A/N~ If ya'll saw the chapter name, you already know what's about to go down ;) Awkwardness! :D my specialty *sad noot*
Chapter 3: The Date
'So at Ramen Ogura? 7 PM?'
Shinichi had never been this excited over a single text in his life- he was sure. He also had never been this nervous.
They had finally settled on a day for their date. It had been tough at first. They both were extremely busy. Ran had her new fashion line she was starring in and would have to leave the country almost constantly and he was smack dab in the middle of soccer season. He had also been worried that if it was this hard to set a dinner date, that she would eventually just lose interest.
He was glad to see that wasn't the case. Any time she had an update on her schedule, she would message him. Even if was just to tell him that she was sorry and she had no free time, he was happy. It told him that she was making as much an effort as he was- that she hadn't forgotten about him. That she was thinking about him.
It didn't even matter anymore that she didn't show up to that third game. She had already informed him that she would be going to the States over the weekend and he easily deduced that was likely why she hadn't been at the first two games. He of course refrained from telling his teammates anything and so they actually looked worried with how much he was smiling when she hadn't shown up again. It was funny really how just a simple phone call flipped his emotions.
But once the confirmation came and a date was set, it finally sunk in. They would be meeting in person. They would be meeting face to face for the first time since admitting they liked each other. And though he would never say it out loud- he was terrified.
He had mistakenly, once again, assumed that the anxiety would go away. After all, he thought it had stemmed from the fact she wasn't interested anymore which he now found not to be the case. So he expected the anxiousness to go away.
It only got worse.
She already said she liked him. He had all the reason in the world to be confident about setting a date- but he wasn't. It made him worried. It stressed him out.
And the reason was simple. Each time they actually met in person, it was a mess. And every single time, it was definitely his fault. He didn't know why but it had to be that seeing her in person- as embarrassing as it was, overwhelmed him. Unlike with texting, he didn't have a chance to think about his response. And when they talked on the phone, he was more giddy than nervous. He didn't understand why actually seeing her sent him into a panic. He didn't even understand what she made him feel. All of this filled him with a feeling he honestly couldn't even remember experiencing.
Had he ever been this anxious over a girl? Had he ever strived this hard to impress somebody? No. He knew he hadn't. He had been on the occasional date of course but once his career took off, it just got ... hard. Dating became complicated and therefore something he decided was unnecessary in his already chaotic life. Between all the training, the practices, and the actual games- there just wasn't enough time. Or now, as he was finding out, there wasn't anybody he was willing to make the time for.
Then he saw her at one of their annual galas. Apparently they both had fathers that worked closely with the Japanese Police Department at some point. So naturally he was there... and naturally, so was she. He could remember wondering why he had never seen her before. There was no way he would've missed her. Someone who looks like that, was impossible to overlook- he was sure of that. Yet he had no idea who she was and he had been coming to this practically every year since he was a teenager.
He blamed that entirely on his upbringing.
Even before he found himself constantly surrounded by cameras, he never really cared about TV or celebrities. His mother was one and his father was pretty well known in his own field. Somehow they had managed to shield him from the public eye but once he understood who they were in the world, and once he came into his own fame, he actually made it a point to avoid all of that.
So he hadn't known who she was- had absolutely no idea he was talking to Japan's third Miss Universe ever. And he definitely had no idea he was talking to old man Mouri's daughter. He was still having trouble seeing that one now actually. He had no idea how somebody that poised and ethereal looking came from that. All he knew was that she was beautiful and made his heart stop. And when she actually looked at him and smiled, she had it restarting and thumping erratically in his chest.
And he had been a complete dick.
He could almost blame it on her. He was already at a disadvantage with the way his heart wasn't beating properly. It had him a fumbling and stuttering mess. Even after all that has happened and as he stood getting ready for the date he had with her, he couldn't help but look back and want to bang his head on the wall.
To start matters off worse, she had startled him the moment she walked up to him. It sent his mind into a panic.
Was he too obvious? Had she caught him staring? He wasn't sure. He thought he had been discreet, or at least he hoped he had.
It was as he was getting a drink. She had been standing there and it was like she short circuited his brain. As an automatic reaction he straightened, pulling his hand back from the drink table forcefully and accidentally knocked into the plastic cups set to the side. They went scattering at his feet. Luckily they had all been empty but that didn't do anything for his embarrassment.
Heat slowly crawling up his neck, he dropped down to his knee and began grabbing all the rolling cups. "Shit," he said under his breath before realizing he was now cursing at her and he got even more flustered. "I'm sorry," he was shaking his head at his own stupidity, trying to pick the mess up as fast he could.
He felt more than saw her drop down as well and then she was reaching for what he couldn't carry. He was still looking at the ground, grabbing whatever he could still carry when her giggling had his head shooting up to look at her.
She wasn't looking at him at first; her face angled down as she was reaching for the other cups. When she did however, his breathing hitched and his eyes went wide at how close she was.
She was even prettier than he thought.
"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you like that," she said sincerely; her voice soft. He could only watch as she went back to picking up his mess. It wasn't until she went to stand that he realized he had been staring at her with his mouth slightly agape. Hurriedly he came to a stand before she could notice.
Swallowing hard, he shook his head- probably to shake some sense into it. "I-it's fine. I should've been paying attention." And he winced as he stuttered. He couldn't remember ever stuttering to anyone but her being this close to him so suddenly was messing with him. From this angle and while she was stacking all the cups, he let his eyes scan her form now that she was right in front of him and when he realized what he was doing, his eyes flicked away quickly in shame.
She looked even more divine than she did from a distance and suddenly it felt like his button-up was too tight and choking him from heat. Thankfully, she hadn't caught him ogling her and if she noticed his nervousness, she didn't say anything as she looked at him.
"I guess that's it for the drink station, ne?" she smiled at him and his cheeks went a slight pink. He hadn't even thought of that.
"Shi- Crap, I-I'm sorry. I can go tell the staff and-"
Probably getting sick of hearing him struggle to just speak, she cut him off. "It's okay," she giggled again. "I wasn't really thirsty anyway." Her cheeks got a slight flush themselves and her eyes wouldn't meet his as she said that.
At the time, he hadn't thought anything of that statement. Now that he was about to go on a date with her and looking back however, he saw how much of an idiot he was. She had been flirting with him- or giving him the opening to do so. What he took as her saying she hadn't needed a drink all that much was really her saying, she hadn't been over there for a drink at all. She had walked over there to talk to him. Her words had been subtle but her blush should've been more telling.
He wasn't smart enough to get the message but at he least had the brains to keep the conversation going. Deep down he knew that staring at her from afar wasn't going to get him anywhere and he cleared his throat to steel his nerves.
Small talk. You can do small talk, Kudou.
"Are you new to the precinct?" He nudged his head at the party surrounding them. Again, he had never seen her before and he was curious- that and he didn't want her to walk away. She didn't look much like a detective though but he knew appearances could be deceiving.
Her violet eyes widened. "Oh, no. I-I'm not a cop or anything like that. My father's a detective," she smiled.
"I'm not either. I actually showed up with my dad too. He's more of a family friend I guess," he shrugged and thinking nothing of it, he pointed across the room. "That's him over there."
