Alright, chapter two is up! I'd like to give a huge thank you to those following this story. This is the first time I've really posted anything I've written online, so it really means a lot to me. Also, a big thank you to MysteriousClue and Out-Of-Control-Authoress for writing me reviews with some very valuable input and suggestions. It was all very helpful! Not much happens in this chapter, but I'm setting up for a murder mystery in the next chapter. I was originally going to end this chapter with the murder, like the episodes always do. But this chapter ended up taking longer than I expected, so I just ended the chapter early. Anyway, on with the story!
"Oi, what's this?" Sonoko asked, pointing at Conan. "I thought I told you to bring your husband along." Sonoko was wearing one of her famously flashy outfits, a denim miniskirt, maroon blouse, and small black half-jacket. On her feet were black flats with rhinestones on the toe.
Ran was clothed in a much warmer ensemble. She wore dark blue skinny jeans, a pink t-shirt, and a cream-colored jacket. Matching her t-shirt were a pair of simple pink flats. Ran glanced at Conan, and then turned her gaze back to Sonoko. Then, very matter-of-factly, she replied, "But Conan-kun's my replacement husband, remember?"
Ran and Sonoko began laughing as Conan looked on in confusion. Replacement husband? What is this? Conan stared at the ground. Sonoko and her weird nicknames, he thought, warmth pouring into his face.
Upon passing through the front gate, Ran reached for Conan's hand. She clasped his left hand in her right and smiled down at him.
"Don't let go of my hand, okay?"
A small exclamation of surprise escaped Conan's lips.
Ran continued, as if in answer to Conan's indignation. "I know you like to run around a lot, Conan-kun. But this park is really big, and I don't want to lose you. So don't let go, okay?"
Conan looked up at Ran. His heart felt like it was sinking in his chest. On the surface, this was only about staying together, so they wouldn't get separated in the crowds. But Ran's words brought Conan's thoughts back to that day. His last day with Ran, before Kudo Shinichi had become Edogawa Conan. Here at Tropical Land, where Ran had indeed lost him.
That time, he had left Ran without a thought. Conan felt a twinge of pain at the idea. But he knew it was true. He had sensed another mystery, and he left Ran to pursue it. Ran would be there when he was done, he had thought. Because Ran was always there. Conan felt Ran's soft fingers clutching his tiny hands. And she's still here, waiting for me. Conan bit his lip as his line of thought continued. When I've never been there for her.
"Conan-kun?"
Ran, Conan thought. I want to be there for you. He met Ran's eyes. With his true thoughts concealed behind a child-like smile, he answered. "I won't let go, Ran-neechan."
The group proceeded to try out a few roller coasters. Unfortunately, Conan's stature seemed to pose a problem.
"Eh? Conan-kun's too short for this one too," Ran observed.
"Mou," moaned Sonoko. "Why can't this brat be any taller?"
Conan smiled wryly. Oi, oi. It's not like I can help it, he thought to himself.
Ran straightened herself up. "Alright, well, I guess we'll just have to try another ride." Ran pondered the various rides in her head. "When Shinichi and I went here, I think there were a lot of kid-friendly rides on the east side of the park…"
Sonoko furrowed her brow. "But we walked nearly two kilometers to go on this one," she moaned. "Listen, this brat's mature enough. He could just wait for us to ride it really quickly." Sonoko glanced down at Conan. "And then we'll go on all the kiddie rides you want," she added curtly.
"Conan-kun is pretty mature for his age…" Ran agreed. She considered the idea for a moment. But that feeling had been nagging her since she entered the park. That shiver down the back of her spine. The same feeling as when Shinichi left to pursue the man in black. The fear that she would never see him again. And after that day, Shinichi had disappeared from her life. Ran took a deep breath. It hurt just thinking about Shinichi. She had seen him a few times since then, but he seemed so far away. As if, should she reach out to touch him, he would disappear, having been an illusion all along. Was he lost forever?
She felt Conan's delicate hand within her own. Conan-kun, who had come to live with her so unexpectedly, the night Shinichi had vanished. He was a strange little boy, but whenever Conan was around, Ran almost felt as though she didn't miss Shinichi as much. My little replacement husband, Ran thought to herself. She could not lose Conan too. She would not. Ran tightened her grip on Conan's hand, as if to reassure herself he was still there.
