Title: Parallel

Author: Twinklepop

Genre: Drama, Slice of life, Humor

Pairing: Kudo Shinichi x Mouri Ran

Summary: Him and her are parallel, existing in each other life but bearing nothing in common.

Mathematically, parallel lines didn't mean to come in one together.

Chapter 1

Teitan Highschool, Tokyo

"Mathematically, parallel lines never meet in any point"

"But in illusion, you will find two lines intersect and indeed they're parallel when being examined closer"

"Ran, that illusion point's very creative" Ran's teammate, Kaito Kuroba, gave her a compliment

"Do you know what's illustration really be? Definition of illustration?" the math boy, Eisuke Hondou, challenged to the group.

"Illusion is distortion of sense."Ran other teammate, Aoko Nakamouri answered

"Yeah" Eisuke grinned "In order words, your brain is being deceived in illusion, right?"

"Yeah" Ran's team nodded in agreement

"So, if parallel lines intersect in one point in illusion, it means your eyes have been tricked."

Kaito and Aoko was convinced by Eisuke's argument, only Ran noticed that her team on the verged to lose but she couldn't find any back-up ground against him.

"If you removed the trick part, given your eyes in perfectly normal condition, parallel would never mean to meet" finished Eisuke proudly, gained his team victory over Ran's.

Ran collapsed on the table. Her team has lost the first challenge in Debate class.

"Easy Ran, it's just in-class exercise and will not counted toward our assignment." Kaito tried to smooth the situation.

"Yeah, I know… but I 'm not get used to being beaten up"

"We have lots of chance to revenge, don't worry" Aoko added in

"Alright, I'll treat you girls ice-cream. Cheer up! Who's in?"

Ran got straight up right away, her eyes shined up the word 'ice-cream'. Aoko had done gathering her things in put neatly in her schoolbags

"Hurry up! We must seize the time. I have work afterward"

"Yay" Aoko and Ran said in unio and quickly followed Kaito exiting the class

"Me too, I have work as well" Ran commented.

Like most of her friends, Ran didn't come back home after class; instead, she had a part-time job at a giant studio in the city. Although her parents can provide her financial secure, Ran liked to lead an independent life, earned her own money and followed her passion.

/

"Ran, your favorite movie out this Sunday, wanna join us?" Aoko on the phone

"Zanponchteque, yeah, which time you guys plan to go?" Ran excited

"9am or 8.30pm because I have to work in the afternoon"

"Let me see if I have shift on Sunday…" Ran swiped her phone to check the calendar apps. Her face darken as she saw the schedule. Her mind quickly worked, formulated any alternative

"Ran… you busy on Sunday?" waited for Ran's reply, Aoko asked the question as she thought it's was a reason made Ran stay silent.

"Yeah, I agreed change shift with Eisuke on Sunday?"

"Huh? Can't turn it back?"

"If I could, I shouldn't have accepted it at the first place." Ran sighed. That trouble-maker

"Ok we can change to…let's see…next Friday? What a pity, we missed the first release"

"Never mind, Aoko. You and Kaito just go. I heard we get free stuff on the first day release"

"Really?"

"Yeah, may be cups, handkerchief or keychain. Get me a handkerchief please"

"Alright, I will"

"Thank you. Bye"

"Bye"

Ran hung up.

She plumped deeper under the blanket, try not to think about the un-waiting- Sunday.

/

Okasawa Media Corp. Group

Golden Grant studio, Tokyo

'Ran, water please'

'Ran, serviette'

'Ran, lighting'

'Ran %^$# '

…

Ran on the way to the nearest conventional, a few block away from the studio. Third time

Geez. Ran thought.

People, please.

Don't treat me like I'm a servant.

I worked as an errand girl not a Cinderella of the modern 21 century.

At the beginning, they called her "Mouri san" then for more convenient and urgent needs, they dropped the honorifics '- san' then courtesy word 'please' was omitted latter and Ran was called by her first name only or some people don't even remember her name. Thus, it turned out to be 'Errand girl, %$## $'

Today was extremely busy day, the wage could be higher. Sunday double wage as weekend rate plus grand bonus of special event, but it couldn't compensate for the greater tons amount of work. Ran misery dragged herself along the pavement, constantly cursed the one put her in this terrible circumstance.

Why I agree with him at the first place?

/

2 day ago

'Hey, Princess!'Eisuke earnestly greeted Ran, made her grew alarmed

'Hi' said Ran prudently. Always caution with flattery

'Could you please change shift for me this Sunday?'

'Why?' I knew it, his technique fail dramatically

'Oh I thought you know and will happily ...'

'No, I don't know anything and I'm not happy.' Ran cut him off. What on Earth he thinks he is

'I forgot, you usually slow and low with breaking hot news and...'

'Is this the way you asking for help?' Ran nearly exploded, that's Eisuke jerk

'You should thank me for doing it. Listen carefully' Eisuke coughed as if he going to make a great announcement.

Ran smirked as his silliness.

'This Sunday… is the first time…' Eisuke paused, emphasized on each word to give more effect '…our studios…will be… visited by…Kudo Shinichi'

His words served its effect well on Ran. She didn't register any word in her mind at all, … except the only two last word Kudo Shinichi. Ran grasped for air, speechless as if she was seeing him right now with her naked eyes.

