Theme: Hide and Seek

Chapter Summary: In which Shinichi helps his partner hide in plain sight.

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(4) 隠れん坊 - Kakurenbou: Hide and Seek


Shinichi contemplates at the items in his hands. Plastic crumples as he turns them this way and that, blue eyes squinting. He hums.

"Everything alright, bōya?"

Starting at the sudden question, Shinichi looks up to see a shop clerk, (brunette, late twenties, dog owner, engaged). There's a minute shift as he considers before slipping into his role. "Yeah! I'm looking for a present for my friend." A childlike smile. "Onee-chan, can you help me?"

The woman, Sasaki as per her name tag, laughs softly. Nodding, the woman crouches down until they're eye leveled. "Of course. What are you looking for?"

Shinichi's grin ebbs into something more honest. "I want to find something that my friend can wear anytime, anywhere." He then points at a row of hats. "I thought of hats but winds can be naughty and make it fly away and I don't want that~!" Pouting, he stares up at the amused clerk. "I want to get her something that's really, really hard to lose."

"Then, what about a bracelet?" Sasaki asks, gently tapping a finger against her cheek in thought.

He shakes his head at that. "Uh-uh! It has to be something she can wear on her head always!"

"Headwear, huh? I'm not sure if—oh!" The clerk punches a fist into her palm. Standing quickly, Sasaki gestures for him to follow. "Follow me, bōya."

"Okay!" Trotting behind the woman, they pass by one of the shop's windows, giving them a good view of the red-gold sunset outside.

'That's right. The sunset reminded me of Haibara's hair.' While the thought came out of nowhere, it did gave him pause. Considering how distinguished the other shrunken teen's hair is, Shinichi thought that maybe it's about time that they'd find a better way to hide the biochemist. Especially with Gin's creepy ability to identify the scientist just by a strand of her hair alone. Better be safe than sorry.

Hence, why he's in a nearby clothing shop instead of heading straight back to the detective agency.

"Here we are," Sasaki announces, arm extending behind her.

"Heh~!" Walking up to the display, Shinichi surveys the choices that are laid out. Though he's no slouch at coordinating himself, what with his mother and all, he never cares much about fashion, brand names, and whatnot. But, he supposed it wouldn't hurt to try and pick something atheistically pleasing.

'What we wear reflects us, Shin-chan!'

Right, right. His mother did say that a few times, didn't she? So, reflection. Usually, it would be personality, style, attitude…okay, the last one makes his brow tick when he's reminded that Haibara has that in spades. Insufferable woman.

He shakes his head with a sigh, a faint smirk on his lips. Alright, a review of what he knows about Haibara. Intelligent, cool, kind, attractive, sarcastic, weary…hopeful. He frowns at the unexpected thought, bringing up a hand to cradle his chin. Yes…all of her actions had a notion of hope to them now he thinks about it. Even if a number of them involved the end of her own life.

Shinichi picks up one of the merchandises, mulling it over. 'Well, if I were to be more specific, Haibara is always hopeful for her loved ones.'

Attempting suicide to escape the life of servitude in hopes of being reunited with her family in the afterlife. Telling him everything she could about the Apoptoxin in hopes of giving him a fighting chance against Them even as Pisco, Vodka and worst of all, Gin closed in on her. The bomb on the bus and showing herself to Vermouth, both acts were done by a woman hoping with all her might that those she held dear would be spared if she were taken instead. All for them. Always for them, rarely ever for herself. He doesn't agree but he does understand. Haibara was never given the chance to choose anything else and when she's finally in a life that offers more than what They did, Haibara floundered. Somehow, the biochemist still thought that death is all that she deserved even though there's a part of her that always, always hope for more.

'Enough. It's not like that anymore, you know that. She's fighting back, Haibara isn't running away anymore. She knows now that she deserves more. She's here with me, with us. Calm down.' Taking a steadying breath, Shinichi loosens his tight grip on the merchandise, grateful his back is to the store clerk.

Focus. Next…colour. Alright, he knows Haibara is partial to red. 'Dark red, maybe? White is good too. Both would suit her well. But what kind of design…huh, that kinda looks like the Burberry pattern Haibara likes.'

