," Kaito announced to Kazuha, who already realized said information and looked irritated at the reminder.

"Oh, did you suggest pink?" Kazuha asked, brushing passed him.

Kaito trailed after her with a spring in his step.

"Why are you here, anyway?" Kazuha said, then brightened, "You're not on a date with that girl your crushing on, are you?"

"Not exactly," Kaito said, pulling at his tie, "I would prefer not to go into the details."

"We better go in, 'Zuha," Harley said, who felt somewhat overlooked and was wondering what he was even doing there.

"Okay!" Kazuha said, failing to keep any amount of excitement from her voice, "See ya, Kaito."

Glittering gold stars flashed against the black and purple papers covering the walls. Silver streamers dangled like moonlit icicles in the dim light. Kazuha and Harley floundered around punch bowl.

"So, um, do you think we should dance?" Kazuha asked, fiddling with her third-time emptied glass.

Harley shuffled his foot into the ground, "Wh-why would you say that?"

"It's kind of what you do when you're at a dance. . ."

"Oh, yeah, um," Harley coughed into his hand, "I mean, okay."

"If going with me that's bad. . ." Kazuha started, but Harley shook his head.

"I didn't have anything else to do, anyway," Harley said, looking away. He swallowed, then held out his hand, "You wanna dance, right?"

Kazuha hesitated.

"What?"

"It's just. . . Nothing." She took Harley's hand and pulled him to the dance floor.

They started dancing in an awkward restrained movement. A slow song beat in the background. Kazuha moved closer, her face hot. Were Harley's hands shaking or was it her hands? She couldn't tell. Taking a deep breath, Kazuha tried to drown her nerves in the sound of music. The song was just so damn sappy, though. She couldn't look at Harley's face. What if he was annoyed or disgusted?

"Kazuha?" Perplexed.

"Yeah?" Kazuha forced herself not to squeak.

"Are you-?"

"I'm okay," Kazuha whispered. Of course she was. She was safe with Harley.

"You seem. . ."

Kazuha smiled and leaned against Harley's chest, feeling the movements to the dance come more smoothly.

"Kazuha. . ?" Harley said in a surprised whisper.

"I'm okay," Kazuha repeated. She could hear Harley's heart beat fast. She closed her eyes and listened as they moved in circles. Harley's heart slowed and his grip on her hand became more certain. She realized the song had slipped away and a different one was playing, but she kept dancing; feeling secure.

Then Harley's phone rang.

Harley removed himself and flipped open his phone, "Yeah?"

"H-Harley. . !" Kazuha said, somewhat weakly.

"What?!" Harley said into his phone, "Yeah, we'll be right there." He hung up and turned back to Kazuha, "I have to go. The police are stuck on another case."

"No way," Kazuha said, "You can't just go."

"Sorry," Harley shrugged.

"Fine," Kazuha sighed, "I'll go with you."

"Forget it," he said, shaking his head, "There's no point. You may as well stay here."

"What do you mean there's no point?" she asked.

"Face it," Harley said, "You're useless on cases."

"What?"

"Look, I have to go find Kudo."

"Okay!" Kazuha said, failing to keep any amount of excitement from her voice, "See ya, Kaito."

"Yeah, see you, Watson," Kaito said, although he was 99% sure she couldn't hear him. He smiled. At last, Kazuha had her detective. Now, he just had to find that other detective and enjoy a long, awkward night. He scanned the crowd, looking beyond poofy dresses. He found Jimmy as neatly groomed as ever.

"Hey, Jimmy," he called, weaving through people (and their crazy long dresses).

"Hello, Kaito," Jimmy nodded, as Kaito joined him.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Pretty much," Jimmy said. He smiled a funny, lopsided smile.

Jimmy and Kaito found themselves spread out at a table in silence. Kaito glanced at Jimmy. He seemed to be lost in thought. Kaito fiddled with his fingers.

"Hey, Jimmy?"

"Yeah?" the detective looked up at Kaito, a little surprised.

"Ur. . ." Great. How was he supposed to phrase this without sounding suspicious? "Sorry about Saguru. He usually accuses me of being KID."

"Heh," Jimmy smiled, "Why are you apologizing?

Kaito shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not the worst insult, anyway," Jimmy said, thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?"

"KID is. . ." Jimmy paused, "For lack of a better word, genius."

"Oh." Kaito turned around, so Jimmy couldn't see the embarrassment on his face.

"He's evaded the police a long time, and really, it's kind of nice to have some competition that won't harm anyone," Jimmy said, "Besides, I can't really see KID as a bad guy. His policy is 'no one gets hurt.'"

Noticing Kaito's odd behavior, he added, "I guess, as a detective, I shouldn't say that."

"No, it's fine," Kaito turned back to Jimmy quickly, "I'm a bit pro-KID."

"It's funny, that grin of yours kind of reminds-" Jimmy stopped himself, shaking his head, "No, that's silly. Never mind."

Was it Kaito's imagination or was Jimmy's face dusted pink?

"Hey, Kudo!" Harley ran to their table, "Some lady just got murdered and the police are clueless, again."

Jimmy looked at Kaito apologetically, "Sorry, I have to go."

"Sure, later."

As Harley and Jimmy exited together, Kazuha took a seat beside Kaito. She looked flustered and boiling with anger.

"Are you okay, Zu?"

She swallowed hard, "I'll show him useless."

"Uh, okay."

She locked eyes with Kaito, intensity in her green eyes, "I'm helping with your next heist."

Kaito shook his head in disbelief, "What?"

"You said I would make a good phantom thief, right?"

"But-"

"You think I'll just get in the way?"

"No," Kaito said, still shaking his head, "It's just that it's dangerous and I was under the impression you were law-abiding."

"I can take some danger," Kazuha said, determination fierce.

"It's more dangerous than you know. . ." Kaito said.

"I'm not stupid," Kazuha said, "I know the risk of stealing."

"No, you don't know the whole story," Kaito said, quietly.

"Well, then?" Kazuha said, leaning intimidatingly over Kaito.

"I guess, I have no choice but to tell you. This could take a while."

*Random name. Don't try to find out who that is. You will fail. It will suck.

** I was originally under the impression 'Hakuba' was his first name. I am but an ignorant American; forgive me!

*** Opinions of Saguru Hakuba (or any other character) are not necessarily shared or indorsed by author. Thank you.

**** I actually have no idea what Jimmy Kudo's blood type is and shall not be testifying in court.

***** I've never really read the Sherlock Holmes series and, again, would like to keep court out of the whole mess. If you are a Holmes fan, feel free to correct any mistakes I made there. I was going completely on hearsay.