"I'll get going then, Obaa-san." Yuuto said as he finished putting on his shoes. "Thank you for taking care of Haru-chan for me."

The old lady smiled.

"Be careful on your way home." Tomomi replied. "Ah, and don't forget to stop by the Kudos and give the thing I've told you to them."

She reminded him about the one bag she had prepared as an apology for the little Kudo family.

"They helped me a lot when Haru-chan's lease slipped off of my hand and I felt responsible for scaring the baby girl with the dog." She sighed.

Yuuto laughed wryly. Why did such a coincidence really exist? That his grandma was acquaintance with the detective who he treated as his love rival. Furthermore, he helped her with the dog when he was away on his school's summer soccer camp.

He somehow felt annoyed.

He purposely skipped some of his breaks in order to finish his intensive training faster and asked his coach to let him return home ahead from their schedule. He was worried about his grandma who took care of his pet by herself. Yet here she was, telling him some of the behind story and asked him to go to a certain detective's house to give him something as an apology.

"Okay, okay." He replied with a smile, a suppress hint of annoyance was in his voice.

He didn't know why his grandma insisted for him to deliver the thing during this time of the day. She could've deliver it herself later in the evening since her house was nearer to the Kudos than his, although he indeed could make a pass by the block when he was on his way home.

He wasn't sure if there would be someone in the house anyway. The detective had probably gone for work, leaving the house empty. Even so, Yuuto still went on his way to the Kudo Residence, heeding his grandma's request. Well, he might as well see this as running an errand for her to show his gratitude.

The feeling of hesitation immerged into his mind once he arrived at the porch, halting his fingers from touching the doorbell.

What if the detective hadn't gone out yet? What should he say when he met him? Introducing himself as one of his acquaintances' grandson would surely take too much time while he didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary.

Should he just leave the thing in the porch? That way he didn't have to see him and he wouldn't know who delivered it. But what if some stray cats took it away before the detective did? He would surely get a scold from his grandma if that happened.

After spending some minutes battling with himself in his head, he took a deep breath and eventually pressed the doorbell. He waited for another few seconds before he pressed the bell again. A whole lot of relief consummated his mind when he saw no signs of someone opening the door for him.

It meant he didn't have to meet with the detective right now.

Thinking that no one was in the house, he decided to return to his grandma's to drop off the stuffs before he went home. He turned around, ready to take his leave when he heard the main gate cringed a bit.

He was startled to catch a glimpse of Shinichi's figure by the gate, so he instinctively brought himself and his dog to hide behind the bushes near the porch. Thankfully the bushes were big enough to cover them up. He cursed himself afterwards, realizing he actually had no valid reason to hide from the detective. He was only running an errand, didn't he?

Although it was too late for him to come out now.

From between the bushes, he saw Shinichi running toward the porch while checking the time on his watch. Then the detective took out his key to unlock the door, but it was abruptly opened before he could insert it.

Yuuto was surprised to see there was actually someone else who lived in the house aside from the detective and the baby girl. As far as he remembered, there wasn't anyone else in it when he came to visit the premise around two months ago.

Did he decide to hire a nanny perhaps?

"Why did you ring the doorbell if you have your key with you?"

Yuuto widened his eyes. Even though he heard the words she said rather unclear, but more importantly, he recognized this voice very well.

Impossible. He said to himself.

He turned his head to get a better view of the porch, trying to make sure he heard wrong. Yet to his bewilderment, he saw the strawberry blonde standing by the door.

What is she doing at this early hour in this house? He thought.

Moreover, she was wearing a rather very casual clothes– too much comfortable to visit a neighbor's house if he could say. In fact, she was only wearing a loose light-colored camisole top with a pair of loose cotton shorts. She was wearing a very light summer cardigan too, but it was more like she wore it hurriedly before she greeted her guest; it was only loosely covering up to her upper arms.

He was blushing madly at how his crush revealed so much of her fair skin. Even from a distance, he could totally see her nude bra straps on her shoulders.

Yuuto turned his head to another direction to calm himself. He didn't really listen to their talk right after that. He was trying to gather his mind and concentration back which he eventually did, just in time to hear the last sentence the detective uttered…

"How can I leave now when my wife is so adorable like this?"

…and to see him kissed the strawberry blonde so lovingly on her forehead.

To his dismay, she didn't even budge an inch. Instead, she smiled as if she enjoyed it. And those blushes on her cheeks proved it all.

