Hello, I'm back with another chapter. Fair warning like always, Shinichi may be OOC to your eyes.
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective conan or do I own it's characters. I only own Hotaru, my OC.
Hotaru's birthday
It was a special day for Hotaru.
But for her older brother, it is one of the most stressful times of the year. Finding the perfect present for Hotaru was not an easy task, and he reigned as best for three years in a row, if that is, you do not count his father. Shinichi did not want to back down and ruin his perfect streak.
During school he wondered what shall he give to the little girl, who was always a bit too
hard to please. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice when the teacher called on him.
"Kudo-kun, hurry and answer the question!" The teacher barked.
"Huh?"
"I said, answer the question!"
"What was the question?" The teacher sighed and turned to Ran, who answered,
"74, Sensei."
"Correct. And you Kudo-kun, pay more attention!" She sneered at him.
"Haiii." Shinichi grumbled.
At lunch, Ran came up to him. "What has gotten into you? I never seen you space out as much as you did today." And it was true, after the morning scolding he received, he also was painfully yelled at by three other teachers, again with the 'lack of participation.'
"It's nothing." He looked away. Ran looked slightly suspicious, then wondered out loud to herself.
"Come to think of it, isnt today Hotaru-chan's birthday?" Ahh..jackpot.
"Yes." He answered.
"Oh! What are you going to give her? I promise, I'll keep it a secret!" She smiled at him.
"Well, what are you getting her?" He avoided the question.
"I'm getting Hotaru-chan a cute bracelet. You know, it's really fun to dress her up. It's shocking to see how much she looks like a doll. Anyway, tell me what is your's."
"I haven't gotten anything yet." He confessed. Ran suddenly understood.
"Is that why you were so..distant in class? I don't think you should put so much pressure into thinking about it. Hotaru-chan would already fall in love with anything you give her." She advised.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You're her brother, she wouldn't-or she shouldn't give much thought to what present you might give her. You are important to her, so whatever you give her shouldn't matter as much."
Shinichi gave thought to her answer. Hotaru wouldn't care..because she already loves him? That is...a bit confusing. Or that Hotaru wouldn't get picky over his presents..because she already has him?
'Oi oi, that makes me should like I'm a gift-wrapped thing, rather than just her brother. And besides, I doubt that Hotaru would think in such a complex manner. It is, after all, her birthday.'
"I still want to get something, I have competition you know."
"With your Father?" Ran looked doubtful.
"My reputation is at stake." He replied bluntly. Ran sighed (a lot of people sighed at him today) and shook her head.
"Well, there is a sale of Sherlock Holmes audiobooks down at that bookshop. You can give that to her." Yes! Now he won't have to spend hours late at night retelling her stories that he already knew by heart. And since it is an audio recording , she could listen to it as much as she wanted. Yes, this would be a good gift for Hotaru.
"Really?"
"There's a long line though.." Ran trailed off and saw that Shinichi had already left.
"That idiot. He's going to regret standing outside today. Especially in this storm."
/
Five hours.
Five long hours.
Five freaking long hours.
He really did not expect standing outside for five long freaking hours. In the rain too.
'Oi, so a lot of people are after this audiobook. I wonder what's so special about it.'
He sneezed. It was freezing outside and he had no umbrella. Struggling to stand, he tapped the person in front of him.
"Oujo-San, tell me, what is so special about the audiobook again?" The lady in front of him coughed before answering.
"I see you have an interest in the Sherlock Holmes series..." Shinichi nodded waiting for her to continue. She was a middle-aged woman, with grey hair and round spectacles.
"Well you see, these are the only audiobooks that are based accurately on all the characters..and in English as well.." Hearing this only made Shinichi more determined to get the audiobook. Unlike him and the rest of his family, Hotaru spoke perfect English and her japanese is..well...not so perfect. It wasn't that she didnt know her vocabulary, or understand what others are saying, it was just that she has a slight accent. Slight. Well, not that slight..maybe a little more noticeable..ah, forget it, she has a harsh annotation. Nobody really knew where she got it from, after all nobody was English in their family. But, she has one. The audiobook would do well on her. She will feel better about herself. And like it runs in the family, love for Sherlock Holmes know no bounds.
