I know it's already horribly late but I still want to greet a Happy New Year, to everyone! ^^ Goodbye 2012 and hello 2013!

Another year has passed. It had been a memorable year with all of you since last year was the first publication of this fic. Thank you for all the support guys! I hope this 2013, you'd still be with me. Once again, thank you! I love you all! Mwaah! 3

Happy reading everyone!

FILE 7

"Game's over, Tantei-san."

Shinichi froze, his body stiffing at the sudden action. He knew one wrong move would be fatal. A person was held hostage at gunpoint under his mercy. It's not only that, the hostage was a child. Despite his over a year of experience in being a detective, this was the first time for him to be under this kind of situation. How could it be? He always worked alone and he was too proud to be working with a partner. Besides, he did not need any help from anyone anyway. He was only a detective and not a police officer or anything. His line of work was only limited to solving the mystery behind a case, gather evidence that would be essential to the case and corner the culprits with his deductions. That simple. Anything beyond that scope had nothing to do with him anymore.

Sure, the culprits he would corner would sometimes try to escape and would do things anyone would not imagine but the police was always there to take care of the culprit. Or at other times, he would use his soccer skills and kicked anything that was at his reach to stop the culprit.

Calm down, Kudo.

He felt his heart hammering inside him and his gut was churning. He felt nervous, no – scared.

You need to keep your cool, Kudo.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. It actually worked. His heart beat slowly went back to its normal rate and felt his gut calming.

Rena was just an innocent child. She still could not handle herself. He's alone with this one. No police. No one. Just him.

His keen eyes started to roam as his mind was absorbing everything that was being registered to it. To start, he observed the culprit in front of him. He was tall and huge. Maybe around 6'3" in height and more than 250 pounds in weight. He was wearing a black coat over a black dress shirt and black slacks and black shoes.

Was the color black at trend? He wondered. Most culprits wear them. I understand their use during the night but during broad daylight? Didn't they know it just made them look more suspicious?

He could not see clearly the man's face since it was shadowed by his hat but he could see his cold and malicious grin that made his blood boil.

The man was holding Rena with his left and had his gun pointed directly on her temple with his right. Rena was completely still in his hold. She was sweating and had her terrified eyes planted on him. He could see her paling every second but despite that, her eyes were talking to him, saying that she trusted him that they could get out of this mess. He did not respond; just being cautious.

He shifted his attention to his surroundings. He did not see anyone observing near and afar. His accomplices did not even come out to join him. That means he did not notified them and he was alone. Good.

Then, he inserted his right hand in his pocket. Everything's set. He had formulated a plan and a back-up just in case something went wrong since this might be quite risky. He just needed to drag this as long as possible to give him enough time. But he still hoped everything would go smoothly with his first plan. He could not afford to make mistakes here. It's not only Rena's life was at stake, but also of the two hostages inside the warehouse.

"You're Kudo Shinichi, right?" he asked in his deep and cold voice.

He smirked at him. "Am I that famous already for you to recognize me so effortlessly?" He needed to act cocky and turn in circles if he wanted to drag this conversation.

"Of course. Who would not know the famous high school detective that everyone's so crazy of and the so-called 'Savior of the Police'?"

"You flatter me."

He let out a fit of laughter before he replied, "Oh, don't be. After all, you won't last long. I'm afraid you already know everything."

He shrugged. "There's no point in denying it."

"If that's the case," He pushed Rena tighter to his body as he pushed the barrel to her temple and she let out a whimper. "We're going to end everything here. You are a threat to us." He threatened to pull the trigger and Rena prepared herself by closing her eyes when Shinichi interrupted.

"Why aren't you starting with me?" The man in black looked up, relaxing his finger on the trigger. "You just said I'm a threat, right?"

"Both of you are threats to us. You've seen the faces of my colleagues, you know the situation and told her about it, and the both of you saw my face."

"But I'm still the greater threat, right? Rena-chan only knows that there is a kidnapping but I'm the one who saw the real situation that inside that warehouse there are two hostages, a primary school girl and her mother, and two of your colleagues, guarding them."

He glared at him suspiciously and pointed his gun at him. "What are you playing at, detective?"

He raised his eyebrows and looked at him innocently. "Playing?" He tilted his head to the side. "Who says I'm playing?"

"I know that style, detective. It's a really old trick. You're leaking information somewhere. Let's say to the police?"

His eyes dilated slightly and sweat started to form on his forehead. "W-what are you talking about?"

"Stuttering now? For a famous detective, you're a pretty bad liar."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Still trying so hard to act tough, aren't we? If I'm wrong, why don't you take out your hand from your pocket and show the contents of it?"

It's his turn to glare at him.

"Not so cocky now, huh, detective? Am I right on the mark?"

