Chapter Text
Chapter 1: I Think We’re Stuck
[Elevator – Somewhere High-Rise Building]
The sound of metal vibrating violently as the ground suddenly moved. The lights in the elevator flickered and then went out, leaving only the dim red light of the emergency system. A strong shock caused Hakuba to reflexively hold onto Kid’s arm to keep his balance.
But…
When he realized that, he immediately let go.
With his breathing still unstable, Hakuba tried pressing the emergency button - there was no response. Detective London took out his phone, the screen was pitch black—no signal.
“This is bad…” Hakuba muttered, his gaze darkening as he looked at Kid. “I think we’re stuck.”
Hakuba’s eyes scanned the situation, quickly assessing the cramped space they were trapped in. The air seemed fine, at least the ventilation system was still working. But in a building that had just experienced an earthquake, no one knew if the elevator was still stable.
“No phone signal, no contact with the outside world… Do you have any plans other than waiting?” Hakuba asked, his voice unable to hide his sarcasm.
The famous thief on the other side seemed to be all too familiar with dangerous situations. He was calm and unfazed.
“It seems the control panel is no longer working.” Kid repeatedly pressed the elevator’s emergency button. “And to make matters worse… I’m locked up with a detective.”
With a half-smile, Kid looked at Hakuba and said lightly.
Hakuba crossed his arms, laughing slightly at Kid’s tone. “I should be the one saying that. Being locked up with a troublemaking thief is not an ideal situation.”
The London detective looked around, touching the elevator wall to feel the vibrations. Everything seemed to be stable for the time being, at least there was no danger to their lives at the moment, but no one knew if the external structure had been damaged.
"In any case, we can't just stand here waiting for someone to come rescue us." Hakuba bent down, checking the gap between the elevator doors. "If the electrical system is broken, the only way is to open the door manually. It's just that... there's another problem..."
The young detective turned back to look at Kid, his eyes sharp as if he was examining them. "What floor are we on?"
In this situation, location was obviously very important, because it would almost determine 69% of their survival at the moment.
Obviously, the elevator being on the 3rd floor would be very different than if it was stuck on the 33rd floor of the building.
"Judging by the speed of the fall, it's probably the 7th floor." Kid put his hand on his chin and thought, then looked at the other person. "Are you asking me because I often fall from buildings?"
The other person calmly replied to the London detective's words with a half smile.
Hakuba raised his eyebrows, curling his lips sarcastically. "Ah, it's true that I just thought that you had a lot of experience facing dangerous situations... the way a thief often puts himself."
Hakuba Saguru leaned against the elevator wall, carefully assessing the situation. "On the 7th floor, if you're right, it's still not too high. But if this elevator gets stuck between two floors, getting out won't be easy."
The auburn-haired detective looked at Kid, his eyes sharp. "So... is there a plan?"
Hakuba asked to probe.
In order to solve cases with Scotland Yard, Hakuba couldn't help but get into danger, but this time the danger was a little special.
Or at least it was more special than the others.
"Sadly, you're right about being stuck between two floors." Kid said, pointing to a small gap in the door he had just popped out of, covered in dark dirt and rocks.
"We can try screaming, but if there's no one around, it'll be pointless."
Even that would only make them quickly tired and exhausted.
Hakuba stepped forward, observing the gap Kid pointed to. He reached out and lightly touched the layer of dirt on the elevator door, his eyes pensive.
"Judging from the situation, it seems that part of the building's structure has been affected by the earthquake. If we try to open the door incorrectly, it might cause the elevator to fall freely."
Hakuba Saguru stepped back, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and glanced at Kid.
"Screaming is useless if no one can hear, but I don't think you're the type to sit around waiting. What's in your toolkit?"
A question from the London detective for the current situation.
Actually, Kid always had many things on . But many things did not mean everything.
"Unfortunately, there are only a few lock picks and a few magic tools." Kid smiled.
The phantom thief's white gloved hand pulled out a card gun and pointed it at Hakuba. "If you like, I have this for self-defense..."
On his lips was a familiar confident and arrogant half-smile, but this time there was a hint of teasing.
Hakuba did not flinch at the card gun in front of him.
Perhaps he knew very well that Kid would not shoot any cards at him at this time.
