Reviews: (for the Greatest Gift oneshot, if they are reading this, which I hope they are)
WithLove x me – thank you for reviewing and yes, I wrote more, thus, this set of oneshots. Hope you like this too!
written10 – thank you! I watched the anime a lot of times and listen to the songs so I kind of had some ideas. I know you can do it as well, ganbatte! And yes, I agree that this fandom is one of the hardest series to write. I'm used to Shonen animes (Bleach, Fairy Tail and Katekyo Hitman Reborn), after all.
PandashipsCS – Thank you for that wonderful review!
riaillusion – Thank you! I personally love that same line as well. It just popped in while I was encoding. My thoughts were continuous when I wrote that and I imagined myself being in Ran's shoes. With Shinichi's sad expression in the anime every time he hears her cry makes me want to hug that little boy. Anyway, I'm glad you love it.
Reviews: (for the Reminiscent Aria of Love)
riaillusion – Hi! Thank you for the review once again. I'm glad you love these oneshots. I also love that song from Aria 4 so I can't help but write a oneshot from it.
Rena serein – thank you for reviewing! And as for your question, YES! I am continuing this and YES! I'm planning a oneshot about Kaito and Aoko as well and to incorporate ShinRan in it but I'm still thinking of the setting. I have a general idea but… well… just look forward to it. Thanks again!
Notes: Hi! Noticed the complete progress of this fic? Because these ARE complete already, (since they were oneshots) however, I'm still planning to add more if any ideas strike me so thank you for looking forward to it!
Oh and yes, as always, pardon my grammatical and typographical mistakes.
Disclaimer: Meitantei Conan © Aoyama Gosho. Fanfiction story © Mari Kia Aishiteru.
Chapter Plot: Inspired from opening song, Growing of my Heart by Kuraki Mai. Haibara Ai realized that feelings are troublesome, especially if it involves a certain high school detective in a body of a child and the dolphin who were love by everyone.—CoAi, ShinRan—
Genre: Romance, Friendship
Setting: A few weeks after The Greatest Gift.
—Reminiscent Aria of Love—
The Sixth Aria: Growing of my Heart
Written By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
"Waaa! So beautiful!" Yoshida Ayumi's voice rang throughout the beach as the ocean's view spread before them. The sound of the waves, the moving clouds, shining sun and the sea wind were all there to welcome them.
"You're right, this is cool!" Genta commented happily, running towards the sand. "Let's go swim now!"
Mitsuhiko shook his head and extended a hand, trying to stop his friend, "Ah! Genta-kun, wait a minute! We have to change to swimwear first!"
The fat boy heard him thankfully and stopped. He returned to them with a hand rubbing the back of his head. "Ah, sorry I forgot." He laughed.
Conan sighed loudly. "You're too excited, let's go inside for now."
"Haiiiii!" the three kids replied in unison as they ran inside the villa.
The young boy with eyeglasses placed both hands in his pockets as he narrowed his eyes at the kids. "Always the energetic ones." He muttered.
The young girl by his side smirked. "You love them still though." she teased, turning to him.
He clicked his tongue and she smirked, satisfied. "Bull's eye, huh?"
Conan glanced with a narrow glare at her. She ignored it as always.
They walked towards the villa. With the Goddess of luck in her side as always, Ran won a ticket for ten in an island vacation getaway. Their crew supposedly consisted of the three kids, him, Haibara, Professor Agasa, Uncle Kogorou, Sonoko and Sera. However, the day before, Ran's father received a client so he had work to do, Sonoko had an appointment with her boyfriend Kyogoku Makoto, who was visiting the country, and Sera had a family meeting. Now that her mother was still small, while waiting for Haibara's antidote, they were planning on what to do with her, thus the family meeting. They invited Hattori and Kazuha to come but they were busy for school exams so even though they wanted to join, they could not.
So, the crew right now includes the five kids, one teenage girl and one old man.
On their way to the villa, a shade was situated a few meters outside the glass door which was open. Upon reaching and coming inside, they saw the Professor sitting, drinking a glass of water. "Professor!"
The kids went to him and sat down on the couch, with Haibara taking her place next to her guardian.
"Oh, kids, did you see the beach already?" he asked with a smile, looking over at them.