She followed where he pointed and her eyes widened again. "Oh," she said a bit surprised and he felt his mood shift the slightest bit.
People were always recognizing his father- which he didn't mind. Shinichi got recognized quite a bit himself. He just didn't much appreciate it when it appeared like he was piggy backing off his father's fame. He wasn't. He hadn't pointed his father out to dazzle her. He wanted her to be dazzled by him, not-
"You being an athlete and all, I would've never guessed your dad was a mystery book writer." And when she saw the surprise on his face, she must've thought she offended him and continued with, "I'm sorry, I just had no idea that was your father."
He wasn't offended though. He was just pleasantly surprised. She knew him, for him. She didn't talk to him because she knew who his parents were. And she didn't sound like she was some crazed fan of his either. In fact, she was relatively calm compared to other people that recognized him and it was such a reassuring feeling. He was just a regular person talking to her. And it was. . . nice.
"You must think I'm a joke since I didn't put that one together," she laughed embarrassingly. "Can you tell I haven't been here before?"
Without thinking he mindlessly blurted out, "Yes." And then he promptly winced noticing how she could take his response. "Not that you're a joke or anything. I-I meant about seeing you before," he rushed out.
"It's alright. This is my first time here. I'm usually too busy working to actually show up but my mother wasn't able to go and she worried how my father would act alone," she added sheepishly.
"Your father?"
Her face turned red again. "He tends to drink a lot and usually ends up causing a scene."
She was clearly embarrassed that she had to explain that, so of course he went to reassure her. He had good intentions. But he also so should've paid more attention.
"Nobody could cause a bigger scene than him." And to seal his doom even further, he pointed across the room at Mouri Kogoro whom already looked to be on his tenth beer. Usually at events like these that had an open bar, he'd drink as much as he could before he eventually just passed out- dubbing him the Sleeping Kogoro.
Of course, her gaze followed his finger and eventually landed on who he was pointing at. And at some point along the way, he realized deep down, he had said something totally wrong. The shifts in her expression had been subtle and quick but he noticed them and instantly that uneasy feeling settled in the bottom of his stomach.
She hadn't said anything against him. She only chuckled nervously and nodded as if she were agreeing, which furthered his suspicion that he said something wrong.
It wasn't until he rejoined with his father that he realized how much of an understatement that was.
At this point, she had already said something about using the bathroom and practically ran from him. He already felt like he did something wrong because clearly that was just an excuse to get away from him. Eventually, after pondering what he could've done, he made his way back to his father who seemed to be deep in conversation with Inspector Meguire.
Shinichi didn't mind the inspector all that much. He was nice enough and he had almost been a constant in his life with how much he consulted with his father about actual cases. Which led to someone he didn't really care for all that much- or rather, someone who didn't really care for him.
As he got closer, he noticed they were talking with the Sleeping Kogoro himself- except surprisingly enough he wasn't passed out yet. The man had taken an instant dislike to him the moment he realized who his dad was and in a way, Shinichi kind of agreed with him. Mouri Kogoro didn't much like that the inspector would seek constant advice from an author over an actual detective. It held some logic but it also wasn't his dad's fault that he was more competent than half of their precinct.
"Ah, Shinichi-kun!" the inspector clapped him hard on the back and he had to suppress a wince. "How've you been? Already training for the next season?"
"No, I'm on a break right now," he responded through a forced grin. It was the same old conversation every year. This gala happened at the same time every year. Why would his answer ever change? This was always his break time.
"Glad to see your boy was able to come out tonight, Yusaku-san. It took my wife getting sick to drag my daughter here," Kogoro grumbled as he sipped out of his beer that was likely number eleven, Shinichi thought snarkily.
"Oh! Ran-kun's here?" Inspector Meguire seemed to brighten a bit and Shinichi looked between the two confused.
Ran-kun?
He hadn't been aware that Mouri had a daughter. He was honestly surprised he had a wife with the way he acted sometimes. Who let him have a kid?
Kogoro nodded before looking over his shoulder and glancing around before he found who he was looking for. "Oi, Ran," he called and somebody with suspiciously familiar brown locks and violet eyes spun around at her name being called and Shinichi thought he might die.
Noooo.
Kogoro waved his hand in a come here gesture and she quickly said something to the person she was talking to- probably that she had to leave, before she began walking towards them.
Please, god no.
Those were his thoughts- a repeated mantra running through his head but it didn't stop or slow her. He was already praying that she would walk by them and magically another girl would appear and walk over claiming to be Kogoro's daughter. When it sunk in that clearly that wasn't going to happen, she had already reached them and had also already noticed him.
Her cheeks went a little pink but he didn't focus too much on that and his gaze instantly shot away. He was sure his face was getting as pink as hers- if not pinker. He wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. He wanted to disappear.
He felt like a total ass. He was an ass.
He owed her an apology.
"Ran-kun, it's so good to see you!" Meguire happily pat her arm. "I haven't seen you since you were still a teenager, I think," he said thoughtfully.
"I know. I've just been so busy and I finally was able to take some time off," she replied and he could hear the strain in her voice. She was getting as uncomfortable as him.
Meguire either didn't notice or didn't care to point it out though because he nodded and said, "Your old man tells me you're always working! He doesn't shut up about you, he's so proud."
At that, Kogoro coughed uncomfortably and discreetly tried to glance away. "Now all we have to do is find her a successful husband," he said absent mindedly, no doubt to get a rise out of his daughter.
Shinichi's eyes shot back to them and he accidentally made eye contact with her- to which they both glanced away again.
Had they been thinking the same thing?
"Shinichi here is about the same age," his father said and Shinichi glanced at him horrified almost. Probably expecting that reaction, Yusaku was already peeking at him from the corner of his eye and Shinichi noticed a hint of smugness.
His father picked up on his interest.
Ran's eyes went a bit wide before she started to turn red. Kogoro didn't like the suggestion nor her reaction and he grit his teeth. "Your boy's too busy for all that. I was thinking along the lines of a doctor," he hinted clearly meaning he wanted her to be well taken care of by someone with a fat wallet.
No one was surprised with how blunt the older Mouri was. They all knew that it was just a play on words. Kogoro would always say he wanted her to be married off to somebody wealthy but if there were ever a real candidate, he would shut it down. He had no intention of wanting her to marry. He had no intention of giving her away.
The old man would never admit that though and Meguire gave him an odd look.
"Don't you know that Shinichi-kun plays for the Spirits," Meguire added and Kogoro actually looked a bit surprised. Clearly he didn't watch soccer and clearly he did not know that.
Yusaku nodded before patting his shoulder, happily. "He takes breaks though so not always busy," he winked at Ran and she went scarlet.
His dad was not playing wingman for him. Oh god this was getting worse and worse.
Shinichi did the best he could to send daggers at his dad to shut up. He was making this even worse for him. Any chance he might've had with her ended the moment he basically called her dad a drunken fool, he was sure.
It got worse when she glanced at him unsurely, almost as if to ask if he had put his father up to this. He couldn't meet her gaze for long- he had never been this mortified.
