Heiji and Kazuha tagged along for the following races to provide moral support—well I say support—more like aggressive cheering from the sidelines. It did better scaring me into running than any encouragement could. The best part being one instance when they were asked to either leave or calm down. I laughed after hearing why they quieted halfway into the semi-finals match.

Now however, I stepped back from the growing crowd. A stadium. An entire stadium filling with more than just locals or family of the competitors. It's the finals, but since when has this been so popular? My head spun. How'd I get here so fast? It's only been two— three chapters? Err... a few weeks, probably a little under a month?

Kazuha tentatively smiled, rubbing my arm. "It's gonna be tough. Nervous?"

I swallowed, nodding, "Y-yeah."

Heiji shoved her aside. "Yer supposed to psych her up, not scare her."

Off to the side I wryly smiled.

"Don't know what's to be jittery about. Someone your size, yet have ya ever clocked yourself?" Heiji shook his head in disbelief. "You'll be fine."

Kazuha patted my shoulders. "Yeah, it's a miracle you got any speed on ya at all. You'll be amazing, Keiko."

I rolled my eyes, smirking, trying to take them seriously. "Got it. Thank you, guys."

In the locker room every competitor suited up. Stretching. Each with varying levels of anxiety, yet all doing well to disguise their true feelings. And me hoping I appeared as calm to others.

A girl fell into the seat next to me, flicking her fingers as some form of a greeting. I repeated the gesture.

"Nervous?" She queried.

I furrowed my brow, trying for a friendly smile. "That's the question of the hour, isn't it?"

She chuckled at that, itching her forehead, eyes down. "Not sure why I'm here. Seems every race till now was a near finish. The runner-up could've won so many times. Thought it was the same for everyone. Then I decided to see how other competitors were faring." She looked me in the eye. "I saw you. Your race, it wasn't even close."

I straightened to that. "Ah. Th-thanks."

She casted her gaze downward once more. "This tournament, to me, is how I planned to prove I could do something. I mean, I'm tall. I ride my bike anywhere I go. Do sports. Running can't be that hard, right?" Her eyebrows rose, and she laughed. "But you're so small! —No offense."

I shrugged.

"It's incredible. I mean, if you can run, why can't I do something I actually like?" She plopped herself against the lockers. They clattered as she exhaled. "You place first, and I will. I'll try."

I wanted to tell her not to put so much faith in me. This isn't an assured thing I can win for her to stake anything on, let alone her happiness. But I bit my tongue. Her tense shoulders, and hopeful eyes are all too familiar.

"Sure," I heard myself saying.

A beat later someone shouted, "whose bottle is this?!" Soaked in whatever liquid said bottle held. It must've fallen on her from atop the lockers when they clattered. "Who's Ten?!" She read the number scribbled onto the side. Coincidentally, I know who's at fault. I'd witnessed them checking the bottles contents, then with a loose lid, set it up high.

Also coincidentally, the one to be held accountable is seated at my side.

"Who would be so stupid, to leave an open bottle in such a—?!" She, number Thirteen, stomped. "A nitwit with—!" Thirteen ranted on, egging Ten to reveal herself.

Ten gritted her teeth, Thirteens plan to upset her working.

"Hey, don't let her—" I tried consoling, but Ten lurched forward.

My eyes went wide. A fight. She can't! She'll be disqualified! It's— "my fault!" I blurted. Partially it is, that's the law, right? One can be charged for knowing about a potential crime, and not preventing it. Not that it really applies to—

"You're Ten?!" Thirteen spat, obviously insulted as my number was clearly not.

The room, once bustling with conversation, and the squeak of rubber soles against the floor, went silent.

"Well," I glanced at Ten, pausing, buying time cause what the heck did I get myself into?! "No. Although, I did put the drink there. For a little joking around. No harm." I forced a laugh. Then cleared my throat when she wasn't amused. "Smudged your makeup a bit." I pointed at her then my own face for emphasis, trying to help. However, I backed off when she wasn't calming down.

Meanwhile, one girl whispered about how she wouldn't let her get away with it—gee, thanks—while another whispered for me to run. And when Thirteen came at me, I did.

We dashed out the door, through corridors, down stairs. When I'd gotten out of sight I slid into a space behind a directions podium. Thirteen passed by it, none the wiser, and stopped at the next set of stairs. Seemingly at a loss, she then returned to the locker room.

