Disclaimer

I don't own Detective Conan/Case Closed. All rights belong to its owner.

Genre

Romance/Friendship

Obscure Love

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Chapter 10

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In the cold frosty weather, there, sat a man contemplating the beauty of the snow-falling scenery out the window. Carrying up the hot coffee in his hands, he took a sip of it, enjoying its effect of warmth running inside his body. However, he stopped abruptly, and put down his cup onto the first table he could face, then coughed sharply putting his hand before his mouth. Then, without a word, he sat back on his chair, holding his hot coffee and taking another sip quietly as if nothing had disturbed him. He sighed, looking outside. He tried to push out the thought of how he wanted to get outside, and enjoy that kind of weather. He grinned mischievously at the thought, "Then why not?"

He pushed off the wrapped blankets around him abruptly, and stood still, looking left and right as if reassuring that nobody would see him. Putting his warm jacket on, he opened the door, and stepped outside then, shut the door calmly behind. He let out a long sigh of relief, taking a deep breath of the cold fresh air. It was not until a sharp cough interrupted his pleasure. Clearing out his throat, he walked calmly until he found a bench nearby then, he fell down on it cozily. Few minutes passed as he remained in his place, just enjoying the sweet gratification after the smooth touch of the mild snow over him. As though it was a dream while he was still wide awake, he came back to his sense once more, as reality hit him hard as a knock on his head. 'Well, I think I should get going now..' he gulped nervously at the thought. Standing back to get ready to return back to his mansion, he turned his gaze back to the previous spot he was seating on. He couldn't hide by then the smile appearing on his pale face.

'It is the place. . .'

He thought it over, then eventually gave up, returning back to his comfortable seat, a smile adorning his handsome face.

' It was the place where we. . . .'

He pulled his hands into his pockets for more warmth, observing the warm vapor coming out with every breath he took. Getting his head low behind, he glanced at the dark sky stained with white spots falling slowly downwards.

-0-

"Do you love me?"

His voice resonated in her mind for a thousands of times. Time suddenly seemed to halt around them. She gulped hardly, feeling a sudden lump in her throat. She looked down at her feet, then her glance turned to look so faraway. As if her gaze would pierce through the sky, making a hole for her to escape. The only sound heard was their breaths, and she could feel her rising heartbeats growing faster as well by every second passing while his eyes lay at her patiently.

'I should tell him, shouldn't I?' She bit her lip, trying to find the answer before giving him his awaiting respond. She couldn't dare to look into his eyes. She couldn't dare to look him in the eyes which were full of passion. She didn't dare to listen to his fast heartbeats either. She could have taunted him as usual. . . as her indifferent nature with any sarcastic ready comment of hers. She could end up this uncomfortable conversation right now with one word or two. Nevertheless, she did not, and she did not want to, because everything was already hanging since the first time she has fallen in love with him. She has already hidden it for a very long time, and here is a chance to blurt out everything honestly in front of his face. But still, the decision was hard for her to take. 'Will she regret not taking this chance one day and blowing it up with her silly agony?'

And without another moment of thinking, she took her decision.

If she won't tell him now, then she cannot wait for him anymore.

She cannot wait for another chance again because. . .

A Chance gets to a human being one time.

And she was not patient enough to wait for another.

Your lives improve only when you take chances, and the first and most difficult risk you can take, is to be honest with yourself.

"Yes."

"Yes, Shinichi...I love you." She closed her eyes softly, letting out a suppressed breath which she held inside unintentionally. A great burden had been taken off by now.

'No. . . Wait a minute, Should I say that I was just joking right now?'

'I can back off, right?'

Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.

She sighed. 'Well, I think I can not.'

A warm feeling engulfed her hand smoothly, causing a sweet chill passing as an electricity shock. She blinked, looking towards the person sitting beside her. She found his hand on hers reassuringly. She felt his warm hand squeezing hers lightly, and the blush on her cheeks was not able to be diminished. Her eyes widened when noticed the strange glint in his blue eyes.

