Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Gosho Aoyama. I own only this plot.

1. Reunion

Ran glanced briefly at her wristwatch before entering the classroom, out of habit than anything. I am early, she realized. "Sonoko-chan's not arrived yet'', she thought, scanning the room for her friend. She suddenly froze.

A blond girl was staring straight at her with unblinking cold grey eyes. Ran's first thought was that she must be an American (she had seen such people in the States with Shinichi and his parents, Yusako and Yukkiko Kudou, who lived there, hadn't she?). But surprisingly the girl had Asian features. She must have a foreign parent, Ran concluded. She dimly recalled Jodie-sensei telling her class about a new girl who was to join their class, when she had made the announcement that Shinichi Kudou would finally be coming back, a couple of days ago. She must be the new girl, Ran thought, what's her name? Shi- Shiho Miyano-yeah, that's it!

Ran's curiosity and natural warmness made her head straight to Shiho Miyano, the new girl.

"Hey!" she said, "You must be Shiho Miyano. Welcome to Teitan High- you are new, aren't you?"

The girl nodded.

For a moment, Ran felt as if something hardened in Shiho's face as she looked at her; but a second later she was sure she had imagined it as Shiho Miyano returned her warm smile with an equally warm one of her own.

Relieved, Ran set her book-bag on the desk next to Shiho's.

"Pleased to meet you Ran, I have heard a lot about you", said Shiho, formally extending her hand. "Really?" said Ran taking her hand, confused, "From who?"

"From whom", corrected Shiho

"Remember me?" suddenly said a male voice, surprising both the girls. Ran swivelled around. Standing in front of her wearing his signature outfit: a button-down shirt and a navy blazer, a proud grin on his face, and a baseball cap drawn low over his face was...

"Shinichi!" exclaimed Ran, "Y-You are back!"She moved towards him as if in a dream. He grinned nervously and then...

"Ooff!"

Suddenly Ran was punching every bit of him she could reach.

"Ow! That hurts! Cut it out, Ran, will you?" said a shocked Shinichi angrily, trying to shield himself.

"No! You were away for months. Months! Explain yourself!" yelled Ran, still punching him.

"Look, I'm sorry about that! I can explain!" said Shinichi.

"You do that," said Ran furiously, settling herself upon a chair.

Shinichi sighed. Some of the students had begun to stare by now. He waved a dismissive hand at them, "Please continue; nothing to see here". A few students laughed. Girls giggled. It was no secret that each girl had a major crush on Shinichi Kudou.

Ran frowned.

"Look," said Shinichi, trying to speak as quietly as possible, "As I told you before: I have been working on this case, and it was no easy one. It was bound to take time."

"A case, was it?" said Ran sceptically, "Tell me about it."

"What!" said Shinichi completely distracted.

"Tell me about it," repeated Ran, "If it really was a case, that is."

Shinichi was taken aback. He looked directly at Shiho, "I need your help on this one, Miyano."

Ran had totally forgotten Shiho in the excitement of Shinichi coming back. She looked at her now. "Wait," she said. "You two know each other?" she asked incredulously, "Shiho's a new student!"

"We met on the case Ran-kun," said Shiho softly. "Yeah!" Shinichi nodded, "Miyano-san -Shiho's a scientist." Ran snorted, "A seventeen-year old scientist! How ridiculous! But..."She turned to Shiho.

"Have we met before?" she asked. Shiho shook her head. "I'm eighteen," she said. "Shiho used to work for this organization", explained Shinichi, "Syndicate, actually. But now it's finished for good and she's on our side." Ran laughed dryly, "What are you not telling me, Shinichi? I understand if she's your girlfriend...but tell me the truth, do not lie, please...I am still your best friend; you can count on me."

Suddenly the bell rang for their first class; everybody hastened to their seats.

"I will talk to you after school; you have got to trust me," Shinichi hissed at Ran as he grabbed his book-bag, "But let me tell you this: you have got it all wrong."

You have got it all wrong

Ran nodded; she couldn't think of anything to say but his last words kept ringing in her ears throughout the day.

Author's note: This has been sitting in my computer for about 5 years now and I finally decided to put it out today. Please review, and thanks for reading!