DISCLAIMER: I do not own Detective Conan. The entire series, including its characters, belong to Gosho Aoyama. This is a non-profit fan work.
Chapter 1: Up to the North.
Sherry closed the door as she walked into the room, hoping that no one would hear them. 'Whatever he has called me for,' she added in her mind.
Gin was sitting with his head on his hands and his eyes on the desk before him. The office was completely quiet.
-So? –she spoke. Gin looked up and, as he recognized her, his hands slowly moved away from his head-. I hope you aren't just horny.
The boy smiled and made a gesture, inviting her to take a seat on the single chair that stood before the desk. She reached it within a few steps and sat down.
-I'm not –he answered, resting his hands on the desk.
Sherry grinned and folded her arms over her waist.
-What a pity.
Gin made a smile of his own.
-So? –she repeated-. If you're not horny, why did you call me, then?
Gin's grin disappeared at her words, being replaced by a worried look. He closed his eyes and then looked up back at the girl.
-I'm afraid you're here for business –he started-. 'That person' wanted me to deliver a message to you.
-And what is it?
The boy didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached for something that lay on the desk and pulled it towards the girl. She took it and held it before her eyes.
It was a photo. It depicted a middle-aged man with short brown hair and hazelnut eyes. Sherry frowned, trying to recognize him. She had seen that face before...
-That's Hitori Kaneda –Gin explained-. Some call him the greatest Japanese biologist of our time, some say he's a fraud – but most agree he's pretty odd.
-I know that name –Sherry mumbled-. I think I recently read an article of his in Nature…
-He has written dozens –Gin spoke, looking as if he couldn't care less-. As you may know, he is specialized on cellular reproduction, and his research has made possible, among others, some of the most effective treatments for cancer there are today. He has worldwide fame, but still refuses to give any interviews or even a hint of which is the Japanese city he lives in.
-He's pretty lonely, from what I've heard –Sherry commented-. Even when he does collect the awards he's given, his speeches are never longer than a simple 'Thank you.' And he has lots of awards…
-He surely does. The thing is, -Gin continued- 'that person' is very interested in recruiting Mr. Kaneda. We've been trying to do so for years. But, as you may deduce, not a single attempt has been successful.
-Why doesn't 'that person' use force, as it's usually done? –Sherry inquired-. Kaneda wouldn't be the first to join the Organization out of fear…
-'That person' believes it is better not to do so –the boy answered-. For some reasons (which I haven't been told), forcing Kaneda into the Organization could easily backfire us. We need to convince him. But we have always failed.
-And why is it so?
-First of all, Kaneda is pretty hard to locate, even for our experts –Gin explained-. He's very secretive of his private life. And, even when we get to approach him… he simply refuses to listen. He has turned our greatest mediators down – he will only talk to those he considers to be worth his time, which usually means those as bright as him.
-What a snob… -Sherry mumbled jokingly.
-But 'that person' has made up a new plan –Gin announced-. It cannot fail, or at least that's what 'that person' thinks.
-And what is it? –the girl asked-. Is 'that person' going to offer him more money?
-Money means nothing to Kaneda –replied the boy while shaking his head-. No, the most difficult part is to contact him, to make him listen to us. And 'that person' has come up with the ultimate way to do so.
-So? –she insisted-. What is that marvelous plan like?
-Kaneda will be attending a science convention in Sapporo next weekend –Gin explained-. We know the hotel he'll be staying at, and even his room. He booked them over a month ago. For what he's like, he'll be there, at the hotel, whenever he's not attending the convention. We will be staying at that very hotel and also attending the convention, so there will be plenty of chances to meet him. And, taking into account who the negotiator will be, he will surely accept what he will be offered. This way, in the blink of an eye, Kaneda will be working for the Organization.
-And this is it? That's why you called me in here? –Sherry questioned. Then she added jokingly-: Tell 'that person' that the plan sounds pretty good to me and wish those who travel to Sapporo good luck – I hope they success. Now, if you'd let me, I have much work to do…
-No, wait… –Gin snorted. The girl, who had already got up, sat back down on the chair and gave him a reticent look-. Actually, that's not all. I was only introducing you to why you're here…
-And what is it? –she asked. All that chitchat was getting annoying-. Is there anything else 'that person' wants, apart from making me know about that Kaneda guy and the plan to make him work for the Organization?
-Yes, there is –he answered-. The thing is…
Gin sighed, as if it were difficult for him to keep on talking. After a few seconds, he looked up and announced:
-'That person' wants you to be the one to convince Kaneda.
Sherry opened her eyes wide.
-What? –she exclaimed-. There must be a mistake… You have to be kidding me.
-I'm completely serious –Gin replied-. 'That person' personally told me this very morning about the plan, just a few hours ago. The plane tickets are already booked. You'll be getting a direct flight on Friday at...
-But that cannot be! –she protested-. I'm a scientist! The Organization has mediators and all that stuff, doesn't it? Why am I supposed to do their job?
-I've told you all of our mediators have been turned down by Kaneda –Gin explained with a sigh. She could easily read on his face how much of a bother that conversation was to him-. And as I have also told you, Kaneda will only listen to someone as bright as him. 'That person' believes you to be the best for that role. You are a brilliant young scientist who lives in a secrecy only similar to that of Kaneda – he will adore you. It will be impossible for him to refuse anything you suggest him…
-But that's not my job! –she insisted-. I know the chemical composition of hormones, but not how to convince people to join a criminal organization! I am a scientist! When did I become a P.R.?