Instantly, his world crumbled to pieces. He couldn't even generate every little thing he was witnessing right now, not even at how he was feeling after he watched the scene.

What the hell? His mind cursed.

He felt his heart beating faster under his chest. Cold sweat started to roll down his forehead toward his jawlines only to unite themselves under his chin and fell to the ground. Even so, he tried to keep himself compose and under control.

He was going to stay quiet, waiting for the detective to leave and his crush to go inside, but then Haru let out a woof sound. He panicked as he hushed the dog to stay silent, yet his pet heedlessly walked out from the bush and woofed again. He tried to pull him in vain, instead he stumbled along the way and made himself caught by showing up from his hideout.

Damn.

His eyes met with the other two pairs of the same colors but with different shades. He could see they were shocked by his sudden appearance on the yard. He came uninvited after all. He blushed a second later, feeling mortified by their gazes on him although he knew it wasn't their intention to make him feel that way.

He clenched his fists, grabbing the grass underneath his palms. His head was spinning in confusion.

What should he do now?

"Ah…" His voice was quivered. "Ahaha!"

He laughed clumsily, trying to break the awkwardness between them as he stood up abruptly and was planning to flee from the situation– from them. He felt dizzy however, then the next thing he saw was all black.

Yuuto couldn't recall what happened after that. He only remembered his body became so light all of a sudden and he gave himself into the darkness.

.

.

.

Shinichi breathed a very heavy sigh once he laid the soccer guy down on the couch in the living room. Apparently, the guy suddenly fell unconscious when he stood up in an abrupt manner from his position, which startled both him and Ai.

Despite the certainty that he overheard their conversation, they couldn't just leave him alone on the ground, could they? While calling a 911 would be impossible since it would draw a lot of attention from their neighbors, bringing him inside was the only best choice they currently had.

"I think you should really leave now or you'll be late for real." Ai said to the detective as she examined the fainted guy's pulse with her fingers.

Shinichi only replied her with a hum as he was deeply in thought.

"I guess I should call in sick then." He finally said.

Ai looked at him in confusion. She knew how he loved his job and he wouldn't even once call in sick due to an absurd situation such as this.

"Why–"

"Because I can't just leave you alone with him." He cut her unfinished question, worries were clearly seen in his eyes.

Ai rolled her eyes at him immediately. Such an absurd reason that was.

"I thought you've far passed that stage of being jealous with this guy, Shinichi. Or am I wrong?" She sighed.

"Wha– No, it's not because of that." He groaned sheepishly. "What I mean is that your hands are already full with Chiharu, so at least I should help taking care of this guy, shouldn't I?"

That was the only one thing he said though. In actuality, he was more concern about how Ai would coop up with all of these. After all, an unexpected someone (who was unconscious right now) had found out about their secret marriage. And the 99% probability of him watching them flirting in the broad daylight was hellishly problematic too.

Gosh, he just hoped the boy didn't listen too much, lest it would be awkwardly embarrassing.

That was why he needed to have a serious talk with her as soon as right now.

Ai stood up from her knees and brought her hands to her hips. She still had that slightly annoyed look on her face.

"Well, thanks for the offer but I can manage it from here." She said. "There is Haru-chan beside me anyway. He surely can help."

The detective was speechless upon listening to her say so frankly that she preferred a dog's help rather than his in this situation.

"Now if you may go, I need to run to the Professor's house to get his first aid kit." She continued, walking closer to his spot. "I have to give an injection to this guy."

She finished her last sentence as she brought her hands to turn the detective around and pushed his back to make him move. Shinichi was still hesitating to walk on his own though, taking only a little bit of some steps while trying to talk to her.

"B-But–"

"We can talk once you're home, Shinichi." She said to his back softly and in a serious tone. "But for now, just leave this to me."

He stopped his steps and turned his body around to look at her in the eye. She was startled a bit, losing her balance from his sudden shifting, but he grabbed her hands just in time to steady her footing.

Her words were echoing in his ears as if telling him she understood his concern and that she was assuringly alright.

"Fine, I'll get going then." He finally agreed to her. "But you have to call me if you need something."

Ai looked back at him in the eye then she smiled.

"I will."

And so, Shinichi gave her a kiss on her palms for the last time before he took his stuffs and ran to his office.

.

.

.

Shinichi let out a deep breath once he sat on his office desk. He arrived right on cue as the clock struck nine. While today was still Monday, damn it. Looked like he really had a great way to start the new week.

