Title: little matters - final chapter

Date finished: 16-Aug-2017

Disclaimer: Gosho Aoyama owns DC.

A/N: The time stamps are based on the time zones of senders.

03 - little matters

26-Jul-201x [21:30]

From: Subaru Okiya

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Re: Hi?

Princess,

Well, this is a surprise. To be honest, I haven't heard a single word from Kudo regarding this marriage proposal. Maybe he hasn't done it yet or they are keeping it quiet for now.

I think the only person who could answer whether you could ever be free of Shinichi is you. Have you ever asked yourself that question? Maybe you need to stay away from him for awhile to figure out the answer. You're living far far away but it feels like a part of you never left Japan. I hope you realize that you are not responsible for Kudo anymore.

Be happy there. You are still young, go and enjoy your life. You deserve it.

Subaru Okiya

P.S. My mom is in England and she asked me to invite you there anytime you're free. A vacation might be good for you.

30-Jul-201x [23:16]

From: Shiho Miyano

To: Shinichi Kudo

Subject: Busy times ahead

Kudo,

Hey, I'm sorry if I haven't been present online for quite awhile now. My research is taking up too much of my time. I don't think I will be able to correspond to you that often.

Don't worry, this isn't goodbye. I just need more time for my research. I think we both need the time to focus on things that truly matter.

I assume you still plan on asking her? Then I'd take this opportunity to congratulate you in advance. I truly wish happiness for the both of you.

Yours,

Shiho

P.S. Look out for Agasa-hakase.

01-Sept-201x [22:16]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Re: Busy times ahead

What are the things that truly mattered to you Shiho? Did it not include your friends?

I still haven't asked Ran, just in case you want to know.

17-Sept-201x [21:38]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: wedding bells soon

No. Not mine. It's Sonoko and Makoto. He finally popped the question. I thought you'd want to know. We had celebratory drinks afterwards and I saw Ran look at the two of them with such longing. I think it's time for Ran and me to stop pretending that we're both okay.

Are you really not opening your mails? Or you only choose to ignore them? Or do you just specifically ignore mine?

24-Dec-201x [01:35]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: still ignoring me huh?

Yesterday was Sonoko's wedding. She looked beautiful. Makoto cried when she walked down the isle. Can you believe that? Stoic and serious Makoto crying over Sonoko. They really make a great couple. Ran cried on our way home. She said it was tears of happiness, but I thought her eyes looked sad. I think I'm going to do it next week.

By the way, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

01-Jan-201y [21:30]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyani

Subject: PLEASE READ

Maybe you really can't read my messages. If by any chance, you read this one. I need to talk to you.

13-Jul-201y [00:12]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: did you forgot your password

Six months Shiho. Six long months of not hearing a thing from you. Did you forgot your password? Have you forgotten that you still have friends in Japan? I heard Agasa-hakase talking to my parents about you. It seemed like you still keep in touch with him. So, is it only me you're not talking to? Are you mad at me? Why would you be mad at me?

26-Aug-201y [22:56]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: I'm still alive, just in case you want to know

I don't even know why I keep on sending you these messages. I think it's because I have always been able to tell you everything. You probably know me more than I know myself. It's funny though because I could never figure you out. You were always a mystery to me. Will I never have the chance to solve the puzzle that is Shiho Miyano?

Headline from The Washington Post

16-Nov-201y

"Cure for Alzheimer's, discovered at Johns Hopkins"

A group of scientists from Johns Hopkins published a paper on Saturday claiming to have discovered the cure for Alzheimer's. The team of researchers from Johns Hopkins was lead by Dr. Stephen Richards...

16-Nov-201y [11:23]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Congratulations!

The cure to Alzheimer's? Wow. That's awesome. Congratulations.

Maybe now you will finally have the time to read my messages?

Written on a note that came with a package from London:

06-Jan-201z

Kudo-kun,

Had the chance to visit London. Dropped by at 221B Baker St. and got you this souvenir pipe and complete illustrated Sherlock Holmes volume. Hope you are well. Happy New Year.

S.M.

A letter to Shiho Miyano, addressed at Johns Hopkins University:

19-Jan-201z

Shiho,

I hope this letter will reach you. Since you swore off any type of digital communication, I am reduced to using this primitive method. Have you been well? Again, congratulations on your discovery. We are proud of you. Heck, the whole Japan is proud of you.