-And when exactly did I become a secretary? –Gin replied as he raised a questioning eyebrow-. Why am I wasting my time telling you all of this instead of doing my actual work? Not that I prefer it, of course.
Sherry didn't answer. Instead, she turned her head to one side and took a deep breath. She heard Gin let out a muffled curse and then tap the desk for a moment as if trying to calm himself.
-'That person' doesn't care what any of us may think or want –he sighed-. But what can we do, other than follow the instructions we're given? Obey or die – that's the way things work here, isn't it?
Sherry looked at him and couldn't help the bit of both anger and sadness that pinched her heart at once. Obey or die – no other chance. Even if that meant killing others.
-Anyway, -he suddenly spoke, shaking his head as if trying to shake the sad atmosphere away- we'll be taking a direct flight on Friday at…
-We? –she repeated, feeling truly surprised-. You and I?
-That's part of it –he clarified with an amused smile-. Officially, I'll be your bodyguard, but I know there's more to it – 'that person' either wanted to make fun of us or thought that having me in Sapporo would be an incentive for you to try harder to convince Kaneda. Anyway, both our plane tickets and the hotel room are already booked. We're taking a direct flight on Friday at ten to four in the afternoon. We'll be staying at the Daigawa Hotel for three nights, and our flight back from Sapporo takes off on Monday at half past eleven – those tickets are already booked, too.
-So that's it? –she asked-. All of it?
-Grosso modo –Gin answered, adding an eloquent hand gesture to his words-. There are some minor details left, but we'll get to them sooner or later. I myself haven't been told some of them, either.
-We'll never know all of it, will we? –she pointed-. 'That person' is too fond of secrets… Well, nevermind –she added, trying to sound happier-. Who would decline a holiday weekend at Hokkaido? And it's on the Organization…
Gin couldn't help a brief grin. Sherry smiled, feeling glad to see him in a better mood.
-So that's all for today, isn't it? –she asked. The boy nodded. She gave him one last look and then stood up-. In that case, I must go back to work now. I think I'm finally making some progress…
-You are? –he spoke, looking pretty interested on the matter.
-I do. It's kind of a long story, though –she explained. She stopped just as she reached the door and then turned her head to the boy-. But we'll have plenty of time tonight… At seven, was it?
-At seven –he confirmed with a nod-. I'll pick you up.
Sherry gave him a smile and questioned jokingly:
-How is it so? You always pick me up.
-Well, you can't deny I'm a good driver –he argued-. And don't you like my car? You won't deny it's very rare…
-Just like a frog… -she started, but then stopped-. Isn't that what you always say? Something about a frog…
For the first time since Sherry walked into the room, Gin let out a true laugh. The young scientist suddenly felt all sadness and anger leave her heart and she couldn't help smiling. His laugh… She liked it so much…
-Well, what a scientist's memory –Gin joked.
-That's because I only remember things that make sense –she replied with a grin-. And that thing you say makes no sense at all.
-If that's so, -he added as his green eyes got an eloquent look- should I deduce that your feelings for me make sense?
-Do yours? –she responded with a fierce attitude.
Gin smiled and kept quiet for a moment. Finally, he answered:
-Why shouldn't they? I don't think it's illogical to love such a brilliant, passionate scientist. And taking into account how well-looking she is, by the way… It all makes sense to me. Does it make sense to you, too?
Shiho felt her cheeks blush slightly. She didn't say a single word – instead, she looked away from the boy and then opened the door and walked out the room into the lonely corridor. Within a few seconds, she started to walk towards her laboratory, just as if she didn't control her feet at all.
Author's notes:
¡Hola! Hello! Hallo! こんにちは! Salut! Here comes Sherry Furude once more, ready for attack!
Here it is at last – the first chapter of my latest fic, Hokkaido views! This fic, just like Open heart and A little break, was 'born' from a request on Tumblr. In this case, the anon asked me to write a fic in which Gin and Sherry were in a 'fancy hotel room' and she suggested having sex and he ended up accepting even though he felt 'tired and exhausted'. I must admit that, as I read that request, a question appeared in my mind: why were they in a hotel room? And so I started thinking and picturing different scenarios, and finally I came up with the plot of this fic on May 13th – Shiho being sent to convince a famous scientist to join the Organization.
I wrote this first chapter between May 21st and 23rd. However, due to something, I couldn't keep my writing pace, as I was too busy with that 'something' – for days and even weeks, I didn't write at all because I had no time. For example, I wrote the second chapter between May 26th and 27th and June 17th and 18th – for ten days, I had no time to write a single word!
Obviously and as I originally planned to mention in the disclaimer, Hitori Kaneda is an OC (Original Character). Although you may believe the opposite, his name isn't just random – 'Hitori' is actually a Japanese word that means 'alone', as a reference to his lonely personality; 'Kaneda', as I came up with it (I have no idea whether it's a real surname), is written with the kanjis for 'money' (or 'gold') and 'rice field', referring to how famous he is (besides, I must admit that using the kanji for 'rice field' was partly just because).
I hope you liked this first chapter, and that you enjoy the rest of the fic as well. I'm planning to publish one chapter per week (as I already finished writing the fic on June 29th). I'm sorry I didn't publish the fic earlier.
Thank you for reading. Lots of love and see you in the next chapter!
Sherry F.