Though it seemed the parents had practically forgotten who this was really about, and Kogoro narrowed his eyes slightly. "Well, that's too bad. Ran here is always traveling for work. She's always busy." Kogoro didn't sound very disappointed at all and Shinichi got the message loud and clear.
Stay away from my daughter.
In all honesty, Shinichi didn't really care about the warning. Hadn't it been Kogoro's suggestion that she get married? The stubbornness in him wanted to revolt and ask Ran for her opinion herself. The fact he still had somewhat of a brain left and that he knew he had absolutely no right to ask that after what he said to her earlier, had him keeping his mouth firmly shut. At that point he wanted to punch himself for actually debating in his head about this. They were talking about marriage for god's sake. He would settle with a phone number for now. It was a bit soon for wedding bells, he thought sarcastically.
When it looked to be like this would continue back and forth, Ran finally cut in before his dad could say or do anything else that embarrassed him further. "That's right! I travel a lot and have an early flight in the morning. We need to leave early, remember?" And she promptly plucked the beer from her father's hand and tossed it into the nearby bin. Any protest that Kogoro was thinking about giving was silenced the moment she sent him a stern look. She wasn't leaving any room for argument.
Surprisingly, the one to interrupt was the inspector and that's when Shinichi remembered.
A tradition had sort of been made ever since he first started going to these things. Since Kogoro and his father were both practically partners with Meguire and since they all no longer worked together anymore, a group picture was always taken every year. For some reason that included him but Shinichi always suspected it had something to do with the fact the inspector was a big fan of the Spirits.
That year when they took the picture, Ran was included in it as well. The inspector had placed himself in the middle with their parents beside him, and they had stood on the other side of their parents.
Ran hadn't argued about the picture at all. In fact, she asked for a copy. After that, she was back to pushing her dad out the door.
Sighing but nodding all the same, Kogoro gave his goodbyes and took his ticket to get his coat. When he finally wandered off, Ran almost looked relieved before she gave a grin that he couldn't really tell if it was real or forced. She was so picture perfect and he bet she could turn that smile on at any point she wanted.
"It was good seeing you again, Ran-kun. I hope I see you more often," Meguire said a bit disappointedly and she nodded, agreeing.
"Same to you," she said with an affectionate pat before her gaze turned to them. And in a voice that sounded softer than before she said, "It was nice meeting you." She bowed her head slightly at both him and his father and though the words had been directed like that as well, he couldn't help but feel like her gaze lingered on him longer. It might've been because he was staring at her just as intensely.
As usual, her attention made him fumble and all he could do was bob his head, agreeing. He didn't dare risk trying to say anything.
He was a bit let down to see her go, especially since their conversation hadn't turned out how he would've liked. Ending with her number programmed into his phone would've been more like it but there wasn't enough time. She had to leave early.
Shinichi couldn't help but think he was the blame for it. No- he knew he was to blame for it.
That and. . .
"Thanks for that," he said dryly once the inspector finally left them alone.
Yusaku only chuckled warmly to which his son did not appreciate. "Was my deduction incorrect?"
Shinichi gave him a half-lidded glare but other than that, did nothing to prove him wrong. Instead, he looked irritated. "You ran her off with all your embarrassing suggestions," he grumbled, cheeks slightly darker. That was about as close as his dad was going to get to getting him to admit he was right. That and he wanted to somehow take the full blame off of himself for making her uncomfortable and leaving.
"You didn't defend yourself. Of course she wasn't going to say anything," Yusaku said before wandering off into the crowd leaving his son to brood.
And brooding he did. In fact, he got so annoyed he eventually left early himself. He was thrown off after that point and frustrated with himself. The main source besides his obvious blunder of the evening and then the other being he didn't understand why he cared so much. That would be the source of his irritation for the coming days, he would later find out.
Even now, he could remember that something had changed for him that night. At the time, he had not been able to identify what that was. All he did know was that something had indeed changed. It wouldn't be till he saw her again that he would finally realize what it was.
He had a . . . crush? Was that the correct way to put it? Was it even possible for an adult male to have a crush- or normal, for that matter? Shinichi wasn't sure except for the fact that he obviously had one. He felt like an idiot for not understanding that at first but in a way, it made sense. He never felt like this before. Of course he could recognize if he found someone attractive but he had never just looked at someone and immediately became heart stricken. But there was no other thing to call it. No other way to describe why he got all anxious at the idea of seeing her or why his eyes always sought her out in a crowded room. Why he was always thinking of ways to try and impress her or make her notice him. How he was always trying to find a believable excuse just to talk to her.
It was madness really and it even reached a point where he got paranoid people could hear what he was thinking. That and he felt like he was seeing her everywhere all of a sudden- that or he was unknowingly seeking her out.
With all of that, it was honestly a miracle that he didn't even know who she was. Then again, how was he supposed to know he could just google who she was?
Apparently if he just turned the TV on every once in awhile he would've known.
The fact that she actually knew who he was and he had no clue who she was, made it all the more embarrassing. It made him feel even more like an ass. Once he figured out who she was it all made sense. Why she had never been at that gala before and why she was also drop dead gorgeous.
The ones to break the news to him were sadly Kuroba and Hattori. It was on accident really. The two dolts were doing as usual and talking complete nonsense. In this particular incident they were discussing girls. Usually, he wouldn't sink so low as to actually entertain their childish antics but his mind wasn't in the right place and his mouth got away from him.
"She's an eight."
"An eight? That's a ten!"
Distractedly, he had looked over and saw the girl in question and he sighed disinterestedly, rolling his eyes. "I've seen better."
It wasn't until he noticed it got awfully quiet that he realized he had actually said that out loud and his eyes widened. Neither of his companions were walking beside him and were frozen, staring at him with gaping mouths. Heat instantly began crawling up his neck and he glanced away sharply trying to play it off.
He should've known better by now.
Throwing an arm across his shoulder, Hattori tugged him down closer to him with a giddy expression. "Eh? What was that there, Kudou? You've seen what now?" Kuroba wasn't far behind him and was prodding his other side with an equally excited grin.
Warmth reaching his face, he tried to shake them off. "It's nothing," he grumbled.
"Come on, isn't there something you want to tell your bestest friend?" Hattori tightened his grip and nudged him some more.
"N-no."
Kuroba and Hattori glanced at each other before poking at him again and finally he sighed realizing they weren't going to let this go.
He spilled the beans.
He showed them the picture they took that night but not before telling them everything that happened.
"Holy shit."
"I know." That's what he had been saying the entire time.
This is a real ten. She definitely had to of gotten her looks from her mother though.
"No dude, I mean- holy shit. That's Mouri Ran-san."
Shinichi furrowed his brows. Yeah he knew her name but why did Hattori . . . "Yeah...," he said slowly.
Kuroba and Hattori stared at him as if trying to see if he was joking.
He wasn't.
"You know, the model. . . As in Miss Japan. . . Miss Universe," Hattori reiterated slowly and Shinichi froze.
"W-what?"
Kuroba busted out laughing. "Oh my god, you blew off Miss Universe."
He may or may not of cried that night. The embarrassment that he had already been experiencing from that night intensified tenfold. To think that she herself was as famous as him- if not more so. Now it all made sense why she was so calm speaking with him and why she didn't get flustered by his father- or why she didn't introduce herself. She knew who he was and likely assumed the same went for him. She probably felt comfortable speaking with him because they were the same.
