"Ready to go"? Ran asked the other teenaged girl standing in front of the mirror. "Just about." Kazuha answered as she finished rummaging around in her purse. Sighing, she quickly turned herself around to check for anything out of place.
"What are you so worried about Kazuha? You look great!" Ran smiled at her friend. The other girl smiled back weakly as she readjusted her ponytail. "Thanks Ran, I don't know why I care so much...I guess since that close call I, well..."
Ran smiled knowingly, this was not the first time they had discussed the 'almost-not-quite-confession', "How have things been between you too?" she asked gently.
Kazuha looked back at the other girl before snapping her purse shut. "Not much has changed really, we're still the same..."
"I feel bad for saying this, I know that you don't get to see Kudo-kun very often, it's just that...it's like he doesn't even get it! In a way I'm glad he didn't hear my confession but at the same time it is so frustrating!"
Ran stepped forward and gave her friend a quick hug, "Don't give up Kazuha! It will work out soon! I know it! Unfortunately...these things can sometimes take a while."
This time Kazuha smiled brighter, "Thanks Ran, to be honest now I'm just glad it was Officer Takagi that heard what I said and not someone else." she giggled, a small blush tinting her cheeks.
The two laughed as they made their way to the door. "I was so embarrassed, I practically yelled at him."
"That was not your fault, you were...very caught up in the moment. Besides, no need to worry, Takagi-keiji is a total sweetie." Ran answered as she slipped on her shoes.
"Oi! What's takin' you so long? I'm starvin'!" A voice called up the stairs of the agency.
"Honestly Heiji, Conan-kun can wait for five minutes, why can't you?" the ponytailed girl asked annoyed as she walked past the dark-skinned teen.
"That was longer than five minutes. I at least want to eat before we do this stupid dancing thing." he mumbled before looking back to Conan. "Sheesh, why do girls always take forever to leave?" he whispered.
The shrunken teen just shrugged, You could always learn a little patience.
"Not to mention we gotta bus our way downtown, thanks to the old man." Ran turned to Heiji and smiled "Can't be helped, dad went out gabling with the neighbors."
"Well he did run out as soon as he remembered those dance lessons are for tonight, I think he was worried you were going to make him come be your dance partner." Conan spoke up.
Ran sighed, "That is probably true, even though he was the one that won the free lesson in a draw."
"Where are we going to eat anyway?" Heiji asked as the two of them walked behind the girls.
"Just a place we found downtown, trust me the food is worth the bus trip. Plus, it happens to be by the studio" Conan answered.
"Oh, does 'we' include the old man or just you two eh?" Heiji smirked
Conan ignored the grinning detective and set to catch up to the other two members of their group as the bus pulled up. He quickly grabbed a vacant seat behind Ran and Kazuha with Heiji soon sitting beside him.
"Well, that's fine if you don't want to tell me, It's not like I don't know what's going on anyway man." Heiji's smile only widened when the smaller boy shot him an annoyed look. Satisfied with the reaction he had gotten he leaned back in the seat intending to get comfortable when two words had his eyes snapping back open.
Confession? Takagi?
Conan watched as Heiji suddenly sat forward, a serious look on his face. He raised an eyebrow, "Is something wrong?"
"Did you hear what they were just talking about?" Heiji whispered harshly.
The shrunken detective gave the other male an odd stare, "No, why?" there was no answer and the pair sat in silence as the two girls in front of them carried on quietly in conversation. Conan watched as Heiji sat stiffly for the rest of the bus ride downtown.
"This is our stop." Ran said as she led the way off the bus. The two girls continued talking as they stepped onto the side walk, unaware that someone was trying to listen in.
"He really is so sweet..."
"Oi!"
The sudden outburst had the two girls turning around to face the irritated looking Osakan. "Who are you two talking about?"
Instantly Kazuha's face turned bright red, "That's not your business, it's rude to listen in on girl's private conversations." Without another word Kazuha turned her head back around and kept walking.
"What's gotten into you?" Conan asked as they followed the two girls down the busy street. When he didn't get an answer and he noticed that they had finally made it to the restaurant Conan decided to drop it.
"For four please." Ran said to the hostess as they walked into the busy restaurant. After being seated at a table and ordering their drinks a stern voice broke the light atmosphere.
"So you two are talkin' about Takagi-keiji right?"
Conan looked up from his drink, his interest slightly piqued.
Again, Kazuha's cheeks tinted red, "So what if we are, you have a problem with that?"
The young man 's eyes narrowed as he leaned back on his chair, "Hmm, what about him?
Ran looked nervously between the pair as their gazes intensified. "Not much really, just what a sweet and polite man he is. Unlike someone else." Kazuha answered.
"Heh, that skinny guy?" Heiji scoffed as he took a large gulp of his drink before setting his cup back down.
Oh boy... Conan sighed, this could get ugly.
