Nostalgia filled Shinichi as he walked through the crowded halls of Beika High, the mirth and merriment of people enjoying the school festival highly contagious. Every where he turned, he was reminded of his time as a high school student, enjoying the youthful years with Ran and his friends. He smiled at the fond memories and wished the teenagers passing him the same enjoyment he had.
Overhearing some students talk about the mystery scavenger hunt activity, he knew he was getting closer to his destination. When he finally arrived at the designated room for the Detective Club, a rush of emotions swept through him when he saw Ai in her school uniform talking to other students about the mystery game they were hosting.
"Haibara-san's looking beautiful as always."
Shinichi arched a brow at the statement and turned his head to the source. Behind him were two boys leaning on the windowsill, obvious attraction for the strawberry-blonde on their pubescent faces.
"Don't let your girlfriend hear you," said the second male student with a haircut and piercings mimicking some pop idol.
The first male student shrugged before suddenly leaning towards his friend. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Don't you imagine what'll be like, though?"
The idol imitator arched a brow. "Imagine what?"
At that question, Shinichi purposely tuned them out and walked into the room, getting away from them as quickly as he could, not because he was annoyed or angry but because he knew where their conversation was heading, and he didn't want any images conjuring up in his mind, especially from teenage boys and their hormonal-fueled fantasies. He had a difficult time acknowledging his attraction towards Ai as it is. He shook his head, recalling Ai's sudden visit last night…
With how hard Shinichi was staring at Ai through the intercom, one would think he hated her as he had his brows creased and jaw tense in deep concentration. But no… rather than a certain emotion bubbling within the deep crevices of his heart, hating Ai would be, although crueler, a much easier emotion to handle. The only thing plaguing Shinichi's thoughts was the realization of him being attracted to Ai. Any healthy male would find Ai beautiful, and he was no exception. He was attracted to her. He was fully aware of it.
Now that he was conscious of it, he only had one decision. He would do nothing. He will do absolutely nothing about the feeling of lust towards Ai lying dormant within him. He will ignore it and leave it there to die over time. And so with that last thought, Shinichi momentarily detoured his way back to his room to grab a t-shirt.
"Need something, Ai?" he questioned after opening the door.
Startled at the door suddenly opening, Ai took a second to gather herself before stretching her arm out. "Some fans mistook the professor's mailbox as yours."
Shinichi looked at the few letters in her hand. He didn't know what her purpose for visiting was but delivering fan letters wasn't on his mind. "You could've thrown it away," he said but took them from her nonetheless.
Ai shook her head at that notion. "Their emotions were strong enough to make them write a letter. Throwing it away without it ever reaching it's recipient would be sad," she replied and continued, "but since they're now in your hands, it's up to you whether to read them or not."
Out of everyone he knew, Ai was the only one that had the ability to look at him and make him second guess his thoughts and actions. It was as if she knew life's secrets, and she makes you feel pitiful as you question your knowledge about it. Her eyes seemed to hold the world within it, and if you looked closely, you could see just how beautifully sad the world was.
"Was that all?"
With her other hand, she handed him a facemask and a cap. He quirked a brow at the objects. "Beika High's living legend is paying a visit tomorrow. You'll have a difficult time walking around if people recognize you."
Shinichi was taken aback at the thoughtfulness. Despite scaring her earlier, she still went out of her way to think about him. His heart dangerously tinged for a second as he quietly took the items. With nothing else spoken, an awkward silence suddenly engulfed them.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Kudo-kun, and thanks again for doing this," Ai spoke, wanting to escape the silence, and turned to leave.
Before Shinichi realized what he was doing, he reached out and caught her before she could take a step further. Instantly, he cursed himself. What the hell was he going to do? Invite her in? That was the furthest thing he wanted to do after realizing his feelings. But he knew the last thing he wanted was to see her leave, and his body unknowingly acted upon it.
He watched Ai look to her wrist of where he held her before lifting her eyes to meet his in confusion, waiting quietly for him to say something. "I just realized I didn't say thanks," he said, slowly releasing her wrist from his grasp. "And you're still calling me 'Kudo,'" he pointed out.
Ai stood still for a couple of seconds as she searched his eyes. He was beginning to dislike that action of hers, as if she was trying to read him, and as much as he was comfortable with it back then, he currently didn't want to be read.
She gave an acknowledged nod and a small smile. "Good night… Shinichi," she said quietly, and he watched her leave.
