Now for more humor! Just saying, I am trying to lengthen the chapters, so please quit saying I need to. I already know, and I'm trying to take care of the issue.

Chapter Seven

The next day, Ran and Sonoko tagged along with the other five when they did their activities. Ran quickly noticed that Mayumi was looking at her jealously, so she was nice to her and brought her into their activities.

Before lunch, Shinichi decided he wanted to play soccer, and Mayumi, Mikihiko, and Kenta all joined him. Ran and Sonoko sat by the side of the field to watch, and Shiho sat nearby, reading a book she'd gotten from her cabin and had brought along.

"Shinichi sure hasn't changed," said Ran, addressing Sonoko.

"Aw, you're worried about your husband?" asked Sonoko teasingly.

"NO!" exclaimed Ran hotly. "I was just commenting on the fact that Shinichi is just as good at soccer as he's always been!"

"I guess he is. But I wouldn't really know, as I don't spend my free time gazing at him," remarked Sonoko.

"Sonoko! I don't gaze at him! Why would I need to? I already know what he looks like!"

"You're blushing!"

"No I'm not!"

They bickered for a few minutes, before they gave it up and went back to watching the game. Then Sonoko asked, "Is it just me, or do Kudo-kun's friends look familiar?"

"Yeah they do. But I've never seen anyone looking like them, and since Shinichi introduced them to me, and they didn't correct him, it probably means I've never met them before."

"I know. I'm sure I've never met them before, too, but they still look familiar. By the way, have you noticed something?"

"What?"

"Esaka-san is crushing on Kudo-kun!"

"What makes you think that?" Ran had noticed the jealous looks, but hadn't put two and two together.

"It's very obvious. She looks up to Kudo-kun, and from the moony eyes she's been giving him for most of the day, it's quite obvious. You might have competition if he started giving her the time of day, which he hasn't."

Ran looked over at Mayumi, and saw Sonoko was right. Sonoko suddenly butted in to Ran's thoughts. She whispered, "It's not just Esaka-san. Miyano-san likes him, too."

"How do you know, Sonoko?"

"Call it a woman's instinct. Miyano-san is very quiet, and she gives off a weird vibe, but the way she looks at Kudo-kun isn't natural."

"How so?" asked Ran curiously.

"She looks at him like an equal, but she wants to be more in his eyes. Does that make sense?"

"Maybe a little." Ran looked at the girl in question, but she was busy reading her book, and was paying it more attention than her surroundings. "She looks kind of lonely, though. Maybe I should talk with her."

"Good!" said Sonoko encouragingly. "You can ask her about her relationship with Kudo-kun. I'll come along to gauge her reactions."

Sonoko stood up, and Ran followed suit. Then the two of them walked over to Shiho, who was still reading. "Oi, Miyano-san!" exclaimed Sonoko. She and Ran went up and sat down next to Shiho.

Shiho asked, "Suzuki-san. Mouri-san. Did you need something?" She still kept her nose in the book and didn't even look up.

Sonoko was put off by her behavior, but Ran intervened, "Miyano-san, Sonoko and I noticed that you seemed a little lonely, so we thought we'd join you!"

Shiho had always been put off by Ran's overall kindness, but she reminded her of her sister Akemi, so she never could say no. "You two can stay if you want," said Shiho in monotone.

When Ran didn't say anything immediately, and neither did Sonoko, Shiho suddenly grew wary. Her fears were proved correct a minute later when Ran asked, "Miyano-san, how did Shinichi meet the four of you?"

"Well," said Shiho, thinking quickly, "the reason Kudo-kun has been on the move and has kept a low profile is so he could operate in secrecy in attempting to solve the case he's been working on. I happen to have a personal connection with the people he's trying to arrest, so working with him was inevitable."

"What about the other three?"

"The three of them are some of his fans that found out the truth and have been helping us a little. They act childishly sometimes, but we're all good friends. I think of Mayumi-chan as a little sister, and I think Kudo-kun does, too."

Sonoko suddenly said, "What about your relationship with Kudo-kun?"

"While the other three are more like assistants, Kudo-kun and I are essentially partners. He's good at detective work, while I'm good at chemistry related stuff, along with my knowledge of the case in general. The other three don't know the true scope of the case, and that's for their protection, as they have lives of their own, while Kudo-kun and I have to hide."

"Do you like Kudo-kun?" Sonoko pressed.

"I respect Kudo-kun as a brilliant mind. I think of him as one of my closest friends. To answer your question, I do not harbor any romantic feelings towards Kudo-kun."

Shiho was very annoyed at this point. She shut her book and looked towards the soccer game, thoroughly telling the other two to back off.

More plot development next time! And maybe a mystery? (Keep your fingers crossed!) In the meantime, please inform me of how well I'm doing with the story so far, plot-wise! Many thanks!