Disclaimer : I don't own Detective Conan
Pardon for any misspelling or wrong grammar.
Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ...
Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ...
Prince Heizo Hattori patiently waited until his call was picked up by the person he was actually calling. As a fellow ruling prince, Heizo of course knew very well how busy his friend was. No wonder.
Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ...
Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ...
Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ... Trrrtt ...
Hmm? Apparently this time it took a long time for his friend to pick up his phone. Usually he did not take this long to receive a call from him, considering that his daughter was also entrusted to him. Hopefully there isn't anything bad ...
"Hello?".
"Ah, finally! I'm worried because it seems that you are taking a long time to receive my call!".
"Sorry, uhuk-uhuk ... I think I have a cold". His friend snorted. "Ah, could you please give me a moment?". From the phone he just put down, Heizo can listen as his friend sneezes a few times before he clears the mucus from his nose.
"Yes, Heizo?" He answered when he picked up the phone again. His voice was discordant, typical of people who catch a cold.
"Are you all right, buddy? Maybe you should see a doctor?".
"It's okay. Maybe I'm too tired. You know, those meetings, it never seems to end ... uhuk-uhuk-uhuk ... My pardon. Why are you calling? Is everything all right?".
Heizo considered it for a moment. Should he tell Mishil's visit to his daughter? He didn't know that his friend had a cold, Heizo clearly didn't want to add to the burden on his friend's mind.
"Heizo? What's wrong?" His premonition as a father kicked out. "Does this have something to do with my daughter?".
"Huh? Oh, no, of course not!" The man on the other side of the phone now squinted suspiciously. Heizo Hattori may be a smart and authoritative man, but he sucks at lying. And Heizo himself, his gut told him that now his best friend seemed to be staring suspiciously at him, though he couldn't see it in person.
"I ... Ah, yes, I mean, it is about your daughter".
"Yes? What about her? Is she all right?" Heizo could feel his friend's voice spontaneously becoming tense and alert, he bombarded Heizo with questions.
"Well, after she's been staying at my place for a moment, how about ... ah ... we match up our kids? You won't believe how well the two of them get along togethe ..."
What-the-f ...
'Whuuuu ... Congratulations, Heizo Hattori! Can't you think of a better reason? You can always say that you miss him!'.
'And he'll think I'm gay? Hell no!'.
His brain chuckled, Heizo was also amused himself. If his wife were here, Heizo was sure, Shizuka would have burst out laughing.
It seems that his friend also agrees with him.
"Heizo ..." Inevitably, Heizo shuddered at the threatening tone typical of a father, who intends to protect his daughter, "Did I hear correctly? Did you just ..."
"Ah, pardon me. I think I drank too much sake, I'm now talking nonsense. I guess I better go to bed before Shizuka finds me here".
His friend frowned. What is this? Why did Heizo suddenly change the topic? Was it really just because he was drunk?
Then his daughter? How about his daughter?
"Wait Heizo, what about my ..."
"She's fine. Get some rest, Pal, and don't forget to take your medicine! Don't worry about your daughter, we'll take good care of her. She's happy to be here! Anyway, I have to go to sleep. My head is killing me now! I'll call you again, someday. Take care!".
"Ya ..."
Tut ... Tut ... Tut ... Tut ...
Heizo immediately hung up. He didn't give his friend a chance to talk any further, before things got more chaotic.
Meanwhile, the man on the other line, stared at his phone in confusion. How strange. The Heizo Hattori he knew couldn't possibly act as absurd and reckless as that.
He looks at his phone one more time, he wants to call his daughter, just to make sure everything is all right, it's just ...
His eyes spontaneously searched for the clock. It's supposed to be night in Japan now, he didn't want to wake up his daughter. But, yeah, you could say that now he was both anxious and curious. Well, maybe a quick call wouldn't hurt. Deciding so, he pressed speed dial number one.
The phone rang several times, unanswered. Sighing, Princess Kazuha's father was not worried. He knew that his daughter was the type who slept like a dead person, even if there's an earthquake she wouldn't wake up easily.
After considering it for a while, he decided not to continue calling his daughter. After all, she didn't give him any disturbing news either. Maybe it's true, Heizo drank too much sake tonight. But he still left a message for her.
