Title: The Greatest Gift
Anime: Detective Conan
Pairing: Kudo Shinichi and Mouri Ran
Genre: Hurt/Comfort and Romance; Slight Humor (?)
Time start and end/Date: 6:39PM-11:35 PM / May 4, 2021
Summary: It was her 17th birthday and Shinichi's birthday gift for her is the truth of his disappearance. It was supposed to be a great day, though. HAPPY SHINICHI DAY! —ShinRan—
Notes: My first Detective Conan oneshot, Stars Dedicated to you, is kind of a failure on my end. I like the plot but I am disappointed of the case itself. So, yeah, I did another one! I started this on a whim but really got fired up in finishing it before the day ends.
After all, this is for Shin's birthday.
I hope you will like this one shot of mine. Pardon any grammar and typographical errors. This is my take on Shin's confession of the truth to Ran and her reaction. Told in Ran's point of view but in the latter part, there will be Shinichi's.
Disclaimer: Meitantei Conan © Gosho Aoyama. Fanfiction story © Mari Kia Aishiteru.
The Greatest Gift
by Mari Kia Aishiteru
.
.
It was an unexpected worst birthday ever.
She was officially seventeen now and it had been nine months since her childhood best friend became her boyfriend.
Even though he was far away, Ran was still happy with their relationship. At first, the phone calls increased a little bit (yeah, but still) and they talked about the same things they would have just like before however, after each of those, there were the whispers of I miss you and I wish I could be with you right now. But the most romantic one that always made her heart beats fast against her chest was that…
I love you.
Shinichi was not the kind of guy to say that so she was shocked the first time she heard it from him, but she realized that probably, he was feeling guilty that he still could not come back and instead, reassuring her that he loves her despite that fact. He wanted her to feel that he cared for her and was always thinking about her wherever he was.
She did not know he was this romantic.
Well, they said people change because of love.
Anyway, they also exchanged phone messages and it always brightened her day. She told him stories of the cases her father solved and whenever she asked about his so-called 'big case', he would always reply that it was confidential so he cannot tell. Instead, he said he would tell her when he comes back.
And she was looking forward to that. She was curious on what kind of case was he trying to solve that took him this long. With Shinichi's love of mystery and—dare she say—sharp mind, he should have solved it by now.
So yes, she was curious.
But that could wait right now.
Sitting up on her bed, she rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms upward, sighing satisfactorily with a bright smile. She leaned on the edge of her bed and stood up, opening her window's curtain to gaze at the morning sun. It was still early, and the sun was just coming out of its den.
Fixing her hair and wearing a thick small blanket around her shoulders, she decided to check the mails first. Running down the stairs, she noticed that nothing really changed. Same old mails, no important ones.
Meaning, there was no job for her father today.
Unless someone comes or call later.
Ran left the mails inside the drawer at their living room and stepped into her room and then the bathroom to freshen up. Donning her Teitan high school uniform and fixing her hair, she moved to the kitchen to prepare for breakfast, wearing an apron. There was still school today and she was only preparing for two people.
At that thought, Ran smiled sadly.
Two weeks ago, little Conan-kun was picked up by his mother. They were planning to go on a trip because his mother and father missed him. Turned out, his father was working abroad, and they were going to his workplace to see him. Ran was happy for him, but she couldn't help but missed him.
Conan was her little happy pill. He was always there for her and it also helps that he was curious and bright. He was kind and—she had that feeling—protective of her.
She loved him like a little brother and doted on him.
He greeted her in advanced before he left and they sent each other messages these past few days but three days ago, he did not reply to her messages anymore.
He was probably busy with his parents since they were separated for a long time.
She smiled brightly. That kid was probably enjoying his time with his parents so she should not bother him for now. He would reply to her when he has time.
Conan-kun was responsible and she trusted him.
The pan let out a smoke and a shrilling sound, indicating that the omelet she had been frying almost toasted. She immediately turned off the stove and sighed in relief.
