"Ran-neechan, are you okay?"

Conan noticed that Ran has been acting weird lately. Of course he noticed these subtle (—yeah right) changes on her expressions because psh, it's not like he knew her for around 13 years, eh?

Well, that was Shinichi but whatever. His body's the only thing that has changed, not the mind.

Anyway, there were times that Ran's face would look troubled—like she was thinking about something deeply and it eerily reminded him of his thinking face.

(Nope, he wasn't entranced at the sight at all, nope. Really.

And he definitely didn't take a picture. Totally. Nope.)

Also, there were times that she has this very determined look in the face which he normally saw whenever Ran's fighting with karate. But then it immediately deflates into a defeated stance which ends up with a heavy sigh. It happens multiple times a day but Conan just dismissed it as something related to schoolwork or karate. Finals has just finished anyway.

Or maybe it was about her drunkard of a father— although Ran can totally deal with the lazy bum with her fists.

Conan just hoped that Ran will return to her old self soon.

But then days turned into weeks and he noticed that Ran was still the same— the frowns were getting deeper, the knots in between her brows were getting evident and her eyes were still somber, losing its usual spark as she talks with other people.

And then Conan finally decided that he's had enough.

He has to know why Ran was acting differently.

.

.

.

Actually, he might know the reason because he saw Ran clutching her cellphone tightly above her chest during these episodes.

'Of course, it's about Shinichi. But it's not like we're not talking over the phone… Gah, I better fix this. I'm going to snoop around a bit as Conan first before calling her as Shinichi. She's better off smiling, anyways…'

"Ran-neechan, are you okay?"

"Eh Conan-kun? I'm feeling alright, why did you ask?"

"You've been smiling less and less recently…" Conan frowned. "And it has been bothering me because Ran-neechan is always smiling…"

Ran's eyes were wide with the boy's observation. "Conan-kun…"

"Is it because of Shinichi-niichan? Is he being stupid again?"

Ran laughed at the boy's 'stupid' comment.

"Oh Conan-kun, you're so sweet! But you don't have to worry about Ran-neechan. Also about Shinichi, you know how crazy he is about cases so he'll come around whenever he has the time. Stupid, mystery freak."

'Well, sorry about that...'

"Hmm, but maybe I'll call him right now just to check up on him. Great idea, right?" Ran winked and fished her phone out of her pocket.

Conan was suddenly in panic and tried to get away from Ran as soon as possible so that he could take her call.

'OF ALL THE TIMES—'

"A-Ah Ran-neechan!" Conan's voice reached an octave higher because of nervousness. "Actually, I need to—"

"Ah don't worry, I know. You forgot something at Agasa-hakase's house, right? It's alright. Just come home before dinner, okay?"

"O-okay…?"

"You must be wondering how I figured it out. Geez, it's written all over your face. Also whenever I call Shinichi, you're being like this so I got used to it!"

"A-Ah, is that so?"

"Yes. So take care, Conan-kun! I'll go call Shinichi now, okay? Say hi to Agasa-hakase for me."

"Okay, Ran-neechan! Also tell Shinichi-niichan that he should stop worrying you so much! A-And sorry I wasn't able to make you happy again since I am not Shinichi-niichan but I think this will do for now!" Conan motioned Ran to kneel so that she would level with him. And then in a moment, Ran felt something wet and warm on her left cheek. She blinked, as if discerning whether it really happened or not but as she was about to ask, Conan was nowhere to be seen. The only evidence of his escape was the shutting sound of the Agency's door.

"D-Did he just..."

Ran blushed and then sighed.

"This is going to be hard…"

She dialed Shinichi's phone number.

'Sorry, but I need to do this…'

Conan lied.

He did not go to Hakase's house. He was just leaning against the wall beside the door of the Detective Agency, because sometimes, the best way to hide is to be close to the seeker.

Setting that aside, he was really, really red in the face.

'I-I-I really did that… but if that gives her a little bit of comfort then it's fine…'

He prepared his voice-changing bowtie to imitate Shinichi's voice.

'Her cheeks were so soft though…'

His Shinichi phone vibrated in his pocket.

'But what is this weird feeling I'm having…'

.

.

.

"Hey Ran."

"…"

"Ran?"

"…"

"Oooooooi"

"I know where you are."

"Oi Raaan—Eh?"

"I said I know where you are."

"W-What?"

"Baka, are you deaf now?"

"Barou! It's just you're calling me and then you're suddenly like that… it kinda sounded creepy, you know?"

"Ah, is that so?"