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, collecting himself before he opened them again. "Alright. You win." He took his hand that was holding his cell phone out from his pocket. The screen showed that it was currently connected in a call and the caller ID showed it was Inspector Megure.

The man in black laughed in triumph. "You're not as smart as I've originally thought you were. Do you really think such a petty trick would pass through me? Anyway, who would've thought I would be the one who's going to kill the great high school detective Kudo Shinichi and it would really be in the presence of the police even though it is indirect? Such an honor." He steadied his finger on the trigger and Rena started to panic. She flashed Shinichi a panic look but his face remained blank.

"Do you have any last words, Meitantei?"

"The police will surely catch you."

He let out another laugh. "You really amuse me. I admire your strong sense of justice too bad this will be the last time that you can display it in public." His finger on the trigger threatened to pull it. "Goodbye, the great high school detective Kudo Shinichi."

His finger slowly pulled the trigger but Shinichi just continued to stand still, glaring at the gun in front of him, as if anticipating for the moment for him to be killed.

"KYAA!"

He heard Rena's shout and the man's attention was immediately turned to her as she started to struggle on his hold for the first time but his gun remained pointed at him.

"Oi! What are you doing, you brat?!"

His eyes sparkled as his eyebrows creased along with his trademark arrogant smile that said he already had foreseen everything.

Now's my chance!

He stretched out his right leg behind him, preparing it for a full kick. He dropped his cell phone in front of him and moved his leg to kick it with all his strength. As soon as it made contact with his well-developed soccer feet, it immediately flew in an incredible speed and as what he had calculated; it hit the man's hand with the gun which he immediately let go. A clang of metal and another different clang were heard as the gun and cell phone hit the cemented floor. Shocked, the man spared a glance at his bruised and numbed hand. Man, it hurt and it's definitely going to bruise!

He needed to do his next move. He stretched out his leg behind him one more time and dropped his satchel. He prepared himself for another full kick but the satchel already hit the ground and he only kicked the air in front of him quite clumsily, he almost lost his footing at his action. What made the star player Kudo Shinichi miss? He was just suddenly dazed at what he saw in front of him:

Rena took advantage of the situation and the man's still stunned state. She made a back-kick for the man's stomach. It must have been strong since the man let out a groan and arched forward. Then, she elbowed the man's jaw and the man staggered back. The man's hold on her loosened and she grabbed the man's arm to turn and face him. Shinichi swore he would never forget her next action. She grabbed his shoulder to haul herself up. She used his arm to place her feet onto something as she tried to reach for his back. Then, she raised her hand and made a hard karate chop at the back of his neck. The man's eyes immediately rolled back. She jumped down with grace before he had collapsed on the ground hard – completely unconscious.

Shinichi had his jaw-hung open in complete disbelief and shock. Who would have thought the ever sweet and nice Rena-chan was capable of doing that? For Shinichi, she's just an innocent seven year old! A child! What she did was really unbelievable! She really knew where to hit, especially that final blow. How on earth did she know about the weak point at the back of the neck? But what disturbed him the most was it reminded him of… Ran.

Those moves… It was definitely Karate.

Another similarity with Ran, again.

What's going on?

He was starting to be terribly confused. Is it just another mere coincidence? Isn't this a little bit too much?

He was pulled back to reality when he felt a tug at the side of his pants. He looked down and saw Rena-chan had her big and innocent eyes together with her sweet smile on him.

He crouched down and placed both of his hands on either of her shoulders. "Are you alright, Rena-chan? Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked worriedly as he shifted his gaze from head to toe, studying her, his soft side for her kicking in. He decided to push the thought away – for now. Now's not the time for it.

She nodded in a smile.

"Are you sure? I understand what he did earlier was not pleasant." His eyes hardened again. "Now, do you already understand why I told you to stay at the pastry shop?" he reprimanded, his tone raising. "It was for your own safety! Look where you got yourself into! What do you feel? And-"

He was cut off of his scolding as Rena suddenly hugged him. He was left speechless once again.

Sometimes, this kid really knows what to do, Shinichi thought.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Shinichi-niichan. I promise, I won't do it again."

He pulled them apart. He was still looking hard at her. "You promise?"

She raised her right hand. "Promise."

He sighed, finally buying her words. "Alright, then. Since you've promised, you should follow everything I'm going to say, okay?"

She nodded.

"I'm going to borrow your phone for a while to call Megure-keibu. And while I'm on it," he pointed at a tree a bit far from where they are right now. "You hide behind that tree and never, I'm going to repeat it, never run off from there until I tell you, okay?"

"Got it, Shinichi-niichan." She took her cell phone out from her pocket and handed it to Shinichi.

Shinichi took it from her. "I'm counting on you, then."

She gave him one last smile and told him, "Be careful," before she ran to the tree that Shinichi pointed. By the time he saw her hiding successfully behind the tree; he flipped her cell phone open and dialed Megure-keibu's number.

