This chapter features Kaito being a bully, a small celebration of our boi's bday (sorry I had planned on posting it on May 4th but it took so long to write)
and finally Shinichi getting SERIOUS.

Notes:

THIS IS A CHAPTER SPECIAL
THATS WHY ITS 3000 WORDS LONGG

I had planned on having bday chapter to be as side story but then I said 'nah' just compose it into the plot. I was going to make Shinichi's present a jewel but I was like nah, their relationship is still forming.. so yeah
A book it was. And I wanted to throw in the trope of Shinichi actually not being a dense idiot but he just likes analysing a lot. CUZ he's a detective. Ok, Imma shut up.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Prepare for maybe grammar errors and bad habit of switching between past and present. MA BAD.

It was late afternoon, and Kaito was having a shitty day. Everything he had wanted to buy for this specific occasion was out of stock. By the time he had arrived at the bakery, there were hardly any adequate cakes remaining except for a cheap-looking single-tier vanilla sponge with a mediocre handwritten 'Happy birthday' scrawled in the core. At least the owner was generous enough to add strawberries, and whipped cream to bring it that celebratory colour and freshness. Better than going back empty-handed, the man grimaced. Kaito wistfully paid; somewhat choking when he saw the price. It cost a whopping JP¥2746.

The cake looked like it was going to collapse apart in any minute and the mere thought of that was putting Kaito on edge. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there. Some asshole decided that he needed to purchase the last five boxes of fireworks—what a selfish prick. Kaito groaned; there went his romantic idea of watching fireworks with his detective. So, to pretty much sum things up. It had been a shitty day indeed.

Kaito gawked at his frozen iPhone screen with disdain. Why the fuck did have to act up now? He shook the device. All his plans and everything else that was essential was stored there—even the directions to the book store. Kaito's scowl grew when the screen blinked before going blank. You got to be kidding me. He tapped on the screen. One. Then twice.

"Useless piece of trash", the man muttered, shoving the dead device into his pocket. Alas, optimism still lingering upon, through the form of faint footsteps and a walking stick tapping on the concrete rhythmically.
The man glanced sideways. An older woman was approaching. Should he ask her for help? Meh, just go for it.

"Excuse me, Madam," Kaito called out; plastering a fraudulent smile on his lips. He hoped the expression would be enough to hide his stressful demeanour. The lady paused; giving Kaito an up and down look. It was apparent she was wary of him. Kaito kept his toothy smile on as he took his hands out of his pockets, shaking them. See? I'm a harmless guy.

The trick worked. The lady's shoulders loosened, and she even threw a little smile his way as she grunty replied, "How can I help you, young man?".

Raking a hand through his messy hair, Kaito moved closer. The look of scepticism was still there. He acted like he doesn't see it.
"Do you know by any chance where the nearest book store is?".

At the question, the lady's face brightens up like a light bulb. Kaito doesn't think much of it except the impression maybe she's an avid book lover herself.

"If I recall..."
The lady's face scrunches up, revealing her forehead wrinkles. Kaito studied the expression of her thinking face. Were it not for the lines on her face he'd have considered her sixty at the most given her sharp mind and natural motion. She brushes a strand of her wispy, grey hair aside.

"Yes, I know where it is."

The woman hobbles halfway, her gait somewhat wonky. "It's a few shops down. It has a stand of trays filled with books so you shouldn't miss it", the lady continued her description. Kaito nodded in acknowledgment.

Oh, he was so close.

" Thank you so much Madam", Kaito chirped gleefully; dipping his head before passing her a single, trimmed red rose he had magically conjugated up. The woman's lips morphed into the shape of an 'o'.

"Oh my! What a beautiful flower!", she exclaimed, accepting the token."How did you-?"
"Kaito simply winked. The lady let out a musical, wheezy laugh, understanding the meaning.

"I'll let you be on your way then".

Kaito bowed again, allowing her to past him.

Once she was out his line of view, the man heaved a weary sigh before continuing his sortie.

