Act Two: Past Memories
Yuki frowned as he tuned out the teens chatter on the music world and just about anything else in general. He was more worried about the pink fluff, not that he would admit it. Usually the pink hair singer would spend as much time as possible with him. Now, it seems like he was pushing him away. Not only that, but Shuichi seemed more distant during the time when he received that invitation. Almost as if he was changed into a different person at times. Yuki did not like change. If anything, he wanted the change with Shuichi in his life as the very last one. Now he had to deal with this.
"Ne, Mori-san, how do you know Shindo-san?" Sugeru asked politely as possible. Everyone turned to the girl at that question. It was the question that was plaguing their minds through out the entire time they had reached the mansion. Ran gave a smile and a silly grin on her face.
"Please, call me Ran! Shu-chan and I met when I was six. He was about seven at that time. He and Shinichi were always together whenever Shu-chan got to visit. He had gotten Shinichi that being a detective was better than writing about one. Anyway, Shu-chan was always so smart. He could solve mind puzzles as if he were breathing. Shinichi can do the same as well. You can say they were practically alike. Shinichi even told me once that Shu-chan used to be a detective. I couldn't believe it, because Shu- chan always spent time with us. I always wondered where he had the time to solve murders and robberies." Ran said as she shook her head. However, everyone else paused at this.
"Smart? That can't be possible. He always had the lowest grade in school!" Hiro said frowning. Ran gave a laugh at that.
"Shu-chan was always weird like that. He often said that he had no need to prove to anyone. He says he only does enough to pass. He never wanted to go to college anyway. I think that's way his parents are so angry at him. The fact that he was wasting his brain on nothing but music really upset them. He doesn't show off his knowledge like Shinichi does. He mostly keeps that part to himself." Ran explained as she giggled.
Yuki frowned as he processed this in his mind. What was going on? Touma gave a smile at Ran as he began to think as well. Shindo Shuichi seemed more complex then he thought. Touma did not like the fact that he did not know this. This side of Shuichi could be dangerous to Eiri.
K looked like the only one who was calm about this. Then he gave a big dangerous smile and laughed as he slapped Sakano on the back.
"You know plenty about Shuichi's childhood Ran!" K said grinning. Ran gave a nod at that.
"Well, all three of us were playmates. Even thought Shu-chan was a year older then us, he never cared. There are times where he could be an idiot, but if you think about and just watch, Shuichi is quite scary in his own way. It's almost if he knew what was going to happen. Just like the time." Ran trialed off as her eyes wondered off into a scene that only she could see.
"What do you mean, Ran-san?" Sugeru asked eagerly. He was now interested in his lead singer's mind. It was interesting that Shuichi could have a serious side to him. He wanted to know just how faces did Shindo Shuichi have. Heiji and Kazuha looked at Ran in concern. She gave the two of them a shaky smile. Then she turned to the others.
"I guess you guys don't know much about Shuichi if you're asking all of these questions. Shuichi told me once not to blame my dad for my parents' separation. Well, at least not for the wrong reason. I didn't understand it until recently. Even Shinichi knew this. Demo, he told me once that he was worried about Shu-chan." Ran said softly. Yuki's ears pricked at this.
"Why?"
Ran blinked as she turned to face the blond writer who was glaring at her with his golden eyes. She gave a brief smile at him.
"You care for him? Don't worry, I've read all the magazines and seen the news. Shinichi told me once that he feels that Shu-chan could be carried away in anything he does. Now that I think about it, it's true. Trying to figure out how people think and how they act were the things that Shu-chan cared for. Shinichi told me once that Shu-chan was probably the world's greatest puzzle." Ran commented. Yuki frowned at that.
"What do you mean?" Hiro asked with concern. Ran gave a Hiro a sad smile.
"It's hard to know what Shu-chan is thinking. Even Shinichi had a hard time figuring it out. There are times where Shinichi can guess what Shu- chan is thinking, but there are other times when Shu-chan surprised everyone. Like the idea of becoming a pop singer. He loved music, but he was shy of the attention. I guess he must have built up some resistance." Ran mused. Hiro's eyes bugged at that. Ran giggled as she saw their expressions.
