A/N: Thank you so much, faiz1996, purebloodragdoll, Anime Lady PIMP, silver roses98, Enji86 (lol'd at urs), korenai-chan, and YELLOW JACKET PRIDE! For spending a few minutes to write reviews! I was so happy that the last chapter wasn't as bad as I thought. :D I really appreciate your thoughts, and I want to thank those who read my story as well.

Disclaimer: I wish I could own DC. But I don't.

Chapter Twelve

Magnifethereal

A random word or sentence can bring a lot of things; joy to your life, love to your heart, happiness in everything.

-0-

(Ai's POV)

Exotic.

Weird.

Awkward.

Any word could fit in this situation.

My stomach gurgled. Soon, he came in and handed me a bowl of porridge and soy sauce. He sat at the edge of the bed, watching me eat the porridge quietly. Not a word passed between us. It was a bit humourous to see that his expression was still a bit dazed.

I concentrated on my food to control my blushing. It was good that I had a disease that could cover my pink face. Although I was still coughing at times, I was feeling…better? Great? The reason made my face hot again.

Only the clatters of my spoon were heard until I finished my lunch. He took my plate willingly, and went out of the room. I soon heard him wash the dishes in the kitchen.

I sighed lightly. Was it right for me to feel…pleasant at the moment? I was even smiling a little when I looked at a mirror on the wall.

Some change.

.

(Conan's POV)

Man.

I couldn't focus on the dishes. They kept falling on the sink, slopping soap and water everywhere. I relived the…the thing for the tenth time now. It still made heat rush up to my face.

I really lost my mind there.

We were just too close at the moment. I couldn't think right when her face was an inch away from mine. So caught up.

I stared back at the room I came out of. Moments later, I realized that I've been rubbing soap on my left hand for the last ten minutes, the dishes forgotten. I chuckled a bit at my foolishness, and put my eyes on the dishes.

I've been mildly guessing all this time…

"When a girl looks at a boy, it means either there's something on his face, or she likes him!"

Mom…

I just snorted that time. But now…It's all tangled up. But something was confusing…yet obvious. We had pulled ourselves together. Not just me, unlike the last time.

But doesn't that mean she…?

"Distracted a bit, aren't we?"

I jumped a bit, startled by the sudden voice. I turned around and saw her facing me with a smirk. Then, she pointed at my hands. I looked at them, and saw that they were rubbing two glasses together. I hadn't even noticed the creaky noise they were making.

"H-Hey, you're not supposed to come out of the bed yet." And she had to see me being like a dimwit.

"You were making quite a noise." She took a mop from a corner of the room and started to clean the soapy floor. "And besides, I'm okay." She mumbled, but I knew she was weaker than she pretended to be.

I took the mop from her hands. "Don't force yourself…Just go and rest."

She rolled her eyes and walked slowly out of the kitchen. Then, I noticed how she had started to help me these days. Odd.

Some change.

-0-

(General POV)

"Oh, by the way…"

Haibara stood up and fired away as soon as Conan got into the room.

"Where is my uniform?"

"They're at the balcony, drying off the rain-"

"No, I mean who changed my clothes?" She asked rather sharply, pointing at her body. She was wearing a pink and white striped long sleeved shirt with blue shorts that barely reached half of her thighs.

Conan flushed from her sudden question. "WHA-Of course it was Ran! Who do you think I am?"

However, he was looking away. Haibara glared at him until he turned. He flinched a little when he saw her vicious look.

"Alright. I did get the uniform shirt off of you, but you were already wearing another shirt under it, so it doesn't matter, right? And it was-"

"And my skirt?" She interrupted.

He flushed harder. "I-uh-waited until Ran came."

She raised her eyebrows.

"I'm serious! I just dried your legs with some towels."

"Bet you'd've loved to have a glimpse." She muttered.

"It's nothing like that!" His face was bright red by then. "I was only trying to keep your temperature high enough!"

She sighed. "I guess that's all I want to know."

They were both averting their eyes, embarrassed by the discussion.

Then, Haibara sighed again. "Once more, I owe you, Edogawa-kun. Even though some things might have happened-" She gave a look at him, and he dodged it. "I'm still thankful." She put on a forceful smile.

He snorted. "You might've heard it once, 'not even cute at all'."

"Psh. I wouldn't want to be, anyways." She poked him at the chest. "Especially now."

He said nothing. He actually didn't say anything for a moment. He scratched his head, and hesitated. His heart started to beat rather rapidly.

"What's the matter?" She poked his cheek now, smirking.

"Referring to that gratitude of yours…" His face still contained patches of pink.

"You could do something for me."

She gazed at him, her eyes confused.

He hesitated again, but reached his arms on her shoulders. Her eyes widened. Before she could say a word, he began to close in the gap between them slowly, as if asking for her permittance. She froze.

When they were no more than two inches apart, she opened her mouth.

"No." She reluctantly put her eyes away from his.

His expression was unreadable. "What?"

She laughed nervously. "I-I think once is enough for our good at the moment, r-right?"

He blinked. "It's just a question."

"Oh…"

"Until when are you staying here?"

"Ran told me to stay here until she came…"

"Private?"

"…Probably."

