A/N: Sorry for the long holdup guys. Finally, I'm able to write again now that the exams are over. Thank you YELLOW JACKET PRIDE, korenai-chan, cahyaputra, Enji86, Anime Lady PIMP and purebloodragdoll for your reviews and opinion! Also, I love you all who enjoyed reading my story. Ah, and it's more like Conan couldn't pick Ai up since he didn't know how long Ai and Ran would be talking, right? And…yeah…CoxAi means sadness for Ran, too bad. Finally, I didn't do so well on my exams :( Anyway, to the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own DC.

Chapter Thirteen

Undeniable

If I were to reborn, I would want to forget about the life I have now and live again.

-0-

(Ai's POV)

"Where are we even going?" I asked as I got upstairs, fully dressed, more or less disgruntled. "It's too hot these days."

The boy just smirked. "Anywhere. It's better than sticking around at your house, right?"

I snorted. "If there isn't any murder on our way, that is." He rolled his eyes.

"Ready now?"

"Hold on a sec. I need at least some sunblock."

He sighed and followed me to the bathroom. It was amusing to see him impatient, so I did everything slowly than necessary, humming all the while. He tapped his foot now and then, shooting glances. When he heard me cap the bottle, he gave a small sigh of relief.

"C'mon. You take a lot of time to get ready." He grabbed my wrist and I felt the same sting of electricty by the touch.

I winced a bit, but didn't shake him off.

He reluctantly let go. "What's wrong?"

"Parasol." I muttered and got one near the door. When I turned around, he was looking a little awkward. I smirked at his childish reaction.

"Let's go." He mumbled and hesitantly grabbed my wrist again, avoiding my eyes.

I felt some heat on my face but smiled as we left the house together. I didn't bother to ask our destination anymore.

It didn't really matter.

.

"You're really not an outdoor person, are you?" He smirked annoyingly.

We walked mindlessly for some minutes in a park, him still holding my wrist. I was slow for him, so he was leading me like a dog.

"Oh, you must be a genius." I wiped some sweat on the left side of my face. "You're not looking good, either." I commented as I examined the beads of sweat running down his cheeks.

He chose not to answer but instead scanned my face. While I tried to look away, he led me to a small group of trees.

"Let's rest here for a while." He lied down under the shadow and pulled me. I closed the parasol and sat next to him.

The heat was steadily growing stronger as the time approached towards noon. Thankfully, a bit of cool breeze ran against my skin. He felt it too, and closed his eyes. There was a few minutes of silence. I could hear him breathing steadily. I slowly slipped my arm out and decided to look around the park.

The park was fairly quiet. It seemed like people did not want to waste any energy on a hot day. Only a few were jogging around the trees, and some were walking their dogs. I went behind them inside the trees, not wanting to go out into the sun. At the end of the road, I stopped and gazed at what was ahead of me.

At least two hundred sunflowers stood among the grass with a small route between them.

"Wow…" The brightness, the color, the scent. Everything was…

"-Looks good, right?"

I was startled by his sudden appearance.

"Yeesh! Cut that out. When did you even wake up?"

He ignored me and touched one of them.

"They claimed to plant them into a big route…looks like they succeeded." He handed me the parasol and started to walk, expecting me to follow.

I sighed but went along.

For a few minutes, we just enjoyed the moment. I was mesmerized by the beauty, but then again…

"You know, sunflowers have their own legend."

"Which is?"

"Sunflower was actually a woman…that fell in love with the god of sun. She loved him so much, that she stood all day gazing at the sun, pleading."

"So that's why it's called sunflower?" He laughed, as if it was too lame.

I gave him a look, which silenced him, and continued. "Well, the god did not share even a glance with her. He simply ignored her. But she was persistent. She still stood on the same spot every day, still staring only at the sun."

His expression was unreadable by then. I almost talked to myself as I fiddled one of the sunflowers in my palm. "Eventually, she was rooted to the spot…And turned into a flower that would only look in the direction of the sun." Suddenly, I felt stupid for even telling him such a story. I didn't want to look at his face.

I was hitting myself mentally when he snorted.

"Nonsense."

"What?"

"The sun never ignored its flowers." He smirked at my puzzled face.

"Sunflowers only look in the direction of the sun because they need more nutrients than the others. Doesn't that mean the sun had accepted their existence? Doesn't that mean the sun cares for its protection? After all-"

He took the sunflower out of my hand and placed it gently on my hair.