"You should have been there when the three of us were forced to do a community play that Shinichi's father had written. Anyway, Shu-chan was forced to dress up as the leading girl to the play. Shinichi was the leading male and I had the third best part. Shu-chan cried about having to wear a dress." Ran said grinning at the past memory.
"Telling them some old stories about me?"
All of them turned to see Shuichi grinning with the four kids. Ran blushed at being caught. The others stared at him in surprise.
"Shu-chan! I was just telling some good memories." Ran said embarrassed. Shuichi just gave a grin. He looked around the hall they were in.
"Ah.good memories. Makes me wish I could live them again. I use to remember about running down a hallway just like this when I was a kid. I never got caught running." Shuichi mused softly. Yuki glared at this sudden insightful side of Shuichi. "I also remember that I worshipped Ryuichi as a kid. How about you, Neko-san?"
Mei blinked at the questioned before she gave a smile. She giggled a bit.
"Don't tell, but Jonathan Mills is my model! I love the way he acts!" Mei said blushing. Yuki frowned as he thought he saw Shuichi's eyes flash. However Shuichi merely smiled.
"I know exactly how you feel. Ne, Yuki, didn't you said that you thought that Hino-san's writing was cool?" Shuichi asked innocently. Yuki glared at him.
"I never said anything. My sempai thought highly of him." Yuki said coldly. This time he noticed the violet eyes widen a bit. Then Shuichi gave a sweet smile. He then turned back to Ran.
"Anyway, Ran, sorry to bother you. Come on kids! Uncle Shuichi is going to treat you kids for some ice cream!"
"Demo, Shu-chan, kitchens are off limits." Conan said smirking. Shuichi laughed and usher the kids away.
"The only kitchen that is off limits to me kid is Yuki's! Anyone else's is free game!"
*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~
At dinner, Yuki was relived to find out that he was sitting next to Shuichi. All freaking day, Shuichi was separated from him. Yuki was one man who did not like to share anything, that includes Shindo Shuichi. Everyone was chatting happily over various subjects while eating the artistic food. However the conversation soon came to the case that was their main reason in their stay.
"So, Hattori-san, Mouri-san, have you any clues or leads?" Magami asked staring at them. Hattori gave a smile.
"It's sort of early for this." Heiji said smiling. Magami smiled back. Shuichi gave a grin.
"Maybe it's because you don't have all the information." Shuichi commented as he sipped his wine. Everyone turned to look at the pink hair male. Magami raised an eyebrow at this.
"What makes you say that Shindo-san?"
"Are you sure that all of the people who are part of the case are here?" Shuichi asked as he stared at Magami with his violet eyes. Magami looked at Shuichi before he chuckled. He then shook his head.
"So it is true.you are brilliant just like the rumors had it, or should I say those old police files said?" Magami said slyly. Yuki frowned as Shuichi's eye glitter just a tad bit.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hiro asked frowning. However the two ignored everyone else.
Conan frowned as he saw how his cousin was acting. He was getting into it, like an addiction. However, he had to know the truth on why his cousin had given everything up.
"Wow, I had no idea that I was that popular! Besides those old police files were stolen. No one knew how they disappeared; I do believe that it is a crime to steal police files, no matter how old they are." Shuichi said sweetly. Then his eyes turned dark.
"Shindo-san, what the hell is going on?" Touma asked frowning as he watched Yuki. Shuichi gave a grin and stood up. He held out his glass of wine as a toast. He looked at Magami straight in the eye.
"Let's all give a toast to the Reaper, for he has come to take away the souls of those who have sinned and wish for nothing except for their deaths." Shuichi said smiling before he threw his glass to the ground. "Isn't that what the note said, Magami-san?"