"Yes! It's really cool!" Mitsuhiko said happily. Genta nodded and excitedly piped in, "I'm excited to go play!"
"Me too!" Ayumi seconded.
"You'll get in later but before that, have some cold apple juice." A voice rang by their side. "I prepared your shares!" she smiled at them and placed the tray of beverages on the table.
"Aahh! Thank you, Ran nee-chan." Conan said from his seat next to Haibara, and Ran smiled at him. "You're welcome, Conan-kun."
They all drank from their glasses.
"Aahhh~ that was delicious." Little Ayumi remarked, smiling towards Ran. "Thank you, Ran onee-san!"
"True, that was refreshing, thank you Ran-san!" seconded Mitsuhiko.
"Thank you, Ran nee-chan!" Genta followed.
Ran smiled brightly at the kids. "You're welcome! If you want more, just tell me, okay?"
"Haiiii!" they replied in unison and Ran giggled. She found them cute.
After having the refreshments, Ran announced that they could go and prepare themselves to play in the water. The kids energetically ran towards their rooms, to do what she said.
Ran sat on the couch where the kids left and drank from her own glass. Professor Agasa's voice cut the silence then.
"We really have to thank you for this, Ran-kun." He said, gratefulness evident in his voice. "Thank you for inviting us here as well."
"It's no problem, we figured out it will be more fun with the other children too, right, Conan-kun?"
The young boy nodded with a smile. "Yeah."
Haibara glanced at them and smiled sadly when her gaze stopped at the boy next to her.
Ran noticed her gaze on Shinichi. Ai-chan… no, Miyano Shiho-san.
Shinichi told her in his hospital room that night about her. She was from the Black Organization who created the poison, APTX 4869 that should have killed him. She escaped from there upon learning her sister's death and planned to ask him for help since she deduced that he did not die and instead, became a grade schooler.
Ran now understood why Conan, or rather, Shinichi was protective of her as well. He was protecting her from those people who wanted to kill her because of escaping from them.
She remembered the time when she saved her from the woman who called her Angel. She also finally learned the reason why she was targeted back then.
She was glad that Sherry—her organization name—was able to escape though. Because of that, she was able to live a normal and peaceful life right now since she was finally free.
All thanks to the efforts of Kudou Shinichi.
Ran was brought out of her thoughts as the young woman said, "It's also the celebration of your release from the hospital, so good for you to have your girlfriend prepare all this for you, Kudou-kun." Haibara teased and smirked when the couple's cheeks flushed red.
He laughed nervously at her and said, "Hey, hey."
"Well, thanks for the refreshment." She stood up and walked towards the glass door. "I'll take a walk."
Ran stood up as well, wanting to talk to her and thinking it was her chance. "Ah, I'll go with you."
The girls went outside. Conan and Professor Agasa watched them walk away.
"You think it's okay to leave them alone together?" the old Professor asked, staring at his young charge.
"I think it will be fine. I already informed Haibara that I also told Ran about her."
"Hmmm."
The kids appeared in the living room again with proper swimsuit, swim trunks and beach toys.
"Where are Ai-chan and Ran onee-san?" Ayumi asked, looking around.
"Oh, they are walking around together." Conan told her as he stood up. "They will be back later so let's just go to the beach."
"Okay!"
"Eh, Conan-kun, aren't you going to dress up too?" Mitsuhiko asked him as Ayumi and Genta ran towards the beach.
"All I have to do is remove my shirt and I'm good to go."
"Oh, okay." He nodded in understanding. "Let's go then."
"I'll stay in the shade to relax."
"Professor, you're too old for swimming anyway." Conan stated with a raised eyebrow.
The old man laughed.
Ran walked from behind her in silence. She did not know how to start the conversation, now that she knew who she really was, it was awkward to talk to her.
"Ai-chan, I—"
"It's fine." The little girl cut off. Ran stopped walking and let out a confused, "Eh?"
Haibara stopped and turned to her. "It's fine to talk to me like before. I don't mind. Even though you already know who I really am, I'm still Haibara Ai."
Ran sighed and smiled. "You're right. Ai-chan is Ai-chan. That fact still remains."