"-The sun had wanted the flower to keep looking at it. Nothing else."

I blinked and looked into his eyes. I couldn't help but to smile.

"What?" He asked, his face getting a little pink.

I grinned. "Nothing."

He scratched his head and started to walk again.

Sometimes, he knew so much more than I did.

-0-

(General POV)

They stayed in the route longer than they thought. The sun was already shining to its fullest power, and most of the people were gone, not wanting to stay out in such a weather.

Beads of sweat ran down his forehead, onto his glasses. He took them off, annoyed. The golden flowers were reflecting the sunlight, making their sight even more blinding.

They sighed in unison when the trail ended, and they were inside a small group of trees once more.

When they were about to sit down and have a grateful break, a voice interrupted them.

"Oi, Edo!"

"Ha-Hattori?"

A brown-skinned man stood in front of them, and another woman behind him. The woman frowned a little at what the teenage boy had just stated.

Haibara poked him with her elbow.

"I-I mean Heiji-niichan-Haha-"

"You always call him that." Kazuha still frowned.

"Idiot." Said Haibara quietly, while Conan just laughed, a bit nervous.

He decided to change the subject. "Anyway-Why are you guys here? Another case?"

"Yeah, pretty much." Heiji grinned and slung his arm around Conan's neck. "I think we could have a nice chat together!"

Somehow, Conan's face flushed. "About what?"

Heiji grinned again and put his arm on Haibara's shoulder, which flinched. "A certain someone told us that this nee-chan finally came back!"

"Who?" The teens asked in unison.

"Ran reminded us that promise she made to everyone. I'm sorry we forgot." Kazuha added apologetically.

"It's okay. Are you married now?" Haibara asked.

They both turned extremely red. "WHAT? Of course not!"

Conan grinned mischievously. "They only started to go out 3 months ago."

"Anyway-" Heiji started to pull Conan away from the group. "I think a nice chat won't bother your pretty date, eh?"

Before Conan or Haibara could say a word, Heiji was already walking at full speed into the trees, Conan's head in his armpit. Haibara eyed them suspiciously, but remained.

.

"So, looks like you've finally found it."

"What?" Conan's face was rather annoyed as he glared at Heiji's playful look.

"You know." He pointed at Haibara through the bushes.

Conan also looked at her. Today, she was wearing a casual white T-shirt and blue shorts that matched with the season, with the yellow parasol which she was closing right now. He couldn't help but to stare at her for a while before coming back again.

Heiji pulled up the annoying face again. "Her."

Sheesh. "What about her?"

"Ya know…" Heiji suddenly turned serious.

"…"

"YOUR GIRL!" Heiji suddenly exploded, his mouth hanging from an ear to another, which made Conan's eyes open in panic and fluster.

"Shut up! Not so loud!"

Heiji grinned triumphantly. "Anyway, watcha goin' to do with her now? You even hated her once for being one of them."

"Psh," Conan snorted a bit, but thought for a moment.

She really is confusing…That time,

(hakase's house)

"But it's only going to be like this, right?" I couldn't stop her.

I thought I'd been wrong…but just a few days ago,

Conan's face reddened at the thought.

"Oi." Heiji waved. "Watcha thinkin'? Don't tell me you already-"

"Will you keep it quiet?" Conan looked around wildly, searching where the girls are. Thankfully, it was far enough.

"I can help ya, you know." Heiji grinned. "I confessed to Kazuha first, and she loved it."

"Really?..." And me…I got…

The previous memory flashed through his mind. Then, he decided.

"Fine, then. Tell me what you got."

-0-

"Hmf."

"…?"

"I always wondered." Kazuha was gazing into the trees, where the boys have entered. "Why are they so close to each other? I mean, they are about 10 years apart."

"…^^;;" Haibara chuckled. "Well, they are both detectives."

"But still, it's so weird. They are acting like…they've got the same age."

At this, Haibara acted as if there was nothing wrong about it. "Yeah, I get that feeling sometimes."

"Anyway." Kazuha turned her head towards the other, a motherly expression on her face.

Haibara was puzzled at the sudden change.

"You're already dating him? I always knew you looked cute together, but its so fast-"

"No, it's not like that." Haibara turned pink at the words.

"Yet, though. Right?"

"Eh…" Kazuha waited until she answered. Although Haibara didn't really want to say the words out loud, she knew it was true.

