They all had seen it coming; well all but Shinichi apparently. It wasn't like she was as young as she used to be. She lived a life full of adventure and travel. Honestly, it was a wonder she had held on as long as she had. Despite others seeing her as nothing more than a semi-flaky airhead, he had known she was really a loving and nurturing soul. He had ignored the obvious warning signs of her dwindling health and had just continued to sigh in fond exasperation at her teasing antics. When she had been unable to get up he had gotten a doctor there as soon as possible, but nothing could be done. He stayed with her in her final moments and cried as she tried to tussle his hair but was too weak to follow through with it. He held her as the last of her life left her, and had cried nonstop for days until he had been forced out of her room. Now a week later he stood before a small rose bush, the only member of the Kudo family able to make it to the service. Beside him, Kaito stood solemnly, both dressed in black. While her death had saddened the magician as well it really hit Shinichi hard. After a long moment, Kaito finally broke the silence.
"She was really something, huh Shin-chan?" the slightly taller male asked, side-eyeing the detective with worry. Kaito knew the pain of losing a loved one, and he could tell that his beloved was taking it worse than even he had assumed he would. Shinichi always seemed to be the aloof unfeeling type, but Kaito knew his lover better than that. He had seen just how caring Shinichi could be, how he was nurturing to children, how he would stop to chat with older people and even go out of his way to help them get their chores done. When fans would come up to speak with him he would always treat them with respect and answer all of their questions. Even with people who committed crimes that Shinichi solved he gave them a sort of tough love. He might have exposed their crimes, but at the same time, he gave them a sort of freedom. They got their sins off of their chest and were able to begin the process of repenting. Most would never understand just how deeply Shinichi felt things, but Kaito knew it was more intensely than most. This whole thing was tearing his detective apart mind, heart, and soul. The worst part was it seemed like no matter what he tried nothing he did could help ease Shinichi's grief. Kaito knew his lover appreciated his efforts, but they just didn't seem to be breaching through the ocean of grief the other was drowning in to help him break through past the surface. He himself couldn't really say he handled grief in a healthy way, but he refused to let Shinichi stumble down the same dark path he himself had. After all the detective had his own personal magician of moonlight to help light up the correct route.
"She really was. No one could match her energy when she was performing, and she gave it all up just because of me." The detective said dully. "M-maybe if I hadn-." The Heisei Holmes started but was cut off. Kaito looked at him with serious eyes.
"Hey now, she loved you with all her heart. Way more than she loved performing. You can't blame yourself. She was just old Shin-chan, no murder to solve. She wouldn't want you to be like this." Kaito said as he pulled his boyfriend into a hug, knowing that things were bad as Shinichi hadn't blushed or pulled away from him.
"I know, I just…I miss her so much! We were only really connecting these last few years. It's too soon! Not fair!" Shinichi cried, burying his face in Kaito's neck to hide his tears. Every so often he muttered phrases like 'not fair,' but soon only his sobs were audible. Kaito held him throughout, whispering words of comfort. From the window, two girls watched on in understanding and confusion respectively.
"Ano, what are Shinichi and Kuroba-kun doing out there?" Suzuki Sonoko finally asked as the two watched the detective fall into the magician's side, sobbing in a heart-wrenching way, which even made his frenemy feel for him.
"One of Kaito-kun's doves passed away the other day." Mouri Ran answered as a way of explanation. Of course, that only made Sonoko's confusion grow. She looked between the two boys and her best friend before tilting her head to the side.
"But…Kuroba-kun seems fine, well like a little upset, but mostly because Shinichi is totally breaking down out there. Which honestly I didn't think he would ever cry in front of someone like that. You know he is usually totally closed off with his emotions." The shorter haired girl replied, making a sympathetic noise as Kaito began kind of swaying from side to side while rubbing the other's back. Both girls softened at the sight, Sonoko letting out a coo as she watched the two sort of cuddle.
"There is nothing wrong with seeking solace when someone passes." Ran replied, then added as an afterthought. "Kokoro-chan always stayed with Shinichi when Kaito would go out of town for a show or anything. He grew quite fond of her." Ran responded as if that explained it all, which honestly it did. The two girls fell back into silence as they watched on for a few more minutes. After that time Sonoko began digging around the closet until she found one of Shinichi's black jackets and a black cape that both girls assumed was something Kaito used during his shows. She shot Ran a grin and tossed the jacket at the karate champion before wrapping the cape around her shoulders. Ran caught on quickly and pulled the jacket on with a gentle smile. The two of them walked out the backdoor and made their way over to the boys. Kaito looked up at their approach, and he and Ran exchanged a sad smile. Sonoko made a small distressed sound that caught Shinichi's attention. His head shot up and the girls caught their first glimpse at his teary sapphire orbs. He froze on the spot and a blush spread across his face. The detective swiftly buried his face back into his boyfriend's chest.
"No need to be shy Shin-chan. They just want to grieve for Kokoro-chan as well. We need to be with our loved ones at these times." Kaito said encouraging the detective to open up with his friends.
"Shinichi," Ran called softly. "We've been friends since we were kids. I know we still have some secrets we keep from each other, but you know that I'm always here for you." Her own eyes had started to water after seeing Shinichi crying. Shinichi finally pulled away from his lover and met eyes with his best friend. A low whine escaped him and he immediately moved from Kaito to dive into Ran's embrace. Kaito frowned and his hands made a small grabbing gesture, not quite understanding where his detective had gone to. He wanted to give Ran an annoyed look, but he could see Sonoko staring him down from behind her two childhood friends. Needless to say, Kaito was quick to back down. The rich girl gave him a smug smirk and moved to coo over the other two as she softly ran her fingers through Shinichi's hair. The magician was seriously starting to feel left out now that the girls were hogging his detective. Luckily before he could decide to do anything about it Shinichi turned his head just enough to see his lover.
"Kai…" Shinichi whimpered as he reached an arm out to the thief. In an instant, the detective was the center of a four-way hug. He let out a sigh with Ran's warm embrace at his back, Kaito enthusiastically nuzzling his neck, and Sonoko's steady fingers in his hair. Shinichi looked from the small bush they had planted over Kokoro-chan to the cloud covered sky. For what felt like the first time in ages the shadow of a smile appeared on his face. He would miss her, most likely for as long as he lived, but he would always have his cherished memories of their time together when he was seeking comfort.