He rounds the aisles and displays, blue eyes flitting across each item with careful inspection, noting the colors, designs, and materials. The process continues on for while before one row catches his attention. A slow grin blooms across his face. 'Goal.'

"What do you think bōya?" Sasaki asks when she noticed his expression.

He nods, feeling excited and pleased. "They're perfect!"


Shiho stares at the gift bag held in front of her, confused. Turquoise eyes follow the fingers holding said item to the owner's arm until finally landing on the fidgeting detective standing in front of her. A brow rising in inquiry.

Kudou answers with a scowl, lightly shaking the bag. "Don't just stare. Take it already."

Unimpressed but rather not kicking up a fuss, Shiho takes the bag, opening it with an exaggerated sigh. Inside, lies a piece of paper and three small rolls of cloth, each of a different color. Unraveling one reveals what seems to be a decent sized cylinder of cloth while the paper shows pictures of different ways to wear them.

'A multi-purpose bandana?' Bemused, she casts a questioning glance.

Kudou shrugs, looking to the side. "It's up to you if you want to wear it or not. I just thought, y'know, you might want something to wear that can hide you a bit better. You have pretty hair but it seems like it's something They often use to identify you." Then, the sleuth shoves his hands into his pockets, blush dusting across his sharp cheekbones. "And, well, since you said that you're no longer afraid to fight back, I thought it could help you."

'He's rambling. Will wonders ever cease?' While amused, Shiho admits, if only to herself, that she feels warm that the detective went out of his way to buy her something. A gift, at that. Taking the time to admire the bandana, Shiho notes that its fabric is of deep red with silver-white stitchings wrapped around the edge in an intricate pattern of molecular structures. Feeling a sudden change of texture, Shiho pulls a flexible sheet of plastic from the assumed front of the bandana. A flip-up visor.

"My, my, tasteful and practical. You're on a roll today, Kudou-kun."

"…You're so not cute. I hope you know that, Yawny."

Smirking, she fashions the bandana into a saharian style, completely hiding her signature hair. "How do I look?"

When Kudou only continues to stare at her, she tries again. "Kudou-kun?"

"Huh?" The detective takes a moment to blink a few times then, unexpectedly turns completely red. "Oh! Uh...beau—good. You look, uh, you look...good. Yeah." Then the raven turns to stride his way to the stairs, a string of words hastily tumbling out. "Anyway, just wanted you to have that. Later, Haibara."

"Wait," she says, making her way to the detective.

Kudou stops at the foot of the stairs then slowly turns, facing her completely. It's a small gesture but it's one she appreciates. It's Kudou's way of trusting her since by doing so, it leaves the detective open, no longer able to bluff or hide. Nothing like before. Lying is never an issue since the detective is absolute rubbish at it. Shiho finds it endearing even if it does put Kudou in danger most times. Such an infuriating man.

Her smirk softens into a shy, genuine smile. "Thank you."

Kudou tilts his head just so, still blushing, still refusing to duck away and hide. A practice of honesty. Then, a smile steadily curls around the detective's lips, boyish and sincere. A sudden keen sense of longing hits her as a spark of hope flutters in her heart. A beat, a breath then she quiets it. 'Hush now,' she reminds her heart, not unkindly. 'His heart is not mine to carry. Hush now.'

Even so, she takes the chance to fix Kudou in her memories exactly as he is now. True to who he is no matter the circumstances. Full of flaws, full of virtues. Kind, infuriating, reckless, enduring, idealistic, bullheaded, brilliant. Kudou Shinichi. Edogawa Conan. So very human, and so, so beautiful.

'What an insufferable, impossible man that stands before me,' she thinks with a touch of fond exasperation.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Kudou nods, grin still in place. "You're welcome."

Shiho watches as the other shrunken teen tosses her a wave, making his way up to the lab's exit. When she hears the faint click of the door shutting close, she breathes a sigh, fiddling the end of her new gift. A moment later, she carefully packs the remaining two head-wears, bag and all, tucking it into a private drawer. Once done, she goes back to her work, red bandana and smile still in place.