Kon'nichi wa minna-san! I'm sorry, it's been a week, I know…gomen-nasai!
By the way, I thought that it would be fun to add some…fun…into these little comments. Okay, so the title of my story is "The Mysterious Truth", right? Can anyone guess how I came up with this? If you think you have an answer, you may email me directly at the email on my profile. The first three people to get it right will receive a wallpaper, featuring Detective Conan!
Okay, so that's the little "fun contest" that we're doing, 'k? Please respond! Okay, now go enjoy Part III of the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan. © Gosho Aoyama
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Part III ~ FeelingsIt was Ran.
"R-Ran?" Conan gasped. "But--how?"
He was truly stunned. A single thought flooded his mind. She knew.
Ran laughed, a cold laugh that made Conan shiver. "Come on, Conan-kun--no, Shinichi, did you really think that your silly little tricks can fool me?"
"Please, let me explain…"
"I don't want to hear it," she cut him off.
Conan looked down, saddened. "Of course. I know that you're angry with me for keeping this a secret, but…"
Ran smiled. "Hey, save it for the real chick, man," she said.
"Huh?" Conan was confused. "Wh-what are you talking about?"
The girl burst out laughing. "Oh, that was great!" a flash of light, and there stood--
"KAITO KID!" Conan and Heiji shouted at the same time. A/N: I know I kinda forgot about Heiji-kun at the beginning…let's just say that he was recovering from shock, 'k?
It was definitely the phantom thief. The white suit, the cape, the monocle…he even managed to get his top hat on. He was leaning against the trunk of a tree, looking at the detectives with a smug smile on his face.
"Yeah, it's me," Kid said. "Wait," he said to Conan, who was about to stun him. "I have something important to tell you…about this Black Organization of yours."
"B-Black Organization? How did you know--" Conan began.
"Never mind all that for now. Just trust me, for once, okay?" Kaito Kid looked dead serious.
Conan and Heiji looked at each other. "Okay," Heiji said. "But we can't very well talk in the broad daylight, can we? I mean…there is a police department right over there, isn't there, Kudo?"
"Yeah, I've thought about that," replied Kid. "Listen, we'll meet tonight, under the city bridge, at eleven o'clock sharp, okay?"
They nodded. Kid took off around the corner and disappeared. The two detectives stared after him.
"Well…at least it's better than a Black Organization guy," Heiji finally said.
Conan smiled. "Yeah…or Ran! I was really, really scared when I saw her," he admitted. "I was afraid that she might beat me up or something," he chuckled.
Heiji eyed him slyly. "You love her, don't you?"
"B-baka!" Conan stammered, turning a deep shade of scarlet. "Of course not! She's just really kowai, that's all!" A/N: kowai means scary Seeing that Heiji still had a mischievous look on his face, Conan quickly changed the subject. "What do you reckon that Kaito Kid knows, anyway?"
That question made Heiji think. "I really don't know. What I can't figure out is, how in the world did he figure out that we're watching for the organization."
"That's what I wonder too," Conan said. "The way he said their name…it was with such a deep hatred. He is definitely not one of them, at least, thank goodness. You know…I think that inside his heart, Kid is a good person. Remember that case I told you about with the magicians' meeting in the mountain cabin? He was there--and he was genuinely trying to stop the murder from happening. It's like…if we weren't rivals, I think we would be friends, y'know?"
Heiji nodded. "I feel the same way, actually."
They continued their way home.
~ * ~ * ~
"Wow, we got such a great deal on these sweaters!" Ran exclaimed.
"And the skirts and jeans, too!" Kazuha replied with the same enthusiasm.
The two girls shopped for three entire hours and emerged from the store with huge shopping bags filled with all sorts of clothing. They dashed to the bus stop, where a bus was just pulling up.
"I wonder if Edogawa-kun and Heiji are home yet," Kazuha said after they've settled into their seats.
"Probably. How long does it take to eat breakfast?" Ran replied. "Hey, Kazuha-chan, I've been meaning to ask you…how are things with you and Hattori-kun?"
"Oh, just the same, I suppose. We get SO angry at each other sometimes, but a little while later, everything's okay again. I just wish that we didn't argue so much," Kazuha had a sad look on her face.
"Yeah…Kazuha-chan, what would you do if you were in my situation? If…if Hattori-kun was…you know."
Kazuha pondered this for a moment.