He knew that she was purposely putting the distance between them, but he didn't want that. Despite his current dilemma, he truly cared for their friendship. It was one thing to internally acknowledge his lust towards the young scientist. It was another to acknowledge it out loud. If he can keep his feelings in check and suppress the minimal physical attraction he had towards her, then there was nothing to worry about. He can continue life as it is.
"Finally," Ai spoke upon catching sight of him as he entered the clubroom. Noticing his creased brows as she walked up to him, she answered his unasked question, "I could recognize you anywhere, disguise or not."
Although she nonchalantly said that, Shinichi couldn't deny the warmth her words brought about. He took off his hat and facemask. "You were the one that gave me these," he retorted.
Taking the items from him, she began to explain the activity. "Ayumi-chan and Mitsuhiko-kun are currently going around advertising the competition with you."
"Competition?"
Ai nodded as she motioned for him to take off his jacket. Although confused as to what's going on, Shinichi followed as instructed while she momentarily went to retrieve a black garment from a box. She continued her explanation. "We've been advertising a competition with the great Detective of the East. It's pretty simple. All you need to do is participate in the mystery scavenger hunt. Any participants who beat you in taking all the pictures in the hunt win a prize."
"Pictures?" he inquired as Ai helped him in wearing a black yukata. She slipped the robe over his shoulders, making sure it was properly fitted.
Tying the yukata over his clothes, she answered, "It's a picture scavenger hunt."
Shinichi gave an impressed look. "Sounds fun," he responded as Ai grabbed a white obi off a nearby chair.
Ai leaned into Shinichi and encircled her arms around him to grab the sash from behind before tying it securely around the young detective's waist. "And since you're so clever," she continued as she fixed the obi, "your clues will be more difficult compared to the others. At least, as difficult as we could make it." She then grabbed the straw hat that hung on the same nearby chair and placed it over Shinichi's head. Finally noticing he was quiet, she retracted her hand and creased her brows. "What's wrong?"
It took a second for Shinichi to shake his head. "Nothing. Why?"
"Well…," she began, "I complimented you, but you didn't retort with a conceited comment."
Shinichi furrowed his brows at her statement but chose to ignore the narcistic remark. How could he admit that he was taken surprise when she suddenly wrapped her arms around him? "Just wondering why I'm wearing this," he answered instead, lifting his arms.
"I got the idea after playing soccer yesterday when Hiro used your nickname."
"I thought the idea was to lay low," he replied, gesturing to the hat and facemask Ai placed on the table.
Briefly glancing at the items, she took the strings connecting to the straw hat and began tying it under Shinichi's jaw. "Once you leave this classroom, it'll be difficult to talk to you again. I just wanted to make sure I got to you before everyone else does."
Shinichi looked down to the genius beauty before him and tilted his head as a thought occurred to him. "You're making sure I'll attract attention, huh?" It'll be harder to complete the hunt if people keep coming up to him.
He watched Ai shrug a shoulder, playing innocent. "We have to even the stakes. You'll complete this scavenger hunt in a second if we don't place some disadvantages over you."
"Exploiting me, Ai?" he asked, shaking his head. "Can't say I approve of this."
After smoothing over any wrinkles in his yukata, she took a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to him. "Think of how heartbroken Ayumi-chan would be if she found out that you left."
Opening it, he saw it was the first clue to the first picture he needed to take. "And if I win?" he questioned, placing the clue in his shirt pocket.
"What happened to the thrill of solving a mystery?" she questioned back, placing a hand on her hip. Before Shinichi could give a rejoinder, Ai's attention shifted to the door when Hiro called her.
"Ai, need your help," he said with a sheepish smile, holding up a hair tie. Just like that, Shinichi watched Ai leave him to attend to Hiro.
"Getting in your way?" Ai questioned Hiro after tying his hair.
He stood up straight from leaning over and nodded, feeling the little ponytail on top of his head. "Should I get a haircut?"
Ai crossed her arms to objectively look at the taller boy. After a second, she shook her head. "No. I like it this length," she decided and brought her hand to run through his loose locks at the back of his head. She repeated the action a couple of times until Hiro grabbed hold of her hand, removing it from his head, because if he didn't, he would be taking Ai to the nearest empty classroom to make-out with her in order to the quell the stirring in his chest she brought about.
"Fully noted," he smirked and pressed her fingers to his lips, causing Ai to raise a brow at him. "Gotta get back to helping Genta sell Hakase's games. See you later," he bid and quickly leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. Ai lightly laughed as she watched him leave the room in a hurry. Remembering Shinichi, she turned around only to see the space he last occupied empty.
