Conan gulped down the pill almost immediately as Haibara sighed before draping a thin blanket over the boy's rapidly growing body. It wasn't over yet. The organization was still lurking about and the permanent antidote has yet to be developed but the final battle was finally here. The FBI was preparing for months or possibly years-long of battle against the BO and Shinichi needed his body for that, by now his body have already built a rather steady immunity against the temporary antidote and the pain during transformation was scorching to watch. Shinichi gripped his chest tightly, oxygen wasn't passing through his lungs, his heart pumping wildly…the pain…was unbearable but he managed.

"How are you feeling?" Haibara brought him a change of clothes "Jodie-sensei will come by tomorrow so settle all your businesses today."

Shinichi painfully grunted as he sat up, allowing his consciousness to adapt to the new height and longer limbs of his original body. The detective already had a list of what he needed to do…today might be the last day he will ever see those people again. The box of heavily filtered and crap information happened to be on and just happened to be on a channel reporting on Kaitou KID newest announced heist " As you can see, I am currently on the scene of the infamous Kaitou KID assumed heist, just in front of Beika Art museum! According to the police, KID will appear to steal the beautiful Hortensia Diamond visiting Japan for the first –"

Haibara followed Shinichi's gaze to the television "You're going." It wasn't a question. She was sure he will go.

"No."

…Or sometimes he decided to be tsundere and not go.

"…" Ran speechlessly stared at the newly returned detective "Shinichi?" he had called her out to meet by the park to give her the answer she was waiting for.

"Yea…" he replied.

"I-is it really you?" she caressed his cheek "I-I'm not dreaming…? You…you won't disappear again right?"

"Ran…" oh man…the guilt have rear its head "About that… I need to tell you something…" Shinichi scratched the back of his head

His childhood friend flinched and stared into his eyes worriedly "W-what is it?"

Some awkward moment passed after Shinichi's 'little-not-too-long' explanation of his disappearance for 3 years. He was expecting karate kicks and chops violently being sent his way and he was more than ready to accept it…but it never came.

"I…see. I had my suspicions…you see Shinichi, if it was 3 years ago I would –" Shinichi placed a finger on her lips.

The guilt will eat him away forever for making her wait for nothing for 3 years "Ran, I'm sorry for making you wait for so long for nothing. I know you've moved on but I'm…really sorry."

"Yea I know and I forgive you. It's okay now as long as you're okay and don't run head first into trouble like that anymore," Ran looked away "Though I'll still be upset with you for sometimes but we can still hang out sometimes."

"Ran. I know this isn't exactly the right time to do this but there's something I need to do."

"Are you going to disappear again?"

"This time…I don't know if I will be able to come back," He saw she flinched and trembled "I'm sorry but no matter what anyone says, I will go." He whispered, pulling his beloved friend into a tight comforting hug.

"Even I can't convince you?"

He shuffled away and placed his assuring hands firmly on her shoulders "You're in good hands with Eisuke. Send him my regards. Now go, he's waiting for you." He indicated to the car parked at the entrance of the park.

"Shinichi," She said, walking towards the car "You better come back you hear me!" then ran.

"I'll try, and I'm sorry for making you cry."

"Are you ready?" Jodie leaned against the door "Oh? Little red hiding hood, are you not coming?"

Handing Shinichi a box of temporary antidotes for emergency use she answered the agent "No. I'll join you when everything is settled. There's still something I need to tell you after you come back, Kudo-kun."

The detective didn't say anything as he stepped into the car, he can't afford to make any more promises he can't keep, after all, the probability of him never coming back was higher than any case he ever encountered. Shinichi stared out the window in the backseat zoning out Jodie rambling her brain for plans and possible scenarios, the dark car halted at the red light on the street of Ekado heading straight for Narita. The teen heart skipped a beat when his eyes skimmed over an overly familiar face grinning and skipping down the street of Ekado next to a girl who looked way too similar to Ran. His entire body followed the boy, unconsciously reaching for him.

"Kudo-kun, what's wrong? Should we stop the car?" Jodie asked worriedly "Camel."

"No, no…keep going. It's fine." Shinichi mentally slapped himself, there's no time to worry about him 'Get it together or else…I won't be able to come back.'