"Safe…"
She transferred the almost burnt omelet on the plate with rice and served it on the table in the living room. After that, she called her Dad loudly. She heard a groan and small movements.
He was probably fixing himself up. She sighed and moved to the kitchen once again to make sure everything was in order before she have breakfast.
Sitting down on her place before the table, she checked her smartphone while waiting for her father.
A smile graced her lips when she read a message from her mother and best friend, Sonoko, who greeted her a "Happy birthday!"
There were also messages from Kazuha-chan and the others from the Karate club.
She scrolled down and up again, hoping to see a message from a certain someone but she did not see anything.
She was expecting him to call or even message her—if he was busy—today. There was no way he would forget her birthday, right?
Right.
Shinichi tended to forget all other things when it comes to cases.
That mystery detective geek.
She closed her phone and placed it on the table, raising her utensils to eat. Her father joined her soon after and grunted a happy birthday to her. He was always like that, so she understood and thanked him.
She walked down that street to school alone and once again, missing the presence of Conan-kun. However, even though the little Shinichi look-alike was gone for a few days, she was touched by the attention she was receiving from his friends.
"Ran onee-san!" She heard a young energetic voice and turned around to see little Ayumi-chan, smiling brightly at her, with her two male friends, Mitsuhiko-kun and Genta-kun. Ai-chan was still nowhere to be seen. She was still probably sick. She had not seen her for a week now.
"Good morning! Where is Ai-chan?"
"She's still sick according to the Professor!" Ayumi replied.
"We cannot play in the Professor's house because of it since they were concerned that we might catch her sickness." Mitsuhiko explained.
"Ahhh, I want to go fishing and catch many eels!" Genta stated, rather dejected.
"Hm… I also miss Conan-kun." Ayumi said once again.
Ran smiled at them. "I'm sure Conan-kun misses you guys too!"
"I wonder about that…." Genta snickered. Ran gave them a warm smile. "Of course. I think you guys are the only friends he has here. I'm sure he misses you."
"That's right, I think so too." Mitsuhiko replied positively as he looked at his watch. "Oh, if we don't go now, we're going to be late." He told his friends. "Let's go!" he turned to Ran and waved. "Bye, Ran-san!"
"See you, Ran-oneesan!" Ayumi called out waving as she followed Mitsuhiko.
"Bye!" Genta waved and followed his friends.
As the three ran out of her sight, Ran stopped waving at them and smiled. "Those kids are so energetic… it's so nostalgic to be so carefree like them."
Reaching her high school, she was hugged by her best friend, Suzuki Sonoko. "Raaaaan!"
"Sonoko!"
"Happy birthday!" she greeted with a wide smile as she let go of her best friend. Ran smiled at her. "Thanks! I read your message."
"Great! So are you in for a cake buffet and karaoke celebration?"
The karate champion of Kanto laughed heartily. "Sure! I am looking forward to it!"
They both laughed and went to the classroom. While waiting, Sonoko teased her again, regarding her husband.
"So Ran, what did Shinichi-kun say?"
"Hm?" she replied while removing her needed school stuffs from her bag and placing it under her desk.
"Don't tell me he hadn't greet you yet today?" the Suzuki heiress was sporting a raised right eyebrow.
Ran nodded. "Hmm… but I think he's busy. Maybe he will email me later. You know how he is with cases."
Sonoko clicked her tongue. An indifferent action of a rich heiress but Sonoko is Sonoko. "That guy… he never changed." She stood while making a loud noise with her chair. "He should've at least greeted you today! It's a special day, that guy…"
Ran giggled. "It's fine, Sonoko."
Seeing Ran's happy mood, Sonoko decided to drop it.
At that time, their teacher came, and it was the beginning of a long day ahead of them.
After class, as promised, Sonoko treated Ran to a cake buffet which enjoyed both greatly. Though Sonoko often teased the brat of always coming with them, Ran knew that she also missed the brat. That made the birthday girl giggle.