Everyone looked at Shuichi with confusion with the exception of Mouri who frowned. Magami's face paled a bit at Shuichi's words. He gripped his wine glass so tight that everyone could see that he was trembling. Conan frowned as he thought for awhile and then his eyes widen in shock as he understood what was going on. However he still could not believe that this was possible.
"Ne, Shuichi-san, what is going on?" Mei asked with worry in her eyes. Shuichi turned to face her and gave her a sad smile.
"Gomene. Everyone, those who are here in this mansion, everyone with the exception of the detectives is a target. If I'm correct, all phone lines are dead and this mansion has become a dead zone for cell phones. All of the transports are destroyed and the only way for the police to come is when the Reaper decides to make the phone call." Shuichi said softly as he saw back down. Everyone was silent for a while.
"You're joking right? You're just a pink hair fluff! Just what the hell are you trying to accomplish by saying that?" Hino snapped as he stood up. He glared at Shuichi who looked at him with a sad look. Yuki stared at Shuichi as if he had grown two heads.
"I never thought those old rumors were true." Mouri muttered as he stared at Shuichi. Ran looked at her father with confusion.
"What do you mean? What rumors?" Ran asked worried. Heiji looked at Conan who had that look on his face that screamed out 'I know everything."
"When I was still an officer, I heard rumors that several cases were being solved by a child. One of the cases was a serial murderer who called himself the Reaper."
"I heard about that in the news!" Heiji muttered. Mouri frowned at him before he continued explaining to everyone.
"Somehow the Reaper found that a child was foiling with this murders. He issued a challenge to the child. Being stupid, the kid took and won. However, the Reaper was never caught. It's been eleven years since he had killed. At the same time, the rumors of the case fell dead and several of the police files were gone."
"Looks like Magami-san has a lot of explaining to do." Shuichi said as he turned to Magami who was silent during the entire time. "You were hoping that Shinichi would come to save you. The fact that Hattori and Mouri are here is to ensure that. However, you must have heard something about me. The Reaper is setting you as the target. He must have given you a note that contains everything for you to do in order to stay alive. One of the requests is a list of people to come here in your mansion; however something tells me that list means nothing to him. What he really wants is the person who foiled him eleven years ago. He gave you the stolen files and asked you to find the person, no matter what."
Magami began to laugh a bit and shook his head. He smirked at Shuichi.
"You almost had it, Shindo-san. There is a flaw in your theory. I didn't have to look you up. I had no idea that you were invited; the only other detective that I invited was Kudo Shinichi. I don't know what makes you think that I invited you, but trust me, you were not on the list." Magami said smiling. However this did not put Shuichi.
"Then the name Marmalade means nothing to you?" Shuichi smiled at the shock expression on his face. "Don't' be surprise; it was a nickname that Reaper gave me."
Everyone gasped as they realized just what was going on. Shuichi sighed and gave a grin.
"Looks like I need to introduce myself again. I am Shindo Shuichi, the first child detective that worked with the police. Also, the lead singer of Bad Luck!" Shuichi said as he did a peace sign. Yuki stared at him and shook his head.
"Baka."
*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*
"You knew about him, didn't you?" Heiji asked as he and Conan were playing chess just before they go to bed. Conan gave a nod at that.
"Of course, he's my cousin. Besides, I figured it was about time to ask him for his help. Also, there is the fact that it has been awhile since he was on a case." Conan said quietly. Heiji frowned at him.
"Aren't you afraid that he'll get worked up on this?"
"Yes, but I have to know." Conan said. Heiji frowned.
"Know what?"
"Why he stopped being a detective. I just have to know." Conan said as he check mate Heiji. His older friend sighed and shook his head.
"Hey, Kudo, don't you think it's better not to find out? From what Ran tells me, it's probably better not to figure him out. She says even you have trouble trying to figure him out."
Conan was silent for a while before he jumped off the chair he was sitting on. He walked over to his bed before he turned.
"The day Shuichi stopped was the day I truly wanted to become a detective. It wasn't competition or pride. It was to find out the truth. His mystery told me that all if matters is the truth; that there is only one truth. I want to find out why he gave up." Conan said. Heiji sighed and shook his head.