Many pairs of eyes were surprised to see him almost late for work. He was too famous for being a mystery geek after all. It didn't change even if he had officially became a police officer. It was the reason why he chose this job and he enjoyed it greatly. For that, he would never once come to the office late– he had a perfect attendance record if one could say.

Although today was an exception.

Now that he had calmed himself down, he felt his energy was drained from all the running he did. He took out his breakfast and grinned once he opened the lid to the bento box.

Ai made some onigiri for him.

She knew him well enough that he would eat his breakfast while working at the same time, so onigiri was more than perfect for him. This way, he only needed to use one hand to eat while he could use the other to flip open the case file he was going to work with today.

He happily chomped on the food while reading the file he had on hand.

"Woah, what happened to you, Kudo-kun?" The male inspector (formerly officer) Takagi asked as he sat on his desk that was right beside Shinichi. "Everyone is making a fuss over your almost late arrival."

The young inspector laughed dryly at his colleague's remarks.

"Nothing. I just woke up late, then I forgot to bring the important case file I brought home last Friday." He explained after he finished another bite of his onigiri. "So I had to run back to get it."

Takagi threw him an amused look.

"Ooh, but you still had the time to make some onigiri for breakfast, eh?" Miwako joined them. She took her seat on her desk in front of her husband. "I don't believe they are some store-bought onigiri."

Shinichi was stunned. It was too obvious he didn't buy any of these since there wasn't any single convenience stores that sold onigiri in a bento box. He could sense that the female inspector was prying into something.

"Did Ai-chan make them for you?" She smiled so innocently mischievous.

There, he guessed it right.

It was a good thing though that he was too tired from the unbelievable happenings in his house, as well as from the adrenaline rush he felt during all the running he did. So his facial muscles were just too exhausted to give a visible reaction to his colleague's quirk while in truth, his heart leaped a beat for a second upon catching his wife's name that escaped through the female inspector's lips.

"Well–" Shinichi started with his answer. He surely was going to tell her a white lie.

"Alright, people! Assembly hall in five minutes!" Megure abruptly shouted from the entrance of the room to call on everyone for a big meeting regarding a case.

Everyone answered instantly in unison and started to move.

Saved by the bell, huh? Shinichi said to the back of his mind.

"Let's get to the assembly hall before the chief scold us, shall we?" He faked a smile as he stood up from his chair, packed up the bento box, and gathered some stuffs he needed for the meeting.

"Y-Yeah." Takagi nodded and also did the same as him.

Meanwhile, Miwako was astonished at how smooth the young detective moved the subject on purpose. She was more convinced that there certainly was something he hid.

She smiled inwardly.

It seemed things were getting interesting from her point of view even though she had to let it go for now.

Shinichi groaned once he was out walking in the hallway to the assembly hall.

A part of him was glad the female inspector didn't push her questions further. His hands were already tight with the unconscious soccer guy at his house, so he didn't need to add another person to the group. But another part of him was greatly bothered by how everyone around him seemed to start getting suspicious about his and Ai's relationship.

Moreover, it happened when everything had been settled between the two of them. Couldn't they enjoy some quiet moment together after all the things happened to them?

Geez.

It turned out that keeping their marriage a secret was harder than keeping their real identities in the dark. If it wasn't for Ai's conditional terms that he had to agree with at the beginning of this all, he won't care to this extend even if it was leaked to the public.

Perhaps he had to ask her to create a drug that would make a person loss a certain part of their memory. Or maybe, he rather called the Professor to ask him to create some tools that worked like in those MIB movies.

Either way, he only wanted this day to be over soon and be back home to resolve the things with the soccer captain. He couldn't imagine how that guy would react once he regained his consciousness– he was like a ticking bomb.

He still had to talk with his wife too. She indeed looked nothing out of ordinary before he left. However, he was uncertain whether it was only her facade to keep him clueless about her true feeling or it was genuine.

Argh. Shinichi screamed to himself as he ruffled his hair in frustration.

He needed to see her so badly to know how she really felt about all of these absurdity. She was surely great at playing everything cool, even a phone call didn't help much in figuring out her real emotions.

Gosh. He cursed inwardly as he banged his forehead a little bit too hard on the table (and startled everyone who sat beside him), both his hands were resting on his head– he looked so distressed as he let out a low growl under the table.

How could a lot of things happened simultaneously like this?

.

.

.