Or at least he could be sure that Kid's current target was not Hakuba.
The London detective just tilted his head, his lips curled in a challenging and teasing manner.
"Self-defense? What do you think we need to defend ourselves in this dark elevator?"
Detective London slowly walked over, placed his hand on Kid's gun barrel, and gently pushed down. "If we don't have a communication device or a safe door-breaking tool, we'll have to wait for the rescue team. But if you have a way to open the door without us falling, I'd be happy to hear it."
Hakuba said in his soft voice like music in the rain.
"Oh, you trust my ability that much." Kid gave a familiar half-smile. "I tried to see if the metal layer was too thick? Or if there was another way, but unfortunately there was no way. So the best way now is to save my energy, after all, I don't want to die before the rescue team arrives."
The phantom thief leisurely sat down, leaning his back against the wall.
But he sat down not only because he wanted to rest, but also because of another secret he was hiding.
Hakuba crossed his arms, leaned against the opposite wall, and looked at Kid with sharp eyes. "That makes sense. But a master thief like you is 'obediently' sitting still waiting for rescue? I can't believe it."
Kid looked up at Hakuba, examining him. Although he couldn't check for himself, he could immediately recognize even the slightest change in Hakuba's appearance.
"Then what should I ask ...? By the way, you're not hurt, are you, Detective London?"
Hakuba raised his eyebrows, as if the question was beyond the young detective's expectations. "Are you worried about me, Kid?" He slowly stretched his legs, checking his body before answering.
"Nothing serious, just a little sore from the impact when the elevator suddenly stopped. What about you, do you need any help?"
Hakuba stopped and asked in a slightly worried voice.
Although his tone was provocative, Hakuba's eyes were still discreetly observing Kid's every move, as if to confirm whether the other party was really okay or not.
"I just want to make sure no one gets hurt during my case. That's always been my principle of operation," Kid calmly replied. "If I get hurt, I won't tell you, so don't ask so bluntly."
"I don't need you to say it." Hakuba put one hand on his knee, tilting his head to look at Kid with a meaningful gaze.
The London detective pondered for a moment what he wanted to say, then finally spoke.
After all, keeping up the other party's haughty face and making sure of Kid's health condition. Hakuba would prioritize the latter.
"Just observing is enough. Judging from the way you've been moving, your left arm must have taken quite a hit, right?"
"Well... because a certain London detective let go of my hand when the elevator fell."
Kid was a little surprised, but quickly returned with a smile on his Pocker Face.
He replied half-jokingly, a sentence that didn't easily reveal the hidden meaning behind it.
"But don't worry, this wound won't make it difficult for me to escape when the elevator opens."
The Japanese master thief's words just ended, and Hakuba suddenly realized something was wrong. Kid's voice sounded strange—not the usual mocking or confident one. Hakuba lowered his gaze, observing carefully.
"You're more injured than you said, right?"
The London detective slowly approached, his tone no longer as provocative as before. "Or... is the shock from falling just now starting to affect you?"
The master thief KID was very good at hiding things, so it wouldn't be strange if someone else didn't notice an injury on his body.
But Hakuba wasn't someone who could be fooled easily, he could tell a lot more than just what he showed on the outside.
"Just a little sleepy from the night missions." Kid smiled calmly.
Because he knew better than anyone that if Hakuba knew that the old wound on his hand had been torn when he hit the elevator when he fell, he would use that as evidence to question Kuroba.
A meeting where he would have to find a reasonable excuse for the wound on his hand would be extremely tiring.
"I'll be fine after going home and sleeping."
But of course that couldn't fool a talented detective like Hakuba Saguru.
"Is that so?" Hakuba bowed, his eyes not leaving Kid.
"Just a little sleep and everything will be fine? Even if..."
Hakuba Saguru raised his hand, as if to check something, but then stopped. His tone seemed to be considering, but there was a sharp glint in his eyes, as if he had seen through something.
The wine-red eyes swept over Kid once more, this time lingering longer on the other's hand. Detective London tilted his head, the corners of his lips curling up meaningfully.
Kid seemed to guess the suspicion in Hakuba's eyes. But he still kept his composure so that the other person wouldn't suspect the wound on his arm.
