TW:  Mentions of PTSD mainly for Shinichi, because the poor man definitely has it. And I'm sure he's just been putting up a brave facade. 

A/N: Plus Kaito's possessiveness really shines here. 

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Shinichi couldn't say he hadn't had his fair share of mishaps and crazy-ass moments throughout his years as a detective. If asked what the most noteworthy of them are, he'd list 'being turned into a child due to some mysterious drug for most of his teenage years as number one.

He could understand why people might wonder why he continued to commit to such a job. Shinichi proudly said that he enjoyed the thrill of finding the truth behind mysteries and solving cases like a diabolical puzzle.

The only downside of this profession is that bad luck somehow manages to catch up to him for some reason. And by this, he meant attracting dead bodies to a non-existent crime scene or even getting kidnapped numerous times, much to the detective's chagrin.

So, Hip hop, hooray, Shinichi thought sarcastically to himself as he regained consciousness—bound to the chair in a room with nothing else, his hands and feet immobilised. He shuddered at the feel of cold metal pressing into his arms and legs as he shifted forward. His head ached from whatever knocked him out, and he stifled a groan as he tried to move his limbs forward. The awful metallic taste tingled his tongue.

And, of course, his eyes were blindfolded, and his mouth gagged. Straining his hearing, the detective could hear the muffled sounds of voices around him. He doesn't recognise them. The detective became alert as he heard footsteps approaching. The footsteps were light and precise, but Shinichi felt a sense of fear clawing his stomach.

The sound abruptly ceased just as it reached him. The sudden cessation causes the detective's heart to race even faster, to the point where he fears he might suffer a heart attack.

The blindfold got seized as the fingers yanked roughly, the person showing little care in Shinichi's agonising whimper as the fabric rubbed over a wound spot. He heard the cloth drop onto the ground, making Shinichi realise how bare he felt without it.

A hot breath tickled his face, causing him to shiver at the sudden intrusion. The man tried to put as much distance as possible, but the person must have read his mind as a hand enveloped Shinichi's jawline, fingers digging into his cheekbones. The motion will leave bruising around both sides of his face.

An unburied memory flared up in the detective's mind—a dreaded sense of deja-vu.

"I know your eyes work, Kudo Shinichi," a deep voice reverberated in his ear, breaking the eerie atmosphere. Shinichi's eyelids squeezed tighter. The grip tightened.

Shinichi chanted frantically in his head, repeating, "It's just a dream," yet the illusion is swiftly crushed when something sharp cuts into his neck. The edge sinks deeper until crimson blood bubbles out from the wound.

"Open your eyes".

It's not a request; it's a warning. The blade sank into his flesh, and the cold steel touch chilled him to the bone.

Shinichi's eyes snapped open, and he gasped out a choked wail.

He hesitated to face his assailant, and his heart dropped when he saw who it was.

"Gin..." Shinichi whispered in disbelief, his eyes widening in horror.

The silver-haired member of the Black Organization sneered at him, his expression cold and ruthless. "Long time no see, Kudo Shinichi," he articulated, his voice dripping with venom.

Shinichi gritted his teeth, trying to keep from crumbling to pieces from the fear stolen over him. "What is it you want?" he gritted out, voice trembling only slightly.

The man took another lean forward, an inferno of rage and loathing in his gaze.

"To finish this duel once and for all - and there's no escape from me this time," he whispered with a sinister smirk on his lips.

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Hakuba couldn't recall where he read about how sitting in the darkness eases one's overwrought mind, but it worked. The detective's gaze absently drifted to the ceiling. Though he knew he should rouse himself and join the rest of the team, crippling tiredness kept him motionless in the darkness.

Hakuba breathed in deeply, trying to clear his thoughts. But no matter how much he shook his head, only one name ever

surfaced—Kaito Kuroba.

The man that had been missing for so long, his high school friend Aoko's desperate plea echoing through his mind. He remembered her tear-streaked face, trembling hands cold from the night when she arrived on his doorstep one evening. Unable to no longer witness his friend's sorrow, Hakuba opened his door without hesitation and welcomed her inside.

It was that night he learnt how Kaito never came back home. He learnt about the funeral. He tried telling her at first that it was just typical behaviour, a norm that belonged to Kaito's character. They both knew he could be childish. Unfortunately, Hakuba's answer only made Aoko's saddened expression worse.