"I love you."

His words traveled in the calm universe as Shiho shuddered, looking at him. A smile appeared on her face placidly yet, a weak smile. Her hands on his shoulder, "It's okay, Shinichi. You don't have to say that in order not to hurt m—"

Her statement was trailed off by the sudden pressure on her lips. She shut her eyes spontaneously.

Her eyes widened in bewilderment, as she looking at his flushing face.

"You can't say that to me." She heard his shaking yet, cohesive voice.

"I can't understand you." She whispered calmly, but it was audible enough for Shinichi to hear.

"I was afraid that... if I confessed to you, you would reject me.. that I'd lose your friendship for once and forever."

Her eyes widened once as realizations hit her.

He was afraid that she might reject him.

"And I was not stimulating her jealousy. I was. . .I was talking seriously, and I did it to see what will be your reaction by then. But it was completely out of my mind to know that you will get angry for that. I mean. . .I thought you were just angry for referring to you as my. . .um . .girlfriend."

She couldn't move or blink.

She just kept staring at him, her eyes widening with every word in his speech.

So. . .It was a misunderstanding that got her to a confession, ha?

Funny to believe.

But good as a chance.

"I-I love you. I don't when I've fallen in love with you, but I know... I just did. You were around for too long that I'd—and you. . ." his words sank into silence. He has always been bad at completing a good fruitful speech at these matters.

A cold breeze stiffened her at the spot. A lone tear was released yet, it was of joy not pain as it always did.

"Shiho Miyano," he called her, his eyes softening.

"You are the one I need to complete the rest of my life with."

-0-

As the man nodded off for a little while, dropping his neck slowly on his chest. The headphones covering his ears continued replaying the same song over and over, his peaceful face forming to a serene smile.. into a sweet dream. His ears could reach some words through.

The words have been drained from my mouth.

Sweet words that I wanted to tell you. . .

When we are together, I feel perfect.

When I'm pulled away from you, I fall apart.

All you say is sacred to me.

Your eyes are so blue. I can't look away. . .

You whisper to me..

Promise you'll stay with me— Oh, you don't have to ask me. You know you're all that I live for, You know I'd die just to hold you—Stay with you.

Somehow, I'll show you... That you are my night sky.

I've always been right behind you. . .

Now I'll always be right beside you.'

A cold breeze tickled his neck, causing him to shiver inconstantly. Opening his eyes slightly from his little nap, he looked around, confused. Then, realizing the headphones has been replaying that certain song for over 30 times already, he took them off and turned off the mp3 player. Tugging his hands again into his pocket, he smiled in tranquility as the picture of the strawberry blond woman manifested in his mind, he mumbled, "Oh, what a good dream.."

'How I miss you, Shiho. . .'

Taking a glance at his watch, he panicked suddenly aware of the time.

"Crap, that's not good. Better get home right away." he collected his mp3 player, headphones, and whatever else he'd taken along when suddenly—

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?''

The furious voice made him stiffen as he collapsed on his latter place again from the sudden startle. Funny as it seemed, Kudou Shinichi was discovered at the crime scene before he'd flee.

Yet, he couldn't help the grin creeping upon his face. He'd better fix the situation right now.

"Ohh, Sweetie—"

The sound of falling shopping bags cut him off.

"Moron, ARE YOU MAD OR INSANE? I TOLD YOU NOT TO LEAVE YOUR BED. YOU HAVE A FEVER AND YOU ARE WANDERING AROUND THE STREETS LIKE THAT. . BAKA!"

He gulped uncomfortably, though he thought she was so adorable when she gets angry but it's so hard to handle it now.

He grinned mischievously, "I am both." He chuckled airily, looking at her narrowed eyes on her flushing face.

"Haha, so funny." she taunted, taking a seat beside him.

A comfortable silence filled in.