"He is not skinny, I actually think he's very attractive." Kazuha retorted strongly. The teen seemed to recoil from that last comment but quickly shrugged it off as if unaffected.
Conan was grateful that before anything else could be said the waitress came back to take their order.
As if nothing had happened the two girls resumed their cheerful chatting as they ate. Conan joined in for a while aware that Heiji had not said much since ordering.
An hour later when they left the restaurant Ran and Conan exchanged glances when Heiji suddenly decided to reignite the previously heated conversation.
"So if you're so in love with Takagi-keiji why don't you go confess to him?"
Kazuha instantly froze. "Or maybe you already have if I overheard you correctly."
Kazuha simply stared back at the teen not knowing what to say. "T-that was...that was..." Kazuha took a deep breath and turned around to face her childhood friend straight on. "That's not your business."
"Uh, hey look we're here, that was fast!" Ran interjected loudly, trying to break up the spat. The bickering teens turned their heads away and humphed each other as they followed Conan and Ran into the dance studio.
Once inside Ran took out the certificate her dad had won and gave it to the receptionist. "Hello, I'm Mouri Ran, I made an appointment for a lesson tonight at eight. The young girl sitting at the desk smiled and took the paper, "the contest winner right? Mrs. Misa is expecting you, would you mind having a seat for a moment?"
"No problem." Ran answered as she and Conan sat at the cushioned bench by the door. Kazuha soon came to sit beside Ran, being extra careful to not meet Heiji's eyes.
Soon after a middle aged woman in a pair of tights and a tank-top appeared and greeted them cheerfully. "I am Mrs. Misa owner and head dance instructor, congratulations on winning the draw."
Ran stood and introduced their group, "Thank you, I hope it's alright but I brought some friends."
"Not a problem at all my dear! The more the merrier! Come with me."
The group of four followed the instructor to the back of the studio behind a dark curtain, to a large room with polished wood flooring and mirrors along the wall.
"So now, who will be dancing together?"
"You guys go ahead, I don't dance thanks." Heiji said stiffly as he sat on a bench used for and audience to view the dance floor.
"I'm too small so..." Conan sat beside Heiji on the bench.
Misa looked over the two young women that were left, "Well it's always easier to have a male partner but we will try this for now. I have a gentleman who is currently in a lesson right now but we may be able to borrow him later."
Ran and Kazuha stepped on the dance floor and giggled as they stepped up to one another. "So who's they guy?"
Mrs. Misa looked between the two girls, "You two are about the same height...how about you for now dear?" Misa asked, gesturing to Kazuha.
"No problem." Kazuha smiled ignoring the not so subtle snort she heard from the direction of the bench.
Conan sat as he watched the two girls receive instruction and start up some basic footwork. It did look a little peculiar with two girls dancing but they were obviously enjoying themselves. He wished he could say the same for the last member of their group but he wasn't about to point out to Hattori that he should just suck it up and be a man (literally) so the girls could learn better. He snuck a quick glance at Heiji who was looking disinterested for the most part.
Conan's head turned when he heard a familiar voice. "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" The two girls stopped dancing to look at the female police detective.
"Satou-keiji! Takagi-keiji too! Are you learning to dance?" Ran asked excitedly.
Satou nodded, "Well this guy is a natural, I am the one that really needs the coaching." she beamed and her partner blushed.
"How about you guys? Where are your dance partners?"
"Actually Takagi-san, would you mind if I borrow you for a minute, I'd like to at least give my contest winners a proper lesson!"
Takagi smiled, "Sure." and stepped out onto the dance floor as Satou took a seat beside Conan.
The instructor beamed, "Excellent! Why don't we start with you Kazuha since you haven't been able to dance in the traditional female role."
Conan turned to look at the teen who had suddenly gone ridged beside him as detective Takagi took Kazuha's hand and waist.
"Now this time I want you to let him lead you dear." Misa instructed. Ran and Kazuha giggled when the instructor added in that Satou should pay attention as she still needed to work on letting Takagi lead.
"Now he's a bit taller than you so don't be shy and come up nice and close to him dear. Perfect."
Kazuha blushed and Takagi smiled down at her as she reached up to grasp his shoulder. Conan tried not to snicker when the boy beside him glared out the window. Hattori, you are so childish...And what had he even been going on about before? Kazuha confessing feelings to Takagi? Where the hell would he get that idea from?
As they started up the basic movements she and Ran had been doing before Kazuha couldn't help but notice that Officer Takagi actually was…quite handsome. Kazuha was able to easily keep pace with him as he guided her along gently. It was true that it was a lot easier to dance with a man.
"Wow Kazuha-chan you're better than me and I've been doing this for a few weeks!" Satou said as she took a sip from her water bottle. Kazuha blushed and Takagi sighed.
"Yes well if you would just let me lead, we could dance this well too." At this Misa nodded her head in agreement. "See how their movements are smooth and co-ordinated instead of choppy?" Misa pointed to the dancing couple and raised an eyebrow at the female officer.
