An unfamiliar yet familiar face stared back at her in the mirror. She had been Ai Haibara for so long that the face of Shiho Miyano seemed like a stranger's. But today was the day she had to say her goodbyes to the little girl she had been reborn into, for Shiho Miyano was back.
She considered staying as Ai Haibara, but in the end, she decided against it. Even though she had friends and happiness as a child, Shiho Miyano was a part of her that she could not throw away. After all, she didn't receive much from her parents, save for her name; how could she give up something so precious?
Taking a final look at herself in the mirror, Shiho left the bathroom and walked towards the study. There, she saw him — genius high school detective, the Heisei Holmes, Great Detective of the East: Shinichi Kudo. She had seen him a few times in this form, but from today onwards, she was to forget about Conan Edogawa, because just like Ai Haibara, he no longer existed.
"Hey," he said, grinning. "Nice to meet you, Shiho Miyano."
She rolled her eyes. "Your tie is crooked," she said, as she reached up to fix it for him.
"Thanks. I knew I could count on you, partner."
She sighed as she looked him in the eye. "Don't get too comfortable. I don't want you to get used to his when I'm gone."
Shinichi furrowed his brows. "What do you mean, 'gone?' Where are you going?"
She shrugged. "I have no idea yet, but I'll probably have to figure that out as soon as possible. That's not of your concern; enjoy your life as Shinichi Kudo once again. Don't worry about me."
"What do you mean, 'don't worry about me?'" Shinichi asked, flabbergasted. "You're… going to leave? But… I have so many people to introduce you to. They all need to meet you. I'm sure you'd love my parents! They've been hearing so much about you — you can't just leave me like that!"
"Nobody needs to meet me, Kudo-kun," she said. "I'm just as replaceable as the next person. You'll find a good enough partner in no time to take my place."
"But they're not you," he said, tripping over his words in a hurry. "I need you."
She bit her lip as she stayed silent, pondering his words. Shinichi Kudo was always in the spotlight, and Shiho Miyano belonged in the shadows. Was there any possibility for them to stick together from the start? She never thought he would hold on to her, of all people, after he got his true identity back.
"Come on," he coaxed. "There's a celebration party tonight. You need to come with me and meet everyone. Trust me, I need you here. As my partner."
Shiho could only sigh at his stubbornness. Maybe she'll stay for a little longer, for her ray of sunshine to illuminate the darkness, just a little bit.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away