'I'm getting the best present for you Imouto..just you wait..'
Another hour had passed. Six hours, and there is finally progress in the line.
Shinichi was so anxious, and when he finally reached the counter, he nearly slammed his wallet down.
"How much? How much for the audiobook?" He demanded.
"I'm sorry sir, it seems that we are all out." The clerk apologized, though he didn't sound as sorry as he looked. Walking passed a stunned Shinichi, he called out to the remaining line.
"That's it folks, we're all out." A loud groan came from the crowd. Shinichi turned and grabbed the clerk.
"Your all out? That-that's not possible." The clerk shook his head.
"I'm sorry, we are really all out." The clerk replied, irritated. But Shinichi was not finished. Clutching at the clerk's shoulder, Shinichi persisted.
"What about that woman before me? Where did she go?"
"Look, I really don't know. She just went out, if your lucky, you might catch up with
her." The clerk snapped at him. Stalking away, Shinichi heard him mumble something under his breathe, that sounded suspiciously like 'freak'.
Wasting no time, Shinichi checked his watch. The rain was still beating down. It was 9:00, sharp. He was drenched from head to toe, and to make it worse, his parents seemed to have called him at least 10 times. The party however, starts at 10:00. One hour left. One hour left to make it all right again.
Quickly he ran out of the bookshop, racing to where, he hoped that lady went, with the last audiobook.
With hope brimming in his heart, he caught sight of her. Swiftly dragging his legs, and pushing his way through the rain, he took her shoulder.
"What are you doing?!"
"Oujo-San, please lend me the audiobook. The shop was sold out after you. I need it, for someone." He pleaded. The woman's eyes narrowed and pushed away from him, hard. He fell on the ground with a thud. Looking up in surprise, he saw her smirk at him.
"Sorry boy, I can't do that for you. If people like you can't afford to get even this, then they are nothing more then useless space of the world. This audiobook, I finally..finally have it. It's mine now...finally." She crooned, patting the bag in her hands. Looking back at him, she turned and huffed away, leaving Shinichi in daze.
Shinichi got up and trudged his way through the town. He felt dizzy and weak. The rain was really starting to affect him.
'Perhaps I'll find flowers for her..at least that way I got her something..'
The flower shop was closed.
'Useless space in the world? Sounds a lot like someone.' He thought miserably. It was dark, and thunder was raging on and on.
Somehow, he found his way into the house. When he opened the door, he felts arms immediately go around him. It was mother.
"Shin-chan! What on earth were you doing outside! We called you but you wouldn't pick up! Oh and your clothes are so wet! You're going to catch a cold-!"
"I'll be fine, Kaa-San, where's Imouto?"
"Upstairs, Ran-chan and everyone else left before you..." Shinchi coughed.
"And you have a cold too.."
"I told you, I'll be fine..I wonder what time is it?" Yukiko help take off his uniform, and glanced at the clock.
"11:00, Hotaru should be asleep now."
"Can I wake her up? I need to tell her something." Yukiko guided him towards her room.
"Ofcourse.."
Shinichi walked in the pretty room that was adorned with cute bunnies, images, things that she couldn't see. His father was sitting at the edge of Hotaru's bed, they were talking to each other, excitedly.
"Hello, Hotaru." They looked up. When both Yusaku and Shinichi's eyes met, Yusaku knew what went wrong. Yusaku stood and gave Hotaru a kiss on her temple.
"Goodnight, Hotaru. You hear that? Onii-San is here and safe, like I told you."
"Onii-San.." Hotaru called out. She crawled out of her bed. Yusaku found it necessary to carry her into her arms, handed her over to his son.
Walking past him, he whispered, "Next time, do call us. You gave us quite a scare."
"Sorry, father. I was busy."
"Even so, you nearly gave Hotaru and your mother a heart attack. I think there is no need for me to tell you that you ought to make it up to them, am I correct?"
"Yes," Yusaku smiled approvingly. "However, what am I going to do with mother?" Shinichi asked, slightly annoyed.
