This chapter is dedicated to RJCA27 – the only reader reviewing the last chapter. Thanks a lot for your support! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own DC or any of its characters!
Chapter 7: Towards the Future
In which Heiji starts his plan and Conan gets new...
The next day Heiji did not see Kazuha until the fourth period. Wednesdays were always the days they spent the least time together since they started out with free-choice courses, followed by gender divided P.E. So, when Heiji was leaning against her locker in the hallway, he did not know how she would react. She could quite possibly still be mad at him.
As she rounded the corner Kazuha spotted him at once. He recognized the surprise on her face that was quickly replaced by a frown. "What do you want, Heiji?" she asked coldly, taking books from her locker as he unrequestedly stepped aside when she approached. He could hear the struggle in her voice to keep it uncaring. He deliberately sighed loudly and shrugged. "So, you're still mad. I should have known. Of course, you have every right to be," he quickly added when she shot him an annoyed glance. "I just wanted to tell you that I won't be attending Mouri-chan's birthday party on Saturday if you don't want to see me. After all, you two are better friends than Ran and me."
For a moment, Kazuha stared at the books in her arms in thought, her face unreadable. Still, Heiji knew exactly what she was thinking about. It was all part of the plan...
"First things first," Ran had told him the night before, "as you already know it's my birthday on Saturday. After our call Kazuha sent me a message, telling me she might not be able to come, since her father wouldn't let her go to Tokyo on her own. And since you two aren't talking..." Heiji huffed. "What about her boyfriend?" he mumbled, annoyance in his voice.
"That's what I'm telling you, idiot! Kay has some kind of tournament this weekend so he won't be able to accompany Kazuha." Heiji could picture Ran's grin.
He frowned, stating the obvious. "She would rather cut her tongue than ask me to come with her!" Ran just laughed. "That's why you have to trick her. Pretend to be all reasonable and tell her you won't come to my party if it bothers her. That way she can feign to do you a favour. Just be as pleasant as possible!"
Standing in the hallway Heiji tried to look contrite. When Kazuha looked up at him he immediately knew the first part of their plan was effective. Kazuha sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I'm not happy about the way you acted yesterday," she started, giving him a dispraising look, "but Ran-chan's your friend as well as mine. So we should go together, just as we always do." A grin spread across Heiji's face, mostly because of how predictable Kazuha sometimes was. She, in turn, smiled, obviously happy she would be able to go to her friend's party after all. Heiji nodded eagerly and looked at Kazuha.
"I'm happy you think that way. And I'll try to be as civil as possible to your boyfriend then." Kazuha blushed, shaking her head a little. "Oh, Kay won't be coming with us. He has other commitments that weekend." Turning around, she started to walk towards their next class. Heiji picked up his step to move next to her.
"Well, I'd say that's a shame, but we'd both know I'd be lying," he told her, arousing a sigh from the girl next to him. "Heiji," she warned, her voice a little annoyed already. Heiji just shrugged. Ran had told him to be pleasant, but Kazuha wouldn't believe him if he acted too tame. After all, he was still himself and she had liked him anyway.
In Tokyo, Conan was sitting at Professor Agasa's place, staring at the petite blonde girl in front of him. "That's why," he finished his story, anger flaring in his voice, "I really have to get back to my old self this time. Otherwise I'm losing her!"
Throughout his story Ai had watched him intently and he had realized different emotions on her face. Right now, the detective saw a glint of sadness in her eyes. She sighed. "Actually, I am working on an antidote at the moment," she told him and his face lit up, "but..." she paused and Conan frowned.
"What?" he inquired, waiting for her to continue. Ai sighed again.
"I need to tell you something," she started, sitting down on a chair opposite him. "In the last half year I produced different antidotes, improving the mixture, narrowing it down. I tested them on myself, and as you can see the prefect mixture hasn't come up yet."
Conan nodded understandingly. "I know it's difficult, but we'll keep trying!" the small boy urged, putting confidence in his voice. "I didn't want to pressure you, I just wanted to tell you how important the antidote is."
