I'm sorry for not updating as earlier as you thought I would. I was so busy yesterday I slept right before it was dinner time. Really. I even bought a new book, and started to read a few pages. I'll cut this note short. Anyways, off you go!

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There was a fun run happening all the way to the Kudo household. A fifteen kilometer sprint from the Mouri Detective Agency to the Kudo house was held at eight – o – clock, and there wasn't a specific time limit. It just says that there will be a fun run happening, and whoever reaches the house first will be awarded with a prize later. And Mouri Ran was currently on the lead of this competition.

Not technically.

Though it did feel like a fun run, at least for Ran. After receiving the call Shinichi made in the wee early hours of the morning, Ran didn't hesitate to run from her home all the way to his. She didn't stop despite the heaviness her lungs were giving her. She zoomed past nearly everyone who were in her way. Her legs never stopped, but they wanted to give up and crumble down to the floor.

She was beginning to tire herself. Pushing her energy just so she could get there as quickly as she could should be made as a world record.

Not long after did she finally reach the gates and breath heavily. She puffed and huffed and sucked in the air her lungs gave out and desperately needed. Her knees trembled but never buckled. Her feet hurt. She was aching all over. But screw it, she needed to see him. She needed to get inside and give him a beating for being away for so long.

She didn't sound the doorbell; he might be sleeping at the moment and she didn't want to disturb him. The gate creaked loudly, making Ran wince. It sounded rusty and old and lacked of oil. So much for not wanting to wake him.

Before she could even bring herself in, the door opened slightly, Subaru Okiya's head coming out from the slight opened gap. His eyes were half closed, but he was up and going with hair that looked as if he just came out from the shower, nice and clean clothes covering his build and skin to oblivion.

Ran wondered if he could even see her.

"Mouri – san, what are you doing here so early in the morning?" She spoke too soon. Ran nervously chuckled and walked warily towards him. A finger scratched her cheek in utter embarrassment.

"Good morning, Subaru – san. I was just here to see if Shinichi's arrived yet, since he called not so long ago." Subaru opened the door completely and made his way out, making Ran even more nervous.

"I'm really sorry for intruding." He came closer and closer.

"Don't worry about it, Mouri – san. Kudou – san is at the library. I'll be at the market if you need me." Subaru gave her smile before going outside of the gate.

"Please, excuse me." She bowed slightly and went inside.

. . .

"To think this was the first place you'll be visiting. I should really be wounded by now."

Shinichi jumped, startled by her voice that bounced off the library walls. The book he was carrying fell from his fingers, and he muttered a few curses under his breath.

"Of course I'll be here first. It's not like I'll visit your place without stopping by my house and taking a shower." He remarked, placing the book back on its place on the shelf.

Though, Ran knew Shinichi would visit their library first before heading to her place. He literally grew up in this library rather than his own home, always dissolving into himself as he read numerous mystery novels his father collected. Even if she'd visit him for them to play when they were kids, Shinichi would either be at the backyard dribbling his football on one foot to the other or reading another book of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series.

Shinichi would prefer reading a lot in the library than go outside and dribble his football or play the violin. This is a fact she knew all too well.

"I knew you would. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably isolate myself from my childhood friend and read all of these books in one go." She brushed her fingers along the paperback and hardbound covers of the books softly, eyeing each and every one of the titles with much admiration. How lucky Shinichi must be for having to live with so much books.

(A/N: I would gladly and happily ignore everyone and bury my nose under those books. That is not a lie. :P)

"Are you trying to make me feel guilty or something?"

"Maybe." She shrugged innocently. "But I'm glad you're back. And for good, I hope?" Smiling at him, Ran sat down on a chair. She crossed her legs by her knees and propped up her elbow, giving him a look that said if-you-don't-agree-I'll-kick-you-so-hard-you'll-cry. Shinichi chuckled.

"It's for good alright. I shouldn't involve myself to cases that would take me too long to figure out. You'd worry about me."

"It's your fault for being so cocky and egotistical anyway."

"I've learned my lesson okay? Stop picking on me, Ran. Geez." She laughed at him.

They said nothing after that. Shinichi was too busy staring at the floor while Ran stared at the books. It still amazed her on how his father could afford so much books. The more she stared at them, the more she thought Shinichi should notice how she was just looking at the books purposely so he could strike up another conversation. She glanced at him every so often, but she'd still find him staring at the floor.

