Kaiya POV

*nightmare begins*

"Yusaku-san, Yukiko-san, I'm home!" I called as I entered the house. "Hmm they're not here?" I glanced around to see the lights turned off. I gasped in surprise as the door suddenly locked behind me. I slowly backed in fear when I saw Gin's silhouette, only to crash into Vodka. "Let me go!" I shouted as Vodka gripped my wrists.

"Kaiya Matsuki..." Gin had a chokehold against me and threw me against the wall. "The one who escaped from Project Overworld. The particle accelerator seems to have worked and transported you here."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." I managed to choke out. Shoot, how did they find out!

Gin growled and pointed his gun at me, but we were interrupted by the sound of keys jingling. My heart nearly stopped when I heard familiar voices.

"Ne, Yu-chan, won't Kaiya be surprised by the new mystery book we got her?" I heard Yukiko exclaim.

"Well I picked it out, so of course it will be good." Yusaku laughed.

"That's right, it's the new book in the series right?" Agasa said.

"But I wanted to read it first..." I heard Conan mumble.

"Can we come inside too Conan-kun?" the voices of the detective boys were in the background as well.

Gin clamped a hand over my mouth and I could only watch in fear as the door slowly opened and Gin trained a gun towards the door.

I struggled violently against his grip, tears spilling out of my eyes. Nooooo!

*nightmare ends*

************

I woke up with a start, my heart still pounding. I wiped the sweat from my forehead in relief when I realized I was on the sofa in Agasa's house. Phew, it was just a nightmare.

"Are you alright?" Agasa asked me and I nodded.

"I just had a nightmare." I rubbed my eyes sleepily.

"Let me guess, you fell asleep on the sofa because you pulled another all nighter working on your science project?" Haibara handed me a cup of steaming coffee.

"Yeah I guess so. I wanted to double check all the analysis." I replied sheepishly and stifled a yawn. "But you're one to talk, Ai-chan." I teased. "You stay up late all the time too."

*************

Karasuna POV

"Sir!" my attendant exclaimed worriedly as I broke into another violent fit of coughs.

"I need my old body back. We need to restart the Apotoxin project again." I growled. My body has now become so frail, how am I supposed to keep my power like this if I'm bedridden?

"But sir, the project failed to ..." my attendant piped up.

"No excuses! " I interrupted him with a bang on the bed stand. "Order Rum to recruit new scientists."

**************

Kaiya POV

"Alright one more time Kaiya-chan." Haibara ordered. I sighed. She made me practice nonstop for the science fair presentation. I was so lucky to ask for her guidance since she truly was a genius, but she can be really harsh sometimes.

"Eh? We did it the whole morning though." I grumbled.

"Practice makes perfect!" Haibara scolded. "Besides, didn't you say you wanted to win the school science fair?"

"But you're more serious about this than I am." I sweatdropped. Haibara really loves science, doesn't she?

*****************

Vermouth POV

"We'll investigate for scientists to continue the Apotoxin project." I heard Rum tell the boss. I will probably get in trouble for wiretapping his phone, but that doesn't bother me, it's not my first time.

I snuffed out the cigarette in my hand. They're still continuing that devilish project?!

*****************

Kaiya POV

"And the 1st place award goes to... Kaiya Matsuki for her project on skin grafts and stem cells!" The announcer boomed.

"Thank you so much!" I went up to the stage and shook the announcer's hand. I can't believe it! I would have never imagined I could participate in a science fair in this world, much less win a prize.

"You did so well!" Ran, Sonoko, and Masumi high fived me.

"Your projects were pretty unique as well!" I complimented them. Ran and Masumi's projects were about kinesthetics and Sonoko's was about various types of fabrics.

"We should celebrate by going out for a nice dinner!" Sonoko exclaimed. "The Suzuki name will get us reservations anywhere!" she declared.

"You guys, go first and I'll see you later tonight okay?" I told them.

As I packed up my belongings, an elderly man with an eyepatch and a business suit, hobbled past me with a walking cane. I've seen him multiple times... he seemed interested in my project and asked me some questions about it... I wonder why?

I covered my ears as the fire alarm in the building started to blare. The students panicked and ran towards the exit. I glanced around. Why did fire alarm go off when there was no fire? Someone must have set off the fire alarm on purpose.

"Be careful, sir!" I helped the old man up when he was knocked over by the crowd. I handed him back his cane and we walked towards the exit.

