Disclaimer: DC's still not mine, still dealing with it :( and heart- broken...

Sooooo, this is the fastest I've ever updated. I'm sorry to hear some of you just want this story to end... I still had some ideas left, but I think I'll shorten it then.

I'm also sorry I'm such a lazy updater, but I have my final exams in the upcoming months :( But I'll try to be better.

This update is for all of you who still enjoy the story. Thanks so much for your support! 3

Chapter 8: For once...

He was staring out of the window, watching the passing landscape outside, thinking, when Ran interrupted his thoughts: "Please, just for once," she started, looking around the Shinkansen cabin, "don't make any murders happen on this train!"

Shinichi frowned at her irritatedly: "I don't MAKE murders happen! It's not my fault psychopaths seem to appear where ever I go! It's just about being at the right place at the right time." Ran huffed at him. "Well, THIS is definitely NOT the right time, you hear me?! For once, I just want to have a normal, uncomplicated journey, without any delays and especially without dead bodies!" She shuddered and took a book from her bag. "So, if you please, just don't do anything to ruin this trip, you hear me?!" With that, she opened her novel and sank deeper into her seat. Shinichi scowled at her. "It's not as if I'm the murderer! I never killed anyone, just so you know!" he mumbled visibly annoyed, but Ran had either chosen to ignore him or was already immersed in her book. Some stupid romance novel, he deducted from the tacky cover showing a picture of a lonely swing hanging in a romantic, abandoned landscape. Shinichi rolled his eyes. He'd just sit there, stare out the window and if a corpse flew right past him from the train roof, he'd just ignore it. If that was what his girlfriend wanted, he'd do it. He crossed his arms in front of him and for a minute he actually expected something to happen. It would be just his luck. But, after half an hour of nothing except blurry landscapes and the monotone rattling of the Shinkansen, his thoughts wandered to his bet with Hattori.

He'd nearly choked to death on a Nigiri when Ran told him the news about their friends. And somehow, he still could not believe Hattori had actually asked Toyama-chan out. He'd bet there was something shady going on with Hattori. Maybe he had actually gotten Toyama-chan to fake a relationship with him, just to win their bet. But Shinichi doubted a sensible girl like her would take part in such a scheme. Anyhow, Shinichi did not believe they were for real and if he was correct he'd find out. The only problem was sitting right next to him. When he had as much as implied his disbelief, Ran's face had changed to a scary expression, threatening him with all sorts of hurtful punishments if he even mentioned something like that near Kazuha. Of course, she hadn't mentioned Hattori in her threats. A careless mistake on her part, providing him with the perfect loophole. (However, he wouldn't think about the fact that he was so afraid of Ran, he had to find a loophole first...)

"What's the matter?" Ran asked, setting her book aside. "N-nothing," he mumbled, waving his hands dismissively. "How's your book?" - "Great, it's just..." Ran started, but Shinichi interrupted her. "Reading in moving vehicles makes you sick," he finished for her, holding out a bottle of sweet tea, "I'm impressed you lasted as long as you did."

She rolled her eyes, but took the drink all the same. "So, no mysterious happenings yet," she chuckled, taking a sip of the tea. "Yeah, I deactivated my weirdo magnet today," Shinichi joked, putting his arm around his girlfriend. She smiled contently. "Good boy," she quipped, lying her head on his shoulder. Shinichi grinned involuntarily. "Just half an hour left till we arrive in Osaka! I'm so excited!" Ran whispered, as she looked outside the window. "Yep, we haven't seen them in ages," Shinichi agreed. "This is going to be the best holiday EVER!" Ran chirped and just like that they glided into an easy conversation, finishing an uneventful journey just as normal people did every day.

Heiji chuckled as Kazuha jumped from one foot to the other next to him at the station. "They're nearly here!" she exclaimed happily, watching an information board that showed the Shinkansen's arrival time. Five minutes left.

The past week had been pure torture for Heiji. If he was honest, he had never had a relationship which felt that easy- going and simple, while, at the same time, leaving him in shreds. Halfway through the week he had admitted it to himself: There was no acting left on his part. He shamelessly used every opportunity to casually touch Kazuha, to kiss her goodbye or to be with her in his spare time. How had he ever felt annoyed when she came to his Kendo practice after her own activities, just so they could drive home together?! Now the mere sight of her waiting for him at the stands made him smile like an idiot and finish off his opponents as fast as possible.

And right now, as she was fidgeting next to him like she did every year on Christmas before unpacking presents, he could not contain the feeling of joy inside him.

"I'm so happy the train is on time! It seems there was no murder or other stupidity, like you detectives normally evoke," she was just mumbling, re-adjusting her ponytail, as he grabbed her arm and gently pulled her towards him. She gasped and stared at him with huge eyes. "W-what are ya doin', Ahou?" she whispered and he grinned. "Kazuha, I need to tell you something," he stated and hoped she could not hear the slight catch in his voice. "I don't want to pretend anymore!"

A look of hurt crossed her face as she stiffened in his arms. "What do you mean? S-so we tell them w-we broke up?" Heiji could hear the ache in her voice as she tried to sound steady. He only shook his head and pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "No, Ahou, I'm trying to tell you this isn't pretend anymore!" He gently kissed her and after some anxious moments she started responding to the kiss. Relieved, he released a breath he didn't know he had been holding in as he deeply looked into her eyes. "So," she stated, wrinkling her nose, "you kinda like me?" - "So," he countered, pecking the tip of her nose, as he felt his ears getting warmer, "I take it you're agreeing with making our relationship real?" She blushed in turn and his heart pounded proudly at her reaction. Grinning, he pressed her closer to himself and whispered in her ear: "I don't know what you were thinking about, but I might like where this is going..."

At this, she shoved his chest and exclaimed "Ahou", at which he chuckled. "Great," Heiji mumbled and claimed her lips again. He'd never felt this happy. They would sort out everything later, but right that moment he felt perfect. And he wouldn't even have to pretend when their friends arrived. Deepening the kiss he felt her hands caress the nape of his neck – an attitude she had adopted some days ago – and sighed happily, when a harsh cough caught his attention. Breaking apart he stared directly at Shinichi and Ran, the latter was blushing furiously and staring at her shoes, while Kudo looked at them suspiciously – his typical detective look. Heiji laughed sheepishly as Kazuha directly jumped into hostess mode. "Oh my gosh, I'm so happy you are here!" she squealed, pushing away from Heiji's embrace and hugging Ran fiercely. The other girl returned the hug and smiled good-naturedly, visibly feeling more at ease now. "Me, too!" she laughed, adding a small smile in Heiji's direction. Kudo frowned, but extended his hand to Heiji. "Hattori," he greeted, as Heiji returned his gesture.

Kazuha and Ran giggled. "Why are you so formal?" Ran asked. "Yeah, we know you're besties, don't act so stiff, Ahou!" Kazuha added, as the girls strode past their boyfriends. "I guess that leaves the luggage for us?" Heiji shouted after them, already picking up Ran's yellow suitcase. "I knew there was a reason they call you a detective!" Kazuha teased from afar, but when Heiji wanted to throw her a dirty look he saw her smiling at him over her shoulder and it made his heart beat faster. He didn't even notice the calculating looks the other detective gave him while measuring the situation. This was definitely going to be a great weekend.

Author's Notes: I hope you don't mind the time jump. There will be more school friends stuff, but I did want to get on with the story.

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Thanks y'all!
Hugs, RiaSternchen