Thank you for the package. It seems like you still remember me after all. I have a long list of things that I want to say to you, but all of those can wait WHEN I see you.

I hope you are doing well. We miss you here.

Yours,

Shinichi Kudo

28-May-201z [20:07]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: you remember everyone but me

I went to Ayumi, Mitsuhiko, and Genta's graduation. Imagine my surprise when they told me that you sent them gifts and when I asked them how you knew, they told me that you still exchange messages with them. So why won't you answer my messages?

A facebook post from Sonoko:

"Congratulations on your engagement, my dearest best friend. I hope the two of you continues to make each other the happiest person. Love you both." -- with Ran Muori and Doc Araide. June 23, 201z

A series of Facebook messages between Shiho and Shinichi

23-Jun-201z (a/n: all the time stamp for this chat is based on Shinichi's time zone)

[20:05]

Shiho: Kudo?

[20:06]

Shiho: HEY? R U OK?

[20:08]

Shiho: Why did you not tell me?

[20:09]

Shiho: Since when?

[20:10]

Shiho: Are you okay?

[20:14]

Shiho: God Kudo, was this the reason why you wanted to talk to me?

[20:17]

Shiho: I am so sorry I wasn't there

[20:20]

Shiho: I thought you were going to ask her? WHAT HAPPENED?

[20:26]

Shiho: Okay. I get it. You're MAD at me. I deserve this silent treatment. But please Kudo, just tell me if you're okay. Please.

[20:30]

Shinichi: I don't know whether I should be relieved or mad. Wow. Shiho Miyano is finally talking to Shinichi Kudo.

[20:32]

Shinichi: So, you've read all my e-mails you cruel woman

[20:35]

Shinichi: Yes, I am okay now. In fact we just came from the celebratory dinner. They looked happy.

[20:37]

Shiho: Why did you not tell me?

[20:42]

Shinichi: Because I wasn't sure that you're still reading my messages. And I know you were busy. I did not want you to worry. LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW.

[20:45]

Shiho: What happened? I thought you asked her?

[20:47]

Shinichi: I did. She said no. She said too much has changed. We were not who we used to be.

[20:51]

Shinichi: I tried to win her back. We both tried. But maybe some things are just not meant to be. Maybe, we really just grew apart.

[20:57]

Shinichi: When she started going out with Dr. Araide, I was hurt. Jealous. But I also saw how happy she looked. It was as if a certain weight has been lifted.

[20:59]

Shiho: Are you truly happy?

[21:04]

Shinichi: Yes, I am.

[21:07]

Shinichi: But enough about me. You still owe me an explanation.

[21:11]

Shiho: I really don't have a good explanation as to why I did it. It's just that, I needed the time to be alone. I thought focusing on my work will enable me to move on. From everything.

[21:12]

Shinichi: Did you?

[21:14]

Shiho: Not completely.

[21:15]

Shinichi: What do you mean?

[21:18]

Shiho: I tried so hard. But unlike you, there are some things that I can't seem to let go.

[21:19]

Shinichi: Things, Shiho? What things?

[21:22]

Shiho: I don't think I could discuss that to you on this.

[21:24]

Shinichi: What do you mean?

[21:27]

Shiho: You know, hiding behind a screen.

[21:30]

Shinichi: Will you ever come home Shiho?

[21:32]

Shiho: I don't know. Maybe.

[21:36]

Shinichi. You should. There's a lot we need to talk about. Everyone wants to see you.

[21:37]

Shiho: Everyone?

[21:38]

Shinichi: I want to see you.

23-Jun-201z [22:15]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Are we back to talking?

Hey,

Are we back to talking now? Well, technically sending e-mails back and forth. You still haven't explained to me that article about you and Higo. I knew it was you. Did you really go out? Are you still going out? He seemed to be visiting the US quite frequently based on what the newspapers says.

By the way, thank you for the package that you sent to me from London. I sent you a letter but I'm not sure if you received it since I never got a response. What were you doing there?

Shinichi

P.S. I know you're going to ask me again, so I'm saying it now. I am okay. I am fine. I am happy. Ran and I, we both ended that chapter in our lives. She already started a new one, I hope someday I can also do the same thing.