Pip ... Pop ... Pep ... Pop ...
There you go. The message has been sent, she will reply after she wakes up later.
He snorted, his nose now full of mucus again. Throwing his cellphone over the bed, the prince went around looking for something.
Where did he put that damn tissue? Grrr ...
The door was knocked and a second later it's opened.
A palace staff in uniform apologized, "Je suis désolé de vous déranger, Altesse. Mais, il y aura une visite du ministre d'État dans vingt minutes comme prévu. Ils sont déjà en route ici. Si vous ne vous sentez toujours pas bien ..." (I'm sorry to disturb you, Your Highness. But, there'll be a visit from the Minister of State in twenty minutes as scheduled. They're already on their way here. If you still feel unwell ...)
The prince waved his hand. "Je vais bien. Mais j'ai besoin de ton aide" (I'm fine. I need your help though).
"Oui?" (Yes, Sir?).
"Avez-vous du tissu?" (Do you have tissue?).
Prince Heiji Hattori was obviously so happy this morning, he couldn't stop smiling. Hey, he even soaped his body three times when he took a shower this morning, so that his body smells super good hahaha ...
If Kazuha or his parents saw him, or even the rest of the palace workers, they would have thought he had gone crazy, smiling to nothing but himself, but ... ah, who cares anyway?
Ahh, for the final polish, add this hair gel, so that his hair becomes glowing, shaking and blaring, challenging the sun.
Reflecting perhaps for the thousandth time, Heiji did not forget to grimace, showing off a line of sparkling teeth, he was ready to enchant that young princess ... Eeh, he meant, ready to go to school and become the center of attention, as usual.
Whistling happily, Heiji didn't feel like he was walking. He was more like flying, his legs seemed to have wings.
While imagining Kazuha's face that he was one hundred percent sure would be blank when she saw him later, Heiji started to quickened his pace.
He can't wait to meet that sweet girl and ... hey, there she is! Man, she sure has a long life! She always appears when people are talking about her. Well, actually in this case, Heiji was imagining her, but ... yeah, okay, it's the same.
Since he was so happy that he met Kazuha by accident, Heiji just realized that the girl was rushing out of the dining room, to ... who knows where she's going?
Has she finished breakfast and is leaving for school? Hmm ... He doesn't think so. Kazuha didn't carry her bag when she came out of the dining room. And from her steps, she seemed to be in a hurry.
Intrigued, Heiji followed her instead of going to the dining room.
By the way, Kazuha looked really tense and serious. She didn't even notice Heiji was stalking her.
Stalking? Dear God, and now Heiji sees himself as a stalker? Uh, whatever. After all, there's no way Heiji could resist wondering where Kazuha had gone. In the end, he'll definitely follow her too, so, what's the difference?
Anyway, Heiji's question was partially answered when he saw Kazuha finally enter one of the state rooms, the room used to receive guests of honor, officials and other important guests like that.
Heiji's forehead frowned. Weird. No official had ever come this early. So, who are the guests?
And it didn't take long, as soon as Heiji entered the same room that Kazuha had just entered, his question was immediately answered. Including why Kazuha looked so rushed, she didn't even notice Heiji was stalking her.
"Oh, and this is my only son, Heiji Hattori. I think you've also met each other before?". Heizo Hattori introduced Heiji to the guests calmly. His father didn't seem surprised. Instead, it was Kazuha who looked surprised. She really had no idea that Heiji had been following her all along.
"Yes, of course. We also met yesterday. Your son is really handsome, Your Majesty!".
Heiji's now getting goosebumps. Instead of wanting to be praised by Kazuha, the praise he got was from a middle-aged woman. Hiiyyy ...
"What are you doing here?" Kazuha whispered as Heiji walked over to her.
"What are you doing here?" Heiji asked her back in an annoying tone that made people want to roll their eyes.
"And because today I will return to my country, then I decided to say goodbye to Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess, so that My Lady won't have to bother looking for my presence in Japan for ... a while, I think?".
Heiji didn't like to see her emphasize the word 'for a while' with a sneer. She was indirectly threatening Kazuha. Glancing at the girl next to him, Heiji couldn't help but be amazed. Kazuha seemed unfazed, or indeed she had extraordinary self-control.