"I…" Ran began. Her voice wavered. Stupid, Ran thought. Am I really going to start crying over letting go of Conan's hand? It was this place. Coming back to the place she had lost him. Ran collected herself and continued. "I can't do that." She took a deep breath and looked down at Conan. "We promised we wouldn't let go," Ran asserted.
Conan and Sonoko had both seen the sadness creep slowly into Ran's expression.
"Ran-neechan…" Conan offered sorrowfully.
Suddenly, Sonoko grabbed Ran's left hand and smiled. "That's right. None of us are letting go. Now let's go on one of those silly kid rides."
Ran smiled and nodded. Sonoko was a good friend. She squeezed Conan's hand. Conan-kun too.
According to the map, there was a section on the east side of the park that was filled with family friendly rides. As the three made their way toward that section, Conan kept a close eye on Ran. She seemed to be doing better now, but he knew she had been thinking about his disappearance. He watched Sonoko and Ran chatter idly about school, gossip, and of course, the herds of men Sonoko was crazy about.
Warmth and a genuine smile slowly returned to Ran's face. She even released Sonoko's hand after a few minutes, although she continued holding onto Conan. Ran... Conan's biggest regret from that night wasn't about getting shrunk by the Black Organization. It was Ran's pain that he regretted the most. And the danger he risked bringing upon Ran if his identity was discovered…
They soon arrived at one of the larger children's roller coasters. Ran inspected Conan's height. "Ah, Conan-kun is tall enough!" she remarked cheerfully.
Conan observed the ride as they climbed the stairs toward the loading area. It was a modest ride, clearly intended to provide a gentler roller coaster experience. If I don't get my body back soon, I'll have to get used to rides like this, Conan thought wearily. Each cart, designed to resemble a train, seated four passengers at a time. Two in front, two in back. There were three carts total.
"Wow, these lines are pretty short," commented Sonoko.
"Yeah. There doesn't seem to be much of a crowd today," added Ran.
"It's probably because of the expansion," noted Conan. "They tend to close down many of the rides that are near the construction site to prevent accidents, and most people prefer to go to the park when all of the rides are open." Conan looked down at the park below. "Look, you can see a vast dirt area on that side of the park. They haven't gotten around to paving it yet, but soon all that space will be a part of Tropical Land."
Ran gazed upon the dirt construction area. "That's pretty cool, Conan-kun," she smiled.
"I wonder if that area over there is undergoing expansion too," Sonoko thought aloud. She pointed toward a long strip of dirt winding its way along the outer edge of the park.
"That's the 'Employees Only' path," Conan answered. "The employees themselves use it to get across the park without having to negotiate through large crowds. And the path facilitates the transportation of supplies across the park, eliminating the risk of theft or damage. It's also used for emergencies. If a guest becomes injured, he will be moved to the employee path, usually via backboard, to separate him from the large crowds that are sure to form around an accident. Away from the crowds, the paramedics can easily reach and treat him."
Suddenly Conan stopped. Ran and Sonoko were staring at him, wide-eyed. Conan giggled uneasily. "At least that's what I heard on TV!"
The two girls continued to stare for a minute, until Sonoko broke the silence. "You know Ran," Sonoko began, "I think you let this kid watch WAY too much television. I don't think it's healthy."
Ran laughed. "Maybe," she conceded. But as she said it, Ran began to reflect on the subject. Does Conan really watch that much television? In the mornings, Conan read the entire newspaper as Ran cooked breakfast. After school, Conan always finished his homework quickly and then quietly read one of his books. Other days he would play outside with his friends. Does Conan ever watch TV? Let's see, how about the evenings. Ran and Conan would usually converse over dinner while her father watched Okino Yoko. Conan had watched television on a few occasions, but it was never on a very regular basis.
Conan does read a lot though, Ran thought to herself. The newspaper, and an endless supply of books borrowed from Shinichi's library. He's probably too embarrassed to admit how much of a bookworm he is. Ran laughed at the thought. Just like Shinichi; always trying to seem cool.
