Chapter 1 : How I met him ?
It was on a masked ball.
'Hakase, I'm home !' She yelled as she closed the entry door, took off her shoes and headed to the living room searching for her hakase. As she didn't find him, and she was almost hundred percent sure he was preparing tea in the kitchen after hearing the faint noise the water boiler made. She sat on the couch for few minutes before heading to her bedroom to put on some more comfy clothes. 'Ai-kun, aren't you coming down ?' She heard her hakase yelling. #tea must be ready. She thought , 'I m coming down hakase' she yelled back. she brought the papers she needed and headed down quickly.
'That's a very nice mix hakase' she said sipping her tea. 'I found it on your recipe book, and I thought that I must make you something hot and warming to relax after a daywork.' Hakase replied lookin at the pile of paper she brought with her. 'So, any news ?' She asked few minutes later. 'Shinichi called today !' He said enthusiastically 'they're doing fine and well. And there is a very good news too' he added trying to add some suspence to his speech. 'Are they any close ?' She asked thoughtfully looking at her cup. 'No, he didn't mention anything about it, but they are expecting a baby' he replied cheerfully. ' well, that is a very good news too.' She raised her eyes to meet his wide smile, 'they must be excited .. For such news' she added in a lower tone. Hakase feeling the strange aura that filled the place, tried to change the subject , he looked into her eyes and saw, her sadness. It was never easy to be alone or to feel unloved and he knew, that behind her mask of the strong bossy girl, thge intelligent prodigy and researcher, there was something missed, there was a heart that had never tasted lived and that had always wished to be loved. He , he is a man who lives alone, but he had a love for her, for the girl who wore the summer hat. But she, she is alone, because she feels so.
Four years had passed, since she had regained her body. After the organization defeat, she could collect some information and she had succeeded few months later to create the antidote for Apotoxin. Soon after, and since three members of the organization could fled and they are nowhere to be found. Shinichi and Ran decided to get married and travel to study in the States. And she was left alone. Her cousins came to visit her and she paid back the visit in summer when they'd be back to tokyo, Masumi and Shuukiichi traveled to Hokkaido where it was safer, as says Shuuichi who remained in Tokyo to keep an eye on his only cousin since then. Shiho had enrolled thanks to akai's relationship into medical school, and she was to become a doctor in few years. Her life, as time goes on went back to normal but she felt too old and too mature to do the funny things people do, she rarely enjoyed going outdoor.
'Ai-kun , kudo-san called in the afternoon ! I almost forgot that call' he said in ... 'Ehh ? What is it about ?' She asked carelessly not caring to rise her eyes from her papers 'She said that she had got an invitation to masked ball'
How I met him ?
On a masked ball.
The fine Sundays came through the curtain to wake her in the early morning. Besides, someone was knocking on the front door, she knew that hakase was not home as he had probably went somewhere with the detective boys. 'Did he forget his keys or what ?' She thought running down the stairs, 'I told him I was too tired to wake up early on Sundays' . 'Hakase, did you forget your driver licence, your keys or you mobile phone ?' Said she opening the front door 'take whatever you want and let me go to sleep, I am really tired' she added not looking at the newcomer.
'Good morning shiho-chan , I'm sorry if I woke you up' said yukiko cheerfully, 'shall I make you breakfast while you dress up ?' She asked entering and heading to the kitchen, while shiho was still at the doorway trying to understand what she was up to.
'Didn't hakase tell you that we're going shopping, me and you , for the party?' Yukiko asked the yet still clueless shiho who sat to the kitchen island serving her some coffee, 'he must have forgotten, he only told me about the party and the invitation, but mentioned nothing about shopping.' Answered shiho trying to find an excuse for the old man who had forgotten to alarm her about an early visiter that morning. 'We had received the invitation yesterday, it's yusaku's friend, celebrating a new night baron book, and he thought of a masked ball, you haven't been to any, right ?' Yukiko explained the facts, 'no, never' replied shiho. 'That's good, you can come with us then, his friend said we can invited our friends, so we could have much fun.'said yukiko enthusiastically. 'I don't really want, to, maybe next time' said shiho trying to avoid a very interesting invitation. 'No, no I won't accept any excuses, hakase has refused my invitation saying that he had promised the detective boys to take them to a science fair or something, but you're free I believe, It's such a wonderful experience, plus, I heard that many handsome singles are attending, we might find him, the long awaited one' said yukiko almost whispering as if there was someone to hear them. 'Well, if you insist I won't turn you down, but it's not for the long waited one , keep that a secret' replied shiho.