Kaito did end up finding the book store. The store was wedged between two taller buildings. If it weren't for the nebulous description of the trays outside, Kaito would have strolled past out of absent-mindedness. The man marched to the door and pushed. He found himself in a room decorated with dust-covered shelves and a red-carpeted floor. About six other people were exploring the shelves; most of them looked like they were about to drop dead. Understandable. The place's atmosphere wasn't all that gratifying.

"Welcome", the manageable greeting came from the clerk behind the counter. Shuffling forward, Kaito decided he would hunt for the fancied book Shinichi had been continuously discussing before relying on someone else's help.

His detective had said this book was a limited edition copy of his favourite author, meaning it would be arduous to find. Kaito scoffed to himself; he was up to the challenge. And if he were successful, did it would mean he would be able to observe Shinichi reading comfortably on his sofa, with that dainty expression and the weird habit he does when turning the pages? Let's say yes to that.

After scouting the shelves for what felt like 30 minutes, Kaito was in luck. The red-covered book with a shimmering golden inscription was buried in the far corner shelf that Kaito hasn't thought to check out. The man breathed a 'teehee' backed up with glee as he readily stretched out, unhesitant to remove it.

His fingers had touched the spine when out of nowhere; another hairy hand grasped the bottom. The smile on the Kaito's lips vapoured in an instant. In its place was a deep frown. Kaito elevated his head up, meeting a harsh glare belonging to a middle-aged man dressed in a shoddy suit.

"I had my hand on it first", the man declared in a way too childlike manner. Kaito raised a brow; his grip tightening on the book's spine. The action doesn't go unnoticed by the other man who scowls. Irritation sparked in his eyes.

"Didn't you hear me?". He advanced closer.

Kaito stood up, not for the man's sake but merely for his knees that were beginning to feel sore.
He ran his hand through his messy, brown hair three times in quick succession.

"Yeah I heard ya", Kaito grumbled, his eyes falling on the other. The man's perspiring face was annoying him. He didn't have time to deal with these types of people.

"Then can you take your hand off?".
A small laugh escaped Kaito's lips, "And if I don't?"
Kaito's answer resulted in the man's chest puffing up. The display reminded Kaito of those ugly fishy things that have spikes on them. What were they called again? Oh yeah.

"Are you trying to be a pufferfish?" Kaito taunted, beaming when the man's face goes red, almost the identical shade of the rose he had given to the old lady.

"Are you insulting me you little shit?".
Kaito smirks intensifies.

"You don't even look like the type of person to read so why the hell you here?"

Kaito calmly blinked.

"Bold of you to assume I'm gonna be the one to read this", Kaito gestured to the book for significance. The man grunted in evident dissatisfaction.

"Well then, tell whoever you're running an errand for, tell them, I'm buying the book".
Kaito shook his head. "I afraid I cannot do that since I believe I need the book more than you."

The man gritted his teeth; edging closer until he was looming over Kaito like a wall—a wall asking to be knocked down.

"Give me your fucking reason", he gnarred, all up in Kaito's personal space. The other man sighed loudly. He could feel a splitting headache rising.
"You see, it's my friend's birthday today, and he's being wanting this book for ages-"

"I don't give a shit", the man rejoined abruptly; shoving Kaito back. The shove was forceful enough for Kaito to lose his grip on the book and to his horror; watched the older man haul the item out of the shelf with no reverence.

"Hold up a minute; you didn't give me your reason!" Kaito rebuked, recomposing himself.

The man took his sweet time to tuck the oh so valuable book under his sweaty armpit. It was a revolting sight to witness.

"My reason?" the man simpered. "This is a trend these days among my other fellow workers. Of course, when they lose interest, I'm going to throw-"

At that moment, Kaito's patience snapped. He couldn't care less about the man trying to promote his image and not look like a pitful loser in front of his peers. But if the man thought Kaito was going to let him get away with discarding the book like trash, then he had another thing coming.
His dear Shinichi had been searching for it for months.

It was as clear as day on who should acquire the book.

"Hand it over", Kaito snarled darkly, his eyes becoming animalistic. The man pursed his lips and spat. His spit landed on Kaito's cheek.