They went to a karaoke next and sang their hearts out. Ran enjoyed her birthday with Sonoko.
However, it would be a much more special day if she could just receive a birthday greeting from that special someone.
She came home at six in the evening, seeing his father wasted on his office desk, can bottles around him. She sighed exasperatedly.
He never changed, really.
She was supposed to celebrate her birthday with her parents at dinner, but her mother had an appointment that day that she could not cancel so they rescheduled their family celebration ahead of time. Hearing this, Sonoko decided to celebrate the actual day with her instead.
Entering her room and changing from her uniform to a simple light blue long sleeved blouse and black knee length pants. She stepped into the kitchen and prepared for dinner. A light meal would suffice since she was still feeling full, and it was only for her father.
Done with the meal, she moved to the office to call her father, only to be interrupted by a phone call. She stopped by the stair landing and immediately picked it up, checking her phone screen, expecting Shinichi's name but she was surprised and a little confused to see a different name on it.
Hattori Heiji.
Why would Hattori-kun call her this late? Maybe he needed something?
In any case, she pressed the answer button and placed it against her ear. "Hello? Hattori-kun?"
"Aa, Nee-chan?"
"Do you need something?"
"Uh…" she could hear him squirm and cough. He sounded nervous.
"Is… everything alright, Hattori-kun?"
"Yes, yes of course it is!" he answered, and she noticed the tone of his voice changed. "I called… because of Kudo."
Her forehead crinkled in confusion. "Shinichi?" She straightened.
"What is it?" she asked.
The other line was silent for a few minutes and Ran was getting nervous. Why was Shinichi's detective counterpart calling her at this time of the evening and telling her something about him? Her eyes widened.
"Don't tell me… something happened to him?"
Hattori probably predicted this will happen, but he surprisingly answered her in a soft voice. "H-He's in the hospital right now…"
"WHAT?!"
Ran's legs felt weak. Shinichi is in the hospital?
"W-Why? What happened to him?"
"Nee-chan, don't worry, it's not bad of an injury. He's fine." He reassured her. She believed him but hearing that her boyfriend was in a hospital from their mutual friend was not a great experience.
"What hospital is he in? Are you with him right now?" she asked frantically, running to her room, and picking up her purse.
"Yes, he's awake and asking for you." He replied to her. "He asked me to call you and tell you to come now."
Ran nodded and realized she cannot be seen by him. "Okay, I'll go there now. Where?" She wore a pair of sneakers and ran downstairs when her father caught her by the doorstep of the Detective office.
"Where are you going now, Ran? What about dinner?" Mouri Kogorou, Ran's father asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"I need to go somewhere, Dad! Dinner is already on the table. Don't forget to wash them after you eat, okay?" She opened the door. "I need to go!"
"W-Wait!"
The older detective's pleas fell on deaf ears as his daughter ran out of his sight. He sighed.
"What's with her?" He clicked his tongue. "Kids these days…"
After informing her that Shinichi was in the Haido Central Hospital, Ran stepped quickly on the reception counter. However, before she could even ask, a voice called her.
"Ran-san."
She turned around and not seeing anyone in front of her, she moved her eyes down. "Ai-chan?"
Haibara Ai stared at the older woman as Ran bent to her level. "Did your sickness get worse?"
The little girl shook her head and sighed. Ran noticed the dark bags under her eyes. This girl had been up all night not only once but probably a week.
Ran's motherly instincts kicked in. "Are you alright, Ai-chan?"
Haibara looked at her in the eyes seriously. Ran was perplexed of why she was looking at her like that. After a few seconds, she sighed and crossed her arms against her chest.
"Ran-san."
"Hm?"
"Kudo Shinichi-kun is up in the rooftop."
Ran's eyes widened.
"H-How did you know I'm here for him?" she asked, surprised that the child knew.
She smiled sadly. "Just…" Haibara turned around and closed her eyes. Ran inclined her head in wonder. "…go to him. He's waiting for you."