"A-Ah maybe it's because of those weird moods? Conan-kun told me about what's happening to you the last time he called and asked me to help because he's worried about you… I was about to call you after I finish part of the case I'm working on."

"Ah, of course he will tell you, eh?"

'S-Shit, is she..?'

"Y-You know that kid. He's attached to you."

'Why am I even stuttering?'

"Yeah, he even kissed me before I made this phonecall to cheer me up."

Shinichi choked on his spit.

"Kah—Is that so?"

"Ara, you didn't know? I thought since Conan-kun did it, you'll immediately know what happened."

'What?'

"I didn't. It happened immediately before you called, right? So there was no time for him to call me at all. And it's not like we have some sort of telepathy thing going on. It's ridiculous, Ran."

"Ah, I see. Of course, telepathy is impossible. But aren't you jealous at all?"

'Of course not, he's me—'

"Why? He's just a kid."

"Ooooh, I wonder. Sometimes I think that Conan-kun will be a better choice in the future~"

'Oi, oi.'

"Ran, please save yourself from being a pedo—"

"DON'T you even finish that sentence or else – and yep, you're definitely jealous."

"Raaaaan!"

Shinichi could basically hear her smirk. He wondered where Ran's boldnesss was coming from.

'Now she sounds like she's not having problems but of course, I know better than that.'

"A-Anyway Ran, why did you call me?"

"I thought I told you already. I am saying that know where you are."

"Hmmm and where is that, Miss Detective?"

"Ara, I thought you already knew."

"Of course, barou. In a case far, far away, Mouri-san."

"I'm starting to doubt your deduction skills again, Kudo-kun."

"Oi! Wait, again—!?"

"London, idiot." Both blushed but Ran coughed and returned to the topic, "Anyway, do you want to hear my deductions about your whereabouts?"

Conan, still beside the Agency's door, is now sweating profusely.

'As I've thought, I'm having a really bad feeling about this phone call.'

"You still need to officially confirm my deductions about what's in your heart, Mouri-san." Shinichi was obviously stalling because he already knew about her feelings since forever.

"This phonecall is not about that!"

Shinichi snickered while picturing Ran shouting on her phone, red in the face. He could hear her whisper something about 'tell you next time', 'can't he just say it' and 'stupid detective freak'.

In any case, he should probably change his location before Ran suddenly finds him there and not on Agasa-hakase's house. So Conan took one step away from the door then—

"Don't you dare go away, Shinichi."

'How did she even-?!'

"W-whatever are you saying, Ran? I'm not even moving from my spot. So let's hear it then, your deduction."

"Uh uh. I just felt that you were about to leave from your spot." Shinichi sweatdropped. "About your location, actually, I'll just go straight to the point."

'Okay Kudo, maybe Ran's just playing a prank on you. You don't really have any evidence that she's been suspecting you again. You haven't felt that penetrating gaze whenever she suspects you. So calm down and don't be an idiot. This is Ran, you should be able—no, NEED to protect your identity to keep her safe.

Even if it hurts so much…'

Shinichi took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Alright."

"Right so I'm starting with this: I'm sure that you've been around my presence recently."

'Haha is this even a direct approach?'

"Oi, oi don't tell me you've decided that I became a ghost…"

"Stupid. Don't even joke about that. I meant that you've been physically around me for the past 24 hours."

"Sorry, sorry. But if I was just around, I should have talked to you, right?"

"Oh, but you did!"

"I… do not recall such conversation. I swear if Kaitou KID is masquerading as me again I'll—"

"Bzzzt. Maybe you forgot. Do you want me to refresh your memory?"

"Please do, Ran-sama."

Ran cleared her throat.

"I do recall that someone was trying to cheer me up because they felt that I was not feeling okay. I told them I was alright because I don't really want to worry them… but it was a lie. I have been holding back for the past year. Every time I get a lead, it vanishes and then I'm back to square one again."

'Holy shit. Ran is getting scarily on point right now…and I do not like where this is heading.'

"Ran…"

"So for the past weeks, I've done a lot of thinking you see? I thought maybe I was approaching this dilemma of mine the wrong way. Having you as a best friend ever since we were four really helped me. All of your ramblings about Holmes got stuck into my head and I just applied it into what I was thinking about. Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth. Right, Shinichi?"

Shinichi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

'So Ran really…'

"Right. So Mouri-san, what did you find out?"

Shinichi heard Ran sniff and he knew that she was about to cry.

'Oh no…'

"I-I… Shinichi…"

"Yes, Ran?"

"You claim that you have been away on a case making you unable to see me regularly, right?"