"Hello, Meigure-keibu? This is Kudo." Shinichi said after the other line had been answered.

"Kudo-kun!" Megure-keibu's voice was heard at the other line, his tone filled with recognition and relief. "Are you okay? What happened back there, Kudo-kun? The line was suddenly cut."

"Oh, hehehe… Sorry about that. It was part of my plan to kick my cell phone to drop his gun. I'm currently borrowing Rena-chan's cell phone."

"Who's Rena-chan?"

"I think now's not the time for that, Keibu."

"Oh, right, right. I've heard everything. Though there are still some things that we are still at the dark, we're already on our way since we believe you can be trusted. We were able to trace the call since you've dragged it long enough. You better explain to me everything later, Kudo-kun."

After a few minutes, thanks to Shinichi's cleverness, the police arrived and the kidnappers were caught and the hostages were saved without further harm. The police did not have any idea about the kidnapping because, as expected, they were not informed by the family. The hostages were part of the Tsubasa family, the owner of the biggest modeling agency in the country. And the kidnappers were one of the most wanted kidnappers of the police during that time. They already had a record of five kidnappings and were known to kill their hostages after they have received the ransom.

Then, Megure-keibu hotheadedly asked an explanation from Shinichi. After hearing everything from him, the matter was settled calmly and thus, another case was closed without anyone harmed.

XXXAN ALTERNATE REALITYXXX

Shinichi and Rena descended the short flight of stairs that led to the police quarters, hand in hand. They had just finished their interrogation and it was already starting to get dark outside. They stopped as they reached the flat surface.

"I'm just wondering what that box you're holding is?" Shinichi said, looking down at her and pointing at the box that Rena was currently carrying. "You did not have it before with you."

"Oh, this?" she said, looking down at the box with a dimension of 8"x6" and then looked back up at him with a knowing grin on her face. "Just a little something."

"Well, then, I'm going to bring you home now, okay? I'm sure you're tired after everything we did."

"But we still haven't gone to the place that we should go yet."

"Oh." He scratched his cheek with his forefinger. "Well, maybe we can do it tomorrow then? It's already getting dark. Kisaki-san may be getting worried."

She shook her head. "It's alright. I've already called her and she said it's alright."

"She did?"

"Yup! Besides, everything would be meaningless if we would do it tomorrow."

He blinked. Meaningless? How come? What did she mean?

He felt his hand being pulled.

"Let's go, Shinichi-niichan! The bus for that place is this way!"

He sighed as he allowed himself to be dragged by Rena once again. What she said indeed bothered him but all of his will to argue was drained so he just pushed it aside.

A stubborn kid like her could not be stopped since she had obviously made up her mind and it won't be changed soon. So, why bother? Just a waste of energy. And maybe I would finally get a time-out? Maybe this would be fun? Or maybe not?

Another sigh. Whatever it is, I hope this would be over soon. I really need my bed. I'm not a kid anymore that has unlimited energy.

XXXAN ALTERNATE REALITYXXX

Kudo Shinichi's body went stiff and cold as he found himself standing in front of Tropical Land's entrance. With widened eyes, he gazed around the place as memories came crashing on him – his last time together with Ran.

Of all places, why does it have to be here?!

Desperation could be seen in his features at the moment. He wanted to run away. He was not ready. He could not face the place where everything started. But how could he do that if he felt his hand being pulled, again?

"Let's go inside, Shinichi-niichan!" Rena exclaimed in a grin.

XXXAN ALTERNATE REALITYXXX

He felt his body getting weak and his knees giving up on him as they continued inside of Tropical Land. What gave him the strength to keep on walking was Rena's constant dragging to where Shinichi did not know.

He narrowed his eyes and smirked. For a little girl, she's quite strong to be able to drag me.

They passed by the fountain where the water would explode every two hours. He remembered that he had dragged Ran so they would stand at the middle of it. He meant it as his gift for her for winning the Karate Tournament.

He let out a bitter smile. He still could vividly remember Ran's reaction as soon as the water exploded around them, one after another. Her angelic face was lightening up. Her bright lavender eyes studied her surroundings, taking in everything. And her lips were opened wide in amazement. While she was still caught up at the amazement, he just had his eyes on her. For him, there's nothing more beautiful than to see her happy. No, it was an understatement. To see her happy meant the world to him, though he won't say it even anyone would try to pry his mouth open.

But now she's gone and there's no way he would be able to see it anymore…

He looked at his watch. It was 6:20. There's still forty minutes before the amazing sight.