"He's not coming back this time", she sniffed between tears. Hakuba grabbed her a tissue.

Aoko hurriedly wiped her tears and let out a hiccuping laugh devoid of enthusiasm or happiness - just despair.

"How can you be so sure?"

Hakuba had been thinking aloud and regretted it when Aoko lifted her head to look at him with fresh tears in her eyes.

"I could just tell."

Hakuba reclined back on his sofa, trying to make sense of everything.

"Do you want me to look for him?" The question was out of his mouth before he had time to think about it, but Aoko didn't seem shocked by the suggestion as much as relieved she had someone else she could turn to ask for help.

He quickly tried to bury his suggestion, misreading her speechlessness. He went along of lines of saying, "I mean, I'm sure other people can help look for him".

"I don't know anyone else I can turn to." He had wanted to point out her father was part of law enforcement-he could have better luck finding the missing man than Hakuba would-but Aoko beat him to it.

"Dad is still obsessed with Kid".

Hakuba chortled softly at the statement.

"Kaito is Kid".

The pair's soothing laughter hovered in the room—a moment of serenity.

"So, will you?"

She won't forget her reason for visiting.

Aoko's eyes were large when she glanced at him—wet eyelashes framing those dark orbs ripe with grief and feelings.

How could he refuse when she looked at him with heartbreaking anguish?

Hakuba shuffled in his seat, pretending he was thinking about it.

So he gave her a diminutive smile and said, "I will try my best to look for him".

And Aoko embraced him tightly around his neck, almost strangling him with gratitude as she repeated endless thankfulness under her breath. Her words tickled Hakuba's cheeks as he closed his eyes.

The crackling radio static of the walkie-talkie drew Hakuba back to the heartbreaking present of reality.

Haibara's voice hollered over the white noise.

"Is anyone there?" the little scientist's voice called out.

He wanted to ignore her, or better yet, pretend she didn't exist momentarily. Since she was the one who decided to withhold the truth about Kaito's real identity, when she continued to call out, he realised she might alert the gunmen if he hadn't heard them coming from deeper in the warehouse and was eager for another round. Hakuba sighed profoundly and finally pressed the button on the walkie-talkie. "Yes, it's me," he replied in a monotone voice.

"Hakuba-san! Are you alright?" came the concerned tone. Hakuba bit back a witty reply. Being alright was an understatement.

"Yeah, I'm fine", he fibbed, adjusting his position.

"Is K-san still with you?"

Hakuba felt something inside of him snap.

"When were you planning on telling me?" his voice had become faint, almost like an innuendo.

Despite not seeing her in person, Hakuba could imagine the perplexed expression on the girl's face.

"What are you—"

"K-san is Kaito Kuroba, also formerly Kaito Kid" Hakuba's patience had worn thin. When no one answered, he thought the scientist had hung up on him; the sound of paper rustling said otherwise.

"He's not with you, is he?" Haibara's question was strangely uneven, mixed with an emotion Hakuba couldn't put his finger on.

Hakuba switched the device into his other hand. "Nope. He practically threw me against a wall and went on his merry little way".

Haibara's voice grew tense. "You have to go after him".

Hakuba clicked his tongue. Definitely not happening.

"Why should I? He seems quite capable of handing himself", Hakuba muttered into the speaker. He had risen during the conversation, legs aching from crouching.

Haibara's voice crackled with urgency.

"Because I don't trust him myself! Even though I know he adores Kudo so much. As you said, he's unpredictable".

Haibara's speech trailed off.

"What if he takes Kudo away again?" her voice barely audible. On the other end of the line, Hakuba was rendered speechless.

Hearing Haibara sounds so scared and vulnerable for someone who's usually so confident in her skills. It meant Kaito was capable of doing so much worse. What Hakuba and Haibara experienced was merely a kid throwing a tantrum. Kaito had been holding back. Without Shinichi to calm the storm, Kaito was a ticking bomb ready to cause destruction.

"Fine", Hakuba finally said, massaging his forehead. "I'll track him down. But I need your help to do that, Haibara-san".

Fast-paced clicking of the keyboard and more paper being flipped about.

"He's already on the top floor".

Hakuba wasn't surprised to hear. He began trudging down the hallway. Each step feeling heavier than the last.

