She honestly couldn't tell if the weather or her mood was gloomier. Rainy days reminded her of the gloomy person she really was; spending so much time with the Detective Boys made her forget her past just momentarily, before the world reminded her that it was too good to be true.
It had been a few hours since school ended, and all her friends had left already. She stayed behind for a bit, wanting to finish up reading in the library before she headed home. But now that she was ready to walk home, the drizzle she saw before she left the library building had turned into a medium shower, and walking home would leave her absolutely drenched and at risk of catching a cold.
She stood in front of the elementary school building and stared at the rain that didn't seem to end, lost in thought as she waited it out. From time to time, she'd look at her current life and bite back a laugh; how ironic was it, a cold-blooded scientist stuck in a child's body, living out a childhood she never had in her first life? This new life of "Ai Haibara" existed purely by luck; she would be in her grave six feet under for a while now if fate didn't pull some strings.
She didn't expect to live, but once she did, she found herself getting way too attached to what Ai Haibara brought her. This school, her friends, the professor who was the parent she didn't have, that idiot of a detective… They'd fade away from her eventually, once she had to face the Organization, so maybe it'd be better if she kept to herself.
Her thoughts were cut off by an umbrella being held out in front of her. She turned around to see the familiar face of Conan Edogawa, looking away as her gaze met his.
"What's this?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes. "It's raining, dumbass. Take this umbrella and go home; I'm sure the professor is worried."
"Then what about you? Did you happen to bring two?"
"Nah," he said, shrugging. "I'll be fine."
"This is your umbrella," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you giving it to me instead of using it yourself?"
"I'll run home. You're gonna catch a cold if you walk home in this rain."
Ai folded her arms across her chest as she stared at him. "You know, you do this really often."
"And you're referring to?"
"Acting like a hero," she said, furrowing her brows. "Pretending like you can protect everyone, even if it means sacrificing yourself."
"I'm a detective, Haibara," he said matter-of-factly. "I am driven by my sense of justice. Why wouldn't I want to be a hero for society and save everyone?"
"Kudo-kun, I am neither a delicate angel nor a damsel in distress. You don't have to keep me under your wing; I'll be fine on my own."
"But I care about you," he said, with a look of genuine confusion on his face. "I gave you a promise of protecting you, and I plan on keeping that promise, no matter how insignificant the matter may be. Is it so strange that I want you to be safe?"
She didn't understand him. She never stood on the side of justice, and selfishness seemed to be a survival tactic; even back then, she knew that as a fact. She resided in the shadows, and it was the only place she belonged — but he pulled her into the light. Never had she ever encountered someone who was so driven by righteousness, by doing good in the world, by protecting others. It bothered her, and she didn't know if he was too naive or if she was just too cynical.
"Why are you always so adamant about being the hero? Do you have some superhero complex?"
"Isn't it a normal thing?" He raised an eyebrow. "Wanting to protect those you hold close to your heart, that is."
"You seem to believe that you can save everyone," she said. "Even me."
"What, are you worried? Trust me, Haibara, I'll protect you, no matter what. I promise you. I'll see you tomorrow."
He ran off into the rain without giving her a chance to respond, and Ai stared into the distance in the direction he left. Sighing, she murmured to herself before stepping out into the rain, sheltered by his umbrella:
"Will you really be able to protect me, until the very end?"