They next passed by the Mystery Coaster ride. It was the last ride he and Ran took during their, well, uh, day out. He remembered the whole day he just talked about both Sherlock Holmes, his number one detective role model and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the writer. He remembered he was about to confess his feelings to Ran. Not directly maybe. And not the way anyone would have expected. It was by the time they rode the car, he attempted to talk about them again when Ran suddenly yelled at him in annoyance about not caring anything about Holmes or Conan Doyle and even called him Detective Nerd which made him suddenly silent. Then, she tilted her head forward and said with eyes full of disappointment and betrayal,

"I was hoping for a day out with Shinichi. Why don't you understand my feelings?"

Shinichi was suddenly taken aback by what she exhibited. Suddenly filling with guilt, he opened his mouth to tell her about his true feelings when she suddenly laughed and shot back while elbowing him,

"Baka! What are you nervous about? You should know I'm only pretending! If you fell so easily, how would you be a detective?"

Like that. But everyone knew better it was real than anything but him.

He narrowed his eyes as he remembered her exact words. So much for confessing.

After that time, confessing never crossed his mind again.

Heck, she would just laugh at me or even reject me.

Sure, he was a show-off but when it came to telling his true feelings for Ran, he would always think twice and would just choose to hide it. He was a man and he was afraid of rejection!

However now, looking back, he regretted not telling her, after all.

Then, they passed by the alley where he followed a suspicious man in black whom they had rode together in the Mystery Coaster ride and left Ran alone and told her to go home ahead without him. During that time, he had stopped in his tracks and Rena, who was dragging him up to this point had finally found it hard to pull him to go with her and stopped, too. Confused, she looked back at him and her eyes widened.

He just stood there; his body was stiff and cold. His eyes were dull and were directed at somewhere. Rena followed his line of vision and saw an alley. Her eyebrows rose in worry and her eyes shone in complete concern. Eri had told her everything and she understood what was running through his mind right now.

All of Shinichi's energy had drained. He felt guilty and angry with himself, so angry that he was not able to contain it anymore. His body betrayed him as he felt it shook slightly in rage. He tilted his head backward and closed his eyes as it started to sting. He balled his hands to fists.

Oh, if he just had the ability to turn back the time; he would do it right now. he wanted to turn back to the time when he left Ran alone. If he did that, any of this would not have happened.

His fists shook and the color drained as he clenched it tighter. He kicked the ground it frustration.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

He was cut off of his thoughts when he felt something warm and soft hold his cold fist. His eyes immediately shot open and his head shifted to look at his hand.

It was Rena's hand.

He shifted his gaze to Rena and saw she was looking tenderly at him.

"I may not know how you feel right now but I understand," Rena said.

Shinichi just stared at her in confusion. "Understand?" he asked, his voice rose. His eyes hardened and all of the mixed emotions that he was keeping inside him were seen: anger, bitterness, frustration and desperation. "Why didn't you tell me that we were going here?! " He was shouting now. "That's why you kept everything from me! You knew that this was the last place that I and Ran went but you still dragged me here! How the hell can a seven year old like you understand me?!"

She tightened her hold at his still clenched fists. He saw her immediately tensing and her head bowed, shadowing her face. His anger was immediately replaced by regret for suddenly shouting at her like that.

"Rena-chan…"

"I know it hurts, Shinichi-niichan," she interrupted, her head still bowed. "But just bear with it a little longer, okay? We did not come here for you to contemplate for what happened to you a week ago but for another reason."

He was speechless. He took back whatever he said. How can a child like her talk like that?

She placed her other hand on his same fist and he turned his gaze to his still tensed fist and returned his gaze to her.

She met his eyes and gave him a meaningful look. "Just a little longer, okay Shinichi-niichan?"

Shinichi's eyes slowly widened at the look she gave him. It obviously meant something. Something that he did not understand yet and was still needed to be found out. And that look, also, calmed him down. He could not explain it but he just found himself relaxing and his fist lost its grip.

Rena noticed and she gave him a light smile. "Let's go on?"

He did not know what to say so he just nodded to that and allowed himself to be dragged by Rena once again but this time he had surrendered himself willingly. There was something about what she said, especially the look she gave him that piqued his curiosity. He just suddenly shouted at her without knowing her reason yet. She definitely had a special reason and he wanted to find it out.

After several more paces, he found himself and Rena in front of the Ferris wheel. Rena approached the operator while he looked around. True, there were fewer people than usual since it was a school day but it was certainly odd that the Ferris wheel had no one around. It looked deserted.

Is it out of service? No, I don't think so. The lights around it are lit and it looks fine. And there's an operator. No one's interested? That seems odd or impossible. There should be at least one or two who would be interested. So, what then?

He saw Rena running back at him and said as she stopped in front of him, "Everything's set. Let's get in, Shinichi-niichan."

"Everything's set? What do you mean by that? Besides, it seems to be out of service since it seems to be deserted."

"No worries," she reassured. "It was made this way especially for us."

"Eh?"