Suddenly, Ran felt herself clapped on the back. "That's right. Keep the kids away from television. It rots their brains."
Ran whirled around to find herself facing a dark-skinned man in his early twenties, easily a head taller than her. Despite his thin frame, he appeared to have well-developed muscles. His head was neatly shaved, and, as if to compensate for being the only hairs on his head, his eyebrows were thick and dark. He wore a hoodie for Beika University, and loose-fitting jeans. He had a firm jaw and a steady gaze. Beside him looked to be another college student. The two had just taken their place in line for the roller coaster.
Conan eyed the newcomers warily. Ran had been staring at the taller one for a while now. Why? He wasn't anything special. Conan frowned. And wasn't he being too friendly, placing his hand on some random girl's back? Conan tugged on Ran's hand that he had been holding. "I'm hungry!" he shouted.
Ran turned to face Conan. "I'm sorry, Conan-kun!" Ran replied apologetically. "Let's get some food as soon as we finish this ride."
The shorter man stepped forward at Conan's comment. He knelt down and put his hand upon Conan's shoulder. "Aw, look at this brave little man. He's not really hungry. He's just protecting his sister from the charms of this flirtatious buffoon," he joked, pointing his thumb back towards his companion.
"Oh we aren't related," Ran affirmed, smiling politely. "I just take care of Conan-kun since his parents are overseas."
With his hand still on Conan's shoulder, the young man looked from Conan to Ran and back again. A sly grin spread across his face. "Oh, I see," he mused, continuing to stare into Conan's eyes. Conan felt his face grow warm under the scrutiny. "Don't worry," he continued, winking. "Your secret's safe with me!"
Conan looked taken aback at the comment. This guy was sharp! Standing at around Ran's height, he was the shorter of the two. He was probably younger, since his voice was much higher. He shared his friend's dark skin, but he was thinner and with smaller muscles. His brown hair was short and feathered, like that of Sato-keiji, and his eyebrows were thin and tidy. He wore a fitted yellow sweater and grey skinny jeans. He had a narrow face and glassy eyes. Ah re? Conan noticed that both students were wearing muddy athletic shoes and carried identical Track bags.
"Aw, quit giving the kid a hard time, Hiromi!" the taller companion moaned. "And since when am I a flirtatious buffoon? That hurt, you know."
Hiromi laughed and stood up, promptly slapping his companion's shoulder lightly. "Sorry, Yuuta! I tease because I love!"
The antics between Hiromi and Yuuta continued for a time. Conan watched them intently. There was something he was missing. What was it? What wasn't he noticing?
As Ran, Sonoko, and Conan reached the front of the line, several more guests had arrived behind Hiromi and Yuuta, making the line quite long. The attendant beckoned to them as the four-seated roller coaster arrived at the loading area. Ran pulled Conan toward the two back seats.
Sonoko folded her arms across her chest. "Aw, I guess I'm sitting alone," she sighed, seating herself in the front.
"Sorry, Sonoko," Ran apologized. "Conan-kun's just a kid, so I don't want him sitting by himself."
The attendant pointed at Yuuta and Hiromi, now at the front of the line. "Do either of you want to ride now?" he asked. "The line's getting long, so I'd rather not leave empty seats."
"Ah, w-well," Yuuta stammered. "We were planning to ride together…"
"It's fine!" Hiromi interrupted. "All that matters is we both enjoy the ride, right?" Hiromi smiled, flicked Yuuta's chin, and trotted over to the front seat by Sonoko. "I'll see you at the bottom!"
"Y-yeah, I'll see you," Yuuta agreed. As the cart pulled away, Conan saw him smile nostalgically.
The ride began with a steep incline. The cart climbed up the track, bringing the group higher and higher above the park. Upon reaching the peak, Conan felt Ran's hold on his hand tighten. In the front seat, Hiromi suddenly grabbed onto Sonoko's hand. Oi, oi, Conan thought, Are you sure your friend is the one who's a flirtatious buffoon? But Sonoko, nervous herself, seemed relieved to hold onto someone. The cart lurched forward into a sharp decline. Before fully descending, it turned sharply to the left and right, and through twists and turns. The cart again undertook an incline and subsequent steep descent before finding its way back to its original starting position.