"Maybe it's because you are better then he is."
Conan was silent for a while. Then he shook his head.
"No.I can never be better than Shuichi. I can't be."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I don't get it, since when were you a detective?" Hiro demanded. The three Bad Luck members had gotten a room to share. The others were going to be sleeping in a different room. Shuichi just hoped that Yuki would not be so grumpy in the morning. It was true that he had neglected the blond writer, but it was kind of fun for all three to hang together.
"When I was about eight or so. It really wasn't anything special to me." Shuichi said blushing. Sugeru studied the singer carefully. He was beginning to see what Ran was talking about. However, it seems now Shuichi is more embarrassed at the fact that he was a detective.
"Nothing special? You could have gone to college if you wanted." Hiro said shaking his head. Shuichi giggled and nodded.
"Ah, Hiro, if I wanted to. I didn't want to go to college. I wanted to have a band. Don't tell me you still want to be a doctor?" Shuichi teased. Hiro chuckled at that.
"No. I still like being in a band. So who is this Reaper guy?" Hiro asked. Shuichi frowned and sighed.
"Someone I don't like. I don't want to get into the details of it."
"How about giving us a summary on why." Sugeru said as he sipped some soda that they taken from the kitchen. He briefly wondered if any of the food was poisoned.
"Well, let's say that the Reaper likes to play games. He gives the police a clue or a riddle, after a certain amount of time he kills the target. At first the time limit was about a week or two. However, the police couldn't solve the clues in time so the limit grew shorter." Shuichi said shrugging.
"But you managed to figure out the riddles and clues." Sugeru pointed out. Shuichi winced a bit.
"Yeah, I did. I was fooling around really. At first no one believed me until the person was killed. After I figured out the second one, the Reaper figured out that I was solving the crimes."
"How?"
Shuichi stayed silent for a while. Then he was about to speak when a scream pierce the silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ For a disclaimer look at chapter one. Please review.
Yuki frowned as he tuned out the teens chatter on the music world and just about anything else in general. He was more worried about the pink fluff, not that he would admit it. Usually the pink hair singer would spend as much time as possible with him. Now, it seems like he was pushing him away. Not only that, but Shuichi seemed more distant during the time when he received that invitation. Almost as if he was changed into a different person at times. Yuki did not like change. If anything, he wanted the change with Shuichi in his life as the very last one. Now he had to deal with this.
"Ne, Mori-san, how do you know Shindo-san?" Sugeru asked politely as possible. Everyone turned to the girl at that question. It was the question that was plaguing their minds through out the entire time they had reached the mansion. Ran gave a smile and a silly grin on her face.
"Please, call me Ran! Shu-chan and I met when I was six. He was about seven at that time. He and Shinichi were always together whenever Shu-chan got to visit. He had gotten Shinichi that being a detective was better than writing about one. Anyway, Shu-chan was always so smart. He could solve mind puzzles as if he were breathing. Shinichi can do the same as well. You can say they were practically alike. Shinichi even told me once that Shu-chan used to be a detective. I couldn't believe it, because Shu- chan always spent time with us. I always wondered where he had the time to solve murders and robberies." Ran said as she shook her head. However, everyone else paused at this.
"Smart? That can't be possible. He always had the lowest grade in school!" Hiro said frowning. Ran gave a laugh at that.
"Shu-chan was always weird like that. He often said that he had no need to prove to anyone. He says he only does enough to pass. He never wanted to go to college anyway. I think that's way his parents are so angry at him. The fact that he was wasting his brain on nothing but music really upset them. He doesn't show off his knowledge like Shinichi does. He mostly keeps that part to himself." Ran explained as she giggled.
Yuki frowned as he processed this in his mind. What was going on? Touma gave a smile at Ran as he began to think as well. Shindo Shuichi seemed more complex then he thought. Touma did not like the fact that he did not know this. This side of Shuichi could be dangerous to Eiri.
