Disclaimer : I don't own Detective Conan and make no profit with this story
Pardon if there's any misspelling or wrong grammar, I'm not a native :)
"Heiji"
"Heiji"
"Heiji"
"Heiji"
"You are very annoying! Get away from me! Don't always follow me everywhere!". Feeling very annoyed and disturbed, Heiji yells at Kazuha.
They are in the middle of a case. Apparently Heiji failed to solve the case because he was distracted by Kazuha's presence there who always follow him wherever he moves, even when Heiji only walk one step away. Thus made Heiji scolded at her.
Not her fault actually. Kazuha just wants to be near her loved ones. Especially when solving cases, which absolutely would be dangerous. Kazuha didn't want Heiji getting hurt.
Meanwhile to a Heiji Hattori, a senior high school student and also a great detective from the west - which he mentioned it by himself - at that moment, Kazuha Toyama is just a very annoying follower. Wherever he goes, Kazuha always follows him.
It's true they are friends since childhood. But they are now high school students, for goodness sake! No need to trail each other to anywhere.
Moreover, Kazuha is very insensitive. They were even thought to be dating, my goodness!
However, Kazuha was very shocked when Heiji snapped at her. And at the same time, Kazuha very sadly realizes that Heiji does not have the same feelings with her. Kazuha actually already knew that Heiji most likely did not have any romantic feelings for her. However, she still hopes because sometimes Heiji looks very concerned and worried about her.
But now everything is clear. For Heiji, she's just an annoying nuisance.
He even threw her out. He did say "Get away from me" didn't him?
Swallowing hard while holding back tears that threatened to come out, Kazuha said in a husky voice "I'm sorry if I'm bothered you, Heiji. I'll go home first, then. Be careful on the way home". Without waiting for the dark skinned boy's answer, Kazuha ran home as fast as her feet could carry her.
Noticing Kazuha's hoarse voice, Heiji knew his best friend was almost, or even already crying.
Sighing while running his fingers through his hair he knew he had to apologize to her. He did not mean to yell to her. It's just that he felt his ego was hurt by failing to solve the case so he spilled out his frustration at Kazuha.
Very unfair, actually.
Still annoyed mixed with feelings of regret, Heiji walked home limply.
When arriving at home, actually Kazuha wanted to immediately locked herself in the her room and crying so much. Only, when removing her shoes, Kazuha heard shouts from inside the house.
Every child's nightmare.
Both her parents were having a great fight.
Felt as if she did not have the energy anymore, but Kazuha still forced herself toward the source of the sound.
She arrived just as her father shouted just as Heiji had said to her "You are very annoying! Get away from me!".
When he caught the figure of his daughter at the door standing pale and trembling, Ginshiro Toyama can't say anything. He just grabbed the car keys and left Kazuha and her mother just like that.
Silence for a moment before Kazuha finally walks slowly toward her mother and hugs her. Together, both mother and daughter were crying.
That night, Heiji tried to call Kazuha several times. Of course Kazuha did not answer.
Thinks Kazuha probably still mad at him, Heiji finally throws his cell phone.
While lying down, Heiji wondered how to make up with Kazuha tomorrow. Smiling, Heiji remembers Kazuha's favored okonomiyaki.
He will treat Kazuha eats okonomiyaki as much as she want. After that he will apologize to her.
Didn't people say with full stomach makes a heart happy?
Satisfied, Heiji fell asleep.
Her father is back. Both parents have made up. Of course. They love each other. That time her father was angry thus he lost control and snapped at her mother with painful words.
However, the words spoken by her father, and Heiji, still clearly imprint on Kazuha's mind.
"You are very annoying! Get away from me!".
Sadly, unlike her parents, Heiji doesn't love her. He doesn't even seem like her, rather than just friend. He even treats her like his male friends.
If Heiji doesn't have feelings for her, so be it.
But Kazuha will remain his best friend. As a best friend, of course she will always support him and both have mutual respects towards each other.
And Kazuha will respect Heiji's wish to keep herself away from him and not to follows him everywhere.
She hopes Heiji will feel more comfortable with their friendship.
The next morning, when Kazuha was about to go to school, Heiji was waiting in front of her house.
To be truth, Kazuha is not ready to meet Heiji yet. She even deliberately departs earlier than usual. Much earlier.
But he's already there, waiting for her.
Oh well ...
"Hey! Good morning!" Heiji greeted her awkwardly.
Surprisingly, Kazuha can smile sincerely "Good morning, Heiji!".
Gulped, Heiji looked down at his shoes while slowly moving his body nervously.
"Uh, Kazuha. I'm sorry about yesterday," Heiji said, looking up at Kazuha's face.
"I think I'm the one who should apologize, Heiji!".
Frowning in confusion he asked "What do you mean?".
Kazuha shrugged, "I've been a nuisance to you for so long. You are good enough to bear it all this time. But don't worry, Heiji. I will not bother you more than necessary anymore," Kazuha ends with a nervous laugh before tapping Heiji's arm and begins walking towards school.
Heiji still stunned where he stood. Slowly, his brain digests Kazuha's words.
"I've been a nuisance to you for so long.
You are good enough to bear it all this time.
But don't worry, Heiji. I will not bother you more than necessary anymore".
Every fibers in his brain screamed that Kazuha's words are lethal weapon that endangered their friendship.
Suddenly as if turned into a shaman, Heiji seemed to see his friendship with Kazuha was at the end of the road.