Two hours later and eighty percent of the scavenger hunt accomplished, Shinichi was quite exhausted. The 'difficult clues' weren't challenging at all. What tired him was the constant meeting of people requesting for photos or stopping him to hold a conversation. Ai was one devious woman.
Taking refuge under a tree near the soccer field, Shinichi took off his hat and was about to take out the clue for the last picture when he heard someone call him. Turning his head, he immediately caught a bottle of Pocari Sweat.
"Ai wanted me to give this to you," Hiro spoke and held out a small plastic bag containing a fruit sandwich.
"Thanks," he expressed, taking the bag from him and placing it on the grass beside him before opening the drink bottle.
"It must be hard being famous," Hiro commented, watching Shinichi down half the bottle.
Shinichi recapped his bottle, eyeing the younger male that was smiling down at him. His eyes traveled up to Hiro's tied hair. "I see you and Ai are really close," he commented back.
Hiro's smile grew, knowingly. "More or less," he responded with a shrug of the shoulder.
Everything about his answer annoyed Shinichi. In fact, just looking at Hiro was annoying him, especially that smile he always wore. Recalling yesterday, Shinichi started, "You're pretty good at soccer. Going to take it up professionally?"
Sensing a conversation starting, Hiro leaned on the tree and crossed his arms as Shinichi took out the fruit sandwich and began to eat the light snack. "Thanks. That means a lot coming from you, Senpai," the younger athlete replied and then shook his head, "but no, I'd prefer a different occupation."
Shinichi's interest was intrigued as a particular scene he witnessed yesterday flashed through his mind. "Such as?"
Hiro was quiet for a second or two, seemingly deep in thought about the question, before breaking out into a sheepish grin. "Not sure, yet. I'm still in my second year of high school, after all."
Shinichi kept quiet, observingly. The more he was around Hiro, the more he speculated that the male teenager was hiding something. "What about acting?" he blatantly questioned, which made Hiro pause.
For the first time, Shinichi saw him drop his smile, and a tension-filled silence engulfed them as the two males locked eyes. A few seconds later, Hiro broke the silence as he grinned widely. "Interesting that you said that," he laughed as though they weren't sizing each other up a second ago. "I was scouted while out on a date with Ai once."
Shinichi internally scowled. The bastard was really pissing him off. He stood up. "Tell Ai thanks," he said before striding off to complete his scavenger hunt.
With the frown he was now wearing, Shinichi was able to complete the rest of the hunt smoothly as people hardly approached him. He was on his way back to the clubroom when a little boy ran pass him. The little boy was chasing after his balloon, paying no attention to his surroundings, and no sooner did the little boy trip. In an effort to catch himself before he hit the ground, the little boy caught a nearby banner, but it proved to be fruitless as the boy dragged the banner down with him.
Shinichi quickly moved his feet at the same time he heard many onlookers gasp, because the falling of the banner created a domino effect, dragging other strings and posters it was connected to, which in turn pulled down the thin metal pole they were tied onto, heading straight towards the little boy.
"Daisuke-kun!" shouted a distressed mother after her son.
Using his body as a shield, Shinichi felt the metal pole make contact with the back of his head in a loud bang that echoed in his ears, the inside of his head ringing and throbbing from the collision. He should've put the hat back on. "You okay?" Shinichi asked the little boy, despite the pain increasing every second.
The people nearby immediately began helping Shinichi by removing the pole and tangled mess of banners, posters, and strings. Shinichi stood up and helped the little boy to his feet.
"Daisuke-kun!" called the mother as she collected her son in a hug and quickly assessing his body for any injury. Once she confirmed he was okay, she immediately began bowing to Shinichi, thanking him over and over again.
After assuring everyone he was okay, he made way towards the infirmary. His head was painfully throbbing that he needed to lie down somewhere quiet and was pleased to find the room completely vacant. Closing the door behind him, he settled into one of the beds and closed his eyes. About five minutes later, he heard the door open.
"Quite a hero, aren't you?"
Shinichi scoffed. "It was reflexive," he replied to Ai's comment and felt the bed sink as she sat beside him.
"I know," she said softly as many memories of Shinichi saving her flashed through her mind. Shinichi paused. From the fondness in her tone, he knew what she was thinking about, the same memories flashing through his mind. He lifted his arm and saw her smile warmly at him. "You just can't leave a person in need alone," she said and instructed him to sit up.