The air in the elevator began to become more stuffy. The thick clothes and white vest made Kid feel even hotter.
"Looking at me for so long? …I'll appreciate it if Detective London pays attention."
"Is that so…!"
Detective London moved a little closer, his eyes not leaving Kid.
"By the way, it seems like you're feeling uncomfortable?" Hakuba glanced at Kid's thick cloak, then looked at him again, examining him.
"It's not because the elevator is too hot, right?"
"Ah, it's okay...a master thief should be elegant."
Kid was a little startled when Hakuba mentioned the clothes.
It really made Kid feel uncomfortable and hot, he wanted to take off his Vest a little, but was afraid of revealing the blood stains on his hands.
"So elegant that you're willing to endure the heat?" Hakuba raised his eyebrows, his eyes filled with meaning. "Or are you hiding something?"
Hakuba Saguru crossed his arms, leaning against the elevator wall, but he didn't take his eyes off Kid. "You don't need to be so nervous. If you feel hot, just take off your Vest, I don't mind."
Hakuba said in a gentle tone, but his eyes were sharp as if he was challenging the other party.
The young detective could implicitly guess something through the super thief's gestures.
"Since when did the London detective care so much about clothes?" Kid appeared calm, but deep down he was still worried that the blood would seep out and be easily seen because of the white color of the clothes.
White always stood out and attracted attention, especially at times like this - it was a betrayal of its owner.
"When I'm not comfortable, I'll take it off, okay."
Kid replied with a casual remark so that the story wouldn't go any further.
"I care because you're acting UNUSUAL."
Hakuba replied immediately, his eyes not missing any of Kid's movements. Normally, this master thief would take every opportunity to appear relaxed and confident.
But this time, he was reluctant to bear the heat. Then either he was hiding something, or he was INJURED.
Hakuba tilted his head, a thin smile appearing on his lips.
"But never mind, if you don't want to say it, I won't force you. After all... the truth will come out, right?"
Kid gulped, feeling like Hakuba had actually guessed something.
It was true that if the wound wasn't properly bandaged, it would continue to bleed. But Kid couldn't bandage it himself at this time, plus it seemed like the loss of blood was making Kid a little dizzy
"Of course, if the London detective is good enough to see that truth, or maybe there's no hidden truth here."
Hakuba narrowed his eyes, his gaze lacking any trust. He noticed Kid's complexion was paler than usual, and even though he tried to appear calm, every little movement became a little slower.
"You're a trickster, but you're not good at taking care of yourself."
Hakuba slowly took off his glove, observing Kid carefully.
The corner of the detective's lips smiled faintly.
A smile that didn't carry any joy.
"How long are you going to endure? Until the elevator opens, then faint in front of the police?"
He didn't intend to force Kid to admit it, but if Kid hesitated, Hakuba would check it himself.
The young detective's eyes still observed every little change on Kid's face.
The truth was already obvious. The arm was held down abnormally for too long, and his breathing was still somewhat unstable despite trying to control it. Hakuba gently lifted his foot, then suddenly lowered his body, his hand lightly touching Kid's white sleeve.
"I don't like watching that kind of show."
He gently pulled up the sleeve, not caring if Kid resisted or not.
The super thief Kid reached out to grab Hakuba's wrist to stop him, but it was too late, as Hakuba lifted his arm below the elbow, which was stained bright red.
"Damn it." Kid turned his face away, gritting his teeth.
Everything he had hidden until now was exposed in the most obvious way.
"Damn it." Hakuba repeated Kid's words, but his tone was completely different. He lifted Kid's injured arm higher to inspect it, ignoring the other's protests.
"Hiding it like this is really pathetic." Hakuba sighed, then reached into his coat pocket.
The wound on Kid's body made the London detective feel uncomfortable.
And the other's stubborn arrogance in covering it up made Hakuba feel even more uncomfortable.
"Now you have two choices: let me bandage it, or continue to bleed until you pass out."
Hakuba Saguru pulled out a clean handkerchief, his sharp eyes looking at Kid as if he had no right to refuse.
A moment of silence passed between the two people who had always seemed to be at odds with each other.
In the dark elevator room, their heartbeats seemed to be strained by something else.
"Choose."