Ran stood up and even though she was still wondering what was up with Ai-chan, she said, "Okay, thanks, Ai-chan!" before running towards the elevator.
Haibara turned around again and stared at the place where the teenage girl last stood.
"This is it, Kudo-kun." She whispered and turned around, walking towards the hospital's entrance, where Professor Agasa was standing with a worried gaze.
"I wish you luck, Meitantei."
Ran was alone in the elevator, anticipating its reach to the rooftop. She was worried about Shinichi, but the fact that he was not in his room meant that his injury was not probably all that bad, as Hattori-kun said. However, still, she could not help but worry about him. When it comes to cases, he had always been so reckless.
As the sound signaling the elevator reaching the highest level rang, Ran stepped out as soon as it open and ran towards the door that will lead outside.
However, before she could even open the door to the rooftop, she was greeted by the form of the Detective of the West, leaning on the wall next to the door.
"Yo, Nee-chan! You're fast." He commented with a smile. Ran noticed his calm demeanor. Hattori-kun had always been cheerful and he would always speak aloud. But now, he was…
…really controlled and serious.
Ran could not help but gulp and be nervous.
Did something serious happened that she does not know?
"Hattori-kun…" she looked towards the door. "Is… Shinichi…"
He glanced at the door as well. "Yes, no one's there so you can have a long undisturbed chat with him."
She nodded slowly at him and thanked him before opening the door and stepping out.
As the door closed, the dark-skinned detective, Hattori Heiji, sighed with a sad smile.
"Kudo…" he walked towards the elevator and sat on the bench next to it. "You have to tell her everything… and hope for the best."
The wind in the rooftop was cold. Good thing, she managed to grab her red coat. Seventeen-year-old Mouri Ran breathed in the air and walked around in search of her boyfriend. Soon, he saw someone sitting on a bench, facing the balcony. She tentatively stepped closer and hesitatingly called out. "S-Shinichi?"
No response.
Ran moved and walked closer until he was in front of him. And she didn't expect him to look like this.
Her eyes ran down at his figure. His left arm was bandaged in a sling, both of his legs were covered with bandages, but the ones on his right are heavier than his left. There was a single crutch next to the bench. He probably used it to get here. His head was wrapped with a bandage as well, and very little of his dark brown hair was seen outside of it. She could not see it, but she was sure he also had bandages around his body.
She bit her lip. She wanted Hattori-kun to have a taste of her karate.
Not bad of an injury was an understatement! Shinichi looked like he had been through hell!
She tried to control her emotions and sat down next to him. She noticed his closed eyes and even breathing.
He was sleeping.
She stroked his head softly and she was trying so hard not to cry. Shinichi… This was the first time she saw him in this condition, and she cannot help but feel bad. It was her birthday, and she was looking forward to his messages and calls without knowing that something… happened to him that made him like… this.
Her hand tentatively touched his cheek and that was when he moved. She wiped her tears away, not wanting him to see her worried about him. He would feel guilty.
He rubbed his eyes with his right hand and looked next to him. His eyes widened. "Ran?"
"Hm… I'm here." She whispered, looking at him.
He gazed in front of him and yawned. "When did you get here?" He asked as he straightened and leaned on the bench, staring at her. "Sorry, I got sleepy."
She smiled and shook her head. "It's okay. It's late and you're probably tired." Ran stood up and offered her hand to him. "Come on, I'll take you to your room so you can lie down."
Kudo Shinichi shook his head and sighed. "No… it's okay. I need to…" he paused and stared at her again. Ran was mesmerized by the serious look in his blue eyes.
"I need to tell you something."
They stared at each other for a minute before Shinichi averted his gaze. "Sit down. This will be a long overdue talk."
She sensed that this was serious. Though she was worried about his health, she chose to quietly follow his lead and sat down next to him on the bench.
Silence ensued.