Even though she liked shopping, and that yukiko-san had a great shopping taste, she felt uneasy, she didn't like to be the freeloader. If she wasn't sure that yukiko-san really wanted her to come along, she wouldn't give it a single thought. But, yukiko-San was ...
How I met him ?
On a masked ball.
'You see shiho-chan,it's right over there and it's a very luxurious mansion' said yukiko as she first saw the venue of their party. 'The owner of that mansion is one of our old friends, he offered to host the party because we used to meet up there before launching the first night baron book, he was the first editor and the host of the party, was the publisher' said yusaku who sat to the driving wheel. 'I see, so the night baron is actually some kind of relationship between the three of you , not just a character.' Replied shiho "when I think of it, an old mansion, a first plus kudo's father, there must be some crime soon. He is surely a heavier magnet than his son" , she thought remembering all sorts of cases shinichi solved and that had a similar beginning. 'Let me just be positive for once and hope nothing bad happens'.
The car was parked and the three of them headed to the entry to sign on the guestbook. ''There is all kinds of luxurious cars, it must be a painful party for me.'' She said as she imagined the bragging show she was about to attend inside.
How I met him ?
Now that I sit to my diaries to relate the events of that night, I find it hard to remember all the details. Even though I had not a single thought about what could happen or what changes could affect my life changing to the worse or the better. When we signed our entry, he was just behind me, I've seen that mask before, I do not remember where or when, we entered, he was alone unlike all the other attendees. He seemed bored for some reason. I still ignore why I kept following him with my eyes on that night.
"Shiho-chan, do you want another glass of Sherry ?" asked Yukiko-san with a blink and a wide smile as she remarked how my attention was caught with the mysterious man. "thank you Yukiko-san, I'm not in a mood for drinks tonight" I replied smiling "You need to stay focused, maybe you get a sign from him, dear, he seems weird, I admit but he might be a very good fellow" she whispered in my ear before taking few sips from her glass, "I wonder where Yuu-chan went, I'm going to look for him ,meanwhile keep an eye on that young man".
After Yukiko-san left, I tried to distract myself from following him, was I more interested in his mask than in his person ?, the few glimpses I took at him made me feel I knew him before, perhaps I've seen him somewhere or met him on one of the many adventure I went through in the past as Haibara Ai.
Suddenly, We heard a cry for help, the sudden cry disturbed the harmonious music that was playing, many people headed out to where the sound came from. I, pretty sure that it was some horrible crime, poored a glass of Sherry for myself waiting for the police forces to arrive and capture the culprit who will be simply exposed by the night Baron. I took few sips and turned my head to search for him, was he a hot blood detective like all these attendees ? there was no trace of him in the hall where the party took place.
As I have already mentioned, I had no interest for the crime that happened, it was horrible for sure, since the cause of death was twelve stabs in the whole body, the culprit was simply-said a maniac. I was waiting in the Hall when I saw the police inspector and his subbordinates arriving, Yukiko-san was with me, she didn't surely like to stay long in crime scenes. "it's horrible she said, the way these people kill each other is horrible" She said, glancing at the victim's friend who sat to a table crying her eyes out, "you see, people commit crimes to avenge the pain they felt by someone else's deeds, but they do not think for a moment about the pain they will cause to someone else, making him at his turn, a potential murder" she added few minutes later. "c'est un cercle vicieux" I replied "when emotion are the taking the decisions instead of the mind, the results are either too good or too bad and in both ways I think we should always leave the decisions to be taken by the mind, who can at least find a logically accepted excuse for what he decides".
