Disclaimer: I don't own DC or any other character in lieu thereof. Suing me will just be a waste of time.


Chapter 5:

There is Only One Truth


She was still laughing five minutes later. "Me?" She gasped in between her laughter. "Get married? Surely, Shinichi, you know me better than that?"
I thought I did. Shinichi gave her the look.

Upon seeing that, Ran immediately tried to curb her laughter. "I'm sorry." She choked out. "I'm sorry. What on earth made you think I was getting married?"

Shinichi reddened. "Well, you, uh, when, uh," Shinichi cleared his throat in an attempt to rationalize his thoughts. Now, if this was a murder case… "Lately, whenever I call, you stopped asking where I was and when I could go home,"

Ran shrugged. "Because you always give me the same answer. And I thought asking you about that only makes you uncomfortable, so I stopped."

"Uh, right," Shinichi mumbled. OK, that actually makes sense. "OK, what about Shinoda Akira and his proposal?" he demanded.

"Akira-kun?" Ran asked. "I admit, he's cute," Ran almost laughed again at the crestfallen look that crossed Shinichi's face. "But he's not my type. And frankly, I'm not his either."

"What?"

"Apparently, Shinichi, your detective skills are getting rusty, probably why it's taking you so long to finish your case." Ran giggled. "Akira- kun's father is an Olympic Karate coach. Akira-kun joined the men's karate club, saw me, and then offered for me to train with him and other delegates in preparation for the coming Olympics. That's his proposal."

"That's the future your dad and he were talking about," Shinichi muttered so that only he can hear. "That's why he said he can make your dreams come true."

"Satisfied?" Ran asked.

"Wait, if he's not proposing marriage, why did he give you a ring?"

"A ring?" Ran frowned. "Oh, the ring," she then turned around and rummaged around her desk. Then, she saw the velvet box she was looking for and tossed it to Shinichi. "How did you know-" she began. Then she sighed. "Never mind. I know the answer, a little bird named Conan told you."
Shinichi easily caught it. He opened the box and stared at what he saw.

"It's a championship ring," Ran explained. "A little something that Akira- kun thought that he could use to convince me with." She sighed. "Remember when

I won my first competition? I told everyone that one day, I would get a championship ring just like that."

Shinichi closed the box and tossed back to Ran. He rubbed his eyes. He could feel a headache coming. "But your father said that Shinoda-kun will be stealing you away. And then your mother's objections. Then, you said that you'll probably live with Shinoda-kun's parents for a while,"

Ran's eyes narrowed, a fact that didn't escape Shinichi. She was probably wondering how he could know so much detail when he was supposedly on the other side of the country working on a case.

"Training would have to mean that I have to leave home and go to China." Ran explained. "That's where Akira-kun's parents are. Akira-kun's here on a temporary basis, because his student visa to China had expired. If I accepted their offer, I would have to continue my education there. That's why my dad felt as if he's stealing me away and why my mom objected." Ran grinned. "Alright, oh, great detective of the East. Other evidences you'd like to throw at me to prove that I'm getting married?"

Suddenly, Shinichi reddened. "The other day," he started. "I-uh-was here."

"You were?" Ran demanded an answer. "Then why didn't I see you? What are you hiding from me?" She crossed her arms. "I'm warning you, if I don't like your answer..." She left the threat hanging, knowing full well that he got the message.

"Eep." Shinichi ducked his head. "Well, it didn't seem like the best time."

"What? Why?"

"You were with Sonoko," he replied. "Talking about.." Shinichi's voice trailed off as his face became even redder.

"What's that? I didn't quite hear the last word you said."

"Undressing," he finished. "In front of a man,"

Ran then turned red. "You heard that?" Then she groaned.

"That's why I didn't think it was the right time to show myself. It seemed like a sensitive topic between women,"

"We're talking about a physical exam." Ran finally replied.

"A physical exam?"

Ran nodded. "I had to undergo one if I want to join the Olympics. And since the school physician is a man..."

"Oh,"

"Shinichi, I'm not getting married." Ran told him. "I'm not old enough for that. Besides, the guy I'm waiting for hasn't even asked me yet. He's busy you know,"

Shinichi's heart warmed at the Ran's hint as he gazed upon her face, made more beautiful by its red tinge.

"I mean, Dr. Araide's swamped with work right now, but I'm willing to wait, no matter how long it takes." Ran added with a sigh.

"What?" Shinichi exploded.

Ran dissolved into fits of laughter. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding," she said.

Shinichi grumbled something incomprehensible. Ran then crossed her room to be closer to her best friend.

"I can't believe you went all the way here just because you thought I was getting married." She shook her head in disbelief. "OK, I promise you that I will not get married without introducing the guy to you first."

"I would rather not have you get married at all," Shinichi grumbled.

"What was that?" Ran asked with a frown.

"Nothing, nothing,"

"Well, hey, since you're here, want to go out for ice cream?" Ran asked. "A new shop opened while you were away and they have the greatest flavors."

It didn't take twice to convince the great detective of the East to say yes...

~TBC