I just realized that my riddle was mostly related to math.. ha ha ha. Gome, the idea struck me during our class in math, so there. My professor kept telling us that we should know the first six digits of Pi. Huh. Memorize it for what? I just don't understand my professors sometimes. Hmpf. Well, at least I've used that number into something creative. (yay!) Anyway, here's chapter four! It's sort of long (for me) but I hope you won't get bored. Enjoy!
-CHAPTER FOUR-
(Conan's POV)
"EGG PIE!" Genta, Mitsuhiko and Ayumi cheered. "Itadakemasu!"
It turned out that the hint was referring to SweetPies, a newly built shop just a stone's throw away at hakase's house. The shop became a hit right away, mainly because their pies are delicious and very affordable. Even Haibara liked it. In fact, she hangs out at this place thrice a week.
Speaking of which, where is she? I figured she would be waiting for us here, ready to tease me for losing to the detective boys. But, when we entered the shop, only the waitress was there to welcome us.
"Ai-chan left suddenly after talking to someone on the phone," she said. "But don't worry.. She said you can order as much as you want and she'll take care of it."
"Does that mean she'll be back?" I asked.
"Not really.. She could always pay tomorrow, when she comes for her usual snack. Oh, before I forget," the waitress (I found out later that her name was Usagi) took something from behind the counter and handed it to me. It was a cassette tape player. "Ai-chan left this on her table earlier, would you mind returning it for me?"
I took the player from my pocket and studied it in my hands. She was listening to it again, I thought. She might be missing her mother. I took the tape out. The label says 20.
"The last tape?" I said to myself.
"Did you say something, Conan-kun?" Ayumi asked.
I shook my head and motioned for her to ignore it. She looked at me strangely then continued talking to the other boys.
Wait. If I recall correctly, she told me she would listen to this last tape on her birthday. Her real birthday, that is. Could it be-
"What date is it?" I asked the three who was now busy talking about Kamen Yaiba. Geez, they've grown two years older but they still watch that show.
"October 28," Genta said then took yet another bite on his pie.
"Darn," I muttered. Why do I always forget birthdays? "Guys, I gotta go. I'll just see you tomorrow!" I left before they could even react. I didn't want them to ask questions.
On my way to hakase's house, I passed by a fashion boutique. A peach dress was on display along with a pink wool scarf. The scarf reminded me of Haibara's favorite wool jacket that she almost always wears. Lost in thought, I found myself going inside to buy it as a gift for her. I didn't know what has gotten into me, doing a bizarre thing like that but I just had a crazy feeling that I should give something to her.
I went straight to the house after stopping by at the store.
"Agasa-Hakase?" I called out as I entered. I found him lying on the couch, watching some television show I don't know about and eating cookies.
"Hey, Kudo-kun. What brought you here?" he asked.
"Nothing. Where's Haibara?" I eyed the cookies he was holding. "And why are you eating that? She'll surely get mad."
"She let me eat these, well, just for today. Maybe it's her birthday treat for me." He grinned, obviously enjoying the treat.
"She did?" I wondered.
"Yeah.. Surprised me too," He noticed the paper bag I was holding but didn't say a thing. "She's at the basement again, if you wanted to talk to her."
I thanked him and went downstairs. I knocked on the door twice but no one answered. I knocked again. Still nothing. Maybe she's already asleep, I thought. I opened the door quietly. I'll just leave this on her desk.
It was dark inside; only a dim light illuminated the room. I think it's the computer. Haibara never forgets to turn off the computer so she's probably awake. Maybe she just didn't hear me knock. I slowly went inside. Yep. She's awake alright. Haibara was in front of the computer like always, typing rapidly. She's working again?
"It's rude to barge in someone's room, Kudo-kun.. The door is there for a reason." she said, still facing the computer. Startled, I backed up a few steps.
"Gome, I knocked but.." I sighed. "Anyway, I just wanted to –"
She held her finger up to silence me. "Upstairs. I'll just finish this and I'll follow you there." she said then resumed on typing again. I decided not to argue and went back up.
A few minutes passed before Haibara finally showed up.
I couldn't help but stare at her. Yes, she's still in her lab coat, looking simple as ever but… something in her aura has change. She looked… glowing. Not in a literal sense, she just looked happier and satisfied to me. I wonder what happened downstairs.
She went straight to the kitchen, probably to get something to eat. I followed her.
"You left this at the shop," I started. She looked at the cassette tape player in my hands and quickly snatched it. "I came to return it and -"
"Don't tell me you listened to this," she warned.
"No! Of course I didn't," I said defensively. "You know I won't."
"Good." she looked at me. "And what?"
"And… I brought you a gift," I gave her the paper bag I was holding on my other hand.
"What is this for?" she eyed me suspiciously. "You want something from me, don't you?"
"Geez, it's not like that.. I just happened to pass by this store and decided to buy you something for your birthday…"
"You remembered my birthday?"
"Well, sort of… H-happy Birthday, Miyano…"
"That's so sweet of you, Kudo-kun.." she smiled sweetly and looked directly in my eyes. "You just made me fall for you even more…"
"H-haibara!" I exclaimed, blushing in all shades of red.
She laughed. "Just kidding, Kudo…" she took out the scarf and tried it on. "I like it. Thank you…"
I sighed. Why do I always fall for that trick? "Don't mention it…"
She put the scarf back on the paper bag. "Do you still have the quiz?"
"Yeah," I took it from my pocket. "Genta said I should hold on to this to always remind me that I once lost to the detective boys."
She grinned. "So their wish had finally come true,"
"Yeah. They had a pretty good godmother," I remarked. "I'm just curious. Why are you doing all these? You made a quiz so the kids could finally beat me, treated us food…"
I glanced at the professor in the living room, still enjoying his cookies. "and you even let Hakase eat that despite his diet.." I looked at her. "Why?"
She just smiled mysteriously. "That's for you to find out, Tantei-san…"
-END OF CHAPTER FOUR-
Was Ai-chan's birthday ever mentioned in the manga/anime? I don't recall that they did so I just invented one.. It would be really awesome if I knew Ai-chan's birthday, I might celebrate it for her. (Ha ha.. too creepy? I just such a huge fan!)
Watch out for the next chapter! I hope you're excited about it as much as I do… Ja ne!