It's basically law; be in the locker room before the race. Yet, I wandered the corridors. Given some time perhaps the girl will calm down. Surely she wouldn't stand being disqualified for what was an accident on Tens part.

"Keiko!" Heiji's call tore apart my thoughts.

The tension eased off my shoulders as he approached with new arrivals. "Hey, y'all made it!"

Sonoko jerked back. "Wow, what an accent."

I rolled my eyes. "Nice to see ya too..."

Ran enthusiastically budged between us. "We came to cheer you on!" Then turned to Sonoko, quietly reprimanding with behave.

Suddenly, a group of children bounded around them, shouting, "us too!"

"WHOA!" I stumbled back. Gaze flittering from the children, to Ran, to Sonoko. "Couldn't have been Ran... Sonoko—?"

"No. Kick that idea to the farthest recesses of your mind."

The amused smirk coming over Kazuha and Heiji reminded me of their familiarity with Ran and Sonoko. I beamed, reaching around for a group hug. "We're all friends!" With the emotions pouring from me, chuckles gathered from all around. "I can't believe it. We all know each other, and I know all of you! Oh, we should go do things together! Eat, shop, sleepovers, makeovers!"

Heiji squirmed away. "Woah, count me out."

"Guys can have makeovers..." Then it hit me. "Hey, where's Shinichi?"

"A case," Sonoko shrugged as if to say obviously. "Geez, you think the guy would come to his own girl's crowning moment."

His own girl? My heart fluttered. "Maybe he'll show up later?"

"Hm?" Heiji inspected my rosy cheeks.

"What?"

One of the children giggled. "Keiko you're funny."

"Oh, hey! Almost forgot you guys." I knelt down to their eye level. "I'm Sachiko Keiko."

A lean, freckle-faced boy stepped forth. "My name's Tsuburaya Mitsuhiko!"

The portly boy, sporting a small bald-spot, boasted, "I am Kojima Genta."

Tiny, yet befittingly composed with a perm, one girl coolly crossed her arms. "...Haibara Ai."

Lively in a headband, the last girl gleefully chirped, "I'm Yoshida Ayumi!" She handed over her phone, which displayed a boy in glasses. "This is Conan, and we're~"

"The Junior Detective League!" They cheered.

Their display enthused me. "Cool! Is that a club?"

Mitsuhiko thoughtfully nodded. "You could call it that."

"We track down bad guys!" Genta proudly declared.

"And solve crimes!" Ayumi added.

"Wow!" And suddenly I understood how these kids were here. Shinichi must've accidentally picked them up. Their sense of adventure paired with his keen ability to spot a mystery. Plus oodles of energy on both ends. "I've got to see you in action one day."

"Really?!" Their fists came to rest at their chests. "Then next time we get a case you can come."

They circled around, chatting, whilst I examined the digital photo Ayumi handed me. "Hey Ran, is this the one you told me about?"

She peered down at the screen, face lighting up once she did. "Yeah. He's like my own younger brother. Not to mention, since the day he's arrived, Dad's picked up one case after another!"

"Like a strange good luck charm..." Sonoko added, conspicuously rubbing her chin.

After the troubles Ran's had in the past, it was a weight off my shoulders to hear things going well. "That's great! Mini mister sunshine." Although a comparison of the children in front of me to the photo brought up a question. "Why isn't he here?"

"What?!" Ran swiftly twisted back, her brow crinkling. "Not again!"

"Mini mister missing sunshine?"

Fists clenched, Ran stomped off, muttering, "I'll return shortly..." as Sonoko trailed along.

Heiji chose that moment to veer in close once more. "It seems..." he pressed his palm flat to my forehead. "Ya caught a fever."

The mere notion was enough for me to shove him back. "N-no way. Time like this, don't be silly."

He caught his footing, shooting a glare, as Kazuha stepped in and found reason to believe him. "The race hasn't even begun, yet you're dripping with sweat Keiko. Do you feel okay?"

"M'fine." I lied. Now that they've pointed it out, the exhaustion creeping up has made a home digging into my bones. "Besides—"

Heiji reached for my arm, no doubt to convince me to skip the competition. I leapt off my feet, darting away before Kazuha tried the same. "Sorry!"