'It's a case but…'

"Yes."

"Then…" A single sob was heard from Ran's end, "Why are you lying to me?

"R-Ran…?"

"I'm sure that you're really working on a case but…"

"I-I—"

"But the truth is… you never left me alone, right?"

'Ah.'

"Ran…"

"That you were always beside me. That whatever case you've been working on is so troublesome because you have become helpless. You needed to accept help from people around you. You had to control yourself from being on the limelight because it was dangerous. You had to pretend a lot. That wasn't the usual you but for some reason, you threw away the glory and fame and became somebody else."

"That and according to Hattori-kun way, way back, you always knew how I was feeling during our phone calls. Sure, you might be able to detect my feelings through my voice but I always had a feeling that you also knew what I was doing off the phone."

There was a pregnant pause after Ran's statement, save for her sobs which she tried to suppress.

"Of course, Ran. I am a detective so I'll know. Especially if it's about you…"

"Even the greatest detective can't know everything, right? The timing of your phone calls always, always have the right timing. Whenever I feel bad or something, my phone suddenly rings. And you always know—"

"Evidence."

"Eh?"

"Ran, the most important thing to have to prove your deduction…" Shinichi gulped, praying to the heavens that this day won't get any worse. "…what's your evidence?"

At this, Conan was baffled when Ran choked a laugh.

"Did you really think I was deaf not to hear your voice behind that door?

'Well fuck.'

"Also, please check your voice."

'Well, fucking shit. I didn't notice that I dropped the damn voice-changing bowtie!'

"Oh yeah one more thing, I think I forgot to tell Conan-kun that we now have a CCTV camera near the door."

'Triple kill…'

Ran's giggles were heard while Conan was groaning over the phone in his failure to keep his identity hidden from the one and only person he can't risk knowing.

'Fuck, Ran knows, she knows and she got me cornered I have no way out shit she's gonna open the door HOLY SHIT THE KNOB'S TURNING I CAN'T MOVE FROM MY SPOT—'

Ran opened the door and smiled down at Conan-kun.

"You know, Conan-kun's kiss was really cute."

Conan thought that she was saying that to Conan but she was still talking on the phone.To Shinichi.

"…"

"So did you like it? I think I did."

Conan was trembling under Ran's kind gaze.

'Wait— Kind… gaze?'

"Ara, Conan-kun. You're here early. Come in?"

'What?'

"Conan-kun?"

'Why is she acting like she did not just expose my well-hidden secret!?'

"R-Ran…?"

"That's Ran-neechan for you, did you forget Conan-kun?" Ran wagged a warning finger in front of Conan's face, "So did you get what you forgot?"

'Was it a dream?'

"A-Ah! Yes Ran-neechan! I decided that I'll just go to Hakase's house next time."

"I see."

Conan shifted nervously on his feet under the merciful stare of his childhood friend slash sweetheart.

'Ran… she's…'

Ran pushed the 'End Call' button and placed her phone inside her pants pocket.

"...Ran-neechan, did Shinichi-niichan made you cry?"

The girl hastily wiped her eyes with her sleeve and laughed softly into her hand.

"Ah, I think he did. Or not. I don't know. What do you think, Conan-kun?"

"I think… he's just being an idiot. Isn't he?"

"I think so, too! But it's fine since we're both being idiots now, ne?"

'So this is her decision…'

"But despite that, Shinichi-niichan's still the one who can make you smile the most, right?"

Ran did not miss the implication of the shrunken detective's statement.

'I can never make you happy in this form, right?'

She smiled and took Conan's hand.

"Do you want to go upstairs and help me with dinner? Otou-san will not be coming home because he's playing Mahjong again with the neighbors. Is curry alright? Ah also, I made some lemon pie for you earlier!"

Conan stared. He didn't really understand why Ran's being like this—ignoring the fact that she could actually confront him now and maul him into the streets and leave him to suffer there because of his lies.

She has the right. He preferred staying away from her than leading her into a definite death trap. It was enough that he was suffering alone in exchange for her safety so he lied continuously.

But today, Ran sealed the longest case that she has been on.

The case of the missing detective, Kudo Shinichi.

"Okay, Ran-neechan. That would be nice, thank you." The boy whispered.

Ran squeezed Conan's hand in acknowledgement.

"But don't forget to pick up your bowtie from the floor, alright?"

Conan did not miss the gleam on Ran's eyes and almost dropped to the floor.

"Don't worry, I also deleted the footage."

Ran winked at Conan.

'Yep. I was definitely exposed.'

