Four points of the same star
A.N: Another few corrections here and there...
DISCLAIMER:I do not own Detective Conan .
FOUR POINTS OF THE SAME STAR
Chapter 4
It can't be true..
-:-
Fourteen year old Shinichi was at his desk, looking out the window and absently listening to Ran and Sonoko's chatting. The bell had just rung and the class was waiting Mr Sawada's arrival in silence. All but Sonoko who was talking loudly as usual.
"I heard that a new student's coming here, today. I think that it will be a boy." she said. "A cute boy. I'm sure."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked, "Could be a girl for all we know."
"Instinct, Kudo. Women's instinct. I'm sure that the new one is a boy." she replied, making him shake his head in disbelief while Ran laughed.
The door opened and as the teacher entered, everyone scrambled back to his desk and the class went silent.
"Class, a new student has just moved here from Europe and will join us for the following term." He turned to the door, "You can come in now."
As the new one entered the room, Sonoko let out a disappointed "Oh, no!", while many boys dropped their mouths open.
The new student was a girl. A very pretty girl with slim figure, dark brown hair that reached her shoulder blades and dark cobalt-blue eyes.
"Hello, my name is Reila Ikeda." she said.
She had a pleasant and friendly tone but he noticed a faint trace of sadness behind her voice and also a glint of sorrow in her eyes.
'She seems very friendly and she's pretty, too, but there's something strange in her.' he thought.
There was a general murmur in the class, now. Ikeda had made a good impression. Mr. Sawada coughed a few times to get silence.
"All right now." he said looking around the room for a seat and noticed the empty desk at Shinichi's right. "There's a place down there: you can take that seat, Ikeda"
She nodded and walked to her desk, ignoring whispers and soft whistles. As she sat down, she felt Shinichi's stare: she turned and when their eyes met, Reila smiled making him blush slightly.
Ran, who was a few seats in front with Sonoko, saw this and turned away; Sonoko, seeing her friend's face shot Ikeda an angry look while all the boys of the class gave him death glares.
Noticing this, he gulped.
'Oh, god..'
-:-
Mr. Sawada was a good teacher: his lessons were always clear and well done and he expected the same from students. He helped them if they needed aid, spending a few lessons to discuss topics they couldn't have understood and explained them again. Today was one of those days.
"Class, I have noticed that many of you have not understood how to discuss and write a review of an article adding personal opinions. So I thought we could do it together today." he said, passing out some papers, "I've made some photocopies of an old article I found in scientific-cultural magazine: you must read it now and then we'll discuss it together."
He looked down at the paper and smiled slightly. He had already read the article weeks ago. The title was 'A model of logical mind and method of reasoning: Sherlock Holmes, the great detective.' He heard a few groans; the other students probably didn't like the subject. He quickly read the paper and waited. He looked at Ran and saw that she was still busy and then glanced at Ikeda and saw that she had already finished, too.
As he turned away, he failed to notice Reila look up and glance at him with a thoughtful look.
"Everybody read it?" Mr. Sawada asked, "Not yet? Well, someone that has already finished can begin and the others can join in afterwards, all right? So, who wants to start?"
A hand shot up.
"Kobayashi? Ok. I suppose that all of you are able to make a summary of the main topics of a passage, so I'd skip that. Just tell us your personal impressions of what you read."
Kobayashi was a boy that wore glasses and sat right in the front desk. He was not a such a bad fellow but he always thought that he was right.
"Yes, sir." he said, standing up, "The article is well written but I think that the ideas it explains are only theoretic and not practicable."
"What do you mean?" the teacher asked.
"Well, Holmes says that observing a person's clothes, the way he walks and other marginal details, could allow him to identify his job and his way of living. I'm sure that it's impossible."
"All right, that's your opinion. Now, who agrees with him?" Mr. Sawada asked the class, "Raise your hand if you think that Kobayashi is right."
Many people raised their hand and a lot that didn't had a doubtful look on the face.
"Anyone wants to retort Kobayashi's statements?" Sawada asked, with a smile. "Come on, that's the only way to have a discussion, so don't be shy."
He raised his hand.
"Kudo? All right, what do you think?"
He got up and began to speak.
"I don't agree with Kobayashi. The ideas explained in the article are not theoretic but very practicable. In A study in scarlet Holmes states that an ideal detective must have three necessary qualities: spirit of observation, ability in deductions and, of course, a good general knowledge. He also says that while the second is extremely precious for his work, the spirit of observation is like a second nature for him and I agree with him. If you start observing the people around, you will surely manage to discover their habits and even foretell their actions. It's an exact science."
