Chapter 8

"Why would someone ever target Mouri-san?" Haruto and I were eating together at lunch the next day. With an additional person sitting with us — Suzuki Sonoko.

After retelling Sonoko's story to Haruto, we had decided to team up to catch the criminal and save Ran from impending disaster.

"That's the point — I have no idea," I replied.

"Everyone likes Ran," Sonoko said, adding with a smirk, "Unless it's her dad going bonkers again because of his liquor."

Haruto laughed. "Maybe not. We need to figure it out. Do we have any plans at the moment?"

"Not really," I said. "Maybe Hattori has had a case like this before. I'll call him today."

"Shh!" Sonoko suddenly hissed. "Ran's coming!"

We immediately changed subject. "Hey, Haruto, football at the park today?" I grinned. Well, tried to.

"Oh, sure!" Haruto tried his best to give me a real smile, but he was too nervous. Sonoko tried to help by pitching in.

"You know, I think I'll come along. I could do some use recording Shinichi-kun doing one of his good shots. Right, Shinichi-kun?" She pressed, kicking me under the table.

"Oh, er, yeah, great, Sonoko! Maybe you can put it online too!" I laughed. Haruto clapped me on the back. I tried not to sweat too much.

"Hey, may I sit here?"

We froze, our smiles lingering on our faces as our eyes looked up to see Ran with her bento in her hands.

I was the only one who noticed they were shaking slightly.

"Er . . . ." I muttered under my breath and kicked Haruto under the table.

"Oh . . . oh! Konnichiwa, Mouri-san . . . sure, you can sit . . . I guess . . . ." Haruto mumbled.

Ran raised her eyebrows, concern lacing her features. "Are . . . you sure? Because it seems like you don't want me here . . . ."

We all stared at her in dismay. Well, except me. I was staring at my salmon teriyaki bento, silently picking at the fish.

"Ran! We'd never do that to you. Really. Just sit, okay?" Sonoko pleaded.

"Yes, we're completely all right with you sitting with us, Mouri-san," Haruto added. "It's just that . . . ." His voice trailed off.

"Someone here might not acknowledge you . . . ." Sonoko finished.

Nobody spoke for a moment. Ran avoided me and said with a smile, "No problem. I'm good."

"O-okay . . . ." Sonoko and Haruto murmured.

Sonoko shifted so that Ran could have some space.

"Haruto," I muttered.

"Yeah?" he whispered back as Ran and Sonoko started a conversation.

"We gotta get outta here."

"Yes sirree."

"Excuse us, Sonoko-san and Ran-san," Haruto said cheerfully. "We best be on our way."

Sonoko stood up immediately. "Where are you and that deduction nut going?"

"Somewhere," he said cheekily. "Don't worry," he added seriously, seeing the look on Sonoko's face. "We have something . . . kind of important to do."

Glancing at my solemn face, she slowly sat down again. "You better not find him yourself, idiots."

"Of course not! We don't even know who he is yet." Haruto rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, we just need to confirm something with Hattori and we'll be back," I gave Sonoko one of my cocky smiles. The ones I usually reserve for Ran. Only.

I saw her wide-eyed, staring at me and Sonoko, looking like she was going to cry.

I bet she's feeling jealous, I sniggered inwardly. Revenge, Ran, revenge. That argument had been started because of you. This is just a little taste of your oh-so-needed medicine.

"Shinichi, we'd better go," Haruto whispered in my ear.

"Uh-huh." I took one last glance at Ran.

Haruto's hand on my shoulder, and with him looking back as well, I walked away from the two girls, one of whom was on the verge of crying, I had just one thought in mind.

I never want to see that expression on her face ever again.

I'm sorry, Ran.

Hold on just a little longer.

Just a little while more, and my cold attitude towards you will subside together with the fragments of the past.