Noticing the small bag of ice, he sat up and held his hand out for it but was taken aback when she ran her hand over the back of his head instead. Finding the bump, she then brought the ice bag over the injured area. Seeing him wince, she immediately retracted the bag. "Sorry," she apologized.
Shinichi shook his head slightly. "No, it's just cold," he negated, and she resumed pressing the bag of ice to the throbbing area. Her focus on holding the ice bag and Shinichi still taken aback by the action, silence once again consumed the two individuals, only this time, it wasn't awkward. He felt her hand run through his hair once more.
"Your bump's still there, but give it another hour and it should disappear," she said as she lightly ran her fingers over the bump.
Shinichi found the action more soothing than the ice bag as it somehow relaxed his entire body. He turned to her as she continued to rub at the bump, gently massaging it. Something about being in the infirmary with Ai in her uniform caused a light jab to his chest. For the first time, he imagined never taking the antidote and reliving his teenage years a second time… with Ai. If the current atmosphere served as an insight to what it would have been like, he almost regretted taking the pill. As soon as he thought that, Shinichi shook his head, immediately ridding that thought.
"If you were wearing your hat, it might not have hurt that much," Ai pointed out. At Shinichi's creased brows, she knew he was wondering how she knew that and supplied, "Hiro brought it back, said you left it behind."
At the mere mention of his name, Shinichi's brow twitched in annoyance. He swiftly grabbed the ice bag out of Ai's hand and brought it to the back of his head, moving her hand away.
"Something wrong?" she asked, placing her hands in her lap, noticing something was obviously bothering him.
No, nothing's wrong, he internally answered. The problem was with him alone. Instead of acknowledging that something was bothering him, he took his phone out and handed to her. "I was on my way back to you before the incident. Finished your scavenger hunt."
Ai looked at all the pictures he took. Like expected, he perfectly completed the hunt. "Unfortunately, you're not the first one," she spoke, returning his phone.
Shinichi arched a brow at her. "So what was the prize?"
"Bragging rights about completing it before the famous Detective of the East," she easily answered.
The young detective made a deadpan expression. "So there really was no prize to begin with?"
Ai shrugged in response, "Depends on how you look at things."
He scoffed in return. "Did you really even need me?"
Tired, Ai shifted herself on the bed to sit more comfortably as she was mostly using her left leg to prevent herself from falling off. Completely on the bed now, her right leg was outstretched next to his, the difference in length obvious. "Many people signed up to participate, saying they saw you playing and wanted to join, too." She angled her head towards him, the proximity between them closer than before but a good distance maintained. "So yes, we did need you," she said with a sincere smile, and Shinichi thought that Ai's smile was something he wanted to keep to himself. She continued, "And as thanks, I thought about what you said and decided to award you. After all, you did take leave from work to help us." She paused for a second before asking, "What would you like, Shinichi?"
Shinichi realized that he shouldn't have insisted she call him by his given name as the sound of his name coming from her lips stirred that foreboding emotion within him once again. Why was he so attuned to her saying his name?
"Shinichi?" she inquired, wondering why he was quiet for so long.
Shinichi lifted his eyes to meet her concerned ones. She stared back at him, waiting for a response. His eyes then traveled down to her lips. "What about the prizes you give to Hiro?" he questioned, and he saw Ai flush red instantly. He knew it.
Taken aback at the question, Ai turned her face away to try to hide the embarrass blush from the male next to her. For the whole day, she was doing her best to act normal in front of him, and she thought she was doing a hell of a job… until now. She needed to quickly compose herself, but the audacity of his question and the insinuation was enough to make her heart beat uncontrollably.
Shinichi clenched his jaw at the confirmation of his thoughts regarding Ai's personal prizes for the cheeky bastard he spoke to earlier. The mere thought irritated him more than to know that she and the bastard goes on dates. He shouldn't have come back, he concluded. He should've just stayed in America. He should've stayed with Ran and waited until she graduated before returning to Japan. If he did that, then maybe he wouldn't be in the infirmary of his old high school, attracted to someone other than Ran. The fact that he was aware he was attracted to Ai and was unable to suppress it angered him to another level. He reached over and angled her chin to face him.
Ai stayed still, her heart beating erratically against her ribcage as Shinichi brought his face closer to hers. The expression he showed rendered her speechless as he looked as if he was angry or upset with her. With his actions, she couldn't think of anything else, much less decipher why he looked at her with so much contempt.
Moving pass her lips, he spoke against her ear. "Help me get rid of this feeling, Ai," he pleaded. "If I don't, I might end up kissing you."