The sun filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting a warm golden glow over the living room. Yukiko Kudo stood in the living room with a content smile on her face. She had transformed the room into a makeshift 'Disguise and Drama' studio, complete with stage lights, mirrors, and a trunk overflowing with costumes, wigs, and makeup.
"Shin-chan, Ai-chan," she called out, her voice filled with excitement. "Come here, I have something fun planned for us!"
Conan groaned as he looked up from his desk to the clock on the wall. It had been a long week, and what felt like an even longer month since he'd last had some time for himself. Ai knocks the door softly and calls for him. Conan opens the door and exchange lazy glances before making their way over to her. Conan's eyebrows raised skeptically as he took in the scene before him, while Ai's gaze lingered on the trunk with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"Mom, what is all this?" Conan asked, his tone betraying his intrigue despite his best attempts at nonchalance.
Yukiko beamed, motioning toward the trunk. "This, my dear, is an opportunity for us to unleash our creativity and embrace the art of disguise!" She demonstrated the transformation process, seamlessly morphing into a character from one of her old films. The change was astonishing – it was as if another person entirely had taken her place.
"Wow," Ai murmured, clearly impressed.
"Each of you gets to pick a disguise and character," Yukiko continued, her enthusiasm infectious. As Conan and Ai rummaged through the trunk, Conan unsurprisingly reaches out for a detective costume while Haibara chooses a plain black outfit.
They were both met with a disappointed Yukiko "Remember, the key is to have fun and let your imagination run wild!" She paused for a second then clapped her hands together. "Change of plans. Shin-chan choose an outfit for Ai-chan, and do that same to him."
Conan didn't know that he would like this activity and he eyed a white and red custome. Grinning as he picked out a clown costume for Ai, complete with oversized shoes, a bright red nose, and a colorful wig. He knew it was a far cry from her usual composure, but couldn't resist the chance to see her in such a playful outfit.
Ai, on the other hand, selected a Buckingham Palace guard uniform for Conan, challenging him to maintain the guards' famously unwavering, expressionless posture. Once they had donned their costumes, the living room transformed into a stage as they engaged in improvisation games.
"Alright, Shin-chan," Yukiko said, clapping her hands together. "You're now a guard who's just been informed that the Queen has misplaced her favorite corgi. What do you do?"
Conan straightened, his face adopting the stoic expression of a true palace guard. "I shall search high and low for Her Majesty's beloved pet," he declared, his voice steady and strong.
"Excellent!" Yukiko praised, turning to Ai. "And you, dear clown, are tasked with cheering up a child at a birthday party who's just dropped their ice cream cone."
Ai's eyes widened momentarily before she took a deep breath, stepping into character. She performed an exaggerated pratfall, juggling imaginary balls, and pulling all manner of tricks from her oversized sleeves. Each antic was met with laughter and applause from Yukiko and Conan, who couldn't help but be swept up in the joy of the moment.
As the afternoon wore on, the living room became a whirlwind of laughter and dramatic dialogue, their disguises allowing them to explore new facets of their personalities. Through it all, Conan found himself marveling at Ai's adaptability – how she could slip into any role with ease, whether playing a stoic scientist or a whimsical entertainer.
"Who knew you had such a flair for comedy?" he asked, chuckling as she honked her red nose.
"Who knew you could be so convincing as a stony-faced guard?" she replied with a sly smile.
Yukiko stood with a twinkle in her eye, a mischievous grin spreading across her face as she looked between Conan and Ai. She clapped her hands together once to gather their attention, her voice lilting with excitement.
"Alright, you two, it's time for your next assignment. Ai, you've been doing wonderfully as a clown, and Conan, you've been quite the impenetrable guard," she began, setting the stage for her playful challenge.
Conan, still in his guard's stoic posture, raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?" he asked, his curiosity piqued despite his best efforts to remain in character.
Yukiko's smile broadened. "Ai, your task is to make our dear guard here laugh. Break through that serious facade with your clownish charm!" she declared, her gaze playfully shifting to Ai.
Ai, dressed in her colorful clown attire, complete with a bright red nose and oversized shoes, blushed at the sudden request. Meanwhile Conan folded his arms, the hint of a smile betraying his anticipation. "Good luck with that," he replied, trying to sound as grave as possible, "A guard of the Queen does not falter so easily."
"Oh, but remember, Shin-chan," Yukiko interjected, wagging a finger with exaggerated sternness, "if you laugh, you'll have to admit defeat and accept the next assignment I have in store for you. So, guard your laughter well!"
She began with a series of comical gestures, each more ludicrous than the last. She mimicked juggling invisible balls, her hands moving with exaggerated finesse, but Conan's smirk merely grew a fraction. Ai escalated her efforts, pretending to pull an endless scarf from her mouth, each segment a different bright, clashing color.
Conan's stoic façade cracked, a smirk dancing on the edges of his lips. Yukiko nudged him playfully. "Oh, a tough crowd today, isn't it?" she teased. Ai's eyes twinkled with determination. She was not just going to make Conan crack a smile; she was going to make him laugh heartily.
Ai felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, her usual confidence momentarily slipping under the weight of Conan's unwavering gaze. She wasn't accustomed to such playful antics, her past shrouded in shadows and seriousness.
Ai's fingers trembled slightly as she held an object from her mission box behind her back, hidden from Conan's view. His gaze was intense, unwavering, the embodiment of the stoic guard he was portraying. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, not used to being the center of such focused attention, especially not from him.
Yukiko, sensing Ai's hesitation, caught her eye from across the room and mouthed, "Go for it." Her thumb was up, her expression one of absolute confidence in Ai's ability to complete her mission.
With a deep breath that did little to calm her racing heart, Ai squared her shoulders and stepped into the imaginary spotlight. Conan watched her every move, his eyebrows raised in a silent challenge. Ai could feel the tension between them, a tightrope stretched to its limits. This was more than a simple act; it was a test of her courage, her ability to step outside the confines of her usual reserve.
"Guard," Ai began, her voice soft but clear. "I have been tasked with inspecting the royal armory."