Satou shrugged, "Yes yes. I see." Satou was about to take another sip from her water bottle when she noticed the Osakan boy. "What's wrong Hattori-kun, why don't you dance?"
The tanned detective turned to the woman with an irritated look on his face that he was obviously trying to hide. "Not interested."
Kazuha glanced at Heiji and frowned. Was it really that he just didn't want to dance with her? She gasped as the loss in focus caused her to stumble and when she looked up again she found herself pressed right into the young policeman's chest. "Ah, sorry officer Takagi."
He smiled down at her, "That's alright."
Kazuha stood straight and was about to resume dancing when someone else grabbed her hand before the officer could.
"Guess I have no choice, he's too tall for ya'."
Takagi stepped back as the teen stepped forward and grabbed Kazuha's waist. "Like this?" He asked the instructor stiffly. The woman nodded not sure when the boy had even stood up.
Conan sighed, Hattori truly was an idiot sometimes.
"Alright then I get officer Takagi!" Ran said excitedly as she stepped back on the dance floor.
"Wonderful, now we have a real lesson going." Misa stood between the two couples and gave instruction after starting some music.
"That worked out." Takagi whispered to the younger woman. Ran beamed at him, "Thanks for your help Takagi-keiji." She smiled as they watched the couple dancing beside them.
Conan raised an eyebrow at the officer and Ran who seemed to be laughing quietly about something. He felt a little twinge of discomfort but shrugged it off, he wasn't Hattori over here getting jealous over nothing.
Forty minutes later the group was getting ready to leave after thanking Mrs. Misa for the lesson. "Oh I think I left my jacket on the bench." Kazuha said as she headed back to the studio. "Eh? I'll help you look for it." Ran said following her friend.
Conan slowly turned to Heiji, a sly smile on his face. "Feel better now?"
The teen stared back at him, "Shut up Kudo."
After five minutes went by and the girls didn't come back the boys started to get impatient. "Again with them taking forever to leave."
Conan followed Hattori back the way they had come. Both of them looked curiously at each other when they found them peeking through an opening in the curtain.
"Oi, what are you-"
"SHH!" Both girls turned around to silence him before quickly turning back. Coming behind them Heiji looked through the curtain. "What? They're just dancin'." He stated blandly. Although he did notice that Satou-keiji was blindfolded.
"Shut up or leave Heiji." Kazuha whispered harshly. He sighed and continued to watch the officers, he wouldn't be leaving the place anyway. "Why is she blindfolded?" He dared to ask.
"It's probably an exercise to help her let him lead." Conan whispered.
The two continued to dance unaware of the four sets of eyes watching them. Heiji supposed that made sense, if she couldn't see she would be more reliant on her partner to guide her…though it did look a bit unusual.
When officer Takagi suddenly dipped his partner the girls grasped their hands together in glee.
"See, the world won't end if you let me lead you just a little bit Miwako." He said quietly as he held her arched form above the floor.
"I suppose, but where's the fun if I just give you what you want?" She smirked even with the blindfold still tied securely over her eyes.
The group watched on as Takagi's lips curved into a loving smile. "Ah, the lady knows me all too well."
The girls gasped as Conan and Heiji's eyes went wide when officer Takagi kissed his partner. The kiss continued as he pulled her up, her arms snaking around his neck. Detective Satou pulled him down to her, deepening the kiss as his hands took hold of the sides of her face. The embrace became more passionate as the female detective moved a hand under his dress-shirt to run her fingers along his skin. They broke the kiss and she moaned quietly when his lips brushed her neck instead.
Ok, I think that's enough! Heiji turned back tugging Kazuha along with him despite her protest. Reluctantly Ran followed with Conan after managing to reach a hand under the curtain and grab Kazuha's coat off the bench without notice. The two males shook their heads in exasperation once they finally managed to shove the giddy girls out the door. Both were trying to ignore the fact that their faces were bright red.
"Well that was…something." Heiji muttered as the two girls bounced excitedly along in front of them.
"Well that was a lot more than the first time." Conan answered.
Heiji turned to the shrunken detective, "You've seen that before?"
Conan sighed, "Yep, At least this time Ran saw it too so I don't have to relay it back to her in brutal detail."
Heiji could not help but to cringe with sympathy for his friend. "At least she doesn't seem upset." Heiji mumbled under his breath. Conan rolled his eyes.
"I don't think the one she's trying to express her feelings to is Takagi-keiji." He said shortly before speeding ahead. Heiji eyed the shrunken teen. "What do you mean by that? Hey Kudo!"
Conan ignored him. You can deduce that yourself Hattori.
Happy first kiss fourth anniversary! I won't spoil for those of you who only watch the anime. Thanks for reading! My first time writing Kazuha and Heiji! Hope it was ok.
Thank you for reading! Satou/Takagi forever!