The time went on like ages, I felt bored and maybe a little bit worried at times because it took too long, I expected Kudo-kun to solve within a few time this case, but as it seems, from his looks and behaviors, he was looking for an evidence to incriminate his suspect. it was already 11pm and we couldn't leave the place. I went to the restrooms to check on my hair and make-up , as I was passing by the men's I heard someone saying "I knew you were the culprit from the moment you .." that sentence caught my attention, what was going on inside ? I wondered, I came closer to the door "this piece of hair, can proove my deduction, I know or maybe I could think of the reason behind your crime, but I find no logical reason in it. I hope at least that you regret your deeds" the same voice continued. "You're funny, that's to much for me; What do you know about that person" another voice said, which was clearly the criminal's. I heard the faint sound of a gun being loaded " What do you know about him, he had shattered my life completely, not only did he take the lives of my parents but also my only brother's." The same voice added. "And what do you think you're doing ?" asked the detective's voice " Are you planning to kill me by any chance ?".
few minutes passed like ages, well, of course I couldn't come in, it was the men's but two lives are on the stake inside. Maybe, I should call someone to solve this problem but it would just add water to mud , it won't help in anyway ...
Gunshot
I was startled, hearing it. I hurried into the men's. I saw two people on the ground, and a the blood pool under my feet. I looked to the faces, they were both wearing a mask, of course how stupid of me, wasn't it a masked ball. I heard an order call the inspector fast. But my hands didn't respond as fast as it should, I found myself rather shocked at the sight of him,lying on the floor, bleeding. I came closer to help him, but he yelled once more, call the inspector.
"Kudo-kun, could you please follow me the restroom, have two policemen with you, there was gunshooting there" I said in a cracked voice, Yusaku-san was surprises of what I said, but he gave a signal to the inspector who sent two policemen with us as we hurried back to the restrooms. As soon as they arrived, they handcuffed the culprit and called two ambulance but he , that man with the strange mask, said he needn't any help.
When everyone left the restroom, leaving the two of us alone, I went closer to him, carrying a white cloth. Asked him if he would let me put the cloth on his arm so it doesn't bleed more until his assistant arrives. I reassured him that I'll try not to bother him much. His face was pale and covered in sweat. It went like ages before he nodded with a faint smile, a smile that I coudn't resist. I went closer to bandage his arm and then he said somethng, i still remember every word of it. ''I'm sorry if I'd ever scare you. I feared he could flee''. I put the cloth, and tried to stop the flow of blood without causing him much pain. "it was painful, but it's better now, thank you" he said, his face was more calm, he closed his eyes, and a faint smile of achievement was on his face. I took a handkerchief and I dried the sweat on the appearing part of his face, he kept his eyes closed until I did a stupid move.
Until I put my hand on his mask, and I slowly took it off...
He screamed then,
I saw something ugly under that mask...
He hurriedly put his palm covering his face. Stood up fully and screamed.
I was terrified, what happened?
"Why did you do ... By ...just tell me why I shall see this face again, why would ever see this monster again ?" I slowly stood up, put the mask on the counter and ran away.
I was going out when an old woman was walking hurried in the opposite direction.
I was too terrified to stand there and wait , or to look for Yukiko-san, I headed to the entrance, slowly, I was terrified, what wrong did I do? why was I that curious ? what have I seen ? why is it all so confusing and so strange ? As I went out, the breeze that met my face cooled my fright, I felt better, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath , my lungs were filled with cool air, I felt better and I almost forgot what have frightened me. In the mansion garden, I saw a nearby fountain, I sit down on its border and contempling the shining moon that appeared that night.
A voice, a gentle voice woke me out of my imagination. ''Good evening miss, I shall on the behalf of my master apologize to you. Even though your deeds were wrong and unpolite. I shall present you my sincere apology for frightening you'' and she left. The old woman who was standing close to me, headed to a nice jaguar that was parked there. I saw, that masked man, sitting in the back, waiting for her. At first it was hard for me to conceive the real thing, what she actually said, did she really apologize? She clearly remarked that my deeds were wrong and impolite, I have certainly done nothing but try to dry his sweat.
'Where have you been dear ? I looked for you everywhere..." Said Yukiko-san approaching me '' I was here all the time, I felt suffocated, I came to breath some clean air.' I replied trying not to let her know what I went through'' We can never get to accustomed to this, I have many nightmare every time a crime occurs... This is truly unconceivable, how could these people live saintly after taking the life of someone?''she added.
This chapter was rewritten, I hope it's better now. It took me too long to update, well because, I am no free person, I have many obligations and certainly many real life tasks to be done. If you like it, I'll try to rewrite the next chapter too, Else, I shall promise you it won't take me too long next time.
Happy reading and reviewing :D