The little girl who was actually older than she was walked again, and she followed, reaching a cliff where the ocean view and a bright blue horizon could be seen from afar. It was already in the afternoon, so it was neither hot nor cold, thus they could enjoy the wind occasionally blowing around as they watched the big and small waves of water moving before them.
They stood next to each other and breathed in the air.
"Great thing that the weather is perfect for today." Ran stated with a happy smile.
"Hm."
The teenage girl watched as she stared at the horizon, with her normal bored expression.
"Ai-chan?"
"What?"
"I… About Shinichi… I'm sorry about him. I know he is reckless, and he sometimes would do whatever he wanted but he's really reliable when it comes to cases."
"I know."
"Eh?"
"He is always requesting for the impossible. He also promises things, but he breaks them." She said, turning to her. "But well, it was for you, so I'm not surprised anymore."
"What do you mean?" Ran asked curiously. Haibara sighed. She sat on the ground a few meters away from the cliff but not far enough not to see the view and gestured Ran to do the same. She got the message and sat next to her.
"Remember when you went to London?" When Ran nodded, Haibara continued.
"I gave him two antidote pills back then. One for going there, and one for coming back in Japan. Since he really wanted to go then and he did not have any passport since Edogawa Conan did not really exist, I've thought of that idea for him."
Her eyes narrowed at the memory.
"But he used the one for coming back to confess to you." She said as Ran's face flushed a shade of red. "He said you've cornered him and he did not have any choice."
"I see, so that's what happened back then."
The little scientist nodded. "Yeah, good thing I predicted he'd do that and I gave an extra pill to his mother for him to use to come back here."
"Ehh~" Ran nodded. "So back then Shinichi really is…"
"Yeah, already in love with you."
Ran blushed furiously and Haibara smirked. "I think ever since you two were children, he was already…" she muttered.
"Ai-chan…?"
"Nothing. Don't mind me."
Silence. The only thing they could hear was the roaring waves of water from below them.
Ran wanted to ask her but thought that she would be rude to her. After all, this woman was older than her in age, even though—appearance wise—she looked older than her instead. However, she was curious, and if it was really the case… it was… really sad.
Gathering her courage, Ran called out. "Ai-chan?"
"Yes?"
"I want to ask you something. May I?"
"Sure. As long as I can answer it."
"Well…" Ran fiddled with her fingers. A proof of her nervousness. Haibara noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I… want to ask if… you… do you…"
Haibara had a hunch of what she wanted to ask her, and she smiled in return, facing the woman—the dolphin who was love by everyone.
"I like him." she told her, straight faced. Ran's eyes widened. "I like Kudou-kun. That's what you want to ask me right?"
Ran slowly nodded. "Well, yes, but… how did you—"
"It's obvious. And it's only natural I'll like him." she stated as she gazed at the ocean before them. "He was always there for me and did his best to protect me from those people who want me dead. He gave me a new life, new friends, and this new warm place that I don't even know existed."
Shinichi's childhood friend turned lover stared at the young girl, caught up in her speech. "I owe my life to him."
Ran closed her eyes with a smile and opened them after a while, finding hers. "Did you tell him already? Your feelings."
Haibara shook her head. "Not yet."
"You should!" the young scientist stared at Ran after her outburst. The teenage girl's eyes steadfastly gazed at hers, trying and hoping that her feelings will be understood.
"Ai-chan, you should tell him your feelings. Everything."
"Why? I do not think I have to tell him. He's a detective, he should already know that."
"Shinichi might be a great detective, but there are times that he did not know what other people are thinking, especially those people close to him."
Haibara stared at Ran.
"I… I don't want you to regret anything." She told her. Ran stared at the sky. "The black organization is gone and you're free now. It will make you feel better if you convey your feelings to other people, especially to him, since he is always beside you."
"Ran-san…"
"I know it's hard to tell people, especially someone you like, your feelings. However, it will be worth it in the end. It will make us stronger to move onto tomorrow… for both of your future."
Haibara shakily sighed and smiled softly. "You're really kind, aren't you?"
"Hm?"
She stood up and exhaled. Ran followed her and stared at her as she composed herself.
"You're right. I think I should tell him."
Ran smiled at her. "Ai-chan!"
Well, it is the chance for me to move on from this unrequited love as well.