"I told you my reason! Didn't you-"

Without wiping the spit from his face, the younger man leant closer, entirely composed and uttered just four words, "I don't fucking care."

And without letting a man say a word, Katio dived; hurling a punch into the man's stomach. A sharp groan left the worker's lips as he hunched over in shock, his eyes stretched to the point Kaito could see the pupil's whiteness.

"That fucking hurt!", the man yowled like a whiny toddler; he was still clutching his stomach as he made a futile attempt to stand. Kaito cocked his head to the side, a sneer playing on his lips.

"Of course it's going to hurt, you stupid old man. Have you never been punched before?". An audible groan was all the befallen individual could muster. Realizing his opponent could no longer provoke any more arguments, Kaito ambled past with a trace of mirth in his steps.

"I'll be taking this", Kaito chortled, palpable delight written all over his face, as he scooped up the book in a single motion. The man began spouting vulgar curses, none which were taken to heart. Kaito stood there as still as a corpse and just as pallid, unblinking against the other's assault. Then with a barely concealed grin, he turned on his heels and walked away as if he hasn't noticed the man at all.

"Get back here, you little shit! You're going to pay for this big time!" the man's continuous tantrum never reached the other's ears.

Kaito settled the book on the wooden counter with ease and grace; conscious of the store assistant's apprehensive out of focus gaze. Kaito leaned over the edge.

"Can I pay?", the question drew the fazed assistant back to existence. It took the young teen a second to comprehend he had a customer.

"A-Ah, yes!", came the stuttered reply. The boy's movements were jerky and unnatural as he moved about, indicating he's had little experience in this profession. The price popped up on the screen.

"Uh, that will be JP¥3946".

Kaito felt his credit card weep a little. Nevertheless, he handed his credit card over involuntarily—the things people do for the sake of love.

"Have a nice day, sir", the teen expressed the greeting in a robotic pitch.

Fuck the 'nice day' slogan.

Kaito could only pray his struggles of today's mission would be enough to impress.

It was late evening by the time Kaito made it back to his residence, and by that point, he was surprised he hasn't dropped dead yet. Arriving at the penthouse door, Kaito wondered whether his nose was sensing the wrong smell. He smelt something burning. His doubts were confirmed when he noticed a grey haze seeping out from under the door's crack.
Kaito gulped; inserting the key and turning it.

Peering inside, Kaito struggled to breathe as he manages to spot the detective near the stove area, wafting about the kitchen like a bird. An air conditioning sheet in each hand.

"You should try opening the windows", Kaito advised, making his presence known. Shinichi whipped around, a startled expression painted on his face. The sheets float to the floor.

"Kaito!" the detective asserted in a tone mixed with merriment and something else Kaito couldn't quite pinpoint. The owner boldly walked into the room, analyzing the site.

Shinichi convulsed out an awkward chortle.
"I tried to cook...something since I didn't know when you would be back..", the detective trailed off; deciding he didn't have the fortitude to say anymore; instead closes his mouth and proceeds to cleaning up. Sorrowfully, the man misses the ghostly smile that was tugging on Kaito's lips.

"That's ok. I brought us a cake."

"Oh, nice", the response is lukewarm.

"I also have something to give you".

This comment grabbed Shinichi's attention. The detective paused to send an inquisitive look.

"What is it?"

Kaito brought his index finger to his lips. "You will find when we go to the rooftop." Shinichi's eyes widened slightly.

"You have a rooftop?". Kaito ducked his head into an enthusiastic nod.

"You can go ahead and check it out while I clean everything up here."

Shinichi suspiciously eyed that animated expression. "What makes you think I won't run away?"

Kaito was very suddenly smiling. "Curiosity will get the best of you, detective." Shinichi couldn't help but feel charmed by the fond smile bestowed upon him.

Heh, the criminal was accurate on that, Shinichi admitted to himself. He may as well trust the offer.

"Ok, I'll go." Shinichi took a few hurried strides across the room. "But don't come complaining to me once you see the mess I've made".

Folding his arms across his chest, Kaito struck a presumptuous stance. "I rest assure you, darling. I won't utter a single objection".