"Oh, don't worry, I got her under control. You can take care of Hotaru." He chuckled, patting his shoulder. Shinichi managed a weak smile back before it faded as he watched his father leave the room, to go and comfort his mother.
"Onii-San.." Shinchi heard a sleepy voice. Looking down, he whispered.
"Hey, Miss Five, how's your birthday? Was it fun?"
"It was boring."
"What do you mean?"
"You weren't there." By this time, she was nearly fully awake. Shinichi gulped.
"I'm uh, sorry. I had to get your gift." Here goes nothing..
"A gift? Ran gave me bracelets, Professor gave me a new version of his own walkie talkie, Okaa-San gave me Macbeth...oh Onii-San can you read it to me sometimes? And Otou-San gave me his complete night baron series." To each present Shinichi heard, especially the last one, he grew increasingly jealous. Hotaru gave him a simply adorable smile.
"You know, Onii-San, Imouto was really worried about you. Ne. Imouto thought, 'Onii-San might get hurt. Okaa-San said it was raining today.' And now Onii-san's here..but he's so late.." Shinichi sat down on her bed with Hotaru in his arms. In a way, he secretly loved being baby-talked by his sister, it was something she was incredibly good at.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. At least it's not raining now. You're still a bit wet."
"I'm also sorry.."
"For what, Onii-San?" Hotaru said, playfully poking his cheek.
"I..I don't have a gift for you. The bookshop, you see, had this offer in selling audiobooks-"
"That's okay." Hotaru interrupted.
"Huh?"
"I said, that's alright. " she absentmindingly played with a lock of her brother's hair. It was soft, and straight. But now, it's a bit wet.
"What do you mean?" Shinichi asked puzzled.
"I don't mind if you didn't have a gift prepared for me. You're here, safe. I think that's enough for me." Hotaru lazily snuggled into his chest.
"Oh, really.." So this is what Ran meant earlier.
"You'll simply have to make it up for me, Onii-San." Shinichi almost collapsed to the floor. Perhaps not...
"What do you want me to do then?" Hotaru shrugged. Then, tugging his sleeve, she crawled back to her bed.
"Onii-San, it's hard for me to sleep. Will you tell me a story?"
"Uh..sure. What do you want to hear?" He asked while tucking Hotaru in.
"Anything. I don't mind." Shinichi pondered a bit.
"There was a boy. He had a younger sister."
"Like us?" Hotaru had an interested look in her eyes.
"Yes, just like us." Shinichi smiled.
"Was she blind?"
"The sister? Not to her brother's eyes,"
"...Go on."
"See, today was the boy's sister's birthday. So the boy wanted her to have the best present, out of all of the presents she had."
"What was the present?"
"It was..an audiobook."
"That's nice of the brother. That way, reading wont be such an inconvience."
"Really? Because now that I think about it, giving her an audiobook sounds like an insult."
"How so?"
"It's a sign. A sign that says that she's incompetent. That she couldn't even read."
"Obviously she couldn't read. She's blind."
"You may be blind, but between the two of us, you see more than I do, in so many ways."
Hotaru turned away. "I don't like the story."
"I never said you'll like this one."
"It's not realistic."
"If all stories were realistic, Imouto, then they'll all be boring." Shinichi answered calmly. Gently pulling her closer to him, Shinichi kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight Imouto, and happy birthday." Shinichi was about to leave the room when he heard Hotaru speak again.
"Onii-San. Do mistakes happen?"
"They are made, yes."he answered honestly.
"You never make mistakes."
"I'm human. And so are you. Mistakes are made."
"Am I a mistake?"
"Nobody was born a mistake." There was a quiet and awkward pause.
"Onii-San."
"Y-yes?"
"Come and stay with me. At least, until I'll fall asleep." He walked over to her bedside.
"I'll stay with you for as long as you want."
"...ne Onii-San? What happen to the girl? Was she happy?"
"She was."
"Then, I suppose..," she turned to face him. Slowly giving him a soft smile, she continued. "I'll be happy as well..right?"
"I suppose so." He slipped under the covers with her. They slept. Happily.
/
For Japanese people, it is considered not only respectful to refer to oneself in third person but cute as well.
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