Washington, D.C
10:28am 16/6/XXX9
221 Webster St.
Ring, ring.
Hmm?
Ring, ring.
I roll out of bed, glancing at the clock on my wall before getting up. I head to the other side of the room, where my cell phone sits on my desk.
Ring, ring.
I flip it open.
"Hello?"
"Conan-kun!" It's professor Agasa. We'd met at a wedding last year in Osaka, we'd talked the whole time and I'd learnt all about his crazy inventions. I remember him promising to show me his lab and let me try out his new gadgets. I switch to Japanese and reply.
"Hakase! It's been a while."
"Yes, well I've been quite busy lately but I thought I could invite you over here since your mom's away and all." Mom had left on a trip with some work friends a few days ago and she didn't give a return date so I'm home alone indefinitely.
"Did you ask my mom already?" She'd probably want to know if I was in Japan.
"Yes, yes, everything has been sorted. She called me earlier because there was none available to check on you."
Of course she did, she always worries too much.
"Don't you live really close to Shinichi-niichan?"
"Hmm? Oh yes, he's just down the street! You can meet all of his friends like Ran-kun."
"I'll look forward to it."
"Your mom said she said you an e-mail with the details."
"Okay, I'll check for it, then."
"I guess I'll see you soon!"
"Hai!"
I put down the phone, and make my way towards my computer, avoiding scattered books and sheets of paper decorating my floor. My computer sat on my bedside table, plugged into it's charger. I sit on my bed and open it up.
10:32
I scroll through my e-mails and find mom's. Opening it, I find all the details like plane tickets and times. The plane leaves day after tomorrow, great, plenty of time to pack. I look down at the mess on my floor. I guess that leaves plenty of time to tidy up, too.
Washington D.C
3:56pm 18/6/XXX9
Washington Dulles International Airport
I got a lot of strange looks, walking through the airport alone. A few security officers had already asked for my parents three times since I'd walked in, barley 20 minutes ago.
It took me over 2 hours to get to the gate because I was stopped at every turn by some guard or another. They'd called mom twice and asked me dozens of questions, but somehow I'd made it to the gate on time.
Washington D.C
Local time: 5:45pm 18/6/XXX9
Washington Dulles, International Airport.
International Terminal, Flight JP9008
I stared out the window as the plane took off as yet another fight attendant asked to check my ticket and boarding pass.
The flight was uneventful with minor turbulence and minor distractions once the buzz around the flight attendants had subsided. I spent my time on my computer, reading through saved articles on Japanese schools and culture. I'd already read up on what Shinichi-niichan was learning at his school as well as most topics from elementary and middle schools in the area. Professor Agasa had assured me I wouldn't need to pack many clothes as Shinichi-niichan's house was full of his clothes from elementary school. I'd only brought my computer, phone, spare glasses and a few necessities like notebook and pencil case.
Tokyo
Local time: 9:48pm 18/6/XXX9
Beika Town
After landing at the airport and getting through another wash of concerned airport security, I'd met up with Agasa-hakase outside the building. We were currently driving down to his house. It was pitch black outside with only dim street light to serve as illumination.
"Hakase?"
"Yes Conan-kun?"
"I though Shinichi-niichan was meeting me at the airport with you."
Agasa-hakase smiled like he'd thought of something funny.
"He and Ran-kun went to Tropical Land, a theme park near by here, to celebrate Ran-kun's victory at her karate tournament."
"Oh." I remembered that 'Ran-kun' does karate and has won a lot of tournaments. I wonder what made this one so special… It was probably just to compensate for Shinichi-niichan's idiocy. He probably would forget or pretend to forget about her karate as a joke. Yeah, that sounds like him.
We pulled in front of the house and Agasa-hakase passed me his house keys.
"Go in and take your stuff in while I park."
I take the keys, grab my bag from the back seat and get out of the car. I make my way towards the door when I hear footsteps close by.
"Yo, Conan-kun. Welcome to Japan."
I turn and see Shinichi-niichan standing there. He looked like he was limping, leaning slightly on his right leg. He had his hand on his stomach like he was in pain. He was smiling but it seemed a bit forced.
"Hakase said your were in Tropical Land with Ran-kun."
Shinichi-niichan looked solemn and shook his head.
"I got… well stuff happened."
He looked troubled and kept looking around anxiously. I turn to the door and use the key to open it.
"Here, come inside while we wait for Hakase."
Shinichi-niichan nodded and went inside. I looked around once more, inspecting every shadow and watching for movement before I followed.
10:06pm 18/6/XXX9
Beika, House of Agasa Hiroshi
District 2, Block 22
"Apoptoxin 4869…"
"Ever heard of it, Hakase?" Shinichi-niichan leaned forward expectantly.
"No, but from what I know an Apoptoxin, as the name implies, it involves the activation of apoptosis: the mechanism by which cells kill themselves. APTX contains ingredients which have other functions as well. It contains a component which activates telomerase: an enzyme which lengthens the caps at the end of DNA whose length limits the number of times a cell can divide. It usually works as a lethal poison. Which is probably what these men in black want to use it for."
Listening in through a closed door was hard, especially while trying to be silent about it. Hakase had told me to look through his bookshelf or something while he discussed something important with Shinichi-niichan. I could understand a bit about what Agasa-hakase was saying and I could defiantly understand the part about it's lethality. I hoped Shinichi-niichan wasn't involved in anything too serious this time.