Kobayashi, that was still standing up, interrupted him.
"Your words are theoretic as the article, Kudo." he shot back, "I am sure that what you said is not possible. Defining it a science, moreover, is a great exaggeration: I would call it guessing since you can't be sure at hundred percent."
He was about to retort when someone else did it before him.
"No, you're wrong."
Everyone turned around to see who spoke and he was surprised to see that it had been Ikeda.
She got up and turned to Mr. Sawada
"Can I join the discussion?" she asked.
The teacher nodded and she began to talk, addressing herself to Kobayashi.
"I agree with Kudo. Investigation is a science and it requires the three qualities that he has listed before; the spirit of observation, in particular. You can't define it just "guessing" because it's not true. In The Sign of the Four Holmes says he never tries to guess because it's a deplorable habit, harmful for logical faculties. And I agree. It's true, you can't make an attempt. You have to be sure of what you're saying."
"All right, but you must make some suppositions before! It's impossible to get it right immediately. First, you make a guess and then you start observing the subject." Kobayashi retorted.
"The worst mistake is to make suppositions before having all the clues. It distorts your judgement." he stated and heard Ikeda say the same with him.
Kobayashi was caught of his guard: he didn't expect such confidence by them but soon recovered. "Well, if you're so sure, why don't you prove it?" he asked. He was so sure that neither would have found a way to do what they asserted that his eyes widened when Ikeda and Shinichi nodded in unison. Rei turned to Mr. Sawada.
"Sir, can we use you as the subject of observation?" she asked.
"Me? Well, why not?" he said with a slightly amused face. "I must say that this discussion has become very interesting."
Reila's stare was fixed on the teacher and after a few moments of silence, she began to speak.
"Well, sir, you're tall 1 metre 75, your weight is between 80-85 kg, you don't smoke or drink alcoholics, you used to play baseball as a pitcher in your school days, you're not married or engaged, you live alone with a cat as a pet. A Persian cat, to be exact."
She stopped as she noticed the amazed looks on her class mates and Mr. Sawada's face. He was impressed as everyone else.
'Wow, she's really good.' he thought, 'I could not have done better.'
Mr. Sawada was the first one to get his words back.
"I'm very impressed, Ikeda. You said only true things, although I really can't understand how you did." he said, "Why don't you explain?"
He was still staring at her when Ikeda turned to look at him. She nodded her head slightly and he understood, straightaway.
"I can explain it, sir." he said, smiling to her before turning to his teacher." Height and weight are easy to measure. You don't smoke or drink since your health is good. We noticed it when you coughed before and since your teeth are in perfect condition, we knew that you don't smoke. you've got calluses on your hands, especially on the right one and you have the habit to curve your index and middle fingers, so we thought you must have played baseball, probably as a pitcher. You don't have a ring on your left hand, so you're not married; your shirt's collar is not ironed well and your sleeve's button is loose, so you are not engaged. It also means that you live alone and that there isn't somebody that takes care of you. There is some white fur on your trousers, so you must have an animal. A cat since there is a scratch on your hand. Persian because the hair's thin and long."
The class had gone quiet: everyone was amazed by Kudo and Ikeda's ability. Kobayashi slumped back in his seat for he could not say anything else after their performance. Ran was stunned by Shinichi's skills and was proud of him too but, at the same time, she felt uneasy. She had noticed the way he smiled to Reila and how they seemed to understand each other, without words.
The bell rang and brought everyone back to senses.
"Well, class, the lesson has been quite interesting and I think that you all have some ideas now so, don't forget to do your reviews." Mr. Sawada said, "Goodbye, see you next Thursday."
As soon as he left, he went to Reila's desk.
"Ehm.. excuse me, Ikeda-san?"
She looked up.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I just wanted to introduce myself." he replied, holding out his hand, "Shinichi Kudo, pleased to meet you."
"Oh.. Reila Ikeda, pleased to meet you, too." She stared at him and a flash of recognition crossed her eyes. "Listen, are you Yusaku and Yukiko Kudo's son?"
"Yes, I am." he said, a bit surprised, "Have we met before?"
"So, it's you!" she said smiling, "We've met a few years ago. I think it was at a party for your father's latest novel. I remember your parents very well and you were there, too." She smirked. "With a very annoyed face."
"Wait a minute.. I think I remember something... but.. Listen, can I ask you a thing?"
"Sure."
"How were you so sure that I would have explained what you said?"
She looked at him.
"Well, to tell the truth, I don't know." she said, "I just felt that you understood everything and could have explained the deductions clearly."
He smiled.