"I don't know, Ran-chan. I can imagine your grief. But, no matter what, I would have confidence in the one I love. I believe that Kudo has his reasons for not telling you the truth. He may be protecting you--who knows?
"You know, Ran-chan, you're so brave," Kazuha continued. "You're so calm and happy in such a chaotic situation--at least you always seem happy. I think it's because you put trust in Kudo, and…I think that trust calms you." Kazuha smiled at her friend.
Ran smiled back. "Arigatou, Kazuha-chan."
~ * ~ * ~
Eleven o'clock under the city bridge, huh, thought Kuroba Kaito as he plopped down on the sofa. Guess I'll be busy tonight.
Ring, ring.
He picked up the receiver. "Moshi moshi."
"Hey, it's me."
"Oh, what's up?"
"Wanna go somewhere? Otousan is in a bad mood."
"Sure. I'll pick you up in five minutes."
"Thanks. Jaa ne."
"Jaa."
Kaito sighed and hung up. Well, I suppose I don't get to rest. He got up and walked toward the door.
He walked down the familiar way and reached his childhood friend's house in less than three minutes. She was leaning against the door and smiled as he approached.
Silently, the two of them walked down the street to the nearby café. They ordered some hot coffee and took a seat.
"So, what's up with your father now?" Kaito asked.
Aoko sighed. "He's angry because of Kaito Kid, of course." Her eyes flashed. "Ugh, how I HATE that stupid thief!"
"Aoko…"
"What?"
"What would you do if…" he asked, a playful grin on his face, "if I was Kaito Kid?" His heart beat anxiously, waiting for an answer.
She gave him a strange look. "You? Kaito Kid? Oh, dream on, Kaito!" she pondered for a while. "I think I would beat you."
They both laughed, but Kaito's was hollow, empty.
"Well, why is your father so keen on catching Kid anyway?"
"I don't know," Aoko replied with a frown. "I guess it's because he has to be the best, you know? He wants to show the world that he alone is capable of catching a famous thief. But…it's causing so much tension within the family. I just want him to catch Kid, so that we could all be happy and peaceful again…"
A wave of sadness passed Kaito's eyes. Gomen, Aoko… "Hey, Aoko, don't stress out over it, okay? I'm sure that everything will be okay. Trust me."
"Thanks."
They smiled warmly at each other.
~ * ~ * ~
"Ran-neechan, I'm home," Conan said.
"Kon'nichi wa, Conan-kun!" Ran smiled warmly at him. "Did you guys have fun?"
"Yeah!" he exclaimed. "We had SO much fun! Heiji-kun and I went for a walk after breakfast!"
"Sounds great!" Ran replied. "By the way, Kazuha-chan was looking for you, Hattori-kun."
"Oh, okay," Heiji left the room.
"Well, Conan-kun, do you want to help me make lunch?" Ran asked.
"Sure!" Conan replied. Maybe I can finally spend some quality time with Ran, he thought happily.
They went to the kitchen together. Ran chopped some vegetables as Conan beat eggs.
"Conan-kun…" Ran started. Then she shook her head. "Never mind."
"Huh? Okay…"
"Shinichi called me today," Ran said casually.
"Oh, okay…what? That's impossible!" Conan exclaimed.
"Why?" she turned to face him.
"Because--because…" Conan faltered.
"Why is it that you know every single thing about Shinichi?" Ran's eyes filled with tears. "Tell me, Conan-kun…how?"
"W-What are you talking about, Ran-neechan?" Conan tried to play innocent.
Ran smiled and turned back to preparing the food. "It's all right…you can go now."
Conan looked at her for a long time. Then he walked toward toward the door. "Well, see ya, Ran-neechan."
"Shinichi, I trust you," Ran's voice came through. "And I'll wait for you…okay?"
Conan stopped in his tracks. He looked down, the light reflecting his glasses. A smile of defeat crossed his face, and he turned.
"Ran…it's time…to tell you everything."
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So, did you guys like this chapter? It took me a while to get everybody's feelings straightened out, but I think it turned out okay, ne? I hope you like it!
Don't forget the "contest"! Please respond!
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Some responses:
Kari Ishikawa: Thanks again for reviewing! I'm so glad that you like this story!
KudoEdogawa: Thanks for your suggestion! If I ever write another story, I should do something like that… ^_^ By the way, I really liked your story, The Summer Without You! It was really awesome!