Disclaimer: Detective Conan belongs to Gosho Aoyama.

Ran wrapped her arms around Shinichi's the whole time, like a python strangling its prey. As much as Shinichi wanted to escape from her, he couldn't. He gave up trying after a few hundred tries.

Then suddenly, "You know Ran, maybe, I'm just saying, maybe you go let go of my hand?" Shinichi practically pleaded. Ran shook her head, the grip on his arm tightened. Shinichi didn't know why, but he was getting so irritated. Shiho was there, laughing with Saguru. Why is she laughing? He didn't feel quite right, like his rationale is slipping away. He harshly and forcibly pushed Ran away. "Stop it. It's irritating."

Ran sniffed, tears welled up in her eyes. The people surround them paused and stared at them, like they were some sort of animals on exhibition.

"You're embarrassing." Shiho remarked, nonchalantly. Saguru put his arm around Shiho's waist, making her jump a little. He whispered something in her ear, which everybody was gasping about.

Stunned, Shinichi eyes widened. He rudely shoved Saguru away, and pulled Shiho by her wrist. Shiho frowned. Fury enraged within Shinichi. 'Why is nothing going my way today? First Ran, being so annoying. Now Shiho? What's with the frowning?'

"I don't care what you guys do, just don't involve me in your mindless little tricks," Shiho declared and shook his hand off. Ran was dumbfounded. Resentment and discontent spoiled her mood.

"I'm sorry Ran, I don't know what had gotten into me. I… love… you," Shinichi said as he flexed his right arm.

Shiho, at a side, expression hardened. Ran pulled Shinichi into a passionate hug and didn't let him go, as much as he struggled.

'Yeah, I love her. Don't I?' Shinichi thought.

Saguru pecked Shiho on her lips, just a slight and gentle one. Everybody crowded around them to see the couple, a match made in heaven. They started taking pictures and murmured amongst themselves. Shinichi glowered, but managed to somehow suppress himself. He told himself to calm down. He just told Ran he loved her, he can't betray her right after a confession. Or rather, a half-assed confession. Did he say that just so he could appease Ran, or was it for real. He was stuck in seriously sticky dilemma. And what did Saguru previously whisper to Shiho? He didn't like what Saguru did.

"Let us all calm down and have lunch now." Saguru suggested, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. The three other nodded their heads in silence.

They chose a sushi restaurant, the one with a conveyor belt. It reminds Shiho and Shinichi of the Detective Boys days, when they were all happy. Nostalgia. That bittersweet feeling, unable to be felt and comprehended by anyone but the two.

They ate their food in silence, besides the minor disruption of Ran showing her enthusiasm for sushi and Shinichi.

Suddenly, Saguru chuckled. "Haha, you're cute, Shiho."

Shinichi's heart squeezed. 'Cute? Shiho? Why does he get to call her by her name?'

He used his thumb to get rid of a rice grain that was reluctant to leave her side of her mouth. Saguru then ate it. Ran stared in awe, wishing desperately that a certain idiot would be as romantic as Saguru was. But she knew, he would never do it. At least not to her. She clenched her fist, she hates her.

It wasn't fair. She knew Shinichi first. She loved Shinichi first. Now Saguru is here. 'Why does Miyano gets to be loved by everyone? Miyano shouldn't be the one. I should be the one.' A green eyed monster devoured Ran as she glared intently at Shinichi looking hurt.

Shiho, somehow sensed something was wrong, and Ran wasn't quite like her usual self. She nudged Saguru and mouthed, "Let's get out of here."

Saguru nodded as he also noticed the tension between the four of them. They got up and headed outside the restaurant. Shinichi wanted to stop them, but before he could actually respond, Ran held his hand. She fainted a smile. She was telling him, "Don't go after them." Shinichi understood her unhappiness and sat back down.

'This is so weird. Why would I care if the two of them spend time together? Alone.' Shinichi fidgeted. He could not stop thinking about the two who are elsewhere, out of his sight.'

"We should go check up on them," Shinichi tried his best to make his request sounded like a suggestion.

"They are already grownups. They can take care of themselves."

"Yeah, but even so… I'm worried."

Ran's expression hardened. "Can we just go enjoy ourselves? Just the two of us. We haven't been hanging out since a long time. It's like I'm not important. But I'm your girlfriend. You are my boyfriend. You asked me out? Why are you treating me like this now? You never bothered to hang out with me. You never asked. I was waiting. I thought today was different. But no. You asked me out, because you are worried about… About…" Ran did not continue her sentence, afraid that Shinichi would figure out his own feelings with her reminding him. She knew he was intelligent, however, he is really very dense when it comes to the matters of the heart.

"I didn't realise all this… Sorry."

Ran shook her head, "Just don't do this again. Stay by my side, always."

'Always. How many times have I made the promise of forever and always. To whoever. Did I manage to keep them? Was I able to make it true? Always. I remember the promise I made to Shiho. To protect her. Am I able to? Will I?'

Outside:

Shiho and Saguru strolled along while conversing.

"Shiho, isn't it about time you reply to my confession?"

"Is it? I haven't really thought about it."

"Is it because he's the one occupying your mind and heart?"

"No." Shiho tilted her head to face the other direction of Saguru.

"Must it be him?"

"You are right. I should probably give up now… Fine. I'll go out with you."

Saguru smirked and pulled Shiho to his side by her slender waist. Shiho didn't change her expression, neither did she express any disgust. It was almost like it didn't matter anymore. Nothing else does, anymore.