K looked like the only one who was calm about this. Then he gave a big dangerous smile and laughed as he slapped Sakano on the back.
"You know plenty about Shuichi's childhood Ran!" K said grinning. Ran gave a nod at that.
"Well, all three of us were playmates. Even thought Shu-chan was a year older then us, he never cared. There are times where he could be an idiot, but if you think about and just watch, Shuichi is quite scary in his own way. It's almost if he knew what was going to happen. Just like the time." Ran trialed off as her eyes wondered off into a scene that only she could see.
"What do you mean, Ran-san?" Sugeru asked eagerly. He was now interested in his lead singer's mind. It was interesting that Shuichi could have a serious side to him. He wanted to know just how faces did Shindo Shuichi have. Heiji and Kazuha looked at Ran in concern. She gave the two of them a shaky smile. Then she turned to the others.
"I guess you guys don't know much about Shuichi if you're asking all of these questions. Shuichi told me once not to blame my dad for my parents' separation. Well, at least not for the wrong reason. I didn't understand it until recently. Even Shinichi knew this. Demo, he told me once that he was worried about Shu-chan." Ran said softly. Yuki's ears pricked at this.
"Why?"
Ran blinked as she turned to face the blond writer who was glaring at her with his golden eyes. She gave a brief smile at him.
"You care for him? Don't worry, I've read all the magazines and seen the news. Shinichi told me once that he feels that Shu-chan could be carried away in anything he does. Now that I think about it, it's true. Trying to figure out how people think and how they act were the things that Shu-chan cared for. Shinichi told me once that Shu-chan was probably the world's greatest puzzle." Ran commented. Yuki frowned at that.
"What do you mean?" Hiro asked with concern. Ran gave a Hiro a sad smile.
"It's hard to know what Shu-chan is thinking. Even Shinichi had a hard time figuring it out. There are times where Shinichi can guess what Shu- chan is thinking, but there are other times when Shu-chan surprised everyone. Like the idea of becoming a pop singer. He loved music, but he was shy of the attention. I guess he must have built up some resistance." Ran mused. Hiro's eyes bugged at that. Ran giggled as she saw their expressions.
"You should have been there when the three of us were forced to do a community play that Shinichi's father had written. Anyway, Shu-chan was forced to dress up as the leading girl to the play. Shinichi was the leading male and I had the third best part. Shu-chan cried about having to wear a dress." Ran said grinning at the past memory.
"Telling them some old stories about me?"
All of them turned to see Shuichi grinning with the four kids. Ran blushed at being caught. The others stared at him in surprise.
"Shu-chan! I was just telling some good memories." Ran said embarrassed. Shuichi just gave a grin. He looked around the hall they were in.
"Ah.good memories. Makes me wish I could live them again. I use to remember about running down a hallway just like this when I was a kid. I never got caught running." Shuichi mused softly. Yuki glared at this sudden insightful side of Shuichi. "I also remember that I worshipped Ryuichi as a kid. How about you, Neko-san?"
Mei blinked at the questioned before she gave a smile. She giggled a bit.
"Don't tell, but Jonathan Mills is my model! I love the way he acts!" Mei said blushing. Yuki frowned as he thought he saw Shuichi's eyes flash. However Shuichi merely smiled.
"I know exactly how you feel. Ne, Yuki, didn't you said that you thought that Hino-san's writing was cool?" Shuichi asked innocently. Yuki glared at him.
"I never said anything. My sempai thought highly of him." Yuki said coldly. This time he noticed the violet eyes widen a bit. Then Shuichi gave a sweet smile. He then turned back to Ran.
"Anyway, Ran, sorry to bother you. Come on kids! Uncle Shuichi is going to treat you kids for some ice cream!"
"Demo, Shu-chan, kitchens are off limits." Conan said smirking. Shuichi laughed and usher the kids away.
"The only kitchen that is off limits to me kid is Yuki's! Anyone else's is free game!"