"Okay. I'm on my way."

There was a moment of quietness before Haibara spoke again.

"Be careful, Hakuba-san. And good luck".

Yeah. He was probably going to need it.

                                                          ------------------------------------------

As Hakuba slunk up the final step, it wasn't hard to miss the scores of bodies scattered across the corridor's floor and the entrance of the stairwell. Hakuba didn't need to rack his brain to know Kaito caused the obliteration. The detective took great care in treading around a few before he was confident they wouldn't spring up. He tried to pay no heed to the pools of blood seeping out. He almost gagged.

The detective kept his trembling fingers on his gun in case there were any surprises from earlier. To be frank, he was getting quite sick of getting jumped on. The upper floor was similar to other floors he had travelled upon. The walls were cracked and peeling, the floorboards creaked under his weight, and the air was thick with dust and decay.

Despite the familiar setting, a feeling that someone was watching him sent shivers along Hakuba's back.

The detective shuffled through each cobwebbed corner and dismal hallway, the only sound being the creaking of debris under the sole of the shoes. His gaze shifted from one lifeless body to the next.

As he passed the motionless bodies, a chilling suspicion crept into his mind that Kaito had laid this path for him to prove his presence. With each step, this suspicion grew more assertive.

A strangled sob punctuated the quietude of the night. Hakuba felt a jolt travel through his body, and in an instant, he had turned a corner and was approaching the sound of the noise.

His hand tightened on his handgun as he inched along the wall toward a single room at the end of the hall. Hakuba's breathing grew with each step until he stood at an ajar door.

He pushed it open wearily, peering inside. Hazel eyes widened at the sight before him.

A single streak of moonlight shone through the crumbling ceiling, casting a dim halo onto the figure. The illumination created a soft glow around the body's edge. The form was slumped with their legs bound, and a thin fabric clung to their face. Hakuba felt his breath get stuck in his throat.

He knew who this person was in front of him.

"Kudo!" Hakuba croaked out breathlessly, his eyes darting in all directions to ensure no one else was there. When it felt like he was the only one, the blonde haired rushed forward unsteadily. The man crumpled to his knees, levelling with the drooping detective's head.

Shinichi sat unmovingly, and Hakuba noticed a deep gash on the pale skin of his neck, still oozing blood—three lines, three separate cuts. It looked like someone had tried to cut his throat and failed. The injury looked recent. Most likely inflicted on the man before Hakuba's arrival.

Hakuba cautiously lifted Shinichi's head with trembling hands and adjusted it gently. A weak wail escaped from Shinichi's lips, and Hakuba breathed a sigh of relief at the sign that the detective was still hanging on with all his willpower.

"Kudo, can you hear me?"

Another moan answered his question.

Hakuba began carefully removing the cloth from Shinichi's face, revealing tear-stained eyes squeezed shut against the pain. When the detective felt the contact of Hakuba's fingers, he jolted back reflexively.

"It's okay, Kudo!" Hakuba implored, desperation dripping through his voice as Shinichi yanked against the bindings that held him to the chair. Hakuba's attempted comforting words hung in the air, reverberating around the room but not reaching Shinichi's ears.

Shinichi's thrashing grew more violent and frenzied, desperately trying to break free, until the chair lurched precariously to one side, threatening to flip over and send its captive crashing to the floor. Hakuba lunged, throwing both hands on the chair's side, stabilising the seat.

Exhaustion eventually overwhelmed Shinichi, and his efforts to escape waned. Hakuba had half loosened the ropes when he felt a boot slam into his ribcage with such ferocity, hurling Hakuba across the dusty ground like a rag doll. A distressed howl escaped his cracked lips.

Hakuba tumbled across the floor, face contorted with discomfort, blonde hair flying in all directions. Hakuba lay on the ground, his breath coming in short gasps as he struggled against the pain coursing through his body. He propped himself up on an unsteady elbow and looked up with a distressed expression, the sweat glistening on his brow.

What the fuck.

Hakuba's heart froze as the icy indigo eyes of Kaito met his, radiating a fiery rage that he had never before felt. He felt his body go limp in terror as he stared into a gaze filled with loathing and hot abhorrence.

The vigour of the moment was almost unbearable, Kaito's whole being an incinerating blaze that seemed to grow in strength continuously. Hakuba felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, threatening to topple over at any moment under the intensity of Kaito's glare.