No one wanted to break the silence. If it were not for Shinichi's serious tone, this would be a comfortable atmosphere. But…
"Ran."
Her thoughts were cut off by his voice.
She turned to him. "Yes?"
Ran saw him opened his lips to talk but closed it again. He was probably thinking of how to tell her what she should know. It was fine with her. She managed to wait for him this long. Any more waiting will not hurt.
"R-Remember the time we went to Tropical Land?" he asked. Ran was confused with his question. Was it related to his long-term big case?
"Y-Yes. We encountered a murder case in the Jet Coaster and then after that, you ran away telling me to go home first. But… you never…"
"Yeah, that."
She saw him looked up at the dark-filled sky.
"I-In that murder case, we met with two men in black, right?"
She nodded. "Hm… they were creepy."
Ran saw Shinichi shifted and bowed his head. "Actually… that night, I saw one of them… I have my suspicions, so I told you to go back first, and I followed him."
She nodded slowly. "So… you mean to say, they are related to the case you were working on for so long?"
He nodded solemnly and breathed out. "But… it's not that simple."
Ran stared at him. "What do you mean?"
"That man with the glasses, his name is Vodka… I saw him doing a transaction with a businessman and while I was watching him, I didn't notice… someone from behind me…"
Ran's heart was beating so fast against her chest, dreading every second of Shinichi's tale.
"…and hit me with a pipe."
She gasped. "Eh?"
"And…"
"There's more?"
"Yeah…" Shinichi drawled on. He had to tell her now before he lost the courage that he built up these past few days. She deserved to know.
Of all people, she was the one who deserved to know this the most.
"He… that white long-haired man whose name is Gin… made me swallow a pill that he said is supposed to kill me."
Ran's eyes widened. "Shinichi… b-but… you are…"
He looked at her with a sad smile. "Yeah, I'm alive… because instead of killing me… it… melted my bones…"
At the back of her mind, she knew what he wanted to say. She knew what his tale implies. For her heart though, she wanted it to come from him.
The truth that she had been wanting ever since he disappeared that night… she wanted to hear it from his own lips, from his own voice.
Shinichi felt the same. Ever since then, he wanted to tell her everything. Who he was and what had happened to him, from his own lips, from his own voice, in front of her.
At this moment, every piece was set.
All that they had to do was move forward. For the both of them.
"That night… Ran, I became Edogawa Conan."
Ran's trembling lips moved to speak but she could not find her voice. She did not know what to say. All this time… her suspicions were all correct.
That Conan-kun… was Shinichi all along.
They were one and the same.
She inhaled through her lips. Shinichi… Shinichi was… Conan-kun.
And… Conan-kun was Shinichi.
She faced in front of her and bowed her head, willing herself not to cry. She must organize her thoughts. This was too much of a surprise birthday present.
Shinichi noticed her actions and the look in her eyes. He knew she was absorbing the information he had just given her. She had her suspicions for a very long time, and she confronted him every time, but he also had an excuse—a trick, rather—to those.
She was probably shaken up and was trying to organize her thoughts.
And so, he let her.
It was the least he could do.
She waited for him for so long. He could also do that for her.
Because he loves her so much.
Okay Ran calm down. She chanted in her head. Let's state the facts that we have.
Wow, she felt like a detective right now.
Shinichi, instead of dying that night, became a child who was Conan-kun.
So meaning, Conan-kun did not exist and it was only a fake identity created by Shinichi.
But why would he need a fake identity?
That night, she went to his house because she was worried and saw Professor Agasa and that little boy. She asked for his name and—now that it is mentioned, she remembered hearing a Shin before he said the fake name he used—told her it was Edogawa Conan. It was probably spontaneous, only seeing the books at the shelves back then. Conan Doyle and Edogawa Rampo were mystery writers after all, and Shinichi's father's library was filled with so many mystery books and among them, were created by those two.
Okay, so going back, he faked his name. Why?
Hmmm… maybe because he needed to hide?
But why the need to hide?