The four climbed out of the car, hurried along by the attendant. They followed the path to the exit, where they were met with several digital screens displaying pictures taken during the ride. Their picture appeared quite rapidly. In the front, Sonoko and Hiromi were clinging tightly to one another, both closing their eyes. Conan looked toward the back of the picture. Ran was similarly squinting, as Conan sat beside her, staring ahead with a blank expression.
Hiromi regarded the picture for a moment. "Aw, what a cute picture!" he finally exclaimed. "Can I buy this one?" he asked the clerk.
Oi oi! Conan thought. This guy doesn't even know us!
Ran and Sonoko seemed uneasy as well. Ran politely approached Hiromi as he handed his money to the clerk. "Ano…" Ran began. "Wouldn't you rather buy a picture with your friend in it?"
Hiromi stared for a moment, suddenly aware of Ran's discomfort. He smiled at Ran warmly. "I'm sorry! I should probably explain."
Hiromi unzipped a pouch on the side of his Track bag, reached in, and produced a handful of pictures from the same roller coaster. He selected the first picture in the pile. In the front of the cart sat a ten-year-old boy who closely resembled Yuuta. Clinging onto him and about his age was a girl with long pigtails tied in pink ribbons. In the back was a seven-year-old boy who looked very much like Hiromi, and next to him was a cheerful woman. Most likely Hiromi's mother, given the close resemblance.
"This was my first roller coaster ride," Hiromi said thoughtfully. "My mom," Hiromi continued, pointing at the woman in back, "bought me this picture to commemorate the occasion. I didn't know Yuuta at the time." Hiromi pointed at the boy in front. "But he was forced to ride with us because they wanted to move the line along. When I started middle school, I accidentally ran into this one boy, and his papers went flying. Among the papers I was helping to pick up, there was the picture of my first roller coaster ride!"
Conan frowned. He was missing something. What was it?
Ran and Sonoko smiled enthusiastically. "And…?" Ran prompted. "Is that how you met Yuuta?"
"Yeah," Hiromi replied. "We became best friends after that. We went on to high school together, and now we're both students at Beika University. So we always buy the pictures from this ride… Just in case fate sends another surprise our way."
Ran sighed happily. "That's so beautiful! It's such a romantic story, Hiromi-chan!"
Conan stared blankly for a moment. Chan? Conan looked up at Hiromi. He knew he had been missing something earlier. Hiromi… was a girl. He looked back at Hiromi's picture. The boy sitting beside Hiromi's mother looked enough like Hiromi, but he was too young to have met Yuuta in middle school. He must have been a younger sibling. That means… Conan looked at the pigtailed girl clinging to Yuuta in the front. That girl was Hiromi!
What made me assume she was a boy? Conan wondered to himself. Hiromi could have been a girl or a boy's name. Her hair was short. That may have confused him. Conan noticed Hiromi's chest. She was completely flat. But there must have been something else. There was something else that had made him conclude the incorrect gender. What was it?
Just then, Yuuta appeared from the ride exit. Like Hiromi, he proceeded to purchase his ride photo. "You brought those silly pictures today?" he asked, eying the stack of pictures in Hiromi's hands.
"Of course!" Hiromi replied. "And you would too, if you knew what today was."
Yuuta looked smug. "Well, maybe I'll figure it out later," he said calmly. Yuuta unzipped his Track bag and added the newly purchased picture to its contents. Ah re? Conan caught a glimpse of something.
"Well, we should probably leave you two alone," Ran suggested thoughtfully.
Sonoko nodded. "And we've been on our feet since noon. I'd like to go sit down for a bit," she added.
"Hey!" Hiromi suddenly exclaimed. "We were just about to meet up with the rest of our group to watch a show in the auditorium. Would you like to join us?"
"They're actually really good shows," Yuuta added enthusiastically. "Hiromi worked a few summers here as a stagehand, so I went to see almost all of the shows then."
Ran paused for a moment as she entertained the offer. "That sounds like fun," Ran smiled. "Would you like that, Conan-kun?"
"Y-yeah," Conan agreed hesitantly. I want to keep Ran smiling, he thought.