"I…I guess so, but…"

Kazuha smiled and whispered.

"I could help you out."

They looked into each other for a second, and she continued.

"I was seriously a chicken for a lot of years, but I did it."

"You confessed to him?"

At this, she turned a little pink herself. "Yes."

Haibara bit her lips for a split second, and then took it.

"Okay, then…"

Upon seeing her nod, she poured out all the things that had been going on after her comeback.

.

"And a few days ago…"

Then, Haibara paused, a bit embarrassed.

Kazuha smiled, guessing mildly what it would be. "Go on."

"I was sick at the street, for a reason…" She didn't want to think of that at the moment. "and Edogawa-kun suddenly appeared and carried me to the Mouri Detective Agency for help. I was unconscious for some hours, and when I woke up, he was…looking after me, I think. And then-" She started feel some heat going through her body.

"And then?"

"AAH!" The girls jumped at the sudden appearance of the voice. Heiji looked at their surprised expressions, his eyes rather narrow. He glanced at the auburn hair that reflected the sunlight through the leaves.

"Watcha bin talkin' about till now? It sounded serious."

"Ah-It's nothing. R-Right?" Kazuha nodded vigorously.

Heiji was not satisfied by the answer, but grabbed Kazuha's arm and pulled her up.

"Well, then. Let's go."

"What? But I have to-" Kazuha glanced at Haibara.

"We're not gonna ruin their nice date any longer." Conan and Haibara both flushed. "Maybe we'll see each other again in a few days, cuz I've got a case that's around here."

With that, he pulled Kazuha and started to walk out of the park, ignoring her protests.

"I'll call you later!" Kazuha managed to say those words before they left.

Conan and Haibara just stared at them leave, bewildered.

-0-

(Ai's POV)

For a few more minutes, we were totally silent. Then, his stomach gurgled. He blushed while I took a look at my watch. It was already four thirty.

"Ah, we forgot to eat lunch…"

"Why not an early dinner?" I nodded, feeling hungry.

He got up and…took my hand hesitantly. I looked up, and saw him avoiding my eyes, his face a little pink. I smiled as he helped me get up.

Then, a sudden flash and a noise made us jump in surprise.

…Lightning?

"What the-" He turned his head up, and found the sky. It was suddenly filled with clouds that were turning blacker every second.

"Oh no-" He quickly pulled my hand, rushing out of the park. However, even as we made our way out of the gate, the first drop of rain fell on my face.

We ran and ran, until we finally ran out of breath and stopped for a while under a bus station. "Crap." Drops of rain were pelting the ground already.

"I'm sorry, I should've looked at the weather forecast-"

"Don't worry." I opened the parasol. "It's ok."

We held the parasol together and walked as the rain poured down harder than ever. I sighed. Nothing more to expect from such a hot weather.

Then, he noticed that my arm was out of the parasol's reach.

"Come closer."

"I'm fine." But even as I said so, I shivered.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Wha-" He took his beige jacket off and put it around my shoulders along with his arm and pulled me towards him. I felt the warmth of his chest against my back. It was a good thing he stood behind me. I bet my face would have been totally red.

As much as I'd've liked to assure him, my body was a traitor. Instead of saying thanks, my teeth chattered and my body was still shaking a bit. He did not look satisfied.

"Quick. Let's get in here." He pulled me into a place. It was raining so much I could not even see what the sign said.

It was a cafe. I sat down on one of the chairs and wiped away most of the moisture on my body with napkins. When I was finally dry enough, I looked up just in time to see him arrive with two mugs.

"Here." He handed me one and sat down at the other side of the table. It was coffee. I smiled at the irony of having hot drinks in the peak of summer.

I sipped a little. "Thanks." I watched him drink from his own mug. I could see he was drinking hot chocolate from the marshmallow on top of the brown liquid.

We finished our drinks in a few minutes.

"You didn't need to buy this…"

He ignored it. "Are you better now?"

"Yeah."

"Doesn't seem like it." He reached his arm across the table and touched my bangs softly. I froze by the sudden contact. "It's still wet here…And there…" He sweeped his palm through my forehead and wiped the moisture that was still there.

When he was finally done, he smirked at me. I was sure my face had patches of pink as I looked into his eyes. His expression was…(I really don't know how to describe it) burning, as he also stared into my face.

Something moved my insides. Then, I just said it.

"You know it already, right?"

"What?"

"…"

He stared at me, curious.