The two men in black were supposed to kill him that night because he witnessed an illegal transaction.
Wait, don't tell me…
He needed to hide because if they knew he was alive, they would pursue him and kill him! After all, he witnessed what they were doing.
Okay, so I now know why he needed to fake his name and hide. But…
Why did he hide it from her?
As far as she knew, they are best friends. Sonoko is also her best friend but… Shinichi and her have been friends since preschool with Sonoko and the two of them were close. They went to school together and he always told her his cases. He treated her to movies, and lunch and dinner and…
They had so memories together.
So why did he have to hide this from me?
Ran opened her eyes and stared at the sky above. It was dark earlier, but now, the sky was presenting them those tiny shimmering stars. She peeked next to her and saw him staring up at the star-filled sky.
Wait…
She realized that Shinichi had been silent after his confession. Did that mean… he had been waiting?
He had been waiting for her to organize her thoughts… and tell him her feelings about this?
Ran faced her upper body towards him and with the little noise she made, the teenage boy glanced at her.
They held each other's gaze and after a while, he smiled at her. Despite the questions filling her head, she still could not help but let that warm red blush adore her face. She stared at him like he would disappear if she blinked. She traced the shape of his face with her eyes.
And she noticed something that was not there before he disappeared on her.
Stress lines.
Looking—as in really—looking at him right now, forget the injuries, he looked so stressed. He looked so old, as if instead of being a six-year-old, he became a sixty—no that was an exaggeration—thirty-year-old man.
It was still him… but gone the energetic, relaxed, self-confident, happy-go-lucky teenage childhood friend that she once knew.
And… she…
Her eyes widened.
Wait…
Shinichi… hid this from her… because he wanted to protect her?
Because if she knew… there was a chance that they might also come after her and anyone connected to him?
Ran bit her lip.
Just thinking of it like that… was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Once she realized what he had been through, all those sufferings that she had… her longing for him, the tears she shed for him, the worries she had for him… was nothing compared to what he was feeling.
After all, he knew everything.
And he had to…
Shinichi noticed the tears gathering in her eyes and the way she was looking at him. His eyes widened.
As a detective, whenever he confronted the culprits, and realized that they were wrong in doing the crime, they would cry so hard they could not shed another drop by the next minute. He would feel bad of course.
However, whenever it was Ran who shed tears, it was a different matter entirely.
She had always been a crybaby, and she hated being called that. But he really hated it when she did.
He was always weak when it comes to her tears.
He did not want to hurt her.
He loves her too much to do that to her.
And right now, all he could deduce was that she was crying right now, because of him.
And it was the worst feeling he ever felt in his entire life.
She was sobbing now, and he wanted to take her into his arms but was afraid of being pushed away.
After all this time, he was a coward. He could not even comfort her.
He did not know how.
Because it was all his fault.
Ran cried as if her life depended on it. She cried for herself and she cried for him.
For the person she loved the most.
For the person who sacrificed everything just to protect her and everyone.
She hated him for being so selfless and she hated herself for not knowing how much he had been hurting all this time.
"Ran…" Shinichi's voice broke through her cries and tears. She raised her head and gazed at him, sniffling, and trying to wipe the tears on her cheeks but to no avail.
She saw him bit his lip. He was blaming himself.
After everything he did, he was still beating himself up.
Ran wanted to kick him right now, if only he was not injured. He would surely say what she thought he would. He had always been like that.
"Ran…" he repeated. "I-I'm sor—"
"Don't apologize!" she shouted. Shinichi was shocked by her outburst.
The teenage girl in front of him breathed heavily and wiped the rest of her tears angrily and staring at his wide eyes, she blurted everything in her mind and in her heart.
"You know Shinichi, you never change!" she began. "You have always been like that. Always thinking of others first before yourself. I love that about you, yes, but this time, you went too far!"
The boy was listening to her intently and silently, afraid that if he made a noise or speak, she would stop.