"I see... You read Sherlock Holmes too, don't you?"
"Yes, I've always loved his novels. Ah, by the way, Kudo-san.."
"Huh?"
"Holmes talked about the three qualities for an ideal detective in The Sign of the Four not in the A Study in Scarlet
He sweat dropped while Reila laughed slightly.
-:-
"She's a "Sherlock Holmes freak" like you? Ai asked as though being one was one of the deadly sins. Fortunately, Conan didn't notice the sarcastic hint in her tone since he was too engrossed in his thoughts.
"Yeah.. but she isn't just that. We have many things in common. You know, investigations, mysteries and so on. We became friends immediately."
"So.. she's a female version of yourself. Wasn't one detective Kudo enough?" Ai wondered sarcastically. Conan made a face at her, but continued talking.
"When I went home, I told my parents about her on the phone and, well, they revealed me a few things about her." His face became serious."Her parents had died two years before in a car crash. The police has registered the case as an accident caused by a mistake of the driver even though there were some clues that made them think of an intentional event. Fearing for her personal security, her father's partner who became her guardian sent her to Europe. But she was not sure of the investigation's results at all. She told me that her father would never drive dangerously, risking his or, especially, her mother's life. So, she decided to find out herself."
"What do you mean?"
"She came back to Japan only to stay for a few months: her plan was to go to America and finish her studies as quickly as possible. Then, she would have started investigating on her own."
"She's a very self-confident girl." Ai remarked.
"No, you're wrong." Conan replied, making her turn her head in surprise. "Don't misunderstand: she's very resolute, but there are times when she loses confidence in her abilities. I think that she wants to find the truth but, at the same time, she's afraid to discover something that will make her suffer even more than she already had. That's why, we decided to help her."
"We?"
"My parents and I. They decided to let her stay at our house in L.A so she did not have to lose time looking for a house but could use it to choose a suitable college. You know, Rei's parents were good friends of my father. I think that they considered her a bit like a surrogate daughter. I didn't do much.. I just gave her confidence and help whenever she asked. It's strange but even though we just met once when we were small and then back at school for a few months, I cared for a very much. She was different from the other girls.. even from Ran."
"Did you fall in love with her, Kudo?" Ai asked.
He looked at her with such a tender smile, that heat rose on her face. She quickly turned away. "Sorry, I didn't want to.." she said softly but he stopped her.
"No, don't worry. I didn't love her in any romantic way. She means a lot to me and she's a close friend but there isn't anything more.. she's like a sister. Professor once said that we seemed like brother and sister for the way we behaved and I think he was right. I could talk to her about everything and I could confide her my problems and feelings naturally. And she did the same with me. It's a bit like the way I talk with you." he said without thinking. Conan paused before his last few words sank in and, blushing, he turned to Ai who was slightly pink, too.
"Ehm.. Haibara.. I didn't.." he started to say but the bell rang and Ai got up and heading to the door. She turned her head, shooting him a small smile that made him blush even deeper.
"Come on, Edogawa-kun." she said.
He just followed her.
'Why am I blushing?' he thought.
"Bye, Conan-kun! See you tomorrow!"
"Bye, guys!"
Conan waved goodbye at the three joyful kids and the silent girl as they split and continued their journey home. He went to the Mouri's house and opened the door.
"I'm back Ran-neechan!" he called
"Hi, Conan-kun." she greeted him, "How did school go?"
"It went very well." he said with a smile.
Ran smiled back slightly surprised. It was maybe the first time that she heard Conan enjoy a school day.
"Good for you." she said, "Listen, dinner will be ready in a minute, so go and wash your hands. Oh, can you call Dad, too?"
"Yes, Ran-neechan!"
-:-
Conan was in his room, lying on the bed. He was going to get ready to go to bed when he remembered his mother's letter.
'I'd better read it or Mom will give me a earful for making her worry.' he thought, a bit annoyed. He stretched his hand and took the letter from the jacket laid on the chair. He carelessly opened the envelope and unfolded the paper, sure that it would be full of his mother's recommendations.
'Let's see what she says... Huh? Dad? What does he want? He never writes... unless.. unless something has happened. Something serious.'
He got up and his heartbeats started to accelerate as he read the first line.
"Dear son, I have bad news.."
Conan's eyes widened in shock as he read the rest.
"No, it's impossible! There.. there must be a mistake.. he's wrong.." he muttered under his breath. Just then, he noticed a newspaper cutting inside the envelope. He, slowly unfolded it and his mind went blank, when he read the title.
"It's impossible... It can't be true..."
And this chapter's up, too! On with the next.
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