The next few days were anything but pleasant for Kaito. His mother chewed hard on the fact that she trusted her husband's killer so much. She would never have thought to see in him the destroyer of her happiness. But she was, as she had already proven several times, a strong personality and dealt with this fact with the help of her son and Jiis. And then he actually waited every day for Shinichi to get in touch. Hibarue Kuroba saw with sadness in his eyes that her son kept looking thoughtfully at the badge that Shinichi had given him. She knew him and she knew only too well that Kaito would not escape the detective's control. Nevertheless she spoke to him. She just couldn't help it.
"Isn't there any other option? Wouldn't Shinichi Kudo accept a different payment for his services after all? Wouldn't it be enough for him if the Kaito Kid disappeared forever, that is, if he didn't commit any more crime?"Her son slowly shook his head. "No! I don't think so! Shinichi is a justice fanatic. His morality just doesn't allow me to get away with it!"
Hibarue sighed. "But he does like you! You could be best of friends. In his own way, he's one of the few who are your match!"
Kaito nodded. "I know and we will be friends too, but he will not jump over his shadow for me. He will have me arrested, but then use all means at his disposal to ensure that the punishment is not too harsh!" He saw seriously. "And I don't want you to blame him for it. After all, it was my own decision that put me in this position and I already knew how he thinks. He would betray himself if he, just because he likes me, would act against his inner conviction. I can and will never ask that of him! "His mother nodded slightly. “I'll try to accept that, but it won't be easy for me!” She left Kaito's room and went into the kitchen to prepare something to eat.
Half an hour later, her son came down the stairs and went to her. One look in his face told her everything. “He got in touch?” It was more of a statement than a question.
"Yes!" Kaito nodded. "I'm supposed to come to his parents' villa at 10 o'clock tonight as the Kaito Kid. There will be visitors." He sighed. "I suppose it will be this Inspector Megure. After all, he's close friends with him!"
"Well! At least he's nice and will treat you well!" she tried to console herself a little. "She hugged her son." I know boys your age don't want to hear that, but I love you and I will always be by you! "
Kaito smiled sadly. "I know!" he whispered. "And it helps me a little now too!"

***

It was shortly before 10 o'clock when the Kaito Kid swung through a window on the first floor of the Villa Kudo, which had probably been left open especially invitingly for him.The meeting point was in the library, where they had met before. He thought for a moment, but then came to the conclusion that it would not suit him if he walked through the door so easily. If it was the last time, the Kaito Kid deserved a spellbinding appearance. He threw one of his lightning grenades and appeared on the other side of the room.
Two armchairs were occupied, as he had expected. Shinichi and a man looked at him in amusement. "You were right, Mr. Kudo!" laughed the older man, who, however, wasn't the Inspector Megure expected by Kaito. "He shows up like a real magician!"
"That was clear to me!" the detective smiled. "Anything else would not suit him. After all, he has a reputation to lose!"
The visitor to Shinichi quickly turned serious and gave Kaito Kid a very analyzing look. He felt like he was being x-rayed, but he was showing his poker face.Nobody should see how uncomfortable he felt. Finally the man nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes! I think your assessment is correct, Mr. Kudo! He would be the ideal cast!" Then he turned to Kaito Kid. "Listen to me. We are offering you a unique opportunity. You are the best thief we have in Japan and we could use your services!"
Kaito Kid showed astonishment after all. "My services? Who needs my services?" he asked.
"Our state!" smiled the man who didn't seem to need to introduce himself. "We offer you that your previous crimes would not result in any punishment. For this you will steal on our behalf in the future, but no one except us would know Agreement. But Mr. Kudo has assured me that you would certainly not have any problems escaping Inspector Nakamori any longer! "The thief was silent. He first had to deal with this new situation. After all, he had expected to be arrested here and now and first end up in prison and now he was offered a completely different route.
"How do you imagine that in detail? And what should I steal?" he then asked.
The man shrugged. "That depends on the case, but usually it is about some kind of documents from criminals and enemies of the state who commit their crimes under the guise of high-ranking and respected citizens. I would suggest that they then continue to pretend to steal some gem or other valuable item Then return them as usual. In reality, for example, to let the documents we are looking for go with you! "
Kaito threw a questioning look at Shinichi, who nodded at him with a friendly smile.
"And don't worry!" the detective interfered. "I would still be the only one who knew your true identity if you accepted.I think that's better because otherwise you could never make sure that nothing leaks through. You would get your orders from me, the completion and how you handle them would be your own business! "
Kaito Kid smiled ironically. "You leave me no choice but to say yes. The alternative would be that I end up in jail!" He waved him off when Shinichi wanted to say something. “But this offer sounds so good that I would probably accept it without your pressure!” He turned back to the older man. "What would happen to me if at some point I was caught and arrested by the police?" he wanted to know before making his final decision.
“Of course we hope that doesn't happen anytime soon. But the state does not abandon the people who serve it loyally and it would become known why they stole!” He laughed. "As I judge Mr. Kudo, he would not tolerate anything else!"
He laughed! "Of course not!It would be a deal between the state and the Kaito Kid. In a deal, however, both sides have to stick to the agreements! "
The master thief nodded, not very surprised. He understood that Shinichi had taken advantage of all connections he had to make this offer possible. For this he had probably needed the last few days, which were as long as seldom before. And it certainly hadn’t been easy. He was a true friend after all, who had actually managed to reconcile his own morals and Kaito's needs. He bowed to Shinichi's visitor.
"All right! I agree! The state can dispose of its thief!"
Another lightning grenade lit the room, then the Katio Kid was gone.
The older man said goodbye immediately afterwards and left the house. Shinichi watched him go back to the library and laughed. "Come out, Kaito! I know very well that you are still here!He joined in his laughter and sat up behind one of the high armchairs. "At some point you have to explain to me why you always know that exactly!" he smiled.
Shinichi grinned. "You can't explain that. I just feel it!" Then he got serious. "Are you angry with me?"
Kaito shook her head. "No, Shinichi! On the contrary! I am grateful to you that you have made so much trouble on my behalf. It was clear to me that you could not let me get away with impunity and I understand this to mean that I have to practice active repentance. In addition, what you have stimulated suits me very well. I just like to be the dazzling Kaito Kid. A life as Kaito Kuroba would definitely be too boring for me in the long run! "
The detective laughed in relief. He was glad that the other got him right. These could still be wonderful times as the friends they were now, but which they would never show in public as a thief and detective.Since they would continue to be considered the big opponents.
Kaito thought of his mother and knew that she would also carry this decision with him and that she would be proud of him. He was quite sure of that. He was pretty excited to see what his first assignment would be.


END or a new beginning!