"Is that so? Really very considerate of you, Madame. Very well then. Is there anything you might want to say again?".
"Hmm ... No, I don't think so. Ah, maybe a little advice. Think of it as a wise adage from an experienced lady".
She's smiling sweetly, or rather mockingly, while the two teenagers in front of her, this time they had the same thoughts.
'Hmph! Wise adage, my ass ...'
The woman was now completely facing Kazuha. She was still smiling, but somehow Heiji found her smile scary and contained a hidden threat.
"자신의 주인 인 사람은 다른 상사를 용납 할 수 없습니다." (The person who is his own master cannot tolerate another boss).
Hhh ... And at times like this she even speaks Korean. Did she do it on purpose? Most likely.
It seemed that in the future, Heiji would have to add more foreign languages, but for now, the fastest would be to turn to Kazuha, to translate, of course, although it's clear, now wasn't the time to translate.
However, this time Heiji was satisfied when he saw Kazuha smiled slightly while raising one eyebrow, it seemed she was sneering back at her.
"산이 아무리 높아도 태양을 가릴 수 없어." (No matter how high the mountain is, it can't block the sun).
Even though he didn't understand what Kazuha was saying, Heiji was sure she had managed to silence her. Mishil's smile had clearly turned stiff and irritated, her lips were twitching now. Oh, now the fine wrinkles around her lips are even visible.
"Anyway, thank you for ... the wise adage. That's very ... impressive. Well, if you have nothing else to say,then ... " Kazuha shrugged in an indifferent manner. "Sorry but I can't take you any further away from the palace gates, I don't want to be late coming to school. That would be ... unwise as a student, right, Mishil?".
Checkmate. Now the score is two-on-one.
Kazuha was the one who answered. But who felt satisfied and smiled proudly, was Heiji. As if he's the one who just silenced Mishil.
Seeing Mishil's gesture, Heizo Hattori hurriedly interrupted so that the atmosphere didn't get hotter. "It's alright, I'll assign the chauffeur and some of guards to escort you, Lady Mishil. Ahem ... Is there anything else to say before these children leave for school? I'm sure they haven't had breakfast yet".
It was clear that Mishil was trying hard to control herself, while her bodyguard, Chil-seok had been silent throughout the conversation. But his sharp eyes never left Kazuha. How awful. But what's cool is, Kazuha is even calm, even though Heiji can feel the hair on his neck standing up staring at Chil-seok's eyes. His gaze was somehow cruel and sadistic.
Mishil was also quite good at self-control, although not as good as Princess Kazuha. With her lingering pride, she even dared to snap at Heizo a little.
"No need!" Her tone was sharp and scornful, she didn't even try to soften it. And ... she just left. Seriously, she just turned around and literally walked away just like that.
Kazuha was the first to react. She chuckled, shaking her head then sighed. "I'm sorry for what just happened, Uncle Heizo. Mishil really likes to act as she pleases and when she has a bad mood, she forgets her manners. Yeah, it's kinda embarrassing. But, it can't be helped, hhh ..."
Heizo waved his hand and pushed the two teenagers out of the room. "Don't worry about it. Now you two, go to breakfast before leaving for school! Shizuka must've been waiting for us. We shouldn't worry your mother any longer, na, kids? You can go first, I still have to call someone for moment".
"Are you going to call Daddy, Uncle?".
Heizo spontaneously looked up at his friend's daughter. He squinted his eyes which were actually already narrowed. Looks like the girl in front of him has a sixth sense or something like that. Does she also know that last night he did call her father?
When Kazuha saw Uncle Heizo hesitating and having trouble answering, which meant showing her that the answer was clearly yes, no wonder that this morning she found a message from her father on her cellphone, but she chose not to insist if Uncle Heizo objected to answer. She lightened his burden.
"Ah, I'm being impolite, even pretentious, I'm sorry, Uncle. Then, I'll leave you to your job".
After bowing to Heizo, she turned around to Heiji. "You're coming?". The answer is definitely yes, no need to ask.
"Wah, Kazuha, you don't know how cool you were when you faced that witch! What did you say to her in Korean? She's so angry! The veins and wrinkles on her face are clearly visible!" The dark-skinned prince laughed out loud, he looked satisfied and very happy.