Heiji shouted, "Keiko!" all too aware that attempting to pursue was a meaningless effort.

I paced a hall away from the locker room. Return now and what? Would Thirteen have calmed by now? If not, what does she plan to do if she catches me? Fight? Does she care about being disqualified?

Otherwise, there's Heiji and the others. I fell to the wall for support. Coming this far, only to hear them tell me I should quit. Unbearable. Reflect on what they said before: "You'll be fine."

"You!" Thirteen shouted, her tone painting me a target as she stood in the locker room doorway.

I arched off the wall, full on sprinting for the stairs, sputtering, "you!"

A knack I've discovered is that, when being pursued, it's not about outrunning the pursuer. Despite that being my easy out. It's about having the ability to do something the other person won't.

Yet, I leapt over the staircase railings. Slipped along a wet floor. Climbed onto the next floor from the stands. Passed the security office! She would not give in!

The tiles lining the floor blurred. I blinked. Excess water in my eye? I swiped at it, eyes closed as my head tilted by the gesture. And when I opened them again the turn of the world took me with it. I turned a corner, hoping to recenter myself for a moment. However, a very solid object tripped me to the ground.

"Whoa!" I gasped, catching myself on flat hands.

"Ouch!" It shouted.

Or, he shouted. I found myself face to face with that kid. The one Ran doted over. And that meant I had a new plan.

I offered something that probably looked like a panicked smile. "Conan, right?"

Not even a smile, just panicked, yet he did manage a nod.

With Thirteen's footsteps echoing closer, I hastily told him, "pleasure to meetcha, I'm Keiko!" With that, I took his shoulders, and faced him toward Thirteen when she stumbled upon us. Shouting, "no violence in front of innocent children!"

Thirteen pierced him with an icy stare. Internally debating how to handle this new obstacle.

Conan spoke up then, sounding so much younger than he appeared, "I'm also a witness?" All the while aligning his wristwatch between the two of them.

She gave in. Somehow her steam letting up in the presence of someone other than myself. Muttering insults as she walked away.

With her gone I collapsed. My head hurt.

Conan watched Thirteen till she turned out of sight. "What did you do?"

"Just met ya kid," I chuckled. "What makes ya think she was mad by my fault?"

The kid went stiff. "Yeah." His tone flat. "Just met." He faced me. "C-call in intuition." That's when he took in the sight of me, and like a flipped switch, he brought his hands up as if for support. "Are you alright?"

Heiji's voice replied, "no," as ice fell to my head.

He tapped my cheek, repeatedly. Beyond irritated. "Wasn't gonna tell ya to drop out, idiot, but no, you had to run. Now—" The kid caught Heiji's eye, and flowers bloomed. "Kudo~!"

I jerked away. Startled. Finding no Shinichi in sight.

At my glare Heiji grinned achingly wide. "Kid! Oh. Kid, oh there you are!"

Kazuha rolled her eyes, telling me, "he's always pulling that stunt."

[Conan's POV]

Kazuha swung a water bottle into Keiko's hand. "Race begins in an hour. At least rest up till then."

"Thanks," Keiko, looking worse for wear, mustered up a look of appreciation. "And I will."

Heiji and Kazuha dropped to sit beside her.

Kazuha, Keiko, and Heiji. They're familiar banter, and compatible ease. While great, built onto a longing that grew with our time apart. Jokes, smiles, and laughter. Small things I was once so easily privy to, gone.

Keiko stood in the midst of my musing, rather wobbly, to snap a picture of the audience slowly filling into the stands. As she fiddled with her phone after, mine buzzed an alert. I opened it to new mail; the picture she took attached with the captions, Are you here?

My heart fluttered. Of course she would think of me while my thoughts are on her. Yet on the reply, nothing. Right by her side. Still she continued to search the stands. There's nothing to say that would put her at ease, so I slipped my phone away.

"There you are!" I nearly leapt out of my skin from the words. It's only Sonoko and Ran, I told myself. Ran scooped me into her arms, much to my dismay, scolding my ears off with "where were you?!" and "don't run off again!" Then "No Kamen Yaiba for a week!"

I actually rejoiced at the last one.

"You can do that?" Keiko asked, eyes twinkling.