"What—"

Kaito took a step forward.

A primal growl erupted from his throat, filled with barely suppressed rage and fierce possessiveness Hakuba didn't think the man could muster.

"Don't fucking lay a finger on Shinichi," Kaito snarled, his voice laced with a deadly warning.

Hakuba lay motionless, stunned at the aggressiveness directed his way.

"I was helping him!"

Kaito's dark frame loomed over Hakuba.

"That's my job!" Kaito hissed, his lips curled back. It was enough for Hakuba to witness pearly-white teeth.

"I'm the one who is supposed to be rescuing him. Not you. None of you," Kaito spat, his voice low and dangerous.

"He's mine."

Hakuba opened his mouth, but the words could not escape his lips. So, this is what Haibara meant. Not only was Kaito dangerous, but his feelings for Shinichi were terrifyingly strong. A cold sweat ran over Hakuba's skin.

This wasn't the Kaito Kuroba he knew. Gone was the supposed charming magician of their High school years, and in its place stood a man Hakuba could barely say he knew.

Along the way, Kaito must have discarded the black cap he wore when they first left the house, as now Hakuba could finally glimpse his former companion's features. The once-cheerful eyes were now clouded with a thick layer of indifference, and a solemn look replaced his vibrant smile.

Hakuba felt like he was staring at a stranger, unable to find any trace of the charismatic Kaito Kuroba he was accustomed to.

Hakuba's thoughts were interrupted by the hushed sounds of Kaito's soft murmurs as the man knelt before Shinichi, his movements smooth yet determined.

A dramatic switch-up to what Hakuba had witnessed. Clearly, Hakuba's existence had been forgotten in Kaito's mind.

The criminal's body was pressed cozily against the detective's torso. With one hand, Kaito gently undid the ropes that bound Shinichi's wrists. Kaito made everything look easy.

In the same motion, the criminal gently began rubbing circles against Shinichi's wrists and hands, easing away the rough rope fibre markings and restoring blood flow to the detective's limbs.

Hakuba didn't miss the slight shiver run down the back of Shinichi's neck as the criminal whispered quiet incentives in the man's ear. And when Kaito ran his fingers through Shinichi's hair, the detective's eyelids fluttered as he slowly relaxed into the touch.

As Kaito delicately worked on Shinichi's wrists, his slim fingers slowly massaging away the tenderness of the bruises. His lips moved with a feather-light touch, leaving a trail of soft kisses across Shinichi's skin. Hakuba felt a rush of warmth to his face as he lay there in awe. The scene was so intimate it almost seemed wrong for him to witness it.

Haibara's description of Kaito's ardent loyalty wasn't an exaggeration. Hakuba could see the adoration radiating from Kaito's every move; his intense protectiveness for Shinichi was evident in his every gesture.

Kaito's temperate contact was enough to cause Shinichi's eyelids to flutter open, revealing a pair of azure eyes that were hazy with confusion.

"Kaito?" Shinichi whispered scarcely above a breath as if trying to ensure he wasn't just imagining the person before him.

Kaito replied softly, reassuringly, "It's okay now. I'm here now." His fingertips tenderly skimmed against Shinichi's cheek, and the dreaded actualisation of what Shinichi had endured surfaced in broken sobs. The first sob was soft and feeble at first, like Shinichi wasn't used to expressing his emotions so candidly and not used to wearing his heart on his sleeve.

A lone tear escaped Shinichi's eye, rolling slowly down his pale cheek, its wake-like paint tracing a line on a canvas of white skin. It was the encouragement of Kaito's continuous touches that made Shinichi crack.

The sobs that followed were like an outburst of emotion from deep within, almost as if Shinichi had retained them for so long and was suddenly released from the heavy encumbrance. Shinichi's grip on Kaito constricted, slender fingers digging into the man's black shirt as if it were his sole connection to reality.

Straggling onto his feet, Hakuba continued watching as Kaito drew Shinichi closer, his arms girded around the detective in a protective embrace. The pain was still etched into every line of Shinichi's face. Perhaps it was for the best Kaito was there to comfort the man in a way Hakuba couldn't have.

After all, Hakuba wasn't the best person at handling emotional luggage.