25-Jun-201z [21:16]

From: Shiho Miyano

To: Shinichi Kudo

Subject: Re: Are we back to talking?

I guess there's no point in pretending that I am not reading your messages.

How could you tell it was me? That photo was blurry. My friends here didn't even notice that it was me. That time, I just brought Higo to a place that served authentic Japanese food. After that, I only saw him during his games. Sometimes we would go out for drinks, but always with a group of friends. I think he likes Yoko, he's just afraid to tell her because he's afraid it might ruin their friendship.

I went there to visit my aunt. She introduced me to some of our distant relatives. I must admit, it felt nice hearing them talk about my mother so fondly. I felt warm all throughout the visit even if London was too chilly.

Shiho

PS. That next chapter better be focused on how you could be a great lawyer.

26-Jun-201z [19:46]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Reminder, I'm still a detective

Shiho,

No matter how blurred a photo is, I'd always recognize you. Your new friends didn't notice because they don't know you as much as I do. Plus I'm a detective, I'm good at observation.

So how does it feel hanging out with your favorite player? We always knew there was something going on between him and Yoko. He's just too stupid to notice what was under his nose all this time and now that he finally did, he's too scared to change the way things are. I must say, this situation seems familiar.

I'm happy that you finally got the chance to meet your family. Although, your family here in Japan misses you too.

Shinichi

PS. I see you're still as bossy as ever

29-Jun-201z [23:34]

From: Shiho Miyano

To: Shinichi Kudo

Subject: Bossy, huh?

Come on Kudo-kun, being bossy is in my blood.

It was great hanging out with Higo. He was my all-time favourite player and was so excited that I could barely string words to form a coherent sentence when he first talked to me. I thought those type of silly, girlish behaviour was beyond me, but I was wrong.

You mean your situation with Ran before was something like Yoko and Higo? Well, I suppose so. It certainly took you a long time to ask Ran to be your girlfriend. But I thought only because you were Conan back then. It never crossed my mind that you were also afraid that your friendship might be ruined. It was quite obvious that she liked you more than a friend. It seems I misjudged the situation.

01-Jul-201z

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: I hate it when you're always right

Well, you're a girl. Having girly feelings is normal. I can't believe I am the one telling you this.

As usual, you are always right.You haven't misjudged the situation. Being Conan was the real reason why I couldn't confess to Ran at that point. I'm talking of a different experience on my last mail. It wasn't about Ran.

I don't understand how most of the time you can see right through me and then sometimes you fail to notice the most important things.

02-Jul-201z [02:12]

From: Shiho Miyano

To: Shinichi Kudo

Subject: who?

Hey, I don't spend much of my free time on trying to figure you out, so forgive me if there are things about you that I failed to notice.

Really Kudo? And who is this person? Have I met her?

02-Jul-201z [20:55]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: that girl

Shiho, you know her too well. But just like you, there are things that I would prefer to discuss to you in person rather than in front of a computer screen.

03-Jul-201z [18:47]

From: Shiho Miyano

To: Shinichi Kudo

Subject: Re: that girl

Then it would have to wait.

04-Jul-201z [08:13]

From: Shinichi Kudo

To: Shiho Miyano

Subject: Re: Re: that girl

I guess it's my turn to do the waiting.

A text message from Subaru Okiya to Shinichi Kudo:

22-Dec-201z [07:46]

Subaru: 11:15 AM. Narita. She wanted it to be a surprise, but I figured we should turn the table. What do you think Kudo-kun? Should we give her an early Christmas present?

"WELCOME HOME, SHIHO" -

Words written on a placard held by an apprehensive, excited, and nervous Shinichi. Later discarded when Shinichi tackled Shiho for a hug.

T H E / E N D

A/N: Guys. This is it. Fin. Sorry if it's a bit open-ended for your taste. I'll leave it to your imagination to figure out what happened next. That would definitely be better than anything that I could come up.

Thank you for following this fic. Your reviews were a big encouragement to me on writing this fic. I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Sorry if you find the characters a little OOC, and for all the errors that you might have read. I look forward to writing more for this couple. AND TO READING MORE FANFIC TOO.

t.c.