"This whole Conan-kun fiasco! You should not have hidden this! You should have said something to me! To the police! You shouldn't have had to bear this all alone… all by yourself!"
"Ran…"
"You know what I think? You hid this from us… from me… to protect us, didn't you? Because you thought that we would be in danger if we know that you're alive and changed into your six-year-old self."
Shinichi's eyes widened. He wanted to smile that Ran was able to deduce that on her own with just the little information he told her, but he could not. Not while she was sounding and looking so angry at him like this.
"And you probably… decided to live with me and Dad to get information about those men in black to bring you back to normal!"
Yeah, Shinichi really wanted to laugh right now.
"A-and you saw… you saw everything… you saw how much I missed you, how I long for you… how I worry so much about you… you saw all my tears, you knew… everything!"
Her face was all red and Shinichi could not figure out if she were mad or embarrassed.
She exhaled and placed both hands on her chest to calm herself down. Shinichi used this chance to talk.
"R-Ran… I…"
"Shut up! You're not allowed to talk yet!"
"Hai!"
Even at this point, she was still scary.
Ran controlled her trembling voice and continued softly, "Shinichi, it hurts, right?"
Shinichi held her gaze and understood what she meant. He could not answer and turned his head away from her.
"It hurts you to see me suffering and hurting while waiting for you…" She told him. "I know you, Shinichi! We have been friends for so long. If you care for me long before your confession in London, that means…"
His face contorting in pain and his silence told her everything.
She was right, after all. He was there, as Conan, for her. Little Conan-kun would always cheer her up and say, "Shinichi nii-chan is stupid." Just to make her feel a little bit better but he knew that without him—the real him—he would not be able to fill the void in her heart. He would not be able to stop the tears from falling from her eyes every time she missed him.
He knew that. It hurt him a lot.
And it hurts her to know he was suffering next to her and faking everything, without anyone to make him feel better.
Maybe there were people who knew about this, but she doubted Shinichi talked about his feelings to others.
He was always the secretive type when it came to his own feelings.
Staring at him right now, she could not control herself anymore.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. She felt him froze but after a few seconds, he relaxed and laid his head on her shoulder. She caressed his head softly, like a mother comforting her child.
Shinichi, on the other hand, was surprised at first, but after breathing her scent—the one he always loved—relaxed and let her scent and gentle hand lull him. He could not believe this was happening though. He thought she would get mad at him, blame him for lying to her and break up with him.
He had prepared himself for the worst. But he had not prepared himself for this.
Ran had always been kind and forgiving, however, this matter was not that simple. He thought she wouldn't forgive him, and he was ready for that.
He hardened his heart for this moment.
So he was confused why this was happening, although he loved this situation and want to stay like this forever, he had to know.
He had to know his stand with Ran right now.
She told him all his deepest feelings. He had to admit—he was happy because she knew of his feelings like the back of her hand. She knew him so much even much more than he.
But… he needed to end what he started.
Even though it was scary, he could not be a coward anymore.
For her.
"Ran…"
"Hm?" she was still caressing his head.
"I… love you…" he whispered. Ran's hand stopped. "But… if you are mad at me for lying to you all this time… I am ready to accept whatever you think is the best for you."
The girl removed herself from him and looked into his eyes. He could feel the serious weight of her stare.
"What do you mean, what's best for me?"
Shinichi held her gaze. This was probably the last time he would be able to gaze at her beautiful eyes. He wanted to carve it in his mind and heart.
"If you want to… break up with me… it's okay." He spoke, hearing his heart break. "If… it will ease the pain I have given you because of my lies… I…"
"Stupid Shinichi."
His face showed confusion. Ran wanted to laugh.
"What?"
"I said you're stupid, Shinichi!"
"What the hell, Ran? I'm being serious here!"
"And I'm being serious as well! Didn't you hear me earlier? I knew you were hurting because of all the lies you must keep up to protect me! And it hurts me to imagine and think every single day of your life as Conan-kun cheering me up and drying my tears every single time!"