As soon as they returned to the villa, the kids were eating some snacks and taking a break from playing.
Haibara thought she should not waste time on the matter anymore, so she acted swiftly.
"Kudou-kun?" she asked. "May I talk to you in private?"
Shinichi, in Conan's little body, raised an eyebrow in curiosity then nodded. "Sure."
The two women shared a glance and Ran gave her a smile before they both left.
They both walked towards the beach, looking at the bright blue sky. The sun was not visible, so the moving clouds were seen clearly. The wind picked up and blew around them, bringing a chill in her spine. She was suddenly nervous, and it was not like her.
Maybe because finally, she was going to confront him with these feelings.
"I don't want you to regret anything."
Yes, she knew she meant well, and she was right. However, it did not make this thing easier to do.
She sat on the sand, and he followed suit, feeling that this conversation will be a serious one.
He could tell, from the stiffness of her shoulders to the steeled gaze she had in her eyes.
"Haibara, what's wrong?"
She stared at the sea before them, wrapping her arms around her bent knees across her chest.
"Is this about the antidote?" he asked, staring at her in worry. "If it is bad news—"
"No," she cut him off. "It's not about that."
Silence engulfed them and it was making him uncomfortable. Yes, she was a woman of few words but every time they were together, she usually talked more than your average woman, although it was to tease him or scold him, but still. He was not used to the silence she was giving him.
"Haibara?"
"Kudou-kun." She inhaled and exhaled and began, still staring at the ocean before them. "Since that certain organization now was no more, and you already told Ran-san about everything you had to tell her, I think it's time for me to tell you this."
"What?"
"Yes, something that I want to tell you ever since."
He nodded. "Okay."
She turned to him with a small smile. "Just promise you won't interrupt me."
"Alright. I'll listen."
She sighed and gazed at the ocean again, and with a gentle sparkle in her eyes, she started her speech. "I… I have been alone all my life you know. I studied abroad and did not have any friends. Since my parents died when I was still a baby, I only have my sister. So, when I returned to Japan after my studies, I was so happy even though we only see each other from time to time. We were both busy with the Organization's missions. We talked when we have time though and it was enough for me. But… the organization killed her, and I couldn't forgive them, so I escaped, using that drug I created. It was a risky escape plan, but after investigating your case, I realized I should give it a try. Anything to escape those people who killed my sister."
She stopped, smiled sadly with her gaze at her feet and continued. "And then, I thought I would find you to ask for your help, since you are in the same predicament as me. And you did. I just didn't expect things to turn out the way they did."
Conan tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Haibara glanced at him for a second, then turned her gaze to the ocean again, the big waves giving her the courage to continue. "I never thought I'd be able to live like this. I never expected to go to school as an elementary student, be part of your group, and solve cases after cases with you and the kids. I… always feel alone even with them, and I always thought if it is okay for me to continue living like this. I don't know if I belong here."
He listened intently, after all, he promised he would not interrupt. She sighed and turned to him.
"However, at the end of the day, you guys always made me feel alive, I always feel the kids' warmth every time I was with them and it made me realize that I am not alone anymore, that this is the place where I belong."
She gazed at the blue sky, where the clouds were moving at a slow pace. Seeing it made her relax.
"I realized that now I have a lot of things and people precious to me, that I want to protect. And it was because of you." She turned to him and he pointed to himself in surprise.
"Me?"
She nodded, "Yeah, you gave all of these treasured memories to me. Because of you, I was able to live a peaceful and normal life, even in this body, and that was despite the mysteries you always bring with you." A teasing smirk made its way to her face, and Conan narrowed his eyes at her insinuation.
She eyed the ocean again and smiled. "With the downfall of the Black Organization, I was saved. I was free now. So, listen carefully because it will be the first and last time you'll ever hear this from me."
Haibara faced him and gave him a gentle smile, "Thank you, Kudou-kun, from the bottom of my heart. I owe you my life. It was thanks to you that I got to meet a lot of people and learned so many things for the first time. I am grateful I met you."
Shinichi's—with Conan's form—eyes widened, and whispered, "Haibara…"
She closed her eyes and gazed at the sky with a bright wide smile and Conan could not help but let out a grin. "I'm happy for you, Haibara."