Ran tilted her head. "Do what?"

"You can pick him up like that?"

"Yeah, Conan's actually really light."

Keiko's hands twitched. "Can I hold him?"

Ran stifled a smirk. "He's not a toy, Keiko. Besides, you're asking the wrong person for permission." Ran set me down for emphasis.

"Then.." Keiko extended her arms. "Come here," she beckoned.

I blinked. Mesmerized. "Okay." And she embraced me. A cozy, welcoming reminder of how things once were.

"Hey." Heiji yanked my arm. "No."

"Why?" Keiko hugged tighter.

My cheeks burned; a reaction that brought Heiji to tug harder. "It's buggin' me."

"You're buggin' me."

He gritted his teeth.

"Don't start with me," Keiko countered.

Their bickering peaked, my arm could hardly take it. "Ow!" I yelped. "Heiji, that hurts. You're mean!"

"What Ku- Kid?!" Heiji refrained from retaliating in the eyes of those who wouldn't understand.

So, it wouldn't hurt to test his patience. "Shinichi's way nicer than you."

"Yeah," Keiko snapped. "Wait, you know Shinichi?"

I smirked, happenstance not beyond me. "Mm-hmm! He's super smart!"

"Yep," she gleefully agreed, all too unaware.

"And the greatest detective ever!"

"Of course!"

Heiji scowled. "You..."

"Conan!" Ayumi called, hands on her hips.

"Getting along well with Keiko?" Mitsuhiko teased.

I flushed.

Keiko lowered me to the ground, "Hey, don't be rude."

The moment my feet hit the ground Heiji dragged me away, drilling a noogie enough to rattle my senses. "Think you're so smug."

"Child... abuse," I narrowly collapsed.

"Hmph." Heiji sat cross legged to match my height. "So, what'd ya do to her, Kudo?"

"Huh?"

"Keiko was such a tomboy before. Starting fights, calling names. But now she seems... like a girl."

Really? I turned in disbelief, "I'm not talking to you..."

"Hey!" He caught me. "Take me seriously for a second."

"She is a girl, stupid... but, it makes sense, that she was a tomboy." I smiled, lost in a memory. "When we met, she was a suspect in a case. Found her acting suspicious, so I tried to get in a good situation to ask some questions." I grimaced. "She knocked me to the ground."

"Sounds like her." He smirked, "Although..."

"What?"

He grinned wider. "Looks like you haven't told her."

I narrowed in on his tease. "As if I could. If she knew... she'd be in danger."

"Keiko!" A call interrupted our conversation.

Keiko jolted upright. "Mo-Mother?!"

"You forgot your towel."

Keiko accepted it, eyes darting between those surrounding her.

Kazuha drew her eyebrows together. "Who?"

Keiko flinched. "Uh, she's—"

"Your aunt, right?" Kazuha interrupted. "You told us earlier that she's your aunt."

"But," Ran wavered. "She's your mom."

Kazuha shook her head.

"No, um, you're both right!" Keiko gestured with nervous hands. "She's my aunt by blood, but it's just her and my uncle have shown such kindness. Reminds me of my parents, so I've grown to call 'em Mom and Dad my whole life. Ya know?"

They smiled understandingly. "I see."

All easily fooled, thank goodness, however...

"Who the hell is that?" Heiji disquietingly asked, "Keiko's obviously lying."

"Hattori..."

"What's going on?"

"I..." The drive of a detective trying to uncover the truth is hard to stifle. Still, if I were to explain, our promise would break. I sighed, and hoped for the best. "It's not my place to say. You're going to have to trust her. They're not bad people."

Heiji, far from pleased, accepted my words anyway. "Whatever. I'll find out sooner or later."

[Keiko's POV]

"Genta?" I queried.

"No," he responded.

The others erupted into laughter. Embarrassingly enough, I forgot the names of the children. So as punishment they've roped me into playing a guessing game.

I pointed to the brown haired girl. "Then you're Genta?"

She gasped. "How mean! That's a boy's name."

The tall one pouted in defeat. "I'm Genta..."

"I'm sorry..." I patted his head.

Genta built up a recovering smile. "It's okay."

The other boy slipped between us. "You still haven't got my name!"

"Um." I worked my mouth. "...Ai?"

"No!" he stomped.