Now he felt even worse and he worried that he offended her more than he may of realized. He prayed that she hadn't realized any of this. The issue regarding her father was enough as it was.
All of this probably wasn't the best thing to think about minutes before he was supposed to meet up with her but now it was all he could focus on. Here he was, about to meet up with her to have an actual dinner with her, and he was freaking out over if he'd screw this up too. Currently, he was in his car driving to the ramen shop they agreed upon and in a panic, he wracked his brain for at least one incident where they met in person and it hadn't ended horribly.
He couldn't think of one.
And he was about to have a melt down.
Pulling into a parking spot and turning the car off, he didn't get out and forced himself to take deep breaths. She hadn't sent him a message saying she was here yet so he figured he had at least a few minutes to pull himself together.
Why did she always make him so damn nervous?!
Taking one last second to compose himself, he reached for his phone and sent her a quick text letting her know he was there. Right after sending it, his stressed out mind started worrying about something else.
What if she didn't show up like at the soccer games? What if she stood him up?
Laying his head back against his headrest, he closed his eyes.
Calm down. That's not going to happen. She's been texting you all week. Ran's not like that.
And almost right on cue, his phone pinged with a new message and holding his breath, he opened it.
'Okay! I'm about 5 minutes away. :)'
His heart began to race.
So this was happening.
Finally getting out of his car, Shinichi figured it would be better to wait for her outside rather than get a table. It wasn't like he had to worry about a wait time. When debating which restaurant they could go to, it had actually been her suggestion to go here. She said she never had it before but her father loved it and that it was a hole in the wall kind of place.
Standing outside and looking at the entrance, he had to admit- it didn't look like much. Instead of an actual neon sign, there was a banner attached to the front of the building bearing the name of the restaurant.
Ramen to Die For: Ramen Ogura
It was probably very cheap and honestly, he didn't have high hopes for the food but he was all for any of her suggestions. He would probably eat out at the sewer if she asked him to. Luckily she didn't, but he could also see her reasoning for choosing this place as well. When picking a date, she had admitted that since this place was so underground, that likely, they wouldn't be recognized or bothered.
At the time, Shinichi had to wonder if she didn't want to be seen with him- if maybe she was embarrassed by him. He knew that wasn't the case but he couldn't help his insecurities. This was their first date after all. She was right to want to keep it secretive. That and after Interview Mania, he didn't want to deal with any press or paparazzi. Every other encounter there had always been an audience. For right now, he wanted it to be just them.
Shoving his hands in his jean pockets, he leaned against the wall watching for her. The place was in a dead part of town so barely any cars passed by. He would perk up any time a car came near but when it didn't slow, he would sag back against the building.
Eventually, a taxi pulled up and slowed near the curb. He didn't think she would be arriving like that so at first, he hadn't moved. When he saw her familiar brown locks become visible over the edge of the door however, he scrambled to greet her.
If it hadn't also been her suggestion to meet up separately, he would've felt bad that he hadn't drove her. She had made it very clear however that she would be meeting him there. Again, he wasn't sure if it was because he made her uncomfortable or not but of course he didn't argue. Seeing her step out of a taxi; now he wished he had. Before he could at least offer to pay her fare, she had already done so and the cab was pulling off.
He swallowed hard when his eyes did a quick scan of her frame. She was dressed casually- like him. She was wearing jeans and a black, form fitting shirt. Thankfully, the heat didn't reach his face again but he wanted to curse to himself.
He hadn't seen her in person in so long. He forgot how pretty she was.
When she faced him and gave a bright grin; her violet eyes shining, his breathing hitched.
Okay. Pull it together. Don't do anything stupid. Be calm, cool, and collected.
It was quite sad really. He was constantly coaching himself in how to talk to her.
"Shinichi-kun!" she greeted happily and he felt any stress he might've had that she didn't want to see him, drift away. From her tone and expression, she seemed happy and if he were bold enough to assume- excited.
He felt his heart stutter at how casually she called him. He wondered if it was okay for him to do the same. He wasn't sure though so instead he greeted her with, "Mouri-san." He sounded unsure though and he almost winced as the words came out. That sounded extremely robotic.
Come on, Kudou. Be calm, cool, and collected.
She seemed confused herself and her head tilted slightly, but she didn't seem upset or any less happy so he figured he had done right for once.
Her smile only faltered slightly and she blushed. "I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I came from work," she admitted and he deduced that was likely why she hadn't wanted him to pick her up. He was still hoping it wasn't because he creeped her out but at this stage, he wouldn't doubt if it was.
Hands going back in his pockets, almost like a nervous habit, he nodded. "It's okay. I just got here myself."
Liar. You got here ten minutes ago and had to have a pep talk in the car.
He felt his cheeks heat at the thought but thankfully she was already heading to the entrance and didn't see. That and she was too busy thanking him for opening the door for her.
Be calm, cool, and collected, he repeated to himself. Deep breaths, Kudou. Deep breaths.
Stepping inside, he wasn't very surprised that it wasn't all that fancy or put together. He was actually thankful for that because it made it more casual and he didn't have to worry about dressing to impress. No; it left room to worry about if he should try to hold her hand- put his arm around her? Instead his hand struggled awkwardly behind her as it rose up and down before he just dropped it all together, giving up and deciding it would be best not to.
Calm, cool, and collected.
"Ah! Welcome!" A man was standing behind the counter and he greeted them with a loud, booming voice. "Take a seat anywhere you'd like!"
When Ran looked at him, he nodded at her to pick and giving a small smile she moved towards the counter with him following her. As they settled in, the man came closer before his eyes widened.
"Are you Mouri-san's girl?"
Ran looked shocked at first before she nodded slowly, not completely sure yet if that was a good or bad thing she was related to the old man.
"Well, I'll be damned!" the man practically shouted happily before he began laughing and they jerked back in surprise, startled. "That man always came in here raving that his daughter was famous. Always said that after coming from the bar though so didn't think much of it," he admitted.
At the mention of her father's drinking habits, Ran flushed lightly and wouldn't look at either of them. She gave another one of her nervous laughs but he knew by her reaction that she was actually very embarrassed by the statement. It had been the same one she gave him when he called her dad an alcoholic idiot.
His cheeks went red again. Stop thinking about that, dummy, he tried to calm himself down, as if worried she could actually hear his thoughts.
Noticing how quiet they were and probably taking that as them being a bit confused, the man's eyes went wide. "Oh! Where are my manners. I'm Ogura Katsumasa."
"Mouri Ran; my dad recommended this place," she said even though he clearly already knew who she was.
When Ogura's eyes moved to him he said, "Kudou Shinichi." Before he finished giving his name, the man's eyes were already getting big again.
Apparently he recognized him too.
"Maybe that man's not as crazy as I thought. His daughter's Miss Universe and her boyfriend is Kudou Shinichi."
Though they were on a date and to be boyfriend and girlfriend was very much the goal-well, for him anyways; they both went red in the face. Neither attempted to deny the words however and the owner didn't take any notice that his words might've been taken the wrong way.