"You can't speak Korean?" Kazuha raised one eyebrow. But she thought ...
"I can't yet! Ya, it's not like I can't! I haven't learned it!".
The princess was dumbfounded and confused, "Isn't that the same?".
"Ahou! Of course it's different! I just need to learn it, I can do it. Once fluent, I'll show it off to you!" He grinned, overly confident. Kazuha snorted with amusement at Heiji's childish behavior. Ya, ya, whatever he said.
"So, what were you talking about in Korean earlier? Oh come on, tell me, I'm so curious!".
"Mmm ..." The girl looked at the prince in front of her, her eyes moving up and down, scanning him, which of course made him stiff and embarrassed. "Well, today you are so gorgeous! Much more handsome than yesterday. You have charmed her!".
Of course she actually meant just to tease him by translating inaccurately. Besides what she meant here by her was Mishil, not herself. But, well, yeah, it's no wonder Heiji misunderstood. As if bewitched by the words that Kazuha had just said, Heiji froze.
"Well, even so, Mishil's instincts were as good as ever, no wonder really. She acted exactly as I thought. Apparently she had anticipated it. To be honest, actually today I intend to find out how long she'll be in Japan, where she stayed while she was here and then ... What are you doing there?" Babbling at length, Kazuha just realized that Heiji was no longer following her. When she turned around, she found Heiji left behind, and now he was frozen staring at the princess.
Confused because Heiji suddenly became strange and didn't move, Kazuha couldn't help being anxious, she approached him. "What's wrong? Suddenly your legs cramp or what?".
"You ... Do you realize what you just said to me?".
Heiji's serious face made Kazuha's eyes flicker. She really didn't know.
"What ... exactly did I tell you?".
Now she's scared. She didn't swear at him, did she? Unless she does it subconsciously ...
"You just said I was handsome".
"Hah?" Kazuha gaped, she didn't expect it. How could she not? Without further ado, Heiji went straight to the point of what's on his mind.
"O-oh! That!" Kazuha breathed a sigh of relief. "Aha ... Ahahahaha-haa?" But her laughter vanished as soon as she saw Heiji's face.
She's dead now! With Heiji's face like this, how could she explain that she's just teasing him.
But, but ... Who would have thought if Heiji ended up misunderstanding and the story would turn out like this, anyway?
Come on, think Kazuha! Give him one good explanation as an answer. An answer that made sense and didn't hurt him, of course.
"Well, you see, Heiji, I ... To be honest I was just teasing you. I'm ... sorry?" Couldn't think of another answer, she better answer honestly.
However, when she saw Heiji's face darkening, she hurriedly added "Ya, don't be like this!" Kazuha patted Heiji's arm, as if she's calming a child who was about to cry. "You see, you are handsome! Really! Look, there are lots of beautiful girls who like you. Not only like, they're even crazy about you, right? You just have to choose whoever you want! One opinion from me, of course it's not a matter for a handsome prince like you! So forget about it!".
Heiji just glared at her, then left without answering anything.
Kazuha gaped. Now the situation turned around, the princess was chasing the prince, begging his attention so that he would forgive her. Oh, how good it feels! Heiji even had to bite his lower lip to suppress his victorious laugh.
"Ya, Heiji! Heijiiiii ~~~! Ya! Are you ignoring me?! Ya! HEIJI!".
"Heiji? Kazuha-chan? Kazuha-chan, why are you screaming?".
Too focused on chasing Heiji, Kazuha just realized that they had arrived at the dining room.
Now Shizuka's watchful eyes took turns looking at her and her son. "Is everything all right? Don't tell me that you two are quarreling!".
"Ah ..." Of course Kazuha felt bad towards Shizuka. She's, after all, Heiji's mother. But, how did she explain to her?
"It's okay, Mom. But today I'm not having breakfast. I'm not hungry!" Heiji glanced fiercely at Kazuha who was lowering her head uncomfortably. He's still pretending, however, now being a little too far.
"I'll give you ten minutes for breakfast, no more!" He said without turning to Kazuha, "Or you can walk to school!". Then in a cool style, Heiji strolled away. The surrounding maids and servants who happened to be there, hurriedly pulled over to give the prince a way while bowing in fear.