Since Kaito was occupied with the detective, Hakuba took the initiative to share the good news with Haibara. Pressing down on the walkie-talkie, Hakuba waited until he heard the line getting connected.

"We found Kudo," he announced to the receiver without hesitation.

The relieved sigh from Haibara on the other end of the line was like a breath of fresh air.

"That's great!" she said, her tone tingling joyfully.

"And by 'we', I'm assuming Kaito is there too?"

When Hakuba didn't immediately respond, Haibara took it as a confirmation.

"What are they doing?"

Hakuba peeked at them, watching Kaito pull Shinichi close and plant another string of soft kisses against his forehead.

He cleared his throat awkwardly before replying, "Well...Kaito is just smothering him with kisses."

Haibara muttered something under her breath that he couldn't quite make out and asked, "Is Shinichi well enough to move?"

They were about to find out.

Shinichi's brows knitted together as he looked towards the doorway; his eyes were brimming with worry, and his voice trembled as he asked, "What about the two guards outside?"

Hakuba frowned. He hadn't seen anyone outside.

Kaito put a comforting hand on the detective's shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I got us covered," while nudging Shinichi to stand up.

Hakuba drilled Kaito a dubious glare and furrowed his eyebrows.

"What do you mean by that?"

The corners of Kaito's mouth pinched into an amused smile. A sign he wasn't going to elaborate.

"Hakuba, must you always worry?" The man said in a smooth velvet voice that bordered on mocking.

Hakuba huffed with absolute irritation and crossed his arms over his chest.

"As if I can relax around you."

Shinichi shot them a look as they conversed, showing interest, and Hakuba silently condemned Kudo and his sharp observation skills as the detective then asked, "Do you two know each other?" Hakuba raised one eyebrow in inquisitiveness, wondering how Kaito would respond. He had been waiting for this moment to see how well Kaito could spin the truth.

Kaito chuckled, his eyes twinkling whimsicality. "Oh, we know each other, alright. In fact, Hakuba and I go way back. You will be surprised to know we used to attend the same school. I pulled a lot of pranks on him all the time. Right, Hakuba?"

Hakuba blinked like a deer in headlights at Kaito. He hadn't expected Kaito to sincerely admit to knowing him. "Yes, that's correct," Hakuba stuttered, unsure about how to respond.

Shinichi's jaw dropped slightly as he heard the news, and his eyes broadened in disbelief. It was clear Shinichi was momentarily taken aback, but at least it gave them a brief armistice from their precarious situation.

Shinichi glanced sideways at Kaito, a sly smicker tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You really do have a thing for drawing in detectives," he said eventually.

Kaito appeared somewhat bashful at the remark and looked away, self-consciously scratching the back of his neck.

"Maybe," he replied. His voice was low and softened as he added, "But my eyes are only focused on you."

The two detectives went silent at the sappy reply, their gazes darting about the room. Shinichi felt his cheeks heat up and his ears red while Hakuba wished fervently that he could disappear beneath the floorboards.

A clattering clang came from somewhere in the warehouse, and the trio's face lit up with terror. The tell-tale sound of thundering feet against the concrete stairs echoed from below, making the trio stiffen as the approaching footsteps echoed off the warehouse's walls.

Kaito's fingers flew into his pocket and emerged with a small device that sparkled under the natural light. He clicked away at it, muttering curses under his breath as the two detectives watched on.

After a few tense moments, Kaito's eyes darted up and proclaimed,

"We got to go. Seems like they got bored of my little distractions."

Shinichi was the first to jump into action. However, it's not technically accurate to say that since the detective had only taken four decisive steps before his legs buckled, causing the man to fall. Kaito and Hakuba exchanged glances of alarm.

"My legs! I can't feel my legs!" the detective screamed, and it felt like a million knives pierced Kaito's heart. Kaito was at Shinichi's side instantly; Hakuba shadowed him.

They must have injected the detective with a drug to restrict his movements.

Kaito let the man sob into his shoulder, their hands firmly gripping each other. Kaito comforted his crying detective with barely concealed rage, his right hand supporting the detective's body and his left cradling the back of Shinichi's head.

"Hold on," Kaito said gruffly and before Shinichi could protest, Kaito lifted up Shinichi with all his might. With Kaito's strength, Shinichi was tightly ensconced against Kaito's chest, and Shinichi had clasped his arms around Kaito's collarbone for support.