So she didn't completely recoil at the idea of dating him.
He took that as a good sign.
"I own this joint and also happen to be the creator of the tastiest ramen- which happens to be our special right now," he added proudly, pointing at the menu.
Looking, Shinichi read the day's special.
Judge of the Afterlife?
Shinichi tried to refrain from giving the man a half-lidded glare. He had never heard of this place and what kind of name was that to give a ramen special?
"So what will it be?" he asked way too energetically.
Shinichi and Ran both looked at each other a bit uneasily.
"I-I guess the special then," Ran stammered with a nervous chuckle and he just nodded not really wanting to prolong this conversation. He didn't come here to talk to the owner.
Geez. Old man Mouri was a booze hound but he wasn't a lunatic when compared to this guy.
Crap. That's the kind of thoughts that got you in trouble in the first place, idiot.
Red face darkening, she actually noticed this time and he coughed as if clearing his throat looking away in an attempt to hide his face. The last thing he wanted was for her to ask why he was turning another shade. She had been nice enough to let it slide the first time- or so he assumed. Mainly, she hadn't commented about it. That surely wouldn't happen a second time though and he would be a fool to try and test that.
The wait for the food wasn't long at all. In fact, they barely got a few words in before the man was bringing two steaming bowls out. Shinichi was hungry, but he was beginning to think this hadn't been the best place to go- especially to go unnoticed or have a decent, private conversation. He had to wonder how trustworthy this guy was.
Would he call the press?
Would he call her dad?
Shinichi prayed to whatever higher being there was that neither of those would happen. If he had to choose however, he'd take the press any day over being introduced to her father as her boyfriend. Kogoro didn't hate him, but he certainly didn't like him either. He had to wonder how it would go down once they did meet again. Surely if they continued this he would have to be introduced to her family correctly.
That was a very big 'if'. He had to get through the first date before getting to that point. It was a bit soon to be thinking about meeting the parents.
One step at a time, he tried to cool his nerves.
When his bowl was placed in front of him, he had to admit, it didn't look . . . right. The bamboo shoots that were mixed in looked too thick and he glanced over at Ran to gauge her reaction. She looked a bit surprised herself but more optimistic than him.
"Alright! Judge of the Afterlife. I expect you both to tell me what you think when you're done," Ogura said enthusiastically as if he already knew what they were going to say would be praise.
Shinichi wasn't so sure.
After giving their thanks, the man actually left them and headed to the back. Shinichi wasn't all that surprised. It really looked like besides them two, this was the only business he had all night. He was starting to be a little more optimistic now, understanding what Ran must've meant.
The owner was a bit extravagant but was friendly and pretty much left them to their meal. And since it wasn't a very popular place, no one besides them and the workers were in the shop. That and turns out the ramen was amazing.
They had both taken tentative slurps of the noodles before their eyes went big.
This was the best ramen he had ever had and judging by Ran's expression, it looked to be the same for her.
"This is delicious," she said covering her mouth while she spoke around some food. He wanted to laugh at how unladylike that was for a model or a Miss Universe no less, but he knew with his nerves he'd sound like a joke himself- that or maybe like he was choking and that wasn't worth the risk of actually choking he decided.
"Very ladylike," he grunted and her face flamed red and he instantly wanted to retract his words.
He meant it is as a joke of course but the tenseness of his voice made it sound all the more serious.
Shit. He should've at least tried to crack a grin or something.
When she pointedly swallowed her food and actually apologized, he winced when she wouldn't meet his gaze. Her cheeks seemed to be permanently stained red and he had no doubt his looked that way as well.
Come on, Kudou. Fix this. Be calm, cool, and collected.
Clearing his throat he said, "So you came from work? I thought you had the day off."
Glancing at him, she looked to be attempting a smile but it looked a bit strained. "I was actually supposed to be in America but I told Chris I had something important to do," she admitted before her eyes flit away from his, a bit panicked.
He had to clear his throat again, glancing away.
Was he that important thing? He wanted to ask but was that too forward? If that was the reason, was that why she got embarrassed? He hoped he wasn't getting the wrong idea. She wouldn't say it like that if she stayed for any other reason. . . would she?
"So she came here instead and I was able to work in the morning and have the night off here," she continued.
He was glad. He wanted to tell her that too, but again he wasn't sure if that would be too much too soon. Deep down he felt like he was the reason she stayed but his insecurities wouldn't allow him to completely accept that. What if she stayed for another reason? Then it would be weird he even said anything. It would also sound extremely arrogant for assuming it.
It would be best to just not say anything.
He changed the subject.
"You live in the States?" He honestly wasn't sure. Every time he talked to her, it felt like she was there or about to be. He prayed the answer would be no. How else were they suppose to continue this if it wasn't? Could a relationship really last in two separate countries?
He was panicking again, he realized. Let her answer first, he told himself.
Balancing her chin on her hand, she sighed. "It seems like it sometimes but no." She looked sad about that, like she didn't want to go there anymore. Which, if she didn't like it, couldn't she just . . quit? She had to of already made enough for retirement. Now that he knew who she was and now that he actually paid attention, he saw how popular she was.
She was everywhere. Magazine covers, music videos, commercials, billboards- even minor characters in television shows or in movies. It was a wonder how he never noticed her before.
"You don't like it there?" he asked as he absentmindedly moved some of the contents of his leftover food with his chopsticks.
"It's nice. Just not home," she shrugged. "And, it's just a lot going on at the worst possible time." Her cheeks tinted slightly and she again wasn't looking at him. And he again had a feeling he was one of the things happening at the worst time.
"I should stop complaining though," she chuckled. "It's actually nice there even though I'm working. My English isn't the best but I'm getting there," she added. "Have you ever been?"
His eyebrow ticked at her question. Had he ever been to America? Looking at her, he said slowly, "My dad is Kudou Yusaku." It was pretty common knowledge to every body with a TV that his parents packed up and moved. His parents had been living in the States since he was in middle school. It had been a huge thing in the press. He could remember that was some of the worst times to run into paparazzi. They always wanted his opinion or to know if he cared his parents basically left him. It took a few months before that all calmed down and he was left alone. That whole fiasco was one of the main reasons that he never enjoyed watching the gossip channels.
"O-oh. Right," Ran stammered and her cheeks went bright again.
Shit. He was doing it again. He hadn't meant to sound so serious. On top of that, he might've even sounded like he was gloating. He had to keep reminding himself that they were practically strangers. She didn't know how he acted as a person or when he was being serious or joking. She hadn't known at first who his dad even was. And how hypocritical he sounded making her feel stupid for not knowing that when he himself hadn't known who she was.
Could he ever get this right? If he wasn't stumbling over his feet around her, he was being a complete ass. To be honest, at this point he didn't know which one was worse. Because right now it was either act like a jerk or act like a bumbling, heart stricken fool.
Fix it, Kudou. Fix it! Calm, cool, collected!
It got worse and worse. It just kept going downhill from there and at one point there was even a strained silence at the table. Everything he was saying- every response he would give, sounded either snide, cocky, arrogant or a combination of all three. He had basically called her stupid and though he hadn't flat out did that, he could tell that was how he was making her feel.