They stared at each other.
"I love you, Shinichi." She told him sincerely, with a warm gaze and smile. "So, it hurts me to see you like this. It hurts me to know that you endured all those pain for me."
"Ran…"
"So, this time… let me do that instead."
"Huh?"
"Let me protect you!"
Shinichi was floored at this new development.
"Wh—Eh?"
Ran giggled despite the tears in her eyes. She held his right hand in hers—since his left arm was bandaged in a sling—and stared at him with all the sincerity and love she had for him.
"This time, I promise… you'll never be alone in this again, Shinichi."
He did not notice the lone tear that cascaded down his cheek. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
This girl, the girl he loved so much… his first client of heart-throbbing revealing mystery, his first female best friend, his first love, his first everything….
He realized he was so lucky to have her even though he was not deserving of her.
"I… didn't deserve this from you, Ran."
She smiled that smile. The reason why he fell in love with her, and still was.
"Stupid. Of course, you are." She replied softly. "After everything, you deserve this much from me, mystery detective geek."
Shinichi leaned on her, wanting to feel her warmth and Ran, knowing him all too well, embraced him once again, letting him release everything ever since this whole case started.
He cried and cried until there was nothing left to cry anymore.
It felt like long but really, it was just five minutes. Ran sat with Shinichi on the bench still on the rooftop, gazing at the night sky with the shining stars together. With her head on his shoulder, she was contented that finally… finally…
Until that thing happened.
Shinichi clutched his chest, feeling his temperature rise, his body shook and eyes wide. With this, he knew what was happening.
Ran worriedly looked over at him and realized the symptoms.
Every time this happened, he would always disappear, and Conan would always show up.
"Ran… go back inside. Wait for me by the elevator."
With his voice, she knew what he was implying.
"No."
"Ran!"
"NO, Shinichi! I'm not going to leave you here alone anymore while you transform into a child!"
He was feeling it. It was almost there. "Ran, please… I don't want you to see me…"
"And I want to. I want to be with you. I promised I won't leave you anymore." She embraced him firmly. "Let me, Shinichi. Please."
He did not want her to, but his body just would not listen to him and he let out a scream as his body transgressed into a child.
After a while, Ran let go of him, still holding him up by his shoulders. His eyes opened and seeing his unfocused eyes and innocent demeanor, she could not stop the smile that graced her features.
"Welcome back, Conan-kun."
He coughed.
"Did you say something, Ran?"
"No, I didn't." she replied and tucked him with her coat. Shinichi—er, Conan—stopped her. "Hey, you're going to get a cold."
"No, I won't." She rolled her eyes. "Now wear this and we will go inside so you can take your beauty rest."
"It's not funny."
"Well, for me it is."
"Raaaan~"
"What?"
"Are you sure of—" he yawned before he could even finish his sentence. She laughed.
"See? You are exhausted. Now, go to sleep and I'll carry you."
"Stop treating me like a child!"
"But you ARE a child right now, whether you like it or not." She told him and carried him in her arms, with her coat around him.
Shinichi—Conan felt drowsy and did not try to control his sleepiness anymore. After all, Ran was here with him and she knew everything. He was… happy and relieved.
Little did he knew that Ran was smiling softly down at him, realizing that today was the best birthday she ever had and receiving the greatest gift he could have given her: himself.
He was here with her now, and that was enough.
She caressed his cheek lovingly and kissed his forehead.
"Good night and have a sweet dream of me, my little detective."
Notes: YES! DONE! I know Kaito Kid calls Conan/Shinichi "Meitantei" but Haibara occasionally calls him that as well. I re-watched most of the episodes so, I'm positive. I have downloaded the 507-1004 episodes. That is how much I love this anime.
OCness? I'm not sure. You decide. Thanks!
Finished and posted for Shinichi's birthday! Yay!
Read and Review!
Word count: 6524k
~Mari Kia Aishiteru