*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~
At dinner, Yuki was relived to find out that he was sitting next to Shuichi. All freaking day, Shuichi was separated from him. Yuki was one man who did not like to share anything, that includes Shindo Shuichi. Everyone was chatting happily over various subjects while eating the artistic food. However the conversation soon came to the case that was their main reason in their stay.
"So, Hattori-san, Mouri-san, have you any clues or leads?" Magami asked staring at them. Hattori gave a smile.
"It's sort of early for this." Heiji said smiling. Magami smiled back. Shuichi gave a grin.
"Maybe it's because you don't have all the information." Shuichi commented as he sipped his wine. Everyone turned to look at the pink hair male. Magami raised an eyebrow at this.
"What makes you say that Shindo-san?"
"Are you sure that all of the people who are part of the case are here?" Shuichi asked as he stared at Magami with his violet eyes. Magami looked at Shuichi before he chuckled. He then shook his head.
"So it is true.you are brilliant just like the rumors had it, or should I say those old police files said?" Magami said slyly. Yuki frowned as Shuichi's eye glitter just a tad bit.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hiro asked frowning. However the two ignored everyone else.
Conan frowned as he saw how his cousin was acting. He was getting into it, like an addiction. However, he had to know the truth on why his cousin had given everything up.
"Wow, I had no idea that I was that popular! Besides those old police files were stolen. No one knew how they disappeared; I do believe that it is a crime to steal police files, no matter how old they are." Shuichi said sweetly. Then his eyes turned dark.
"Shindo-san, what the hell is going on?" Touma asked frowning as he watched Yuki. Shuichi gave a grin and stood up. He held out his glass of wine as a toast. He looked at Magami straight in the eye.
"Let's all give a toast to the Reaper, for he has come to take away the souls of those who have sinned and wish for nothing except for their deaths." Shuichi said smiling before he threw his glass to the ground. "Isn't that what the note said, Magami-san?"
Everyone looked at Shuichi with confusion with the exception of Mouri who frowned. Magami's face paled a bit at Shuichi's words. He gripped his wine glass so tight that everyone could see that he was trembling. Conan frowned as he thought for awhile and then his eyes widen in shock as he understood what was going on. However he still could not believe that this was possible.
"Ne, Shuichi-san, what is going on?" Mei asked with worry in her eyes. Shuichi turned to face her and gave her a sad smile.
"Gomene. Everyone, those who are here in this mansion, everyone with the exception of the detectives is a target. If I'm correct, all phone lines are dead and this mansion has become a dead zone for cell phones. All of the transports are destroyed and the only way for the police to come is when the Reaper decides to make the phone call." Shuichi said softly as he saw back down. Everyone was silent for a while.
"You're joking right? You're just a pink hair fluff! Just what the hell are you trying to accomplish by saying that?" Hino snapped as he stood up. He glared at Shuichi who looked at him with a sad look. Yuki stared at Shuichi as if he had grown two heads.
"I never thought those old rumors were true." Mouri muttered as he stared at Shuichi. Ran looked at her father with confusion.
"What do you mean? What rumors?" Ran asked worried. Heiji looked at Conan who had that look on his face that screamed out 'I know everything."
"When I was still an officer, I heard rumors that several cases were being solved by a child. One of the cases was a serial murderer who called himself the Reaper."
"I heard about that in the news!" Heiji muttered. Mouri frowned at him before he continued explaining to everyone.
"Somehow the Reaper found that a child was foiling with this murders. He issued a challenge to the child. Being stupid, the kid took and won. However, the Reaper was never caught. It's been eleven years since he had killed. At the same time, the rumors of the case fell dead and several of the police files were gone."
"Looks like Magami-san has a lot of explaining to do." Shuichi said as he turned to Magami who was silent during the entire time. "You were hoping that Shinichi would come to save you. The fact that Hattori and Mouri are here is to ensure that. However, you must have heard something about me. The Reaper is setting you as the target. He must have given you a note that contains everything for you to do in order to stay alive. One of the requests is a list of people to come here in your mansion; however something tells me that list means nothing to him. What he really wants is the person who foiled him eleven years ago. He gave you the stolen files and asked you to find the person, no matter what."