"Thank you miss, it's very kind of you." the man said.

"I am Kaiya Matsuki. It is nice to meet you." I introduced myself.

"Perhaps this is an inappropriate time but I would like to give you my business card." The man said.

"I would love this opportunity sir. May I ask about the research your company does?" I accepted his business card.

"Unfortunately, those details are classified. You will be given more details if you accept the internship offer." He told me before leaving.

Who is that man?

As I started my motorcycle, my eyes widened when I caught a glimpse of platinum blonde hair on the road. Was that Vermouth speeding beside me on a motorcycle? What was she doing here?

*****************

"Akai-san!" I called as I went home. "Look at this business card!" I went to the living room to see Shuichi and the Kudos deep in conversation. "Oh sorry for the interruption. I didn't realize everyone was here." I apologized.

"It's alright we were just finishing up. What business card did you want to show me?" Shuichi asked.

"Well an elderly man approached me offering me an internship. But his business card only has the word K printed in black flowery font." I showed them the card.

The three exchanged worried glances.

"This is no ordinary symbol." Yusaku said with a solemn expression. "The K is the trademark symbol of the Karasuna holdings."

"Karasuna?" I gasped. "As in... Renya Karasuna the man you believe to be the head of the Organization?" I connected the dots...then the man who gave it to me... was Rum? Why is the Organization recruting scientists?

***********

(at the Kudo Mansion before the Kyoto School Trip)

"Jeez, why do we have to have to clean the house when that detective nut is gone." Sonoko grumbled.

"It's not so bad once in a while." Ran tried to calm her down.

"Sorry" Conan muttered under his breath causing me to laugh.

"Thank you for your help. The house is too big for me to clean by myself." Subaru said.

"At least we get to listen to music while cleaning." I said and hummed to a song I was playing on my iphone.

"By, the way, did you friend Masumi not want to join us?" Subaru asked us.

"Well we did ask her, but she was too busy since she had to move hotels again." Ran explained.

"Aww I wish I could live in a hotel!" Sonoko exclaimed.

"Umm well I'm sure your house itself is like a mansion though." I sweatdropped at Sonoko. Besides, Masumi isn't living in a hotel by choice...

"Have you seen anyone suspicious around Masumi Sera lately, like perhaps a bodyguard... named Asaca?" Subaru asked. A few days ago, Haibara and Conan looked through the news of Kohji Haneda and found that the words Rum and Asaca were left at the crime scene. Ever since then Akai and Conan have been looking into it. However, Yusaku believed that the words also formed Carasuna or Karasuna for Renya Karasuna. I also know that to be true...

"Well there is a bodyguard, but it isn't who you think." Sonoko said. "It's you, Ran." Sonoko winked at Ran. "You're always there to protect everyone."

Ran and I laughed. It was true though.

I continued humming to the song.

"Ne, Kaiya you really like that song, don't you?" Ran asked me.

"It's really good." I agreed. "I wonder who that artist is." I checked my phone."Oh! It's by the famous artist named Hado Rokuchi."

"Speaking of Hado Rokuchi, he just released a new song cover named Asaca." Sonoko told everyone.

"Eh really?" I asked.

"You don't know, Kaiya-chan? It's a big news since it's his first song in five years." Ran told me.

"But there's something unusual about the name though. It was spelled as Asaca instead of Asaka." Sonoko recalled. "Apparently he finally wrote the lyrics to the song he composed seventeen years ago and is going to perform it at his concert."

17 years ago? That fits the description of the Kohji Haneda case.

"Why is it spelled ca instead of ka?" Conan asked.

Sonoko shrugged. "You can ask him yourself. We're going to watch his rehearsal later." Sonoko told Conan.

"I would like to join as well. I'm a big fan of Hado Rokuchi." Subaru lied.

"Well, you guys have fun then." I told them. "I would rather watch the concert itself hehe. I don't want any spoilers." Besides... Conan and Akai are already investigating....

***********

"What?! Hado Rokuchi is dead?!" I exclaimed when Shuichi returned home. "Aww but I really liked his music." I pouted.

After glancing at me, Shuichi motioned for me to follow him into the living room, where he started playing on the piano. I gasped in surprise as he played a piano version of Hado Rokuchi's song without sheet music. Amazing... I smiled as I found myself humming along.