"I've asked a favor from a classmate of mine who is the grandson of the owner of Tropical Land. Then, I was summoned by his grandfather because he wanted to hear my reason personally. When he heard my reason involved the great high school detective Kudo Shinichi, he was more than happy to grant my favor. After all, he was grateful to you for immediately solving a murder case that happened a week ago that did not terminate the operation of the ride longer. So, right now, we basically have rented the Ferris wheel for thirty minutes!"

He was dumbfounded by her revelation. "What?" he blurted out. "W-why?"

"You'll know later. Let's go!" She took his hand and took the honor to drag him, again.

The operator opened the gondola for them and they climbed in and sat. After they had made themselves comfortable, he closed it and proceeded to start the ride. As soon as the wheel started moving, he heard Rena was giggling in delight. He smiled. She looked adorable while swinging her feet which were dangling in the air and her head turned from left to right as she admired the view in the air.

The ride suddenly stopped.

"What? Did something happen?"

Confused, Shinichi stood up and looked down. He realized they were at the highest point of the ride. His earlier concern was forgotten as he saw how breath-taking the view was. He could see the whole Tropical Land at this point.

"Rena-chan, look at-"

"Happy birthday, Shinichi-niichan."

His head jolted upright and his body went rigid.

Birth…day?

He turned around and his eyes widened by what he saw. Rena was holding out a small round cake in front of her. She was looking up at him with sparkling eyes with a wide smile.

Today's… May 4th?

She seemed to notice the uncertainty in his features since she let out a chuckle which made him more confused.

"Okaasan's right."

"Eh?"

"Somehow, you always tend to forget birthdays, especially your own." She let out another chuckle. "I just find it funny. You can remember all sorts of things and other dates but this."

Despite the moment, Shinichi had managed to narrow his eyes in annoyance.

Ha. Ha. Sorry about that, then.

He returned his gaze to the cake. A candle was lit at the middle and a "Happy Birthday, Shinichi-niichan" was written on it. His attention was shifted back to her as he heard her started singing, "Happy birthday, Shinichi-niichan! Happy birthday, Shinichi-niichan! Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday, Shinichi-niichan~!"

He felt his heart constrict inside him. Because of what she did, his longing for Ran became stronger. That's why he felt something was missing that day. At the same time, that's why he missed Ran all the more. She was always the one who reminded him of his birthday. She would always surprise him like this and then, they would celebrate his birthday for the day. They always had loads of fun.

He suddenly felt melancholic. This was his first birthday without Ran. For a single day, he never thought of ever celebrating his birthday without his childhood friend. He was used to getting reminded by her that he really never made an effort to remember his birthday.

But he still forced out a smile as he crouched down in front of her. He needed to set his feelings aside for now. Rena-chan made a huge effort to make him happy and fulfill Ran's role. Deep inside him he really appreciated what she did though he could not hide the fact that it made his feelings heavy to bear. However, he did not want to disappoint Rena-chan, too and his will to let Rena-chan feel appreciated was his priority right now.

"You want me to make a wish before I blow the candle, right?"

She nodded. "Yup! But before you do that-"

Shinichi raised his eyebrows in amusement as he saw Rena placing the cake on the bench and she turned back to him. "-I want you to do something first."

"Is that the reason why you found it necessary to ride the Ferris wheel and most of all, borrowed it?"

"That's right!" She gazed at the sky above her and she seemed to search it for something. Her eyes brightened when she found what she was looking for and said, "I want you to look at the sky, Shinichi-niichan."

He did what he was told and she continued, "Do you see that largest star?"

He searched the sky and found it right away. It was a rare sight. While the other stars seemed to be so far away, that star seemed to be so noticeable and so near, like it could be reached when he would try to extend his hand but he knew it was crazy and too impossible so he immediately dismissed the thought.

"Yes, I see it."

"Have you heard it, Shinichi-niichan? Some people say when people died, they become stars and occupy the sky, guiding and watching the people they cared and loved."

He turned his gaze to Rena-chan. He was surprised. Definitely surprised.

How…? Don't tell me…

"Though honestly, I don't believe in that since according to science stars are massive shining spheres of hot gas but an idea crossed my mind. Let's say that huge star is Ran-neechan."

She met his gaze. "What do you want to tell her? I know you have a lot. Now is the right time to tell her the things you did not had the chance to tell her before. You can shout it out, if you want." She spread her hands. "After all, we have the whole Ferris wheel for ourselves."

At this moment, he felt something within him snap. She was right. He had a lot of things to tell her but… he did not know where to start anymore. He looked uncertainly at her. He did not know if he can do this.

"Rena-chan… I-I don't know about this…"

"I may not understand fully what you are going through right now Shinichi-niichan but I believe we're going through in a very similar situation."