The nicely composed girl actually chuckled to that. "Aha! You're Ai!" To my realization she walked away. "Or not?"

"Don't worry," the other girl reassured me. "Ai's always like that."

With my list dwindling, I deduced, "that makes you Ayumi!"

Ayumi bounced excitedly in place. "Yes!" Eyes beaming, cheeks rosy.

"Yay!" Her radiance tickled me. "I got it right!"

"But..." the freckle-faced boy sank away.

"Wait—! Um—!" I snapped my fingers. "Mitsuhiko!"

And my one exclamation made him, possibly, one of the happiest kids on earth. He spun around, squeaking out, "yes!"

Ran tapped my shoulder, "You're forgetting one," and pointed to the boy at Heiji's side.

"Come on!" The children urged me into the spotlight. Like a contestant in a game show, I wagered my guesses against this nervous boy. All the others silently circled us with bated breath.

He wore black rimmed glasses and a dressy suit, fidgeting under my gaze, asking, "w-well?"

"K..." I began.

The children huffed that this one's name came so quickly, however...

"Kiddo?"

Everyone recoiled in disbelief. "Keiko, really?!" They shouted.

I rubbed a blush growing on my cheek, "sorry."

Reentering the locker room could be equated to tip-toeing through a rickety old home. No one lingered, what with every competitor having already been herded onto the field. I looked left, right. No danger.

"Do your best!" Everyone threw their hands up, elation in full.

That gave me a start. "Th- thanks." I gripped my chest.

"Number Thirty-One! Sachiko Keiko!" An announcer's voice echoed throughout the stadium. Followed by a roar of applause from the audience, and friends alike.

I basked in the feeling, both overwhelming, and exciting. "I'll be seeing y'all!"

"Go go! Kei~ ko!" They cheered as I parted.

One foot onto the field and all the attention went to my head. Literally. A fever-spike, I could tell. That added to the weight of eyes around sent me reeling.

"Nervous?" Thirteen asked.

My answer may have been too honest. "Understatement."

She smirked, "good."

Her ill behavior, and my illness. I had to ask, "why'd that tick you off so bad?"

Her lips set into a thin line.

[Ready?] We took our positions.

"My sister," Thirteen finally admitted. "She's sick." Eyes down she took a deep breath. "Before I came to this, she did my make-up." She laughed. "She's got such a good hand, and did a beautiful job. After you, I had to redo it myself..."

My heart sank. "I'm so sorry..."

[Set] We arched forward, tightening our calves, pointing our fingers in place.

"I don't care," Thirteen sighed. "She asked me to do this, and as long as I'm here, she's happy."

I offered a small smile. "Good luck."

"Yeah." She finally looked at me. "Thanks."

[Go!]

We took off.

The announcer went into a frenzy. Blurting who's in second. Commending the one in first. Down the line to last. Astonishingly enough, adrenaline pushed me further than I could've imagined. Thirteen and I nipped each other's heels, neither of us giving in or slowing down. We passed each other time after time, gaining momentum, separating ourselves from the other competitors. Like a game between only us.

She had her way however as my energy went with my head. Heaps of sweat soaked my clothes, stinging salt into my eyes. While wiping it to clear my vision, I shut my eyes to refocus, and nearly fell. Over-exhaustion clotted any coherent thought, and I soon found myself trailing into third.

One more lap, and Thirteen fell into a casual pace, comfortably in first.

To lose due to coincidence. Any other day I could have had a fever, it had to be today! Refusing to let fate draw a line, I put as much as I could into a burst for first.
It proved to be impossible. There, in second, I stared in dismay at the distance between us. Mere feet. I couldn't do it. Couldn't overcome her. We gained on the finish line. My throat the size of a coffee straw, and muscles like lead. Tears welled up. I shouldn't have staked so much.

"Keiko! Come on, you can do it!" That voice cut through the haze in my mind like lightning. Shinichi!
Ungluing my eyes from the ground, I looked ahead. Running like mad. Upon noticing my incoming feat, Thirteen put in her all. A breath apart, I stubbornly claimed first. Running blindly with all my might until
"Thirty-One! Thirty-One wins it! That's Sachiko Keiko everyone! And she won this year's Annual Track Tournament!"

A watery smile spread across my face, I won. I did it! I—

—passed out.