Heiji's heart's actually racing. He's completely satisfied! Finally he showed his prince authority in front of that sassy princess! Ha!
Back to Kazuha and Shizuka, who was still awkwardly silent, where Kazuha was biting her lower lip nervously, she's afraid of Shizuka's reaction. But again, she was shocked by Heiji's mother's witty response.
"Well, he's going to pass out!" Her answer was very calm and casual instead.
Shizuka now turned her head towards the girl she was starting to see as her daughter. "My Dear, I don't know what's going on, but, I hope you will be patient with my son, will you? Now, don't think about that brat, let's have breakfast first! I've made delicious chicken soup. You must love it!" Shizuka took Kazuha's hand, pulled her into the dining room.
But, Kazuha clearly knew her place. There's no way she would sit in the dining room, enjoying a warm and hearty bowl of chicken soup, while Heiji was waiting for her hungrily, even if it was of his own accord.
"Sorry, Aunt Shizuka, but ..."
Quickly, Kazuha's eyes swept across the dining room. She then took four slices of white bread, which were spread out on the dining table, hesitated for a moment while smiling slightly embarrassed at Aunt Shizuka, she added two berry muffins, a piece of cinnamon roll and two apples.
Hey, she's not greedy! But, four slices of white bread is not filling enough for breakfast, is it?
"If you don't mind, I'll have the chicken soup for dinner. I will ... ah, have breakfast with Heiji in the car. Don't worry, Auntie, I'll make sure Heiji swallows all this bread and apples!".
Shizuka could only smile in amazement at this lovely young lady in front of her. How lucky it would be, if she really became her daughter-in-law someday in the future. Yeah, she knows her son is still in high school, but, hey, there's no harm in wishing right? Besides, as a mother, she felt that her son had a big crush on her too.
Anyway, now is certainly not the time to talk about that.
Smiling kindly, Shizuka offered "Do you need a lunchbox?".
Heiji was waiting in the car with his eyes closed. His stomach was actually rumbling, demanding to be filled. But he's too arrogant and prefers to fast.
"Patience! Later during the break in the school cafeteria, I'll give you a steak. Now shut up!" Heiji muttered indistinctly into his stomach, now he covered his eyes with his arm. Suddenly he felt dizzy, he became nauseous. He could feel cold sweat starting to run down his forehead and back.
But clearly, he's not going to give up. Persistent! That's the principle of today, eh.
Trrrlltt ...
Heiji unwillingly opened one eye as he felt his cell phone vibrate. He fumbled in his pocket for it.
A message from his mother.
"Tsk ... What now?" Heiji asked irritably as he opened the message.
No matter what his mother says, he won't get out of the car for breakfast! He won't give up! If he got heartburn later, then it would be ... Kazuha's ... fault ...?
"Just so you know, Kazuha-chan doesn't eat breakfast either. She's worried about you.
Right now she's heading to the car with a few slices of bread and two apples.
You have to know, she chose it herself, so she can have breakfast with you!
Don't be stubborn! Eat it!
Love, Mom."
Instantly Heiji's mind went awry when he read the message. There's a mixture of joy, but definitely, guilt.
A few seconds later, Heiji heard the car door open. No need to look who entered, it's definitely Kazuha. She was slightly breathless, maybe it's because she's upset.
She didn't say anything, other than thrust the lunchbox to Heiji with a little awkwardness.
"You have to have breakfast! Choose which one you like. Even if there's nothing you like, you still have to eat something!".
Seeing a pile of bread that's still warm with a mouthwatering aroma and two ripe red apples, Heiji's stomach immediately rumbled with joy. And obviously, Heiji's intention to stick to his idea of not having breakfast, has failed.
Hearing Heiji's stomach rumbling, Kazuha hurriedly looked away. With all her strength, she held back laughter or this spoiled prince would sulk again, until finally she felt Heiji nudged her arm.
He spoke with a mouth full of food. "You have to eat something too! Take whichever you like!" Now he parroted what Kazuha had said to him earlier.
Unable to hide her amusement anymore when she saw Heiji's face, his cheeks puffed up with food, smiling, Kazuha took an apple and started to bite it.
Maybe ... Well ... Maybe he's not as bad as she thought.