"I don't think there's anything we can do right now, I'm afraid." Agasa-hakase rubbed his head
"We have no solid leads, and there wouldn't be any evidence left behind at the scene."
Shinichi-niichan looked anxious, he had the look on his face like he was solving another case.
"Well, Shinichi, you might as well tell Ran-kun-"
Agasa-hakase got cut off by a knock at the door.
"Shinichi? Are you there? You weren't at home…"
I heard footsteps approaching, and I hear Shinichi-niichan run over to where I'm hiding. He opens the door quickly steps into the corridor and shuts the door behind him. I'm about to say something, but he puts his finger to his lips and starts staring intently at the door.
"Is anyone there? The door was unlocked."
"Ran-kun!"
"Oh, Agasa-hakase…"
"I haven't seen you in a while Ran-kun!"
I move around Shinichi-niichan to try to get closer to the door but accidentally bump a lamp making a metallic noise.
"Huh? What was that?" It's Ran-kun.
I freeze and I look up to see Shinichi-niichan freaking out next to me. Suddenly he seems to have an idea. I feel his hands on by back.
"Sorry about this Conan-kun" he whispers before opening the door slightly with one hand and pushing me out with the other. I stumble before catching myself and I look up to see Ran-kun's face inches away from mine.
"Who is he?" She asked, looking at Agasa-hakase.
"Well you see, his mom is away and asked me to watch him, but I live alone and don't have the slightest idea about taking care of a child." Agasa-hakase talks quickly, and glances towards the door I came from.
"Would you mind taking care of him at your place for a while? Some important things came up that I need to deal with."
"I'll have to ask otou-san…" Ran-kun looks down at me smiling. "but I guess I could take this cute kid home with me."
"But hakase-" I start, annoyed. I want to be able to help with Shinichi-niichan's problems. Maybe these men in black are…
"Conan-kun…" Agasa-hakase crouches down to my eye level and whispers to me.
"I know you want to help, but Ran-kun's father is a private detective, you know? You can help gather any information you can. I'll do what I can for Shinichi, but this is dangerous. We also need you to keep Ran-kun out of this, okay?" Agasa-hakase looked at me worriedly.
I do want to help, and maybe Ran-kun's father can help me get some information on the organisation for 2 years ago…
"Hai! I'll go to nee-chan's house!" I smile happily and grab Ran-kun's hand.
"How cute! Okay let's go then, Conan-kun!"
10:22
"Bye, hakase!" I say as me and Ran-kun head towards her house.
"Ran-kun…"I start, trying to break the silence
"Call me Ran-neechan, okay, Conan-kun?"
"Hai, Ran-neechan."
"Oh, Conan-kun?"
"Ah, yeah?" I say, hoping to forward this conversation.
"Are there any girls you like? You know! Anyone you're interesting in, like at school?"
I never really cared for romance, and most girls at my school in america were spoilt and annoying, but I didn't say that.
"Um, no, nope."
"I do!" she exclaims, looking up at the sky.
"Oh…" I say, suddenly uncomfortable.
"A guy I like a whole lot…"
"Could it be…"I start, hoping my 'deduction' is right, "Shinichi-niichan?"
"…" Ran-neechan looks at me curiously before smiling brightly.
"That's right!" So…Ran-neechan likes…Shinichi-niichan? I feel like I should tell her about Shinichi-niichan's confession to me on almost the same topic about a year ago.
"Every since he was little, he was a jerk. Always full of himself, a mystery otaku. But whenever you need him, he's dependable and brave and cool…"
She sees me staring, a little uncomfortable, she doesn't seem to realise that I'm on the verge of telling her about Shinichi-niichan…but I feel that he should do it himself.
"Don't tell him okay?" She days laughing.
"O-okay."
We cross the street and stop in front of a three-storey building with the words: 'MOURI DETECTIVE AGENCY' written over the second-storey's windows.
"This is my house…and starting today it's your house too…"
"Hai."
Ran-neechan laughs, "It's like I just got a cute little brother…I can tell you anything, Conan-kun!"
She starts up the stairs, I hear faint footsteps coming from higher up, but she doesn't seem to hear them.
"I'll introduce you to Otou-san…"
She doesn't get to finish because a man speeds past her, coming down the stairs.
"Otou-san! You scared me!"
'Otou-san' is face planted on the ground and is hurriedly getting back up.
"Where are you going at this time of night? Drinking and mahjong again!?"
Mouri-san got up, grinning like a maniac.
"It's a job!"
"eh?" Ran-neechan looks surprised.
"I got a call earlier! A little girl's been kidnapped by some men in black, and her parent's called for me!"
Men in black? Maybe this has something to do with the men Shinichi-niichan was dealing with before. As I watch Mouri-san flag a taxi further down the street, I make a split-second decision and grab Ran-neechan's arm before running after him.
10:40pm
1 Message 10:38pm
Hey Ran! Shinichi here, sorry I ran off before, but something really important came up. I'm actually heading out tonight. Yes it's a case, but it more important than anything I've done before and I need to go. I'll be in touch, do don't freak out or anything, 'kay?
Okay, bye!