In the end, I guess it was probably for best I didn't didn't end up going because Hado Rokuchi turned out to be unrelated to the Organization and another murder case happened *sigh*. And Bourbon and Vermouth were there as well...

************

(back in present time)

"This is the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the Organization!" I insisted. "We won't get another chance like this."

Shuichi shook his head.

"Why not?" I pouted slightly. "I-I've helped with missions before."

"Yu-chan, please tell me you won't let Kaiya-chan do something this dangerous!" Yukiko looked at Yusaku.

"This is where I draw the line." Shuichi said. "Once you're in the Organization... the only way out is death."

"I know... but... taking down the Organization... it's the only way I can see my parents again." tears started forming in my eyes. Why weren't they letting me help? If the Organization isn't taken down... then my nightmare might come true...I ran out of the door for some fresh air.

"Kaiya-chan!" Yukiko called after me.

Yusaku placed a hand on her shoulder. "She just needs some time to clear her head."

************

I sniffled as I walked around a nearby park. I know they mean well, but they don't understand how I feel. I really do miss my parents. I looked up at the dark sky to see that it started drizzling. Perhaps it's for the best... no one will notice I'm crying...

"I've seen that expression before." a voice said from behind me. I gasped as I turned around to see a woman with platinum blonde hair tied in a messy bun.

"Y-you're Vermouth." I took a step back and started to run, but Vermouth stopped me.

"Kaiya Matsuki, we finally meet. I see you've heard of me. Relax dear, I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted to chat." she offered an umbrella to me.

I stared at her but slowly took the umbrella and followed her to a shaded area.

************

"You pulled the fire alarm at the science fair didn't you? To interrupt the man giving me the buisness card." I finally spoke up after an awkward silence. "I saw your motorcycle..."

Vermouth smirked, "I see you're quite observant."

"But why? Don't you work for the Organization?" I questioned.

"I have my own reasons." she replied.

"I was given a business card... are you warning me about the internship? It's to continue making the drug isn't it?" I asked carefully.

"Well...." Vermouth contemplated. "I wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet through you if you were to join that project." she said, causing me to tremble slightly.

I gasped in realization. Vermouth's youth... her hatred for Apotoxin...

"Don't tell me... they made you...." I couldn't bring myself to finish the thought. Was she... a test subject?

Her face had a stony expression but she was surprised when I suddenly gave her a hug. "I'm so sorry."

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Vermouth repeated, remaining stoic as I pulled away from the hug. "I mean it."

"Even though you're part of the Organization, you didn't deserve what happened to you." I pulled out the business card. "This is my chance to take down the Organization."

She grabbed the business card from my hand and burned it with her lighter.

I looked at her horror as the card was reduced to ash. "How could you do that?!" I exclaimed.

"You'll thank me later." Vermouth replied. "It's a Pandora's box that should not be opened."

"A Pandora's box? What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Policeman!" Vermouth motioned to a nearby policeman. "This young lady seems to be lost." she pointed to me. The policeman began to walk towards us.

"Hey wait!" I attemped to run after Vermouth but she disappeared.

**************

"Oh Kaiya-chan, you're all wet!" Yukiko exclaimed worriedly as I returned. She immediately handed me a towel to dry off.

"I'm sorry for how I acted earlier." I apologized. "I just really want this to be over quickly." I sniffed. "I'm tired of constantly hiding from them."

"And in time we will defeat them." Shuichi reassured me.

"The business card..." Yusaku began.

"Don't worry, it's gone." I promised. "I won't pursue the internship anymore."

"It just pains us when you put yourself in so much danger." Yukiko replied and I gave her a grateful smile. Everyone was always so caring.

***************

Vermouth POV

"I have another mission for you." Rum stated over the phone. "You are to investigate the Kudos."

"I assure you, that's quite unnecessary, Rum." I narrowed my eyes.

"Yusaku Kudo is believed to be a threat to the Organization." Rum explained.

"I see." I blew out smoke from my cigarette and crossed my legs with a slight smirk. That man can indeed be a threat... as much as the silver bullets...

"It's the Boss's orders. " Rum replied. "Speaking of that... someone eavesdropped on our conservation. Care to explain?" I internally rolled my eyes. His threats mean nothing to me anymore.

"Are you suspecting me without any proof?" I challenged. Rum made a sound of annoyance and ended the call. A secret makes a woman secret afterall.