"Yeah, I'm really happy."
She stood up and spread her arms outward, as if to fly. Breathing in the sea wind, she closed her eyes. "I'm glad I did not run from my destiny."
Conan smirked. "Yeah, I'm glad you didn't."
She turned to him and smiled. "Oh and Kudo-kun, I'm glad to be of help to you with your cases, but being your assistant is a little…"
He stood up and placed both hands in his pockets. A habit he had ever since he was a kid. "I told you before, you're not my assistant."
His eyes found hers and they both held their gazes for a while before he grinned at her. "You're my partner, right?"
Haibara's eyes widened and remembered that Jolly Roger case. Yes, he stated before that she was his partner.
She was happy to be someone who he could always count on and she knew, he would be like that to her as well.
After all, they were not just friends, but partners, who shared the same destiny.
She smiled at him. "Always the smooth talker, aren't you?" He laughed.
Her body fully faced him and extended her right hand. "Then, from now on, will you be so kind as to continue taking care of me, partner?"
Conan mimicked her and grasped her hand with his firmly, a determined smile gracing his features. "Yeah, likewise!"
"Sure. As long as you're listening and actually following my reminders." Her eyes narrowed at him.
They both pulled away as Conan pouted a little. "Yeah, yeah."
"Heeeey! Conan-kun! Ai-chan!"
They both turned to the newcomers. Ayumi was running towards them, with Mitsuhiko and Genta following right behind her. Professor Agasa was also walking towards them and Ran could be seen standing at the shade with a smile, watching over them.
"Are you done talking?" Genta asked the two with a teasing tone. Conan caught on it but did not comment.
Haibara nodded. "So, what's up?" she asked them. Mitsuhiko turned to her and said, "The Professor gave us a quiz and we can't come up an answer no matter how much we tried."
"Can you help us please, Conan-kun?" Ayumi questioned, eyes shining hopefully. The young boy rubbed the back of his head and sighed. "Okay, what is this quiz we're talking about?"
"Ah… that is…"
Haibara tuned out their conversation and walked towards the shade, catching the eye of Ran.
"Ran-san."
The older woman bent to her level and asked. "How is it, Ai-chan?"
Haibara Ai—Miyano Shiho—smiled. "Thank you, Ran-san. Because of you, I found the courage to tell him how much I'm grateful to him."
Ran looked at her in surprise. She could not blame her. She thought she was going to tell him that she was in love with him.
"Ai-chan… are you sure you don't have to tell him what you really feel for him?"
She turned to the beach and found the kids laughing and playing, without a care in the world with the Professor watching over them. Genta splashed water towards Conan and the victim did not any choice but to join in. She smiled.
"It's true that I like him. But I found something much more important to me, that I want to treasure the most."
"Ehhh~ what is it? If it's okay to share it with me…"
Haibara glanced at her and stared towards the beach again. "This peaceful and normal life." She replied with a gentle smile. "The kids, the professor, you and my relationship with him."
"Ai-chan…"
"It's not that bad to be his partner, don't you think?"
Ran smiled at her. "If that's what you feel, then I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Ran-san."
"You may call me Ran nee-chan if you want to…" she remarked with a light laugh. "I've always wanted a little sister."
Her bright smile was contagious, and she was tempted to accept the offer, so she did.
"That would be nice."
Ran embraced the girl from behind and Haibara held her arm around her neck, letting her warmth engulfed her as they watched the rest of the kids play.
"Thank you for being there for Shinichi, Ai-chan." Ran whispered in her ear, and Haibara let out a smile. "He's troublesome, but I can manage."
They both laughed.
Haibara gripped her arm firmly and leaned on her. Her presence made her remember her sister. They had the same ambiance, and she was so happy to have another sister, in the form of Mouri Ran.
She was satisfied with this, and she knew she would not regret a single thing.
She finally found the place where she belongs, with her guardian, with her friends, with her pseudo-sister and with her partner.
That was all it matters.
Notes: I really wanted to write something like this for days and I've been trying to think of what I should do so after a week of thinking, here it is! I hope it's fulfilling!
Read and review if you like it!
Thank you and see you again!
Word count: 4313k
Date and time: 12:38 am PST / May 15, 2021
—Mari Kia Aishiteru.