Nothing changed much in his appearance. He still looked the same. His eyes were still the type of blue she loved to look at, his cheeks were not as high but still had a definition in them. Tufts and cowlicks remained just as stuck as ever, and his build remained athletic but thin at the same time. He looked just like Conan and Conan looked just like Shinichi. They really are distant cousins.

"Are you done checking me out?"

"I wasn't checking you out. I was only comparing yourself from when you left me alone in Tropical Land." He rolled his eyes at that, not seeing the blush on her cheeks made from the comment he said earlier.

"I'm really surprised at how well you're taking my arrival. I expected you'd lunge yourself at me and cry until you passed out." Ran widened her eyes. So he noticed. She decided to give him a challenge.

"Your expectations must be really high, huh? But no. I wouldn't do that. I've had enough crying for one month." Really, she promised herself she wouldn't cry by the time Shinichi would come back. Ever since Conan left, Ran realized things happen for a reason. Sometimes, letting your tears flow wouldn't help bring back the things you want to stay with you. If the boy's leave was something not to cry about every day, then Shinichi's arrival shouldn't be something she had to cry about. She's taken this into a lot of consideration.

"I'm proud of you. You've finally grown out of your tearful self. You've grown stronger now." She felt proud of herself as well. It's high time she move on and let things go behind her.

Ran picked herself and headed towards the door. Her smile was huge, and her cheeks started hurting from having to pull so much muscle into smiling. She left the library quietly, only to have Shinichi call out to her.

"Oi! Where are you going?" He scowled at her for not feeling welcomed by her, especially from the lack of hug he'd expected to get from her.

"I'm going home."

"Where's my welcome back hug?"

"So you were expect a hug from me." Ran giggled, making Shinichi turn beet red.

"I don't want you leaving my house without giving me something in return."

"Since when have you gone soft?"

"I need my damn hug, Ran." She had to laugh loudly at that. He's so cute.

Ran obliged to his request – more like demand – and gave him her welcome hug. She wrapped her arms under his armpits while his went over her shoulders, pulling him close to her while touching the strands of hair on her head. Ran closed her eyes in comfort and sighed lovingly.

This is the first time she's ever given him a hug. She loved how his caresses and soft touches made her all tingly inside. The fact that he was this close to her made her not want to let go of him. She loved him all over again just by feeling him close to her and it made Ran fall for him even harder.

Her arms pushed him gently away from her – damn, he was enjoying the moment so bad he frowned when she pulled away. Nuzzling her forehead against his, Ran stared at his eyes.

"You're stupid, you know that?" Their noses were touching. Controlling herself and trying not to kiss him was a struggle for her. His lips were a mere inches away from her, and his smirk triggered that feeling of wanting to kiss him so badly just so he'd lose that cocky smile of his.

"Only because you're teasing me a lot today." It was pep talk, really. A talk two lovers who knew their feelings for the other but wouldn't admit it out loud since they knew already was a typical thing for them to do and talk about normally. Ran was even surprised Shinichi would go this far to cradle her in his arms and play along with her teasing.

She shook her head, rubbing their skin together and placed a kiss on Shinichi's nose. Kissing him on the lips were awkward for her; from what she's seen on her daily night dramas, kissing the person you like would lead to longer kisses and probably a make out. It was too embarrassing to even think about it, so she settled for the lightest peck on his nose.

"Welcome back, Shinichi."

"Now there's the type of welcoming I was waiting for."

. . .

She left his place with a grin etched on her face, Shinichi trailing right beside her. Both had identical grins, leaving a wondering Subaru Okiya to think what happened to them while he was at the market. He smiled at them, before entering the Kudo household to prepare lunch for himself since Shinichi wouldn't be back before sundown. It was only a hunch, though Subaru knew better than that.

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I'm finally finished! Soo, did you guys like it? I had to erase the 'Ran cries and hugs Shinichi when he enters her doorstep' idea since I find it so typical. I've read some fanfics regarding that matter, and I wasn't exactly satisfied. So I settled with Ran teasing him until Shinichi gives in and expects a hug from her. I find it cute though. Till next time! Byeyiiiiii. :P