His eyes widened. "You mean you knew…"

She nodded lightly. "There's no other conclusion to it. After I woke up from my unconsciousness, I've never seen my parents and not only that; I was adopted by another couple. I could not draw any other conclusion from it aside from the fact that my parents are already dead." She drew in a long breath, trying to steady and will herself not to cry. She knew she had to stay strong for him. The reason they were here was not because of her but for him. "I would be lying if I said it does not bother me. Honestly, I do not know what to feel. I still cannot remember anything and whenever I try, I hurt myself. What everyone said was right; I should not force my memories to come back. I should learn to wait. But I still feel bothered and I cannot sleep well every single night. I think you're still very lucky, Shinichi-niichan." She met his eyes and he could feel the contrasting emotions lurking within her: sadness, disappointment, warmth and full of hope.

"All the wonderful memories that you and Ran-neechan shared are still with you. The good times and the bad times. You still could remember every single detail about her. Everything about her. You still could feel the emotions that the both of you shared."

"It's not as great as you think it is, Rena-chan."

"It may not be but you have something to treasure the very least when you compare it with my situation. It's much better to feel pain and suffering than to feel nothing. That's because we love, right Shinichi-niichan?"

He tensed. He immediately averted his gaze as he felt the familiar feeling boiling inside him. He had to admit, her last statement hit him – hard. All this time, he had been lurking into despair. It was just normal when someone so dear to you died. But what was not normal was when he started to run away from the reality. He wanted to forget everything that had happened the past week. He wanted to forget Ran. Instead of treasuring Ran's memories, he had wanted to throw it all away.

What was the reason?

It was all because of his pride and ego.

It was selfish, he knew. But he could not help it. He was a man and he hated to feel so weak and… vulnerable. It was the worst feeling that every man would experience. But now he was given another chance, another chance to change everything and do things right. It was time. Time to let go. Time to let go of everything and accept reality. Time to let go of Ran but still treasure all the memories they had shared. It's time to put to place an end to their series. Now he had been given the chance and he would make sure it would be something he would never regret in his entire life.

He turned his attention back to the sky and he did not need to search for the huge star again because the moment he lifted his eyes, he immediately saw it. He did not understand it. It was just an ordinary star, just like the thousand others around it but for him it was the only star he could see. It was the only star who had pulled for his attention and he did not disappoint it.

That star really was like Ran. No matter how many girls would try to get his attention, he could only see Ran – no one else but her, only her. He did not even understand it at first. He just thought maybe because they were childhood friends and he was just comfortable being around her. He could be himself whenever he wanted to. No one would judge him because he knew she was the only one who understood him. As time went by, he slowly realized whatever he was feeling was not normal anymore. It was something more than just simply being comfortable around her. He had realized he could not go through a day without her by his side or even without hearing her voice.

He could not live without her.

He felt his heart race and suddenly found his lungs suffocating. His vision of the brightest star he had ever seen blurred as his eyes started to water.

Rena-chan's right. What if that huge star was Ran, is she guiding me? Or did she despise and curse me, too, for leading to her death just like everyone else did?

He contemplated on that thought for a moment and then, shook his head, opposing the debates of his mind.

He knew Ran had a big and soft heart and could not come to get angry at people and that's what made him feel guiltier. It's his entire fault why Ran died and a lot of people are sad and he could not do anything to atone for it.

He tried to hold his breath to stop himself from crying but it was useless. Tears flowed freely from his eyes despite every objection from the owner.

He closed his eyes as he suddenly found it hard to look at it straight and another set of tears flowed down. Pain, despair and regret could be seen in it before he closed it. "I'm sorry, Ran," he managed to say in a hoarse whisper. Guilt started to boil inside him, again. When he had thought he finally had put into heart everything his mother had said for not blaming Ran's death, everything just came back washing him all over again like cold water: the pain, sadness, despair, regret.

"Shout it all out."

His tear-filled eyes immediately opened as the softest voice he had ever heard reach his ears. He turned around and saw Rena looking warmly up at him.

It… came from her?

It was already too late when he realized he had let Rena see him crying. Oh, I'm such a crybaby!

As if reading his thoughts, Rena continued, "It's alright, Shinichi-niichan. There's no one around here but us. No one can see you here but I and I don't mind whatever you would do. I know it's already giving weight to your heart and it's heavy to carry anywhere. That's why we're here, to let go everything inside you. You can shout as hard as you want. I don't mind if it would be to the point that will make me deaf. Just don't mind me. Just imagine that I'm not here – at all. Just finish all of the unfinished business between you and Ran-neechan."

A seven year talked him through it alright. If this moment was not just too sensitive, he would have laughed at himself for asking comfort and advice from a kid. For Pete's sake! She was just a kid who was just starting with life! How would she know anything?! He definitely ate whatever he had said earlier. After everything she had said, he had come to realize she knew more than what she let on. She was more mature than the kids at her own age.

