Thx to Troy Thomas for pointing out the mistakes, I'll change it ASAP, if only I'm not typing on limited time. But you have to admit it would be kinda hard to say, and the kid is only seven. (Shinichi: Yeah right!! It's because certain person's Japanese sucks. Me: heh heh heh…)

Disclaimer: I don't own DC

Chapter 3

(Entry exam for Teitan Elementary)

Ai sighed as she looked down at the questions in front of her.

(1) 5 8?...

…Right down to…

(58)How many eggs are in a dozen?

So on and so forth. Resigned, Ai picked her pencil up to write. She had planned to purposely get some wrong, as not to draw attention to herself, but… to lower herself to this level is something she just couldn't bring herself to do.

Finishing the paper with 40 minutes to spare, Ai stared up at the ceiling, waiting desperately for the bell to ring. I am soooo bored!! She had not realized how much she missed Kudo, the one from ten years later that is. At least when he's around, in a situation like this, there'd be someone to complain to, to exchange glances at how ridiculously easy the test is.

"Ai-chan, how'd you do?" Shinichi asked expectantly the moment the bell rang.

Ai shuddered at the memory of the exam. "Okay, I guess." She said, turning away.

"Hold on, I have something to tell you!" Shinichi said, blocking her path.

"What?"

"Didn't you say you want to meet Mouri Ran the other day? I saw her in another classroom! I"ll bring you there!" he said eagerly, pulling her arm.

"Me? Want to meet her?" Ai asked pointing to herself. Did she say that? Why would she want to meet Kudo's future girlfriend?

"You don't? But you looked so nervous when you mentioned her the other day, so I thought I'd try to find her for you."

"So you went to check where her classroom is?" Ai asked, smiling at his thoughtfulness. He hadn't changed all that much in the ten years after all.

"It's nothing much, I'd only looked through the seating chart. So you really don't want to meet her? We'll go home, then." As much as he tried to hide it, Ai could see he was disappointed.

"No, of course I want to meet her!" Ai said hastily. Shinichi's expression brightened. Grinning, he took her hand and ran towards the other classroom, the last few rays of sunlight stretching their shadows across the ground.

--

Neechan should be under surveillance, and I can't let anyone know my identity, but how is a little girl going to bring the organization down without help? Ai thought as she and Shinichi walked home together. Conan's confident smile flashed past her mind.

"If only that baka's here…" she murmured.

"Who?" the childish voice made Ai jump.

"Shinichi?"

Shinichi's face was inches from hers as he demanded, "Who are you talking about? If only who's here?"

"Er…" Ai shook her head. She couldn't exactly say that it's him, ten years later, could she?

--

"What are you doing here?" Ai asked shrilly when she opened her eyes to find Shinichi's bright eyes staring into hers.

"Waking you up to go to school together!"

Ai checked her watch. It was only six in the morning. "This early?"

"I want to eat breakfast here!" Shinichi explained matter-of-factly, pulling her hand. "Wake—up!"

Moments later, Shinichi was thrown out of the door as it slammed shut, leaving Ai to change into her school clothes.

"I'm so sorry to bother you with all the cooking, Ai-kun." The professor said 'sincerely' as he shoved food down his throat.

"Oh? Then I won't bother in the future." Ai said sweetly, smirking.

"No!" Shinichi and Hakase protested at the same time."

Ai laughed. "I'm kidding."

"Whoever marries you will be a very lucky guy, Ai-kun." Hakase said between bites.

"Huh?" Shinichi glared at the professor. "What are you talking about? What will we eat if Ai-chan gets married?"

The professor scratched his head thoughtfully. He is certainly not going back to gruel and takeout. "Hmm… you're right. But Shinichi, Ai-kun's too cute not to get married."

"Then I'll marry her!" Shinichi declared, gulping down the glass of orange juice in front of him.

"Yeah, that's it! Good idea, Shinichi!" Hakase said happily, patting Shinichi's head. Now he could eat Ai-kun cooking for as long as he lives!!

"Oi, you two!!" Ai said, finally unable to stand their conversation. Breathing deeply, she reminded herself yet again that he's really a kid as she tried to control her temper.

"You're not supposed to marry someone for food, you know." Even though she didn't take his words seriously, Ai still felt compelled to fix Shinichi's sadly misguided views on love. "You marry someone because you really, really like her, baka."

"But I really like you, Ai-chan!" Shinichi said solemnly, his blue eyes wide.

"Sure… the one you like should be your childhood friend Mouri-san, not me." Ai muttered after moments of shock.

"Mouri? What are you talking about? My childhood friend is you!"

Ai sweat dropped. Unknown to her, the past is changing, bit by bit.

What if, because of her being here, Shinichi ended up to be someone like Genta, who only cares about food? Ai shuddered at the thought.

--

A/N: Personally, I wouldn't complain if a really cute guy said that to me!! XD