She had asked him a question about their home stadium, wondering if he knew something. His response had been, of course he knew! What kind of soccer player would he be if he didn't know about his home stadium? She asked him if he had breaks often and his genius idea had been to say he worked too hard and often and never had breaks. It made it sound like this dinner they were having had actually been a burden on him and she readjusted in her chair uneasily.
All these small questions she was asking just to get to know him a little better and he knew the image he was painting for her wasn't looking good for him. He was making himself sound like a self-absorbed punk that had his head so far up his own ass- and that couldn't be further from the truth.
Finally, after another uncomfortable lull in their conversation, they decided it was time to go and he paid the tab. She waited for him by the exit and even though he was a jerk, she still thanked him for the meal. When they got outside, they paused again and he wasn't sure what to say or do.
Be calm. Be cool. Be collected. She got a cab here, Kudou. Use your brain.
"Do you need a ride home?" He wasn't sure if it was because he was upset with himself and he was disappointed in everything now, but he hated the way the question sounded coming out of his mouth. Did that sound insulting too?
Biting her lip and debating, he got the sinking feeling that she wanted to say no but was too nice to do so.
"I actually live nearby. I can just walk," she tried to smile reassuringly but it wasn't really reaching her eyes like when they first met up for the night. They had stopped doing that about half way through their dinner.
"Uh. . . o-okay," he stuttered, clearly sounding uncomfortable and they both stood there for a minute looking at each other- neither knowing what to do or what to say.
Should he tell her he'll call her? Should he ask her if they can do this again? Before he could decide, she was already speaking.
"Oh, well . . have a good night then. . . Kudou-kun," she said slowly and he felt something shift in him when she called him by his surname. And it wasn't good. She was looking as disappointed as he felt and obviously the name change meant she wasn't comfortable enough with him anymore to call him anything else. They had taken a step back instead of forward and he didn't know how he felt about that quite yet.
Giving him one last, unsure grin, she turned away and started walking down the sidewalk. He took a second, watching her go. Her brown hair swaying back and forth with her steady pace.
She didn't look back once.
Yet he was stuck- frozen in place watching her go. He didn't want to take his eyes off her.
Slowly, he gave one last glance before he began walking to his parked car, a sick feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. As he reached his car door, it had bubbled and turned into something angry. This feeling was worse even than how he felt after thinking he commit social suicide on live television. This was worse than figuring out he called her dad a crazy drunk. This was worse than thinking she stood him up at the soccer games.
And it was because he knew he had an actual shot and he blew it.
He was bummed. He was frustrated. He was mad. And all of it was directed at himself whereas the other times, he had someone else to blame. There was no one else to blame this time and he felt the full brunt of it crushing him. The disappointment weighing down on his chest and making it hard to think or even focus on anything else.
The night had not gone anything like he imagined or even wanted. It had been short, abrupt, and uncomfortable because of him. What he couldn't believe was that he was about to go home like this. He felt like he had been through too much- dodged way too many misunderstandings for this to happen to him. After all they had done to just have this one night and have it end like this.
After he had been publicly humiliated and ridiculed by his peers and any news source out there. After she had bared that same humiliation for him- with him.
She had skipped out on going to another country for him. He knew she did even though she hadn't flat out said it- he knew she did. And he was so frustrated with himself that he was done playing the shy and unsure game. She didn't go to America for him. She stayed in Japan for a single night, for him.
And he blew it. She called him Kudou-kun. She never called him that. It was always Shinichi-kun and that's how he wanted it to stay. Was there any possible chance that someone or some other interview would get him out of this one?
No, he had to get it together. He couldn't take anymore risks. He couldn't keep saying he could fix it the next time he saw her. If this kept happening, there wasn't going to be a next time. He refused to end the night like this.
Forget being calm. Forget being cool. Acting cool hadn't got him anywhere. It made him look like an ass.
Dropping his hand that had been gripping the handle to his car door, he spun around and started marching back to the sidewalk determinedly. When he didn't see her at first, he panicked. He refused to leave like this though. He would call her if he had to. It would be another of the most embarrassing things he ever did, but for her, he would do it.
When he reached the end of the block was when he saw her and he had to wonder if she walked fast to get away from him or if he really stood at his car thinking for that long. He didn't dwell on it for much longer and instead of walking, he jogged to catch up with her.
She must've heard him coming because she paused before glancing behind her confused. When she saw it was him, she turned around completely and waited for him. She gasped when he reached her, noticing how winded he was from running after her and he realized how crazy he must've looked to her right now.
He didn't care.
"Kudou-kun-!"
"I'm sorry," he interrupted her and her eyes went wide but she stayed silent, probably from surprise.
"I-I know I sounded like a jerk- like an ass," he corrected and he didn't even care that he was cursing in front of her. It was true. "I was just- I was nervous. I wanted to impress you. I know I probably sounded arrogant but I was actually shocked when you called me. I didn't think you would and then when we actually made plans to meet each other, I was freaking out. I was literally sitting in my car for ten minutes before you arrived, having a full blown panic attack on if you would like me or not."
At this point his face was a scorching red- especially cause he hadn't exactly planned on admitting that last one. There was no taking it back now though and he swallowed hard. There wasn't really anything left to lose at that point. There was no need to lie or be secretive over his feelings anymore. This was it. If anything was going to happen between them- it had to be now. He feared that if they walked away from each other now and after that terrible dinner he put them through- she'd never glance back.
"I just wanted this to work out so bad. I wanted you to like me. I want you to like me," he finally said and his chest was still heaving not just from the jog, but now from his outburst and panic.
She was silent and there was really only two ways this could play out.
Please don't walk away from me.
He was sure his eyes were as pleading as his thoughts.
Ran's eyes were still wide and huge as she stared at him in surprise, even after he finished. They had softened somewhat at his last words however and though her cheeks were pink as well from his admission, a smile began to form across her face.
"I do like you, Shinichi-kun," she said gently, looking up at him shyly.
Her words filled him with so many emotions, one of them being shock. He had not been expecting her to say that. He insulted her basically every time he saw her and she was still willing to give him a chance?
"We all get nervous, Shinichi-kun. You think I wasn't nervous?" she asked with a small giggle and quick shrug of her own. It made him realize belatedly that he must've said that last part out loud as well.
"I'll admit; I was a bit confused when I saw your interview. After our first meeting and the few times we spoke with each other, I thought you didn't like me much," she admitted while looking at her hands nervously and tangling her fingers with each other.
Shinichi was floored. "I was literally tripping over myself when you started talking to me." Again, his mouth was getting away from him and his already red cheeks scorched brighter. He guessed there was no point in denying or trying to hide how anxious she made him but it didn't make it any less humiliating. She said she got nervous but she always appeared so calm and collected- how he tried to be. She had this natural grace, this ethereal femininity to her that he always felt inadequate standing next to her. They weren't even on the same level, yet she wanted him to believe that he made her just as scared.
"Well, you did call my dad a drunken fool basically." And when she saw the way his face paled, she laughed letting him know she wasn't angry. Even then, he still felt the need to do something he should've did that night.
"I'm sorry," he said again. "I had no idea that was your dad. There's no excuse but if I had known, I swear I would've never-" He shook his head at a loss for words for how stupid he could be sometimes.