He had put to heart everything she said since he found himself looking back up at the star shining brightly and proudly – happily even on the dark night sky. Because of what Rena said, he finally realized the weight that he had been bearing all this time was definitely too heavy now – even to him who always faced with different kinds of misfortunes of life every single day. He really had to let go or else the weight would drag him to the depths of the unending hole of despair. He had to end it once and for all just like what he had first decided.

"Aaaaaahhhh!"

He shouted his lungs out. He definitely could not bear all of it anymore. It's like he just suddenly exploded, like a volcano after being silent for a very long time. If one would see the calm and ever-so collected high school detective Kudo Shinichi shouting and going out of control, they would definitely be shocked. It's so unlike him. But as someone who's into love would say: "People can definitely do a lot of things that is unimaginable to others for him to do for the one they love."

"I'm sorry, Ran!" Tears had now flown freely on his face. "It's my entire fault in why you're not here anymore! You were still too young! You should have enjoyed life even more! It should have been me! It should be me who was dead! Not you! You did not deserve this!"

He bowed his head. His shoulders were shaking with rage and his hands were balled to fists. He looked back up at the star. He was not finished yet.

"I'm so angry! I'm so angry of myself and it's so unbearable! I… I… You didn't even get to know and hear from me how I felt for you! You didn't get to feel how special you are! You're one girl that every man would dream! You're beautiful, smart, tough, funny, caring and loving!" He stopped as he felt his heart drumming inside him. Was he nervous? He did not know. What he knew it was always the same feeling he felt whenever he tried to tell Ran his true feelings for her. Was he going to spoil the moment once again and stop whatever he had planned to say?

No, he told himself. He knew everything was already futile since the person he had wanted to tell it was already gone but what could he do? Wherever Ran was at this moment, he knew she was listening. Whatever he had not come and let himself say when she was alive, he would tell it right now.

"Do you understand, Ran?! I love you! I did not understand it at first! But as the years went by, I knew I was already in love with you! I love you, Ran! And how I wish you are still here to tell you all of this personally and let you feel how special you are to me!"

He felt his body crumble to pieces as his knees buckled and dropped on the iron platform. There, he had said it. All of it alright. He did not he could be so mushy after all. That aside, Rena was right, he definitely felt good – better than ever. He felt his heart lighten and he already could breathe freely except that his nose was stuffy from crying. He tried to stop his tears from flowing by rubbing his eyes but they would just not stop, darn it! But all in all, he felt alive once again. He had said everything he had kept within him and carried with him everywhere he went. The weight on his heart was not there anymore. He had shouted it all out and it was all thanks to Rena's idea.

He wiped his tears and his eyes. For some reason, his eyes had finally stopped producing tears and had the guts to turn to the little girl who was standing silently a good distance away from him and had her attention at the other side just to give him his own privacy. She may have heard everything he said but he was thankful for her little action. Those made him feel more secure.

"Rena-chan," he called.

He saw her stirring and immediately turned around to face him. He could feel she was still skeptical in approaching him. He waved her to come and she immediately obliged.

"Do you feel... any better?"

He nodded. "Better than ever."

She brightened up and a huge grin slowly appeared on her young face. "That's great! Now-" She took the cake from the bench and held it out to him. "You're ready to make your wish!"

Silence filled them when he saw himself looking at the small cake. The candle had already melted a quarter. What caught his reaction was the little fire that's dancing on the candle. It caught him thinking.

"What's wrong, Shinichi-niichan?" Rena asked, tilting her head to the side. "You're still not blowing your cake," there was worry in her voice, again.

He smiled. He just couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by Rena-chan's constant worry for everyone around her. She was just simply sweet. "I was just thinking, Rena-chan. You're just like that lit candle."

Her curiosity suddenly aroused. "Why?"

"During the darkest hour of my life, you were there, like a candle to give light. You gave light to my path when I was lost in the darkness." After a long time, he had given his truest and warmest smile to her. "Thank you."

It was obvious that the little girl instantly brightened. "That's the very first true smile you had given me!"

What? She even knew about that? Is she really a kid?

"And I'm sorry if I've shouted at you last time."

She shook her head. "Don't mind it anymore. It's in the past; what's important now is the present. I'm just glad you're back to normal, again, Shinichi-niichan."

He gave her another smile and closed his eyes. He paused for a moment, dictating his wish in his mind before he opened them again and finally blew the candle.

"So, so, what did you wish for?"

He couldn't help grinning with the excitement Rena was showing to him. He winked at her and lifted a finger in front of his lips. "It's a secret."

"Aww! Come on! Come on! Tell me! I won't tell anyone!"

He let out a chuckle. "You've heard it too, right? Once you tell your wish to someone, it won't come true."