Hakuba could only gape in marvel as Kaito carried Shinichi with ease.

Kaito's footsteps paused at the doorway, turning and arching an eyebrow back at Hakuba.

"You coming?" he drawled.

Hakuba's head bobbed as he stumbled forward, scurrying after the pair into the hallway.

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As they ran down the dimly lit hallway, the sound of footsteps grew louder until a group of men appeared at the end, blocking their escape route. Gunmetal glinted in the murky light, each one pointing straight at them.

Kaito felt Shinichi's body tense up, and indigo eyes followed the detective's eye to find them honing at a figure in the centre. Striking silver hair met the figure's waistline, but that wasn't what had Kaito's breath hitched. The unmistakable signature black fedora perched precariously atop his head. A few marks adorned its material, indicating the amount of abuse it had gotten through, along with its owner.

This man who Kaito thought he had distinguished back at his heist all those months ago was still alive. An unyielding nightmare for Shinichi and a warning to Kaito that this life-and-death game was far from over.

"I-It's Gin".

At the utterance of his name, Gin's lips twisted into a disturbing sneer full of malice and sadistic pleasure. He seemed to relish in the fear that was radiating off Shinichi. And it made Kaito's rage boil.

"I must admit you're little distractions. were almost successful, Mr Kaito Kid".

Hakuba couldn't believe Kaito could remain so smug in the face of danger.

"I assume that's a compliment which I will accept."

The thin line of Gin's lips snaked up into a snarl.

"Your vanity will be the death of you. And the detective, Kudo Shinichi."

Kaito retaliated with a belittled jeer to match Gin's own.

"Ah, how bold of you to assume we're the ones dying tonight.".

He had said the identical line back at the black organisation member at his heist, months ago.

"Having said that," Kaito spat out with disdain, "burn in hell, please."

At this point, Gin had enough of their banter, and with a snap of his fingers, guns cocked, and time seemed to stand still.

"We will see about that."

With another snap of his fingers, hell truly did break loose.

The roar of orange sparks and pellets whistled through the air as Kaito chucked down what Hakuba believed to be another smoke bomb, but instead, a radiant flash hit their eyes long before the force of the explosion knocked them off of their feet.

Kaito was fucking insane.

Debris flung into the air and shook the floor beneath them. Walls trembled. Hakuba's ears rang from the blast as he tried to find his bearings. Amidst the disarray, he felt Kaito's body crash into him, or was it, Shinichi; he couldn't tell, but the deja-vu feeling of getting shoved aside (again) out of the way as an unseen bullet pierced through the haze.

"Run!"

And Hakuba couldn't agree more.

Author's Extra Note:

Thank you so much for reading!! Buckle up because things are about to get more wild in the next few chapters as we race to the closing finale!

-Really wanted to draw focus immensely on Shinichi breaking down with PTSD scenes especially with his re-encounter with Gin again (as himself and not as Edogawa Conan). I wanted to show that despite Shinichi being a renowned detective, he is still human.And I am sure being shrunk into a body of child would have been a very traumatic experience. 

Hell, even his screams during the transforming Anime scenes are very painful to listen to. Seeing Gin again and knowing the Black organisation still exist is a bitter, constant reminder to Shinichi as his time as Conan. And I feel like we forget Shinichi was 16-17years old when he went through. And he had to hide his transformation every time.

And it's a well-known fact Shinichi struggles immensely to express his feelings even during confessing with Ran. So I would imagine when he comes back as Shinichi, he doesn't want to burden his friends with his experiences as Conan so he buries it. Maybe it slips out and here and there, sometimes with Ran as I know she would prob listen to him, but he doesn't really share it with anyone else. Until Kaito.

-Having Kaito appear in the that scene at that moment was intentional for Shinichi to realise he had someone there to comfort him. While Kaito may have not experienced the hardships of being stuck in the body of a child, he took on the mantle of Kaito Kid himself at the age of 16 years old and continuing his father's legacy as a criminal to find his fathers' killers. That takes a lot of guts. Hence, both these two have had their lives destroyed because these criminal organisations. And both have paid the price for it.

Technically what I'm trying to say is, Kaito's strong understanding (sorry Hakuba) of Shinichi's experiences is what brings them closer than ever in this chapter.

(Communication is the golden key to any relationship)