Shinichi wasn't sure if this was a God's grace or what, but the boy was still unconscious on their couch by the time he was home. At least this way, he could prepare himself for whatever explanation he was planning to give to the boy.

"What should we do about him now?" Ai asked her husband while leaning herself on the wall near the living room entrance with her arms crossed. "All I know is his inquisitiveness about my private life."

"Then it is better to tell him the truth, isn't it?" Shinichi replied as he closed the door slowly after peeking into the room to see the boy's current state.

The boy was too smart to stay in the grey about all this and Shinichi realized that. So denying or lying about these things to him definitely wouldn't help them out from the problem.

"That's true." She sighed. "Why of all people, should it be him who found out about us?"

"I am asking the same thing too." He chuckled wryly. "But I am more concern about you. You look unexpectedly so calm about this."

Finally he had the chance to ask her the thing that had been brooding over his mind for the whole day since this morning.

"Isn't that a good thing?" She remarked.

"It's kinda scary actually." He animatedly grimaced at her coolness.

Ai stifled a laugh.

She knew she was suppose to be anxious since it was her who wanted to keep this marriage a secret to avoid the public attention. She couldn't even bring herself to imagine how their lives would be if one day someone knew about this.

But here she was, feeling so terrifyingly calm even after a boy, whom she knew had a crush on her, found out about it. She still did feel unsurprisingly relaxed despite realizing that the boy might have had watched their flirting moment.

Perhaps it was his influence that made her feel this way. Just like when she decided to accept Ayumi's invitation to the pool last week, she felt everything would eventually turn for the better whenever she was with him.

"Why should I lose my temper over this trivial matter when I know I have you by my side?" She said as she turned herself to face him– no longer leaning on the wall– and she smiled so softly at him.

Instantaneously, Shinichi felt his heart skipped a beat as warmth crept up to his cheeks and formed a small tint on each side. He didn't truly expect such a reply from her aside a retort. And it did make him overly delighted despite the not-so-calm situation they were in.

"Wow, I am flattered." He smiled shyly. "I never knew my wife will rely on me that much."

"Well, I always did and I still do." Ai replied with a great confidence in her tone, keeping the genuine smile that was plastered on her face since minutes ago.

His grip on the door knob was tightened altogether with his heart that squeezed his insides in contentment. This girl had never failed to bring the best of him. He brought his hand to pet her head gently, which surprised her a bit but her smile returned to her lips when she heard his assurance.

"I promise everything will be okay, Ai." He said with a grin.

She had nothing more than to agree with him on this because she clearly knew that he never failed to keep his promise to her– not even once. She closed her eyes and enjoyed his warm hand that was now stroking her hair down to her nape tenderly.

Surely, everything would be fine when she was with him.

He was going to meet her on the lips as he leaned himself slightly toward her while his hand on her nape pulled her closer to him, but her hand interrupted first, covering his mouth with her palm.

"Just go take a bath now." She said so sternly, yet her cheeks were pinkening. "You reek of sweat."

Shinichi groaned, disappointed by her sudden stopping but he couldn't deny the fact that he sweated a lot. It was true since he had done a lot of running today and it was still summer.

He held her wrist to remove her palm from his lips, then he obediently followed her words and began to budge.

"Alright. Alright." Shinichi chuckled, conceding.

He halted before he started to move from the spot though, to bore his gaze so deep in her eyes and said the magic words.

"Thank you for trusting me, Ai."

Right after he said so, he walked deeper into the house to get himself into the bathroom. If only he hadn't left yet, he would surely see her exploding expression that she had for receiving his words.

Like a pop sound of a champagne cork being opened, and so did Ai's stopper to her bottled up feeling was removed. She felt her blood rushed to her face in a very slow rhythm as she couldn't hold her excitement from erupting anymore. Her blushes were deepened more upon listening to his simple words.

How could such a little thing from him make her this happy?

She shook her head gently a second later, getting herself back down to earth. Then she decided to check on the soccer captain once again. He was indeed taking his time to be in deep slumber, eh?

As she walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water for the boy in case he had awakened, she couldn't help but to curl the corners of her mouth up slightly in a soft smile. Everything would be okay just like he promised her, wouldn't it?

Author's note: Even though they hadn't had their wedding vow yet, but I guess, they had promised each other to always stay together for better and for worse, right? (wink).

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Happy reading!

Disclaimer: All characters of Detective Conan are belong to Aoyama Gosho. I don't own any single of them.