Chapter Text
Shinichi feels grateful for the poker face he has managed to cultivate over years of acting and lessons under Vermouth’s tutelage. He bites the inside of his cheek, ignoring all pairs of eyes on him as he forces his expression to be relaxed. Looking down at his notebook and back towards the board, he decides that this lesson is, unfortunately, not worth his time. And it’s nothing again the teacher! Being a child actor has its perks, one of which being on-set lessons; he already knows all of this. But for the sake of appearances, he pretends to jot down some notes, not wanting to look as though he thinks he’s above attending school.
He glances towards the clock, noting that class will end soon. And it’s the last class of the day! Shinichi had utilized the lunch break to his advantage, requesting that his classmates respect his privacy and do not attempt to follow him home. To accommodate this request, the teacher and principal decided that Shinichi could afford to leave the last class a few minutes earlier than his peers so he could get ready and leave sooner. Then, if anyone did need to go home in the same direction as him, he’d have a head start and they might be none the wiser.
Of course, Shinichi realizes that curious folks and stalkers will always be a concern for him, unfortunately. Begrudgingly, he admits that asking Vermouth for tips on avoiding attention might be helpful…
Speaking of attention, he can sense a very specific pair of eyes on him—one which belongs to the boy in the seat next to him. From the start, he had felt an air of disdain towards him from the other. Not a fan, perhaps?
Shinichi bites back a sigh, wishing that filming would begin soon so he didn’t need to stay as long as he had to. And as the teacher drones on, he recalls the text he had received the night of the Kaitō Kid heist. After school, he would need to make his way to the given address. There was something about the address that had been familiar, but he just couldn't place it despite the little feeling scratching at his brain! When he plugged it into the navigation app, he found it belonged to a place called Poirot Café in Beika. Due to its location, he resolved to first return to his apartment to change into a more inconspicuous outfit in case he were to run into an old classmate.
“Not a big fan of people?” pipes up a voice, startling Shinichi.
“If anything,” Shinichi starts, “I’m not a big fan of being stalked. You realize this constitutes stalking, yes?”
He stops walking to turn around to confront the other. It’s the classmate he was made to sit next to. Shinichi looks behind the other and relaxes minutely seeing none of their other classmates. With suspicion, he surveys his new classmate, unsure of what to think.
“Or maybe I go this way to get home and I just happened to see you in the distance and decided to catch up with you,” says the other, cheerfully. “So, I never got to properly introduce myself—you know, with you being so busy greeting your adoring fans during lunch and break. I’m Kuroba Kaito, magician extraordinaire at your service!”
With a puff of smoke, Kuroba conjures a white rose, which he holds out to Shinichi. Arching one brow, the latter looks at it and back to Kuroba’s face. That name… hearing it again sets something off in his head.
“Any relation to Kuroba Tōichi?”
He recalls this name distantly—both his mother and Vermouth have sung the man’s praises, citing that he had taught them the art of disguise and the secret to the incredibly realistic masks that they utilize. Vermouth had spent a great deal of time teaching him the secrets as well so that he may have more success in his missions. Unfortunately, he’s nowhere near her level and prefers to only use a special putty to add subtle changes to his real features.
Kuroba looks surprised, likely not having expected to hear that name be mentioned. “My father,” answers Kuroba, quietly, his voice somewhat more subdued than it had been. “How’d you know?”
Shinichi winces internally, remembering only now that Vermouth had mentioned the man passing away years before. Feeling a bit regretful, he replies, “I never knew him, but Kāsan did.” He refuses to acknowledge Vermouth out loud. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.” Kuroba sounds a little confused and sad, but this quickly melts away when he says, “So, what are you doing in Ekoda anyway? I thought your family owned a huge mansion in another district.”
Only somewhat bewildered by the sudden switch, he answers back with, “I’m not sure how that’s your business.” Shinichi’s eye twitches. He just wants to get over to that café and then climb in bed and retire—maybe with a glass of wine. He’s forgotten how exhausting in-person school can be. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but is your home actually this way?”
The beat of silence is telling enough. If Shinichi weren’t policing his own action out of worry for unnecessary scandals and rumors, he would consider releasing the frustrated sigh that’s building up. He really needs to get back to his apartment to change—and fast. And if Kuroba’s home isn’t actually this way, he’d prefer for the other to leave so he doesn’t risk his address going public just yet.
“Nope!” Kuroba says, much too cheerfully. “I just wanted to be nosy, is all. But I see where you’re coming from; this is rather creepy, isn’t it?”
“I’m not sure how you want me to respond to that,” Shinichi deadpans.
Instead of answering, Kuroba holds out the flower once more. Perhaps it’s against his better judgment, but Shinichi takes it, tentatively. And, with that, Kuroba turns and heads off.
“See you at school, Kudō!”