Magami began to laugh a bit and shook his head. He smirked at Shuichi.
"You almost had it, Shindo-san. There is a flaw in your theory. I didn't have to look you up. I had no idea that you were invited; the only other detective that I invited was Kudo Shinichi. I don't know what makes you think that I invited you, but trust me, you were not on the list." Magami said smiling. However this did not put Shuichi.
"Then the name Marmalade means nothing to you?" Shuichi smiled at the shock expression on his face. "Don't' be surprise; it was a nickname that Reaper gave me."
Everyone gasped as they realized just what was going on. Shuichi sighed and gave a grin.
"Looks like I need to introduce myself again. I am Shindo Shuichi, the first child detective that worked with the police. Also, the lead singer of Bad Luck!" Shuichi said as he did a peace sign. Yuki stared at him and shook his head.
"Baka."
*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*
"You knew about him, didn't you?" Heiji asked as he and Conan were playing chess just before they go to bed. Conan gave a nod at that.
"Of course, he's my cousin. Besides, I figured it was about time to ask him for his help. Also, there is the fact that it has been awhile since he was on a case." Conan said quietly. Heiji frowned at him.
"Aren't you afraid that he'll get worked up on this?"
"Yes, but I have to know." Conan said. Heiji frowned.
"Know what?"
"Why he stopped being a detective. I just have to know." Conan said as he check mate Heiji. His older friend sighed and shook his head.
"Hey, Kudo, don't you think it's better not to find out? From what Ran tells me, it's probably better not to figure him out. She says even you have trouble trying to figure him out."
Conan was silent for a while before he jumped off the chair he was sitting on. He walked over to his bed before he turned.
"The day Shuichi stopped was the day I truly wanted to become a detective. It wasn't competition or pride. It was to find out the truth. His mystery told me that all if matters is the truth; that there is only one truth. I want to find out why he gave up." Conan said. Heiji sighed and shook his head.
"Maybe it's because you are better then he is."
Conan was silent for a while. Then he shook his head.
"No.I can never be better than Shuichi. I can't be."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I don't get it, since when were you a detective?" Hiro demanded. The three Bad Luck members had gotten a room to share. The others were going to be sleeping in a different room. Shuichi just hoped that Yuki would not be so grumpy in the morning. It was true that he had neglected the blond writer, but it was kind of fun for all three to hang together.
"When I was about eight or so. It really wasn't anything special to me." Shuichi said blushing. Sugeru studied the singer carefully. He was beginning to see what Ran was talking about. However, it seems now Shuichi is more embarrassed at the fact that he was a detective.
"Nothing special? You could have gone to college if you wanted." Hiro said shaking his head. Shuichi giggled and nodded.
"Ah, Hiro, if I wanted to. I didn't want to go to college. I wanted to have a band. Don't tell me you still want to be a doctor?" Shuichi teased. Hiro chuckled at that.
"No. I still like being in a band. So who is this Reaper guy?" Hiro asked. Shuichi frowned and sighed.
"Someone I don't like. I don't want to get into the details of it."
"How about giving us a summary on why." Sugeru said as he sipped some soda that they taken from the kitchen. He briefly wondered if any of the food was poisoned.
"Well, let's say that the Reaper likes to play games. He gives the police a clue or a riddle, after a certain amount of time he kills the target. At first the time limit was about a week or two. However, the police couldn't solve the clues in time so the limit grew shorter." Shuichi said shrugging.
"But you managed to figure out the riddles and clues." Sugeru pointed out. Shuichi winced a bit.
"Yeah, I did. I was fooling around really. At first no one believed me until the person was killed. After I figured out the second one, the Reaper figured out that I was solving the crimes."
"How?"
Shuichi stayed silent for a while. Then he was about to speak when a scream pierce the silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ For a disclaimer look at chapter one. Please review.