They stared at each other for a while. Suddenly, he finally closed the distance, and got her in his arms. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent. She also put her arms around him awkwardly, blushing a little.

She didn't neglect.

.

After a few minutes, they broke apart. He took a look at his watch and murmured through the silence.

"Well, I guess it's time for me to go, then."

"Wait-you don't have to-" She stopped talking, because he placed a finger gently on her lips.

"I honestly think you should rest before she comes." He smirked. "Right?"

"…I guess…"

With that, he said "See ya." And walked out of the building. However, she caught a trace of disappointment on his face.

After watching him walk across the street, she stepped away from the window, tossed her body on the bed and groaned loudly.

STUPID. DAMN. PRIDE. A%#$RGH!

-0-

The door opened.

"Ai-chan?" Of course, it was Ran.

Haibara woke up and yawned. "Hi."

"How're you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks."

"I made some tea for you. Come and drink it, please."

"Thank you."

Haibara took that as the beginning of the talk, so they went out and sat on the sofas.

For a few minutes, they only enjoyed the beverage.

"So, Ai-chan." Ran started.

Haibara looked up, and saw Ran smiling.

"I've told you already about him. Now I want to know about you."

"…Why?" Her question was dull, as if she already knew the answer.

"Conan-kun has become more of my little brother now. As a family, I'd like him to be happy." Ran beamed at her. "So…"

"What do you think of him?"

Haibara gulped.

"I-" However, she couldn't continue. Why?

"I…"

Ran was still smiling at her, expectant.

There was a long pause, as Haibara still thought. Every danger, every exchange, every moment they had passed together, every time she had felt the special bond between each other flashed in front of her eyes. Then, her eyes widened at the thought of his smiling face calling her name.

"…I love him." The words were no more than a whisper.

Ran's smile widened.

"Do you promise to be with him, to make him happy?"

Another pause.

"…I do." Haibara also smiled.

"Good." Ran sipped the remnant in her cup and stood up, smiling. "Just don't cross the lines, okay?"

It took Haibara a moment to know what she was talking about. She blushed. Then, something in her mind clicked.

"Ran-san…" She stood up, her face unreadable as she examined the face of Ran.

"Yes?"

She gazed at her kind smile. Not even a bit of sadness. Not even a peck of bitterness. Not even a twinge of regret was there. However, it seemed like Haibara's theory was right.

"…Thank you."

"You're welcome."

.

Soon, Haibara had her school bag and her uniform in a plastic bag.

"Again, thank you."

"Be happy." Ran answered simply, and patted her shoulder. Haibara's eyes were blank for a moment, but then were looking back with warmth. They both smiled. Haibara ran across the street to her house.

Haibara smiled at the beautiful sunset that painted the sky red.

Ran stared at her disappearing across the street. After a few minutes, she turned back and smiled to herself.

I knew I should have done this years ago. For you.

She took a look at the photos that were lined up on the walls.

Bye, bye. Shinichi…

-0-

(Ai's POV)

"It's good."

I told the gawking boy. I never really believed he could create an edible food. However, the fish porridge and the fried eggs were good enough.

Surprising for a guy like this.

It seemed like he didn't trust his skills either.

"Really? I did it like it said on the cooking channel."

"Yeah, I'm amazed."

"So it really is good!"

"No, it's not."

"Haha…" He started to cut up his potatoes.

I smirked and ate a second spoonful of porridge. However, my mind was not really into it. My mind was…

Elsewhere.

The reality. The conclusion. The knowledge. Something became clear to me in a short time.

Something extraordinarily beautiful.

I was not born to be cursed. I was not a burden for everyone. I was not here to be punished.

My life never meant 'sorrow'.

I was here for him. He was here…for me.

A few days passed after that incident. Hakase was at another convention for a week. It was already summer break by the time I was well enough to go to school. This guy willingly volunteered to stay here for my meals. We were eating our breakfast silently. He couldn't talk mostly because he was stuffing food in his mouth quickly. Soon enough, he finished his meal when I was only halfway through with my porridge.

"Ah~That was good." He leaned against the chair and put his head back. "Anyway, what's up? You're not talking much."

"…" I hesitated.

I opened my mouth when he suddenly spoke. "Why don't we do something special today?"

I smirked. "Such as?"

"Dunno. Anything. Let's go out for a change."

"Or read a healthy book for some change." I said loftily, not really wanting to go somewhere.

He narrowed his eyes and his eyes glinted. "A healthy book."

"Yeah." I was puzzled by his emphasize at the word healthy.

"You mean something like Shakesp-"

Ah, crap.

"I personally think it is much better than a maniac that constantly seeks for bloody, mystery novels."

"Meanwhile, your fictions contain-"

"Okay, forget the book. What do you want?" I hated that he saw a weakness. Jeez. I forgot this guy snooped around my room before. And it just had to include some crazy suicide scenes.

He grinned mischievously. "You've gotta exercise. I bet you haven't gone out of this place once after you got sick."

"It's my business to care about my body." I muttered.

Still, I made my way downstairs to change.

-0-

-End of Chapter Twelve-

A/N: Exams in two days…I hate how the chapters are getting smaller and smaller…But it's only until here. I'm gonna start writing more after the exams, so please look forward to the next chapter! Reviews are welcome!