After the weird confrontation— or confirmation rather— the two acted normally during dinner.

And the normalcy was freaking Conan out.

Ran was still serving him with a kind smile and wipes his face whenever something would get stuck on his face. It made Conan extra nervous because he doesn't have an idea on what Ran was thinking so he decided to help her prepare the food and wash the dishes afterwards to try calm her wrath even for a little bit.

Now they were just on Ran's room, sitting on her bed. The girl decided to invite Conan into her room because she wanted to talk more with him.

Usually, it would make Conan happily flustered but considering the events that have transpired hours ago, he was... scared.

Also it didn't help that he noticed some broken mechanical pencils in her trash bin.

'I wonder if I'm going to go after those...' He gulped nervously as he averted his gaze from the trash bin. 'I'm sure that the Black Organization cannot take me down but Ran definitely CAN. SEE, SHE ALREADY LOCKED THE DOOR.'

So to finish this once and for all, they need to have this talk right now.

"R-Ran-nee—"

"Conan-kun can make me happy in ways Shinichi can't so don't worry about not making me happy, ne?"

Conan was startled at the sudden statement.

"Conan-kun makes me very, very happy. Shinichi and Conan-kun makes me very happy."

"R-Ran..."

"So Conan-kun... please tell Shinichi that my decision has not changed. I will always wait for that idiot. No matter how long it will take... as long as he comes back to me."

"Ran—" The girl sealed the young boy's lips with her finger.

"Just promise me that you'll always be okay." At this, Ran's tears finally fell, her facade finally breaking. "I can't help it. You already know about my feelings and I can't help but worry about the most important person in the whole world for me. I-I'll do my best too so you should too, ne?" She removed the finger from his lips and smiled at Conan— Shinichi.

Conan's glasses gleamed. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh of resignation. Tossing his eyeglasses on the bed, he looked up at the beautiful angel in front of him and smiled sadly.

"Thank you, Ran. And I'm sorry. Really, really sorry." Ran almost missed his soft voice— which is strikingly similar to the Shinichi that she knew— but the softening of her gaze implies that she got the message. "And... didn't I already promise that I will come back to you no matter what? So you don't have to worry."

Shinichi wasn't prepared to be tackled by an emotional Ran into the bed.

"Shinichi..." She sobbed. "Stupid. Shinichi— stupid mystery otaku!" She repeated the words over and over and Shinichi had no choice but to tightly grip the crying woman.

"Come on, stop crying. Also please stop crushing me..."

"Oh sorry!"

"Ah, I was kinda expecting a swat on the head because of my statement's implication..."

Ran was red in the face.

"Ara, do you want me to?"

Flat stare.

"No, thank you."

Silence.

"So you're not trying to do some trick to fool me again, eh?"

"Sorry..."

"No, no. That was a genuine question."

"...I guess this was what I've wanted since the beginning. Since nobody's able to interfere during that moment unlike the other times, I just... let it happen." Shinichi clutched the blanket tightly. "Believe me when I say that you were the first one that I wanted to talk to but Agasa-hakase made me realize that I can't because it's too dangerous and you're too important to me and I love you so much I can't risk anything to risk your safety—"

"Shinichi."

"I really, really wanted to tell you because it was so hard pretending in front of you and I never kept secrets from you and you are my best friend and you are my Ran—"

"Shinichi!"

"Sorry..."

Ran stroked Shinichi's hair, treading into the strands carefully to soothe the frustrated detective.

"No, no, don't apologize. I've thought about this over and over, on why you were doing this, and I figured out that whenever you hide things from me, it was to protect me from harm. I understand. That's really touching of you but..." Ran's hand fell from his head to his cheek and stroked it lightly. "I think you need to trust me more."

"No Ran— I trust you!"

"I know you trust me but you need to trust on my survival—"

"I just don't trust myself!"

Ran's eyes widened at Shinichi's outburst.

"I-I don't trust myself to stop being comfortable around you and not let my guard down! If I slip even for a little bit, everyone around me will definitely die! Especially you, Ran. I don't want that!" Shinichi was gripping his hair and his breaths were becoming ragged. "I...I needed to be away and be Conan-kun, the cute little brother who freeloads in the Mouri household, to separate Kudo Shinichi from the world and his loved ones!—"

"—Shinichi! Shinichi!" Ran shook the panicking boy in her arms. It proved to be not effective so she took the shrunken high school detective in an embrace to soothe him. "Shhh. Shhh. You don't need to say anymore, I understand. I told you I understand. Please. Conan-kun, Shinichi, please come back to me, it's alright."