Surprisingly, it's not losing the friendship he was worried about. But Heiji didn't want to lose ... Kazuha?
Heiji still froze when he heard Kazuha's voice calling him. "Heiji! What are you doing? We can be late for school!".
Spontaneously, Heiji turned toward Kazuha. He was surprised when he saw Kazuha with a new perspective and determined to win her back. At any costs.
With this new determination, Heiji follows Kazuha walking to their school.
Like her words, Kazuha keeps her distance with Heiji and doesn't bother him more than necessary.
Kazuha did not stay away from him. But she also did not follow wherever Heiji went like she used to be.
She never again picked up Heiji to school if he woke up late and didn't pick her up.
She never again waits if Heiji comes home later because there is a practice in Kendo club.
She never again asked Heiji to accompany her to everywhere like she used to be like shopping, eating okonomiyaki, watching newest movies at cinemas, or just simply having fun at the park, playground or karaoke.
She never again follow Heiji to everywhere, including to Tokyo or wherever he has cases.
She refused politely if Heiji asked her to go with him wherever, except to school.
Heiji is now just a regular friend to Kazuha, much to his annoyance.
Days into weeks, weeks into months and Kazuha's feelings to Heiji become more and more faded. Meanwhile at the other side, Heiji become more and more depressed and frustrated in love with Kazuha. But he doesn't know how to make Kazuha fall in love with him again.
Kazuha is getting far away from him. And no matter how hard he tried to hold her, she still somehow managed to slipping through his fingers smoothly.
He was the best Kendo fighter in his school. He tried hard to win in every matches.
For her.
Every time the judges announced him as the winner, smiling proudly, Heiji's eyes immediately scanned the audiences.
Looking for her.
But he did not find her. Even Kazuha is not in the backseat, where she sat the last time she attended his Kendo match.
Heiji was deeply hurt by this.
She is now rarely to attend his Heiji's Kendo match. Instead, she busied herself by join with cooking club.
And to add his frustration, since Kazuha's absence, Heiji's fans club seems out of control and become wilder. They called out his name in a loud and deafening voice.
Sooner or later, Heiji was surely could be crazy with all this.
And that's when the idea came to his head.
At her cooking club, Kazuha's favorite lesson is baking cake. After that, she can decorate the cake with a variety of tart or fresh cut fruit.
Thinking about what to put on her freshly out from the oven chocolate cake, Kazuha suddenly remembered that Heiji had a Kendo match today.
Oh no! How could she forget!
What kind of friend she was forgot her best friend's important match.
Quickly, Kazuha grabbed a white cream and started carving the words "Congratulations, Heiji!".
Actually she did not know Heiji won or lost. But she is sure that Heiji win the match.
Kazuha was not satisfied with the cake. It looks very empty and ugly.
Glancing at her watch, Kazuha knew there was no time.
The match already over now.
Upset with her own negligence, Kazuha picked up a few strawberries and began to put it into a circle on the top of the cake.
There.
It looks better.
A bit better.
At least better.
Whatever.
Carefully, Kazuha wrapped the chocolate cake. Just at the same time, the teacher announces the time runs out and they all have to pack and clean their tables.
As the students leave the class, Heiji is waiting for Kazuha right in front of the cooking class.
He's still wearing his Kendo uniform. One hand carrying a wooden sword. While the other holds his trophy of triumph.
Kazuha felt uneasy at the sight of Heiji's face which was a mixture of anger, disappointment and hurt.
Hurt?
Why is Heiji hurt just because she forgot to not attend his Kendo match? Didn't he already have a fan club that contained dozens of pretty girls?
However, Heiji who is silent with a cold eyes gaze fixated only on Kazuha, making her bite her lower lip nervously.
"Uh, Heiji. Before you say anything, I'm sorry. I totally forgot that you have a Kendo match today".
Kazuha could see from the corner of her eye that Heiji gripped his trophy tighter.
Exactly as she thought. He won the game.
"Well, at least you win the game! Congratulations!" Kazuha said, handing the white cardboard box to Heiji.
Still give Kazuha silent treatment, but curious too with the box, Heiji raised one of his eyebrow.
Kazuha rolled her eyes. How childish of him.
"A gift from me. Do you want to accept it or not?".
Something sparkled in Heiji's eyes when he heard Kazuha give him a present. He even throw his trophy and his wooden sword to grab Kazuha's gift. The trophy fell on the floor with noisy voice.
"Heiji, your trophy!" Kazuha shrieked in shock as if in slow motion Heiji just throw his trophy carelessly. Ignoring her, Heiji opened the cardboard.
Kazuha who just got up from picking up Heiji's trophy again bit her lip nervously as she looked Heiji just stared at her chocolate cake. The ugliest cake she ever made in her opinion. His face unreadable.
"Ah sorry. I said I forgot about your match today. So yeah, the cake was not so good, hehehe ..." She laughed nervously.
She half sure that Heiji will make fun of her and her ugly cake. As usual. However, she was completely unprepared as Heiji kissed her cheek.
"Thank you," he said briefly yet lovingly.
"Uh ... You're welcome," she replied with a slight embarrassment.
Cleared her throat awkwardly, Kazuha asked Heiji to go home "Let's go home. It's already dark outside".
Suddenly remembered by his idea, Heiji holds Kazuha's hand before she leaves.
"Kazuha, be my girlfriend!".