In Which Ran is Angry

Ran was furious.

That stupid mystery nut had told her to wait for him. So she had. Very patiently, might she add. Goodness knows there were times when she wanted to scream and throw things or maybe just kick him in the head to knock some sense into him, because months had passed and that idiot Shinichi was still off somewhere working on his mysterious case. Sure, he called her from time to time, and she'd even caught up with him in person a few times since that unfortunate date, but it was never enough. Shinichi had become as bad as Kaito Kid on a moonlit heist: appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye, and leaving nothing behind but frustration and an empty space where her hopes had stood.

Today was a case in point. Shinichi had appeared out of nowhere, had barely spoken a word to her—cause he just had to get involved in another murder scene—and now he was trying to leave. Again. Well, the jerk had another thing coming. Now that she finally had him in her grasp, she wasn't going to let him go that easily.

"Shinichi!"

Ran latched her fingers onto the back of his shirt, intending to stop him from doing his usual Deduction and Dash routine. Unfortunately, she tugged a bit too hard in her frustration; he also happened to be standing on one foot, caught mid-step to ascend the staircase. Gravity did the rest. There was a yelp, a half-choked curse, and then her arms were filled with teenage boy and they were both falling.

Well, that hadn't worked out quite how I expected.

The thought flittered through her brain, and then her back hit the ground with a bruising thud. She blinked, dazed. There was a warm weight pressing down on top of her. It took her a moment to realise that it was Shinichi. No wonder the sound of him groaning had seemed so close to her ear.

"Geez," he muttered, shifting to untangle himself from her body, "you just had to go and—"

His voice broke off as their eyes met. Their faces were so close that their noses almost touched. Too close. She'd never realised how blue his eyes were until that moment: darker than the sky and beautifully vibrant. It was difficult to hold his gaze; it seemed even harder to look away.

Ran's cheeks blossomed with pink. What was this tingling in her blood? Why couldn't she seem to breathe properly? It was just Shinichi. Shinichi who was far, far too close and staring at her as if she was the only thing that existed in the world. She could feel the feather-light touch of his breath caressing her lips like an invisible kiss. If she tilted her head just a fraction there would be no distance between them. Shinichi swallowed. Perhaps he had realised the same thing.

"Sh-Shinichi, I—"

His thumb brushed her lips, silencing her stammers. Blood pounded in her ears, even as her heart thudded against her ribs. Was he really—was this actually going to happen? His free hand slipped through her hair to cradle her head, tilting her face towards him. Oh, gods. This was actually happening.

Slowly, ever so slowly, his face lowered to close the distance between them. Ran's eyes fluttered shut, helpless to stop what every inch of her yearned for him to do. In that split-second, there was only darkness and the sound of her own pounding heart.

Kiss me.

The words were a plea in her mind. A terrifying yet exhilarating plea. Still, the seconds passed and their lips did not meet.

"I'm sorry, Ran."

Her eyes snapped open, just catching his expression before he averted his face: a mixture of longing and regret. She didn't understand, but then he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

"I will come back," he said in a low, fervent voice. "I promise."

Before she could react, he released her and stood up. Ran blinked. Hold on. Was he actually about to run out on her again? Suddenly, she was on her feet and clenching her hands into fists.

"Hey!" she called, striding after him. "W-wait a minute!"

Shinichi made an odd, convulsing movement and clutched at his heart. It looked like he was in pain. However, when he turned back to face her, he just flashed her that mischievous grin that had always made her knees a little weak.

"Promise you'll wait for me!" he said.

Ran scowled and quickened her pace. "Like hell I will! You get back here right now and—"

Her fingers closed around his arm. Shinichi made a sudden movement and then something hit her in the neck. Tingling? She swayed, even as her vision blurred. No! Not again! She had to keep her eyes open. She had to make him stay, but—

Everything went black.

Ran groaned and opened her eyes. Conan peered at her in concern, looking just like a miniature Shinichi. It really was unnerving how similar they were.

"Are you alright, Ran-neechan?" he said in his bright, childish voice. "You fainted."

Ran stared around at the backseat of her dad's rental car. Somehow, she had ended up back in the parking lot. There was no sign of Shinichi.

She sighed and looked out the window, only dimly aware of Conan explaining that Shinichi had carried her here before he had to leave. Typical. Once again, she had been left alone while that mystery nut had gone off to solve cases where she could not reach.

But had he really wanted to go?

A crease formed on her brow. That's right, even the way Shinichi had grinned at her before she had passed out had been tinged with sadness. Besides, there had been that moment when they had stared at each other. She touched her finger to her lips, remembering how close he had been—close enough that they had almost kissed.

"Geez," she muttered, propping her chin on her hand. "That stupid mystery nut."

Conan blinked. "Eh?"

Ran smiled and shook her head. "Nothing."

Because even though she was furious that he had left her again, she realised that she still couldn't hold it against Shinichi. He might be an annoying mystery nut, but he was still her mystery nut. She wouldn't have anyone else.

Ran closed her eyes and placed her hand over her heart. Hurry up and come home, Shinichi. I'll be waiting for you.