Ai stood silently waiting for Conan's reply. It's been already a week since the bloody battle between the Black Organization and the FBI along with Shinichi and Shiho.
Now, Ai and Conan are at Hakase's living room. She told him that there's no way to make the cure since all her data of APTX 4869 were deleted by 'them'.
Conan, on the other hand, began to feel dumb as her words sunk in on his mind, "I'm sorry Kudo-kun, but I can't make the cure anymore. I'm really sorry." Those words keep on echoing on his mind. 'Now what? There's no way I can go back to Ran. I can't be my old self anymore.' At that thought, Conan felt anger rising on him. He felt broken. But then, he thought, 'No, I can't blame her. I've seen how hard she tried on searching for the cure. She risked her health just to be able to find it. I must understand her.'
He looked at Ai. Her face is calm yet shows how sorry she was for not being able to make the cure.
He managed to force a smile. "It's okay. I understand. I don't blame you on it," he said.
Ai was taken aback. She already expected his reaction but not like this. She expected him to yell at her, burst out all his anger onto her. How can he be so understanding? She'd ruined his life. And now, she failed to make the cure but then he says he understand?
When he thought that she'll not speak anymore, he turn around and grab the doorknob and said, "I'll be going."
Then she spoke, "Why?" He stopped and turn around looking at her in confusion. She then cleared, "I mean why don't you yell at me, spill out all your anger and hatred? I know deep inside you, you're in a fury but why did you say you understand?" Her eyes were cold as she stared at him. 'Don't you know how it hurts me to see you in pain? And it's all my fault.'
They fell silent. No one dared to speak for a while after her outburst.
Then, he broke in. "Yeah...you're right. I'm indeed angry with you a while ago. But then...nothing will change, right?" he said. Now it's her turn to be confused. He continued, "Nothing will change even if I get mad at you. The truth won't change and if I let my emotions reign on me...it might just get worse. I...I can't lose a friend like you. I've already lose Ran and...and I can't bear to lose someone important like you. You're my best friend Haibara and the only one who understands me." He looked at her and smiled genuinely.
Ai felt warmth spreading inside her. She didn't know that she's important to him,at least as a best friend. The emotions that filled her is overwhelming. Her cold eyes are now replaced with tenderness and then she smiled, a true smile. She then said, "Thank You."
He nodded and said, "I'll be going now." But then, he turn around once more and quickly placed a peek on her cheek and said, "Bye!." He then run out of the house.
Ai was shocked by the sudden action. She felt her cheeks burning but then she smiled saying,"Baka..." She went to her room and fell asleep still smiling.
END