"my sweet partner i"
originally published: ~2014
edited: oct. 18, 2017
Ai Haibara was a mysterious beauty, never to touch, never to keep.
Being half English and half Japanese, the girl blended both western and eastern beauty perfectly. Her brown hair showed shades of strawberry blonde when bathed in the sunlight, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to be able to see through the darkness of people's hearts. Aside from her uniform, she wore rather fashionable clothes, able to pull off a simple hoodie with a stylish air.
She had a substantial array of talents, too, which surprised her peers and teachers with no end. She spoke fluent Japanese and English, along with a considerable amount of Spanish; she was even skilled in her use of puns. She was also both artistic and athletic on top of being incredibly intelligent. Her knowledge in the sciences, however, would be the most impressive. Mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, medical science, technology, nutrition…. You name it, she knows it.
She was always calm and composed, seeming slightly emotionless at times. Her cool façade did not, however, take away any of the popularity she deserved. The overflowing mystery from her aura and her strong attitude only drew people in stronger.
She seemed like she never cared much about relationships, or even friendships to some degree. That didn't stop her admirers from anything, though. Love letters poured through her locker endlessly everyday. She would give a little sigh and tidy everything up before going straight to class.
Ai Haibara was truly a beautiful rose with thorns.
Today, she was sitting at her seat during lunchtime, reading a new novel from the detective franchise "Night Baron", written by world famous mystery novelist Yuusaku Kudo. Engrossed in her reading, she did not look up once to observe her surroundings.
"Hey, look at that first year! Isn't he hot?"
"Oh my god, you're right. Who is he?!"
"Oh! Could it be Conan Edogawa?"
"That's him?! Shit, he's hotter than I thought he'd be!"
"Isn't he perfect? Captain of the soccer team, president of the detective club, and, on top of all that, top of his class!"
"He's so perfect."
"Does he have a girlfriend? I call the first spot in line!"
Ai Haibara did not hear any of the excited chatter of her classmates. Instead, she kept on reading, lost in her own world of mysteries.
"Hey." Ai looked up to see a familiar face staring at her, turned around in the seat in front of her. "What are you reading?"
"I don't think this is your seat." replied Ai after a moment's pause.
"I know, I know. You didn't think I was stupid enough to get lost at school, did you?" he asked, laughing.
"Who knows?" said Ai. "Well, you should be quite familiar with this series." She held up the book for him to see.
"Ah," he said. "Night Baron. That's the newest book."
"I thought I would support your family financially, since you certainly aren't."
"You really aren't cute, are you?"
"Then why not go and find Ayumi-chan, who's way cuter than me?"
"Come on, it was a joke!"
"I don't need you to think I'm cute, Conan Edogawa-kun." Ai closed the book and stared into the boy's blue eyes.
"Come on, don't be so cold." said Conan, laughing. "Come with me for a sec, Ai."
"Edogawa-kun. Haven't I told you to call me Haibara?" said Ai, sighing. She rested her cheek on her palm and put her book aside.
"Hey, we've known each other for around six years now, I think it's about time." said Conan, raising an eyebrow.
"Or would you prefer Haibara-senpai?"
"Uh, Haibara, then…"
Ai couldn't help but smile. It was always fun to tease Kudo... No. Not Kudo anymore.
Edogawa.
"Now, what do you need?" asked Ai, standing up.
"What, can't I talk to my partner in crime about nothing in particular?"
"That's ironic, coming from you."
The two of them walked along the halls together. Conan rambled on about a new case that occurred while Ai listened, occasionally offering her own thoughts. As they walked on, people whispered to each other as they walked past.
"Isn't that Ai Haibara?"
"The Ai Haibara? As in the girl that skipped a grade and is now top of her class?"
"And that's Conan Edogawa with her!"
"Seriously?! Are they together?!"
"Damn. The two smartest people in our school. I guess that's how the world works!"
"I heard they met in first grade and have been in the same class ever since! That'd make it… Six years, wouldn't it?!"
"Damn, that's a long time!"
"But seriously, they look so cute together!"
Six years ago, the APTX4869 manifested inside of Conan and Ai, and they were no longer Shinichi Kudo and Shiho Miyano.
The two of them had no choice but to live their lives as Conan Edogawa and Ai Haibara. After they defeated the Black Organization with the help of the FBI, CIA, and the Japanese police, the two of them continued their schooling at Teitan. The status of Shinichi Kudo was officially changed from "unknown" to "deceased". Ran was devastated, but Conan knew that it had to be done. There was a period of time that was dark for him, too, letting the alcohol take away his worries, ignoring the protests his child body and health made. It was Ai who helped him get through those days; ironically, he had started to take a liking to "sherry" during that time.
Conan and Ai were now first and second years at Teitan Middle School. Ai had the privilege of skipping ahead a year due to her exceptional knowledge in science. Conan moved out of the Mouri residence and in with Hakase, his "relative".
"So, what is it that you need, Great Detective-san?" asked Ai as she sat down on a bench in the school courtyard. Conan sat down beside her, staring at her.
"Nothing in particular." said Conan, his voice suddenly growing weaker.
"Come on." said Ai, staring back at him. "That's not like you."
Conan closed his eyes. When he reopened them, he put an arm around her and kissed her on the cheek.
"I love you, Ai." he said.
Ai's blue eyes widened in disbelief. Her cheeks grew hot involuntarily, and her heart pounded in her chest.
Six years. It's been six years.
When she finally snapped back to reality, she pinched Conan's hand.
He gave a yelp of pain. "What was that for?!"
"Don't make such jokes."
"It wasn't a joke!" said Conan, exasperated. "I really love you, Ai! I know you may think that I still love Ran, but it's been six years! She's perfectly happy now, and so am I. Because you're here. You're the best person I could ever hope for in my life! You're… You're my Watson and Irene Adler in one entity!"
"Is that so…?" She let go of Conan's hand and stood up. Her heartbeat increased in rate, and she forced back tears she promised she would never shed again.
"Ai! What's your answer?" shouted Conan, nervousness clear in his voice. Her mouth formed into a smile, one filled with genuine happiness. She turned around, staring into the eyes of the boy she grew to love.
"Come along now, my sweet partner."