"Shinichi-kun, my dad is a drunken fool," she laughed showing that if she had been offended, she clearly wasn't anymore. That or she was now realizing that anything rude he might've said was a result of his nervousness around her and to take it seriously. "To be honest, the look on your face when you realized he was my dad told me you understood your mistake," she admitted. "That and it was sort of priceless."
Head laying back, he gave a sigh of relief. What did he do to deserve her forgiveness over anything he's said to her? He didn't care that she basically made fun of his panic. She could say whatever she wanted about him just so long as she didn't walk away from him.
She must've saw that he was still stressing about it and she gave another small smile. "It's okay, Shinichi-kun. I swear. It was embarrassing but I think we can both agree we've had an equal share of that," she said, her voice sounding slightly strained.
Breathing out evenly to try to slow his beating heart now that he had nothing to be panicked about anymore, he cleared his throat. "Can I walk you home? Or give you ride?" The question sounded so timid, like he was sure the answer would be no. He hoped it wasn't. He felt like they had just had a break through of sorts. He would hate for it all to end now.
At that, she looked around him. "Where is your car? Did you leave it?" she asked surprised and his flush got darker.
"I-I wasn't thinking and just ran to catch up with you," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He hoped that wouldn't freak her out but by her expression he knew it didn't.
Her smile got bigger. "Well, I really do live close by so you can walk with me if you'd like."
Bobbing his head up and down and thankful that that hadn't been a lie she came up with just to get away from him, he swallowed hard. "I'd like that."
"You are a dummy, by the way," she started as they started down the sidewalk again. Her words had him jerking back, looking at her confused.
What did he do this time?
She laughed at his dumbfounded and wary look. He knew around her he was one, but it didn't mean he appreciated or liked that she noticed that.
"I mean, of course I was interested in you."
Shinichi felt slightly annoyed. She was so beautiful. How was he supposed to know or even feel confident enough to think that? But once he fully registered her words, a whole other feeling began to flourish in his chest. All the while, she was avoiding looking at him completely and he realized she didn't much enjoy telling him this.
"I did talk to you first, remember? Obviously you had already impressed me enough," she said in a small and timid voice; her eyes watching her feet as they matched pace.
Shinichi was stumped by her words. He was ecstatic- but he was stumped. How was he supposed to say he thought she was a fan of his. That or she had caught him staring at her and he thought she went over there to tell him to knock it off.
Instead of admitting that- he had gone through enough embarrassment for the night; he tried to push her for more. "Did you really go to every single one of my games?" he asked curiously, his eyes focusing on her expression intently.
This time, her cheeks flushed and she looked straight ahead even though he stared right at her. "Do you really have a poster of me?" she countered easily.
"Touché," he grumbled under his breath with a face just as red as hers and they both were refusing to look at the other now. He'd let it go. . . for now. He didn't mind being honest with her but he didn't need her asking what poster he had of her.
It was honestly quite amusing when you thought about it. The two had already confessed to each other on live TV yet neither could admit it directly without their face heating. Even now, after they both really did say it to each other in person, face to face- he still felt that unsureness around her, like there was the possibility the feeling wasn't mutual. Like this all might be a joke.
The only thing that reassured him this wasn't the case was her own reaction. It made him decide that likely, she was experiencing the same confusing emotions he was. She could say in an interview she thought he was cute, she could hunt his manager down and drill him for a week demanding to leave a message, she could make plans to meet him for a date- but she couldn't even look him in the eye when she said how she held the same interest in him that he had for her.
No, the confession seemed like she had to pry it from her own two lips.
In a way, he thought it was . . cute. He liked her subtlety. He liked how it seemed instead of words, she had an easier time expressing her feelings through her actions. It sent the same thrill through him that he received the moment she told Suzuki she thought he was cute. She was the opposite to him. She could be so confident when she wasn't looking him in the face whereas he wasn't exactly confident around her yet, but knowing she was with him and having the reassurance that she was there in person for him- it calmed his heart more than any of her texts she ever sent him.
He wished he had her subtlety.
With a frown she didn't notice, he let his gaze slide down between them where her hand rested just next to his.
Unlike her, what he struggled with was acting. His mouth could run for days as he realized when it started this whole mess. But something as simple as wanting to hold her hand filled him with more anxiety than watching his interview with Sonoko on repeat for a week. He'd rather get torn apart by the gossip channels than have her pull away from him.
As was always the case, he was too stuck in his head to even try it. There was always a thought or two to take him down a pint. In this case he wished he had the confidence to ignore them. But they were too loud for him to even dare doing that.
How do you know she wants to hold your hand? If she did, wouldn't she of done it herself? You're lucky she even allowed you to walk her home! Shouldn't that be enough!
Startling him, the sensation of small, soft fingers gently brushed against his. It felt like her fingers were slightly prying his closer to hers and his gaze snapped to her face instead. She was staring straight ahead but her cheeks were turning pink cluing him in that she was well aware that he was staring and she was well aware of what her fingers were doing.
Eyes snapping ahead himself, he could feel the heat crawling up his neck again. She had definitely noticed him scrutinizing her hand and unlike how he would've usually been beating himself up in his head, a small grin slowly began to form on his blushing face.
Subtle.
Feeling more confident now, deciding that he could be subtle too- he let his fingers drift towards hers, letting his pinky wrap around hers, pulling her hand closer to his. He didn't look directly at her but from the corner of his eye, he saw how the action surprised her. It made him worry she would retract her hand. Maybe he misread her. Maybe it had been an accident.
She didn't. She left her hand to brush against his and it made him feel like there were butterflies in his stomach.
How was it that something he struggled so hard to even think about, she did so easily as if it were the simplest thing? They weren't holding hands completely but just the simple sensation of her fingers drifting over his had him gulping under his breath.
If her actions made him this nervous, he could only guess how his sudden questions made her feel. He didn't want to scare her off.
"I'm sorry for putting you on the spot- about the games, I mean," he clarified when she looked at him confused. "I thought that might've been a lie from Suzuki-san when you hadn't shown up to my last three games. Honestly, I thought you were making fun of me in your interview when you never used the tickets I sent you," he admitted.
Forgetting her embarrassment, her mouth dropped open and she looked at him horrified. "I had no idea! I'm so sorry. I had been out of the country then!"
"It's okay," he chuckled. He could hear the honesty in her voice, her eyes looking panicked but earnest. It wasn't like he brought it up to make her feel guilty but her reassurances were a nice thing to hear. "I figured that when we finally exchanged numbers which, by the way- how'd you get my manager's number?" He knew not even a full minute ago he was scolding himself for being too pushy, but he couldn't help but ask for more. He felt like he heard so much about her from other people. He wanted to hear it from her mouth.
Looking embarrassed, she groaned. "I had to ask Sonoko for it. Apparently she had it after that whole interview you did with her on the carpet- which I'm sorry about that," she gave him an apologetic wince.
He only shrugged. At the time he had been annoyed but it was hard to be mad about that still when it got him to where he was now. Walking Mouri Ran home after a date. Whether that had been Suzuki's intention or not- that's where her interview got him and that was alright in his book.
