A fic I've been planning for some time, around the head canon that Masumi met Shinichi some time ago . . . which was confirmed by the release of Files 844~846.

Of course, Gosho will pull a MOTHY (Vocaloid reference for those who get it) and then come up with something that completely counters it, but humour me.

Masumi scowled as the larger boy tried to cut in front of her place in line. "Hey! No budging!" she said indignantly.

"Shuddup, punk," the boy growled, and pushed her down with both hands. She stumbled, nearly dropping the book she had bought.

Shu-nii was there in an instant. "If you have a problem with my little sister," he said softly, helping her up. "I'd be glad to talk to you."

The boy, now considerably intimidated by Shu-nii, backed up. "No problems, and it's fine, and. . . and. . .That kid's a girl?" he said in disbelief.

Masumi dusted herself off. At least her book was safe. She had dragged Shu-nii to the bookstore on this day, exactly at this time because there would be a book signing session by the author of her favorite books, the Night Baron Series. She hated the very idea of presenting a damaged book to the author to sign.

"Hey," a serious but young voice called at her side. She glanced over to see a boy around her age standing there, hands shoved carelessly in his pockets. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Masumi patted the book. "And so is my book. Are you here to get your book signed too?"

The boy shook his head. He had a bit of a cowlick, but other than that, not a single lock of hair was out of place on his head. "The author's my dad," he said with a hint of pride in his voice. "I'm just here to make sure he doesn't run off to solve a crime again."

"Oh," Masumi glanced at Shu-nii, who had finished talking to the other boy and was now seemingly engrossed in a book on America's war on drugs. It was probably something about either the FBI or the CIA. Her brother liked those. "Does that happen often?"

"Yes," the boy deadpanned. "Far too much. He should have just been a detective. But no, he decides he wants to write instead of fighting crime."

Masumi tightened her grip on her book. "Well, I think it's good he writes," she decided. "Because people like his stories very much."

Kudo Yusaku's son paused. "That's true; he is a best-selling author. Still," he added, obviously wanting to get the last say. "He should have been a detective. The police are always calling him in for help when he's in Japan, but they're stuck when he's away. When I grow up I'm going to be a detective and stick around so that I can always solve cases."

Masumi didn't really want to lose. "I'm going to be a detective, too," she decided, right then and there.

A few boys in her class had once laughed when she had announced her desire to be a police officer. They had teased her, saying that she couldn't be a police officer even if she looked so boyish, because in the end she was nothing but a weak girl.

The boy didn't do that. "Well good luck, because I'm going to be a better one."

She couldn't help but to smile at that, feeling her sharper double tooth lightly scratch her lip. "Nuh-uh!"

"Uh-huh!"

"Masumi," her brother's voice was amused as he finally interrupted their conversation. "The line's moving."

Her future detective rival glanced at the clock. "Gotta go! See you, detective girl!"

She waved good-bye, and stepped forward one spot in line.