Christmas Eve…

"I'm home!" Ran called out as she went up the stairs. She entered the office to greet her dad and asked if Conan came home yet.

"The Professor called and said he's taking out the brats to see the stupid Christmas Tree Lighting" Kogoro responded to her while watching the horse race from his television up close. "Argh! I lost again!"

Ran shook her head and sighed. She walked over to the kitchen to prepare some dinner. It's these times she wish her mom still lived with them. After an hour passed, she had fixed up a meal.

I guess he's not coming. Not even a call. What a mystery loving freak. Ran wiped a tear from her eyes before it fell. She picked up the phone to call Sonoko. Even children are going out to have fun, why do I have to make myself feel this way over that idiot?

"Hello? Sonoko, let's go watch grab some cake and watch the Christmas Tree Lighting." Ran told Sonoko over the phone. Sonoko grunted and complained how she doesn't want to go with another girl to such an event, but she still said to meet up at 11 at the cake shop near the Tree so they can watch it from there. The two hanged up and Ran told her dad that she's going out with Sonoko.

He's not even paying attention. Geez. Ran sighed and went to her room to get ready. She decided to wear a red wool fitted dress her mom gave her and paired it with boots. She looked at herself in the mirror and said thought to herself. Why bother putting so much effort? I should just go.

…

Ran arrived at the cake shop a little earlier than Sonoko, so she grabbed them some slices of cake and some seats by the window bar table where they can see the Christmas Tree Lighting. She watched many couples come in and out of the shop and hoped that Sonoko arrives soon. As she saw flakes of snow falling, she was reminded of Shinichi. They have always spent Christmas together. She couldn't understand how everything could change so suddenly. Just as she wiped the tear from her eyes, she saw Sonoko among the crowds of people outside and smiled.

"Sono—" Ran stopped herself before she could call out Sonoko when she saw that Sonoko wasn't alone, but it was too late. Sonoko already saw her and started walking towards her.

"Ran!" Sonoko put clapped her hands together to plead. "I'm so sorry! Makoto surprised me when I saw him outside my house tonight! Isn't he just romantic?! Over the phone, he was acting like he didn't care about tonight, but look where he's at! Hohohoho! The Sonoko charm is just so irresistible!"

Ran and Makoto laughed at Sonoko as she went on and on about Makoto. After a couple of minutes, Sonoko and Makoto excused themselves and apologized to Ran for suddenly leaving her. In response, Ran made up some excuse so that Sonoko and Makoto won't feel too bad. She told them how Shinichi actually just called right before Sonoko arrived. Sonoko teased her before leaving and they finally left.

All alone for Christmas Eve huh? Ran smiled sadly. She decided to put away the cake slices and just take it home for Conan and his friends. She left the shop and started walking home. She mostly passed by couples holding hands, walking arm by arm, or even a guy having his shoulder over his girlfriend as they share a scarf. I wonder if people would have thought of me and Shinichi as a couple if they saw—Wait. Stop Ran, stop thinking about that idiot.

After a cold walk under the snow and probably missing the Christmas Tree Lighting, Ran is finally in front of her house. She can't wait to get warm and drink a cup of hot cocoa. She took about three steps on the stairs before she turned towards the railings of the sidewalk by their house. Ran thought to herself that she must be hallucinating and laughed. She started heading back upstairs.

"Oy! Don't ignore me! I was waiting here all night for you!" When she heard the voice, she turned around with tears glistening her eyes. She slowly walked down the stairs again and once she reached the bottom, her tears fell like the droplets of snow that covered the streets and houses.

"Shinichi?" She touched his freezing cheek to see if he was real. When she confirmed that he was real, she asked why he was there standing in front of her house. What was he doing outside in this freezing weather?

"Because it's Christmas Eve" Shinichi smiled. On the corner of his eyes, he saw the tip of the Christmas Tree from Beika Plaza finally being lighted up. He pulled a small bouquet with a box of chocolate he's been holding behind him and handed it over to Ran. "Merry Christmas Ran. I'm back."

Authors note: Thank you for reading this short fanfic of mine! I know some of you are dying to know what was written on the box. I will be posting an extra chapter regarding what actually happened to Conan/Shinichi after Professor Agasa left him by himself at his house with that oh-mighty-mysterious box. Again, thank you!

3 Haine-chan 3