"You will get worse, Shinichi. I am serious." She whispered softly after regaining back her calm composure.

"Don't worry. I feel better now." He assured her with a confident smile, wrapping his arms around her shoulder cozily, pulling her into a deep embrace.

"Remember the first time on this seat?" He closed his eyes, bringing back the reminiscence of that special day.

"How can I forget..?" She muttered simply, intertwining her hands with his, as he squeezed it gently.

"The day you asked me first— I can't understand till now how idiotic you are, waiting for me to confess first like that!" She heard his chuckle beside her.

"I love you so very much." he said placidly, as though stating the facts.

She opened her mouth to say something, then shut it as his consecutive coughs intervened. She looked at him in concern, then stood. He missed her warm hand intertwining his.

"Where are you going?" He said, holding up his coughs.

She pulled off the shawl she was wearing, and wrapped it on him.

"What are you doing?"

"Fixing your stupid mistakes as I've always done." She smirked.

"Gee, thanks."

"You're welcome. But I think we should get back now. I've got dinner from that new restaurant which opened recently and the food will be cold by then." said Shiho, pulling his hand to a help him to a stance.

"Okay, okay."

He stood, and she held the shopping bags from the ground.

"Did you bring the popcorn?"

"Sure, I did. How can I forget something important like that!" she mocked him airily, as he poked her shoulder.

"Hey, stop joking around!"

"Fine... What movie did you prepare? I wish it will not be like that silly previous one."

"Of course I excluded romance as there is no romance goes beyond us..." He chuckled as he wrapped one arm around her during their little walk, as she grinned at his words.

"I prepared The Grudge. How about that?"

"That'd be great. With the popcorn and lights off. But, just don't tell me at night to escort you to the bathroom." She giggled as he frowned, glaring at her.

"Ridiculous... I was not the one who pulled the blankets onto my eyes and was clinging onto me terribly last time."

"Okay... okay. Fine, Truce."

"Okay." He chuckled.

"You should better recover. I will not carry the bags everyday like that." She retorted, waving the bags in the air.

He glared at her, "You said truce!"

"Oh, I forgot. Did I?" She grinned mischievously at him.

They fell into a comfortable silence, hearing nothing but the quiet steps of their feet simultaneously.

"I missed you that past hour, Shiho."

She smiled at him peacefully.

"I missed you too."

He smiled pulling her closer, caressing her shoulder. He didn't have to take a glance at the auburn woman walking beside him to notice how beautiful she was, for her image will never leave his unconscious brain.

It began as hatred. He hated her firstly and she hated him, then they became almost cautiously friends. Getting along together by the time, they has become close friends. Healing each other's wounds and getting a good shoulder to lean on, it progressed into an inevitable love which was meant to be from the beginning. Friends, lovers and family for the rest of life. There is difficulties and crisis's but everything is going to be alright once you see the smile of one another. It seems such a simple thing but it is the worth of life. Life worth a simple curve to get everything straight, especially from that right person.

There is a fine line between hate and love. And that thin line managed to be burnt between them with the intensity of love.

The End

Oh, I was about to write -To Be Continued- then I found out that I have to write the end. I want to cry *sniff* I know you think I am ridiculous, but this story meant so much for me, and I didn't want to end it so soon.

Oh. . .How cute! I hope you did like it. And I will truly miss you so much for I am not going to write any story for quite a long while. I will start school soon so I just can't. I want to thank everyone who reviewed this story so much. You really made my day by every word you've written and stimulated me to move on so, thank you so so so freakin much. I love you all and wish to know your opinions about the end of the story. Was it good? I really don't know. I think it got more emotional than I intended it to be. I just kept writing,, and writing.

And yes.. Almost forgot, there's some words I've borrowed from a song called You by Evanescence and I don't own it. I repeat; every right belongs to its owner. Thank you!

Please leave a review!

Lots of love,

Goodbye..