Ai shook her head. "That's not why I'm telling you this, Kudo. I've been testing the antidotes and I'm quite sure I'm nearly there, but," she answered, putting her hands up to stop his excitement, "something has happened. The last few times the antidotes wouldn't work on me."
She looked at him, waiting for the information to sink in. Conan frowned, thinking about what she had told him, blanching as he realized it.
"Are you saying you cannot change back anymore?" he murmured, staring at her. He realized the slightest of nods, sadness on her face. "But maybe the antidotes just didn't work!" he suggested loudly, his voice trembling. She shook her head.
"I tested them, Kudo. The only reason they won't work on me is that I must have build an immunity against the active ingredient."
Conan gulped. They both had tried various antidotes, and if Ai had built an immunity so would he. He looked at her, the new information hanging over them like Damocles' sword. "What about me?"
Ai breathed in and out again before she answered. "If you haven't built an immunity yet, I'd say you won't have more than a few tries left yourself," she stated, standing up. "I'm really sorry." She went over to the cupboard, taking out a bottle of whiskey. "Would you like a drink?" Conan violently shook his head.
"You don't understand!" he shouted, jumping from the sofa, "I cannot stay like this! My whole life is as Kudo Shinichi! You have to fix this!" He took Ai by her shoulders, shaking her. She looked him straight in the eyes.
"I know," she whispered, not trying to loosen his grip. "And I'll try." He saw tears forming in her eyes, relaxing his hands on her frame. He let go and turned around, not wanting to let his fear show. Behind him, she started talking again.
"I know it's unfair," she stated, her voice more caring than he had ever heard. "For me, this is an improvement. It's like a fresh start from a clean slate, giving me the possibility to relive my life in a better way. With friends and a kind of family. But for you..." Her voice broke. "I still hope the next antidote will give you your life back, but I just want you to get used to the possibility that THIS might be your new life. That you will have to let Kudo Shinichi go and embrace Edogawa Conan. Or whatever name you want to give yourself."
Conan wanted to scream. He wanted to curse and to hit something, but he just started walking towards the door. "Please, finish the antidote," he begged, his voice sounding dull and emotionless. Ai nodded, which he didn't see as he left the house, but he knew she would. Until then, he wouldn't ponder the possibilities lying ahead. He'd just try to win Ran back.
When Conan got home Ran was sitting at the kitchen table. "Conan-kun, you're home early. Shouldn't you be in school?"
He stared at her, and his heart clenched uncomfortably. Every time he saw this girl his heart would beat faster, ever since he was a young boy. He didn't know how he should live a life without her in it. Conan violently shook his head, banishing those thoughts. There was still a chance for Shinichi to survive. He coughed. "The P.E. teacher is sick," he lied, shrugging his shoulders, "but why are you here already?" Ran smiled and again, his heart jumped.
"Same thing," she told him, clapping her hands together, "what a weird coincidence!" He only nodded, feeling too blue to pretend to care.
"I'm going to my room," he told her, trying to walk away, as she stood up and crouched down next to him.
"Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice so full of care and worry he felt like crying. "Are you mad at me, Conan-kun? You've been avoiding me these last couple of days!"
Reluctantly, Conan looked up into Ran's eyes. Like a reflex, his arms encircled her neck as he hugged her. She stiffened for a moment in surprise before returning his hug.
"Everything's fine, Ran," he whispered next to her ear, "I just miss my old life sometimes." She started to rub his back comfortingly, nodding a little. "I understand. You miss your parents and your home. But you can always come to me if you feel lonely!"
Conan sighed and loosened his grip. "I know," he told her, turning towards his room.
"I'm making lunch," she called out as he walked away, "Udon noodles. Your favourite!"
Conan nodded and closed his door. "They are Shinichi's favourite, too," he murmured, sighing to before flinging himself on his mattress, the hardships of his day rushing in on him.
Author's Note:
Just a small chapter, trying to get on with the story.
What do you think could happen when Heiji and Kazuha visit Tokyo?
And do you like the idea that Ai is staying small? What should happen to Conan?
Please read and review!
Hugs, Ria.