"My manager said you called a lot. I hadn't known." He felt it was crucial that she know that. He would've never let that madness go on for as long as it did knowing she was trying to reach him. But his manager hadn't deemed it as important as he would've liked and Shinichi frowned. "He didn't tell me until the night I called you. I literally picked up the phone to dial you while I was listening to his message."
That had been an embarrassing scene that he had no desire to revisit in his head. Again though, it was hard to be so critical of something that actually turned out very well for him. He had mixed feelings about his blunders that night.
"I figured that's what happened," she sighed while looking a bit uncomfortable. "He must've thought I was insane." She shook her head as if trying to shake a painful thought.
"I actually talked to him about that," he told her honestly. He hadn't been very happy with his manager and could remember how frustrated Keiichiro had been when confronted. "Apparently after your interview, fans were calling in claiming to be you in order to get my phone number. You were just more persistent, I guess," he gave a smirk that he hadn't meant her to see and she blushed again.
"I-I got a bit nervous when you hadn't at least reached out to Sonoko to contact me," she admitted embarrassedly and Shinichi could imagine the smug look on Kaito's face if he were to ever figure out his plan would've been the best one.
"She probably would've tapped the phone line and posted it all over social media," he grumbled under his breath not meaning to say that out loud. Ran heard though and she actually giggled.
"That does sound like her," she said through small laughs and though he hadn't meant it to be funny- he couldn't help but stare at her wide eyed and a light flush to his cheeks, his mouth falling open the slightest bit.
He wanted her to always look at him like that.
Like she said, she did live near the restaurant and they reached her place sooner than he would've liked. It was an apartment and he walked her to her door which happened to be on the top floor. The entire time, he let his shoulder and hand brush against hers. He never felt her pull away or try to put some distance between them though so he figured she didn't mind.
At her door and as she dug in her purse for her key, he stood watching her anxiously. He never did this before. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? Surely it was too soon to kiss her but . . . wasn't that how all first dates ended? Well- good ones anyway which he hoped she considered this to be one.
"Thank you for walking me home . . . and for dinner," she added with a grin and he was relieved she hadn't noticed the battle going on inside his head.
He nodded a bit jerkily. "Maybe we can do this again . . ?" he asked hopefully and leaving it up to her to decide.
Biting her lip, she nodded and he stood there for a second looking at her. He didn't want to leave yet. He had wasted so much of their night during dinner and now that it was going good, he didn't want their date to end. She must've understood that because she gave a shy smile.
"Text me when you get home?" she requested sweetly and there was no way he would forget to. He would probably have the message composed and ready to send before he even walked through his front door. The realization that she cared enough to request that of him though made his chest feel all fluttery again.
How long had it been since someone asked that of him? His mother when he was still in junior high?
He swallowed hard, his eyes not moving from hers. "I will." And suddenly he remembered her flight tomorrow. She'd be leaving again for at least a week and who knew how long it would be before they could see each other like this again.
"Call me when you land?"
She seemed surprised he asked that. It must not of seemed like something he'd do. It honestly wasn't, but she made him say or do things he would've never dreamed of doing before he met her. Things he always made fun of Hattori for doing when he first met Toyama-san.
Now he was beginning to understand.
"I will," she said softly, with the beginnings of a smile tugging up the corner of her lips.
After that, it was silent and they were back to staring at each other again with him shifting feet every once in awhile.
They were stalling. He could feel it. He didn't want to just leave. He felt like he had to do something first. But sadly, he had practice early in the morning and clearly she had stuff to do tomorrow as well. He couldn't just stand outside her door all night till he got the courage to do what he wanted.
A bit reluctantly, he told her goodnight. It felt like he was signifying the night was over and he hated that. He wanted more time with her. More time where he wasn't a complete push over. Based off her expression though, he had a feeling they would have more time again. This wouldn't be the end for them and that thought gave him enough power to actually turn to leave after she bid her goodnight to him.
And though he was happy and more than a little satisfied with the way their date was ending, he couldn't help but feel like he was leaving too soon. His body was telling him do something that his head was telling him not to even dare try.
He made it about half way down the hall before he made his decision. Pausing, he only took a second longer before he spun on his foot and came right back.
This time, she hadn't heard him come back. Grabbing her arm that wasn't trying to shove her key in the lock, he tugged her to him and before he could convince himself not to- he placed his mouth firmly to her cheek.
He had closed his eyes on instinct so he didn't really see her reaction. But he heard it and she gasped in surprise.
But she didn't pull away or push him off.
Straightening; he had to lean down to reach her cheek since he was taller than her- he pulled away with a red face. He was definitely not confident when it came to acting.
She still seemed to be in a state of shock. Her face was just as red as his and her eyes were huge. As he took in the way her mouth dropped open slightly, he was having a hard time deciding if maybe he messed up.
That's what they did in the movies! he thought in a panic before his own thoughts began to turn on him again. Of course he shouldn't base his decisions off movies! Those were always over dramatized and scripted!
Yeah, that's why there're movies, idiot!
His mouth fell open and all he could do was gape at her in shock of his own stupidity. "I- I'm sorry, Mouri-" he tried to sputter out an apology but she interrupted him.
"Ran," she firmly interrupted him and his mouth snapped shut.
Did she mean. . . ?
Her mouth was set determinedly and her eyes didn't shy away from his even though she was blushing like crazy again.
"Call me Ran," she reiterated clearly with the same sure and determined look in her violet eyes.
Rendered a bit powerless under her unwavering stare, he was back to gulping down his nerves before nodding.
She wanted him to call her by her name.
Without any titles?
At this point, he highly doubted his face would ever be able to return to it's natural color.
"O-okay," he stuttered and he actually felt the good nature to chuckle at himself. Here she was, giving him the permission to do something he had wanted to do since he first saw her that night but never felt confident enough to try.
"Goodnight, Ran."
Shinichi had to wonder again if he did something wrong when her cheeks went a vibrant shade. He almost frowned to himself though. That wouldn't make much sense. She told him to call her that. Maybe she just wasn't used to being called that.
He liked the idea of that. If he were the only one to call her so personably.
"G-goodnight, Shinichi."
He on the other hand was definitely not used to anybody calling him by his first name. Besides his father, no one ever tried saying his name without the proper honorific. His mother was another story but what she called him was so much more embarrassing that he refused to repeat it.
His first name coming from her lips so casually though- it had him experiencing feelings he still didn't even know how to place. He didn't know what they were and he for sure hadn't ever felt them with another person besides her before. All he knew was that he could get used to hearing her call him that any time.
And he hoped he would hear it again soon.
A/N~
This chapter was a pain in my booty- let me tell you! I'm so sorry to anyone I told that it would be out sooner, I just struggled a lot more with this one than the other two chapters and to be honest without hislips helping me out and reading over it for me I doubt it would've ever seen the light of day. I hope you guys enjoyed and I'm proud to say that with last chapters measly 4K words, this is a whopping 13K.
Thanks again for all the comments and kudos and follows! They make me smile so much and I read every last message! 3 as usual, I'm open to any feedback or suggestions! Let me know what you thought and hopefully I'll see ya soon with the next part :D