This was the first time that she saw Shinichi with a panicked expression. She never thought that the day when she's able to witness Shinichi's vulnerable moment would come. She never thought that her childhood friend would break down like this. Was he really that scared for her? He was always protecting her in the shadows and she didn't even know. She choked a sob while she tightened her grip to Shinichi.

'Now that I know, I swear I'm going to protect him in ways that only I could.'

Only the sounds of Shinichi's heavy breathing were heard in the room for a few minutes. It faded into a sigh as he burrowed his head deep into Ran's neck, seeking comfort in his love's arms.

"...Ran?"

"Yes, Shinichi?"

"What did I ever do to deserve you?"

Ran just smiled into Shinichi's hair. "Nothing. I just love you too much."

"I love you, too. Both of us. Conan and Shinichi both love you."

"Thank you."

"No, Ran. Thank you."

Both smiled as they enjoyed the moment in each other's arms. After they've had enough, Ran broke the embrace.

"Now Conan-kun, since you are a growing boy, you need to sleep now! So off to bed, chiisana tantei-kun!"

"Oh goodness, now she's teasing me..."

"What's that Conan-kun?" Ran's smile was menacing that Shinichi sweatdropped in fear.

"N-Nothing, Ran-neechan! I guess you're right!"

"So," She picked up his glasses and put it on Conan. "Go to your room now and sleep, okay?"

"Haaaai!" Shinichi noticed that Ran was trying so hard to hide her amusement in Conan-kun's cheery attitude.

He just shot her a flat stare.

"Great, my girlfriend is not going to ever let all of these go."

"Of course~"

"Geh."

"Good night Conan-kun! Please tell Shinichi good night for me, too okay?"

"Good night, Ran-neechan! And Shinichi-niisan said that he hopes that you have good dreams tonight! That, and he'll call you before you sleep."

"Eh? Ah, oh alright! I have my phone with me so he can call when you get to your room, okay?"

"Okay! Bye!"

"Bye bye!"

"Are you not even going to ask what happened to me?"

"Hmm. I have a vague idea about it. You snooped around, got caught, shrunk and then boom, I got a little brother. Bad guys can't know where you are or else everyone will die. And now you're finding these bad guys to have them pay for their misdeeds!"

Shinichi sweatdropped at Ran's narration.

'It's rough around the edges but... that's basically it.'

"Do... do you want me to tell you?"

"Of course. So I think I'll listen to it when you finally come back to me for good. I know you'd tell me about it when the danger has already passed- or are you planning on keeping this from me forever?"

"Absolutely not!"

"Sorry, I was just kidding. But it's still dangerous, right? I know you. You can't spill the details until all of the mysteries were solved."

'Yeah, she definitely knows everything about me.'

"Thank you, Ran. I promise I will tell you everything when the time comes. I might drop some hints along the way though because I don't think I can ever bear to lie to you again..."

"I understand. To be honest, you don't need to but I am thankful that you care about me a lot.

"I love you."

Ran heard this a while ago but this time, it had finally sunk into her and blushed furiously.

"A-Ah— I... uhm I—that was sudden. Gosh I thought I was over it but hearing it with your adult voice... And uhm, I-I love you, too."

Shinichi gulped.

"My heart is beating very fast right now."

"Mine too."

They laughed together to ride out their nervousness.

Silence.

"Also I feel very relieved right now."

"Me too."

More silence.

"I-It has been a long day s-so I think we should sleep now?"

"I-I think so too."

"Good night, Ran."

"Good night, Shinichi."

"I..."

"Hmm?"

"I love you. I-I just had to say it again since you told me about that and my voice and—"

Ran giggled.

"I love you, too!"

Shinichi smiled and closed his eyes.

'I can never exchange Ran for anything else in the world.'

The phone line went dead.

The childhood sweethearts put their phones on the side and slept with a big smile on their faces.

Tomorrow will be the start of an interesting adventure.

Okay I think I've said to myself before that I won't write fanfics anymore because I SUCK AT THEM and I'm better off drawing anyway but EH I WANTED THIS SCENARIO SO YES i tried so hard hahaha

My first fanfic was dc and I was 14 and they were horrible oh my god i'm sorry

So almost 10 years later, I hope this will be better haha. I have no beta so I'm pretty sure my tenses are all messed up so thank you for bearing with me.

Anyway, some chapters will be added later on but I won't guarrantee the length lmao this isn''t really a serious fanfic with cases and stuff- this is more of their everyday lives or sth haha But I'm not really sure so yeah

Thanks for reading!