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

Night had fallen fast upon the city. Frigid air swirled around Shinichi taking every lick of warmth it could. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself, pulling his coat closed and tucking his chin down into his pullover.
He watched in taciturnity, the different coloured lights flashing below. Tiny vehicles rushing along tangled lines of streets creating twisting threads of dots - they all intertwined together in a magnificent mess. It wasn't that hard, for Shinichi to detect the thief's presence as the man's footsteps could be heard trudging up the stairs.

"Sorry to keep you waiting", Kaito's silky voice broke in from behind, his faltering steps drawing closer. Shinichi's head swivelled; eyes enlarging when they landed on a candlelit sponge cake resting in Kaito's hands. The cake, no doubt, had a hellish story to tell, with its sides mushed in and the cream dripping off.

Kaito let out a feeble chuckle.

"I promise you; it did look better before I carelessly dumped it in the middle of the hallway", the man protested, setting the cake on the flat surface of the roof's edge. Shinichi merely nodded. He still couldn't grasp the full meaning of the whole celebratory attitude.

"What's the occasion?"

Kaito, chin on his hand, looked at Shinichi with an amused expression. "I was hoping you would already know the answer to that, detective."

Shinichi blinked at the unexpected answer, his lips forming a frown.
Seeing Shinichi still looking a little perplexed at his response, Kaito snapped his fingers, and out of thin air, appeared a wrapped up book in front of the detective's eyes, which he luckily caught.

Shinichi's eyes moved up from the book to Kaito's face, back to the book.
When Kaito motioned for the detective to unwrap it, Shinichi obliged. A white card pictured with an all too familiar black doodle and neat handwriting next to it was the first thing to meet the detective's startled eyes.

"O-Oh, it's my birthday..". Shinichi wanted to smack himself, mentally. Kaito let out a pleasant laugh, which was way too distracting for the detective.

"I can't believe you forgot your own anniversary".
Shinichi pouted, pretending he didn't at all find the man's laugh attractive. "Shut up.," Shinichi mumbled, playfully punching the other's shoulder lightly. Still snickering at the revelation, Katio poked at the half- unwrapped up gift.

"You still haven't gotten to the best part", the man teased as Shinichi rolled his eyes. "I'm getting there, you impatient outlaw".

When all the paper had finally been ripped off, Shinichi turned the item over in his hands, letting his eyes roam freely. He raised his eyes to Kaito, who had that look in his eye, caught between pride and fear of rejection. Before Kaito could speak, Shinichi's lips broke into the most genuine smile, Kaito had ever gotten out from the other man.

"I don't know how you managed to your hands on this book or the fact you knew it was my birthday". Shinichi's gaze moves to meet Kaito's own.
"Unless you being doing excessive research on me..."

Kaito almost sweatdropped when he heard that. Instead, he breathed out a playful chuckle. Best not to tell the other man about his collection of I-know-almost-everything about-you books stored in his bedroom.
"But all I can say is...." Shinichi trailed off, his eyes settling back on the item that had gained his dutiful attention. Kaito hated to admit; he wished he was that book right now.

"Thank you... this is probably the best birthday gift someone had given me", Shinichi finished, a docile smile gracing his beautiful face. Kaito flushed a little and started nibbling on a strawberry. Ugh, it tasted dull. He plopped the half-eaten fruit back onto the cake.

"I'm glad to hear that. I do have to admit, it was a little difficult to find," a gentle smile escaped the thief's lips. His voice becoming quiet and faraway.

"Though, after seeing you smile like that, I guess it was worth it". Kaito muttered composedly, audible enough to be heard. Shinichi stared at the man silently, observing.

There was it again—the sense of yearning in the man's voice. During the first day of the abduction, Shinichi thought he had imagined it, thinking it was part of man's flirtatious behaviour. Yet, he soon realized he was wrong. The emotion was definitely targeted at him. Which is why now a
single question was hanging on the tip of Shinichi's tongue. Should he ask?

In the end, the detective gave in.

"Kaito, do you like me?"

Thank you for reading! See you!