"That I-"

My phone vibrated. Why? Why right now? Reluctantly, I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Ai-chan. It's me." Kazuha. I sighed. I forgot about what she said earlier.

"Em…I'll call you back soon, okay?"

She understood…maybe. "Alright, then. Soon!"

By the time I pressed the "End Call" on my cell phone screen, I knew my chance was off. His eyes had a twinkle that replaced the burning sensation. It made me…just stay cool.

I quickly looked around for an excuse. Thankfully, it was raining less.

"Let's go before it starts to pour down again."

And I left the table, leaving him confused.

Chicken.

-0-

(General POV)

It was a silent walk.

His arm was again wrapped around her shoulders, holding up the parasol for both of them. They were both deep in thought.

She was insulting herself mentally for being a chicken.

I could've done it right there, but why hadn't I? Ugh.

However, she was still curious of what Kazuha would say. She imagined Kazuha's would-be-shy face barely making out the words to confess to her best friend. It brought up chuckles.

Meanwhile, Conan was thinking enough to not notice her laughing.

He thought about the advice his best friend gave him.

"I always knew you'd get rejected."

"Shut up." His face was pink.

Heiji was still playful. "But I know the reason."

"Seriously? What is it? Tell me!" Conan was already impatient.

"Chill, we've gotta make a deal over here."

Conan glared at him, pointing down. Heiji knew he meant business and laughed nervously, and continued, looking at Conan's hi-tech shoes.

"It needs to be something special."

"I figured as much. How, though?"

"Ya know…" Heiji grinned. "You've gotta be romatic."

Conan's face turned aghast. "What?...How?"

"Make a banner or somethin' that says 'I love you'-"

"WHAT THE HELL! I'm never doing things like that."

"Hey, I've done it. And it turned out fine."

Conan snorted. "Right. I'm full of your advice now." He glanced behind, into the trees. "Let's get back." He started to walk.

"Oi, Edo!" Heiji quickly ran over to him. "I'm tellin' ya, you've gotta do it before she does!"

Conan turned around, confused.

"A man's supposed to be, ye know-" He whispered into his ear. "-Quicker at those things than his woman. She'll get disappointed if you don't."

Conan's face was sarcastic. 'What…?'

A part of him dared to say something. He really wanted to ask her. What had she wanted to say? If he was deducing correctly about her question, he didn't want to hear it.

Not yet.

If Heiji is right…He thought of demonstrating the banner in public, and also imagined Haibara smiling with her fist flying towards his face.

He shook his head. That is so not going to work.

"What are you doing?"

"No-Nothing." He avoided her narrow eyes.

They were already at the front steps of hakase's house. His arm finally came off to close the parasol and open the door.

Haibara went inside first and purposefully yawned.

"Well, good night, Edogawa-kun. That was fun today."

He wasn't expecting an early good-night, so he ignored the emphasis on the word 'fun' and accepted it.

"Oh-you-you too."

He barely said it as she closed the door behind her. He stared at the door for a while, ruffled his hair, and sat down on the sofa.

It was a hard decision to take.

Is he really right about this?

Soon, his expression was solid. He sighed, shook his head, and went inside of his room.

Romantic. Are you kidding me?

.

"Are you serious?" She asked for the fifth time now.

Exasperated, the other answered again. "Yes, I am."

"But if you've done that already, doesn't that mean you two are going out?"

"…" The girl's face reddened. "But you know…It's not in a…formal way." She sighed. "And besides, that time, things just got out of hand. Neither of us were really…thinking."

It was silent at the other side of the phone for a few minutes.

"Tell you what." She finally spoke. "I bet he will be trying something."

"Hm?"

"C'mon. You know he'd ask you out again."

"…" The girl knew she was right.

"So what you need is, a proper timing."

"What?"

"You need to know when to say it."

"…"

After that, they talked for only a few more minutes. When Haibara set down her cell phone on her desk, she sighed.

I don't get it.

She lied down on the bed without even changing her clothes. She wasn't even bothered that some of her hair was still wet from the rain.

As she drifted to unconsciousness, she barely thought of one thing.

Whatever happens, I'll take it…

-0-

-End of Chapter Thirteen-

A/N: Phew, finally done with this chapter. I'm getting depressed these days, and it was hard. But still, no excuses, and I'm sorry for the long wait. I wish this chapter was okay enough to compensate. Also, I will always appreciate reviews.