She gave her a weird look. "You believe in that?"

"And what does that look mean?"

"Well, it's just that you're a detective and you know, I kinda thought detectives don't believe in superstitions."

"I don't."

"So why wouldn't you tell me?"

"It may sound a bit – no really ridiculous but there's no harm if I try too, right? After all, it's kind of a major wish."

Rena was still looking hard at him but she finally relaxed after a few moments of considering Shinichi's explanation and finally gave up as she let out a sigh. "Okay. But you have to promise to tell me when your wish had already come true, okay?"

He nodded. "Of course."

XXXAN ALTERNATE REALITYXXX

"I'm glad all of my hard work paid off." Rena said happily as both of them walked away from the Ferris wheel.

He nodded in agreement. "Yup. And I feel all good because of you."

She grinned at him. He could see she was happy to hear it from him and felt proud of herself.

He smiled back at her and unconsciously looked at his wrist watch. The long hand had just struck the 59. It read 6:59. Only a minute before seven. His eyes widened as an idea hit him. He took Rena's hand and ran. Now it was his turn to drag the little girl.

"W-w-wait, Shinichi-niichan! Slow down!"

"I can't! If we will not hurry up, we won't make it!"

"But where are we going?!"

"You'll know later! Just follow me!"

After a few seconds of running, he and Rena approached the only tiled and elegantly designed round floor of the whole Tropical Land. It was more or less ten diameters wide.

Shinichi dragged them to stand on the small circle at the middle of it. There was a bigger circle drew all the around. He held up his hand to look at his watch, again and he smiled in relief.

Rena looked around. There was nothing here. What was the reason for him to be in such in a hurry, then?

"What are we doing here, Shinichi-niichan?" Rena asked, looking up at him.

He placed a finger on his lips. "Sshh. It's almost time. Five."

Her eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Four."

"Shinichi-niichan," she called out, again.

"Three."

He ignored her as he continued on looking at his watch and counting.

"Two."

Rena just scratched her head.

"One."

Shinichi looked up from his watch.

"Zero!"

Rena could not help from jumping and letting out a surprised shout when water immediately exploded around the small circle, trapping them inside. Another snake like waters exploded at the next circle and was higher than the first. And lastly, the water at the outside circle exploded like curtains around them.

Rena could not help but feel so awed by the sight in front or all around her right now. She was standing at the middle of the fountain! Sure, she had seen fountains numerous times but this one was an exception! This was her very first time to stand at the middle of it and it felt so great! The sight was even better than just seeing it outside. Sprinkles of water had hit her every now and then but it did not matter. She would not exchange this amazing sight with anything in the world!

Shinichi saw her eyes twinkling as she looked around and he smiled. He saw her enjoying it and he was glad. This was his way of saying thank you to her for what she did for him but even he knew it still was not enough but this was the only way he could think of right now and he was happy that she seemed to have appreciated it.

"This is my way of saying thank you for what you did."

Rena looked back at him.

"I know this is still not enough. You brought back the life that I thought I had lost. What you did was too much than just a little entertainment that I've introduced to you right now."

She shook her head. "Don't mention it. I did all of that because I wanted to thank you for helping me and saving my life."

"That's nothing. I'm a detective and I'm sure anyone would have done it if they were at my place."

Rena shook her head. "No, they wouldn't. About the first incident with the snatcher, we've passed by a lot of people but all of them just stared, either they were scared or did not care. You were the only one who helped me then."

"Oh," was all he could say.

"And also I did all of that because I care for you, Shinichi-niichan. I don't have a brother and I'm already starting to consider you as one."

He felt his heart soften at what she said. She really was one sweet girl and he felt lucky that she was sent to him because if not, he did not know if he would have moved on.

"Thank you, Rena-chan. I really can't thank you enough. If it's not because of you, I would have still felt miserable. And who knows what have I done with my life? With Ran gone, I have to start all over again. No one could ever replace Ran because she is one unique girl, the only girl that will ever be in my heart. But everything you just did, I know Ran would have done the same. The both of you are very similar but different at the same time and I would never compare the both you. All I can say is I'm happy that you were sent to me. I felt my life complete again because you're here with me. So, thank you."

Rena felt her eyes water and she just hugged him which he immediately returned as the water continued to dance around them, celebrating with them.

The next file will be delivered soon!

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading everyone! Whew! That was my longest chapter yet! So, I hope the long wait was worth it! But I still apologize for not updating in a while! Hontoni Gomenasai!

Now, I'm done with writing Shinichi's dilemma. Whew! That took me long enough! We're finally heading to another pace next chapter and I'm already excited to write it. Does anyone here already have a hint? *wink wink*

Please review! I want to know your feedbacks! I don't mind if it is positive or negative as long as it would be good for my writing.

'Til next time!

January 21, 2013