The leader stared at Heiji in disbelief. He tilted his head and looked back at Conan, now crying like a baby. Hey, Detectives won't cry like that, I must be wrong. He didn't know that Conan tried so hard to cry like that. Suddenly, he tightened his grip on Conan's neck. "Kudo Shinichi, eh? If you want to save this little kid, you gotta use yourself to exchange for him!" Heiji smirked confidently and winked at Conan. The leader's reaction was a bit too late. A needle from Conan's watch pierced into his neck. Accompanied by four yelps, all the snipers fell to the ground as Heiji whipped out his silenced tranquilizer gun and shot all of them down. "Haha, spend the rest of your lives in jail!" Heiji laughed. "Phew, and that was close. I didn't know that you had such great acting skills, Kudo." Heiji peeked at Conan, whose face was still stained by teardrops. "How is that funny?" Conan looked at Heiji with his signature half-moon eyes.
"Hahaha, I can't even stop laughing!"
"You're nothing better than me. I don't even talk like that, your weird Tokyo accent."
"Hey, is that how you thank your saviour? If I didn't arrive on time, you're probably hostage now." Heiji wiped the thin cake of foundation on his face away.
"Saviour…" Conan rolled his eyes. "But Hattori, we have to be more serious now. I think the Organisation has already started their plans. We're all in danger. Especially Ran…" Conan lowered his head, his spectacles reflecting light from a nearby lamppost, effectively hiding his grim expression. Ran, I'm so sorry. You'll have to wait alone again. But trust me that I'll be back soon. Then we can be together…
Heiji put back on a serious face. "But what should we do now? Since "Shinichi" already appeared, the Organisation must be alerted and probably targeting him now. I can't disguise as you forever!"
"The antidote is almost ready," Conan grinned proudly. "I'll be back in no time. I'll protect Ran and fight in my own body."
"Really?" Heiji's eyes lit up with happiness for his best friend.
"Yup…" Conan looked up at Heiji with pure thankfulness. He received so much help from Heiji. Without Heiji, he couldn't possibly be so successful in solving all those cases. Heiji is not only a great partner, competitor, but also a true friend at heart. He always treats his friends' problems like his own, ever so helpful and righteous. Conan couldn't bear to tell Heiji the risk of the antidote. He didn't want Heiji to worry about him. He'd rather take it, all by himself…
"That's GREAT! I won't have to worry about calling you by the wrong name!" Heiji shook Conan's skinny shoulders with relief. A huge drop of sweat formed on Conan's forehead. So THAT was what you were worried about…
"Okay, then I'll stay with you before I turn back!" Conan smiled cheekily. "My house in Osaka?" Heiji groaned.
"Any problems?" Conan stared at Heiji.
"Uh… No! Haha, no problems!" Heiji laughed. "But what about Ran?"
"It's okay, I can fix that."
9pm, Mouri Tantei Jimusho
"Hello, this is Mouri Tantei Jimusho!"
"Hey Ran nee-san, I'm not going back to the tonight." the little Detective boy's voice came out of the speaker. Ran frowned, "Are you staying overnight to play at Professor's house…" "No, Ran nee-san, my mom came from America to fetch me. I'm going back. I called to say goodbye." Conan interrupted. "Oh…I see." A tone of sadness could be heard in Ran's voice. Conan is really a great company. He was always there for me when Shinichi wasn't around. Now that he is leaving…I'm all alone again. No one to talk to when I'm sad, no one to share my happiness with when I'm happy. Sonoko is a great friend, but no one can replace Conan or Shinichi…
"Ran nee-san? Are you there?" Conan's voice interrupted Ran's thoughts. "Ah, yes. When is your flight? Do you want me to send you to the airport?" "Tonight. It's okay, just take care of yourself!" "Then…call me when you reach there! Take care!" Ran spoke with faked excitement. "Bye, Ran nee-san!" "Bye…" Conan hung up before Ran could say anything else. She put the phone back slowly and leaned against the window, staring out at the dark night sky. It seems really foggy today, but perhaps it's just because I'm lonely. Conan is just a primary school kid, but why, why does he remind me so strongly of Shinichi? Why does his leaving make me feel like I've lost something really important in my life?
"You are so strong, Ran" Sonoko once said. Strong? Ran chuckled. She was always smiling and laughing, but who sees her tears and suffering? Who understands the loneliness in her eyes when she thought of Shinichi? Who feels her sadness when she gives her Valentines' Day chocolate to her father? In the darkest nights, when memories of the past flow back, she is choked by the happiness and it makes her even lonelier when she wakes up.
Next chapter will probably be less emotions and more plot development stuff.
Spoiler: the Black Organization appears! :D
Thanks for the support, everyone! Please continue to review. That's my motivation to write! Thanks! :)
