Disclaimer : Hhhh ... If I own Detective Conan, Kazuha doesn't need to wait this long until Heiji confesses his love for her (T-T)

Apologize for any grammatical errors

"I think ..."

Heiji's eyes stared straight into Kazuha's eyes.

"I think, I've fallen for you!".

A minute ...

Two minutes ...

Okay, Heiji thinks it's natural for anyone, whether male or female, when they hear someone declare love for them, they'll then be silent, clumsy, awkward or embarrassed. But, it shouldn't be this long.

She's already staring at him with a look ...

Heiji didn't know how to interpret her eyes.

Not surprised, moreover embarrassed nor happy. But she was ... sad?

DEG!

Heiji became offended.

Is it so bad to be loved by him? This hurt Heiji's heart! In fact, this is really the first time there's a girl who is able to fascinate him. Kazuha was completely different from other girls who had worshiped him. She didn't even seem to care about him, yet she also defended him, like she had just done in front of his father before, and that made him 'crazy'!

Therefore, when he saw her begin to open her mouth to answer, refusing to hear the rejection, Heiji hurriedly preceded to answer "Hahaha ... I'm just kidding! Who likes you, anyway? You should see your own reaction, your face looks so funny!". He started wearing his mask, pretending he didn't care.

However, it can't be denied, Heiji was quite surprised and also a little happy when he saw a hint of shock and then annoyance on Kazuha's face when she heard that Heiji was just faking it when he declared his love earlier.

Of course Kazuha was shocked and annoyed. She didn't know there were people who were so naughty like Heiji!

What she meant was, she had spent most of her age loving Kenshin, and she knew she wasn't joking about it, even though she was still so young and even sadder, it's only one-sided love.

But, this Heiji, he instead easily said that he was only joking, a few minutes after declaring love?

Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk ... Such a pathetic prince!

However, choosing to remain calm and not be provoked, Kazuha replied casually "Is that so? Good for you then, because I ..."

Luckily, she stopped talking on time.

But, the unfortunate thing is, Heiji bombarded her with questions.

"Why? Why is it good for me if I'm just kidding? What if it's true? Is it wrong if ... I like you?".

Kazuha sweat-dropped. Seeing his reaction, she became doubtful whether Heiji actually liked her or not.

But clearly, indeed Heiji can't fall in love with her!

Kazuha glanced at Heiji. Well, she admitted that he's indeed handsome and he's a prince! And although he most likely will not ascend to the throne to become The Emperor of Japan, still, one day he will become The Prince of Kansai. In short, he's the heir, the crown prince in Kansai Empire.

After all, he's the future for his people in the Kansai region, it is unfair if she takes it away! It's better if he marries another girl. He can live happily with her and with their descendants.

Kazuha took a deep breath.

Yes, it's better that way. There's no future with her, including with Kenshin or with any man, so she has to give up! Stop dreaming that one day she will get married and will find happiness with the man she loves!

Maybe she's not destined to be happy ...

"Why is your face so dark now? And why aren't you answering me? Is it so bad if, I repeat, if I fall in love with you?".

Maybe Heiji wasn't aware, but Kazuha noticed, this time Heiji didn't just say that he liked her, but loved her. Well, although not directly.

But of course, Heiji can't know why and what is the real reason.

Come on, think Kazuha!

Give a reasonable answer that makes him give up!

"Ah ... Well, that's because ..." Kazuha shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not easily conquered. You will definitely get bored with me, ehehehe ..."

Hearing Kazuha's answer, Heiji did not deny that he was surprised.

What? So, that is the reason?

While watching the girl who was now tidying the ointment bottle she used to treat the bruise on his cheek, Heiji smiled.

Not smirking, but he really smiled.

"Then you are wrong, Kazuha! I'm also a person who doesn't give up easily ..."

Suddenly Kazuha stopped tidying her medicine bottle and turned to look at him with blinking eyes, confused. "Hmm? What did you just say?".

"Eh? Ah ... Ahahahahaha ... It's nothing! I didn't say anything!" He really just meant to say to himself. But unfortunately, apparently he actually said it, unconsciously. Luckily it seemed like he said it quietly, Kazuha didn't even hear him clearly.

"Oh, is that so? Well, okay!".

See? This is what Heiji means. Other girls might urge him to answer in their spoiled and flirty style, especially if they feel that what Heiji's saying is about his love statements, like now.

But this girl ... She remained ignorant and casually resumed doing what she was doing earlier, not even in the slightest interest want to know what Heiji actually mumbled.

"Well then, Heiji, have a good rest! See you tomorrow!" She said, excuse herself when she was finished tidying up the medicine.

Heiji didn't answer and Kazuha didn't wait for an answer.

But after the door was closed, Heiji repeated his words.

"Not easy to conquer, eh? Hmph! Are you kidding me? Just watch, Kazuha! I also won't give up easily either!".

And for matters of being stubborn, Heiji is the champion!

Then, for the rest of the night, Heiji couldn't stop smiling.

"Is that so, Heizo? Heiji protected Kazuha-chan desperately in front of you? He even dared to risk his life when you were furious at that time! Aww, our son is really sweet!".

Heizo Hattori sweat-dropped seeing his wife's dreamy gaze. Besides that, he didn't know whether he should be upset or frowned when he heard Shizuka say that their son had risked his life while protecting his love-interest.

Man! Does his wife think, he's a monster who will kill his own child?

And even though he also agreed if his son would end up with Kazuha someday in the future, on the other hand, it was a lie if Heizo said that he also objected if the two of them married, because he knew Kazuha's destiny was ...

Heizo turned to a white envelope on the table he had just received.

Actually it was intended for Kazuha, however, the princess's father gave him permission to open all the letters addressed to his daughter, in order to protect her.

Inside the envelope, there's only a thick piece of paper, thick as a postcard. Black ribbons were glued around the plain white paper, like a frame of death.

Inside those black ribbon-framed paper, written in red ink like the color of blood, a short message, but more like a warning.

"Welcome to Japan, Dear Princess.

Enjoy your time while you can!".