Too bad, Kazuha chose to look at the scenery outside the window, so she missed Heiji's affectionate gaze at her.
Far, far away in a country across the ocean, a middle-aged man read the message on his phone with a smile.
Cher papa, (Dear Daddy)
Oui, je vais bien ici. Je suis aussi en bonne santé qu'un cheval de course. (Yes, I'm doing good here. I'm also as healthy as a race horse)
Je rigole. Mais ouais, je suis en bonne santé. (Just kidding. But yeah, I'm in good health)
Oncle Heizo, en particulier tante Shizuka, ils ont très bien pris soin de moi. (Uncle Heizo, especially Aunt Shizuka, they took very good care of me)
Quant à Heiji, eh bien ... pas mal. Je veux dire, il est toujours tolérable. (As for Heiji, well ... not bad. I mean, he's still tolerable)
Je ne sais pas mais je ne pense pas avoir encore besoin d'un nouveau garde du corps. (I don't know, but I don't think I need a new bodyguard yet)
Oui, Mishil est venu ici, mais encore une fois, ne vous inquiétez pas. Je vais bien. (Yes, Mishil did come here, but again, please don't worry. I'm fine)
Au fait, comment as-tu su que Mishil était venu ici? (By the way, how did you know Mishil came here?)
Une chance? Je doute sérieusement que. (A lucky guess? I seriously doubt that)
He snorted with amusement. His daughter is indeed witty.
While he's engrossed in reading a message from his daughter, suddenly a call came in.
From Heizo Hattori.
He immediately took the call on the next ring.
"Hello? Yes, Heizo? It's alright, I feel better now. Yes, yes, I know already, I've heard it from my daughter. How can I know? Hmm ... your question is the same as hers. I guessed it. You could say, a father's hunch. I ..."
Knock ... Knock ... Knock ...
Knock ... Knock ... Knock ... Knock ...
Over the phone line, Heizo could also clearly hear a knock on the door. The rhythm is deep, rough, and impatient.
"Am I interrupting? Do you have an appointment with someone? Then I'll call you again ..."
"No, please don't! I don't know who this is either! I don't have any appointments with anyone. After all, do you realize, what time is it now? In here? It's not natural to be visiting in the middle of the night like this!".
Heizo's forehead frowned. Yes indeed, he also agrees. The time interval between the two countries is about eight hours. It's too late to visit. Plus, when he heard the knocks on the door ... Heizo shuddered in horror.
"Heizo? Please don't hang up!".
"STOP! Don't open the door! Call the guards!".
Too late. To his horror, Heizo could hear the heavy sound of the door hinges being opened, and the voice of his friend who sounded alert.
"Yes? Can I help you? Who are you, Gentlemen?".
One thing Heizo realized was that his friend spoke in English instead of French, his national language.
Obviously, his friend's intention was for Heizo to not only be able to hear, but also understand their conversation, since he doesn't speak French.
"Bonsoir, Altesse! Veuillez nous pardonner de déranger votre temps de repos. Nous, de l'équipe médicale du palais, avons l'intention de ..." (Good evening, Your Highness. Please forgive us for disturbing your rest time. We, the palace medical team, intend to ...)
With a shrill voice, the prince answered. "The palace medical team? Don't talk nonsense! I don't know you! The only doctor I've known so far is Doctor Leone. As long as he's alive, I will never hire another doctor! Well, then, good evening Gentlemen. I'm sure you know where the exit is!".
When the prince was about to close the door, one of the doctors hurriedly held the door open with his hand.
"Le Dr Leone est mort. Nous ne présenterons même pas de condoléances pour ça" (Doctor Leone is dead. We won't even condolences for that!)
Despite his shock, the prince's instantly able to gain control of himself. At a time like this, he couldn't let his guard down.
"Is that so? And why did he die suddenly? Just yesterday I met him. And don't give me a crap he died of a heart attack. Who are you? What do you want? Tell me, who ordered you to dare to come here? How did you get here without being caught even by a single guard? Which insider ... are you working with?".
"Hmph! You don't know when to shut your mouth!" One of them taking out a syringe, pressing down on the pump. Clear liquid spurted out from the tip of the needle.
The prince swallowed hard. What should he do? He's alone and cornered.
"It only takes one shot, Altesse!".