'Kudo Shinichi, the super model' spoke Ran when she had gathered her thought.

'The one and only' comfirmed Eisuke, grinned in triumph. He knew every girl couldn't say no.

/

I should be hanging out with Kaito and Aoko today.

Upon arriving at the golden steel door to the Grand Studio, Ran had to put all her complaints aside, focused on the tasks at hand. She emptied the shopping bags, put everything on the tables, selected some beverages and snacks out on a tray, brought the tray to front screen, catering them to producers, managers, director, cameramen, editors,… the entire crew then headed back to the back of the studio.

As soon as she started to regain her energy, allowed her legs to rest and stretch, a loud voice stole her little peace away 'Errand, fix the props please'. Some of the errand girls had run to fix the big garden at the background. The director turned his head to look at the back, searching for more people to work. Ran closed her eyes, greedily swallowed bit more of quietude before got on her heels and ran toward the stage setting. While Ran busy with the plastic branches of artificial trees, other beautiful sexy stylists strokes his hair, straightened his tie, touches his shoulders fixing his suits. He was no other than Kudo Shinichi. Life is unfair. She envied with them. Although the scene was uneasy for her to bear, her eyes still darted to his face every now and then, every time tried to act oh so naturally and unintentionally. And then her heart skipped a beat when his eyes accidentally met hers. She swiftly dashed away, looking at different direction as if searching for something or someone then set her eyes back to right place on the branches.

Every girl here must do the same. She thought, that's why the entire shifts today were filled up with all girls. One hundred percent, it was an absolute number that rarely happened but it did. They all knew about this fantastic fabulous amazing news, just only her was left unnoticed. Thanks Eisuke. Although a click of her mind still complained about the tremendously hard work today, Ran had to be grateful for Eisuke, giving her a chance to meet him in real life.

Earlier in the morning, as he first stepped into the studio through the golden steel door, she waited in anticipation for him to walk into the light. Thus, she could feast her eyes on his tall and elegant figures, his firm and noble posture. He walked with straight back, high head like a gentlemen with strong confidence. Although she just stared at him from the back to the front stage of the grant studio, his radiant smile still sent butterflies to her heart.

Recently, she just took a close up to his face. She couldn't bargain for more when coming to front stage. His eyes had the color of a shinning sapphire in the deep ocean sea. He was gifted with high nose, fair skin and very attractive jaw line. His face was perfect as the statue of art craved by God's in astute details. Ran like other errand girls sat at the back, quietly stared at him, and admired the super model walking alive out of their dream.

'Do not drool!' Ran heard the two errand girls joking few steps away. Ran aimlessly lifted the back of her hand, touch the corner of her mouth. All dried. Ran smiled at her silly action.

'Done!' shouted director loudly.

So her shift has finished today.

Ran retrieved her bags from the locker, prepared to go as the shift leader, Ms. Sakura, approached her

'Ran-chan, do you replace Eisuke today?'

'Yes'

'It's his turn to stay up for cleaning'

'I haven't heard he said anything'

'He probably forget so I'm here… to remind you' spoke her softly.

Ran slowly put her things back into the locker, came back to the Grand studio.

Ms. Sakura was a kind and generous woman. She still looked pretty in her early forties. Unlike Mr. Tosouk, other shift leader, Ran knew. He was really crude and picky. If it was him to remind her about the extra time after shift, his eyes would angrily glare at Ran while shouting like a strict teacher scolding a lazy pupil. Ran quietly thanked Ms Sakura. Compared to Mr. Tosouk, Ms. Sakura was much more enjoyable and tolerant. But it didn't make the boredom working alone in this grand studio any less. She had to stuck here for another 30 minutes.

'Blooom , bloom, bloom' Her phone ringing, incoming call.

'Hey Ran'

'Kaito' Ran's cheering voice lifted up the dull atmosphere within the grand tedious empty studio

'Have you finished Ran? We're near the studio you work. Join us for lunch?'

'Sorry Kaito. I haven't finished yet' her voice plumped to the ground.

'It's noon 12 o'clock. How come?'

'My turn to stay up cleaning'

'So?' Kaito concerned as he heard her voice brittle

'Not done until half hour later' Ran let out a heavy sigh.

'Half hour?' Kaito checked his watch.

'Don't wait for me, Kaito. You guys go ahead. Aoko must be hungry. I will see you two later' Ran voice rose to a fake merriment

'Alright, see you then' Kaito hung up.

Ran looked at the phone in her hand. As if Kaito would say to pick her up and buy lunch for her. She would feel less solitary. It's not like she want they to wait for her nor envy with Aoko. It's just the feeling of lonesome was creeping inside Ran. She had missed the movie this morning, stuck alone in this giant studio doing extra work, again missed lunch with Aoko and Kaito. She had to have her lunch late and totally alone.

'Eisuke. You owe me' Ran sudden burst out a loud sound, not loud as a scream but enough to convey her discontent. She threw the cleaning mop thud to the floor. Looking around the spacious but empty studio, she picked up the mop, continued her work. The mop was guiltless. She should quickly finish and get out of this desolate place. Humming to her petite song, Ran swayed several times on the stage; attempted to dance the tedium away.

Unknown to Ran, the stage studio and the dressing room shared the same wall and there was no sound roof.

In the dressing room, a figure smiled and unheedingly humbled to her songs.

End of chapter 1